University of Leeds has made it mandatory to wear a face mask or covering in all Great Food at Leeds catering outlets. It has also begun using intelligent robots to prevent the spread of coronavirus in busy public spaces. The robots combine navigation, computer vision and artificial intelligence to identify objects that need regular cleaning such as seating, bike stands and … [Read more...]
Bartlett Mitchell in Sedex ethical trading first
Bartlett Mitchell has become the first independent caterer to commit to Sedex ethical trading - joining thousands of businesses which have pledged to share data to help improve working conditions in global supply chains. As part of the move, BM will join one of the largest collaborative platforms in the world for buyers, suppliers and auditors to store, share and report on … [Read more...]
What are we waiting for?
It could seem odd in a hospitality article to be commenting on how banks, law firms and other city organisations are dealing with the pandemic, but their actions are having a massive impact on a number of sectors of the hospitality industry. This virus doesn’t look like it’s going away for the foreseeable future, so what’s the point in waiting until September, January or even … [Read more...]
Sodexo Q3 results demonstrate robust business resilience to Covid-19
Amidst the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic Sodexo’s Q3 numbers and statements demonstrate a business benefiting from planning and preparation to combat the impact from Covid-19. A focus on the health and economic welfare of colleagues and suppliers across the supply chain has clearly stood Sodexo in good stead. Commenting on the most recent results across the … [Read more...]
Alpha LSG Sky Chefs review job cuts at Heathrow
The hospitality industry alongside travel are two of the most negatively impacted business sectors from Covid-19. To be in either currently is a huge challenge, to be in both sees the challenge compounded. To underline the scale of the problem Heathrow Airport in 2019 reported revenues of more than £3 billion with profits of £546 million. Serving 80 million passengers in 2019 … [Read more...]
Statement on workplace catering and hospitality from House of Commons
Yesterday we published a news item from the GMB union where they accused the House of Commons of not following Government guidelines relating to Covid-19 and catering for workplaces. Earlier today we received a request from the House of Commons asking us to publish the response below from a House of Commons Spokesperson. We are happy to do so to present a balanced … [Read more...]
Covid Hub opens to support workplace reopening
Bartlett Mitchell has today announced the launch of a Covid Info Hub - giving clients, customers, team members and the wider industry a live portal where they can access support and information ahead of the reopening of the hospitality sector. The portal, which is hosted on the company’s website here, offers users advice, toolkits, videos, expert guides, and a risk … [Read more...]
SSP cutting UK workforce
SSP Group are in the process of cutting circa 55% of their UK workforce, 5,000 jobs, in a restructuring of the business which has been severely impacted from Covid-19. SSP are a hospitality provider in the travel sector, so the impact has been immense in each sector and compounded by both. Operating many brands at travel hubs worldwide including Starbucks, Burger … [Read more...]
Don’t waste a good crisis
I wonder if it’s a coincidence that since the announcement of a further relaxation of lockdown measures, Stern Consultancy has seen a jump in contact from clients planning for the return to work and engaging with us for potential solutions on how their catering could look. There’s obviously not just one solution that fits all, we’re all different and we’re all learning … [Read more...]
Workplace catering app launched
Workplace catering app launched - Bartlett Mitchell has announced the launch of ‘PearPay’ - a new contact-free food app enabling customers to order food straight to their desks and minimise the risk of transmitting coronavirus. The app offers innovative features such as allergen filtering, time slot reservations for restaurant access, and scheduled desk … [Read more...]
Workplace Catering, kindness gives way to cost saving
The workplace catering community are doing an amazing job preparing for the return to work, while many of course have been hard at it throughout. Almost every catering company has produced a really clear set of guidelines to convince clients that opening catering facilities will be safe. There are some terrific videos we’ve seen underlining their capabilities … [Read more...]
Catering for the NHS – Safely
The Covid-19 crisis has seen NHS teams all over the UK care for the health of the nation, the same NHS teams need millions of meals to ensure their care is maintained. So, we are delighted to report on caterer to the NHS Sodexo, on being recognised for their work in providing nutrition and wellbeing and specifically in the safety of its provision. Sodexo’s health and safety … [Read more...]
Caterers ready workplace foodservice
Having engaged with many caterers in the last 3 weeks, what I see today is a collection of positive, can-doers who are, right now, shaping the ‘new normal’. Caterers are reassuring employers that foodservice provision for their teams - breakfasts, brunches, lunches, dinners, and coffee breaks - is in safer hands than ever. I would like to break with tradition and thank each … [Read more...]
Compass acquires cloud canteen
Compass acquires cloud canteen - Foodservice giant Compass Group have acquired Feedr, the start-up meal delivery service provider for the workplace. In a deal completed at the beginning of March with a value of circa £19 million. The strategic foresight of the move would seem to have already paid a huge dividend as the impact from Covid-19 continues to grow. As UK PLC … [Read more...]
