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 -2 AprilRestaurants
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 AprilRestaurants
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 MarchCoronavirus
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 MarchCoronavirus
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 MarchCoronavirus
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 MarchRestaurants
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 MarchRestaurants
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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27 MarchRestaurants
Covid-19: Chiquito to close 61 stores permanently
Mexican restaurant chain Chiquito is to close 61 stores across the UK permanently as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Guardian, the chain’s remaining 20 sites will reportedly reopen once the Coronavirus situation improves. The Restaurant Group, which owns Chiquito, said 11 Food and Fuel pubs in…
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27 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Restaurant and pub sales fall 71% in last week of trading
Like-for-like sales in pubs, bars and restaurants nosedived 71% in the week that licensed premises were ordered to close amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Data from the CGA’s Coffer Peach Business Tracker revealed that like-for-like trading in restaurant chains was down 75% that week. Managed pub sales fell by 67%,…
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27 MarchComment
Stay calm: How to take the coronavirus crisis one day at a time
As a restaurateur that’s been in the industry for many years and has overcome many challenges, I can safely say I have never faced anything as damaging to our business as the current Covid-19 crisis. However, it’s times like these that we all have to pull together to find solutions…
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