Pubs and restaurant group sales halve in first month back

Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups saw trading fall to just over half of ‘normal’ trading compared to the same month last year, data from CGA’s Coffer Peach Business Tracker has shown.

Symington partners with Michelin-starred chef to launch pop-up

Symington Family Estates has collaborated with Michelin-starred chef Pedro Lemos to launch pop-up restaurant Casa dos Ecos at the Port producer’s Quinta do Bomfim estate. 

James Sommerin left ‘devastated’ by restaurant closure as he issues plea to customers

Top chef James Sommerin has spoken about the cruel circumstances surrounding the closure of his family restaurant after the pressures of Covid-19 became too much to bear.

Sandia Chang launches one stop e-shop for grower Champagne

Sandia Chang, the renowned California-born sommelier and founder of Fitzrovia’s hotdogs and Champagne joint in is taking her love of growers Champagne online which the launch of a new e-shop.

Economics of on-trade supply have “hit a brick wall”

The Covid-19 crisis has stripped bare the precarious economic situation of the on-trade and its supply-side, with a correction in the market necessary to improve profitability.

On-trade ‘test and trace’ guidance published

As pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés re-boot from 4 July, the new NHS Test and Trace guidance will mean that venues should maintain records of staff, customers and visitors, and share these with the health service if requested.

Quarterly rent day dampens relief over 2 metre relaxation

The quarterly rent due 24 June, just a day after PM Boris Johnson relaxed the 2 metre rule while confirming 4 July reopening for hospitality, comes as a sobering reminder that the on-trade’s woes are far from over.

On-trade groups take initiative on reopening

Many UK pub, restaurant and café operators have set a 4 July reopening in motion despite there still being no announcement from government confirming either the date or possible easing of the 2 metre rule.

Order-from-table mobile app gains traction

As the on-trade gears up to begin a safe reopening on 4 July, mobile ordering app OrderPay has signed up several more high street names looking to meet social distancing requirements.

All-star panel talks how to deal with pandemic in restaurant environment

Building trust around social distancing rules will be the major challenge for restaurants looking to relaunch their businesses after lockdown eases, a leading on-trade panel has agreed.

Carluccio's bailout saves under half of its restaurants

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s has completed its bailout deal with Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), saving 30 of its 71 restaurants and costing 1,000 furloughed workers their jobs.

Shift to home cooking poses further threat to the on-trade

More time to spend cooking and access to creative culinary content online could pose a major hurdle to a restaurant industry which is now preparing to get back on its feet.

Living with lockdown – Bibendum

Michael Saunders, Bibendum CEO and chairman of The Drinks Trust and WSTA, dives deep into the challenges thrown up by the current crisis. Andrew Catchpole reports

Cases, Curds & Whey

34-35 Western Road, Hove BN3 1AF

The Grill at The Dorchester

53 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1QA

Greater urgency and clarity on business and on-trade support needed immediately

As the on-trade shuts down, suppliers and hospitality operators are continuing to press government and banks on the speed with which relief measures are needed by the trade.

Major restaurant groups close as coronavirus bites

D&D London and Wolseley have become the latest major on-trade coronavirus casualties with both having announced they are temporarily closing its restaurants with immediate effect.

Tiffany Blue Box Café

Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL

Q&A: Charles Tyler, Paladar

Winner of UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge revealed

Paul Fauvel, head sommelier at The Lanesborough, has won the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2020.