01/12/2020
98% of all pubs in England under Tiers 2 & 3
36,823 pubs in England will be under the two strictest tier restrictions when national lockdown measures are lifted tomorrow (Wednesday 2nd December). Just three areas (Cornwall, Isle of Wight & Isles of Scilly) will be in the lowest Tier One, according to the Morning Advertiser.
Gleneagles and Hoxton hotels owner Ennismore to merge with Accor
The two companies have entered into exclusive negotiations to forge a new lifestyle entity headquartered in London under the name Ennismore, bringing together twelve brands, according to a report in Boutique Hotel News.
EG Group owners launch bid for Caffe Nero
British petrol retailing company EG Group has launched a takeover bid for Caffe Nero, hours before the coffee shop chain seeks approval from landlords to slash its rent bill reports Sky News. The EG Group owners - Mohsin and Zuber Issa - wrote to Caffe Nero during the weekend to propose buying the chain from its founder and controlling shareholder, Gerry Ford. Under the EG proposal, Caffe Nero's landlords would be paid in full for the rent arrears owed to them as a result of the covid-19 crisis.
Pizza Hut Delivery eyes expansion after double digit like-for-like sales growth:
Pizza Hut Delivery is to hire 2,500 staff in a recruitment spree after its plans for rapid expansion were boosted by surging demand for takeaways during the pandemic, according to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.
Portobello Brewery takes over the management of 13 Antic pubs
Portobello Brewery has announced that it has started managing an additional 13 freehold pubs located across the London villages and suburbs, Beer Today has advised.
Coronovirus wipes £14billion off pub market value
Lumina Intelligence UK Pub Market Report 2020 found this year, the pub market is set to be worth £9bn with the impact of the pandemic wiping 61% (£14bn) off its value, reports the Morning Advertiser.
Cineworld secures £560m cash lifelines as Covid closes cinemas
Cineworld, the world's second-largest movie chain operator, has secured financial lifelines worth $750m (£560m) to weather the coronavirus pandemic. London-listed Cineworld, which shut all of its 660 movie theatres in the US and the UK in October, said the financial agreements meant it had enough liquidity to make it through next year - as long as cinemas are allowed to reopen by May. The company has agreed financial measures with lenders including a new $450m debt facility claims The Guardian.
And Finally...
Berkeley Inns MD Howard Thacker is preparing to permanently ban from his venues, any MPs that back the introduction of the strengthened tier system and has urged other operators to follow suit. Berkeley Inns' sites are in Derbyshire and Staffordshire and will be under tier three restrictions once lockdown ends on Wednesday, advise Propel.