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 -

6 April

Comment

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 April

Restaurants

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 April

Coronavirus

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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2 April

Restaurants

Sandpiper terminates purchase of The Guernsey Pub Company

Property development company Sandpiper has announced that its intended acquisition of The Guernsey Pub Company has now been “terminated”. The board of directors of Sandpiper said that due to the effects of Covid-19 to date and the “uncertainty surrounding its future effects”, it has been unable to fulfil the conditions…
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2 April

Restaurants

Wagamama launches ‘Wok From Home’ cookery guide amid Covid-19 virus outbreak

Wagamama has announced the launch of its home cookery guide, ‘Wok From Home’, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Since the lockdown and tightened restrictions to combat Covid-19, restaurants were told to temporarily close its doors, resulting in Wagamama launching its ‘Wok From Home’ guide, which includes Asian cookery lessons presented by…
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Mar- 2020 -

31 March

Coronavirus

One in ten use takeaway for the first time, says NPD group

One in ten people will use a delivery or takeaway service for the first time during the Covid-19 outbreak, the NPD Group has revealed. The findings came from the Covid-19 British Foodservice Sentiment Tracker, launched by the global information group in light of the ongoing pandemic. The survey was conducted…
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30 March

Coronavirus

Carluccio’s enters administration

Geoff Rowley and Phil Reynolds, partners at specialist business advisory firm FRP, have been appointed joint administrators of Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s. The directors of the company said they made the decision to place the chain into administration after a “sustained period of challenging trading conditions”, which have been “exacerbated”…
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30 March

Coronavirus

Restaurant and pub insolvencies rose before pandemic, says UHY Hacker Young

There were 1,452 restaurant and 526 UK pub insolvencies last year, according to UHY Hacker Young. The financial firm said that the industry was “stuck in a long-term slump” even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 1,452 UK restaurant businesses and 526 UK pub businesses entered insolvency in…
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30 March

Restaurants

Boxpark temporarily ceases trading amid Covid-19 pandemic

Pop-up mall company Boxpark has announced the temporary closure of all its sites, forcing any tenants still operating as a delivery service to cease trading. Boxpark which has three locations in London including Croydon, Shoreditch and Wembley, closed its doors in line with government orders. Initially, traders at the establishment…
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28 March

Restaurants

Carluccio’s poised to enter administration amid Covid-19 lockdown

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s is reportedly set to file for administration, putting almost 2,000 jobs at risk. According to the Guardian, restructuring firm FRP Advisory confirmed it has been appointed to work with the chain. FRP told the Guardian: “FRP is working with the directors of Carluccio’s to consider all…
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