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...]
Workplace Foodservice post Covid-19 – The Client’s View
Earlier this month, the UK Government outlined plans for certain industry sectors in England to return to work post Covid-19 while employees who can operate from home continue to do so. There has been much from foodservice businesses about what the new workplace will look like trying to anticipate clients requirements. Given that we work with the clients that require … [Read more...]
Rise with Sodexo
Sodexo launch ‘Rise with Sodexo’, to support clients meet the health, operational and confidence challenges resulting from reopening workplaces post the global Covid-19 pandemic. As organisations plan for a new ‘normal’, it is essential that employees, customers, and visitors feel safe within a workplace and cared for when working remotely. Consumers want the … [Read more...]
Covid-19 Foodservice combat milestones
Covid-19 has almost brought UK foodservices to a grinding halt. However, like phoenixes rising from the ashes, foodservice operators forced to grapple with an ever changing situation, have adapted, evolved, and innovated. I recently read the line “entrepreneurship is not a destination it’s a journey.” And with journeys, there are always setbacks, but these are … [Read more...]
CH&CO completes liquidity position
CH&CO has completed a refinancing and fundraise with its existing lenders and shareholders. The fundraise, when combined with the facilities provided by the lenders, ensure the group has a strong and sustainable liquidity position to support the business as it exits lockdown and builds back up over the months ahead. CH&CO completes liquidity position - Management Team … [Read more...]
