Headline grabbing Government initiatives might have provided a short-term boost for the hospitality sector, but more genuine long-term security is now required.
Just two in five licensed premises will have space to trade from when outdoor hospitality settings begin to unlock on Monday 12 April, data from CGA and AlixPartners reveals.
Prominent voices from the hospitality industry have dismissed suggestions that publicans could require guests to have a so-called 'vaccine passport' to enter their pubs as 'repressive' and 'unworkable'.
Historic Chelsea pub The Surprise is to reopen under new ownership, with alumni from Gladwin brothers restaurant Rabbit and The Harwood Arms overseeing the kitchen and general management respectively.
The Government is being called on to allow people to be able to order at the bar from the indoor opening of restaurants and pubs on 17 May, and for customers to be allowed to consume drinks while standing outdoors.
JD Wetherspoon has posted a pre-tax loss of £46.2m for the six months to 24 January, as the 'ever-changing Government guidelines' took their toll on takings.
Stonegate Pub Company, the UK's largest pub company, has reported a loss before tax of £746m for the full year to 27 September 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
Bar operator London Cocktail Club (LCC) is currently in talks to acquire a number new locations across the UK as it looks to quadruple the size of its estate.
