Chris Losh: averting an on-trade apocalypse

This was the week that the Coronavirus got real. Ten days ago in the UK Covid-19 was largely the source of ironic fist-bumps and the odd cancelled tasting. Dying and panicking was what other people did. With a complacency that now seems barely credible, the government’s message at the end of February was, broadly, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.

Industry petitions government not to wash its hands of responsibility on venue closures

The trade can now sign a petition that is urging the government to take urgent to action to provide financial and practical advice for the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants.

Desperate times for bars and restaurants facing “short-term cashflow catastrophe” as footfall plummets 50%

Pressure is being piled on chancellor Rishi Sunak to introduce emergency measures to stem the knock on effect of coronavirus (Covid-19) as footfall to UK businesses fell by almost 50% over the weekend.

Budget: Coronavirus relief for SMEs and employees

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a bold response to the coronavirus crisis in his 11 March budget, with a raft of measures to support SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and their employees.

One year of Trade, with Xavier Rousset

As the Soho hospitality hub hits its first birthday, Andrew Catchpole catches up with Trade’s leading light Xavier Rousset

Govt immigration plans to disrupt hospitality sector

The hospitality sector fears damage from the government’s new point-based immigration plan, a new survey has revealed.

Friday Read: Hospitality is in for a rough ride

Wine duty hikes, currency devaluation, Brexit uncertainty – the Conservative government has been no friend of the wine trade. When the previous budget was unveiled in 2019, wine was the only drinks category to be hit with a duty rise. It was another ill-timed kick in the teeth for the trade, at a time when businesses were already coping with escalating overheads and staff shortages.

Guy Woodward: Luxury brands are turning to hospitality to add extra lustre

GUY WOODWARD

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Over 150 companies back female mentoring initiative

Over 150 leading employers across the UK have signed up to a mentoring initiative to help women in senior positions reach board level of companies in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

South Western train strike adds to London hospitality woes

Nik Darlington from importer Graft, which specialises in supplying the London on-trade, says the South Western Railway strike alongside steep business rates and overbearing rents with could tip some hospitality businesses over the edge this Christmas…

Official industry ‘tipping’ body is formed

An official industry body for best practice around 'tipping' and service charges in the hospitality industry has been created. 

On-trade secrets: Top tips for buying for the on-trade

What are the secrets to buying wine for the on-trade? Does it differ from buying for other sectors? And what are the current trends that buyers are embracing?

Ask a sommelier: Gaëtan Lacoste, Le Clarence, Paris

Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant Le Clarence was established in 2015 by Domaine Clarence Dillon which owns a number of historical French wine estates including Bordeaux First Growth Château Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion and Saint-Émilion’s Château Quintus.

Hospitality gender pay gap in London narrows

The gender pay gap in London’s top hospitality establishments narrowed to 5.9% (£1,784) in 2018 compared to 9.7% (£2,712) in 2017, according to new data.

Hospitality missing out on gamification, claims report

The hospitality sector is losing out on increased productivity by not making use of gamified rewards, according to a new report.

UK and non-EU workers plugging London’s hospitality recruitment gap

Workers from the UK and outside the UK are picking up the slack from the declining number of EU nationals applying to work in hospitality jobs in the UK.

London Night Time Commission publishes Think Night report

Efforts to support London’s late-night economy took a step forward recently with the publication of a report by the London Night Time Commission.

New initiative to tackle skills gap in hospitality industry launches

D&D London will launch My Hospitality World, which it describes as a “pioneering two-week group-wide initiative encouraging young adults into hospitality” on 25 February.

Sustainability key to future success, predicts The Change Group