Press conferences often promise more than is delivered, and few have sufficient impact to last far beyond the close of the event. There are exceptions, and one that I attended a few weeks ago comes into this category. My view on climate change can be summed up easily as it being the greatest threat to humankind. So, as a consequence all things related to climate change … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2020
Latest study by Imperial College London shows infection and R Rate in decline
Data from Imperial College London shows that having tested more than 105,000 people between 13-24 November, Covid-19 infection rates are down circa 30%, and the R Rate at 0.88 has lowered. The testing data comes from testing called a React-1 study, that is highly respected, and researchers are confident the test gives the most up to date picture available. REACT-1 is a … [Read more...]
Tuesday’s Tory Tier Rebellion: Boris busy handing out sweeteners to avert
Following widespread questioning of the new tier system, the Prime Minister has written to MPs asking for their support in a vote next Tuesday, that is looking more and more in the balance. Hospitality businesses across England will doubtless be anxious to see how the vote goes, as many have voiced their vociferous opposition to it. The PM’s letter highlights a 'sunset' … [Read more...]
Plans for a new training hotel collapse due to lack of funding
The development of a new training hotel at Moreton Morrell College in Warwick is on hold due to a lack of funds, with plans to now sell off land and buildings to boost its finances. The training hotel would have been a major boost to the college, and to pupils planning to enter a career in hospitality. Warwickshire College Group, now called WGC, had planned to run Moreton … [Read more...]
Parliamentary report details impact of Covid-19 on coastal hospitality
A new report from the Hospitality and Tourism APPG has highlighted the acute impact of the COVID-19 crisis on businesses in the UK’s coastal and lakeside communities. The Coasts and Waters report shows that the impact of the crisis has been more pronounced on coastal and lakeside regions due to their reliance on tourism, which generates 50% of local employment in some areas. … [Read more...]
Loch Leven’s Larder installs Covid safe technology
Loch Leven’s Larder is an award-winning, 120 seater restaurant, deli and retail business with idyllic views over the loch and surrounding hills. Adapting the business to be Covid safe for customers & staff was the management priority of summer 2020. Social distancing was encouraged with clear signage and customer flow directions, tables in the restaurant were … [Read more...]
Hope for hospitality as MPs rally to challenge new tier restrictions
The new tier restrictions announced by the Government yesterday have been met with widespread consternation. Not just by those that will suffer most, hospitality businesses, but also by many Conservative MPs. Deputy chair of the Covid Recovery Group, a group of Conservative MPs who scrutinise the Government's response to the Covid pandemic, described the new … [Read more...]
Hospitality people react to their tier’s and what it means for their businesses
Days like today, where hospitality as an industry has once again been dealt a poor hand sees many left wondering how others think and feel. So, we are delighted to feature a selection of thoughts from many familiar names in hospitality reflecting on the tier they now find themselves in, and what it means for their businesses. Stuart Procter – COO The Stafford Collection, … [Read more...]
Tier 3 forces and Tier 2 causes 30,000 pub closures
With 16,454 pubs in tier 3 forced to close, and trading conditions in tier 2 causing 13,920 to do the same, the pub landscape in England is changing before our eyes. The British Beer & Pub Association has today revealed that tighter tier two and tier three restrictions being placed on almost every English region as announced today will have a devastating impact on over … [Read more...]
Today’s restrictions wipe out £7.8 Billion of Christmas trade for tier 2 and 3 hospitality businesses
Under the new tier system announced today, 98% of the UK’s hospitality trade will now take place in tier 2 and 3 regions, according to UKHospitality. Should the restrictions last the entire month of December, an estimated £7.8 billion worth of trading is set to be wiped out, compared to 2019. Tier Venues Jobs affected Proportion of hospitality … [Read more...]
As tier allocations announced today, hospitality tears undoubtedly will follow
Matt Hancock is later this morning due to announce the tiers that will be applied to regions across England. For hospitality people the tier they will operate from in the run up to Christmas and immediately beyond it is vital. For many a tier allocation could literally, or for all intents and purposes close their place of work. Most of England is expected to be placed in the … [Read more...]
Mitchells & Butlers cut 1,300 jobs after £300 million reversal in results
Mitchells & Butlers is the latest pub group to announce major redundancies as circa 1,300 people have lost their job following a pre-tax loss of £123 million for the year to 26 September. The loss when compared to a profit of £177 million for the same period last year, shows a £300 million reversal in results. Pub brands in the Mitchells & Butlers portfolio includes … [Read more...]
Supporting hospitality jobs can stifle unemployment and drive recovery
Reacting to today’s Comprehensive Spending Review, UKHospitality has reiterated that hospitality jobs can catalyse the UK’s economic recovery, and avoid predicted unemployment growth, but only if it is supported to navigate a harsh winter. Commenting on the announcement, UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Hospitality jobs are at the core of the grave … [Read more...]
Daily Mail Editor leaks regional ‘Tier’ allocation news ahead of Government announcement
The Government’s recent strategy to leak information prior to official announcements seems to be continuing today. Jason Groves, Political Editor of the Daily Mail earlier today tweeted: “Ministers keen to get the morale-boosting Xmas plan out tonight ahead of more Covid gloom this week. One Whitehall source tells me it's 'entirely possible there will be no-one in Tier One' … [Read more...]
Sodexo introduce new approach to people-centred workplaces
Sodexo’s Vital Spaces has brought together the company’s diverse expertise to provide employers with a new approach to help them transform their workplaces through a connected, people-centric approach. The workplace of today is not just about the physical boundaries of an office, but also the employee experience wherever and whenever teams are working. Recent research from … [Read more...]