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.

Mar- 2020 -

20 March

Pubs and Bars

Hospitality sales fell before PM’s warning, says CGA

Like-for-like sales across Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants fell 15% in the week ended 15 March, one day before the Prime Minister’s warning to avoid these destinations amid the Covid-19 threat. Figures from the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker, produced by hospitality consultancy CGA, revealed that like-for-like sales in restaurant…
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20 March

People

Co-op creates 5,000 new roles for hospitality staff displaced by Covid-19

The Co-op has announced plans to create 5,000 store-based roles in a bid to provide temporary employment for hospitality workers who have lost their jobs, amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The retailer said recruitment procedures have been simplified so that candidates can apply for positions by walking into their nearest…
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19 March

Pubs and Bars

Young’s suspends rent for tenants

Pub operator Young’s has announced a new set of measures to support its team across London and the south east. In its latest announcement, the group confirmed it would provide a three-month property rent holiday for all of its tenants, starting this week. The group also said it was doing…
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19 March

Business

New bank of England boss promises fresh measures to fight Covid-19

The new Bank of England boss, Andrew Bailey, has promised a fresh set of measures to help fight the economic “emergency” faced due to the coronavirus outbreak. Bailey, who has only been in the position for three days after taking over from former Bank Of England chief Mark Carney, told…
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18 March

Advice

How restaurants can turn themselves in takeaways to survive Covid-19

Yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that planning laws will be relaxed to enable pubs, bars and restaurants to transform into takeaways in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis that has brought the UK to its knees. Although this news is potentially a lifeline for the UK hospitality industry,…
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18 March

Pubs and Bars

Greene King postpones rent for partners amid Covid-19 outbreak

Pub company Greene King has notified its tenants of a delay in the collection of associated payments until further notice. The news follows the government recommending social distancing to the public, resulting in hospitality footfall decreasing by 45%. According to the Morning Advertiser, Pub Partners, which oversees Greene King’s independent…
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17 March

Government

Covid-19: Social distancing measures ‘catastrophic’ for pubs, restaurants and hotels

UKHospitality has said the government’s latest advice that people should avoid pubs, restaurants, hotels will be “catastrophic” for businesses and jobs. It has now called on the government for “immediate support for hospitality”, as well as “meaningful business continuity measures”. UKH’s CEO, Kate Nicholls, said the announcement has “effectively shut…
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17 March

Pubs and Bars

City Pub Group to ‘preserve cash’ amid Covid-19 outbreak

Recent trading at the City Pub Group has been “impacted” by Covid-19 and its wider effects, the pub operator has revealed. In its latest update regarding the virus, the group said that there was a “particular” impact on sport, and that certain sites have “witnessed noticeable reductions in trade as…
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17 March

Business

Colliers calls for Rates Deferment Scheme introduction amid Covid-19

Business rates experts at Colliers International have called for the Government to introduce a three-month or even six-month business rates deferment scheme to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus. It follows last Wednesday’s (11 March) Budget announcement, which Colliers said was “largely applauded” for the support given to smaller retail,…
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16 March

Advice

What will the spread of coronavirus mean for businesses?

The serious health concerns brought about by the coronavirus outbreak (officially Covid-19) have been well documented, as nations impose travel restrictions and enter quarantine to tackle the spread. The UK Government recently confirmed that sick employees will receive statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth,…
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