JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has been criticised for saying it will defer payment of staff wages to a Government scheme that is not expected to start for weeks, with the pub company arguing its communication to employees has been misinterpreted.
Though the lease forfeiture moratorium is a huge help to the sector, it's not a silver bullet. Operators will need to work closely with landlords to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Government’s complete lockdown of the UK has raised further questions about the viability of restaurant takeout and delivery during the Coronavirus crisis.
The Government is to introduce a much-needed lease forfeiture moratorium that will prevent landlords from repossessing commercial premises if businesses are unable to pay their rent.
The Government has thrown restaurants businesses a lifeline by relaxing rules to allow them to operate a takeaway or delivery element. Could refocusing your restaurant as a delivery enterprise be the key to riding out the Coronavirus storm?
The majority of landlords are refusing to negotiate meaningfully on rent payments despite the threat of widespread restaurant closures, Imbiba property director Kieran Sherlock has said.
In the first of our #UnitedWeStand advice pieces, we bring you key expert advice on how to pivot from a dine-in restaurant to offering takeaway and delivery.
Hospitality industry leaders are increasing pressure on the Government to introduce a lease forfeiture moratorium to protect restaurants and pubs from having their premises repossessed if they are unable to pay their rent this week.
McDonald’s, Pret a Manger and Nando’s have closed the whole of their estates and don’t look likely to re-open until the Coronavirus crisis de-escalates.
Staff who lose their jobs due to the Coronavirus outbreak will have most of their wages covered by the Government, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced.
Listings website Gourmet Guide is launching a platform to help restaurants sell gift vouchers in order to help generate cashflow, as the ongoing Coronavirus crisis continues to take its toll.
Pressure is mounting on the government to come up with a significant package for employees in the hospitality sector as millions of jobs hang in the balance.
London-based group Qoot is launching a service across its different restaurant businesses to support children who would usually be entitled to a free school meal.
80-strong all day dining chain Bill’s and 87-strong American-themed chain TGI Friday's are the latest major national restaurant groups to temporarily shutter their sites.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told businesses to “think carefully” before laying off staff ahead of the announcement of a support package for workers today (20 March).
The Co-op is to create 5,000 store-based jobs in a bid to provide temporary employment for hospitality workers who have been laid-off during the Coronavirus outbreak.
YO! Sushi is temporarily closing 54 of its restaurants but a further 16 will remain open as part of its measures in light of the Coronavirus epidemic and to try safeguard the future of the brand and the livelihoods of it staff.
Hospitality businesses have begun launching crowdfund campaigns to support people in their communities as well as their own staff and to help them stay afloat during the Coronavirus crisis.
With Hoppers opening its biggest site to date in London’s King’s Cross last month, and two Sri Lankan restaurants recently launching in Soho, the lesser known subcontinental cuisine has moved into prime London territory.
Former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville is to allow health workers to use his hotels free of charge in an effort to help with the Coronavirus crisis.
Leaders in the restaurant industry are urging the Government to create a six-month lease forfeiture moratorium to prevent landlords from changing locks and taking control of premises for non-payment of rent.
Major national branded restaurant groups Byron, Pho, Zizzi, ASK Italian and Brasserie Blanc have closed their sites to the public as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sales at UK restaurants, cafes and pubs plunged 69% year-on-year in the last week as social-distancing measures were ramped up across the country due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
BrewDog is latest alcohol producer to announce it has begun making bottles of hand sanitiser in a bid to help tackle the shortage caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Trade union Unite has called on the Government to provide greater support to staff within the hospitality industry who face being laid off during the Coronavirus crisis.
Major restaurant groups including Hawksmoor, D&D London, Corbin & King and Mowgli have temporarily shuttered their sites as the Coronavirus pandemic intensifies.
Matthew Dewen, director at hospitality insurance company Full-Time Cover, on why the vast majority of restaurants can’t claim for business interruption during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.
The government has announced that the business rates holiday is to be extended to all businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector for the next 12 months, to help those struggling with the ongoing Coronavirus.
Hospitality industry charity Only A Pavement Away, which supports the homeless, ex-offenders, and vulnerable veterans with jobs in hospitality, has committed funding to ensure its members don’t fall back into destitution in light of growing concerns over...
Over 60,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Government to offer guaranteed support to the hospitality industry as Coronavirus continues to hit businesses.
Restaurant operators are unlikely to be covered by insurance if there was an official government lockdown on bars and restaurants because COVID-19 will not be included in many businesses’ insurance policies.
The restaurant industry has reacted with a mix of anger, confusion and dismay at the Government’s advice that people stay away from pubs and restaurants as containment of the Coronavirus picks up pace.
Restaurant operators need to start asking themselves how they will be able to keep their staff employed while being closed for five to six weeks, according to the co-founder of Big Mamma Group.
