All MCA Insight articles in July 2020
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsPret rejects Metcalfe lockdown comments amid uproar
Itsu CEO Julian Metcalfe has caused outrage after saying society will not recover another lockdown in order to save “a few thousand lives of very old or vulnerable people”.
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NewsCrepeAffaire launches Crepe & Roll
CrepeAffaire has created a smaller footprint sister brand, Crepe & Roll, designed for delivery and franchise expansion.
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NewsBrewDog hits £7.5m crowdfund target
BrewDog has hit its initial target of £7.5m for its crowdfunding investment programme, Equity for Punks Tomorrow.
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NewsJust Eat cuts commission for independents
Just Eat is offering a package of discounts to independent restaurants hit by the most severe coronavirus restrictions. Operators in Northern Ireland, Wales and the central Scottish belt will get a 25% discount on commission for Just Eat’s courier service. Those regions will also pay no commission on collection orders, ...
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Analysis & InsightBrandwatch: Five Guys
Long before the pandemic struck, Five Guys was one of the most aggressively expanding operators in the sector, snapping up prime real estate across the country.
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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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Analysis & InsightOne third in tier 3 have already closed or plan to shut
A third of operators in tier 3 say they do not have sufficient support to trade as a viable business and have either already closed or plan to shut.
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NewsDeliveroo appoints UK business chief from Amazon
Deliveroo has appointed Carlo Mocci, formerly of Amazon, as chief business officer for the UK and Ireland.
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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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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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NewsJudicial review launched into Manchester tier 3
Sacha Lord, the night time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, has commenced a Judicial Review into the legality of implementing emergency restrictions on the region’s hospitality sector without scientific evidence.
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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.
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Analysis & InsightTier 2 prompts 50% sales dip for hospitality
Pubs, bars and restaurants in tier 2 of the government’s system have seen sales drop by half since the introduction of the stricter measures, CGA’s latest data shows.
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NewsLussmanns permanently closes Tring
Lussmanns Sustainable Fish and Grill has announced the permanent closure of its Tring restaurant.
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NewsTier 3 confirmed for South Yorkshire
Sheffield City will be the next region to move into tier 3, mayor Dan Jarvis has confirmed.