Coronavirus - Hospitality

MA's review of the week

Electric Star Pubs boss ‘not optimistic’ that the Government will intervene over sector rent debt

28-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Electric Star Pubs’ owner Rob Star to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

90% of nightlife operators fear roadmap delay could threaten survival

28-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Nine-in-10 nightlife operators are worried a delay to the final lockdown easing date could threaten their survival, a flash survey has revealed.

Oakman poised to ‘continue growth’ despite £13.9m loss in 2020

27-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

While the Oakman Group reported an EBITDA loss for 2020 of £2.6m and a total loss of £13.9m, its executive chairman believes the operator is ‘very well placed to take advantage of the strong consumer demand’.

'Too early' to say lockdown rules will end next month, Hancock says

27-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Health secretary Matt Hancock has said it is still 'too early' to tell what bearing the Indian variant of coronavirus will have on the final step of easing lockdown measures next month.

'Cancellations coming in fast': pubs hit by variant hotspot advice

26-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators in variant hotspots are attempting to reassure customers of their safety measures after confusion over Government coronavirus guidance.

Door security shortages 'could risk public health'

26-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The recovery of nightclubs will be threatened by a shortage of door security staff unless the Government intervenes, bosses have warned.

Revolution gains ‘firepower’ after £21m fundraise

26-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Revolution Bars Group is poised to emerge from the pandemic in a ‘strong position with a fit for purpose balance sheet’ following a successful £21m fundraise.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Top tips: managing noise complaints in an era of outdoor trading

26-May-2021 By Poppleston Allen

For obvious reasons, never in the history of the hospitality sector has the use of outside areas been more important.

In association with Heineken

Tech to play ‘even bigger’ role in pubs of the future

25-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Understanding data and predictive technology have been highlighted by Heineken as two ‘smart-tech’ trends to look out for in pubs, according to the beer giant’s Pub of the Future report.

In association with Heineken

95% of pubgoers hope for ‘as much, if not more’ cleaning and sanitation focus post-pandemic

24-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

According to Heineken’s Pub of the Future report, the vast majority of pub customers hope that operators will redouble hygiene efforts even after the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

MA’S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

Long-term Government view on industry needs will make ‘enormous difference’

21-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Fine & Country Inns’ chief executive Gary Hunt to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Operators encouraged to be 'mindful' of accessibility

21-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Accessibility organisations have said it is essential that pub operators ensure disabled customers’ needs are not neglected while trading under pandemic restrictions.

Young’s ‘confident’ despite pandemic denting revenue by more than £200m

21-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

London-based pub operator Young’s saw group revenue fall by in the region of £220m during the 52 weeks to 29 March 2021.

'Keep roadmap on track,' urges trade

20-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub trade bosses have urged the Government to stick to its unlocking roadmap and allow the sector to rebuild beyond 21 June.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Food Glorious Food!

20-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

With indoor reopening now well underway, the Lock In team tackle the subject of pub grub, how the crisis has impacted on offers, the challenges around growing your own chefs, calorie labelling on menus and we ask how sustainable is your pub food offer?...

Marston’s records £105.5m loss

19-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

While pub operator Marston’s has revealed a £105.5m pre-tax loss in the 26 weeks to 3 April, the firm cites post-lockdown sales hitting 80% of pre-pandemic levels as cause for optimism.

M&B suffers £200m loss as pandemic restrictions bite

19-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite takings tumbling by 79% during the six months to 10 April, the CEO of the firm behind Toby Carvery and All Bar One believes it can emerge from pandemic restrictions in a ‘strong competitive position’.

LICENSING HUB – LEGAL WITH POPPLESTON ALLEN

Legal Q&A: Relaxed off-trade restrictions and food and alcohol licensing conditions

19-May-2021 By Poppleston Allen

Specialist licensing solicitors Poppleston Allen's latest legal Q&A addresses the impact of the Government’s relaxed off-trade restrictions on food and alcohol licensing conditions.

Six pubs demolished or converted per week during coronavirus pandemic

18-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

Some 384 pubs – on average six per week – have ‘vanished’ during the Covid-19 pandemic so far, having either been demolished or converted for different use, according to new figures from Altus Group.

Pub goers can play pool and darts

18-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Customers returning to the pub this week will be allowed to play indoor games such as pool and darts, as per Government Covid-19 guidance for businesses.

Greater Manchester 'used to uncertainty of shutdown rumours'

18-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs will be 'picked on straight away' should local lockdown restrictions be imposed on areas hit by coronavirus variants, one Greater Manchester operator has said.

Pubs reopen as caution urged over virus variant

17-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs are to reopen their doors for punters after months of closure today (Monday 17 May) as Brits are urged to remain cautious about the virus.

Big Interview

‘Brands are built in bars, not in boardrooms’

17-May-2021 By Stuart Stone

After making a long-awaited return to reopened pubs and bars throughout April, Bacardi’s on-trade director Leila Stansfield’s glass is most certainly half full for the weeks and months of on-trade recovery ahead.

Content provided by Flipdish

Future-proofing your pub as restrictions begin to lift

17-May-2021 By Fionn Hart, UK country manager at Flipdish

As Boris announced the return of indoor dining from 17 May, the industry breathed a sigh of relief as pubs and bars were finally able to welcome customers over the threshold after a tumultuous year of lockdowns.

MA’s review of the week

‘Second wave’ of pub goers expected for indoor opening

14-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Beer and Coffee Co. director Matt Crowther to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Calls to delay calorie label plans as pubs recover

14-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

There have been calls to delay legislation that would force pubs to display calorie information on their menus.

Opinion

‘Road to recovery for pubs and breweries stretches many years ahead’

13-May-2021 By James Calder, chief executive of the Society of Independent Brewers

We’ve all seen the pictures of people enjoying pub gardens and brewery tap yards across the UK. You might assume that everything for our industry is getting back to normal.

Development programme will support managers with reopening challenges

13-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

An online development programme has been launched for managers in the hospitality sector.

Grants of up to £25k available for Welsh pubs

13-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Welsh Government has announced a fresh tranche of financial support for pubs and suppliers.

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: In, out, shake it all about

13-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

With reopening just days away, the Lock In team get to grips with the challenges operators will be facing when it comes to opening up indoors under restrictions. We get extra input from special guests Andy Grimsey from Poppleston Allen, who shares insight...

Sector 'faced with mental health epidemic'

12-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A sector-focused mental health text service has reported anxiety and stress are rife among chefs and other hospitality staff.

Pubs allowed to serve alcohol indoors in Scotland

11-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Scottish pubs will be permitted to serve customers pints inside from next week, after the next easing of lockdown rules was confirmed.

Pub chains will have to show calorie labels on menus

11-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Some pubs will be forced to display calorie counts for dishes on menus, it was revealed in the Queen’s Speech.

Spirits Week – in association with Diageo

Cocktails 'vital part' of on-trade sales mix

11-May-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

On day two of Spirits Week, brought to you by Diageo, CGA’s Tom Quinn serves up some key stats about the spirit and cocktail categories and runs through the recipe for spirits success.

Chancellor asked to step in with support if restrictions continue

10-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

UKHospitality (UKH) boss Kate Nicholls has written to the Chancellor asking for more financial support to help pubs rebuild as pandemic restrictions are eased.

Trade awaits PM announcement about inside service

10-May-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce the next stage of relaxation of coronavirus restrictions including allowing pubs to reopen indoors, later today (Monday 10 May).

MA’s review of the week

‘Pubs part of the problem’ mindset needs serious reassessment

07-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with the award-winning operator of the Lion in Treorchy to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Accommodation and food service sectors top furlough claims

07-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The accommodation and food service sectors – including hospitality businesses – made £4.36bn worth of furlough claims, the highest value across all sectors, as per new figures.

Pub outbreak numbers reveal restriction scandal

07-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

One hundred and seven. Read that again - 107. That is the total number of outbreaks in pub settings between June 2020 and February 2021 - a statistic that has been the bedrock on which this Government has built its campaign of hostility towards a trade...

The Lock In Podcast

The Lock In Podcast: Can't get the staff, literally...

06-May-2021 By Ed Bedington

One of the key challenges of reopening has been on the staffing front, from re-energising long furloughed team members, through to recruiting replacements and training teams back up to speed. The Lock In podcast team take a deep dive into those issues,...

Pubs forced to close after bad weather hits

05-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs and bars were forced to close this week as cold and wet weather hit the UK and dampened outdoor trade.

£80.8bn worth of sales wiped out in past 12 months

30-Apr-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The coronavirus pandemic has cost the hospitality sector more than £80bn worth of sales from April 2020 to March 2021, new research has found.

MA’S REVIEW OF THE WEEK

‘We’re still feeling a bit like the fun police’

30-Apr-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser’s Ed Bedington spoke with Phil Thorley of Thorley Taverns to discuss the most recent on-trade news - including the latest on vaccine passports.

Operators advised over heater safety issues

28-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub operators have been advised that allowing customers to bring portable heaters to beer gardens creates a risk that is “very difficult” to manage.

Curfew could represent ‘survival or bankruptcy’ for Scottish pubs

27-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has called on the Scottish Government to slash the 8pm curfew if positive progress with tackling the pandemic continues.

'Sensible' for Prime Minister to drop vaccine passports for pubs

27-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The pub trade has welcomed reports Covid-status certification will not be introduced in pubs.

Opinion

‘Apprenticeships can shape the future development of the hospitality industry’

26-Apr-2021 By Jill Whittaker, managing director, HIT Training

The hospitality sector hasn’t been able to perform to its fullest potential for over a year now, and as we begin our transition out of the lockdown phases, we’re going to see a huge surge in demand.

‘Number one priority is to restore the business’

26-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Sharing a heartland with Covid-19’s ‘Kent variant’ has seen the vast majority of Shepherd Neame’s 300-odd sites shuttered for more than five months. As such, CEO Jonathan Neame is looking forward to what he believes will be a ‘very good summer’.