All articles by Georgia Cronin – Page 10
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InterviewsNeat Burger co-founder Stasi Nychas: ‘It’s how we adapt to the crisis that matters’
The timing of London’s tier 3 announcement couldn’t have been worse for Neat Burger. Launched in September last year, the plant-based burger concept’s first site was only six months old before the pandemic hit, forcing it to shift its then ambitious growth strategy of expanding to a further five dine-in sites in 2020 to fit a dramatically different marketplace. Nevertheless, the business pushed on, launching two dark kitchens in Battersea and Whitechapel earlier this year, and a further two bricks-and-mortar restaurants – to join its original Mayfair restaurant - in Camden and Soho.
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NewsPubs to take £2.6bn sales hit in December
The pub and bar sector could face food and drink sales losses of at least £2.6bn this month, according to new data from OrderPay.
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NewsMajority of tier 3 remain the same, tightest restrictions in South East
Tier 3 measures will be implemented across a “much wider area” in the East and South East England this week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced. Speaking in the House of Commons following the government’s first formal tier review, he said that Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, and the whole of Hertfordshire will be subject to the tighter restrictions from Saturday morning (19 December). Surrey – with the exception of Waverly – as well as Hastings, Rother, Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant will also enter tier 3. Though the “vast majority” of areas already in the highest tier will stay there, Bristol and North Somerset will move down to tier 2 on Saturday, and Herefordshire will move from tier 2 to tier 1.
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Analysis & InsightDigital ordering takes over EPOS as virus prompts reliance on tech
The presence and use of digital ordering channels in hospitality businesses has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, and proved vital in driving up consumer spend, according to Vita Mojo.
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NewsTim Martin: Government relying on ‘false information, rather than truth’
Wetherspoons chairman Tim Martin has accused the government of relying on “false information, rather than truth,” leading to “inevitably poor outcomes.” In an update on the London Stock Exchange, Martin said that over 50 million pub visits had been registered at Wetherspoons sites using the track and trace system, and there have been no outbreaks reported in the company, highlighting the “faulty” nature of government sources of information.
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NewsSSP optimistic for “slow and steady” recovery
Travel hub operator SSP Group has said it remains optimistic in its ability to adapt to and capitalise on the return of the travel market next year despite incurring huge losses in 2020.
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NewsRevolution secures further liquidity as restrictions hit sales
Revolution Bars has reported sales significantly down in the first 24 weeks of FY21 as a result of “severe and constantly evolving trading restrictions.”
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NewsTrafford centre taken over by lenders as Intu fails to find buyer
Manchester’s the Trafford Centre has been taken over by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the country’s biggest pension fund, after previous owner Intu failed to find a buyer.
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NewsPaul looks to franchise model for UK expansion
Paul UK has announced it is looking to create a franchise model to enable it to expand across the country. The 38-strong bakery chain is appealing for potential franchise partners, promising to provide a national supply chain, economies of scale, a flexible retail format to fit any location, as well as marketing, training and help with recruitment. Partners will be offered a choice between Paul’s Café, Express and Kiosk restaurant models, of which sites would be around 1,500 sq ft+, 500 to 800 sq ft+, and 500 sq ft respectively.
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NewsWelsh hospitality to close at 6pm on Christmas day
Hospitality businesses in Wales will have to close at 6pm on Christmas Day, with the country going into lockdown four days later, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
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NewsSales up at Wagamama
Wagamama has reported strong results for both eat in and delivery in Q3, seeing an uplift in sales and EBITDA.
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NewsTasty achieves rent reductions and concessions on more than half of estate
Wildwood operator Tasty has achieved rent reductions and lease concessions on more than half of its estate, two months after it announced it was exploring a potential company voluntary arrangement (CVA).
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NewsLondon sees highest footfall in tier 2 areas on last weekend before tier 3
London had the highest footfall of all English tier 2 cities last weekend, but is expected to drop significantly as it enters tier 3 today, according to Wireless Social.
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NewsMinister of hospitality petition surpasses 100,000 signatures
A petition pushing for a minister of hospitality has surpassed its target of 100,000 signatures, meaning parliament must now consider the topic for debate.
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Analysis & InsightHospitality accounts for a third of job losses since February
Hospitality has accounted for a third of UK job losses since the start of the pandemic, which are now at 819,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
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NewsKhan: ‘Government must realise economic consequences of placing London in tier 3’
London mayor Sadiq Khan has added his voice to criticisms of the government’s decision to place London under tier 3 restrictions, emphasising the devastating impact it will have on the city’s economy.
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Analysis & InsightViability of Scottish hospitality could be “dramatically enhanced” by minor changes to restrictions, study finds
The economic viability of Scotland’s 1,800 hospitality businesses could be dramatically enhanced by relatively minor changes to the country’s restrictions, according to a study by BiGGAR Economics.
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NewsBoxpark to reduce rent for traders operating in tier 3
Boxpark will reduce rent for its food traders that wish to stay open under London’s tier 3 restrictions from tomorrow, and will waive rent for tenants who remain closed.
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Analysis & InsightBrandwatch: Burger King @ Just Eat
Unlike the rest of us, Just Eat has had a pretty good year. From that fateful day in March, as the nation was informed that they “must stay home” in a then unprecedented (three-week) lockdown, eating in became the new eating out. Just Eat saw a 33% jump in orders as a result of the first lockdown – with breakfast and lunch orders rising by 50% and 80% respectively – and the upward trend has since continued. However, whilst the crisis may have escalated the company’s rapid growth, it was by no means the catalyst.
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NewsGovernment accused of siding with landlords in pubs code review
The government has been accused of siding with pub landlords over tenants in its pubs code review completed last month, The Times reports. Business secretary Alok Sharma has been told by group’s representing about 7,000 tenants that the review “promised so much and delivered so little,” leaving publicans exposed to the impacts of the coronavirus crisis. Responding to the evaluation last month, British Beer and Pub Association CEO Emma McClarkin praised the government’s recognition that the code doesn’t require fundamental changes.