A menu of options to keep our restaurants alive June 4, 2020 You all know the image: a politician enjoying a pint or a meal at their local restaurant. There are handshakes all round and a picture is posted on Twitter. It is — rightly — a scene that shows MPs or councillors backing businesses, particularly the small and medium sized enterprises which make up the lifeblood [...]
Pubs say ‘time running out’ to be ready for 4 July reopening June 4, 2020 The UK’s pub lobby has warned the government that its members urgently need clarity on how it will reopen the sector if they are going to be ready by the target date of 4 July. The British Beer and Pub Association (BPPA) said today that pubs will need at least three weeks’ notice for when [...]
Green shoots: Four charts that suggest the worst is over for the UK economy June 4, 2020 The UK economy suffered its worst month in living memory in April, but there are tentative signs that things began improving in May as coronavirus restrictions were gradually lifted. “The government’s plans for a progressive opening up of non-essential stores in June suggest that the low point for the economy is behind us,” said Ruth [...]
Survive and thrive: KERB hopes to bring some flavour to the streets June 4, 2020 London’s businesses have been forced to weather a storm they never saw coming, but many have pivoted to new ways of doing business. Today, Simon Mitchell – CEO of street food pioneers KERB – writes for City A.M. on his hopes for the future, inside and outside their new Covent Garden flagship Rewind 11 weeks ago to [...]
Bulmers owner C&C burns through €7m a month while pubs are closed June 3, 2020 C&C Group, the owner of Bulmers and Magners cider, revealed this morning that it is burning through €7m (£6.2m) each month that pubs and restaurants are closed. C&C, which makes 80 per cent of its revenue through sales to pubs, bars and restaurants, also reported €47.6m in exceptional items directly related to the coronavirus outbreak. [...]
Survive and thrive: Gastropub goes takeout as punters enjoy the bar from afar June 3, 2020 London’s businesses have been forced to weather a storm they never saw coming, but many have pivoted to new ways of doing business. Today, Heath Ball – owner and landlord at Highgate gastropub The Red Lion & Sun – tells us about his new delivery service, dropping off wine to the park, and the future [...]
Survive and thrive: Pilgrims get a pizza the delivery action June 2, 2020 London’s businesses have been forced to weather a storm they never saw coming, but many have pivoted to new ways of doing business. Today, Thom Elliot – co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims – writes for City A.M. on how one of the capital’s favourite small chains responded to the crisis and the challenges to come Covid-19 presented a [...]
Survive and thrive: Back to the grind stone at a cult coffee favourite June 1, 2020 London’s businesses have been forced to weather a storm they never saw coming, but many have pivoted to new ways of doing business. Today, David Abrahamovitch – founder of coffee brand GRIND – writes for City A.M. on the way he’s changed his business during the pandemic, and the challenges of the ‘new normal’ The week [...]
Losses at UK’s top restaurants jump to £151m June 1, 2020 Losses at the UK’s top 100 restaurants increased to £151m last year, a figure that will only worsen as the industry grapples with the impact of the coronavirus. Figures from accountancy group UHY Hacker Young show a 94 per cent increase in losses, from £78m the year before. The government has tentatively set out plans [...]
Ikea introduces social distancing wardens as it prepares for reopening May 31, 2020 Ikea is introducing social distancing wardens as part of a string of safety measures being implemented ahead of reopening on Monday. The retailer will reopen 19 stores across England and Northern Ireland from tomorrow, with click and collect facilities also opening in a phased approach. Ikea stores in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland [...]