Peter Marks – no nightclub business will survive unless there’s outside financial support: Peter Marks, chief executive of The Deltic Group, has told Propel no nightclub business will survive unless outside financial support “is received from somewhere”. He warned the industry was at a “critical point” and the next month would be crucial. Deltic has appointed advisers as it seeks investment to help support the business through the extended period of closure. Marks said, at this stage, it was going through “all options in case government support wasn’t forthcoming” – and by doing nothing, the business was unlikely to see beyond the end of 2020. But he added there had been “really constructive conversations” with minsters and he remained hopeful the industry would receive a “meaningful bailout”. Marks said: “We've got to make sure we have a plan B, plan C and plan D – so assessing all the options at this stage is the sensible thing to do. We want to make sure we do the right thing by our landlords, our suppliers and our employees. We thought we were going to be able to reopen in September and, from there, we have just gone backwards. No nightclub company will survive at all unless there is outside help from somewhere. We have been shut for seven months and we still have no reopening date. No other sector has been told to stay shut. We have not been able to take advantage of Eat Out To Help Out or the cut in VAT as other businesses have. We have not been able to get Bounce Back loans. We are doing our best to hold on to everyone that we can but it’s becoming more and more difficult. Without some sort of financial support – whether that’s from the government or investors – we will struggle to get past Christmas. We are in a unique position and that’s why we need government help. I also feel sorry for those hospitality businesses that have been able to reopen and have to close again. I’m not sure what’s worse – being still stuck in the hole or thinking you’ve clambered out of it only to fall back in.” 

 

Propel and Prestige Purchasing to host free webinar for operators on how to protect the bottom line: Propel and supply chain specialist Prestige Purchasing are to host a free webinar for operators about how to protect the bottom line. Experts from Prestige Purchasing will be joined by Prezzo executive chairman Karen Jones to help businesses navigate their way in a perfect storm. Prestige Purchasing chairman David Read, chief executive officer Shaun Allen, and chief commercial officer David Kelleher will share their knowledge and insight to help operators through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit. To register, email anne.steele@propelinfo.com and a link to view the webinar will be sent at 9am on Tuesday, 3 November.     

HospoDemo group to stage peaceful protest over restrictions and support for sector: Hospitality sector representatives will gather at Parliament Square to stage a peaceful protest against government’s coronavirus restrictions on the industry and the support offered to the sector. At 10.30am on Monday (19 October), HospoDemo will converge to urge the government to revise its policies relating to hospitality venues. Protestors will come together to represent their trades, dressed in uniform, equipped with pots, pans, ladles, cocktail shakers, wooden spoons and other hospitality-related props. Expected attendees include Jason Atherton, Tom Aikens and Jillian Maclean – all will adhere to social distancing measures and wear face coverings. Industry marketer Rachel Harty is behind the campaign and said: “The blows that have been dealt to the UK hospitality industry over the past six months have caused a great deal of frustration and hardship. Hospitality outlets have responded by investing heavily in safety measures. However, the 10pm curfew and increasing local lock-downs have created an existential threat. The sector has already lost 25,000 premises since March. It’s time for strong government action to prevent the loss of more businesses and jobs and protect a sector that is part of the fabric of this country.” UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls added: “It’s no surprise our colleagues from the beleaguered hospitality industry wish to express themselves in this way and we stand shoulder to shoulder in support of them. Businesses are feeling the cumulative impact of the restrictions placed on them. Now, with the tiers system, we are reaching the point of no return for many. Without enhanced financial support, and without additional government contributions to the Job Support Scheme, many businesses and jobs are going to fall by the wayside. It is time for the government, at the very least, to rethink the mandatory 10pm curfew.”

CACI – consumer behaviour increasingly based on demographics rather than geography: The difference in the impact of covid-19 on consumer behaviour is increasingly based on demographics, rather than geography, according to new research. The latest movement of people data from CACI and its partner, Location Sciences, showed for the week ending 4 October mobility across the UK dropped two percentage points to 76% of pre-covid levels. However, this hides significant differences across the country. While regional variations suggest geography is the key factor, with big drops in Wales (eight percentage points), Scotland (four percentage points) and Northern Ireland (three percentage points) following the introduction of tighter restrictions, the differences in movements are more significant when the data is analysed demographically. According to CACI, the wealthier consumer groups in the UK have seen the biggest reduction in their movements. “Lavish Lifestyles”, for example, the most affluent of CACI’s Acorn profiles, has seen a reduction of almost four percentage points compared with the previous week. Similarly, urban-living “City Sophisticates” experienced a 3.7 percentage points' drop.  Conversely, the less affluent demographic groups tend to be employed in key worker roles, manufacturing and other sectors that mean they have no choice but to continue to leave their homes to work. CACI’s “Struggling Estates Acorn” group, for example, experienced just a 1.1 percentage point decrease in movements nationally. CACI director Alex McCulloch said: “Most of the cities across the UK with the highest infection rates all have above average proportions of the less affluent consumer groups. This creates the false impression there is a geographic north-south divide in the UK. In reality, however, it is affluence, and the ease with which people can limit leaving home as a consequence that is having the most significant impact. The picture emerging is less about people being unable to stop socialising, and much more that large proportions of the UK’s population have no choice financially but to put themselves at risk of contracting covid-19 in order to earn a living.” CACI’s analysis also revealed the building negative impact of the rule of six and 10pm curfew, with mobility declining by six percentage points since it peaked at 82% of 2019’s levels of mobility three weeks ago.

 

Footfall remains stable at circa minus 40% versus 2019: Footfall on UK streets has remained stable for the past few weeks at circa minus 40% compared with the same time last year, according to data from Wi-Fi solutions provider Wireless Social. The analyst believes local lock-downs and associated government messages have reduced consumer confidence in recent times. The highest footfall, which took place on Sunday, 30 August, was still 33% below February levels, and has yet to be reached again. Glasgow suffered a big dip on the weekend of 10-11 October, as figures plummeted to minus 60% versus the February average, having been about minus 45% since the end of August. The most positive news came from Birmingham, which recorded minus 35% and minus 26% on Saturday, 10 October and Sunday, 11 October, respectively – while the previous weekend saw figures of minus 47% and minus 31%. Wireless Social also studied the age group patterns of Wi-Fi log-ins from 5 October to 11 October, and discovered the hours of use differed between generations. Most log-ins were registered by 18 to 24-year-olds, who go out later than 25-34s – a group that remains consistent users of the internet across all dayparts. Also, log-ins since 24 September, when the 10pm curfew was introduced, showed the average age of internet users is 33, with Manchester and Liverpool being the only two cities with an average user aged below 30. Research has found, aside from the noon and 1pm slot, last week saw higher log-ins for all hours up until 8pm – where September figures were higher – mainly due to last sittings and closures at 10pm.

 

haysmacintyre warns companies not to miss impending furlough scheme dates: Andrew Ball at hospitality specialist haysmacintyre has warned businesses to ensure they don’t miss vital dates relating to the furlough scheme. Following publications into over-claims and penalties during the summer, HMRC has started to issue a number of nudge letters in relation to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and compliance checks into CJRS grants. Head of hospitality sector Ball said: “I recommend you take the opportunity to review your claims now, ahead of the 20 October 2020 or 90-day deadline. The current HMRC nudge letters state it understands mistakes can happen, therefore, it is key for you to undertake a review now and if you find mistake, notify HMRC.” He added that if you have received a HMRC coronavirus nudge letter, make sure you respond to it because waiving it is likely to result in an HMRC compliance check. Ball added 30 November is the last day businesses can submit claims for periods ending on or before 31 October. After this date, companies will not be able to submit any further claims or add to existing claims.

Sector business owners eye further job cuts: About 15% of hospitality business owners said they could cut around a quarter of their workforce in the coming months, according to a new YouGov poll. The poll, which was quoted in the Daily Mail and polled more than 1,000 bosses at GB companies at the end of September, found 2% of hospitality business owners said they could lose between 90% and 100% of their workforce by Christmas, while 7% said they could cut half or more (50% to 59%) of their workforce by Christmas. Businesses across all of the UK’s major sectors are set to make job cuts by the end of the year, according to the poll. More than 30% of bosses at legal firms admitted they could make cuts by Christmas while other white-collar roles in finance (23%) and real estate (26%) were also at risk. Behind that were blue collar roles, including transportation and distribution (26%), construction (22%) and manufacturing (19%).

KPMG – businesses that have undergone restructuring may need to take further action: Sector businesses that have already undergone some form of financial or operational restructuring, whether via a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) or by putting parts of their business into hibernation may have to take further action, according to KPMG. The advisory firm said despite corporate insolvencies remaining low across the UK and the temporary boost provided by the Eat Out To Help Out scheme, the well-publicised headwinds facing the leisure and hospitality sector are having a devastating effect. A total of 48 companies across the sector, including the Azzurri and Byron restaurant chains, entered into administration during the third quarter – a 41% increase on the 34 seen during the second quarter. Will Wright, head of regional restructuring at KPMG, said: “A second wave of hospitality closures, coupled with the introduction of the 10pm curfew, comes as a real body blow to a sector that is still bruised from the impact of the initial lock-down. Trying to sensibly forecast and plan for the months ahead is nigh-on impossible when the sands are constantly shifting and it’s now inevitable we will see further insolvencies across this sector in the months ahead. As further regional restrictions kick in, businesses need to think nimbly. Those that can pivot and flex their operating models in line with restrictions – for example, by switching back to takeaway and home delivery – and can maintain a grip on cash, stand more than a fighting chance of survival. But it will not be easy. Do not be surprised if we see businesses that have already undergone some form of financial or operational restructuring, whether via a CVA or by putting parts of their business into hibernation, take further action.” Analysis of notices in the London Gazette by KPMG’s restructuring practice showed that 246 companies went into administration during the third quarter of the year – down 10% on the se, and a significant fall of 39% when compared to the same period in 2019. The last time numbers were this low was in the fourth quarter of 2015 when 243 companies went into administration. 

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is currently looking for a head of finance for a multi brand hospitality and retail business. The position will be based in south west London and will pay circa £65,000. The head of finance will have the overall responsibility for financial management, business analysis and reporting with a focus on ensuring ongoing viability, financial planning and a secure financial future. The head of finance will also ensure senior teams have simple, regular and easy-to-understand reflection of commercial elements of sales and costs to enable them to manage the business effectively. In addition, the role will be responsible for finance IT system improvement locally and the key contact for new group development/implementation. Anyone interested can send their CV to Oliwia@corecruitment.com

 

Pret signs new partnership deal with Moto: Pret A Manger has announced a new partnership with Moto, which will see Pret expand its motorway service estate back to three shops in the UK. The first shop under the new deal will be at Cherwell Valley services and is scheduled to open its doors in December, with a second shop planned at Moto’s new Rugby service area, opening in early 2021. Both shops will serve a menu of freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, baguettes and breakfasts, and organic coffee and tea, all prepared in the shop’s on-site kitchens throughout the day. Pret currently operates a site with Welcome Break at its South Mimms services. Until earlier this year, it also operated two sites with Roadchef, at its Chester services on the M56 and at Clacket Lane westbound on the M25. Both these sites have since closed. Clare Clough, UK managing director of Pret A Manger, said of the new Moto partnership: “Working with Moto is an exciting step for Pret as we begin to expand our estate at motorway services. We know many Moto customers are looking for freshly prepared food, which they can pick up on the go, and Pret can offer a delicious menu, and the speedy, friendly service our customers are used to.” Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan added: “We’re delighted Pret is joining our stable of leading high street brands. I look forward to expanding our working relationship in the coming months.”

Kitchen space provider Foodstars to increase regional presence: Foodstars, which provides kitchen space for food companies and is backed by former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick, is to increase its regional presence with openings in Leeds and Manchester, Propel has learned. The company, which was founded by William Beresford, Daniel Abrahams and Roy Shaby in Bethnal Green in 2015, will launch a site in the Burley area of Leeds next month. It will follow this with an opening in Manchester’s Dark Lane. Both new kitchens will be based close to busy student districts. Earlier this year, the company made its regional debut with the opening of a kitchen in Manchester Street, Birmingham. Last month, the group opened a site in Croydon’s Beddington Lane. The company took its estate of kitchens in London to eight at the end of 2019, with openings in Colindale and Wandsworth. It also operates kitchens in Battersea, Bermondsey, Bethnal Green, Kentish Town, Shoreditch and Vauxhall. The company leases kitchen space to restaurants that sell food through delivery apps. City Storage Systems, which trades as Cloud Kitchens in the US, quietly invested in Foodstars last year, according to documents filed at Companies House. The investment marked Kalanick’s first expansion outside the US. Beresford, Abrahams and Shaby started making takeaway sushi in Camberwell, south London, in 2012, renting out their kitchen space to cover costs.

 

Carl’s Jr seeking UK franchisee: Quick service US burger brand Carl’s Jr is seeking a UK master franchisee as it looks to make its debut here. The company, which is nearing 1,000 international sites, is focusing on developing its network in the UK and across Europe, building on the success it has already had in Denmark, Russia, Spain and France. Last month, it opened its first site near Paris, at the Velizy shopping centre. Last year, the brand, which is owned by CKE Restaurants, appointed Tim Lowther, formerly of Burger King, Shake Shack and Smashburger, to head up Europe and Russia for CKE Restaurants as general manager. CKE has been looking at launching in the UK since the turn of the past decade, and originally was seeking franchisees that could support 24 or more units for the quick-service burger brand.

 

Jollibee set to open Nottingham site for fourth UK outlet: Jollibee, the Philippines fast food group, is set to open its fourth UK site, in Nottingham. The company, which offers single plates combining fried chicken, spaghetti, and beef with gravy and rice, is set to move into the long-derelict 46-48 Clumber Street building, reports The Business Desk. Jollibee has sites in London’s Earls Court and Liverpool and, last month, announced it is opening in the former Select unit in Humberstone Gate, Leicester. Metro Bank had earmarked plans to open in 46-48 Clumber Street in Nottingham, but shelved the move last year. The new Jollibee restaurant is expected to create 70 jobs. Jollibee operates circa 1,200 outlets worldwide.

 

Davenports acquires Stourport-on-Severn inn from Hawthorn Leisure: West Midlands brewer Davenports has acquired the Ye Olde Crown Inn, Stourport-on-Severn, from Hawthorn Leisure, the pub operations arm of NewRiver. Jack Sinclair, director at James A Baker, which acted on behalf of Hawthorn Leisure, told Propel: “This large town centre licensed property attracted a good level of interest from local and regional operators despite the covid-19 pandemic. A number of bids were received and it is clear the market is still very active as we have seen encouraging sales performance despite the unprecedented and uncertain times the country has found itself in.”

 

Mourad Mazouz launches 1930s-style restaurant Mo Diner: Mourad Mazouz has opened a 1930s-style restaurant called Mo Diner next door to his Momo site. The Los Angeles-inspired venue, mixed with Moroccan touches, in Heddon Street, Mayfair, has enlisted Eric Chavot to take charge of setting the menu. The site opened briefly before lock-down but is back up and running with executive chef Chavot – French Michelin-starred cook of Bob Bob Cité and Bob Bob Ricard fame – also responsible for menus at Momo and the group’s restaurants in Paris. The site opens at 8am from Wednesday to Sunday and serves breakfast until noon, including Berber 1,000 holes Moroccan pancakes with honey; potato hash with spring onions; porridge with almond milk, pomegranate, molasses and banana; and a host of egg dishes. An all-day menu is in operation post-noon until closing with soups and salads; sandwiches; vegetarian, meat and fish meals; and desserts. There’s a drinks menu including smoothies, milkshakes and hard shakes, cocktails, beer and wine.

 

St John Bakery to open site in Borough: St John Bakery is to open a new site in the capital, in Borough. The company will open the outlet in Borough High Street on Monday (19 October), reports Hot Dinners. The site will be supplied by the main bakery in nearby Bermondsey, and will offer goods such as doughnuts, sandwiches, Eccles cakes, chocolate brownies, pastries and bread. Delivery will also be available via Deliveroo. St John Bakery also operates a site in Neal’s Yard in Seven Dials while it is also among the traders that can be found at Boulevard Market in Islington, which runs between Friday and Sunday. 

Chantelle Nicholson to launch pop-up restaurant All’s Well in Hackney: Chef-restaurateur Chantelle Nicholson is launching a three-month-long pop-up in Hackney later this month. Called All’s Well, it will be a casual restaurant that Nicholson says will hold her “ethos for sustainable cooking and dining at its core”. The chef said her Covent Garden restaurant Tredwells will continue to operate and the pop-up will help preserve jobs, morale and positivity within the restaurant while it to continues to face “tough trading conditions brought on by theatres and offices in the West End remaining closed”. The new pop-up, which will run for a minimum of three months in Mare Street, will have a daily changing menu of dishes that use ingredients from small British producers with more than 50% of the menu given over to vegetarian dishes. Earlier this year, Nicholson announced plans to relocate Tredwells to a more of a neighbourhood-led London location and reopen it as a multi-functional space. Of the new pop-up, which opens on Tuesday, 27 October, she said: “All’s Well’s menu will be the food I love created with my ethos of sustainability. I’m going to work backwards from what is available from the tight range of suppliers that inspire and motivate me to create really delicious food. While this may be an odd time to be opening a restaurant, I feel a responsibility to preserve jobs and create new challenges for those who work with me. I’ve been coveting a neighbourhood to become part of for quite some time, so this feels like a positive opportunity to meet a new crowd, as well as welcoming some of Tredwells’ guests too.”

Nando’s launches plant-based alternative to chicken: Nando’s has launched a new plant-based alternative to chicken, the first time the brand has ever offered customers a substitute to meat on its menu in the UK. The new plant-based dish, which is named “The Great Imitator”, is made entirely from pea protein and can be found on the group’s menu in the “burgers, pittas and wraps” section. It costs £5.90 on its own, £7.90 with one regular side and £9.40 with two regular sides, and has been designed to taste, smell and look exactly like the restaurant’s peri-peri chicken breast fillet. The group said the launch of The Great Imitator marks one step in its commitment to becoming a more environmentally friendly company by reducing its carbon footprint.

 

Milk & Sugar cafe builds portfolio with new site: Independent cafe operator Milk & Sugar has expanded with a new outlet at Eastern Business Park in Cardiff. The business, owned by Tim Corrigan, already has a venue open on the ground floor of the 1 Central Square office scheme in the centre of the city. Robert Hitchens, Eastern Business Park owners, has refurbished the restaurant area that houses more than 5,000 square foot of space plus an alfresco dining terrace. Corrigan said: “This is an incredible opportunity in a great working environment. Robert Hitchins was very innovative in providing large, open-plan catering facilities at Eastern Business Park and invested heavily in the facilities. What we’ve done is add the finishing touches to create a place where people can relax, eat fantastic food in a great environment, which will, hopefully, become the heartbeat and hub of the park. There is plenty of space to allow table service only and social distancing. We can look after 100 people very comfortably and still comply with covid regulations. We’ve been using app technology for five years so it’s easy for people to pre-order lunch from their desk, home or on their way to work.”

Red Dog Saloon brings back brunch: Barbecue restaurant Red Dog Saloon has launched a brunch menu at its Soho and Southampton sites that has been inspired by the spices and flavours of Mexico. It is also now open earlier to cater for breakfast-brunch customers. A statement from Red Dog Saloon read: “In light of the government’s new 10pm rule – brunch is back. The new menu is a melting pot of cultures and flavours, heavily inspired by Austin, Texas, barbecue flavours and the Mexican street food scene.” Diners can expect dishes such as huevos rancheros: a dish loaded with tortillas, eggs, queso fresco, avocado and pinto beans; and tacos de desayuno for Red Dog’s spin on the classic breakfast taco with scrambled eggs and chorizo – all available from 9am until 1pm. Red Dog Saloon was launched in Hoxton, London, by pitmaster Tom Brooke who opened two further sites in London (Soho and Clapham) and three more nationally – in Nottingham, Southampton and Liverpool.

 

Micro-brewery owner buys North Yorkshire pub: Former rugby league player Andy Gascoigne has bought The Farmer Arms pub in Muker, North Yorkshire. Gascoigne, who played for Hull and Leeds in the 1980s, also owns Haworth Steam Brewery, one of the UK’s smallest independent micro-breweries, and Haworth Gins. Located in the picturesque Upper Swaledale district of the Yorkshire Dales, The Farmers Arms freehold was sold through Christie & Co off an asking price of £575,000. The pub has retained many of its traditional features and offers a variety of local ale, lager and home-cooked food. Gascoigne said: “My wife and I have wanted to buy a pub for some time now and we know Muker and The Farmers Arms very well. We already have a brewery and drinks business, so we are no strangers to the licensed trade. We’ve got some exciting plans for the pub and look forward to getting our teeth into it over the next few weeks and months.” David Cash, associate director at Christie & Co who handled the sale added: “We are currently seeing increased buyer demand for hospitality businesses by the coast or in the countryside, as many prospective buyers are looking for an alternative lifestyle, while capitalising on the recent staycation boom seen across the UK.”

 

Cheltenham-based operator sells fine dining restaurant to focus on gin and tea bar concept: Cheltenham-based operator Litu Mohiuddin has sold his East India Café site to focus on his Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar concept. East India Café, which was launched in 2014 and offers Anglo-Indian fine dining inspired by the British Raj period, has been acquired by businessman Mohammed Rahman. Mohiuddin told Punch Gloucester: “We have ambitious plans for Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar over the coming years and a number of other projects in the pipeline. We felt the time was right to sell East India Cafe, so that we can give our total focus to this work.” Rahman said: “East India Cafe very quickly transitioned during covid to enable diners to enjoy its food at home through both takeaway and home delivery. I will be continuing this in the short term at least, but will also be looking at ways to safely reopen the restaurant as soon as possible.” Mohiuddin launched Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar in 2018 for what was reported to be the world’s first gin and tea bar. 

 

Scully restaurant launches dinner-at-home delivery service across UK: Scully St James’s is launching “Scully at Home” dinner delivery service. The central London restaurant is offering the £80 boxed meal for delivery across the UK with customers simply adding the finishing touches. The meal for two consists of a gourmet three-course dinner that “showcases the artistry of Scully’s cuisine” with two meat and one vegetarian option to choose from – with deliveries arriving on Fridays, when ordered before 9am on Thursdays. Included in the box are nibbles such as Scully’s warm masala chickpeas, two seasonal salads, the pre-cooked meat or vegetarian main plus a dessert. All the dishes feature foods and ingredients from Ramael Scully’s own larder in which he ferments, pickles and dehydrates foods in their harvest prime to provide the complex, yet impactful flavours for which he is known. Scully was the head chef for well-known restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi, who runs six sites across the capital. The menu will change on a regular basis.

 

Whitbread plan to open 83-bedroom Premier Inn gets green light: Whitbread will open an 83-bedroom Premier Inn after plans were approved for the site in Northumberland. Northern Commercial Properties earmarked a site on Willowburn Trading Estate in Alnwick, which will see the demolition of vacant buildings in a 3.5-acre plot and create more than 100 jobs – 30 of them at the Premier Inn. A statement filed with the council on behalf of the applicant read: “The proposals create an opportunity to provide a well-designed scheme within a high-quality landscape, which complements its surroundings and is able to utilise successfully the existing infrastructure within the area.” The hotel will be three storeys high, with a ground-floor restaurant/bar and provide a range of staff facilities. Stuart Rose, acquisition manager at Premier Inn, said when the scheme was first announced last year: “We’re excited at the prospect of bringing a new 83-bedroom Premier Inn hotel to Alnwick and reinvigorating a currently derelict site. Our hotels in market towns like Alnwick perform very well, attracting a high number of business and leisure guests throughout the year and also helping to support the local economy as most of our customers visit local attractions and eat and drink out when they stay with us. We are confident we will trade well in Alnwick and Premier Inn’s style of flexible accommodation will increase the choice for visitors wishing to stay in the town and help to market it to people who may not currently visit.”