WHEN: Thursday 15 July at 12:00 WHERE: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET. Correction and apologies to Pizza Express, we completely misinterpreted a news item on the Unite Union website. For clarity: Waiting staff and back of house staff at Pizza Express split of tips moved from 70:30 to 50:50. So if you tip at … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2021
Staycation boom: what does Britain really think?
After an almost apocalyptic forecast for the hospitality sector earlier this year, the demand for staycations has skyrocketed to record levels which is fantastic news for hoteliers, but what do Britons really think? Have they returned to their 1950’s and 60’s roots of the British seaside holiday for good or will this ship sail when travel restrictions are lifted? A recent … [Read more...]
Coworth Park to host Apprenticeships in Hospitality Roundtable
With hospitality vacancies at an all-time high it’s no secret that the sector has been among the worst hit by the pandemic. As the skills gap continues to grow, apprenticeships offer an opportunity to mould the next generation of talent. New analysis by UKHospitality, the leading trade group that represents hospitality in the UK, has warned that the sector faces a ‘staffing … [Read more...]
Institute of Hospitality and Foodbuy launch partnership to champion food sustainability
The Institute of Hospitality, the leading international professional body for current and aspiring leaders and managers in the hospitality industry and Foodbuy, the largest food procurement business in the UK, have announced a new partnership aimed at fostering a deeper knowledge and appreciation of food sustainability among hospitality business owners, operators, suppliers and … [Read more...]
Royal Academy of Arts welcomes London’s Spanish chef José Pizarro’s conviviality
London’s Spanish chef José Pizarro, owner of the José Pizarro group of restaurants, pubs and tapas bars is opening two restaurants at what he describes as “London’s most precious and prestigious art space”, the Royal Academy of Arts. In what is José’s first foray into central London, and to celebrate ten years since he first opened the doors at José on Bermondsey Street, the … [Read more...]
PM abdicates all responsibility around reopening to hospitality operators, particularly nightclubs
This afternoons Downing Street Press Conference saw the PM confirm government will lift all ‘legal’ Covid restrictions on 19 July, and at the same time advised many should still be followed. An abdication of responsibility handing decisions over to individuals and businesses to select what they choose to follow. Alongside Sir Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Valance he further … [Read more...]
Please don’t turn your back on hospitality’s core principle of being hospitable
Hospitality is defined as providing – “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers” – yet as an industry the delivery of our core service is curtailed by government, forcing us to relinquish our principles. Government has installed new laws making it illegal to employ people that 'they' classify as non UK nationals, including many … [Read more...]
Short Stories from down the Pub
The team from Stonegate Group, have today launched a book - Short Stories from down the Pub – celebrating amazing people and stories from pubs across the country and highlighting the role that they play in their communities. Containing over 100 short stories, contributed by both customers and employees, Short Stories from down the Pub began as part of an initiative by … [Read more...]
BaxterStorey pass one million free meals mark in support of front-line NHS
BaxterStorey has provided over one million free nutritious meals to support front-line NHS staff across the UK since the start of the pandemic. With many of its workplace dining and hospitality locations unable to operate during national lockdowns, BaxterStorey used its extensive local supply chain to provide daily meals to fuel workers from 45 NHS facilities across the UK as … [Read more...]
National Minimum Wage rate reminder for hospitality summer staff and employers from HRMC
Students and seasonal staff are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check that they are being paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW). All workers are legally entitled to be paid the NMW. This includes temporary seasonal staff, who often work short-term contracts in bars, hotels, shops and warehouses over the summer. Last year (2020-21) HMRC helped 155,000 … [Read more...]
Is the biggest U-turn of them all about to be unveiled, The Telegraph thinks so
The governments management of the Covid-19 pandemic can be labelled in many ways, constant not being one of them. The Daily Telegraph last Monday published an article by Paul Nuki, Global Health Security Editor and Data Journalist Ben Butcher: Are we heading for another Covid u-turn? There are reasons to be apprehensive. The article given its location in the most sacred of … [Read more...]
Hilton Park Lane renamed Hilton Park Kane
The build up to Sunday’s Euro 2020 final seeing England face Italy for the chance to be named champions of Europe is reaching fever pitch. Ahead of England’s historic match against Italy tomorrow, hospitality is getting involved. Hilton London on Park Lane is changing its name for the day, paying homage to England’s team captain, Harry Kane. The iconic Park Lane landmark … [Read more...]
Free tacos at Taco Bell restaurants to celebrate England’s arrival at the Euro 2020 finals
Taco Bell UK have today announced it will reward fans across the UK with free Crunchy Tacos to celebrate Gareth Southgate’s England team making their way to the Euro 2020 finals tomorrow. To take the celebrations up another notch, the Mexican-inspired restaurant will honour one of the country’s youngest stars by renaming its Wembley restaurant Taco Bellingham. Gino … [Read more...]
Government considering a U-turn on Covid passports to hospitality in autumn
Despite reports government had ditched all ideas of Covid passports it has emerged that an imminent U-turn in the autumn will require restaurant and pub goers to produce one. National media are now saying that government is focusing the potential requirement for passports squarely on hospitality venues including pubs, bars and restaurants. In advance of an anticipated … [Read more...]
Department for Education awards new £24 million school breakfast contract
The Department for Education has awarded a new school breakfast contract to Family Action, with £24 million of government investment to supply breakfasts to at least 2,500 schools in England between September 2021 and July 2023. National food charity Magic Breakfast, who has partnered with schools for over 20 years to provide healthy breakfasts to children, worked with Family … [Read more...]