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.
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Apr- 2020 -9 April
Leon launches Feed Britain initiative
Leon has announced the launch of Feed Britain, a new online delivery service that provides customers with fresh grocery essentials and ready meals amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Whilst Feed Britain is designed in the long run to be a commercial enterprise that makes it possible for suppliers to sustainably…
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9 AprilCoronavirus
AAB calls on government to enhance support for businesses
Accountancy firm Anderson Anderson and Brown (AAB) has called on the UK Government to implement a series of “wide-reaching” measures aimed at helping businesses to survive the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Lyn Calder, managing partner and also the firm’s head of deals for the Central Belt in Scotland,…
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9 AprilPubs and Bars
CAMRA urges pub owners to cancel rents amid Covid-19 crisis
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is urging pub companies to cancel rents for their tenants, while coronavirus pandemic keeps pubs doors closed. Ei Group, Punch, Greene King, Star and Marstons are some of the companies being called out by the group as it wants rent payments to be cancelled…
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8 AprilComment
Covid-19: A pragmatic, proactive and positive response through PR
Few of us will ever forget March 2020 as the month that almost everything we thought we knew about the world and business changed substantially, and possibly forever. The Coronavirus ‘crisis’ grew so rapidly that the background news agenda changed from Brexit to Covid-19, almost overnight. All of the Suzanne…
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7 AprilCatering Companies
Sodexo reveals new employee relief programme in response to Covid-19 pandemic
Sodexo has revealed a new employee relief programme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. It comes after the catering company closed down sites, lowered service frequency and canceled some services in response to the outbreak. It added that this would regrettably result in a reduction of its…
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6 AprilCoronavirus
‘Massive surge’ in applications to hospitality jobs amid lockdown measures
Applications to hospitality jobs “soared” by 119.9% month-on-month in March, as the industry’s professionals “desperately scrambled” for work amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest report from independent job board CV Library. The study, which explores job market data from March 2020 and compares this with figures from February…
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6 AprilCoronavirus
3,650 pubs and restaurants will miss out on funding due to ‘anomaly’, says Altus Group
More than 3,650 small shops, pubs, restaurants will lose out on £15,000 of government grant funding following an “anomaly”, according to the Altus Group. Last week, a payment of £3.4bn was made to councils to ensure that grants of up to £25,000 would reach businesses “as soon as possible” to…
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6 AprilComment
Covid-19: Developing a food service business continuity plan
While this crisis is shocking and unprecedented, it’s positive to represent a business which delivers useful and relevant products in the areas of hygiene and food safety. The Home Office has classified Bunzl as a ‘critical supplier’ and each division, including Tri-Star, WK Thomas and London Bio Packaging (LBP) has…
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6 AprilRestaurants
Covid-19: The Restaurant Group increases banking facilities as execs take pay cut
The parent company of Wagamama, The Restaurant Group (TRG), has announced extra flexibility in its banking facilities, with executive directors agreeing to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company, behind the brands of Chiquito’s and Frankie and Benny’s, said the TRG lending group has agreed that there…
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3 AprilCoronavirus
Chancellor unveils new measures to SME loan scheme
Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak has unveiled a major overhaul to his previously announced SME loan scheme. Initially, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) was aimed at businesses unable to secure regular commercial financing as the virus took its toll on the UK’s economy. However, according to Sky…
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