As the lockdown easing tentatively begins, restaurants owners’ minds are turning to reopening their businesses. But what does the short-term future hold for restaurants?
'Better chicken’ restaurant concept Chiktopia has gone into liquidation less than a year after opening its debut restaurant within the Intu Lakeside shopping centre in Essex.
Conservative MPs are reportedly calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to cut the two-metre social distancing rule, a move many hospitality operators have said will be integral to their survival.
UKHospitality Cymru has said that an orderly and clearly signalled opening date, which allows high summer season trading, could save as many as 40,000 jobs in the Welsh hospitality industry.
UKHospitality has warned of significant business failures and job losses across the sector if the Government fails to provide fiscal support to overcome the stand-off between landlords and tenants over unpaid rent.
The Business Secretary has confirmed that the earliest hospitality businesses will be able to reopen will be 4 July, dashing hopes that they may have been able to open earlier.
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced that its struggling leisure arm is to enter into a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that will see its estate reduced by approximately 125 sites.
London-based commercial landlord firms Soho Estates and Shaftesbury are leading a campaign to temporarily pedestrianise the Soho area and allow hospitality businesses to set-up al fresco drinking and dining areas.
Pizza Express has taken another tentative step towards reopening its restaurant estate by adding an option to click and collect pizzas from the 13 sites in London that is has already opened for delivery.
As the re-opening date for restaurants approaches, operators’ thoughts are turning to how they can re-open safely and economically. Here restaurateurs in Brighton & Hove discuss the challenges they face as they look to start welcoming their diners...
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has called on Government to provide immediate clarity on whether pubs with beer gardens can reopen from 22 June.
Hospitality Union’s Jonathan Downey has written a second letter to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, featuring a revised #NationalTimeOut rent deal proposal.
Chef Anna Haugh says owner-operated fine-dining restaurants such as her own will face further significant pressure if forced to implement a two-metre social distancing gap between tables.
High street sushi and bento company Wasabi has appointed KPMG to help it in its negotiations with landlords to move to a turnover-based system of rent.
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has said it is in discussions with landlords regarding the 'potential restructuring options' of its struggling leisure estate.
Pubs and restaurants across England could be allowed to reopen two weeks earlier than planned, with suggestions that the two metre social distancing rule could also be relaxed.
The founders of recently launched delivery brand Hot 4 U say there is plenty of opportunity for chefs to develop new concepts and ideas while the Coronavirus crisis is ongoing.
The Azzurri Group is reportedly working with advisers on a potential sale of the business, as a result of the downturn caused by the Coronavirus crisis.
Young’s expects to have the majority of its 276 pubs reopened by 3 August, but doesn't expect sales to return to normal levels until the 2022 financial year.
Contract caterer Genuine Dining Co has announced the launch of its own delivery service aimed at offices in the capital that do not have in-house catering facilities.
The Scottish Government has been called on to halve the social distancing parameter for distancing from two metres to one metre and to give the industry a clearer timescale to work towards in order save the majority of the country’s tourism businesses.
Hospitality firms that have had their business interruption claims rejected are being urged to check the wording of their policies against the sample put forward for a forthcoming test case.
Three industry trade bodies have issued a joint statement 'strongly welcoming' the action being taken against insurers by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Housing minister Simon Clarke has said the Government intends to maintain a two-metre social distancing rule despite growing calls, particularly from within the hospitality sector, for it to be reduced.
In the fourth and final episode of The Future of Restaurants video series, supported by Arla Pro, Tom Barton, co-founder of burger brand Honest Burgers, and Flat Iron managing director Jo Fleet give their perspectives on operating a restaurant post lockdown.
Chefs including Angela Hartnett, Josh Katz from Berber & Q restaurant, Yotam Ottolenghi, Thomasina Miers and Bubala’s Helen Graham have helped raise almost £60,000 for charity Chefs in Schools.
