Covid-19

Our COVID-19 coverage captures the full impact of the pandemic on the UK’s 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.

Apr- 2020 -

28 April

Coronavirus

Greggs to reopen 20 stores for delivery amid lockdown

Bakery chain Greggs has revealed plans to open 20 of its stores for delivery in the Newcastle area as part of a controlled trial, as the UK Covid-19 lockdown continues. According to the BBC, stores would operate at reduced hours and offer a limited product range. The trial is set…
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28 April

Restaurants

Shake Shack reopens for delivery amid Covid-19 crisis

American burger chain Shake Shack has announced it has reopened its central London Tottenham Court Road store for takeaway and delivery, with plans to open its Canary Wharf site on Thursday (30 April). Customers will be able to order home delivery via Deliveroo from the stores, as the restaurant said…
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28 April

Comment

‘Don’t Stop Now; Keep talking’: Why communication is still vital for businesses

When it comes to adapting your approach to deal with the current pandemic, going dark with your F&B business’ marketing and communications is the last thing you should be doing. Recent studies have already shown a 61% rise in social media engagement, compared to usual usage statistics. Therefore, whether your…
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27 April

Pubs and Bars

16 Hospitality appoints administrators

Sarah O’Toole and Jason Bell of Grant Thornton UK have been appointed as joint administrators of pub group 16 Hospitality. The group owns and operates four pubs, including The Partridge in Stretton, The Old Hall Hotel in Frodsham, The White Eagle in Rhoscolyn and The Oyster Catcher in Rhosneigr. The…
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27 April

Pubs and Bars

‘Huge blows’ to pubs as government fails to defer Beer Duty payment, says BBPA

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said the government’s failure to defer beer duty is a “huge blow” to pubs and brewers, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The government has rejected the call for a blanket deferral of beer duty payments relating to beer produced in March, despite the…
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27 April

Advice

How to keep your catering team safe and your environment clean

Although many catering operations have been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, there are many still in operation supporting both keyworkers and offering take-away services to those in lockdown. The challenge for these organisations is to maintain social distancing and high levels of hygiene within their kitchens and restaurant areas…
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24 April

Coronavirus

Over 80% of accommodation and food service businesses have closed temporarily

A new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 81.2% of accommodation and food service businesses have closed temporarily due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The independent producer of official statistics reached out to 17,786 businesses for its Business Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Survey (BICS), and a…
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24 April

Pubs and Bars

Prolonged social distancing will bring huge difficulties for the pub sector, says BBPA

British Beer and Pub Association has said prolonged social distancing will bring “huge difficulties” for the pub sector, responding to CMO Chris Whitty’s comments that social distancing will be needed until at least the end of 2020. Whitty said there is an “incredibly small” chance of a vaccine for coronavirus…
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24 April

Comment

Skills redeployment in the Covid-19 age

Hospitality businesses and people are used to fielding knocks from world events but CV19 has dealt a staggering blow. Everyone is responding in their own way, as best they can, with the resources they have, and the UK hospitality sector is doing a seriously impressive job of it. Businesses have…
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23 April

Restaurants

Nandos reopens seven sites for NHS staff amid Covid-19 crisis

Nandos has announced it is reopening seven of its city-centre restaurants to provide 1,700 free meals to NHS and frontline workers each day amid the Covid-19 crisis. The restaurants reopening include four in London, two in Manchester and one in Dublin and will operate behind closed doors exclusively for NHS…
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