Heathrow has been forced to close terminal 4 as passenger numbers in November fell by 88%. The closure of the terminal will be maintained until the end of 2021 if no improvements are seen in demand. The move has led to airlines including Air France moving operations to terminal 2. The closure of terminal 4 is a huge blow to the status of the airport and operationally. The UK … [Read more...]
Archives for 2020
A letter to hospitality, from Francisco Macedo FIH, General Manager, Cliveden House
Dear Friends, Guests, Suppliers and Colleagues of our beloved industry, Back in October our friend Claire Bosi from Chef and Restaurant Magazine initiated a petition to create a Minister for Hospitality, for this petition to be discussed in Parliament, we only needed 100,000 signatures, an easy task one would have thought all things considered…. How wrong we were. Over 2 … [Read more...]
Following the EU preparing for a no deal Brexit, PM confirms it’s now the most likely outcome
The EU today issued a statement that they are preparing for a no deal Brexit, earlier this evening Prime Minister Johnson in the video interview below warned of, or perhaps, readied the UK public for the same outcome. Johnson’s analogies are almost as tiresome as his nervous fist waving disorder, posturing as if he is talking to a child and ignoring the fact that he should … [Read more...]
EU issues statement outlining their preparedness for a no deal Brexit
Earlier today following Prime Minister Johnson’s visit last night to meet EU President von der Leyen, the EU has issued a statement outlining their preparedness for a no deal Brexit. The focus of the statement is in maintaining transport and travel links between the EU and UK, written between the lines are stark warnings that it is not just the freedom of movement of people … [Read more...]
Call on council leaders urging funding to feed older people’s health
As local authorities decide their budgets ahead of spring 2021, local people, campaigners, and academics have written to councillors to urge them to invest in underfunded vital food services for older people. A group of professionals and campaigners, including the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), has written to England’s council leaders to urge them to invest in … [Read more...]
Hospitality operators join forces to create the Zero Carbon Forum
Hospitality operators including BurgerKing, BrewDog, Nando’s and The Restaurant Group including Wagamama have joined forces to establish the Zero Carbon Forum and collaborate on identifying the quickest reduction path to net zero emissions. The forum is endorsed by Government and backed by trade associations UKHospitality and the British Beer and Pub Association. Members have … [Read more...]
Master Innholders reinforce scope and scale of industry support
Following one of the most challenging years the industry has come across, the Master Innholders is reinforcing its existing industry support to provide every hotel professional working in the UK valuable opportunities to network, learn and develop. In addition to the existing education and training opportunities Master Innholders provides through the Innholder Scholarships, … [Read more...]
Brexiteer playbook coming to bite them
The relentless deadline setting surrounding deal, or no deal Brexit was given more exercise last night following Prime Minister Johnson’s fish supper in Brussels with EU President von der Leyen, Sunday 13 December. But just like the boy in Aesop's fable who cried wolf, von der Leyen and Johnson’s proclamations are largely ignored. As so many similar deadlines have transpired … [Read more...]
Minister for Hospitality needs ongoing collective monumental support
A petition to create a Minister for Hospitality was created 9 October by Claire Bosi, Editor, Chef & Restaurant Magazine. Earlier this week the petition received a huge boost when circa 100 hospitality people came together to launch #SEATATTHETABLE. #SEATATTHETABLE was created by a group of ‘young’ hospitality professionals to drive support for the … [Read more...]
UK Covid-19 vaccination programme underway
Margaret Keenan a 90 year old grandmother earlier today became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccination. The first of millions to be issued across the UK in the months ahead. It was a momentous day in the battle against Covid-19, and one that hopefully will mark a change in day to day life, and a return towards hospitality as we … [Read more...]
Stonegate extends support for pubs in all three tiers
Stonegate Pub Company has announced continued business support within its leased and tenanted business, Ei Publican Partnerships, in response to the Government’s new restrictive COVID-19 tier system. The additional support, which will apply until further notice, includes credits of 90% for rent, tie release fees and fixtures and fittings rental charges for all tied publicans … [Read more...]
The City of London Corporation reducing rent for hospitality businesses
Amidst the dire Covid induced economic landscape for hospitality one element of trying to balance the books is rent, and that of course will have been set pre-pandemic. So, we are delighted to highlight support for hospitality businesses from landlords with not just an understanding of the difficulty, but doing something to help. The City of London Corporation is supporting … [Read more...]
#SEATATTHETABLE launch witnesses industry support of Minister for Hospitality
The petition for a Minister for Hospitality was created by Chef & Restaurant Magazine’s Editor Claire Bosi, back in October. Since then it has attracted over 40,000 signatories, and at the same time frustration from some in our industry that it is not already closer to its target of 100,000. At 100,000 the petition’s motion will be considered for debate in Parliament. You … [Read more...]
Airbnb share issue risks highlighted by leading QC
As the global accommodation business Airbnb prepares to issue shares within days, a leading lawyer has examined the consumer protections offered by the ‘platform’ and finds that “consumers are at risk in using Airbnb”. William Audland, one of the UK’s top specialists in personal injury and package travel law, has highlighted the fact that Airbnb’s small print avoids … [Read more...]
Brexit roller coaster nearly over
If a no deal Brexit would not add to the UK hospitality industry’s woes, the motivation to write another line in the ‘will they, won’t they’ saga would have disappeared a long time ago. Countless hospitality businesses across the UK are part of intricate supply chains with their EU counterparts, as importers and exporters. Getting a Brexit deal agreed would be a shot in the … [Read more...]