02/03/2021
Pubs will reopen outdoors first with full reopening from 17 May, PM declares
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed pubs will be permitted to reopen outdoors from 12 April and indoors from 17 May, at the very earliest, The Morning Advertiser reported.
Rishi Sunak hints at furlough extension but says he must 'level' with public over pandemic toll
During an interview with Sky News, the chancellor dropped heavy hints that the furlough scheme will be extended in Wednesday's Budget. He said that he would continue to do whatever it takes to support people and businesses in the UK through the coronavirus crisis.
Crafty plan to cut beer duty and lure drinkers back to the pub
The Times has reported that beer duty could be cut in pubs and raised in supermarkets to encourage people to go out after the lockdown ends, Boris Johnson hinted yesterday. The prime minister said that the proposal was an "extremely good" one and suggested that the government was "looking closely" at its options.
Adventure park Ninja Warrior UK to open ninth site in autumn
According to Insider Media, Adventure park Ninja Warrior UK, which is inspired by the ITV show, has signed a lease for a two-storey unit in Bradford and is set to open in autumn 2021. Bradford will be Ninja Warrior UK's ninth venue in the UK. Other venue locations include Sheffield, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Wigan, Gloucester, Southampton, Stoke On Trent and Eastbourne.
TRG increases banking facilities and slashes executive pay
Big Hospitality advise that The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced a raft of measures designed to get it through the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, including more flexible banking facilities and executive pay cuts.
Whitbread prepares to open five seaside hotels as it readies for expected staycation boom
Premier Inn is preparing for this summer's anticipated staycation boom with 545 rooms set to open across five new properties in seaside locations reports The Caterer. The hotels are in Isle of Wight, Scarborough, Bournemouth, Blackpool and Thurso.
RBH takes over management of four Fragrance Group hotels
Boutique Hotelier advises that hotel management company RBH has taken over the management of four Fragrance Group hotels previously operated by Bespoke Hotels until the agreement came to an abrupt end last month. The hotels are The Duke of Cornwall hotel in Plymouth; The Lyndene and St Chads, both in Blackpool; and The Townhouse in Manchester.
3 in 5 pubs unlikely to reopen in April
Three in five pubs across the UK will remain closed when outdoor service only is permitted from 12 April, the British Beer & Pub Association has told the Morning Advertiser.
And Finally...
The Independent reports that Downing Street has said pubs can serve takeaway drinks from 12 April in a move the hospitality industry hailed as "vital" to the sector's survival. Boris Johnson's spokesman confirmed on Thursday that people in England would be allowed to buy takeaway alcohol once beer gardens reopen, which is scheduled to take place in phase two of the roadmap out of lockdown. It means pubs that do not have outdoor seating areas - which, according to UKHospitality, accounts for almost 60 per cent of England's drinking venues - can at least partially reopen and resume sales.