- All four Government-backed Coronavirus loan programmes will open until 31 January 2021, having previously been set to close for new applications at the end of this month, meaning that applications can still be made for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan scheme (CBILs) and Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILs), which each offer 80% Treasury backing on loans made by commercial banks. The application deadline on the ’bounce back’ loan scheme for larger companies has also been extended until the end of January, with businesses able to extend their existing loan.
- The hospitality sector has welcomed the further extension the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) until March 2021 whereby employees will receive 80% of their current salary for hours not worked, up to £2,500, with employers responsible for covering National Insurance and pension contributions. The decision to extend the JRS came as England entered a second lockdown this week once again forcing restaurants pubs and bars to close for eat and drink in operations. The JRS had originally been set to come to a close on 31 October, to be replaced by the less generous Job Support Scheme (JSS).
- Hospitality businesses will be able to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises providing it has been ordered in advance by phone or online. The sector had previously been told that it could not sell alcohol as part of a takeaway service under England’s new lockdown regulations. The news has been welcomed by many in the sector, with Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) describing it as a “vital lifeline@ for local pubs and breweries across England.
- MEATliquor has closed permanently its restaurant in London’s King’s Cross. The restaurant ran its final service on Wednesday (4 November), before closing the doors for good. The company says that “new things are the horizon” with an announcement on its future plans expected soon.
- Three people have been arrested on suspicion of fraud relating to the Chancellor’s Eat Out to Help Out (EOHO) discount scheme, HMRC officers arrested three men on suspicion of cheating the public revenue and fraud by false representation. They mark the first arrests for alleged fraud relating to Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme to boost hospitality spending, which took place across August.