Reduction in EU workers puts squeeze on recruitment: A significant reduction in EU nationals working in the sector has put the squeeze on recruitment, according to new research. The findings by software provider Fourth showed recruitment in April is three times higher than it was in March, with a 90% increase in the number of new starters in the sector. But there has been a significant reduction in EU nationals working in the sector, with roles instead being picked up by Brits and workers from the rest of the world. EU workers made up 39.4% of the hospitality workforce in the first quarter of 2021, compared with 43.4% in the same period in 2019. In the first quarter of 2021, 34.9% of new starters were from the EU, compared with 48.6% at the same point in 2019. The data revealed the percentage of Brits and rest of the world workers has grown considerably since 2019, with British workers currently making up 48% of the workforce and rest of the world workers making up 13%. This is in comparison with the first quarter of 2019, where British workers made up 45% and rest of the world workers made up 10% of the workforce. When looking at the number of people starting new jobs in the hospitality sector, the majority of workers in the first quarter of 2021 were British (54%), followed by EU (35%) and non-EU (11%) nationals. These numbers have shifted considerably since 2019, where EU workers were the dominant category in terms of new starters over the quarter (49%), followed by British (42%) and non-EU (9%) nationals. The size of the sector workforce grew by 1% in April, compared with March – the first time there has been positive growth since before the pandemic. Despite the increase, the headcount is still down 28% compared with April 2020. The number of hours worked across the sector in April was tracking at 72% of the hours worked in July 2020, despite outdoors-only trading starting from 12 April. Staff aged 18 to 21 made up just 4.1% of all hours worked in March 2021, compared with 10.2% in March 2019, suggesting younger people are working less. Sebastien Sepierre, managing director – EMEA, Fourth, said: “We have been tracking the make-up of the workforce for a number of years, and its reliance on transient workers from European countries has been a prominent feature, particularly in high-demand back-of-house roles, such as chefs. Clearly, the pandemic, coupled with new immigration systems post-Brexit, have had a significant impact on the make-up and availability of workers from EU countries within our industry, which will become increasingly prominent as we return to full capacity.”

Propel Premium subscribers to receive 94-page updated multi-site database today at midday, Mark Wingett to look at Caffe Nero battle in latest column: Propel Premium subscribers will receive the updated Propel Premium multi-site database today (Friday, 30 April) at midday. The database has gained an additional 84 companies during the past month. Subscribers will also receive a 5,000-word report on the 84 new brands, concepts and growth companies, many of which have big growth ambitions in Britain. The exhaustive database now holds the details of 1,716 companies – and is only available to Propel Premium subscribers. The go-to database, consisting of 94 pages, has the most comprehensive multi-site operator information in the sector – it provides company names, the people in charge, how many sites each firm operates, its trading name and its registered name at Companies House if different, and what each business specialises in. In a new feature this year, there is a synopsis of what the business does and significant news associated with it. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £895 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The regular single subscription rate of £395 plus VAT for operators and £495 plus VAT for suppliers remains the same. Premium subscribers also receive access to Propel’s library of lockdown videos and Friday Wrap interviews and now also have access to a curated video library of the sector’s finest leaders and entrepreneurs, offering their insights on running outstanding businesses in the sector. Premium subscribers also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before our 6am send-out; regular video content and regular exclusive columns from Propel insights editor Mark Wingett. In this week’s column, which will be sent to subscribers at 5pm today, he looks at how the battle for Caffe Nero is coming to a head and what has been happening behind the scenes. He also writes about how the sector is going to have to battle through a new wave of issues over the coming months to stop the rug being pulled out from under its recovery. There will also be the latest sector whispers in Premium Diary. Email anne.steele@propelinfo.com to sign up.

 

Propel Friday Wrap video series continues with Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame: Propel continues its new Friday Wrap video series on Friday (30 April) at 3pm. The new series, which is sponsored by innovative staffing solution provider Stint, sees Mark Stretton, former sector journalist and now head of sector PR firm Fleet Street Communications, and Propel insights editor Mark Wingett discussing this week’s key issues facing the UK’s hospitality sector, with a leading sector operator or expert. This week they are joined by Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, to discuss how the business has fared during the crisis, the need for it to evolve, how reopening has gone so far, and his hopes and fears for the sector going forward.

 

DataHawks founder Victoria Searl to feature in latest Data Masterclass video: Propel has launched a series of videos with its partners to help operators make the most of their data as they rebuild from the pandemic. The latest video from the Data Masterclass, which is sponsored by Airship and Toggle, sees DataHawks founder Victoria Searl explaining how data has been used for centuries to identify the correct course of action, and why data is an essential component in understanding customers’ true motivations. She highlights how other sectors are using data before busting some common myths and misconceptions around how data might impact the heart and soul of hospitality. Finally, Searl outlines how to get started on your own data journey with some top tips – using examples from Hennessey and McDonald’s; details the specific data fields you should be capturing; and reflects on the videos we’ve seen from our partners and reminding us of their key messages. Other companies taking part in the series are Airship, Reputation, S4labour, Startle, Wireless Social, Yapster, Yumpingo and Zonal. The video will be sent at 9am on Friday (30 April).

Survey shows 92% of operators in favour of Australia’s rent relief scheme, landlords suggest six months’ breathing space for tenants but payments to resume from June quarter date: A total of 92% of operators are in favour of the government adopting Australia’s rent relief scheme to help businesses survive beyond the end of the rent moratorium, which is currently in place until 30 June. A survey by leisure property adviser Cedar Dean being carried out to assist in lobbying Downing Street for support revealed the vast majority of operators are in favour of the model. Under Australia’s rent relief scheme, the government made it mandatory for landlords to agree to a reduction in rent payable, of up to 100%, in proportion to the reduction in the tenant’s business during covid-19. The scheme mandated landlords waive 50% of the total reduction in rent payable and accept deferral of the remaining balance paid back in instalments over the remaining time on their lease. Landlords can’t draw on a tenant’s security for the non-payment of rent (be this a cash bond, bank guarantee or personal guarantee) during the period of the covid-19 pandemic and/or a reasonable subsequent recovery period. Banks were told to offer leniency on payments owed for the duration of the scheme to ensure landlords remained afloat. The campaign for the government to adopt the Australian model is being led by Peter Thornton – an Australian and chief financial officer of dining, drinking and live music concept The Piano Works – and Cedar Dean chief executive David Abramson. Meanwhile, landlords have proposed tenants are given six months’ breathing space to settle rent arrears but want new rents to be paid on time when the moratorium ends. British Land, Landsec and the British Property Federation set out their suggestions in response to the government’s call for evidence on the best way to withdraw or replace measures that have helped companies ride out the virus crisis. Under the proposal, normal rents would resume from the June quarter date and payments owed from before then will be ring-fenced. All parties would have until December to come up with plans, such as full repayments, deferrals or discounts, for example. Payments could be deferred until after this date if an agreement has been reached. Where an occupier and property owner are unable to reach a settlement, they would submit to binding arbitration. The deadline to submit responses to the government’s call for evidence, which sets out six options, is on Tuesday (4 May).

BBPA pleads for clarity on covid passports as government refuses to rule out possible implementation: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has pleaded for clarity after cabinet office minister Michael Gove refused to rule out the potential implementation of covid passports. Gove, who is leading the review into whether covid passports would be necessary, said on Thursday (29 April): “Covid-status certification will not be required in any settings at step two and three of the roadmap. The government has committed to setting out the conclusions of the review ahead of step four.” Step four is when lockdown measures will be eased completely on 21 June. Gove added: “The government believes covid-status certification could have an important role to play, both domestically and internationally, as a temporary measure.” BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “This empty statement gives our sector no long-term clarity on whether it will be affected by covid-status certificates or not. Now, more than ever, our sector needs certainty as it looks forward to reopening indoors from 17 May and without any restrictions at all from 21 June. If the government is not looking to impose covid-status certification on pubs then it should simply come forward and rule them out now. Publicans have already faced enough stress and uncertainty as it is without having to worry about these unnecessary and unworkable passports.”

NTIA – pilot events will provide valuable data for government to hopefully make informed decisions to reopen sector: Pilot events taking place across the night-time economy will provide valuable data and finally allow the government to understand the sector and make informed decisions on how businesses can be managed out of lockdown and reopen safely, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has argued. Test events are taking place across various night-time economy, hospitality and event settings throughout April including a music festival, nightclub as well as sporting, cinema and business events. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “One of the biggest challenges our industry has faced since the start of this pandemic is around misconceptions and ill-informed decision making and the lack of knowledge our government has on the industries we represent. The Event Research Programme, in part, is broadly about education and the opportunity for key decision makers to understand these environments first-hand to then be able to make informed decisions on how a range of businesses can be managed out of this situation and open safely. The only way to effectively save jobs and businesses is by opening the doors of the industry but the facilitation of disproportionate measures, which will, in any way, create unnecessary divisive or discriminatory barriers for our customers, impractical operational conditions or create unnecessary or extensive investment during this difficult financial period will continue to be scrutinised by ourselves at every level.”

Campaigns encouraging consumers to visit rival businesses result in advertisers getting highest predicted market share gains seen from static ads: Ad campaigns by companies that encouraged consumers to visit rival businesses have resulted in the advertisers getting some of the highest predicted share market gains ever seen for static ads. On the day of the sector reopening in April, Tesco launched a static advertising campaign encouraging people to pop to their local pub instead of shopping at its stores. It follows an ad by Burger King during the first national lockdown asking Brits to “order from McDonald’s” to support the foodservice sector. Ad effectiveness business System1 said while both executions “seem contrary to all we know about the purpose of advertising”, they have achieved some of the highest ratings for static ads in its “Test Your Ad” analysis. “Test Your Ad” uses emotions to evaluate a campaign’s ability to drive long-term market share growth through its star rating. Comparing the two executions, Tesco comes out top, scoring an “exceptional” 5.2 star rating. This equates to a predicted 3% market share gain over the next 12 months. Burger King’s approach scored a “strong” 4.2 star rating, which System1 predicted could deliver a 2% market share gain. System1 said it proves brands tapping into the national sentiment at times of crisis can both encourage people to buy their products and add to their long-term brand equity – even if those campaigns tell people to go to another brand to meet their needs. System1 chief commercial officer Ben Walton said: “There’s been much cynicism about how some brands have manipulated the national mood in their ad campaigns during the pandemic. These megabrands have shown it is possible to break the mould. Their brave, bold, and altruistic ads hit the right tone at the right time. And, although they promote competitors, they have the potential to deliver an increase in market share gain for both brands.”

Ireland to reopen pubs and restaurants outdoors in early June: Ireland is to reopen pubs and restaurants for outdoor service in early June – sooner than expected. The government committed a month ago to reopening all shops for the first time this year in May, and hotels in June, if it could avoid a fourth wave of covid-19 and speed up its vaccine programme – criteria that it has met. Foreign minister Simon Coveney said hotels would be permitted to reopen on 2 June, with restaurants and pubs – not mentioned a month ago – allowed to serve guests outdoors from 7 June. People will also be able to travel anywhere in the country next month for the first time since late December. Coveney told RTE: “We will, I hope, be able to manage all of that change in a way that keeps a lid on the spread of this virus but, at the same time, provides for a much more hopeful and positive summer than perhaps many people were expecting even in the past few weeks.” Deputy prime minister Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday (28 April) that a plan for a phased return to international travel this summer should be agreed by the end of May.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an international catering and events business that is on the lookout for an operations director with big-venue management experience. The opportunity will take the individual to Scotland, paying £70,000 to £90,000 plus bonus and benefits. The role would suit an individual who is comfortable in a fast-paced account management and operations environment as well as someone who has extensive exposure to high volume venues, events and catering. The business is looking for a great communicator, innovator and passionate team leader. Anyone interested can email Hollie@corecruitment.com with their CV. 

 

Poké House makes UK move with Ahi Poké deal: Milan-based, fast-casual brand Poké House is to make its debut in the UK after acquiring the Ahi Poké business. Off the back of the acquisition of the six-strong, London-based Ahi Poké, the company plans to launch seven venues in the capital by the summer, with the first Poké House restaurant planned to open in Notting Hill, in June. Poké House currently operates 30 sites across Italy, Portugal and Spain, and employs more than 400 people. It said it plans to expand into city locations, shopping malls, outdoor kiosks and dark kitchens in the UK. The deal comes a few days after Poké House closed a €20m (£17m) Series B funding round led by Eulero Capital, with backing from FG2 Capital and reinvestment from Milano Investment Partners. The proceeds from the investment are intended to fuel and accelerate the international expansion of the company, with the acquisition of Ahi Poké representing a key step in a broader plan to open 200 new stores across Europe. Matteo Pichi, co-founder and chief executive of Poké House, said: “We realised early on that poké could be a product with great potential but, at the same time, many other chains were starting to introduce it on their menus. That’s why we decided to strongly differentiate our high-quality fast casual offer and invest heavily in technology. Our data-driven approach allowed us to scale at a much higher rate than a classic restaurant chain and to adapt the business strategy in a very reactive and effective way. This has proven to be crucial, especially in such complicated and challenging times for the food service industry, and we are now looking forward to further expanding our reach in Europe and introducing our concept to new customers.”

 

Megan’s set to replace PizzaExpress in Wandsworth: London-based cafe and deli concept Megan’s is to increase its presence in the capital, with an opening in Wandsworth, Propel has learned. It will open a site in the ex-Pizza Express – Megan’s in the Tonsleys – in Wandsworth Old Town. Propel revealed earlier this month, the Sarah Hills-led company had secured the former Le Pain Quotidien site at 214 Chiswick High Road, for what will become Megan’s at the Flower Market. The new site will open on 3 May for outdoor dining. Propel also revealed in March that Megan’s was to convert a derelict 1930s cafe in the heart of Clapham Common into Terrace by Megan’s. That site opened in Rookery Road last month, offering an outdoor dining restaurant and takeaway deli serving all-day brunch, lunch, dinner and takeaway picnics. Megan’s is also understood to have applied to open a further site in Dulwich Village.

Wingstop CEO – we will apply some of the strategic thinking we’ve learned in Europe in the US: Charlie Morrison, chairman and chief executive of US chicken brand Wingstop, has said the company is applying some of the strategic thinking it has learned in Europe in the US. Speaking after the brand gave its first quarter update, he said in the future in the US, consumers could see “perhaps a high street location like we did in the UK, followed by a series of restaurants that surround that”. He said this could include alternative formats such as ghost kitchens. Wingstop operates 11 sites in the UK under a master agreement with Lemon Pepper Holdings, which is a mixture of restaurants and delivery kitchens. Earlier this week, it signed an agreement to open 100 sites in Canada over the next ten years. Talking to analysts, Morrison said: “A little over a year ago, we did a big strategic study globally to identify a few things. Number one, which markets fit the right archetype for us to go to aggressively develop in and which ones we should shy away from, and our efforts in markets like Canada, the UK and the work we’re doing in China to continue to prepare for expansion there. I’ll highlight what we talked about in Canada, which is the ability to have a premium positioning with a very high off-premise mix. That’s our sweet spot. And we know from our early indications in the UK and the great success we’re having there would lead to that. Now some of these markets where we are experiencing closures were markets that didn’t fit that mix perfectly. And so we’ve had some challenges. Larger restaurants that are sit-down oriented or are in markets where we don’t enjoy that premium price position have been the harder challenges for us, and that’s where we are experiencing some closures. But, for the most part, markets such as the UK, Mexico, our entry into Canada, further expansion in Europe and parts of south east Asia, where we enjoy that price premium, will be the markets that will stabilise and continue to grow for us long term.”

 

Domino’s Pizza reports global sales up 16.7% in first quarter: Domino’s Pizza has reported global sales increased 16.7% in its first quarter ending 28 March 2021. Like-for-like sales were up 13.4% in the US while the international division saw like-for-like sales grow 11.8%. The figures marked the 109th consecutive quarter of international like-for-like sales growth and the 40th consecutive quarter in the US. Total revenue in the quarter increased to $983.7m, compared with $873.1m the year before. The company added 175 net new stores during the period – 139 internationally and 36 in the US. Diluted earnings per share in the quarter were down 2.3% to $3.00. Chief executive Ritch Allison said: “It was a strong first quarter for the Domino’s brand, with balanced growth across all areas of our global business.”

 

PCA orders Star Pubs & Bars to cancel dilapidations charges for tenants seeking MRO, pub company also refunds £25,000: The pubs code adjudicator (PCA) has ordered Star Pubs & Bars to cancel charges for dilapidations to its tenants when seeking the market rent only (MRO) option – and pay back £25,000 of money previously taken. The PCA was concerned Star’s policy of informing all tied tenants who requested MRO they would be charged for a schedule of dilapidations would put licensees off doing so due to the upfront cost. It said requiring the tenant to pay for the schedule of dilapidations when requesting MRO could amount to a pub company subjecting them to detriment because they exercised Regulation 50 of the code, which protects tenants against this. The PCA raised concerns with Star about this approach and asked for the pub company’s justification for doing so. This resulted in Star – the pub arm of Heineken – changing its policy. The PCA then asked Star to review the cases in question and explain what steps it was going to take to rectify the situation for the tenants affected. Star made a refund totalling £25,460 to tenants. This was regardless of whether the tenant, ultimately, took the MRO option or not. However, Star only updated the change of policy information on its website in March 2021 so tenants may have read out of date information beforehand. Star acknowledged this failure and has updated its website. It has also asked any affected tenants to contact its pubs code team. 

YO! expands David Lloyd Leisure partnership: YO!, the multi-brand, multi-channel Japanese and Asian food group, has expanded its trial with David Lloyd Leisure Centres, and is now supplying clubs with pre-packaged sushi and salads. The expansion builds on the success of the trial and will see a specially designed range of YO! Food to Go pre-packaged sushi in David Lloyd Clubs, including YO! crispy salmon rolls, YO! chicken katsu bites and YO! vegan sushi. The rollout builds on the group’s growth across multiple retail channels. YO! Food to Go pre-packaged sushi is already available in 600 Sainsbury’s stores, 160 Co-op stores, and a trial partnership is also under way in WHSmith. The group’s Taiko brand is also available in Waitrose. Within the retail division, YO! also operates 52 YO! kiosks in Tesco stores under the YO! brand and 37 kiosks in Asda under the Panku brand. David Hampton, managing director of retail at YO!, said: “This is another important step in the diversification strategy and the expansion of our retail offer as we look to reach more customers by opening up new channels.”

 

Illycaffè opens site as part of Eataly London development: Premium Italian coffee company Illycaffè has opened a site as part of the Eataly London development in London’s Broadgate. Located on the ground floor of the 42,000 square foot venue, Gran Caffè Illy is a full-service Italian coffee bar, “inspired by the elegant cafes of Italy”. Alongside Illy classics such as the eponymous Italian espresso, there are specials such as Illy’s Cold Brew and the Marocchino, an espresso with hot chocolate, topped with frothed milk. The Gran Caffè Illy also offers all-day options created by the Eataly London chefs using high-quality ingredients from the market. The site will have extensive seating both indoors – which will open from Monday, 17 May – and outdoors on the terrace. Takeaway options are also available. Illycaffè chief executive Massimiliano Pogliani said: “We are glad to be partners of Eataly, with whom we share the same vision of promoting Made in Italy and high-quality, sustainable products in its first opening in London. We are sure the Gran Caffè Illy will represent an exciting hospitality experience on the London scene, bringing us even closer to our consumers in the UK, a very important market for our brand.” Illycaffè operates three other UK sites, two in London and one in Bristol.

 

Dalata reports €3.6m Ebitda loss in first quarter as UK occupancy falls to 13%: Irish hotel operator Dalata, which has a growing presence in the UK, made an Ebitda loss of €3.6m in the first quarter of the year as its occupancy levels fell to as low as 13% due to covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The company said it expected its hotels in the UK to reopen fully in the middle of May in line with the timetable set out by the government. In a statement ahead of the company’s annual general meeting, Dalata chairman John Hennessy said: “Since the start of January, our hotels have been closed to the general public, serving customers related to essential services only. For the first quarter of 2021, occupancies at our hotels were 14% in Dublin, 16% in regional Ireland and 13% in the UK. We continue to minimise the impact of lower revenues through proactive cost control and availing of government support.” The company had cash and undrawn debt facilities of €272m at the end of March. The cash outflow of €21m for the first quarter of 2021 was in line with expectations,” Hennessy said. He added the hotel group will continue to progress its development pipeline of close to 3,300 bedrooms and expects to open three new hotels before the end of this year. Goodbody leisure analyst Paul Ruddy said: “Importantly, the group continues to do an excellent job in managing Ebitda losses, helped by government supports. The liquidity position is strong ahead of reopening.” Dalata recently announced Dermot Crowley would succeed co-founder Pat McCann as chief executive, with Carol Phelan to become group chief financial officer. Dalata operates the Clayton and Maldron brands.

 

Sector food supplier bought out of administration: Serious Food, which supplies high-quality ingredients to the hotel and restaurant industry, has been bought out of administration. Established ten years ago, Serious Food experienced cash flow challenges due to the pandemic, which initially led to a company voluntary arrangement. When contributions could not be met, ReSolve was appointed as administrator. The business and certain assets have been sold to First Choice Produce, a purveyor of speciality fine foods to Michelin star and fine dining restaurants as well as casual dining and event catering establishments, securing the future of all employees. First Choice Produce chief executive Dan McCullough said: “We are pleased to have acquired Serious Foods because it is complementary to our existing business and enables us to increase our warehousing and distribution capabilities to meet the increased demand we forecast once this lockdown period ends.”

PPHE ‘encouraged by early consumer demand for outdoor hospitality offerings and increased level of bookings’: Hotel company PPHE, which owns the Park Plaza brand, has said it has been “encouraged by the early consumer demand for its outdoor hospitality offerings at some of its hotels and the increased levels of enquiries and bookings, generally, across both leisure and meeting segments”. The company said total revenue in the first three months of 2021 had dropped 89.6% to £5.3m, due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus restrictions. However, PPHE said it expects demand to bounce back when restrictions on tourism are lifted. The hotel group said there had been “strong demand” from leisure guests when lockdowns were eased last summer, resulting in “market outperformance” at its flagship London and Amsterdam venues. “The group anticipates a similar rapid return of domestic and international demand as travel restrictions are eased and hospitality reopens across its operating markets,” PPHE said. Chief executive Boris Ivesha said: “The first quarter results of the financial year were in line with the board’s expectations, with performance subdued due to property closures and restricted capacities and against a strong year-on-year comparative. As restrictions are eased across our operating markets in Europe, we will capitalise on consumer demand and other potential opportunities, underpinned by our strong track record, well-invested properties, and unique approach to drive long-term success.”

WatchHouse head of marketing to launch UK’s first travelling concept grocery store: Nicole Compen, head of marketing at Edition Capital-backed coffee concept WatchHouse, is to launch the UK’s first travelling concept grocery store. Raye aims to support innovative food, drink and wellness brands “to elevate their reach and boost brand awareness” by putting their products in front of shoppers and also media, buyers of larger retail stores and investors. Compen is planning to launch the concept by opening a ten-day pop-up grocery shop in east London at the end of May or start of June and is looking for a space in Spitalfields or Shoreditch to do so. Raye will showcase 200-plus products from more than 50 innovative food, drink, and wellness brands. The brands, 80% of which are vegan and 90% are from the UK, have been chosen for their values – “well designed and well intentioned, with health, use of natural ingredients and sustainability at its core”. She said: “The way we shop is constantly changing. We are discovering new brands digitally and now more than ever care about the story, quality, and look of products. With shoppers looking for an experience, Raye brings to life a unique discovery space. By showcasing like-minded brands and practicing cross-marketing activities we are set to elevate amazing brands, inspire and educate.”