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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Aug- 2022 -4 AugustPubs and Bars
Nightcap revenues jump 55.1% to £35.9m in FY22
Nightcap has reported its group revenues surged 55.1% year-on-year from £6m to £35.9m on a combined group of companies basis for the 53 weeks ended 3 July 2022 (FY22), with like-for-like revenues up 23.6%. The fourth quarter ended 3 July 2022 (Q4 FY22) also saw group revenues jump 73.2% to…
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3 AugustComment
How the Hospitality Industry can combat the insolvency crisis
After a report from UHY Hacker Young showed that UK restaurant insolvencies have jumped 64% from 856 in 2020/21 to 1,406, Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, warns that “it’s quite clear that this is just the tip of the iceberg”. The past quarter represented the largest number of restaurant…
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Jul- 2022 -27 JulyRestaurants
Two-thirds of hospitality business feel abandoned by government
Almost two-thirds of hospitality businesses feel abandoned by the government, according to new research from Peckwater Brands. The virtual brand operator surveyed 201 senior decision-makers within hospitality businesses. It found that nearly seven-in-10 (69%) of respondents are in favour of the government’s actions which protect hospitality businesses which accumulated debts…
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20 JulyBeverages
Follow Leisure acquires Belfast café chain District
Multi-venue hospitality operator, Follow Leisure, has revealed its acquisition of Belfast-based specialist coffee chain, District for an undisclosed figure. District opened its first premises in 2016 on Ormeau Road, adding additional locations throughout South Belfast in Lisburn Road, Stranmillis Road and Saintfield Road. In this acquisition by Follow Leisure, the…
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13 JulyPubs and Bars
JD Wetherspoon warns of full-year losses amid ‘laborious’ recovery
JD Wetherspoon has warned it is expecting an annual loss of £30m in its upcoming full-year results, as recovery for many businesses has been “slower and more laborious” than first anticipated. After investing heavily in labour, repairs and marketing, the group expects FY22 losses to be higher than expected, as…
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4 JulyRestaurants
Gusto Italian to expand South amid ‘resilient’ trading
Gusto Italian, the premium casual dining restaurant group, has announced it is looking to grow its estate and expand further South over the coming year. The announcement comes as the company revealed its turnover hit £12.4m in the full year ending September 2021 and an EBITDA of £585,000, which the…
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Jun- 2022 -30 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Pret sales hit by rail strikes
Pret A Manger’s sales in London’s financial and shopping district have fallen “sharply”, as coffee, soup and sandwich sales in the City and Canary Wharf were at 62% of pre-Covid-19 levels through Thursday (23 June), according to the latest figures tracked by Bloomberg’s Pret Index. This is reportedly the lowest…
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28 JuneFood and Drink
Food and drink sales recover in UK city centres
Restaurant, pub and bar trading in the UK has seen “solid” growth as out-of-home food and drink sales in all of Britain’s 10 biggest city centres have recorded growth over the four weeks to 4 June 2022, according to new CGA and Wireless Social. Sales were between 1% and 13%…
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24 JunePubs and Bars
Delivery and takeaway sales fall year-on-year
Delivery and takeaway sales at Britain’s managed restaurant and pub groups are falling from the peaks of Covid-19 lockdowns, as combined sales in May 2022 were 29% below the level of May 2021. According to the CGA by NielsenIQ and Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker, this marks the fifth month…
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24 JuneCafes and Coffee Shops
Pret sales rise as offices fill up
Pret A Manger’s sales of coffee and sandwiches were 88% of pre-Covid-19 levels through last Thursday (16 June) in London City and Canary Wharf, according to the latest figures tracked by Bloomberg’s Pret Index. Bloomberg said this a sign that the lunch hour is almost completely back to normal in…
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