Lockdown - Hospitality

Pubs to lose out on £80m bank holiday pint sales

28-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs are set to serve 21m fewer pints than normal over the spring bank holiday weekend.

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.

'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.

Just 15 Covid positive in event pilots

24-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Just 0.03% of participants in the Government's series of large event pilots tested positive for coronavirus in the process, according to initial reports.

Scrapping table service 'vital to survival'

24-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub bosses have welcomed reports the Government is keen to scrap table service requirements and allow punters drink pints at the bar once more.

lockdown live

• LIVE: Vaccine progress signals removal of restrictions 'without delay'

24-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Coronavirus latest: sector bosses have expressed confidence in 19 July 'freedom day' after figures show Britain leading on first doses.

'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.

Slash beer duty by 50% to boost pubs, Chancellor told

19-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub and brewing trade bodies have called on the Chancellor to slash draught beer duty in order to help pubs recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

Nightclubs face 'cliff edge' unless Government intervenes in rent crisis

14-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has been urged to tackle the £2.5bn rent crisis hitting nightlife operators by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

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.

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.

Operators furious after PM pictured inside a pub

11-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pub bosses have said images of the Prime Minister posing for a picture maskless inside a pub has 'disregarded' the sector's struggles.

Pubs given green light to reopen indoors

10-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs will be able to reopen in England from next week for indoor trade, it has been confirmed by the Prime Minister.

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.

Almost half of readers worried working from home will hit trade

07-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Just under half of operators are concerned about the potential impact that a long-term decline of office-working on their pub business.

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.

Mask rules could continue beyond 21 June

04-May-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Face covering requirements in pubs could last beyond 21 June, it has been suggested.

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.

'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.

Almost a quarter of operators’ outdoor trade ‘barely worth reopening’ for

26-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have detailed a mixed bag of trade experiences since reopening on 12 April, an industry survey has revealed.

Scottish and Welsh pubs reopen despite 'nonsense' rules

26-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubs in Wales and Scotland are allowed to reopen for outdoor service today (Monday 26 April) after months of shutdown.

Welsh pubs to open inside alongside English counterparts

23-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Welsh pubs and bars will be able to open indoors from 17 May after low Covid incidence, the First Minister has said.

Restart Grants 'difference between survival or failure' for many pubs

22-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operators who are yet to receive a Restart Grant have said they feel local authorities’ slow approach is hampering their chance of recovery.

Reopened Oakman pub takings up more than 50% on pre-pandemic sales

22-Apr-2021 By Stuart Stone

Hertfordshire-based multiple operator Oakman Group has revealed that sales during its first week of post-lockdown trade trump equivalent 2019 takings.

'Get out of my pub' operator tells Labour leader

20-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, was told to leave a pub after the licensee voiced his opposition to lockdown rules.

'Cancel business rates until 2021 as sector recovers'

19-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Trade associations have called for business rates in England to be cancelled until at least October 2021 for hospitality businesses as they rebuild.

‘Bring forward reopening,’ Welsh Government urged

16-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Indoor hospitality in Wales should reopen alongside trade in England and Scotland next month, one industry body has suggested.

Social distancing rules could see 'end of tipping'

16-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

A sector-wide fair tipping policy should be introduced after Covid restrictions mean venue staff are likely to be tipped less, campaigners have argued.

Added fraud checks for Restart Grants stall reopening plans

15-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Fraud checks are delaying the payments of Government Restart Grants, leaving operators frustrated and helpless.

Scottish pubs 'unfairly targeted' by alcohol rules

14-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Calls continue to mount for a relaxation of rules about serving alcohol when pubs reopen in Scotland.

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.

Customers turn up in ‘ski jackets and hats’ to back pub

12-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Pubgoers have not been deterred by cold weather and snow showers, according to one operator who reopened this morning.

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.

Payment guidance reiterated after confusion

08-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Operators have been reassured they can take payments indoors in exceptional circumstances after confusion on social media.

Vaccination target on track, ministers urge

08-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Government ministers have said there is no indication the UK will not meet its vaccination target and for the roadmap out of lockdown to be stalled.

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.