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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Mar- 2020 -19 MarchBusiness
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 MarchAdvice
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 MarchPubs 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 MarchGovernment
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 MarchPubs 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 MarchBusiness
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 MarchAdvice
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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11 MarchBusiness
Bank of England cuts interest rates to help combat coronavirus impact
The Bank of England has cut UK interest rates back down to the lowest level in history to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy. The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, announced the 50 basis point (0.5 percentage point) reduction, from 0.75% to…
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11 MarchPubs and Bars
Shepherd Neame welcomes ‘strong’ performance as profits hit £8m
Shepherd Neame has announced that underlying operating profit increased by 1.1% to £8m in its half-year results. In the 26 weeks ended 28 December 2019, turnover also rose by 3.3% to £79m, while underlying profit before tax was up 4.8% to £6.2m. Its 69 managed sites achieved a “solid” performance,…
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6 MarchBusiness Bites
Flybe’s pensions in doubt; Poorest 20% no better off than before, 1m Virgin customers on unsecured database
lybe’s pension pot for 1,350 current and former workers is at risk, as the fallout from one of the first casualties of the coronavirus business threat manifests in full. Flybe of course was already embattled before the new Covid-19 virus came along, and was the subject of a controversial bailout by…
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