All news articles for September 2020

Aid needed: The MA editor Ed Bedington calls on the Government to 'wake up to the fact that it’s targeted the hospitality sector way beyond the grounds of reasonability'

Opinion

Not good enough Mr Sunak

By Ed Bedington

And so the much awaited Government support has been announced and greeted with not so much a cheer as more of a whimper from an industry that is crying out for help.

Get ready: pubs are legally required to display posters promoting the use of the new NHS Covid app from today (Thursday 24 September)

Pubs legally required to display NHS app codes

By Emily Hawkins

Pubs are legally required to display an official QR code poster from today (Thursday 24 September) so customers can check-in on the newly-launched NHS coronavirus app.

Looking ahead: Chancellor Rishi Sunak will be unveiling plans to protect jobs through the colder months later today (Thursday 24 September)

Chancellor to announce plan to protect jobs today

By Nikkie Thatcher

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is expected to reveal the Government’s plan to protect jobs during winter later today (Thursday 24 September) amid reports the Autumn Budget has been cancelled.

New normal: 'I am particularly impressed by the way in which our teams have made this possible by responding to the challenge of our new operating environment with energy and enthusiasm,' M&B's Phil Urban said

M&B sales slip 6.4% post-EOTHO

By Stuart Stone

Birmingham-based pub group Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has revealed its like-for-like sales for the first three weeks of September are down versus its Eat Out to Help Out boosted August numbers.

How to run a pizza delivery offer from a pub

Content provided by Arla Pro

How to run a profitable pizza delivery offering

By Arla Pro

The Coronavirus pandemic has brought numerous problems to restaurateurs, either with the enforced lockdown of the summer or the continuing issues around customer distancing and a drop in covers, but many restaurants have tackled the issue head on and...

New date: face coverings will now be required to be worn by customers and staff from tomorrow (Thursday 24 September)

Face covering requirement date brought forward

By Nikkie Thatcher

The requirement for pub staff and customers to wear face coverings inside has been moved to tomorrow (Thursday 24 September) despite the Cabinet Office previously confirming to The Morning Advertiser that it would be enforced from Monday (28 September).

Table ordering solution offered by Yoello

Content provided by Yoello

Yoello offers free mobile table ordering subscription

By Yoello

Following the news that the government is enforcing further restrictions on the hospitality sector, Yoello is offering a three month completely free subscription for its mobile table ordering solution.

Pub focus: 'by and large, we believe the hospitality sector has been ahead of the curve in terms of developing and implementing effective hygiene and safety measures that protect customers,' according to Food Alert's David Bashford

Analysis

Why are pubs being blamed for a second coronavirus spike?

By Stuart Stone

Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, pubs have been the subject of an inflated number of newspaper column inches with one outlet claiming they have become the focus for 'pandemic Britain’s culture wars'. But is it unfair the spotlight remains...

Big penalties: businesses have been told they must not break new Covid-secure laws or risk fines of up to £10,000

Fines of up to £10k for rule breaches

By Emily Hawkins

Pubs could be fined up to £10,000 for failing to abide by Covid-secure regulations, the Prime Minister has outlined today (Tuesday 22 September).

Sector impact: the planned 10pm curfew for pubs and bars is a blow to the sector, trade voices have said

What impact will a 10pm curfew have on pubs?

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub operators and trade bodies have reacted to the proposed 10pm curfew on pubs, predicting a “devastating impact in an already challenging environment” and urging the Government for further financial aid.

Operator view: 'the badly operated businesses won’t suddenly become sensible operators until 10pm every day'

opinion

'Guests as safe at 11pm as as at noon'

By Cheryl Hickman, the Bull at Barton Mills, Suffolk

We have been following all of the guidance to keep our team and customers safe from the beginning. We’ve faced abuse from people who think it’s all a load or rubbish and had to turn people away that refused to give details - not by law, by choice.

Following rules: 'pubs have complied with everything that’s been asked of them' says The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington

Opinion

Hammer blow for pubs flies in the face of logic

By Ed Bedington

It’s 10pm on a Friday night, the pubs have switched off the lights, barred the doors and the crowds are now heaving on the streets, mingling, singing, hugging and inviting each other back for impromptu house parties...

Job loss: up to 450 roles in JDW's airport sites could be at risk

400 possible redundancies at JDW airport pubs

By Nikkie Thatcher

Pub staff at JD Wetherspoon (JDW)'s airport sites have been told a possible 400 to 450 roles are at risk of redundancy due to a drop in passenger numbers, it has announced.

Up to 6,000 jobs cut: 'these changes create a more flexible labour model that can adapt with changes in the demand environment going forward,' Whitbread said of redundancy proposals

Whitbread to cut 6,000 jobs

By Stuart Stone

The operator behind brands such as Brewers Fayre, Beefeater and Premier Inn has announced that as many as 6,000 members of staff could face redundancy following a collapse in sales during the coronavirus crisis.

Increased risk: the UK alert level has risen from three to four

Government 10pm curfew 'crushing blow'

By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government's plan to impose a 10pm curfew to all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality businesses has been labelled 'a crushing blow' for trade.

Answers soon: Health Secretary Matt Hancock said today pub operators would have more information on further restrictions in the

Health secretary refuses to rule out pub closures

By Emily Hawkins

Health secretary Matt Hancock said the sector would be given answers in the "very near future" in response to a question about whether pub operators should prepare for closures.

Return: Asahi brings back Grolsch

Grolsch makes UK return

By Nicholas Robinson

Grolsch will return to the UK on-trade after its 35-year presence here ended last November.

Support urged: a publican has shared her anxiety about further coronavirus restrictions.

Pubs 'scapegoat' for second wave, publican says

By Emily Hawkins

An operator in one of the areas of England hit by localised coronavirus measures has shared her anxiety about worsening trade and uncertainty over further restrictions.

Restrictions eased: since pubs reopened on 4 July, schools and universities have also reopened and the public has been encouraged to return to work

How many coronavirus cases since pubs reopened?

By Nikkie Thatcher

With Government and health experts seemingly pointing the finger at pubs, The Morning Advertiser analyses the number of coronavirus cases reported since the sector reopened up until 15 September.

Covid and the code: a top concern expressed by tenants since lockdown began has been their rent levels.

Opinion

Rents, Covid and the code

By Fiona Dickie – pubs code adjudicator

A top concern expressed by tenants since lockdown began has been their rent levels. They want to know what the Pubs Code and the PCA can do. I am pleased to have this opportunity to set out the position.

Last orders: more pubs will be ordered to close earlier in a fresh set of local measures covering large parts of England.

More pubs hit by curfew measures

By Emily Hawkins

Further restrictions have been announced for parts of north west England, the Midlands and West Yorkshire to curb rising coronavirus cases.

Contact tracing: pubs are legally required to take customer contact details from today (Friday 18 September).

Up to £4k fine for contact collecting failure

By Emily Hawkins

It is a requirement for pubs and bars to ask customers for their contact information as of today (Friday 18 September), with fines of up to £4,000 for businesses that fail to comply.

Better marketing through customer insight

Content provided by Wireless Social

Supercharge your marketing strategy using guest insights

By Wireless Social

Digital communications are more important now more than ever to re-engage your guests and promote your brand. Here are our top tips on using data and insights in your marketing strategy.

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