BBC1’s Songs of Praise visited The Clink Charity at HM Prison Styal recently to get a view behind the scenes as the restaurant prepares for reopening. Tomorrow afternoon when the programme is aired on BBC 1, reporter Claire McCollum sits down and talks rehabilitation with Clink CEO, Chris Moore. McCollum aims to gain insight to how the work done by The Clink reduces … [Read more...]
Nicola Sturgeon announces ‘all’ pubs and restaurants to close in central Scotland
Under new measures just announced by Nicola Sturgeon aimed at tackling a surge in Covid-19 cases in Scotland, all pubs and restaurants in central Scotland are to be closed, including Glasgow and Edinburgh. The new rules will come into force at 6pm on Friday, and will be in place until at least 25 October. Commenting on the announcement, UKHospitality Executive Director for … [Read more...]
Five Covid-19 minutes with… Michel Roux Jr
The scale and scope of the Covid-19 crisis in hospitality has created an almost surreal, pessimistic tone to news broadcasting in 2020. The numbers being reported don’t help in most instances either, as they are too big to paint a picture with depth beyond variances in forecasting the potential demise of our great industry, hospitality. Yet, while talking with people through … [Read more...]
The Restaurant Group reports £60m loss and requests multi million bonus for CEO
The Restaurant Group has today reported a loss of £62.6m in the first half of this year, but in a trading statement somewhat bullishly said trading since the summer was “very encouraging.” The Restaurant Group owns Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito, and is fast developing its pubs portfolio. The group had made a £28.1m profit in the six months to the end of June last … [Read more...]
Restaurants and bars in Paris set to close next week, will London follow?
Restaurants and bars in Paris are set to close again next week as the Covid-19 infection rate climbs above 250 per 100,000 citizens. The French government is getting ready to put Paris back in lockdown alongside five other cities, Grenoble. Lille, Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Current legislation in France states that for a city or region to be placed on maximum alert … [Read more...]
Côte Restaurants acquired by Partners Group
Côte Restaurants today announces that Partners Group, the global private markets investment manager, has acquired the business. Since its first restaurant opened in 2007, Côte Restaurants has delighted guests with its modern take on French all-day dining. Prior to lockdown the business was trading well with record sales and strong EBITDA growth in the last financial … [Read more...]
Pizza Hut CVA process agreed by creditors
Pizza Hut creditors and landlords earlier today voted to agree Pizza Hut’s CVA insolvency process to reduce rents on its restaurants. The positive vote in favour of approving the CVA will see all creditors accept reduced invoices in future to help keep the pizza chain afloat. The CVA agreement will see 215 Pizza Hut restaurant outlets stay open retainining circa 5,000 jobs, … [Read more...]
Leicester restaurant closed for significantly and repeatedly flouting Covid-19 regulations
A restaurant in Oadby, a small town in Leicestershire, has been ordered to close for not following Covid-19 regulations. The Tipu Sultan restaurant hosted a wedding party for circa 200 people the weekend before last, where social-distancing was not adhered to. Leicestershire County Council licencing authorities were called to the scene when local residents reported that the … [Read more...]
Tripadvisor data shows living close to HMP Brixton has distinct culinary advantages
The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton has been regularly judged by feedback from diners to make it the number 1 restaurant in London on Tripadvisor. Which given there are circa 20,000 London restaurants is quite some accolade. Like all restaurants in 2020 Covid-19 has taken its toll and as a consequence The Clink Restaurant at HMP Brixton is closed. The good news, at least for … [Read more...]
Various Eateries LSE AIM launch, restaurant superheroes face Herculean task
The restaurant market sector in the UK currently is unrecognisable from the impact of Covid-19. Household names have joined countless lesser known eateries being no longer in business. Making trading even more difficult, yesterday’s announcement from government set even more stringent rules in place limiting people meeting more than five others at any time, and warnings to the … [Read more...]
Tripadvisor’s safe restaurant gap opportunity in London
Tripadvisor is used by millions of people to search for restaurants that meet their criteria every day for their next dining experience. As a response to reopening hospitality post the Covid-19 lockdown a new filter was launched by Tripadvisor. The new filter enables people searching where to eat to identify restaurants that have put safety measures in place. Since the launch … [Read more...]
PizzaExpress CVA approved by majority of creditors
PizzaExpress this morning has announced that their proposed company voluntary arrangement has been approved by its creditors. The approval was agreed once the 75% approval line had been crossed seeing circa 90% of creditors that responded agree the move. Critically landlords voted in favour. As previously reported, the CVA was a key component of a wider financial … [Read more...]
Burger King release new restaurant design minimising multiple touch points
BURGER KING RESTAURANT DESIGN: Details of new restaurant designs that focus on minimising multiple touch points at Burger King restaurants have been released. Created by the Restaurant Brands International in-house design group, the plans were drafted to dramatically improve the Burger King restaurant guest experience. The new designs will provide multiple ordering and … [Read more...]
Pret a Manger subscription aimed at a niche target market
Pret a Manger has announced it will launch a new monthly subscription offering people five drinks a day in an effort to boost sales and footfall. The new service will enable subscribers paying £20 a month to enjoy up to five coffees, hot chocolates, teas, smoothies or frappe drinks a day, every day. In a 30 day month that would at a maximum equate to 150 drinks for … [Read more...]
