Investment

Our coverage tracks financial activity shaping the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, from venture capital and private equity backing to corporate acquisitions, refinancing deals, and growth funding. Our reporting is focused on the operators, brands, and concepts attracting capital, and what that means for the wider industry. Whether you’re a restaurant group seeking funding, a pub chain monitoring market valuations, or a catering contractor analysing competitor growth, our investment coverage delivers intelligence that helps business leaders understand where money is flowing, and why. Expect deep dives, expert commentary, and deal-by-deal context, all tailored to the foodservice trade.

Apr- 2020 -

16 April

Coronavirus

Urgent inquiry launched to support hospitality businesses

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism announced it is launching an urgent inquiry to establish the best ways to support recovering businesses in light of the annoying pandemic. The inquiry will assess what is needed to get hospitality businesses “back on their feet at the right time for…
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9 April

Coronavirus

AAB calls on government to enhance support for businesses

Accountancy firm Anderson Anderson and Brown (AAB) has called on the UK Government to implement a series of “wide-reaching” measures aimed at helping businesses to survive the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Lyn Calder, managing partner and also the firm’s head of deals for the Central Belt in Scotland,…
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1 April

Coronavirus

Cookeze Ltd enters administration

Cookeze Limited, a Lancashire-based catering firm partly owned by chef Nigel Smith, has collapsed into administration amid the ongoing pandemic. The firm, which traded as Patisserie by Nigel Smith, was founded in 2010. Its clients included Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Jockey Club, Brasserie Blanc and Malmaison Hotels. Although turnover last…
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Mar- 2020 -

30 March

Government

UK GDP expected to contract by 15% in Q2 2020

The UK economy is about to enter the deepest recession since the financial crisis, including the steepest quarter-on-quarter decline in economic activity since comparable records began, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). CEBR expects the economy to have contracted marginally in the first quarter of the…
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18 March

Pubs and Bars

Stonehouse pub reopens following major refurb

Ei Publican Partnerships has supported publican Denise Jeffreys-Jones with revitalising The Woolpack in Stonehouse, near Stroud, which has recently re-opened following a “major” £190,000 joint investment. Jeffreys-Jones is the new publican at the 16th Century pub in Stonehouse High Street which has undergone a “significant” transformation to enhance the pub’s…
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18 March

Comment

Goodbye to the traditional kitchen

It is estimated that the size of commercial kitchens has shrunk by a third in the past decade, so much so that in many cases, outlets will no longer have a behind the scenes kitchen but more a front of house area prep area. Not only is this down to…
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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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11 March

Business

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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10 March

Pubs and Bars

Priory Inns North West takes on tenth site

Priory Inns North West announced it has taken on its tenth site, The Big Lock in Middlewich, alongside Star Pubs and Bars. The Warrington-based operator will now undertake a joint £480k refurbishment of the site with the pub company. It marks the third joint investment between both groups. The move,…
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9 March

Pubs and Bars

Pub, bar and restaurant closures reach lowest rate since 2018

The number of restaurants, pubs and bars across Britain fell by only 1.8% in the 12 months to December 2019, the lowest rate of year-on-year decline for almost two years. According to the latest Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners, Britain had a total of 116,203 licensed premises at…
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