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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May- 2020 -12 MayCoronavirus
Pubs, hospitality and brewers call on chancellor to save the future of pubs
Trade associations representing pubs, hospitality and brewers have sent a joint letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for measures to save the future of pubs. In the letter, The British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeepers and UK Hospitality, who between them represent owners and operators of 35,000…
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11 MayCoronavirus
Hospitality industry responds to PM’s conditional plan to ease lockdown
The hospitality industry has reacted to the prime minister’s announcement last night that outlined a ‘conditional’ plan to ease lockdown with stores possibly reopening sometime in July. Last night (10 May), Boris Johnson gave a prospective outline for a series of phased reopenings if certain conditions of a new “Covid…
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11 MayComment
The coronavirus diaries: Liam Dillon
It began on Tuesday 17 March, when we started to see bookings being cancelled left right and centre – the week’s covers were dropping off like there was no tomorrow. I cut all ‘part time’ staff for the entire week and then spoke to all full time staff members and…
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6 MayComment
The coronavirus diaries: Mike Benson
The level of government support stopped us from panicking and we took a week or so just to digest, think and catch up on sleep. Cash flow was gone and the bills were still coming. All our suppliers were understanding and were in the same boat. We had a good…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Furlough errors could cost small firms
SMEs are making errors on their applications for the Government’s furlough scheme, meaning they will have to repay thousands of pounds back to HMRC later, accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young has said. The firm explained it has seen many small business applications for the furlough grant that includes the cost…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Hospitality industry sees job numbers plummet, but applications soar
The latest job market data from CV-Library has revealed that job vacancies plummeted by 42.1% in the hospitality sector in April. The study looks at job market activity throughout April, comparing the findings with the previous month and year to build an understanding of how the UK job market is…
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5 MayCoronavirus
Chancellor promises no ‘cliff-edge’ end to furlough scheme
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has promised there will not be a “cliff-edge” end to the Government’s furlough scheme. Speaking to ITV News, Sunak attempted to reassure a number of business groups who warned of the potential of mass redundancies if the scheme was to suddenly end and not be extended in…
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1 MayCoronavirus
Business may not survive with social distancing measures, claim restaurants
Three quarters of restaurants in the UK have warned that their businesses may not survive with social distancing measures in place. Operators including café chain Paul as well as JKS have suggested that new measures designed to enforce social distancing could pose an “existential threat” to their businesses, according to…
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Apr- 2020 -29 AprilComment
The coronavirus crisis: The importance of adapting and reacting
Weathering the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic is a challenge for businesses of all sizes and the situation is continuing to change by the day. The food, hospitality and leisure sectors have been hit hard by the need to close restaurants and there is widespread concern over how these businesses…
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28 AprilBusiness Bites
Job support to be wound down, M&S dividend suspended, ventilator production slows, property market halts
Chancellor Rishi Sunack says he will wean the economy off his support schemes in a “gradual” wind-down, to help prevent soaring unemployment on ‘expiration day’. His announcement, made to MPs, came in response to concerns that a definite cut-off date would produce an explosion in redundancies and layoffs. Currently, the…
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