All articles by Georgia Cronin
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Analysis & InsightA third of operators to continue digital focus post-pandemic
One in three hospitality operators plan to maintain a focus on digital channels and will continue to invest in them post-pandemic, according to the latest Hospitality Leader’s Poll from Lumina Intelligence.
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NewsCaring makes ‘verbal commitment’ to continue The Ivy backing
The Ivy backer Richard Caring has indicated he would be willing to support the restaurant group should cash funding through its banks become unavailable. Following a similar commitment to Bill’s Restaurants, of which Caring is a major shareholder, the Caprice Holdings chairman made a verbal agreement to extend support until May 2021.
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NewsKanada-Ya eyes expansion
London-based ramen concept Kanada-Ya is set to open two new restaurant sites this year, alongside a new delivery-only kitchen.
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NewsTossed appoints NED ahead of new openings
Healthy eating brand Tossed has appointed Ann Elliot to its board as a non-executive director.
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NewsMarston’s seeks bondholder waivers for third time
Marston’s has once again asked its bondholders for a number of waivers of its financial covenants, for the second half of 2021.
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NewsTest and trace failings a ‘major cause for concern’
Data from “hundreds of millions” of test and trace check-ins to pubs and restaurants before lockdown failed to be used by the service, Sky News reports.
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NewsHawksmoor secures £4m loan to aid liquidity through crisis
Steakhouse concept Hawksmoor secured a £4m loan to aid its liquidity through the pandemic, accounts on Companies House reveal.
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NewsState aid cap upped to £10.9m
The state aid cap on government grants has been raised to £10.9m, Paul Scully, the minister for business, consumers and labour markets has confirmed.
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NewsEl Pastor debuts in Soho
El Pastor parent company Harts Group is set to launch a new restaurant for the brand in Soho later this year.
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NewsChancellor hails Deliveroo a ‘true British tech success story’ as it confirms London float
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has hailed Deliveroo a “true British tech success story” as the aggregator confirms its intention to list on the London Stock Exchange.
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InterviewsJon Lake: ‘The crisis has created opportunities for QSR’
The closure of dine-in throughout the pandemic has caused potential franchise partners to show enhanced interest in quick service restaurant operations, and created additional opportunities for businesses looking to expand, Chopstix managing director Jon Lake has said.
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NewsChancellor’s Budget unveiled
The business rates holiday and 5% VAT rate will be extended in their current state until the end of June, and phased out over the coming year, the Chancellor has announced.
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NewsWelsh hospitality set for additional £180m in lockdown support
Hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses affected by ongoing coronavirus restrictions in Wales could see an additional £180m in extra support, the Welsh Government has announced.
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NewsBurger King sets out sustainability roadmap
Burger King UK has set out a four-year roadmap towards improved sustainability, food quality and ethics, which will see the chain use 100% recycled or certified packaging by 2025.
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NewsSector calls for apprenticeship protections
Apprenticeship funding and youth employment must be protected if training and development of the future hospitality workforce are to be a cornerstone of the country’s economic recovery, sector leaders have said.
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NewsReilley: ‘Budget the most important day in history of hospitality’
The Budget is arguably the most important day in the history of the hospitality sector, with Sunak’s support set to either provide “desperately needed hope” or “a single, devastating blow,” Loungers Chairman Alex Reilley has said.
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NewsFurlough to be extended until end of September
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will extend the furlough scheme until the end of September in today’s Budget, which is expected to include a support package in excess of £20bn.
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NewsUrban Pubs & Bars sees significant lockdown losses
Urban Pubs & Bars lost out on £2.5m in sales in the first month of the March lockdown, and incurred a significant shortfall in profit due to its inability to mitigate costs immediately at the point of closure.
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NewsGreggs launches sustainability plan
Greggs has launched its first full sustainability plan, which will see it introduce healthier food items, cut food waste and source more sustainably by 2025.
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InterviewsSean Donkin: ‘Profit-seekers are running out of puff’
The Inn Collection Group saw a year of record growth in 2020. Throughout the year, the Alchemy-backed business acquired eight freehold properties, bringing its total estate to 19 sites, and managing director Sean Donkin tells MCA that it was able to grow so aggressively because of one major contributing factor: the pandemic. “It has enabled us to focus on acquiring new sites and made additional opportunities available,” he says. “But it’s not necessarily because of people going under, it’s people running out of puff and fight”.