With zero need to emphasise the scope and scale of the negative impact on hospitality businesses from Covid-19 we rely on the government to help and assist in lessening the load from that impact. In and amongst the work going on within government to address the ongoing crisis, you would hope some sense of prioritising actions would be applied. So, while hospitality … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2020
NHS urge hospitality industry to prepare for Covid-19 App
Restaurants and pubs are being urged by the NHS to ensure they have NHS QR code posters visible on entry so customers who have downloaded the new NHS Covid-19 app can use their smartphones to easily 'check-in'. The move comes ahead of a national launch of the NHS Covid-19 app across England on Thursday 24 September. The government will be supporting businesses and venues to … [Read more...]
Three London Boroughs initiate safe hospitality business testing
A new safety plan to gauge Covid-19 safety measures in place at London hospitality businesses and inform consumers accordingly is being put in place by the City of London Corporation alongside the London boroughs of Southwark and Camden. The plan aims to build Londoner’s confidence in visiting pubs, restaurants, cafes and wider hospitality. The initiative is the first process … [Read more...]
Zest Quest Asia Summer Challenge Winners Announced
Students from four colleges were named winners of the first Zest Quest Asia Summer Challenge, the first completely on-line spinoff of Zest Quest Asia, the culinary competition founded by Indian restaurateurs Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala to raise the profile of Asian cuisine among budding chefs. First prize went to Ryan Plummer of Colchester Institute for his King Prawn … [Read more...]
FCA Business Interruption Insurance test case judgment a success for hospitality
Today’s Business Interruption insurance test case judgment handed down by the High Court has brought relief to thousands of businesses in the hospitality sector who have Resilience (Marsh/JELF) and QBE 1 policy wordings. The result of the judgment will mean that thousands of hospitality businesses should be one step closer to moving forward with their Business … [Read more...]
Hotel groups at opposite ends of the workplace spectrum
Two very different approaches to tackling the same issue, from two hotel groups. As cities and towns across the UK and most noticeably London remain sparsely populated, this alongside also zero international tourism is hindering any meaningful return to hospitality. Hospitality businesses across the UK at the same time are having to more than ever keep a close eye on employee … [Read more...]
Kickstart Hospitality Consortia launches
Umbrella Training, a leading nationwide training and apprenticeship provider for the hospitality sector, has launched a new initiative to help hospitality businesses utilise the government’s new Kickstart Scheme. The ‘Umbrella Kickstart Hospitality Consortia’ aims to help hospitality businesses of all sizes to access the available kickstart grants, even if they cannot … [Read more...]
JD Weatherspoon tone rather unfortunately at the hospitality centre of Covid-19, again
Ever since the lockdown back in March JD Weatherspoon has been at the centre of news surrounding the hospitality industry as Chairman Tim Martin loves to be controversial and swim against the tide. At the onset of Covid-19 and the lockdown being imposed Martin told 43,000 staff at Wetherspoons they were not being paid wages until the company was first reimbursed for their … [Read more...]
Five minutes with… Tevin Tobun
How did you decide to move into food logistics, specifically in the hospitality and catering sector? I was running a design and build company when I won a contract to work on Westminster Council Schools. Every time I went to the school site to inspect the work, I would see big lorries, delivering food, parked on double yellow lines getting tickets. I often wondered to myself … [Read more...]
ONS shows Hospitality at the forefront of UK economy bouncing back in July
Figures released by The Office for National Statistics show the UK economy bouncing back from the impact of Covid-19 accelerated in July, as the reopening of businesses closed for months began to have a positive influence on more people venturing out and spending. The Office for National Statistics reported gross domestic product rising through July by 6.6% compared … [Read more...]
The Savoy reopening date announced alongside new MD
Fairmont has today announced the appointment of Franck Arnold as Managing Director and Regional Vice President of The Savoy as of September 21st 2020. His arrival at the iconic hotel precedes the phased reopening of the London hotel, which will commence on 24th September. Franck Arnold is a figurehead of luxury hospitality with 30 years’ experience with some of the best known … [Read more...]
HM Treasury announce local lockdown grants to businesses
HM Treasury has announced that businesses in England that are required to shut because of local Covid-19 interventions will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay told MPs yesterday. To be eligible for the grant, a business must have been required to close due to local Covid 19 restrictions. The largest … [Read more...]
Various Eateries LSE AIM launch, restaurant superheroes face Herculean task
The restaurant market sector in the UK currently is unrecognisable from the impact of Covid-19. Household names have joined countless lesser known eateries being no longer in business. Making trading even more difficult, yesterday’s announcement from government set even more stringent rules in place limiting people meeting more than five others at any time, and warnings to the … [Read more...]
Hospitality people respond to this afternoon’s government briefing
Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the UK live on television earlier this afternoon setting out the new guidelines for reducing the spread of Covid-19 in England. Aided by chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. After the PM’s introduction he handed over to Professor Chris Whitty who used an animated map with … [Read more...]
