Coronavirus

Nearly a tenth of Britain's restaurants lost during pandemic

17-May-2021 By James McAllister

As indoor hospitality across much of the UK finally reopens, data from CGA and AlixPartners has revealed that more than 8,000 licensed premises have closed across Britain since March 2020.

Preparing for 17 May - what are the rules for reopening indoors

14-May-2021 By James McAllister

With indoor hospitality across much of the UK finally able to reopen on Monday 17 May, we take a look at the Government guidance to see what the rules are.

Insurers continuing to play 'fast and loose' with business interruption claims

14-May-2021 By James McAllister

A law firm has accused insurers are continuing to play 'fast and loose' with their response to business interruption claims made by hospitality operators.

Sales down by a quarter across managed sector in April

14-May-2021 By James McAllister

Managed pub and restaurant groups recorded a 26% drop in like-for-like sales in April compared to the same month in 2019, data from the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker show.

Three quarters of nightlife venues face bankruptcy without rent solution

13-May-2021 By James McAllister

MPs have been warned that spiralling rent arrears threatens to bankrupt 75% of commercial tenants in the night-time economy once the lease forfeiture moratorium expires at the end of June.

Welsh hospitality gets green light to reopen indoors from 17 May

12-May-2021 By James McAllister

Restaurants and pubs in Wales will be able to reopen for indoor service from Monday (17 May), it has been announced.

Restrictions on indoor alcohol sales in Scotland set to ease on 17 May

11-May-2021 By James McAllister

Restrictions on Scottish hospitality businesses serving alcohol indoors are set to ease across most of the country next week, but pubs and restaurants will still be subject to curfew restrictions.

Wasabi 'in a strong position to grow' as it plans for the future

11-May-2021 By James McAllister

Sushi and bento brand Wasabi says it is in a 'strong position to grow' as Covid restrictions ease, and is in the process of building a new openings programme.

Promotion

Are you ready to build back better with a ‘safety edge’?

11-May-2021 By SafetyCulture

Well-run, efficient and hygienic environments are essential as the hospitality sector reopens. Ensure you're ready to build back better with these handy tips.

Pubs and restaurants in England will be able to reopen on 17 May, Prime Minister confirms

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

Boris Johnson has confirmed that indoor hospitality settings will be able to unlock next Monday (17 May), as England moves into the third phase of its roadmap out of lockdown.

Welsh pubs and brewers demand clear roadmap out of restrictions

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

Companies representing hundreds of Welsh pubs and brewers have written to newly re-elected First Minister Mark Drakeford urging him to deliver grants for pubs and a roadmap for their reopening.

UKHospitality pushes for further support to 'help deliver a viable recovery' for sector

10-May-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has suggested it could work with the Treasury to develop a more targeted loan scheme that recognises the acute difficulties the sector faces as it emerges from the pandemic.

Pandemic wipes out £80.8bn of sales in hospitality

30-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The Covid-19 pandemic has wiped a staggering £80.8bn off hospitality’s sales in just 12 months, the latest edition of the UKHospitality Quarterly Tracker with CGA reveals.

Outdoor regulations 'causing chaos' ahead of reopening of Northern Ireland hospitality

29-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality Ulster has accused the Northern Ireland Executive of failing to engage properly with the sector ahead of the country's planned reopening of outdoor hospitality settings tomorrow (30 April).

Friday Five: the week's top news

23-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include Emma Woods stepping down as Wagamama CEO, an 'encouraging' first week of sales for outdoor service, and the inaugural 50 Next list.

Welsh hospitality set to reopen for indoor service on 17 May

23-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Wales is set to align with England and Scotland and allow pubs and restaurants to reopen for indoor service on 17 May.

Hospitality leaders back calls for Government to adopt Australian rent relief scheme

23-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have backed a call for the Government to implement a rent relief scheme similar to that introduced in Australia to help protect commercial businesses struggling in arrears.

Oakman announces new acquisition as it reports 'excellent' first full week of trading

22-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The Oakman Group has announced another addition to its ever-growing pub portfolio with the acquisition of The Grand Junction Arms near Tring from The Punch Pub Group.

Outdoor hospitality sees 'encouraging' first week of sales though recovery has long way to go

21-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality venues in England enjoyed a stronger bounce in sales than they did after the first national lockdown in July 2020, despite being limited to outdoor service.

Hospitality accounts for nearly half of total jobs lost in the last year

20-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Nearly half of all UK jobs lost in the last year were in hospitality, figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show.

'Hope on the horizon' as Northern Ireland Executive sets indicative dates for hospitality reopening

19-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The Northern Ireland Executive has confirmed that outdoor hospitality settings will finally be able to unlock later this month.

Just one in four licensed venues trading in England after first week of outdoor service

19-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Just under a quarter of England’s licensed premises have reopened for outdoor-only service since restrictions were eased last Monday (12 April), according to latest data from CGA and AlixPartners.

Friday Five: the week's top news

16-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include Albert Adrià closing nearly all his Barcelona restaurants, operators struggling with inconsistent enforcement of outdoor trading rules, and Bar Crispin opening in Soho.

UKHospitality Cymru urges Welsh Government to bring forward indoor reopening date

16-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

UKHospitality Cymru (UKHC) has urged the Welsh Government to bring forward the reopening date for indoor hospitality in Wales and at least align with England and Scotland's plan to unlock on 17 May.

Hospitality businesses believe vaccine passports will likely be introduced, poll finds

16-Apr-2021 By BigHospiality

Hospitality businesses are anticipating the introduction of vaccination passports once restaurants and pubs reopen fully, a latest poll has found.

Drink sales rocket on hospitality's first day of trading

14-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Like-for-like drink sales were up by more than 110% on hospitality's first day of trading (12 April) compared to the same day in 2019, according to CGA data.

Operators stung by inconsistent enforcement of outdoor trading rules

12-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Some local authorities appear to not be taking a consistent, light-touch approach to the enforcement of Coronavirus-related regulations requested by the Government as operators reopen for outdoor trading.

Friday Five: the week's top news

09-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include Sacha Lord's High Court case being expediated, Wendy's plans to open in Croydon, and Unite accusing Six by Nico of staff mistreatment.

Alfresco April – what are the rules for opening outdoors?

09-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

With outdoor hospitality finally able to open on Monday 12 April, we trawl through the Government’s guidance to tell you what the rules are and how to implement them safely.

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Pint After Midnight) - pubs plan early morning opening on 12 April

09-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

A handful of pubs in England with 24-hour licenses have announced that they plan to open as soon as Coronavirus restrictions on outdoor hospitality settings lift at midnight on Monday.

Welsh operator hits Government with legal challenge over hospitality reopening

08-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

A street food operator in Wales has launched a legal challenge against the Welsh Government's failure to set out a reopening date for indoor hospitality.

Restaurateurs losing thousands of pounds because of unreliable courier services

08-Apr-2021 By James McAllister and Stefan Chomka

Restaurateurs offering nationwide meal kit deliveries are losing thousands of pounds because of courier services failing to deliver the perishable products by the intended target dates.

UK food to go market suffers significant decline in 2020

08-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The UK food to go market suffered a 45.5% decline in 2020 as the Coronavirus pandemic severely restricted travel and movement, the latest data from Lumina Intelligence shows.

Independent restaurants 'will be diners' first choice post lockdown', says Kantar

08-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Independent restaurants will be the first choice for diners when the hospitality lockdown lifts, Kantar has predicted.

Government launches call for evidence to assess progress of commercial rent negotiations

07-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

The Government has launched a call for evidence to help monitor the overall progress of commercial rent negotiations and assess whether it needs to take further steps to protect businesses.

Holyrood slammed for pulling support before most businesses can reopen

06-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Scottish Hospitality Group has attacked Holyrood’s decision to pull critical business support before the majority of restaurants and pubs are able to reopen.

Vaccine passports or social distancing both bad for business, warns trade body

06-Apr-2021 By Restaurant

Pubs and restaurants will be put in a tricky position post lockdown if potential plans to scrap social-distancing rules and demand customers present Covid passports come into place, UKHospitality is warning.

Matt Hancock summoned to High Court to explain delayed hospitality reopening

06-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has until 10am this morning (Tuesday 6 April) to respond to a High Court legal challenge against the decision not to allow hospitality to reopen for indoor service until five weeks after non-essential retail.

Johnson confirms reopening of outdoor hospitality on 12 April

06-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Boris Johnson has confirmed that outdoor hospitality settings in England will be able to unlock next Monday (12 April).

Insurance saga continues as Black and White launches fresh group action

01-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Black and White Hospitality has launched a group action against its own insurers Tokio Marine Kiln in its continuing fight to get the firm to honour its obligations under business interruption policies.

Outdoor trading likely to be permitted in Wales from 26 April

01-Apr-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The First Minister of Wales has told Sky News that he is confident that the country’s restaurants and pubs will be able to reopen for outdoor eating and drinking on 26 April.

Fuller's announces share placing as it prepares for reopening

31-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Fuller's is to raise around £53m through a share placing that it says will strengthen its balance sheet and liquidity position in preparation for a strong reopening.

Brighton Pier Group reduces bar estate

30-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

The Brighton Pier Group has confirmed the permanent closed of three marginal sites from its bar division.

Wetherspoon to invest millions in pub development

30-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

JD Wetherspoon is to invest £145m into developing new pubs and upgrading existing ones over the next 10 years.

Government pushes workplace testing programme

29-Mar-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The Government is pushing for more operators to sign-up to workplace testing following the expansion of the programme to include home testing for staff.

Levels of support for Holyrood hospitality facilities leaves 'extremely bad taste in the mouth'

29-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

MSPs in Scotland have subsidised their own hospitality to the tune of £680,000 since the pandemic began, compared to estimated average support of £40,000 for privately-owned pubs and restaurants.

Welsh hospitality demands clarity over reopening

29-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

The Welsh hospitality sector has demanded clarity from the Government on when it will able to unlock, warning that the ongoing delay risks further job losses and business failures.

'Significant' number of licensed venues will not reopen in April

29-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

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.

New business rates relief fund 'a mixed bag' for sector

26-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

Legislation that could potentially bar thousands of hospitality-adjacent businesses from accessing business rates relief has been described as 'deeply shocking'.

Outdoor hospitality bookings soar ahead of April reopening, research shows

26-Mar-2021 By James McAllister

More than four million people have booked to visit hospitality venues in England within the first two weeks of the sector reopening for outdoor service on 12 April