15/06/2021
Ministers weigh up hospitality rescue over billions in unpaid rent
Ministers are weighing up a plan to block landlords from kicking pubs and restaurants out of their properties for failing to pay billions of pounds in rent during the pandemic. Deal could allow pubs and restaurants to avoid eviction by irate landlords, according to The Telegraph.
Curtain poised to rise on state rescue for theatres
West End impresarios are on the brink of striking a deal with ministers to rescue Britain's teetering theatre industry in a race to avoid a £6bn hit to the economy. The Sunday Telegraph understands that theatre grandees have an agreement in principle from Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary, for a taxpayer-backed insurance scheme that will pave the way for productions to restart when restrictions eventually lift. Plans for a government indemnity are now sitting with the Treasury, which will wait for Boris Johnson's announcement on covid restrictions tomorrow before giving the green light.
BrewDog apologises after 'toxic' culture claims
According to The Morning Advertiser, BrewDog co founder James Watt has apologised to staff after an open letter claimed employees across different departments shared a "residual feeling of fear."
Drake & Morgan CVA approved
Big Hospitality has reported that bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan has secured approval to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
Industry welcomes amended licensing regulations
Hospitality has welcomed amended licensing regulations in England and Wales. The new regulations allow businesses to apply for 20 temporary event notices for 2022 and 2023, up from 15, and extend automatic off-licence flexibility until the end of September 2022, The Caterer has advised.
Government launches UK Tourism Recovery Plan
The government has launched a Tourism Recovery Plan to boost the domestic and inbound sectors, with the aim of speeding up the industry's recovery by a year, according to Travel Weekly. The plan targets a recovery in domestic tourism to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and in international tourism by 2023 - both a year in advance of non-government forecasts. New government initiatives include a £10 million National Lottery 'Days Out' scheme of vouchers to support attractions and a new rail pass to encourage domestic breaks.
More than half of hospitality workers still on furlough
The Morning Advertiser reports that some 55% of pub and bar staff are currently on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS, known as furlough) according to official data.
Pubs cash in with table charges to watch Euro matches:
The Times revealed that pubs were charging hundreds of pounds to reserve tables for England's opening Euro 2020 match against Croatia on Sunday as football fans struggled to find places to watch the game. The Players Lounge in Billericay, Essex, was charging £120 per seat in its "VIP" area, and tables at the Barca Bar in Manchester were going for £60.
And Finally...
Beer brand Corona has constructed a pop-up sustainable beach bar that contains no metal, plastic or concrete.The construction follows research that revealed the UK's passion for outdoor celebrations this summer is tempered by concerns about the toll these gatherings take on the natural world. Created by eco-builder Molly Windels-Lyte and In-Build, the bar has been constructed on Porthminster beach in St Ives, Cornwall, using sand, clay, wood and bamboo, according to Campaign Live.