24/08/2021
Admiral Taverns completes £222.3m purchase of Hawthorn pubs
Admiral Taverns has completed its acquisition of 674 Hawthorn pubs in a £222.3 million deal, reports The Caterer. In what marks one of the biggest acquisition for Admiral to date, their Chief Executive, Chris Jowsey, has said they "look forward to developing through our award-winning and highly supportive approach."
NTIA predicts 'perfect storm' a month on from 'Freedom Day'
The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has outlined how the Government's plans to introduce mandatory Covid passports will impact the late-night sector. The trade association said night-time operators had seen "overwhelming support" since being able to reopen but staff shortages and delivery drivers issues has hit the sector. It added feedback from the trade suggesting if Covid passports were mandated, firms would see a drop of more than a third, resulting in staffing issues being intensified due to many leaving the sector if forced to be vaccinated to work, reports the Morning Advertiser.
Beer strikes suspended following improved pay offer
Nationwide strikes by 1,000 GXO drayman, who deliver top beer brands, have been suspended following an improved pay offer from the company, Unite, the UK's leading union reports. It has been recommended that the draymen, responsible for about 40 per cent of the beer deliveries to pubs and other hospitality outlets across the UK, accept the offer of a 4% pay rise.
UK food firms beg ministers to let them use prisoners to ease labour shortages
Meat processers and others say they must have more day release workers as they cannot find enough staff. The Guardian have reported that food manufactures are pleading with the Government to call upon prisoners to solve a labour crisis, blamed on the double blow of Brexit and Covid. To fill vacancies, companies are trying to draft in prisoners via a scheme that allows inmates to undertake paid work on day release. They are also contacting charities for ex-servicemen and women to try to drum up staff.
Businesses 'remain fragile' as customers return to hospitality quicker than last summer
A UKHospitality survey has found that customers are returning to hospitality quicker than last summer, but the trade body warns that businesses 'remain fragile' in face of the staffing crisis, advises Big Hospitality.
Grind raises £22m in their third investment round
Coffee chain, Grind, has raised £22 million to cash in on the growth of its sales of beans directly to customers. The investment has been led by Richard Koch to fund international expansion and boost its direct-to-consumer business in Britain reports The Times.
And Finally...
Gino d'Acampo's new London restaurant, Luciano, recently received some less than flattering reviews by the Evening Standard. However, a video circulating on TikTok could change the restaurants fortunes. Songwriter, Natalie Te Paa, who is completely blind, posted a video when she visited the restaurant for her birthday and the patisserie chef had written Happy Birthday in braille on a plate, using melted chocolate reports Hot Dinners.