As Donald Trump seems to be finally grasping some semblance of reality and preparing to exit The White House, President elect Joe Biden is busy making clear the potential cost to the UK of a no deal Brexit. No trade deal with the US. The red lines for Biden are in any changes to UK border policy that would impact Ireland and threaten the 1998 Good Friday peace … [Read more...]
Archives for November 2020
Gordon Ramsay opening new £80 Burger restaurant in Harrods next week
Gordon Ramsay has announced he will be selling £80 burgers in his new restaurant in West London’s Harrods opening next week. From early indications on Instagram diners are eager to consume them. Ramsay’s Wagyu burgers, set within a bun also containing fresh black truffle, Pecorino cheese and cep mayonnaise start at £80, if you want chips that’s extra. For diners that do not … [Read more...]
Online fine wine auction sets 46 new world records
The Christie’s Wine & Spirits Department online sale Fine & Rare Wines and Spirits Including Historic Madeira Direct from the Island (10-24 November) totaled $1,859,188 with 97% sold by lot, 100% sold by value, and 128% hammer above low estimate. There was global participation with registered bidders from 19 countries and 27% first-time buyers. Throughout the … [Read more...]
UK nations unite on Christmas policy to alienate hospitality
After fragmenting throughout the entire Covid-19 pandemic to date, all four nations that make up the UK have now agreed a common Christmas policy. Three households can meet and mix through the five days of 23-27 December, and travel between nations will also be open throughout the period. Somewhat in keeping with recent Government policy however, hospitality has … [Read more...]
New tiers, and delayed boundaries, delivers hospitality’s mission impossible
Following yesterday’s announcement of a new ‘toughened’ 3 tier system, but no knowledge of what tier will apply where, challenges businesses wanting to try and operate within these changes. Please forgive the understatement. The question now is, have things already gone too far, has the point of no return been reached. For all too many the answer is yes, in balance sheet … [Read more...]
Country Range ‘Virtual Business Development Days’ an ongoing reality
Virtual Business Development Days - Following four highly successful virtual events in September and October, the Country Range Group has announced the next Virtual Business Development Day sessions, which will take place on the 3rd and 4th February 2021. Run for the first time to ensure vital communication between members and suppliers could continue even during lockdown or … [Read more...]
New tier system places hospitality closer to the edge of the abyss
The new three tier system of Covid-19 measures announced today by the prime minister, quashed any hopes of a Christmas for hospitality. Having borne the economic brunt of lockdown to date, for any remaining optimists in hospitality hoping for a ray of light, it was promptly extinguished. Announcing the government’s Covid-19 Winter Plan to parliament, the prime minister said … [Read more...]
Prime Minister to announce new Tier system later today
Later today Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to set out the details of how England will exit national lockdown and return to a three tier system on 3 December. After much speculation over the weekend, it is widely expected that some parts of what was Tier 3 pre lockdown 2 will be relaxed and others strengthened. It looks as if restaurants, pubs and other hospitality … [Read more...]
Hospitality’s T Minus 10 and counting to destination unknown
In what has become a new unfortunate norm for government, ahead of the Prime Minister’s address to Parliament tomorrow, his announcement is preceded by speculation. That speculation creates more uncertainty, which stifles planning and preparation, causing even greater harm to hospitality businesses. Late last night ‘news’ emerged, although no official government … [Read more...]
Nicholls writes to Sunak: Please invest in the “survival and revival” of hospitality
UKHospitality has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak underlining that additional financial support is absolutely vital to ensure hospitality businesses survive a bleak winter and be in a position to help power economic growth next year. Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spending Review, the trade association is warning that hospitality is set to lose the majority of … [Read more...]
Virgin Money reply to H&C News’ Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank advertisement
In response to part of an advertising campaign we ran earlier this week- Hospitality Group Action Claim: Hospitality businesses owed millions from TBLs working together – we received the following communication from Virgin Money UK today. We publish it to present a balanced view. A spokesperson for Clydesdale Bank said: “There continues to be absolutely no substance or … [Read more...]
Increased Covid-19 security added to prison restaurant
ENS have installed UV Clean solutions that kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including coronavirus, on staff and customer technology touchpoints at The Clink Restaurant in Styal. The Clink is no ordinary restaurant, situated within a working prison their food is prepared and served by prisoners in training to gain qualifications that reduce reoffending rates. At The Clink … [Read more...]
Consumer foodservice spending 2020: to fall by £44 Billion
Total UK consumer spending is expected to fall by 15% a staggering £183.6 billion this year due to Covid-19 lockdowns. Equating to a drop in spending of circa £6,600 per household. The biggest decreases are in the foodservice, transport, and holiday industries. Consumer spending in these three categories are predicted to fall by £140 billion in total, just over £5,000 per … [Read more...]
KFC new restaurant design: building revenue by limiting person to person contact
KFC restaurants are going to look and feel very different in the near future. Covid-19 has boosted revenues, and parent Yum! Brands are investing in adapting to drive those increased revenues even higher. The impact from Covid-19 has seen hospitality adapt to survive in a new business landscape that has changed the fundamentals of how people eat out. KFC revenues of circa … [Read more...]
Hospitality Group Action Claim: Hospitality businesses owed millions from TBLs working together
New data shows that hundreds of affected hospitality and catering businesses across the UK qualify to join a major High Court claim against Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank. Today, All Square Finance Ltd (allSquare), a specialist provider of claims management and litigation support services, announced the final phase of its bookbuild for a major High Court case against … [Read more...]
Tom Aikens backs Hospitality Against Homelessness SOS Challenge
Only a Pavement Away, the charity that supports people who are facing homelessness into jobs within hospitality, is raising funds through a new campaign, the ‘SOS Challenge. The campaign is in association with Tom Aikens, who is encouraging everyone to get creative in the kitchen and make a five ingredient soup, to raise awareness and much needed support for the charity’s … [Read more...]
The Clink extends home delivery helping families struggling to eat
The Clink Training Restaurant, operating from HMP Brixton, has announced this week its partnership with the Albrighton Community Fridge on London’s East Dulwich Estate as well as launching its winter menu for the Clink@Home delivery service for its customers. Due to the success of the Clink@Home delivery service launched in July 2020, we have extended our delivery zone to … [Read more...]
