All news

PAX app launched to help operators maintain customer contact tracing

01-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Aussie chef Magnus Reid is launching an app to give operators a 'hassle-free way' of ensuring they maintain customer contact tracing once they reopen

Inception Group sets up £25,000 NHS bar tab

01-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

London-based hospitality company Inception Group, which operates venues including Mr Fogg’s and Cahoots, has set up a £25,000 bar tab for NHS workers as part of its reopening plans.

Dishoom temporarily revises reservation policy as it sets out reopening plan

01-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Dishoom says it will temporarily allow groups of less than six to reserve tables for evening service at any of its restaurants as part of its reopening strategy.

July 4 dubbed 'Super Saturday' as Quandoo records large number of restaurant bookings

01-Jul-2020 By BigHospitality

More than 44,000 people have made a restaurant booking on online reservation platform Quandoo since the government announced hospitality businesses in England could reopen on 4 July, with almost half made for ‘Super Saturday’, it says.

Simon Wood closes Wood Chester to focus on a tasting menu format

01-Jul-2020 By BigHospitality

MasterChef 2015 winner Simon Wood has announced that his restaurant Wood Chester at Hotel Indigo will not reopen after the Coronavirus lockdown has been lifted because his revised food offer is at odds with the venue.

Flexible furlough comes into force

01-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) come into effect today (1 July), allowing businesses to bring back furloughed employees part time if they wish to.

Mark Hix joins 1 Lombard Street as director of food and drink

01-Jul-2020 By BigHospitality

Mark Hix is joining Soren Jessen’s City restaurant 1 Lombard Street as director of food and drink to oversee its menu offer.

SSP to cut more than half its UK workforce

01-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Food travel operator SSP is to make more than half its 9,000-strong UK workforce redundant, as the company struggles with the reduced passenger numbers caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Leicester lockdown to hit more than 550 hospitality businesses

30-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

At least 239 restaurants and 182 pubs in Leicester will remain closed beyond 4 July as a result of the Government's decision to extend the city's lockdown by two weeks.

Government told to 'stop dithering and take action' by London restaurateurs

30-Jun-2020 By BigHospitality

A three-month suspension of the congestion charge, increased public transport and a decision over VAT are just some of the measures being asked of the Government by a group of high-profile London chefs and restaurateurs.

Edinburgh's Castle Terrace to close permanently

30-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Castle Terrace, the Edinburgh restaurant opened 10 years ago by chefs Dominic Jack and Tom Kitchin, has announced that it will not reopen post-Coronavirus lockdown.

Masala Wala Cafe founder Saima Thompson dies

30-Jun-2020 By BigHospitality

Saima Thompson, founder of Brockley restaurant Masala Wala Cafe, which she ran with her mother since 2015, has died at the age of 31.

Coqfighter to launch vegan fast food concept

30-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

London-based fried chicken brand Coqfighter is to add a second sister concept to its portfolio with the launch of vegan fast food brand Mercy Burger this weekend.