14/09/2021
Plans for vaccine passports scrapped, says health secretary
Plans to introduce vaccine passports for access into nightclubs and large events in England will not go ahead, the health secretary has said to the BBC. Just a week ago, the vaccines minister had defended the scheme as the "best way" to keep the night industry open. Number 10 stressed the plan - which had been set to be introduced at the end of this month - would be kept "in reserve" should it be needed over autumn or winter.
Kegs caught in supply crisis
Keg supplies are being hit by the transport crisis that is disrupting the pub and hospitality sector reports the Morning Advertiser. The supply chain problems are being caused by a number of issues including the widely reported lack of HGV drivers and the impact of the 'pingdemic' on haulage and warehouse workers. The Road Haulage Association, the road transport trade association, recently revealed that there was a shortage of 100,000 drivers.
Boxpark is set to accelerate expansion plans after securing multimillion- pound LDC investment
Hospitality and leisure operator, Boxpark, has set its sights on expansion across the UK following a significant cash injection from LDC. The private equity firm will support the company's management team as it looks to roll out new sites over the next five years reports Retail Gazette. The group will also be launching BoxOffice, a co-working space which will be incorporated into brand the new Boxpark sites.
UKHospitality urges the Government to close rent debt 'loophole'
UKHospitality has welcomed the extension of debt protections for tenants but urged the Government to close a 'loophole' on County Court Judgements advises The Caterer. The trade body said it was a "missed opportunity" not to prohibit County Court Judgements. It previously warned these are being used as a "threatening tool" by some landlords to force businesses to make payments.
Managed sector 'shows resilience' with 5% growth in August
Mounting consumer confidence and staycations helped Britain's leading managed restaurant, bar and pub groups to lift sales above pre-Covid-19 levels in August, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker revealed. Sales last month were 5% ahead of August 2019, representing the first month of year-on-year growth since hospitality began to reopen in mid-April reports Big Hospitality.
One in seven bookings are failing to show up at restaurants
According to iNews, people who do not turn up to reservations they have made at pubs and restaurants are costing the hospitality sector £17.6bn a year. Data from the hospitality tech firm Zonal found 18-34 year olds were the worst offenders, with more than one in four not honouring their bookings. It also found that Londoners were the worst no shows in the UK, with 24% of consumers in the capital admitting to not notifying a venue.
And Finally...
For the first time since the very first lockdown, Duck & Waffle is back to its original 24 hour opening hours. The restaurant is back to offering customers their redefined version of all day dining advises Hot Dinners.