Furlough
Our coverage of the furlough scheme and its impact on the UK foodservice, hospitality, and catering sectors. We report on government policy updates, employer experiences, sector-specific challenges, and the operational and financial implications for restaurants, pubs, bars, and contract caterers. From workforce retention and reopening strategies to lessons learned post-scheme, this content supports industry professionals navigating staffing, recovery planning, and long-term resilience in a post-pandemic landscape.
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Sep- 2020 -8 SeptemberCoronavirus
Up to £3.5bn furlough claims fraudulent, says HMRC
Up to £3.5bn in payments from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme may have been claimed fraudulently or paid in error, according to the HMRC. Jim Harra, HMRC’s permanent secretary, appeared before MPs on the Public Accounts Committee to discuss the tax authority’s estimates that 5-10% of furlough claims have been…
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7 SeptemberBusiness
60% of mid-sized businesses plan redundancies, BDO finds
More than half (60%) of the UK’s medium-sized businesses are planning redundancies as a result of the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to an end in October, according to new research from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO. BDO’s monthly Rethinking the Economy survey of 500 medium-sized businesses across…
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7 SeptemberCoronavirus
GDP to contract £15.3bn each year if home working persists
Lower consumer spending and a decrease in economic clustering if pandemic levels of home working persist would reduce UK GDP by £15.3bn every year, according to new research published by PwC. The ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm said the hit to consumption is a result of office workers spending fewer days…
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3 SeptemberComment
HMRC and Covid-19: One hand giveth, the other taketh away
One hand giveth HMRC was responsible for overseeing and implementing the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) and other furlough schemes. Its ensuring that monies were paid under the Government’s various furlough support schemes has been impressive. Although the guidance on who was entitled to monies under the CJRS was…
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Aug- 2020 -21 AugustCoronavirus
Accommodation and food service sectors see 53% drop in insolvencies
The accommodation and food services sectors have seen a 53% drop in insolvencies from May to July 2020, compared to the same period in 2020. According to RSM, some 597 insolvencies were recorded by the Insolvency Services for May to July 2019 and 279 for the same period this year.…
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21 AugustRestaurants
Franco Manca owner reports August sales boost amid EOTHO scheme
Franco Manca owner, Fulham Shore, has said the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out (EOTHO) scheme has proved to be beneficial both for the company and UK diners after reporting a boost in sales at the start of August. It said trade in the first full fortnight in August…
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18 AugustUncategorized
CBILS – Why it’s important to the hospitality sector and how it could help you
The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, delivered through 60+ British Business Bank accredited lenders, is designed to support the continued provision of finance to UK smaller businesses (SMEs) during the COVID-19 outbreak. The scheme enables lenders to provide facilities of up to £5m to smaller businesses across the UK who…
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14 AugustRestaurants
Rockfish ‘astounded’ by post-lockdown sales
Following the reopening of all nine Rockfish restaurants, the seafood group has announced that sales in some sites are already equal to last year, with like-for-like sales only 7% below last summer’s trading. Like-for-like sales from takeaways are also up 40% following the site’s reopenings. According to the group, the…
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3 AugustRestaurants
Casual Dining Group rebrands following takeover
The Casual Dining Group (CDG) has rebranded as The Big Table, following its acquisition by private equity firm Epiris. A new business formed by the firm has successfully concluded a deal to take control of the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge chains, alongside their existing management team led…
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Jul- 2020 -13 JulyComment
The coronavirus diaries: Shumana Palit, Ultracomida
So, this has been a journey I had never imagined – even as a natural born pessimist I hadn’t seen this coming. We’ve been through some lows, some small highs and some more lows, but we’ve kept going, and I think that luxury of having a working week has helped…
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