Details below as released from GOV.UK The Roadmap is on track and planned Step 3 easements will go ahead on 17 May, the Prime Minister has confirmed. The data shows that the government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions have been met. Infection rates are at their lowest level since September, while hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to decrease - with … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2021
PM confirms hospitality’s reopening roadmap on track
The Prime Minister led the Downing Street press conference yesterday afternoon and set out the next stage of lockdown easing for England. For hospitality, the announcement that pubs and restaurants can once again serve people inside from next Monday 19 May will be a huge relief. Operators across England can open their doors and welcome people back with open arms, and even hug … [Read more...]
Gino D’Acampo ‘super excited’ about opening his new restaurant in Manchester
INNSiDE by Meliá has agreed a strategic partnership with Gino D’Acampo. INNSiDE currently operates in Manchester, with openings in Liverpool and Newcastle launching on 16 and 17 May, and further UK sites planned to open in 2022. D’Acampo will harness his extensive knowledge of artisan Italian suppliers to ensure guests enjoy only the best ingredients. Menus will feature dishes … [Read more...]
Wendy’s retuning to UK QSR market creating 12,000 new hospitality jobs
Wendy's burger chain has announced a return to the UK with new restaurants creating thousands of new hospitality jobs. The return will see circa 400 new restaurant openings, with 30 to 50 employees per restaurant creating 12,000 jobs. Wendy’s exited the UK QSR market 21 years ago citing high property costs as an operational barrier. Now, it will use the UK launch as a … [Read more...]
Bullish outlook from Greggs
Bakery chain Greggs have reported seeing a strong recovery following their reopening in April and in a bullish statement said its profits this year could bounce back to pre-Covid levels. But with some caution then highlighted trading conditions remained highly unusual. Back in March, the bakery chain reported its first ever loss in 36 years trading from the impact of … [Read more...]
Travelodge appoint new CEO with focus on reopening
Travelodge has announced the appointment of Craig Bonnar as its new Chief Executive. Bonnar has been serving as Travelodge’s Interim Chief Executive since the start of this year and has been a member of the group operating board since his appointment as Chief Operating Officer in January 2017. As Chief Operating Officer, Bonnar held direct management responsibility for leading … [Read more...]
Beyond Meat Q1 results confirm direction of plant based food growth
Beyond Meat has reported financial results for its first quarter ended April 3, 2021. The results show substantial growth in a period where foodservice continues to be limited. HEADLINE RESULTS Net revenues were $108.2 million, an increase of 11.4% year-over-year. Gross profit was $32.7 million, or gross margin of 30.2% of net revenues. Net loss was $27.3 million, … [Read more...]
UKH urges the Chancellor to help deliver a viable recovery for hospitality
UKHospitality is calling on the Chancellor Rishi Sunak for further support in helping the sector emerge from the devastating effects of the pandemic, by improving access to capital for businesses and sticking to the Government’s roadmap of lifting restrictions after 21st June. *The letter in full can be read below. The latest hospitality sales tracker for the first quarter … [Read more...]
Paul Askew interprets a storm on the horizon for hospitality
Speaking with Paul Askew yesterday, who due to the adverse weather was mid-stream in cancelling 88 outdoor covers, I found inspiring. Amidst his present tense challenges, he was equally, if not more concerned about his industry. Askew is enjoying his 40th year in hospitality, chef and owner of The Art School restaurant, The Art School Cellars, and The Art of Wine. His … [Read more...]
PM photographed breaking pub restrictions celebrating election results with mates
The Prime Minister has been captured in a pub in Hartlepool raising a glass to celebrate the town’s new MP Jill Mortimer. Alongside her doing the same, and both without a face covering. The photograph was featured on the twitter account of Tim Foster, Head of Being Awesome @yummypubs. The happy couple are pictured, with a less than happy masked onlooker in the … [Read more...]
Greene King celebrate talent in run up to reopening
Greene King has celebrated the hidden talents of its pub and brewery teams as part of a three-months-long project to keep people who were furloughed engaged and ready to reopen pubs across the UK from 17 May. In a virtual event on 5 May that was a culmination of months of planning and preparation, hundreds of talented Greene King entrants from across the country were … [Read more...]
Stonegate’s Female Mentoring Scheme growing and enabling ‘outstanding promotions’
Stonegate Group’s Female Mentoring Scheme kicked off its second year this week, welcoming 30 women onto the programme, joining a further 16 who are continuing from the previous year. In its first year, the scheme saw 31 high performing women paired with senior executives and resulted in one mentee promoted to the Leadership Team and three General Managers promoted to Area … [Read more...]
Petition to Parliament launched: Relax freedom of movement laws to enable the UK hospitality industry to recover
The UK hospitality industry has for decades relied on working alongside people from Europe and further afield to provide their core service: hospitality - noun - the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. During the Covid-19 pandemic hospitality has largely been on hold, an industry closed for all intents and purposes that now, … [Read more...]
Two Golden Bean winners announced at top chocolate awards
Two artisanal producers have been named as winners of the coveted Golden Bean trophy at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards this year. Chocolat Madagascar, which became the first tree-to-bar producer to win the Golden Bean award in 2017, has again been successful with its single-farm ‘Ottange’ bar, made from 100% cacao. Meanwhile, Qantu, which once again won over … [Read more...]
CH&CO’s double commitment to Springboard and hospitality’s staffing crisis
CH&CO has strengthened its support of UK hospitality charity, Springboard, and its new initiative ‘Springboard to 2022’ with two clear commitments. The independent catering and hospitality business has pledged to advertise all its entry level roles with Springboard before advertising externally. It has also signed up to work with Springboard to create jobs through the … [Read more...]