Legislation - Hospitality

Ending furlough scheme in autumn will close more pubs, Labour warns

09-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

Shadow business minister Lucy Powell has warned that a ‘blanket approach’ to ending the Government-backed Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will see more pubs shuttered.

Bolton pubs limited to takeaways

08-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in the Greater Manchester town of Bolton will only be allowed to operate as takeaways in a tightening of local coronavirus restrictions there.

Analysis

Covid-19 recession may yield ‘much sharper decline and recovery’ for pubs

07-Sep-2020 By Stuart Stone

While the UK recently slipped into its first recession since 2009 off the back of the coronavirus lockdown, early signs are the ‘dynamics’ affecting the pub sector will be different to those at play 11 years ago.

Several Bolton pubs shuttered as infection rate spikes

07-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A handful of pubs in Bolton have temporarily closed their doors to protect public health amid a rapidly increasing infection rate.

More than 100m meals claimed in discount scheme

04-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The Government’s Eat Out to Help Out discount meals scheme saw more than 100m meals claimed in less than a month, the Treasury has revealed.

British Gas 'tightened' approach to pub contracts

03-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A pub operator has said he was left “gobsmacked” after being told British Gas would not take up a new contract because of the nature of his business.

Pubs 'should not host karaoke'

02-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs should still not host karaoke events amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has advised.

Applications for Government job creation scheme open

02-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pub employers can apply to take part in the Government’s job creation scheme from today (2 September).

Employers to pay 10% of furlough wages from today

01-Sep-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Businesses including pub operators will have to pay 10% of furloughed workers’ wages with taxpayers contributing 70% from today (Tuesday 1 September).

'London is open' message desperately needed, CEOs urge

01-Sep-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Commuters, tourists and residents need to be encouraged to get back to drinking and dining in the capital to secure the recovery of hospitality there, chief executives have said in a letter to the Prime Minister and Mayor of London.

No shows ‘national problem’ operator says after 80 in 2 days

28-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The public lacks “common courtesy” for hospitality, a chef-owner has said after an unprecedented number of no-show bookings.

Yummy Pub Co: EOTHO has been positive but 'some people shouldn't be allowed out'

28-Aug-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser editor Ed Bedington spoke with Yummy Pub Co's Tim Foster about how the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has impacted the business and what the future holds for them.

Three quarters of operators not continuing discount scheme into autumn

28-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 74% of hospitality operators will not be continuing an early week discount when the Eat Out to Help Out scheme ends this month (Monday 31 August), a study has found.

Opinion

‘I fear rule breaking will increase without more financial aid’

27-Aug-2020 By Sacha Lord, night-time economy adviser to Greater Manchester

Here we are on the cliff edge of September already.

Star Pubs and Bars among operators to extend EOTHO throughout September

27-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Star Pubs and Bars, Oakman Inns, Hall & Woodhouse and Arc Inspirations have all pledged to fund the continuation of discounts available under the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out (EOTHO) scheme throughout September.

Two fifths of operators ‘being kept afloat by VAT cut’

27-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Some 39% of hospitality and leisure sector leaders have said the VAT cut on food, soft drinks and accommodation is keeping them afloat, according to a new study.

Opinion

'Knowing the pubs code will help tenants negotiate in this challenging time'

27-Aug-2020 By Fiona Dickie – pubs code adjudicator

During this uniquely challenging time the financial stresses that Covid-19 has inflicted on tied tenants should not exacerbated by pubs code breaches by their pub-owning business. The industry should know I am watching this very closely.

Pub crawls should be 'things of the past still', says minister

26-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Punters should not be drinking in large groups such as stag and hen parties, the Welsh health minister has said.

'Trade has dipped on Eat Out To Help Out days'

26-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Wet-led operators have said they are worried about the future of their businesses going into the autumn and called on the Government to extend support for community pubs.

Meals enjoyed through Eat Out To Help Out tops 64m

26-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

More than 64m meals have been claimed through the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme, the Treasury has revealed.

Greene King announces 40% rent concession for tied tenants

25-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubco Greene King has revealed £6m worth of financial support for its 975 tied tenants following the coronavirus lockdown including tapered rent concessions.

Aberdeen pubs must complete EHO check before reopening this week

24-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality businesses in Aberdeen can reopen from Wednesday 26 August but only once an environmental health check has been completed.

Lights out for late night?

24-Aug-2020 By Georgia Cronin, MCA

Having already provided your full name and contact details, you pass by the thermal imaging camera and through the personal protection tunnel, where you remain for five seconds to ensure the chlorine dioxide has thoroughly disinfected your clothes and...

More than 35m meals claimed on Eat Out to Help Out

19-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Over 35m meals have been consumed during the first fortnight of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, the Treasury has revealed.

Diversity issues ‘must be tackled on a company-by-company basis’

18-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

The founder of Be Inclusive Hospitality, and its recently launched Elevate Mentorship scheme, believes there is no ‘single solution’ for sectors lacking diversity in leadership and that individual companies must step up.

60% of EOTHO diners wouldn’t have visited venues without discount

18-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Though initially dismissed as a “gimmick” by some, new data from Streetbees and restaurant booking app OpenTable has highlighted the Eat Out to Help Out scheme could be among the Government’s most effective Covid-19 crisis policies.

85% of Brits feel pubs are meeting or exceeding Covid-secure guidance expectations

18-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

The vast majority of customers who’ve visited post-lockdown pubs have found operators to be compliant with guidance to stop the spread of Covid-19.

How to apply for second self-employed income support scheme

17-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The second support grant for self-employed workers is available to claim from today (Monday 17 August).

Pubs urge public to 'accept their role too' in tackling Covid-19 spread

14-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

Greater Manchester’s mayor, night-time economy advisor, brewers and pub operators have collectively called on the public to step up and take their share of responsibility for controlling the spread of Covid-19.

MA's review of the week

'The biggest issue we face is consumer confidence'

14-Aug-2020 By Ed Bedington

The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with Black Sheep Brewery chairman Andy Slee to talk about the big issues from the news this week.

Still no clarity on nightclub reopening date

14-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

While the Government has announced a slew of hospitality businesses can now reopen, it has remained tight-lipped on when the late-night sector venues can trade again.

55% of operators saw weekend trade impacted by Eat Out to Help Out

14-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than half of hospitality operators saw their weekend affected by the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, new research has found.

Pub sector 'working incredibly hard' on contact guidance

13-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

The pub sector has responded to claims many venues are not taking their role in coronavirus contact tracing seriously by arguing the majority of sites are following guidance correctly.

UK enters first recession in 11 years

12-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

The UK economy has slipped into its first technical recession since 2009 after suffering its biggest slump on record as a knock-on effect of Covid-19 lockdown measures.

Petition demanding Government U-Turn on SBR passes 7k signatures in first day

11-Aug-2020 By Stuart Stone

A petition calling on the Government to reverse proposed changes to the Small Brewers Relief (SBR) threshold has received more than 7,000 signatures in 24 hours.

Tim Martin demands evidence that coronavirus is transmitted in pubs

11-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) boss Tim Martin has called for scientists to publish evidence of coronavirus transmission in pubs and questioned if it exists.

Top up sick pay for self-isolating workers, campaign urges

11-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Workers who need to self-isolate must receive their full wage, a new campaign has demanded.

Pub reopenings outstrip restaurants

10-Aug-2020 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs are leading the way in hospitality sector reopenings despite only two thirds of licensed premises resuming trade before the end of July.

Boris Johnson would close pubs before schools in severe local lockdowns

10-Aug-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has labelled getting children back in schools “a moral duty” amid suggestions that he would force the closure of pubs, restaurants and shops ahead of shutting schools in the event of severe local spikes in coronavirus cases.

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