Covid-19
Our COVID-19 coverage captures the full impact of the pandemic on the UKโs 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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Mar- 2020 -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 chainโs 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 CGAโs 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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26 MarchRestaurants
Pizza Hut delivery remains open despite restaurant closures amid coronavirus crisis
Pizza Hut has announced the temporary closure of all its UK dine-in restaurants amid the Covid-19 virus outbreak. In an email to customers, Pizza Hutโs general manager Neil Manhas reassured customers Pizza Hutโs โdelivery hutsโ are still open despite closures in dine-in restaurants and stopping collection and takeaway options. Manhas…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Shepherd Neame announces staffing changes
Shepherd Neame has announced a temporary change to its staffing structure and salary levels as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to unfold.ย In an aim to protect jobs for the long term, none of its staff are being made redundant, and all will remain employed โin the hope that the teams…
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26 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Banks under fire over emergency loan scheme
Banks have come under fire over government-backed emergency loans which require business owners to sign for a personal guarantee, as the UK battles with the Covid-19 pandemic. The British Business Bank (BBB) opened applications for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) on Monday (23 March), and claimed the loan…
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26 MarchComment
Marketing Matters: Covid-19 all in this together
It seems like madness to carry on writing an โagony auntโ column with the unprecedented changes in the industry at the moment. The idea that my answer to a marketing question will have any relevance at all is quite bizarre. Instead, Iโd like to take some time to consider the…
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25 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Off-licenses considered โessentialโ businesses by government
The government has added off-licenses to its list of retail businesses that can remain open following a ban to close all non-essential retailers to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. This also includes licenced shops selling alcohol, including those within breweries. It comes after the prime minister instructed retailers and all restaurants,…
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25 MarchCoronavirus
Covid-19: Government suspends gender pay gap reporting
The Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has taken the decision to suspend enforcement of the gender pay gap deadlines for this reporting year (2019/20) due to the coronavirus outbreak. The GEO and EHRC said the decision means there will be no expectation on…
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25 MarchRestaurants
Dominoโs donates 100,000 pizzaโs to NHS staff
Pizza takeaway company Dominoโs has announced it remains open and will donate over 100,000 pizzas to NHS staffย amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. Dominoโs said in an email to its customers that it will be working with every one of its stores across the UK to donate over…
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