Coronavirus

Content provided by HGEM

Making the most of guest experience data

23-Apr-2021 By HGEM

There is a vast amount of customer experience data available to operators nowadays, and it is expected to increase exponentially in the future, as technology advances.

Opinion

'It’s likely that pre and post pandemic consumer behaviours will collide this summer'

23-Apr-2021 By Alison Vasey, group product director, Zonal

Over the course of the pandemic the hospitality sector has shown a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate to continue supporting local communities as well as adapting to changing consumer behaviours through delivery, click and collect and hospitality...

Opinion

‘Small steps, but good ones’ as pubs reopen for outdoor trading

19-Apr-2021 By Piers Baker, the Sun Inn, Dedham and Church Street Tavern, Colchester, both Essex

The first weekend went really well – we can seat around 75 in the garden and another 36 on the terrace and I'd say both were full from 2pm onwards.

Opinion

Reopening ‘a huge task’ that can only happen ‘when the time is right’

14-Apr-2021 By Kate Stewart, the Sandon, Liverpool

A finalist in the 2019 Great British Pub Awards’ and a must visit on Anfield matchdays, the Sandon Complex in Liverpool hasn’t reopened this week despite relaxed outdoor trading rules.

In association with Tayto Group

Bag a profit by upselling post-lockdown drinkers to crisps and scratchings

14-Apr-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

With the value sales of crisps, snacks and nuts in the UK’s pubs and bars totalling £24m pre-pandemic, The Morning Advertiser sinks its teeth into the art of the upsell.

Staff do not have to ask to see app check-ins

13-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub staff do not have to ask customers to show their phone screens to prove they have checked into the venue via the NHS app, it has been confirmed.

City operator dubs insurer 'morally reprehensible' after no pay-out

13-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A multiple site operator has been “left with no choice” but to press legal action against an insurer after it claimed its insurer backtracked on a pledge to pay out.

The MA’s review of the week

Prime Minister still ‘a bit silent’ on pub trading from 21 June

09-Apr-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke with Laine Pub Company boss Gavin George to discuss the most recent on-trade news.

Opinion

'Hospitality reopening is a chance to recalibrate our attitudes towards drinking'

09-Apr-2021 By Elaine Hindal, chief executive of Drinkaware

Among the dates within England’s roadmap out of lockdown, two are understandably getting a great deal of airtime – Monday 12 April and Monday 17 May.

'Incidental' live music permitted in reopened pub gardens

08-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Live music will be authorised when pub gardens reopen as long as performances are complementary to customers drinking or dining, and are not the main purpose of their visit.

Government call for evidence on rent welcomed

07-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government’s call for evidence on commercial rent debts has been published with operators encouraged to complete the online survey.

Hancock accused of 'stalling tactics' as reopening challenge fast-tracked

07-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has been accused of “stalling” as a legal challenge over indoor hospitality’s reopening date will be fast-tracked through the High Court.

Analysis

Vaccine passports and Test & Trace: ‘Positive news’ but ‘deep concerns’ remain

07-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

While on-trade commentators welcomed Boris Johnson’s efforts to stamp out vaccine passports when pubs resume trade in April and May – concerns remain that he may have simply kicked the can down the roadmap.

Indoor payment permitted when beer gardens reopen

07-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Customers can go inside a pub to pay when beer gardens reopen, it has been confirmed to The Morning Advertiser (MA).

Publican Awards 2021

Outstanding Industry Contribution - Emma Page, Yummy Pub Company

31-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

Yummy Pubs’ Emma Page was recognised by the sector for her dedication and unstinting support for supplying meals for the homeless throughout the crisis.

Opinion

‘We need to shift the debate away from vaccine passports to supporting pubs reopening’

31-Mar-2021 By Mark Flanagan, CEO of Shield Safety Group and chairman of the UK Safe to Trade Scheme

Last week when appearing before the Commons Liaison Committee, Boris Johnson, announced that pub landlords may be given the power to prevent anyone without a Covid jab from entering their premises, via a vaccine passport scheme.

Jobs round-up

Board changes at JW Lees, Former Liberation MD launches consultancy, bar staff vaccines

31-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Two family members have stepped down from roles at north west-based brewer and pub operator JW Lees, while the former managing director of Channel Island-based Liberation Group, Christine Oxford, has launched an independent support service for businesses.

Fuller’s seeks funds after Covid cash burn hits £5m per month

31-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner hopes to weather the ongoing Covid crisis by raising funds from the sale of Class A and Class B shares.

Opinion

Hospitality singled out as ‘villain’ in latest Test and Trace update

30-Mar-2021 By Gav Young, the Plough and Barleycorn, Isle of Wight

Despite the sense of dread that I now feel every time that there is a Covid rule change, I took the plunge and read the updated Test and Trace rules.

Indoor service opening later than shops ‘due to social contact’

30-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Allowing non-essential retail to reopen inside before pubs are permitted is due to limiting social contact, The Morning Advertiser (MA) understands.

Pubs urged to register for free workplace testing

29-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government is calling on businesses, including those in the hospitality sector, to order rapid testing in preparation for reopening.

MA's review of the week

Pubs will exit pandemic as a ‘more loved’ sector than we closed as

26-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Heydon Mizon, joint managing director at McMullen, to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

'Vaccine passport proposals unworkable and baseless'

25-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs may need to ask customers for health information if they want to operate without social distancing rules, it has been reported.

How are the fourth and fifth self-employed grants different?

24-Mar-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

Self-employed licensees will be able to claim two further grants to cover losses during the pandemic and The Morning Advertiser takes a look at the next rounds of funding, as the fifth differs from the previous grants.

Content provided by Britvic

How to get your business ready for reopening

23-Mar-2021 By Adam Russell, director of leisure & licensed, Britvic

Britvic’s director of leisure & licensed, Adam Russell, gives his view on the impact Covid has had on the soft drinks category and how you can get ready for reopening this spring.

Coronavirus: a year of closures

How has Covid-19 impacted tenant relationships with their pub company?

23-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

With 20 March marking a year-to-the-day since last orders were called in pubs just days before a first national lockdown, The Morning Advertiser (MA) quizzed its readers on how their working relationships have changed in the past 12 months.

Coronavirus: a year of closures

More than half of operators see sales slashed by more than 75% during pandemic year

22-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

A survey of pub operators by The Morning Advertiser (MA) has shed further light on the extent of pub closures and dented profits during the year since pubs first closed due to Covid-19.

Legal challenge must force Government to follow evidence

19-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

Industry leaders hope the launch of further High Court action against the government might help to reset thinking when it comes to handling the hospitality sector.

MA’s review of the Week

‘We can see the light and want to make a plan – but need detail’

19-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Clubhouse Bars director Iain Pert to reflect on some of the week's biggest headlines.

Big Interview

Seeing £1m St Patrick’s Day support package claimed within ‘a few hours’ set alarm bells ringing

17-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Diageo GB managing director Dayalan Nayager reflects on a St Patrick's Day like no other for the team behind Guinness, and explains why ‘tomato juice moments’ can help the on-trade bounce back from its Covid symptoms.

In association with Access Hospitality

Rigid booking systems ‘just don’t cut it for a lot of venues nowadays’

17-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

As operators navigate the Government’s lockdown roadmap, The Morning Advertiser looks at how booking systems can adapt to cater for larger – and increasingly demanding – consumer groups through Covid-secure measures and beyond.

Plain clothes officers to patrol pubs in women's safety pilot

16-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Fresh women’s safety measures announced by the Government include a pilot scheme involving plain clothes police officers patrolling clubs and bars.

Content provided by Molson Coors

Planning for a successful re-opening

16-Mar-2021 By Molson Coors

Last year was undoubtedly one of the toughest on record for the hospitality sector. Less than a quarter of 2020 could be considered as ‘normal’ trade, with lockdowns and tiered restrictions being the reality from 20 March onwards and the disruption continuing...

THE LOCK IN PODCAST

A year to forget?

16-Mar-2021 By Ed Bedington

It has been a year to the day when the Prime Minister told customers to avoid going to the pub. The podcast team take a wry look at what has turned out to be an unprecedented year of challenge and struggle, which has brought out the best and the worst...

Israel’s green passes and pubs: ‘smart move’ despite staff vaccine ‘absurdity’

16-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

After a recent YouGov survey found that more than half (56%) of Brits support vaccine passports for pub entry, The Morning Advertiser examined how well a similar system has worked in Israel.

Big Interview – in association with Budweiser Brewing Group

How Budweiser will do things a bit differently on reopening

15-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Jean-David Thumelaire describes 2020 as a ‘weird year’ to be pushing Corona in the on-trade – for obvious reasons. Now, with what he sees as the ‘real’ reopening in sight, he discusses the 'art' of post-pandemic planning.

Operators offered guidance as reopening countdown begins

12-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Licensees have been advised to consult reopening guidance from trade bodies ahead of the outside reopening of hospitality in one month’s time.

MA Survey

Tell us: how have the 12 months since Boris first closed pubs affected your business?

11-Mar-2021 By The Morning Advertiser

As we approach the anniversary of Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling last orders in pubs for the first time during the Covid-19 pandemic’s early throes, The Morning Advertiser has launched a survey to reflect on the past year.

Reduce tax burden on pubs to boost recovery, think-tank urges

09-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government should support the pub sector’s recovery by slashing taxes and providing top-up grant support, a new report has claimed.

Scottish Government evidence for pub shutdown 'deeply unconvincing'

05-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Scottish Government has failed to provide any specific evidence to justify the restrictions it imposed on the hospitality sector when pressed, according to one trade body.

Revolution to reopen almost a third of sites in April

05-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Nationwide operator Revolution Bars Group has announced plans to reopen 20 sites for outdoor guests in April ahead of the resumption of trade across its full estate a month later.

Westminster Government ‘shown up by Holyrood’ on rates relief

04-Mar-2021 By Emily Hawkins

English pubs were granted a three month full extension of the business rates holiday while Scotland and Wales will see a year-long extension.

Spring Budget 2021

‘Pragmatic steps’ but far from ‘whatever it takes’

04-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

What impact will Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s latest Budget have on the pub sector as it navigates the Government’s post-lockdown roadmap?

Spring Budget 2021

Rent debt remains ‘biggest gap’ in hospitality support

03-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Despite broadly welcoming the provisions set out in the Spring Budget, trade body UKHospitality has flagged that a ‘£2bn millstone’ still faces pub, bar and restaurant operators.

Spring Budget 2021

Chancellor extends 5% VAT for further six months

03-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced that the UK will not return to a standard 20% VAT rate until April 2022.

Opinion

‘No science’ to support mandatory table service

02-Mar-2021 By Gav Young, the Plough and Barleycorn, Isle of Wight

Now that we have sight of the long-awaited roadmap out of lockdown three, it is once again clear that the Government does not understand what a public house is or what it does.

Substantial meals off the table after judges flag ‘discriminatory effects’

01-Mar-2021 By Stuart Stone

The Government has been forced to scrap its ‘substantial meal' rule following a legal challenge by Greater Manchester's night-time economy advisor, Sacha Lord.

Pubs to receive grants of up to £18k

27-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs will be able to access Government grants of up to £18,000 to help them survive until restrictions are eased.

The MA's Review of the Week

Frustrations and optimism for reopening

27-Feb-2021 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's editor Ed Bedington speaks with Punch Pubs ceo Clive Chesser about the week's biggest headlines.

'Hospitality workers should be given priority for a vaccine'

26-Feb-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Employees in the hospitality sector should be prioritised for a coronavirus vaccination as they cannot work from home, trade representatives have said.