All articles by Georgia Cronin – Page 18
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NewsHeineken reports modest sales growth as on-trade continues to struggle
Heineken has reported UK beer volume returned to modest growth in its third quarter as off-trade sales boosted dips in the on-trade.
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InterviewsSacha Lord: Wet-led community pubs ‘completely shot’
Manchester’s wet-led pubs are “completely shot” under tier 3 and “many will not reopen again,” the city’s Night Time Economy Advisor Sacha Lord has warned. Speaking at MCA’s The Conversation, Lord cited the wet-led sub-sector as his “greatest concern” and said that given that the city has been operating under at least tier 2 restrictions in all but name for the past three months, large-scale closures and redundancies are now “inevitable.”
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NewsScotland to ease alcohol restrictions
Pubs and restaurants in areas subject to Scotland’s lower three tiers will be able to serve alcohol indoors again from Monday next week, the first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
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NewsTrade bodies call for a freeze in late-night levy payments
Hospitality trade bodies have called on government to freeze late-night levy payments as some late-night businesses have been required to continue payments despite lockdown and curfew restrictions.
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InterviewsBBPA CEO Emma McClarkin: ‘We have to get to pain point before government will listen’
The government’s communication with and about the industry “has slipped” and needs to be improved, MCA’s The Conversation has heard. Speaking at the event, British Beer and Pub Association CEO Emma McClarkin said that following the conclusion of the Eat Out to Help Out initiative in August, there was a “distinct shift” in government’s consultation and dialogue with the industry, so now “it’s almost like we have to get to pain point before they’ll start to listen to us.”
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NewsGovernment attempts to narrow business lunch exemption
The government has attempted to narrow the so-called household mixing ‘loophole’ of business lunches, warning restaurants against utilising the exemption to fill tables.
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NewsWhitbread “well placed” to enhance UK market position despite losses
Whitbread has said it is “well placed” to enhance its market leadership position in the UK despite a significant dip in revenue for its H1 trading period.
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NewsHospitality trade bodies propose workable framework ahead of Scottish debate
Trade bodies representing Scotland’s hospitality sector have proposed a workable ‘strategic framework’ for the industry ahead of today’s scheduled debate on the country’s plan for the next six months.
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NewsRevolution launches CVA
Revolution Bars Group has launched a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce the size of its estate and rental cost base.
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NewsIbérica closes two sites in CVA
Spanish restaurant chain Ibérica has undergone a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), leading to the closure of two restaurants.
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NewsSturgeon confirms five-tiered strategy for Scotland
Scotland will enter a five-tier coronavirus alert system next month, with a degree of forced hospitality closure in the top two tiers, first Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
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NewsCaffè Nero considers CVA
Caffè Nero is exploring a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) as it looks to respond to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus crisis, Sky News reports. Last month it was reported the business had hired KPMG to look at negotiating rent cuts, and whilst it is yet to make a final decision about the CVA it is expected in the coming weeks.
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NewsHawksmoor welcomes business bookings
Steak restaurant chain Hawksmoor has confirmed it will welcome business lunches in its tier 2 and 3 sites.
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Analysis & InsightSunak splits the sector
From “hugely generous” to “nowhere near enough”, industry response to the chancellor’s latest round of business support was mixed to say the least. Speaking in the Commons yesterday (22 October), Sunak highlighted that the extent of the new funding – which will include £2,100 grants for businesses and an improved Short Time Work Scheme – was predicated on talks with hospitality operators and trade bodies earlier in the day, who informed the chancellor of a “significant fall in consumer demand, causing profound economic harm to their industry.” In light of the unsustainable position in which thousands of hospitality businesses under tier 2 restrictions have found themselves in recent weeks, he added that he made “no apology” for “responding to changing circumstances” - but does this ‘unapologetic’ response go far enough?
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NewsKFC to create 5,400 jobs
KFC UK and Ireland has announced plans to create a further 5,400 jobs following a surge in takeaway demand through the coronavirus crisis, Sky News reports.
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NewsCosta franchise eyes expansion
A Costa Coffee franchise based in the North of England has announced plans to expand after securing a substantial financing facility from HSBC.
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NewsScottish trade bodies launch legal action against government-imposed restrictions
Five of Scotland’s hospitality industry bodies have launched a legal process against the government-imposed restrictions placed on the licensed trade.
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NewsChancellor announces additional tier 2 support
Businesses affected by the tier 2 level restrictions will be legible for direct cash grants and an extension of support under the government’s Short Time Work Scheme, chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced.
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Analysis & InsightHigher tiers hit footfall
UK footfall saw a 5% drop this week as tier 2 and 3 restrictions were applied throughout the country, new data from Wireless Social has found.
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NewsScottish shutdown extended as it heads for tiered system
The closure of pubs, bars and restaurants in Scotland’s central belt will be extended for a further week whilst leaders work on a tiered system for the country.