All MCA Insight articles in October 2020
View all stories from this issue.
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News27% of pubs reopen post-lockdown
Just 27% of pubs in Britain were able to attempt reopening today (2 December), with many fearing they could close again in less than a week if they are unviable under tier 2 restrictions.
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NewsGreene King tenants to get 90% rent concession
Greene King Pub Partners has announced further rent support, confirming all tied tenants in tiers 2 and 3 will receive a 90% rent concession from 2 December.
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NewsGordon Ramsay lines up third new site
Gordon Ramsay has confirmed the opening of his first Street Burger restaurant, which will launch tomorrow (3 December) at One New Change in the City of London.
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InterviewsDishoom co-founder Shamil Thakrar: ‘Delivery won’t be dine-in’s poor relation’
In usual times, an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach to operating a business as successful and celebrated as Dishoom makes sense. But 2020 has been anything but usual, and despite its initial reluctance to drift from the carefully curated roll-out program that’s seen the Indian restaurant concept emerge as a well-established industry darling over the last ten years, in March the business announced it would be launching a collection and delivery option, for the very first time. It now boasts seven delivery-only kitchens, opening its latest in Brighton last week, and as co-founder Shamil Thakrar tells MCA, the business doesn’t intend to stop there.
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NewsCaffe Nero approves CVA amid takeover approach
Caffè Nero has approved its Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), including a modification that the company will ensure compromised creditors, including landlords, will have their arrears paid in full in the event that a sale of the group to the third party occurs within the next six months.
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Interviews
Punch Pubs CEO Clive Chesser: Pub restrictions ‘disproportionate and unfair’
The restrictions imposed on community wet led pubs in tier 2 are “disproportionate,” “unfair,” and “wrong,” MCA’s The Conversation has heard.
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NewsLoungers holds profit despite lockdowns
Loungers saw its turnover fall 33% to £53.5m in the 24 weeks to 4 October, but still managed to turn a profit despite a raft of restrictions.
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InterviewsGreene King CEO Nick Mackenzie: ‘People in government don’t understand pubs’
Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie has described the uncertainty facing pub tenants face as “incredible,” saying “they do not deserve to be treated in the way that they have been by government.”
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News50k venues to remain closed as lockdown ends
As many as 50,000 licensed premises could remain closed as the national lockdown ends today, the latest Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners reveals.
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NewsLeon circulates restructuring plan
Leon has served creditors with a restructuring plan that includes a multimillion pound investment from shareholders to secure its future.
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NewsPub grant ‘not enough’
A one-off grant of £1,000 for wet-led pubs forced to close because of coronavirus has been criticised for not doing enough to support pubs through winter.
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NewsPret coffee sub ‘saved many jobs’
Pret A Manger’s coffee subscription has surpassed expectations four-fold so far, and allowed the brand to tap into a new younger consumer base. Pret UK food and coffee director Briony Raven told MCA the good value of the offer, which entitles subscribers to up to five drinks a day for ...
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OpinionPeter Martin: Time to adjust the optics
Hospitality is angry, very angry. Never have I witnessed such fury towards a British Government from so many reasonable and intelligent people right across the out-of-home market. The challenge now is how to channel that collective outrage and intense sense of injustice.
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NewsSteak concept Tomahawk to make London debut
Tomahawk restaurant group will open its debt restaurant in London this week.
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NewsBoxpark announces new traders for reopening
Boxpark will be debuting a selection of new traders as it reopens all three of its London vennues later this week.
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NewsSimon George departs Budweiser Budvar UK
Simon George is to step down as managing director of Budweiser Budvar UK after six years in the role.
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NewsPandemic takes toll on supply chain
The coronavirus pandemic has caused supply chain difficulties for more than nine in ten hospitality operators since they reopened in July, CGA and Prestige Purchasing has found.
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NewsCaffè Nero rejects ‘disruptive’ EG Group bid
Caffè Nero will press ahead with its company voluntary arrangement after rejecting a last-minute takeover bid from petrol forecourt and fast food operator EG Group.
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NewsEG Group eyes bid for Caffe Nero
EG Group, the petrol forecourt and fast food operator, is eyeing a takeover bid for Caffe Nero, Sky News reports.
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InterviewsPret director Briony Raven: 'We've amazed ourselves with the speed we've done things'
Pret a Manger officially launches Dinners by Pret this week after a soft launch period. Part of a multi-channel strategy of bringing Pret to customers’ homes, the hot food offer is available via Just Eat, Deliveroo and UberEats. UK food and coffee director Briony Raven discusses the project.