Union wins right to challenge Deliveroo riders’ self-employed status in high court: A union has been given the go-ahead for a high court challenge over the employment status of Deliveroo riders. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) wants the court to overturn a ruling that deemed Deliveroo riders “self-employed”. Mrs Justice Simler gave the union permission for a full judicial review of the ruling, which was given by the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) in November. The CAC rejected an application by the IWGB to represent drivers in parts of north London. The committee said because riders were able to pass on a job to a substitute or abandon a job, they were not obliged to provide a “personal service” and therefore could not be classified as workers. The union argued that as independent contractors, riders were denied basic employment rights such as a guaranteed minimum wage, holiday pay and collective bargaining rights. Simler rejected a number of the union’s arguments but said it was arguable the CAC should have considered the right of Deliveroo riders to bargain collectively – as enshrined in Article 11 of the European convention on human rights. Highlighting the fact Simler had granted the judicial review on “limited grounds” and had made her decision “with some hesitation”, a Deliveroo spokesman said: “Today’s decision has clearly upheld the central finding of the CAC, which is Deliveroo riders are self-employed. This is good news for Deliveroo riders, who value the ability to choose when and where to work. The court has allowed a limited challenge on human rights grounds. Deliveroo has long argued the self-employed should have access to greater protections and we welcome any debate on how that can best be achieved.”

Chef Adam Handling to open his largest site as The Frog E1 relocates: Chef Adam Handling is to open his largest venue yet in a move that will see The Frog E1 move to a former Byron site in Hoxton. The venue in Hoxton Square will also house a site for Handling’s sustainable coffee shop and deli brand Bean & Wheat and new bar concept Iron Stag when it opens at the end of July. Each venue will have its own entrance on separate streets. Handling will oversee all operations alongside new executive chef Daniel Watkins, who will have responsibility for the food offering. The Frog E1’s head chef Jamie Park and his team will keep their roles. The Frog Hoxton restaurant will have 60 covers, while Iron Stag will seat 120. There will be an emphasis on aged whiskies, including 35-year and 40-year bottles as well as the bar’s own casked whisky. Bean & Wheat will feature a new craft beer bottle shop offering, while Handling will implement a recycling initiative that will see customers bring empty beer bottles back in exchange for free coffee. Handling said: “E1 was my first independent restaurant and it has been a great testing ground for what we do best. I want to take everything people love about it but slightly elevate the offering and make it even better.” The chef also operates Frog by Adam Handling and Eve Bar and will launch food and beverage outlets at Belmond Cadogan Hotel in Chelsea in December.

Zonal acquires hospitality EPOS supplier Comtrex: Hospitality management solutions company Zonal has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire hospitality EPOS supplier Comtrex. Zonal said the acquisition would cement its position as the largest hospitality EPOS solutions provider in the UK and add a significant footprint in the US, where the deal doubles the size of its North American business. The US arm of Comtrex is based in New Jersey, while Zonal has an office in Florida. Zonal chief executive Stuart McLean said: “Comtrex is a fantastic addition to the Zonal family, with great customers and products on both sides of the Atlantic. I look forward to continuing the success it has had over the 30 years the business has been operating.” Comtrex UK managing director Steve Roberts added: “I’m delighted to join the Zonal family and excited about working with its team to further strengthen the Comtrex solution and becoming part of the UK’s most successful EPOS company.”