The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called upon all travellers to don protective face masks to show they ‘wear to care’ in the new normal of travelling. The advice from WTTC in favour of mandatory mask wearing comes from evidence that countries which are recovering faster and avoid second Covid-19 spikes are those where the use of face masks have been … [Read more...]
VAT cut, 50% off restaurant meals, and furlough retention plan announced by Rishi Sunak today
Earlier this afternoon Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said he believed the hospitality sector has been particularly badly impacted from Covid-19 and announced three major financial initiatives for hospitality. In Parliament he said he was cutting VAT on food, accommodation and attractions saying: "VAT will be reduced, from next Wednesday until January 12 2021, … [Read more...]
Chinese security take over Hong Kong hotel and transform into intelligence headquarters
China has today ‘taken over’ a hotel and immediately transformed it into its intelligence unit force's headquarters to operate Hong Kong’s new security laws. The new security base in the hotel is located nearby Hong Kong’s Victoria Park, where ominously pro-democracy protests took place for years, as well as the annual vigil that commemorates Beijing's Tiananmen Square … [Read more...]
Uber acquires Postmates for $2.65 billion
Uber has announced a deal to acquire Postmates for $2.65 billion that is expected to complete in Q1 2021. Uber strategy is to run the Postmates app separate from its Uber Eats app and keep both brands operating. The acquisition announcement follows quickly after Uber's failed deal with Grubhub, enabling Just Eat to make the $7.3 billion acquisition announced last … [Read more...]
Chancellor to unveil stimulus for hospitality today
Rishi Sunak will today announce a series of further measures to help the hospitality industry to further combat the impact from Covid-19 amidst the ongoing crisis. Following much of the hospitality industry in England reopening from last Saturday, these businesses do so in circumstances that continue to threaten their existence. A reduction in the VAT rate would be a boost … [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...]
Hospitality workers taxed on company provided Covid-19 tests
In a letter to Rishi Sunak earlier this week, Tory MP and Chair of the Treasury Committee Mel Stride, requested an explanation on Covid -19 tests carried out and paid for by employers being taxed as a benefit of employment. Just as hospitality businesses are reopening this tax on testing is another straw on camel’s backs already heavily laden. Current guidance from … [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...]
Jess Glynne throws a major tantrum at Sexy Fish
Jess Glynne has taken to throwing a major tantrum on Instagram claiming she was a victim of ‘discrimination’ on being refused admission to Sexy Fish in London’s Mayfair. She was refused entry to the restaurant for being too scruffy. If you take a look at the image on the left, this is what she looked like at the time as she posted herself on Instagram mid tantrum. Surely … [Read more...]
Goldman Sachs Face Mask Report: Mandate could save US more than $1 Trillion
As countries around the world see second waves of Covid-19 lockdown emerge, Rishi Sunak, and UK hospitality business leaders will benefit from watching a new video, and reading a report we have reviewed by Goldman Sachs’ Chief Economist Jan Hatzius. In the video Hatzius explores the link between face masks and coronavirus outcomes, and the economic value of a national … [Read more...]
GMB accuse House of Commons bar of breaching Covid-19 Government guidelines
The union for catering staff working in the House of Commons, GMB’s London Region, is calling on catering management in the House of Commons to act responsibly and adhere to the regulations and government’s guidance on Covid-19. GMB union have five tests that need to be complied with before they can agree that a workplace – or an activity- can be agreed as safe. If … [Read more...]
The Gin Masters 2020 – Hernö Cleans Up
Sweden’s much-famed Hernö Distillery cleaned up at The Gin Masters 2020 after its super premium, eclectic range picked up six Master Medals, two Golds and the ‘Best in Show’ Gin Taste Master Medal. The Spirits Business has staged The Gin Masters competition since 2008 with the aim of finding and rewarding the finest gin brands on the world stage. Chaired by The … [Read more...]
Pub reopens with a full size Spitfire to mark the occasion
Coolham locals returning to community favourite, the Selsey Arms, over the weekend were greeted with a full-sized Vickers Supermarine Spitfire to add to the pubs already vast memorabilia collection. The model has been the passion project of publican, Kenny Easton, during lockdown, who runs the pub with his partner Belinda Grover. With a wingspan of over 10m, the Spitfire is … [Read more...]
Villa Copenhagen officially opens its doors
One of Europe’s most anticipated launches of 2020, Villa Copenhagen officially opened its doors in the heart of Denmark’s capital city on July 1. Housed in the century-old Danish Post and Telegraph office, adjacent to Tivoli Gardens, the 390-room Villa Copenhagen is a Grande Dame hotel for the 21st century, offering approachable, conscious luxury through a commitment to the UN … [Read more...]
