Coronavirus

Optimism remains high but major challenges 'keep hospitality fragile'

21-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Confidence among business leaders dipped slightly in the third quarter, according to new data from CGA and Fourth, but optimism across hospitality remains high following the summer trading period.

Wales to introduce NHS Covid passes for nightclubs and large events

17-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

People in Wales will have to show an NHS Covid Pass to enter nightclubs and attend large events from next month, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced

Delivery and takeaway sales continue to ride high through August

17-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Managed restaurant and pub groups’ delivery and takeaway sales were close to treble their pre-pandemic levels in August, the latest CGA and Slerp Hospitality at Home Tracker reveals.

Westminster Council explores long-term future for Soho al fresco scheme

15-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Al fresco dining will continue in parts of Covent Garden and St. John’s Wood, with Westminster City Council also exploring the possibility of introducing a longer term scheme in Soho.

Government's winter 'Plan B' will 'severely undermine' hospitality's recovery

15-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned the possible introduction of contingency measures including vaccine certificates to deal with the pandemic during autumn and winter would 'severely undermine' the recovery of the sector.

Hope for night-time economy as Government chooses to hold vaccine certificates 'in reserve'

13-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the Government no longer plans to go ahead with introducing so-called 'vaccine passports' for crowded venues in England later this month.

Extension to debt protections 'a key step on the way to recovery' for hospitality

10-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has welcomed the extension of debt protections to commercial tenants, but says not prohibiting landlords from using County Court Judgments (CCJs) to chase rent arrears is a 'missed opportunity'.

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants 'committed to growth strategy' as it swings to loss

09-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants 'remains committed and on course' in its growth strategy, with 'well advanced plans' to expand the group's Bread Street brand across the UK.

Scottish hospitality bosses call on ‘silver servers’ to help plug the staffing gap

08-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) says a generation of so-called ‘silver servers’ could provide a solution to the ongoing recruitment crisis facing the sector.

Hospitality sees trade boost through August with growth set to continue as office workers return

07-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Restaurant spending broke into positive growth in August for the first time since the pandemic hit, new data from Barclaycard shows, with a further boost expected as office workers return.

'Signs of normality' as average spend in hospitality increases

07-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

The average spend per consumer per visit in hospitality settings increased by 3.9% in the 12 weeks to 11 July, according to new data from Lumina Intelligence.

Covid vaccine certificates to be compulsory for crowded venues in England from later this month

06-Sep-2021 By James McAllister

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi has confirmed that Covid vaccine certificates will be required for entry into nightclubs and other mass indoor venues in England from the end of this month.

Soho streets face 'effective lockdown' as al fresco scheme comes to an end

27-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Westminster City Council has informed businesses that traffic will be re-introduced to Soho’s streets at the end of September, bringing to an end the area's popular al fresco dining scheme.

'Chronic' staff shortages force permanent closure of Hang Fire Southern Kitchen

26-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn's renowned Barry-based barbecue restaurant Hang Fire Southern Kitchen in Wales has been forced to close permanently as a result of 'chronic' post-pandemic staff shortages.

Businesses 'remain fragile' as customers return to hospitality quicker than last summer

23-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

A UKHospitality survey has found that customers are returning to hospitality quicker than last summer, but the trade body warns that businesses 'remain fragile' in face of the staffing crisis.

Inflation steady as disruptions to food and drink supply hit reopening

18-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Food and drink supply markets have been hit by widespread distribution problems and a spike in demand following the return of out-of-home eating and drinking, according to CGA.

July sales down 6% on pre-Covid-19 levels across managed sector

17-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups lifted sales back close to pre-Covid-19 levels in July to continue hospitality’s recovery from the pandemic, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals.

Pret rows back on staff bonus cut following backlash

16-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Pret A Manger has confirmed it will return its Mystery Shopper Bonus for employees back to pre-pandemic levels, but staff breaks will continue to not be paid.

More than 7,000 licensed premises 'still in limbo' following 'Freedom Day'

16-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

More than 7,000 licensed premises have yet to reopen after last month’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’, the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners reveals.

Government-backed insurance scheme to be introduced for events industry

06-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

A Government-backed insurance scheme worth more than £750m is to be introduced next month in the hope of boosting confidence in the planning of live events through to next year.

Wales set to drop almost all remaining Covid restrictions from tomorrow

06-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Face masks will no longer be required in hospitality settings once Wales moves to the new Alert Level Zero tomorrow (7 August) and almost all remaining Covid restrictions are dropped.

Scottish Government confirms 'vertical drinking' will be permitted when restrictions ease

05-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Scotland's licensed hospitality trade has received confirmation that 'vertical drinking will be permitted in pubs and bars from Monday (9 August) when the country lifts almost all remaining Covid rules.

"The news we’ve been waiting for" - Scotland to lift most remaining Covid rules next week

03-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed almost all remaining Covid rules in Scotland will be lifted next Monday (9 August), in an announcement described as 'the news hospitality has been waiting for'.

Hospitality welcomes changes to Covid-19 app as 'pingdemic' forces thousands of businesses to close

03-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

The Government's decision to tweak the NHS Covid-19 app so that fewer people will be asked to isolate will 'alleviate some pressure' on hospitality businesses, but the sector has warned it's 'not a silver bullet'.

Trading remains 'well below' pre-Covid levels as consumers exercise caution

02-Aug-2021 By James McAllister

Just over half of consumers have returned to hospitality venues since ‘Freedom Day’, new research from CGA reveals, with trading still 'well below' pre-Covid levels.

Shepherd Neame ‘back on the path to recovery’

30-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Pub operator and brewer Shepherd Neame is 'back on the path to recovery' after reporting an encouraging resumption of trade since reopening.

Covid costs hospitality £100bn in sales

30-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses suffered a £100.2bn drop in sales from pre-pandemic levels in the 15 months since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest UKHospitality Quarterly Tracker with CGA reveals.

Rent collection rises across hospitality

27-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The percentage of hospitality businesses able to pay rent has 'significantly improved' over the three weeks following June quarter day, according to the latest data from property agency Colliers.

How to keep customers and staff safe this summer

27-Jul-2021 By Kate Thompson

The director of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Wales on why proper staff training alongside a basic awareness of health and safety are key for safe summer trading.

‘Freedom Day’ sees footfall boost for hospitality

27-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The lifting of all Covid-19 trading restrictions in England on Monday 19 July saw a 'significant' boost in footfall for hospitality, according to the latest Presence data from Wireless Social.

Hospitality 'faces a summer of venue closures' due to self-isolation rules

26-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that hospitality 'faces a summer of venue closures and reduced service' as a result of self-isolation rules that are forcing thousands of workers to quarantine.

Scottish Hospitality Group proposes solution for ‘pingdemic’ uncertainties

23-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) has proposed a new process to guide businesses struggling to cope with the so-called ‘pingdemic’, which is forcing thousands of workers into self-isolation.

Delivery and takeaway sales for managed groups remain strong as restrictions ease

23-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Deliveries and takeaways remain a core part of managed restaurant and pub groups’ sales despite the return of eating-out, CGA’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker reveals.

Opposition mounts over 'vaccine passports' plan

22-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Opposition is growing within Westminster to the Government's plan to make so-called 'vaccine passports' compulsory to enter crowded venues such as nightclub from the autumn.

Hospitality facing shortfall of more than 200,000 workers

22-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality is facing a shortage of more than 200,000 workers with vacancies across every business in the sector, according to new research from the UK’s leading industry trade bodies.

Data handling warning as requirement to support Test and Trace ends

20-Jul-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Operators have been reminded to handle check-in data correctly or risk fines as the requirement to support Test and Trace ends.

Nightclubs hit with 'hammer blow' as Covid vaccine certificates to be compulsory for crowded venues

20-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The Government's decision to make so-called 'vaccine passports' compulsory to enter crowded venues such as nightclubs from the autumn has been condemned as 'an absolute shambles' by the night-time economy.

Hospitality revenue remains at less than 70% of pre-pandemic levels, ONS reveals

19-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Consumer spending on hospitality started to increase in May 2021 but remains at less than 70% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

June provides cause for optimism for managed sector as sales near 2019 levels

19-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups saw sales drop just 1% in June from the same month in 2019, the new edition of the Coffer CGA Business Tracker reveals.

Nightclubs reopen as ‘Freedom Day’ dawns

19-Jul-2021 By Georgi Gyton

Clubbers have returned to the bars and dancefloors of nightclubs as England reached its long-awaited ‘Freedom Day’ today (19 July).

Hospitality net closures equivalent to 25 per day over the last year

16-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The equivalent of 25 hospitality venues per day have closed since June 2020, according to data from CGA and AlixPartners.

Government launches hospitality strategy to aid sector's reopening and recovery

16-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The Government has launched a new hospitality strategy to 'support the reopening, recovery and resilience' of England’s pubs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs.

'Freedom Day' guidance urges hospitality to retain restrictions and consider use of Covid-status certification

15-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Official guidance published ahead of England's 'Freedom Day' on 19 July urges hospitality businesses to retain most Coronavirus restrictions and consider checking customers' Covid-status certification as a condition of entry.

Report reveals ‘short-term stress’ and ‘long-term optimism’ in hospitality

15-Jul-2021 By Restaurant

The hospitality industry is ready to lead the UK’s post-Covid recovery, but needs sustained support on a range of challenges after a devastating 16 months.

Wales aiming to lift all Coronavirus restrictions next month

14-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

Nearly all remaining Coronavirus restrictions in Wales are set to be dropped from early next month.

'Hurdles ahead' for night-time economy as it gets green light to reopen

13-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The night-time economy faces 'some important hurdles', but looks set to benefit from high demand from 18-30s as it prepares to unlock.

'Freedom Day' to go ahead on 19 July, but Government urges caution

12-Jul-2021 By BigHospitalit

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that England will move to Step 4 of its plans to ease Coronavirus restrictions on the so-called ‘Freedom Day’ of 19 July, but that businesses and large events will be encouraged to use vaccine passports.

Government reconsiders 'vaccine passports'

12-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The Government is reportedly considering plans to introduce so-called 'vaccine passports' for hospitality in the autumn, despite a recent review concluding there should be no legal requirements for their use.

Chancellor to urge workers back to office

09-Jul-2021 By Restaurant

The Chancellor is urging workers to return to the office as soon as the government’s work from home guidance lifts.

Freedom Day 'a complete fallacy’ without changes to self isolation rules

08-Jul-2021 By James McAllister

The end of Covid restrictions on 19 July has been dismissed as 'a complete fallacy' unless self isolation rules currently forcing hundreds of hospitality businesses to close are changed.