Coronavirus

New guide published to help operators with menus post lockdown

29-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

A new guide to help hospitality businesses engineer their menus ready for reopening their restaurants on 4 July has been created.

Springboard launches Hospitality Happy Hour

29-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Hospitality industry charity Springboard is encouraging people to make a donation to celebrate being able to eat and drink again in pubs and restaurants.

Supply pain: how suppliers have fought to survive for when dining rooms re-open

29-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Suppliers have been hit hard by the pandemic and – like restaurants – many are pivoting to ensure they’re around when dining rooms re-open.

London restaurateurs call on Government for specific action for the capital

29-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

London-based restaurateurs are calling on the Government for more specific support for the capital’s businesses to avoid it becoming one of the biggest casualties of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Nathan Outlaw to close flagship restaurant and relaunch as 'more inclusive and accessible' concept

29-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Nathan Outlaw has permanently closed his flagship, two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Port Isaac, Cornwall, saying he will redesign the space and open 'an altogether new offering' called Outlaw’s New Road.

Ranjit Mathrani on re-opening MW-Eat

26-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

MW-Eat chairman and co-owner Ranjit Mathrani is planning to open the whole of his 10-strong estate of London Indian restaurants on 4 July.

Friday Five: The week's top news

26-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

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.

"We’re heavy hearted, but we just cannot open" – Why many operators aren’t reopening on 4 July

26-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

A number of high-profile restaurateurs including chef Sat Bains and Bancone founder Will Ellner say they have decided to not reopen their restaurants on 4 July.

Asma Khan: "I left a light on in the hope I'd come back"

26-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Asma Khan will not reopen her Soho restaurant Darjeeling Express once lockdown has been lifted on the 4 July but says she has plans to relaunch it in a larger venue that will become an incubator for female talent.

Seven tips for better cash flow management

26-Jun-2020 By Donna Torres

Keeping on top of cash flow will be critical as restaurants start to re-open for eat-in. With this in mind Donna Torres - director of small business and commercial operations at accountancy software provider Xero shares seven tips.

Nick Jones on pedestrianising Soho and the future of Soho House

25-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Soho House founder Nick Jones is one of a number of high-profile operators to back the Soho Summer Street Festival campaign, which is hoping to temporarily pedestrianise the area to allow hospitality businesses to set-up al fresco drinking and dining...

16 Hospitality saved by Timpson family

25-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Cheshire-based pub operator 16 Hospitality has been saved in a rescue deal that will see almost 100 jobs saved.

The Lowdown: 4 July

25-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

The famous date has taken on new significance as it's when hospitality businesses in England can rise again from lockdown.

Operators see huge surge in bookings as they prepare to reopen

25-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

A number of operators from across the hospitality sector say they've seen a huge surge in bookings as they prepare to reopen their doors at the beginning of next month.

Claude Bosi's flagship won't re-open until early September

25-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

High-profile French chef Claude Bosi plans to relaunch his downstairs Oyster Bar on 8 July but his highly-rated flagship won't re-open until early September.

Manzi’s could launch in October as Corbin & King looks to reopen its restaurants

24-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Manzi’s, Corbin & King’s planned pescatarian restaurant in Soho, could launch in October if the Government’s easing of lockdown proves to be successful for restaurants.

Scottish restaurants set for mid-July reopening

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said that pubs and restaurants in the country can reopen for indoor trade from 15 July.

UKHospitality welcomes 'pragmatic and flexible' reopening guidance

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Trade body UKHospitality has 'warmly welcomed' the Government guidance published earlier today (24 June), which advises operators on how to make their business 'Covid secure' as they plan for reopening.

Coronavirus track and trace: 7 steps to complying with data protection law

24-Jun-2020 By Bridget Treacy

The Government’s easing of lockdown restrictions for hospitality businesses from 4 July means businesses will have keep temporary records of customers. Here's how to do it and comply with data protection law.

Brent Council approves plans to extend Wembley Park's alfresco dining space

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

A plan put forward by Wembley Park developer Quintain to significantly extend the area's outdoor seating capacity has been approved by Brent Council.

Relaxed social distancing allows for extra 145m pints to be sold

24-Jun-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

An additional 145 million pints of beer can be sold out of home now that social distancing has been relaxed, according to CGA.

Wetherspoon to temporarily hold off on further expansion

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

JD Wetherspoon has said it does not currently intend to start any new pub development projects in the next 12 months.

Government publishes reopening guidance for hospitality sector

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has published a 43-page advisory document for operators preparing to reopen on 4 July.

Interview

Luke Johnson: ‘This lockdown has been incredibly harmful. We can’t allow it to happen again’

24-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

As restaurants, pubs and cafes set about preparing to reopen on 4 July, entrepreneur and investor Luke Johnson discusses what the future of the hospitality sector may look like.

Restaurants and pubs can reopen on 4 July, with less than two metre distancing, says Government

23-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Restaurants, pubs and hotels will be able to open from 4 July in England with social distancing rules also being eased, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed.

New scheme unveiled to help Liverpool's independent hospitality sector

23-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

A pilot scheme to help restaurants provide outdoor eating and drinking has been launched as part of the Liverpool Without Walls project to re-imagine the city under social distancing.

Ivy Collection to introduce thermal temperature checks as it plans for reopening

23-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Ivy Collection has announced it intends to reopen its Chelsea Garden restaurant on 4 July, assuming the Government relaxes its current two metre rule on social distancing.

Fears over job cuts at Pret as weekly sales plummet by 85%

23-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

Pret is to make an announcement about potential job cuts next month after a video showed revealed the impact of the Coronavirus on the sandwich chain.

Nine Lives bar to open al fresco dining space

23-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Neighbourhood-style bar Nine Lives in London Bridge is to launch an al fresco drinking and dining destination on Holyrood Street next month.

Camden Town Brewery pledges to give away 260,000 pints of beer through new initiative

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Camden Town Brewery is launching a campaign to support pubs across the UK as they prepare to reopening following the Government-mandated lockdown of the industry.

Star announces support package to aid reopening

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Star Pubs & Bars has invested £250,000 in a reopening support package for its licensees.

PizzaExpress launches delivery-based offshoot

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

PizzaExpress is to launch its first 'virtual', delivery-only brand early next month.

More openings for McDonald’s this week

22-Jun-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

McDonald’s is launching a walk-in takeaway service across 250 of its restaurants this week.

Anthony Demetre on re-opening and a possible return for Arbutus

22-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Anthony Demetre has re-opened his King's Cross restaurant Vermuteria offering an abridged takeaway menu alongside coffee and vermouth-based drinks.

Chancellor mulls VAT cut

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering a cut to VAT in a bid to jumpstart the UK economy following the Coronavirus lockdown.

PM set to announce relaxation of social distancing measures

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Boris Johnson is reportedly set to announce a reduction in the Government's two-metre social distancing rule tomorrow (23 June).

Rick Stein Group to close two of its restaurants

22-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

The Rick Stein Group has announced that two of its restaurants will not reopen once lockdown is lifted.

Operators predict painful and protracted post-lockdown recovery

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses are expecting levels of trade to be 'significantly suppressed' in the months to come according to a new survey carried out by trade body UKHospitality.

Edinburgh's Tower Restaurant to close permanently

22-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Tower Restaurant, which sits atop of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, is to remain closed permanently post-lockdown due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Soho Summer campaign calls for changes to Westminster Council proposals

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Soho Summer Street Festival campaign has called for changes to be made to Westminster Council's plans to temporarily close roads and create al fresco dining spaces across the borough

Friday Five: The week's top news

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

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.

Lease forfeiture moratorium extended as Government sets out Code of Practice

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Government has extended its rent protection period for commercial tenants until the end of September in a move that will be greatly welcomed by operators across the hospitality sector.

Alert level downgrade brings renewed hope for hospitality sector

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The UK's Coronavirus alert level has been downgraded from four to three, which could pave the way for a relaxation of social distancing measures.

Fine dining restaurants announce reopening dates and plans

19-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Some of the countries most vaunted restaurants are gearing up for re-opening despite a lack of clarity from Government on when the industry can re-open for eat-in and what safety measures will need to be in place.

Holyrood holds off on confirming Scottish hospitality sector reopening date

19-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

The Scottish Government has reaffirmed its intention to allow the country's hospitality sector to restart in mid-July, but has pushed back any official announcement until the beginning of next month.

Five Guys pushes ahead with new openings

18-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

US burger chain Five Guys has added another site to its UK estate.

Living Ventures' Blackhouse and Newgate businesses enter administration

18-Jun-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

Living Ventures has placed its Blackhouse and Newgate businesses into administration, affecting four restaurants.

D&D London sets out reopening strategy

18-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

High-end restaurant group D&D London has announced it will be reopening 17 of its UK locations early next month, pending the lifting of Government restrictions.

Irish pub guidelines features relaxed social distancing and restricted booking slots

18-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Ireland's tourism agency, Fáilte Ireland, has published its guidelines for reopening pubs in the country, which includes some relaxation to social distancing measures and booking slots restricted to 105 minutes.

James Cochran's 12:51 to re-open for eat-in as Around The Cluck

18-Jun-2020 By Joe Lutrario

James Cochran is to re-open his Islington restaurant 12:51 under his recently created fried chicken delivery brand Around The Cluck.