VAT
We report on VAT policy and its implications for the UK foodservice and hospitality sector, including rate changes, government decisions, lobbying campaigns, and compliance challenges. From reduced VAT measures during the pandemic to the sector’s push for permanent reform, this brings together essential updates that affect margins, pricing, and profitability. Whether you’re a small independent or a multi-site operator, understanding VAT is critical to managing costs and planning for sustainable growth. Our coverage is written to support chefs, operators, F&B leaders, and finance teams navigating a complex and evolving tax landscape.
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Sep- 2020 -9 SeptemberCoronavirus
Menu prices see ‘modest’ rise post-lockdown
Operators have increased the price of menu items by 1.5% since lockdown ended, against the prior year, according to the latest piece of monthly analysis from Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker. The average price of a same-line dish in spring/summer 2019 was £9.82. Since lockdown was lifted, however, the average price…
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4 SeptemberComment
Can technology save the hospitality sector?
The coronavirus pandemic has placed a great deal of pressure on UK industries. That said, seems that the hospitality sector has experienced far more than its fair share. In mid-March, the UK went into lockdown, essentially freezing entire revenue streams for bars, restaurants and cafes, with the sector reporting almost…
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Aug- 2020 -28 AugustCoronavirus
Hospitality leaders not confident about summer growth, report finds
Only 6% of businesses in the hospitality sector are confident of growth across the summer, according to the latest research from Barclays Corporate Banking. The study of over 300 senior hospitality and leisure executives found that on average, businesses predict their earnings will fall by 41% year-on-year against 2019 sales. …
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28 AugustComment
Al Fresco pubs: How to create the perfect pub beer garden experience
A recent study carried out by Finder found that 60% of the UK’s adult population is currently working from home, a figure that is likely to remain relatively high until at least the end of the year. With consumers commuting far less into town centres, the expected footfall that the…
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25 AugustCafes and Coffee Shops
UK ‘rallies’ behind coffee shops after lockdown
Visiting a café or coffee shop was the most popular outing made by UK consumers since lockdown was eased on 4 July 2020, according to Allegra World Coffee Portal’s latest survey. According to its survey of more than 3,000 UK consumers, 55% of respondents said they had visited a café…
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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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13 AugustPubs and Bars
Hospitality sales halve in July
Managed pub, restaurant and bars saw total July sales down 50.4% against the year before, according to the latest data from CGA’s Coffer Peach Business Tracker. While the overall market reported trading that was “well below” July 2019 levels, the London market “struggled” the most, with London trading down 58.3%…
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10 AugustCoronavirus
Pubs ahead of restaurants in reopenings, says CGA
The pattern of reopening across hospitality sites has been “uneven” since lockdown eased, according to the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners. Some 62% of Britain’s licensed premises were trading again by the end of July, though pubs were ahead of restaurants, and sites in London “lagged behind…
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5 AugustPubs and Bars
One in three pubs fail to break even
Over a third of pubs in the UK have failed to break even after their first month of reopening, the British Beer and Pub Association has reported. The latest data comes from a survey of its members that was conducted exactly a month after pubs were allowed to reopen on…
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Jul- 2020 -31 JulyCoronavirus
Hospitality sees ‘steady improvement’ as more sites reopen
Managed pub, bar and restaurant groups are beginning to see a “steady improvement” in sales, despite trading remaining “well below” pre-Covid norms, the CGA has revealed. According to its latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker, the week beginning 20 July saw collective like-for-like sales down by 28.5% against the year prior. …
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