Hospitality news

Headlines

The Future of Restaurants Italian chains Pizza Pilgrims Ask Italian Zizzi reopen Coronavirus lockdown UK London

Video: The Future of Restaurants - Part Three

Reduced menus, shorter customer dwell time, increased demand for hygiene and a significant step towards cashless payments and pay-at-table ordering will be some of the outcomes of the Coronavirus pandemic, according to two key players in the casual dining sector.

Comment: Planning for the long journey back

The Coronavirus pandemic has blind-sided everybody. With no restaurant crystal ball, we have to be creative and diversify

Content provided by California Walnuts Commission

Going nuts for quality

With over 300 days of sunshine, the perfect weather and rich soil of California’s Central Valley provide ideal conditions to grow premium walnuts. California Walnuts are generally lighter in colour with a mild taste and a soft creamy texture. California...

LabTech unveils reopening plans for Camden Market

Following the Government’s recent announcement on the further easing of Coronavirus lockdown measures, Camden Market owner LabTech has set out its plans to reopen the market next Monday (1 June).

Downtime Development: Plant-based

Nestlé Professional believes the pandemic has given the trend for plant-based eating a significant boost and is offering chefs inspiration with a series of innovative recipes.

Cub and St John chefs team up to launch delivery concept

Current Cub head chef Matthew Scott has joined forces with former St John and Silo chef Eddy Tejada to launch a new delivery kitchen concept in the capital.

Big Mamma's UK expansion plans on hold in light of Government's handling of Coronavirus crisis

French restaurant group Big Mamma may row back on its UK expansion plans, saying the Government’s poor track record during the Coronavirus crisis has led to greater uncertainty over how it will handle Brexit.

UKHospitality launches Supplier Alliance

UKHospitality has launched a new Supplier Alliance to push for Government support to help businesses that supply to the hospitality sector.

PM "optimistic" about early reopening of pubs and restaurants in England

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested to MPs that pubs and restaurants in England could begin to reopen earlier than originally planned.

Trade bodies call on Chancellor to extend JRS to October for hospitality sector

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and UKHospitality have called on the Chancellor to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) to October, and increase its flexibility for the pub and hospitality...

McDonald’s to reopen all of its drive-thru restaurants at start of June

McDonald’s will open all its drive-thru restaurants as of next week.

Kray Treadwell on launching his debut restaurant in a post lockdown world

Reopening a restaurant once lockdown is over is one thing, but chef Kray Treadwell will launch his debut venture, 670 Grams, in Digbeth, Birmingham, once the Government has relaxed its lockdown rules for hospitality.

Additional support for Scottish businesses does not go far enough, says UKHospitality

Trade body UKHospitality has warned that additional business support from the Scottish Government does not go far enough and will result in business failures and lost jobs.

Hospitality Action launches The 20,000 Mile Hospitality Challenge

Industry charity Hospitality Action is calling all cyclists, joggers, runners and walkers regardless of age or ability to collectively cycle, jog, run or walk the length of the entire UK coastline.

Cheese Bar founder launches campaign to support Britain's dairy industry

The Cheese Bar and The Cheese Truck founder Matthew Carver has launched a crowdfund campaign to help purchase and redistribute dairy products that would otherwise end up going to waste.

Sunak to set out changes to JRS this week

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is to announce more details regarding the phasing out of the Government's Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme (JRS) later this week.

Greggs to reopen 800 sites next month

Greggs is pushing forward with a new reopening strategy, with 800 stores across the UK set to reopen in June.

City Pub Group outlines post-lockdown opening plans

The City Pub Group has outlined a series of measures it will implement to ensure its beer gardens are ready to reopen as soon as possible.

Deliveroo teams up with industry experts to accelerate restaurant sector recovery

Deliveroo has brought together legal, property and industry specialists to help the restaurant sector accelerate the pace of its recovery.

How I Got Here: Hugo Warner

Former Benugo owner Hugo Warner recently founded Hackney-based 'hospitality driven workspace' The Fisheries

The Future of Restaurants – Part Two

In the second of our four-part video series, supported by Arla Pro, D&D London CEO Des Gunewardena and Dishoom co-founder Shaiml Thakrar talk about the major challenges the restaurant industry will face post lockdown.

Luke Johnson announces opening of new Gail's bakery

Artisan bakery chain Gail’s is to push forward with expansion plans in spite of the ongoing Coronavirus lockdown, with a new site in Windsor set to open this week.

Dark forces: the restaurants using dark kitchens to survive

Keeping the brand alive is a test facing operators across the sector right now. But for some, using dark kitchens to maintain and even expand operations, could hold the key

Michelin launches barometer to track the reopening of Michelin-starred restaurants

The Michelin Guide has created a barometer to track the reopening of Michelin-starred restaurants around the world that have had to close as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Honest Burgers launches Honest Chicken concept

Honest Burgers has launched a chicken-focused sister concept out of its restaurant in London's King’s Cross.

Draft House founder Charlie McVeigh to launch Project Pint

Draft House founder Charlie McVeigh is launching a campaign championing the role of pubs – and the pint – in British society.

Revolution "well-placed" to return to good levels of trading post-lockdown

Revolution Bars Group says it believes it is "well-placed" to return to a good trading level following the Coronavirus crisis.

PizzaExpress considers financial position

PizzaExpress could reportedly be forced to close a portion of its UK estate as a result of the growing financial pressures caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

Nathan Outlaw's London restaurant Siren to close permanently

Nathan Outlaw’s London restaurant Siren will not re-open post lockdown as part of a planned scaling back of The Goring’s F&B department.

JRS contribution impossibe for 41% of businesses unless at full capacity, says poll

Over 40% of hospitality businesses won’t be able to contribute a penny to the Government's Job Retention Scheme JRS from August unless they are operating at full capacity by then, according to the latest weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll by MCA Insight/HIM.

Flash-grilled: Matthew Whitfield

Former Eleven Madison Park chef Matthew Whitfield now oversees the stoves at the Terrace restaurant at The Montagu Arms Hotel in Brockenhurst.

Tommy Banks on adapting to life after lockdown

Chef Tommy Banks says that his two restaurants will have to adapt to a post-lockdown word but that he wouldn’t be cutting prices in an attempt to attract people back to his venues.

Marston’s and Carlsberg UK to merge in £780m joint venture

Brewer and pubco Marston’s is to merge its brewing business with Carlsberg UK in a deal worth £780m.

Friday Five: The week's top news

As the Coronavirus crisis continues to dominate the headlines, we round-up some of the main stories regarding how it has affected the hospitality industry in the past week.

Operators should expect a "prolonged spell" of instability in food prices

Foodservice operators should expect a "prolonged spell" of instability in food prices as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index.

One-metre rule would greatly benefit sector, according to hospitality leaders poll

The hospitality industry would benefit greatly from the halving of the social distancing rule to one metre, according to the latest weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll by MCA Insight/HIM.

Wetherspoon unveils masterplan to reopen entire estate

JD Wetherspoon has unveiled a £11m masterplan featuring a raft of safety measures to help protect employees and customers when it reopens its pubs.

TGI Fridays 'confident in a successful resumption' of trading in July

TGI Fridays has plans in place for a phased re-opening from July, according to its parent company Electra.

Boparan completes on Carluccio's deal

Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner owner Boparan has completed on a deal to acquire ailing restaurant chain Carluccio's.

Market Halls partners with The Felix Project for three-day fundraising festival

Market Halls is partnering with London-based food waste charity The Felix Project to host a digital, three-day fundraising event over the bank holiday weekend.

Costa Coffee to reopen all UK drive-thrus by next week

Costa Coffee has announced that all of its UK drive-thru locations will have reopened by the end of the month.

Deliveroo launches SME support package

Deliveroo has launched a financial support package to help small and medium-sized restaurants (SME) facing challenges as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Greene King offers tenants 90% rent reduction

Pubco and brewer Greene King has announced it is giving a 90% rent reduction to all tied pubs, in its latest wave of financial support.

The Lowdown: The Summer Holidays

Domestic holidays could be permitted as early as July as part of the Government's ambitious plans to jump start the tourism sector.

Restaurants in Scotland to remain closed, as First Minister sets out plan to ease lockdown

The Scottish Government will "no longer discourage" takeaway and drive-thru food outlets from reopening, but restaurants will have to remain closed for the time being under the First Minister's plans for easing lockdown.

Danny Meyer expects his dining rooms to remain closed until Coronavirus vaccine is found

New York-based restaurateur Danny Meyer has said he doesn't expect to reopen the dining rooms of his restaurants until there is a Coronavirus vaccine.

Insurance action group prepares to challenge Aviva and QBE over business interruption policies

The Hospitality Insurance Group Action (HIGA) has announced it is preparing to launch a group claim against insurers Aviva and QBE over unpaid business interruption policies.

Consumers could spend £3.8bn in hospitality in the first week of re-opening, says poll

Consumers could spend £3.8bn in hospitality in the first week of re-opening, according to a new poll.

UKHospitality releases guidelines to help pubs and restaurants reopen safely

UKHospitality has released draft guidance for pubs and restaurants preparing to reopen that recommends removing salt and pepper shakers from tables and banning customers from sitting or drinking at bars.

Tommy Banks to change format of York restaurant Roots post lockdown

Tommy Banks says he will change the format of his sharing plates restaurant Roots in York when it finally reopens because of concerns over the Coronavirus.

Insolvency bill presented to Parliament

The Government has introduced new insolvency legislation to help prevent struggling companies having to file for bankruptcy because of economic problems caused by the Coronavirus crisis.

Elizabeth Haigh on going it alone at Mei Mei

Elizabeth Haigh is now back behind the stove at her Borough Market food stall Mei Mei making Singaporean preparations to aid home cooks, including curry pastes and sambal chilli sauce.

Carl Clarke launches Future Noodles kickstarter campaign

Chef Carl Clarke has launched a kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of a plant-based instant noodle brand.

Government considering 'blanket permission’ to make public spaces available to hospitality businesses

The Government's Housing and Local Government Minister Robert Jenrick says he is considering a ‘blanket permission’ for hospitality businesses to turn public spaces and streets into al fresco dining areas.

Caffè Nero to launch delivery service through UberEats

Caffè Nero has announced it is partnering with UberEats to offer a delivery service for the first time.

UK eating out market to fall by 60-70% this year

The UK eating out market is forecast to contract by between 60-70% in 2020 according to the HIM & MCA Insight UK Recovery Report 2020.

PizzaExpress plans phased reopening for delivery

PizzaExpress is planning to reopen a select number of sites for delivery by the end of next week.

#FAIR4Hospitality campaign launched to support sector as it prepares to restart

Trade body UKHospitality has launched a campaign highlighting the leading role hospitality businesses can play in Britain’s economic recovery.

Wagamama to reopen 67 restaurants for takeaway and delivery

Wagamama will reopen 67 sites for delivery and collection by the end of June.

Compass secures £2bn equity raise

Catering firm Compass Group has successfully raised £2bn from investors to shore up its finances.

Anglian Country Inns to launch meal service at its Hermitage Road site

Anglian Country Inns will reopen fully the coffee shop at its Hermitage Road site from tomorrow (21 May) and also introduce a meal service from the venue as part of its ongoing move to reopen a number of its venues for takeaway.

Paul puts its cakes back on the menu with the launch of click and collect

Bakery group Paul has relaunched its click and collect service, allowing it to reintroduce its cake offer.

Honest Burgers reopens for delivery nationwide

Following a successful trial, Honest Burgers is planning to re-open the majority of its 38-strong estate for delivery within the next two weeks.

Ottolenghi delis in Notting Hill and Islington to reopen

Ottolenghi is to reopen two of its London-based delis for both takeaway and delivery this week, as well as relaunch its online shop.

MPs throw support behind inclusion of tronc in JRS

MPs from both sides of the House have pledged to support to a campaign asking Chancellor Rishi Sunak to include tronc payments in the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS).

Top chefs to take part in online banquet to raise money for charity Chefs in Schools

Angela Hartnett, Yotam Ottolenghi, Jeremy Lee and Thomasina Miers will lead a virtual cookalong banquet to raise money for Chefs in Schools.

Government expands CLBILs maximum loan size to £200m

The Government has increased the maximum loan size available through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILs) from £50m to £200m.

Compass seeks £2bn to "weather" Coronavirus crisis

Catering firm Compass Group has launched a £2bn share offer this morning (19 May), as it seeks to raise extra cash to help it “weather” the Coronavirus crisis.

Government should consider 'much more practical' one-metre distancing for restaurants and pubs

The Government should consider halving its social distancing rule to one metre to ensure hospitality businesses have the best chance of survival once lockdown is lifted, according to pub and bar company BrewDog.

Just Eat-Takeaway raises doubts over Deliveroo's CMA evidence

Just Eat-Takeaway (JETA) has urged the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA) to reconsider its provisional approval of the Amazon and Deliveroo deal as it raises “doubts over the credibility of the exiting firm scenario put forward by Deliveroo.”

Government's proposed immigration bill receives initial backing from MPs

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which could make it impossible for hospitality businesses to secure EU migrants for entry-level positions, has been given initial approval by MPs.

Boparan poised to acquire Carluccio’s

Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner owner Boparan on the verge of acquiring Carluccio’s in a deal that will save roughly 900 jobs.

JKS says delivery is 'crucial' post COVID-19 as it re-opens estate

JKS Restaurants CEO Jyotin Sethi says that delivery should be a core part of most restaurant’s strategy post lockdown as the sector looks to soften the blow of social distancing measures and a possible lack of demand.

Casual Dining Group in talks with creditors about restructuring

Casual Dining Group (CDG) is reportedly preparing to place one of its three core restaurant brands into administration as part of a radical financial restructuring of the business.

Corbin & King 'overwhelmed' by response to gift voucher appeal

Restaurant group Corbin & King says it has been overwhelmed by the response to its gift voucher appeal, which it launched earlier this month.

Winding-up petitions against restaurants increase 165%, with further surge expected

The number of winding-up petitions issued against restaurants has jumped by 165% so far in 2020, with a second surge expected in the coming months.

Profits will take two years to return to pre-virus levels, reveals hospitality poll

Over half of restaurants and food to go operators think it will take up to two years to return to pre-coronavirus levels of profitability, according to the latest weekly Hospitality Leaders Poll by MCA Insight/HIM.

Proposed immigration bill “a threat to the national interest”

The Government’s proposed points-based immigration bill, which has previously been described as “disastrous” for the hospitality sector, poses "a threat to the national interest” says Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary.