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 -

17 April

Coronavirus

Restaurant, pub and bar sales nosedive 60% in March

Collective like-for-like sales tumbled 57.6% in March amongst the pub, restaurant and bar sector as the nationwide lockdown began, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. According to its data, the entire sector was “hit hard”, with a slowdown in sales, which started in February, continuing over the first…
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17 April

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Covid-19: How catering and food businesses can keep their workforce safe

Few could have predicted the impact the Covid-19 outbreak would have on the food and catering industry. Many food businesses find themselves busier than ever, trying to feed the nation and ensure products are delivered safely – both for their customers and for their staff. We have been asked for…
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16 April

Coronavirus

Government extends lockdown for ‘at least’ three more weeks

The government has announced an extension to the coronavirus lockdown for “at least” a further three weeks. The decision was announced at today’s (16 April) press briefing which was led by foreign secretary Dominic Raab. It also comes after Raab led an emergency Cobra committee and cabinet meetings about…
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16 April

Coronavirus

Urgent inquiry launched to support hospitality businesses

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism announced it is launching an urgent inquiry to establish the best ways to support recovering businesses in light of the annoying pandemic. The inquiry will assess what is needed to get hospitality businesses “back on their feet at the right time for…
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16 April

Coronavirus

UK hospitality job market most affected by Covid-19 outbreak, study finds

UK job vacancies plummet 42% in the year to date as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic, according to the latest research by job search engine Adzuna.co.uk. The group said the hospitality and catering industry continues to be the “biggest casualty” in the UK job market, losing nearly three quarters…
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16 April

Restaurants

KFC reopens 11 UK branches for takeaway amid Covid-19 crisis

KFC has announced it is reopening 11 of its 900 stores across the UK for takeaway orders. The fast-food restaurant made the decision to temporarily close its doors last month “protect the wellbeing and safety” of its customers and staff, following government regulations of a lockdown to help stop the…
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15 April

Coronavirus

Just Eat extends NHS discount amid ‘unprecedented response’ due to Covid-19 crisis

Just Eat has announced that it will extend its new 25% discount for NHS workers after an “unprecedented response” amid the coronavirus pandemic. The food delivery service revealed, in the first two weeks alone NHS staff have ordered over one million meals and saved over £1.5mcollectively. Just Eat said the…
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15 April

Coronavirus

Covid-19 could cause UK economy to shrink by 35%, says OBR

The UK’s economy could shrink by as much as 35% in the second quarter of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said. The watchdog is also predicting a 13% drop in annual GDP as a result of the outbreak, which it said would…
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15 April

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Covid-19: Cleanology – investing in cleaning for the long term

It is hard to believe that just a month ago, the cleaning industry was celebrating success at the Golden Service Awards. And today we are on the front line of a war against a virus. It brings everything into perspective, that for all the power, money and success in the…
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14 April

Coronavirus

Revolution raises credit facility

Revolution Bars has announced that it will increase its revolving credit facility to £30m following an agreement with NatWest. This will last until 31 August, when it will decrease to £24m as the group “begins to benefit from its normal positive working capital cycle” following the predicted easing of lockdown…
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