All MCA Insight articles in August 2020 – Page 6
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NewsEat Out to Help Out used more than 35 million times in first two weeks
The Eat Out to Help Out scheme was used more than 35 million times in its first two weeks, the latest Treasury figures show.
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NewsNeat Burger opens in Camden
Neat Burger, the Lewis Hamilton-backed plant-based burger brand, has opened a new site in London’s Camden Market.
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NewsPizza Express confirms permanent closure of 73 sites
Pizza Express has confirmed it will close 73 of its UK restaurants – almost a fifth of its estate – as part of its CVA process.
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NewsFulham Shore chairman David Page: ‘Crises create opportunities’
The outlook for many in casual dining may appear bleak, but as in any crisis, there will be plenty of opportunities for its survivors, Fulham Shore chairman David Page has said. Speaking at MCA’s The Conversation, Page turned to his own experience as an industry veteran to reassure operators that with the right concept and the right team, the post-coronavirus fallout could be beneficial to them in the long-term.
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OpinionPeter Martin: ‘Eat Out to Help Out an opportunity to consolidate consumer connection’
Operators must utilise what time remains of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to consolidate a consumer connection, and encourage a return visit, MCA’s The Conversation has heard.
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NewsVision Venues begins to build bar estate
Vision Venues, a new company from festival and event operator Field Vision Bars, has acquired The Island Grocer in Poplar, the first of three new bricks and mortar bars.
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NewsPatty & Bun ‘committed to national expansion’
Patty & Bun remains committed to national expansion, citing its strong brand and robust finances as putting it in a strong position to capitalise on opportunities for sites.
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NewsCasual dining failures a ‘victim of timing’
Failures in casual dining have often been a “victim of timing”, due to fierce competition and speed of expansion, Alix Partners’ Graeme Smith has said.
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Analysis & InsightLeaders Poll: Vast majority of customers sticking to guidelines
The vast majority of operators believe customers are sticking to coronavirus guidelines when they visit their premises, William Reed’s Hospitality Leaders Poll reveals.
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NewsCMA launches Marston’s/Carlsberg probe
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a formal inquiry into the £780m merger of Marston’s and Carlsberg’s brewing operations.
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NewsTastecard to take on delivery with low commission
Tastecard has announced plans to take on Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat with a new takeaway delivery and collection service, with a permanent discount of at least 10%.
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NewsOakman awarded for ‘outstanding training’
Oakman Inns has been recognised in The Princess Royal Training Awards for its “exceptional commitment to training”.
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NewsGreene King posts £273m losses
Greene King’s revenues were down 13.4% to £1.9bn in the full year to 26 April 2020 with its pub business worst hit by the coronavirus.
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NewsLack of clarity in Scotland will have ‘significant impact’
The lack of a start date for events and functions in Scotland will have a “significant impact” on hospitality businesses, Kate Nicholls has warned.
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NewsThe Clean Kitchen Club eyes rapid expansion
Plant-based virtual brand The Clean Kitchen Club has opened its third dark kitchen, its first in London, in just eight weeks.
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NewsTapas back on the menu at Spanish Revolution
Spanish Restaurant Group, which operates Tapas Revolution, has now opened half of its 12-strong estate. It will continue to open sites and plans to be fully operational in October. Since the lockdown the group has restructured its management system and introduced a profit-related pay scheme. “We’re in a great position to get our fleet of Spanish restaurants back in operation and have a team who are committed and eager to start welcoming guests through our doors again, with our initial performance ahead of expectation,” said MD James Picton.
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NewsPatty & Bun “cautiously optimistic” for the future
Patty & Bun has reported a pre-tax loss of £264k for the year ending November 2019, an improvement on the £318k it lost in 2018. Sales were £10.9m, down from £11.6m the previous year. In its report to Companies House, the business said it remained “cautiously optimistic” as a result of the coronavirus, and though it said the “current climate will remain difficult” for hospitality it was “well placed to tackle future challenges”. It said those would include the potential impact of travel bans, a second wave of the virus, the availability (or lack of) government support and absence of commuters as consumers work from home.
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Analysis & InsightLights out for late night?
Having already provided your full name and contact details, you pass by the thermal imaging camera and through the personal protection tunnel, where you remain for five seconds to ensure the chlorine dioxide has thoroughly disinfected your clothes and skin. No, this is not Area 51. Welcome to opening night at Piano Works, Farringdon. In its preparations for reopening, which operations director Tristan Moffat hopes will be by the beginning of October, the London-based live music concept isn’t taking any shortcuts when it comes to consumer safety.
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NewsWetherspoons releases trading update
JD Wetherspoon has said like for like sales are down 16.9% for the 44 days to 16 August 2020 in a trading update. It said it had now reopened 844 of its 873 pubs, with some airport and station sites remaining shuttered. It has opened two new sites since July. The update said the businesses remains in a “sound financial position” with net debt at the end of the last financial year around £825m. It also agreed a £48.3m loan under the CLBILS scheme. Chairman Tim Martin also questioned the validity of lockdowns and took aim at the suggestion pubs were hives of infections when it comes to the coronavirus.
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NewsKaren Jones calls on industry to support track and trace
Karen Jones has called on the hospitality industry to “wholeheartedly support” the NHS Test and Trace initiative. Jones said hospitality has a “real responsibility to keep our customers, our teams and our communities safe and well. NHS Test and Trace is a powerful way to do just that, collecting and providing the information to help break the chain of transmission and control the virus. “It takes minutes. It helps to save lives and stop further lockdowns. It shows our people and our customers that we are professional, proactive and caring.” She also told MCA it was vital the government could see hospitality supporting it, saying: “Government will see us as an industry worth supporting because we in turn wholeheartedly support government initiatives.”