28/07/2020
Greene King £2m support for free trade pubs
The package of measures is for its 6,500 independent free trade customers as they ease out of lock-down and reopen. The scheme is applicable for all existing and new trade customers, with loans of up to £10,000 per pub.
Operators not passing on VAT reduction to customers
A report by HIM/MCA shows that 84% of hospitality operators will not be passing any of the reduction in VAT to customers. Only 5% said they would pass on all 15% of the reduction.
Xercise4Less sold in a pre-pack administration deal
National gym chain who appointed PwC, as administrators, confirmed the sale of the business to a subsidiary of JD Sports Gyms. The sale included 50 of its 51 gyms
Changes to Use Classes Order to provide greater flexibility
The new regulations come into effect in September and will offer more flexibility to change the use of a property. A1, A2, A3 & B1 will be combined into a single use Class E, which will also include gyms, nurseries and clinics. Pubs and hot food takeaways will move into Sui Generis. UKH CEO Kate Nicholls said: "Deregulation of current controls will provide local authorities, hospitality businesses and other stakeholders with greater flexibility as they navigate through this crisis. The removal of the need to seek planning permission in some cases will bring empty premises back to life." The reforms will also make it easier to change from commercial to residential use.
Chilango to appoint administrators
The company, which underwent a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in January, has written to investors ahead of the move. Chilango stated: "During this period we have done our very best to mitigate the pandemic's impact, unfortunately these efforts have not been sufficient to secure the future of our business. Our restructuring adviser, RSM, will launch a sales process for Chilango which operates 12 sites, primarily in London
Tokyo Industries to buy Manchester live music venues
Aaron Mellor's led Tokyo Industries is to acquire The Deaf Institute and Gorilla out of administration. Both units were previously operated by Mission Mars.
32,000 (25%) restaurants register for Eat Out To Help Out but Operators move to out-do the government campaign
Oakman are promoting EOHO in July, Stonegate, Boparan, Carluccio's, Fishworks, Giraffe, Slim Chickens and Ed's Easy Diner will remove the £10 discount limit to give guests 50% off all food and soft drinks. Carluccio's, Fishworks and Giraffe are also offering £10 off any bottle of wine. Three Cheers Pub Co extends offer to the end of September and Hard Rock Cafe is to include EOHO on Thursdays and Fridays.
Survey by HGEM suggests take up of EOHO scheme will be strong
16% of respondents are eating out as regularly as they used to, but 25% still don't feel safe enough to eat out at all. Women are significantly more hesitant. Millennials are by far the most confident. 48% of respondents said they would "definitely" take advantage of the government's Eat Out To Help Out scheme, with 39% "possibly" taking advantage. The statistics suggest habits aren't set in stone and people will come out if given a reason to do so.
And finally...a shout out to those bucking the trend by opening new venues
Six by Nico makes London debut for seventh site
JD Wetherspoon opens The Charles Henry Roe after £2.6m spend in in Cross Gates, Leeds.
Butchies, London-based chicken sandwich operator to open in Clapham.
Papa John's opened three stores to take the brand past 450 sites in the UK.
Heavenly Desserts to open debut Manchester site and second London outlet
Roxy Leisure and Electric Playbox both to expand with Manchester sites
Players football restaurant concept open two new sites in Manchester.
Phil Vickery has opened his debut restaurant called No.3 in Cheltenham.
Leon to open four new restaurants at motorway service stations.