Coronavirus

UKHospitality launches Supplier Alliance

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

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...

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

28-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

27-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

27-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

27-May-2020 By Georgia Cronin

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.

City Pub Group outlines post-lockdown opening plans

27-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

27-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

27-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

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.

Luke Johnson announces opening of new Gail's bakery

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

Honest Burgers launches Honest Chicken concept

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

Dark forces: the restaurants using dark kitchens to survive

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

PizzaExpress considers financial position

26-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

26-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

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.

Friday Five: The week's top news

22-May-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.

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

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

Wetherspoon unveils masterplan to reopen entire estate

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

22-May-2020 By Restaurant

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

Tommy Banks on adapting to life after lockdown

22-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

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.

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

22-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

22-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

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.

Greene King offers tenants 90% rent reduction

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

21-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

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

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

UKHospitality releases guidelines to help pubs and restaurants reopen safely

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

21-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

21-May-2020 By Restaurant

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

Tommy Banks to change format of York restaurant Roots post lockdown

21-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

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

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

Elizabeth Haigh on going it alone at Mei Mei

20-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

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.

Caffè Nero to launch delivery service through UberEats

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

PizzaExpress plans phased reopening for delivery

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

Compass secures £2bn equity raise

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.

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

20-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

20-May-2020 By James Halliwell

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

Ottolenghi delis in Notting Hill and Islington to reopen

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

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).

Honest Burgers reopens for delivery nationwide

19-May-2020 By Joe Lutrario

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.

Compass seeks £2bn to "weather" Coronavirus crisis

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

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 expands CLBILs maximum loan size to £200m

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

Boparan poised to acquire Carluccio’s

19-May-2020 By James McAllister

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

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

19-May-2020 By Stefan Chomka

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.

Casual Dining Group in talks with creditors about restructuring

18-May-2020 By James McAllister

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.