Covid-19
Our COVID-19 coverage captures the full impact of the pandemic on the UKโs foodservice and hospitality sector, from lockdown trading restrictions and government support schemes to recovery planning, operational adaptations, and long-term business implications. This includes essential reporting for restaurant operators, pub landlords, caterers, chefs, and F&B directors navigating one of the most disruptive periods in industry history.
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May- 2020 -14 MayPubs and Bars
BBPA welcomes new task force for pubs and restaurants
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the creation of five new ministerial-led task forces to develop plans for how and when closed sectors can reopen safely, following publication of the UKโs roadmap to rebuild Britain. One of the new task forces will specifically look at pubs and…
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13 MayCatering Companies
UK economy shrinks by 2% as pandemic takes its toll
The UKโs economy shrank by 2% in the three months to 31 March 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which also found that gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 5.8% during March, the largest fall…
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13 MayCafes and Coffee Shops
Starbucks to reopen 150 UK stores for takeaway and delivery
Starbucks has announced the reopening of 150 of its UK sites from tomorrow (14 May), amid the Covid-19 pandemic. With the easing of restrictions allowing more travel on roads, beginning 14 May it will begin a phased reopening of Starbucks drive-thru locations across the UK as well as a handful…
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11 MayPubs and Bars
Greene King launches team member support fund
Pub company and brewer Greene King has announced the launch of a support fund in partnership with the Licensed Trade Charity to help team members affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The โteam member support fundโ will be set-up with an initial donation of ยฃ300,000 from Greene King. The funds have…
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7 MayPubs and Bars
April could have been โbest for pub trade in a decadeโ, says BBPA
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has revealed that April 2020 could have been the โbest for the beer and pub trade in a decadeโ, if it werenโt for the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. The trade association, which tracks sales of beer in pubs and shops, forecasts that 35…
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7 MayComment
The role food monitoring is playing in helping companies adapt to Covid-19
Adapt and pivot. These are two words that have grown in significance for the food and drink industry since the emergence of Covid-19. Bars, cafes and restaurants have closed their doors or shifted to pick-up or delivery-only services to adhere to social distancing rules.ย It is an uncertain time for…
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6 MayCoronavirus
Business rates revaluation postponed until 2022
A revaluation of business rates will no longer take place in 2021 in line with the governmentโs latest efforts to โreduce uncertaintyโ for firms affected by the ongoing pandemic.ย ย Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP confirmed that legislation has now been introduced to bring the next revaluation forward by…
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6 MayRestaurants
TGI Fridays launches click and collect service
TGI Fridays has today (6 May) launched its click and collect service amid the Covid-19 crisis. The new ordering system will allow guests to order their food and pay for it online then collect it from outside their nearest restaurant, where safety is a priority and social distancing measures are…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Costa reopens 29 stores for delivery and drive thruโs amid Covid-19 pandemic
Costa Coffee has reopened 12 stores for delivery alongside 17 drive-thru lanes amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The news came as Costa made the decision to open two drive-thru lanes and two stores for delivery only in line with the latest government advice. Costa said whilst the drive-thrus are open to…
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4 MayCoronavirus
Beer sales collapsed 40% in March amid Covid-19 crisis, says BBPA
Pub beer sales collapsed by 40% in March 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, according to new figures from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reveal. The BBPA said the โstark decreaseโ shows the immediate and devastating impact that lockdown is having on the British pub. Last…
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