All MCA Insight articles in July 2020 – Page 8
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NewsAbokado MD steps down
Abokado managing director Kara Alderin has stepped down to take a role with a national pub group.
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NewsGreene King: 99% feel safe in the pub
Some 70% of people have said going to the pub for a post-lockdown pint was a top priority, ahead of visiting family and friends, according to a survey by Greene King. Greene King surveyed over 25,000 people to understand their views on returning to pubs and how they found the experience. Despite warnings that the prevalence of PPE and other enhanced safety measures might spoil the traditional pub vibe, 86% of respondents said the pub they visited still had the atmosphere they had been hoping for.
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NewsPotential restructure at Pizza Express
Hony Capital, which owns Pizza Express, could be “all but wiped out in a restructuring” according to a report in the Times. It said Hony Capital, which bought the 627 strong chain for £873m in 2014, had “looked at the possibility of injecting more equity into the business but is now thought to be resigned to ceding control to its bondholders.” It went on to say that “none of the parties involved would comment” but there “were suggestions last night that a financial restructuring, possibly including some restaurant closures, could come as early as next week.”
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Analysis & InsightAnalysis: Clinging to life in the ghost town
London, you may have heard, is a ghost town. In the latest round of borderline dystopian statistics to surface as a result of the pandemic, just 7,000 of the 120,000 workers based in Canary Wharf are back at their desks. And although office workers across the capital may be thrilled to be without the twice daily commuter Hunger Games, for those in hospitality, a few stifling minutes on the Central line is a non-issue if the alternative is unemployment. In the last month alone, city-based to-go brands including Wasabi, Tossed, Pret and most recently Itsu have appointed advisors to assess their options, but whilst, historically, the mention of advisors might ring alarm bells, faced with the current economic climate, it could be time to shed the stigma.
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NewsGiggling Squid appoints Backhouse
Giggling Squid has appointed Nick Backhouse, a senior independent advisor to Loungers, as a director. Backhouse is also a senior independent advisor to Hollywood Bowl, and was a non-executive director of Marston’s for six years. Nick Backhouse replaces Simon Kossoff, who stepped down as chairman in August 2019 after four ...
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NewsMcDonald’s proposes price cuts
McDonald’s plans to cut prices following the reduction in VAT on eating out. It has recommended that franchisees cut prices on Big Macs, Quarter Pounders and Chicken McNuggets, and knocking 40p off combo meal deals and 30p off Happy Meals. It has also suggested a 50p reduction on breakfast meal deals and 30p off McMuffins.
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NewsFace masks won’t be compulsory in restaurants and pubs
Face masks will not be made compulsory in restaurants and pubs, environment secretary George Eustice has said.
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NewsConsumer spending shows signs of recovery
Consumer spending fell 14.5% year-on-year in June, the smallest decline since lockdown began, according to the latest Barclaycard report.
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NewsUK Hospitality CEO Kate Nicholls: Eat Out to Help Out first step to returning consumer confidence
The Eat Out to Help Out voucher scheme is a positive first step, but the government’s efforts in encouraging consumer confidence can’t stop there, Kate Nicholls has said.
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NewsShake Shack launches click and collect
Shake Shack has launched a new click and collect service from a number of its London sites.
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NewsBrewhouse & Kitchen sees positive return to trading
Brewhouse & Kitchen has reported a 2.9% like-for-like sales growth in its first week of post-lockdown trading.
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NewsGovernment reveals new details of points-based immigration system
Employers should focus on improving the skills of their workforce rather than relying on immigrant labour, Home Office minister Kevin Foster has said. Set to come into force in January 2021, the new system is intended to end free movement with the EU, meaning EU migrants will be treated the same as those from the rest of the world.
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NewsHospitality brands keen to comply with track and trace
More than 70 brands have signed up to a track and trace product developed by Wireless Social and Purple AI to comply with the government’s request.
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NewsGreene King appoints chief marketing officer
Greene King has appointed Maria Sebastian to the new role of chief marketing officer.
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NewsEat Out to Help Out registration goes live
Operators looking to benefit from the government’s Eat Out to Help Out initiative can sign up from today (13 July).The registration page went live this morning on gov.uk, and eligible restaurant’s, café’s and pubs have been urged to join the scheme ahead of its launch in August.
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NewsItsu explores restructure
Itsu has become the latest high street name to appoint advisors to explore a potential restructure.
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NewsEpiris frontrunner to buy CDG
The former backer of TGI Friday’s is in advanced talks to buy Casual Dining Group, Sky News reports.
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NewsTed Schama: Help hospitality feed the economy
Having seen numerous cycles, although they have not been easy, I have been comforted by the knowledge F&B is always the last to fall and the first to recover.
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Analysis & InsightPub-goers opt for beer on reopening weekend
Consumers returning to pubs and bars last weekend opted for beer over other alcohol options, CGA’s Drinks Recovery Tracker has revealed.
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NewsWelsh indoor hospitality to reopen 3 August
Welsh hospitality will be permitted to reopen indoor spaces from 3 August, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced.