All MCA Insight articles in October 2020 – Page 10
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InterviewsGraffiti Spirits' Matt Farell: ‘Liverpool has too much to lose, we’ve come too far’
Graffiti Spirits Group co-founder Matt Farrell told MCA of his devastation and surprise at Liverpool being placed into the harshest tier three coronavirus restrictions.
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NewsMarston’s: 2,150 jobs at risk
Marston’s has released a trading update saying group sales are down 30% on last year to £821m. Total pub sales for the year were £515m, down 34% on last year. It also said that 2,150 jobs are at risk due to the new restrictions. “This year has been testing on many fronts,” said CEO Ralph Findlay. “Trading has been difficult, but to operate at 90% of last year on a like-for-like basis is better than our forecast, ahead of the market and a highly creditable result. In part, this is because most of our pubs are in suburban or community settings, and we have relatively few pubs in city centres which have been worst hit by changes in working habits.
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NewsDeltic seeks new equity
Night club operator Deltic has appointed advisors BDO to identify new investment.
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NewsBoparan acquires GBK in pre-pack
Boparan Restaurant Group has acquired the Gourmet Burger Kitchen burger brand and 35 trading sites in a pre-pack administration.
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NewsJust Eat UK orders up 43% to 46.4m
Just Eat Takeaway.com has reported UK orders in Q3 2020 grew by 43% year on year to 46.4m.
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NewsGovernment passes new regulations despite Tory rebellion
The government faced a 42-strong rebellion from within its own party over the 10pm curfew last night, but still comfortably won the vote.
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NewsSage urges two-week lockdown
Members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) are urging the government to adopt a two-week “circuit breaker” lockdown over half term to save thousands of lives.
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Analysis & InsightGovernment ‘retrofitting evidence’ to support policy
The government has been creating policy without evidence, and then trying to “rapidly retrofit” evidence to support it, in the face of growing opposition from its own backbenches, MCA’s The Conversation has heard.
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NewsPubs can avoid closure with ‘substantial meal’
Pubs in tier three lockdown can avoid closure by serving a substantial meal, the regulations show.
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InterviewsWasabi backer Ashton Crosby: CVA was ‘necessary evil’
Wasabi backer Ashton Crosby has described how the coronavirus crisis has forced the brand to overhaul its property strategy.
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NewsComptoir hoping to emerge stronger
Comptoir has revealed its results for the six months ended 30 June 2020. It said sales at the 24-site chain were down 61.4% to £6.1m while gross profits were down 61% to £4.5m. “There is no hiding from the fact that we are facing unprecedented times across UK hospitality, and with that, market conditions will inevitably continue to be challenging for our business,” said non-exec chairman Richard Kleiner. ”However, I am greatly encouraged by the strength of the Comptoir brand with its excellent quality, healthy food served in the safest possible environment, whilst retaining the genuine feel of family and friendly hospitality that forms the very heart and soul of our offering.
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News'Feeble' employment market demands government support
UK Hospitality has warned that 500,000 jobs are at risk without further support from the government. Yesterday the ONS revealed unemployment hit 4.5%, the highest figure since 2017. “The feeble nature of the employment market is worrying in and of itself, but it masks a much larger worry for the country,” said UK Hospitality CEO Kate Nicholls. “Furlough support is about to end and we are moving onto a Job Support Scheme that will not work for many of our businesses. Our sector is being forced to operate under crippling restrictions, so to pay staff for more than hours worked is an unachievable ask for many venues. Unless support is forthcoming, the outlook is only going to get bleaker.
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NewsSage advice: Curfews have ‘marginal impact’
The government’s own scientific guidance states curfews on the hospitality trade are only likely to have a “marginal impact” in the fight against coronavirus.
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NewsUKH to Gov: ‘Stop the blame game’
The government must “stop the blame game” and work with the hospitality sector, rather than hold it responsible for rising infections, UK Hospitality CEO Kate Nicholls has said.
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Analysis & InsightPub and bar spend up 9% in September
Spending at pubs and bars saw a 9% year-on-year rise in September, the first increase since February, according to the latest data from Barclaycard.
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NewsLack of support for tier 1 and 2 businesses
Hospitality businesses in tiers 1 and 2 have a lack of support, despite facing restrictions including the 10pm curfew, UK Hospitality has warned.
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NewsNorthern leaders hold against harshest restrictions
Areas in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humber could have been placed into the highest tier 3 category, but local council leaders held out against the designation.
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NewsLondon could move into tier 2 this week
London could face new restrictions banning different households from mixing indoors as early as this week, mayor Sadiq Khan has warned.
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NewsM&B launches redundancy process
Mitchells & Butlers has begun a redundancy consultation with a number of staff as it deals with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
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NewsPM confirms three-tier plan, Liverpool pubs to close
Boris Johnson has outlined government plans to introduce a three-tiered strategy to deal with local and regional outbreaks.PM