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Sunday 31st January 2021
UKHospitality calls for VAT and rates support after worst year on record
UKHospitality calls for VAT and rates support after worst year on record: The worst year of trading on record has left enormous swathes of the hospitality sector on the verge of collapse, UKHospitality has warned. Businesses urgently require f … view
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Friday 29th January 2021
Exclusive – Byng to take the reins at Flat Iron
Exclusive – Byng to take the reins at Flat Iron: Tom Byng, the founder of Byron, is to become chief executive of Flat Iron, the eight-strong steak concept, backed by Piper Private Equity, Propel has learned. Byng, who has been an invest … view
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Friday 29th January 2021
Marston’s receives unsolicited offer
Marston’s receives unsolicited offer: Marston’s has confirmed it has received an unsolicited offer for the company. It follows speculation that an offer had been received after the company’s share price shot up by 25% at one point on Fri … view
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Friday 29th January 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Four themes operators must adapt to, you say it best when you say nothing at all, needs of the sector are disparate, four ways loyalty schemes will change in 2021, plan your digital return
Authors: Graeme Smith, Mar … view
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Friday 29th January 2021
Update: McDonald’s, Eat Out to Help Out, re-opening, Wales lockdown
McDonald’s reports like-for-like sales growth since August in the UK, 20% of sales were delivery: McDonald’s has reported that its like-for-like sales in the UK have been positive since August last year despite the imposition of restr … view
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Friday 29th January 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Scottish government’s Budget ‘provides platform upon which hospitality can build if chancellor steps up and delivers’: The Scottish government’s Budget “provides a platform upon which hospitality can build” – if the chancell … view
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Thursday 28th January 2021
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes down 1.3% in fourth quarter, UK business sees positive growth
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes down 1.3% in fourth quarter, UK business sees positive growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were down 1.3% in its fourth quarter ending 31 December 2020 – but the UK business saw … view
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Thursday 28th January 2021
Update: Oakman, re-opeming, PPHE, Britvic, Fever-Tree and Diageo
Oakman Inns reports ‘substantial pipeline of sites’: Oakman Inns and Restaurants has reported it has a ‘substantial pipeline of sites ready for development during 2021’. It stated: “In addition to existing sites in Buckingham, W … view
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Thursday 28th January 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
UKHospitality vows to work with government on sector reopening as PM hints at March lifting of lockdown: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has vowed to work with the government to safely reopen hospitality after prime minister B … view
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Thursday 28th January 2021
Sector sales ‘fell by £200m per day’ in 2020, financial package vital to save businesses and jobs
Sector sales ‘fell by £200m per day’ in 2020, financial package vital to save businesses and jobs: Pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels lost almost £200m per day during 2020 as sales collapsed from £133.5bn in 2019 to £61.7bn in 2020, ac … view
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Wednesday 27th January 2021
JDW founder Tim Martin sell shares worth £50,255,000, takes stake down to 21.88%
JDW founder Tim Martin sell shares worth £50,255,000, takes stake down to 21.88%: JD Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has sold shares in the company worth £50,255,000, believed to be the largest share sale he has ever undertaken in the co … view
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Wednesday 27th January 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Christie & Co – expect deal activity in sector to ramp up imminently, pub prices fall 6.4%: Stephen Owens, managing director of pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, has told Propel he expects deal activity in the sector to ramp up imm … view
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Tuesday 26th January 2021
Exclusive: Newly formed pub investment vehicle acquires majority stake in Red Mist Leisure
Exclusive – newly formed pub investment vehicle acquires majority stake in Red Mist Leisure: Red Lion Holdings (RLH), a newly formed pub investment vehicle led by ex-Busaba chief executive Jason Myers and sector investor David Ramsay, has ac … view
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Tuesday 26th January 2021
City Pub Group – cash burn reduced to £300,000 per month, ample liquidity
City Pub Group – cash burn reduced to £300,000 per month, ample liquidity: The City Pub Group, the owner and operator of 48 premium pubs across southern England and Wales and a further four development sites, has reported its cash burn … view
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Tuesday 26th January 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Deliveroo – 85% of customers set to order delivery more often or the same than they did before pandemic: Deliveroo has launched a new report that found more than eight in ten (85%) of its customers are set to order delivery more often o … view
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Monday 25th January 2021
Michelin awards new stars for 2021
Michelin awards new stars for 2021: There have been 22 new stars awarded in the 2021 Michelin Guide. Inspectors awarded two new three-Michelin star, three new two-Michelin stars and 17 new one-Michelin stars. This year’s stars were revealed … view
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Monday 25th January 2021
Mercato Metropolitano unveils £35m global expansion
Mercato Metropolitano unveils £35m global expansion: London-community food market Mercato Metropolitano has unveiled plans for a £35m expansion into Europe and the US, with ten more markets creating 2,000 jobs, including three new Lon … view
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Monday 25th January 2021
Merca Metropolitano unveils £35m expansion
Merca Metropolitano unveils £35m expansion: London-based community food market Mercato Metropolitano has unveiled plans for a £35m expansion into Europe and the US, with ten more markets creating 2,000 jobs, including three new London sites. … view
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Monday 25th January 2021
Update: Halfway house lockdown, Y0! secures £13m
Britain faces three-month ‘halfway house’ lockdown after Easter as over-50s wait for second vaccine: Britain faces a three-month lockdown ‘halfway house’ after Easter, with a full reopening delayed until all over-50s have had thei … view
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Monday 25th January 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
Reilley – unhelpful speculation could easily send sector in an unrecoverable tailspin: Loungers chairman Alex Reilley has warned the government that hospitality is in a perilous position and unhelpful speculation could “easily send th … view
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Friday 22nd January 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The long covid society, discovering the next pub model, take out to help out
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Amber Staynings
 

The long covid society by Paul Chase

Over the past te … view
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Friday 22nd January 2021
Update: White Rabbit, Cineworld, Mick Norcross, TRG
White Rabbit Projects signs F&B partnership with US firm Graduate Hotels: White Rabbit Projects, the Chris Miller-led business, has signed a partnership agreement with US firm Graduate Hotels to develop and operate a range of restaurants, … view
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Friday 22nd January 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Kate Nicholls – ‘very little hospitality industry left’ if government waits until May before reopening economy: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has warned there will be “very little of the industry left” if the gover … view
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Friday 22nd January 2021
UKHospitality – loss of 6,000 licensed premises in 2020 will be ‘tip of the iceberg if we continue on current course’
Loss of almost 6,000 licensed premises in 2020 will be ‘tip of the iceberg if we continue on current course’, warns UKHospitality: The number of licensed premises fell by a net figure of almost 6,000 in 2020 – a 5.1% contraction of … view
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Thursday 21st January 2021
Update: Furlough, distressed firms, Ten Entertainment, NewRiver Retail
Chancellor considers furlough extension and revival of job retention bonus in Budget: Chancellor Rishi Sunak is weighing up another extension of the government’s furlough scheme as part of plans to support the UK’s covid-hit jobs mark … view
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Thursday 21st January 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Operator behind Richoux, Villagio and The Broadwick brands placed into administration: Dining Street, the company behind the Richoux, Friendly Phil’s, Villagio and The Broadwick restaurant brands, has been placed into administration, Pr … view
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Wednesday 20th January 2021
Update: JD Wetherspoon eyes London buys, UKHospitality, leasing system
JD Wetherspoon eyes London acquisitions with new funds: JD Wetherspoon’s share placing of 8.37m new shares has raised £93.7m and will allow the company to take advantage of property opportunities thrown up by the pandemic. It stated: … view
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Wednesday 20th January 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Kate Nicholls – governments need to provide clear exit strategy from economic restrictions linked to vaccination of most vulnerable: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has said governments need to provide a clear exit strategy … view
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Tuesday 19th January 2021
JD Wetherspoon to raise as much as £93.7m through further placing, burning £4.1m a week in closure
JD Wetherspoon to raise as much as £93.7m through further placing, burning £4.1m a week in closure: JD Wetherspoon is to raise a further £92.1m to £93.7m through a placing of new ordinary shares of £0.02 each in the capital of the co … view
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Tuesday 19th January 2021
Rooney Anand raises £200m to invest in pub sector
Rooney Anand raises £200m to invest in pub sector: Rooney Anand, the former chief executive of brewer and retailer Greene King, has raised £200m to invest in Britain’s ailing pub industry, betting on the prospects of a post-pandemic r … view
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Tuesday 19th January 2021
Update: Karen Jones, call for immediate £7.6bn injection
Karen Jones sole hospitality sector representative on government’s new Business Council: Karen Jones, current chair of Prezzo, Hawksmoor and Mowgli, has been appointed as the sole hospitality sector representative on the government’s … view
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Tuesday 19th January 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Hawthorn Leisure founders and ex-Ei Group director to launch new pub company: Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty, who co-founded Hawthorn Leisure, are teaming up with James Croft, ex-group strategy and retail director at Ei Group, to launch a … view
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Monday 18th January 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
Alex Reilley – let’s give the entrepreneurs and job creators of the future one last shot of support: Loungers chairman Alex Reilley has called on the government to give the entrepreneurs and job creators of the future one last shot of … view
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Friday 15th January 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The importance of London restaurants to the world, it’s not just reopening that needs planning, rent negotiations 
Authors: Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott, Cameron Gunn
 

The importance of Lond … view

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Friday 15th January 2021
Supreme Court rejects insurers’ claims in landmark business insurance case
Supreme Court rejects insurers’ claims in landmark business insurance case: The UK Supreme Court has upheld the judgment on the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) business interruption insurance test case. The ruling appears set to force … view
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Friday 15th January 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Britain’s managed pub and restaurant sales drop 72.6% in December: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw total sales drop 72.6% over the festive season, in what should have been the sector’s busiest trading period of the y … view
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Friday 15th January 2021
Britain’s managed pub and restaurant sales drop 72.6% in December
Britain’s managed pub and restaurant sales drop 72.6% in December: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw total sales drop 72.6% over the festive season, in what should have been the sector’s busiest trading period of the year, … view
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Thursday 14th January 2021
Update: PizzaExpress, Whitbread, Deliveroo, and Just Eat
PizzaExpress fell to £350m loss even before pandemic: PizzaExpress reported a £350m loss even before the pandemic restrictions impacted the businesses. In its accounts for 2019, the chain also warned that the coronavirus crisis had “a … view
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Thursday 14th January 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Marks – ‘government has acted like a triage department’, company looking at growth opportunities: Peter Marks, chief executive of Rekom UK, formerly Deltic Group, has accused the government of acting like a hospital triage departmen … view
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Wednesday 13th January 2021
Legal Briefing

An industry ready to serve by Christopher Grunert

Monday, 4 January 2021, served to be the first working day of the year for many people. Children returned to school and the welcome relief of a new year kicked things into swing. Hope, op … view
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Wednesday 13th January 2021
More than £300m a month would be wiped from Britain’s takeaway trade if rest of UK follows Scotland’s lead and bans click and collect
More than £300m a month would be wiped from Britain’s takeaway trade if rest of UK follows Scotland’s lead and bans click and collect: More than £300m a month would be wiped from Britain’s takeaway trade if the rest of the UK foll … view
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Wednesday 13th January 2021
Update: Nightcap listed on AIM, Just Eat order growth
Nightcap to begin trading on AIM today: Bar company Nightcap will begin trading today on AIM. Upon Admission, Nightcap will acquire the London Cocktail Club for an initial consideration of £5.7 million. The initial consideration is being … view
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Wednesday 13th January 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
US restaurants and bars able to apply for loans that convert to grants under revamped Paycheck Protection Programme: US restaurants and bars are able to apply for loans that will convert into grants under the revamped Paycheck Protection … view
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Tuesday 12th January 2021
Leon sets out post CVA forecasts, promotes Burford to CFO
Leon sets out post-CVA forecasts, promotes Burford to CFO: Natural fast food brand Leon, which received approval for its company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposals last month, has promoted Chris Burford to chief financial officer, as it set … view
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Tuesday 12th January 2021
Update: Byron, McDonald’s, click and collect
Byron paying all rents in full, as it changes its whole supply chain and closes in on six new sites: Simon Wilkinson chief executive of Byron, which was acquired via pre-pack administration by investment vehicle Calveton UK under newly fo … view
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Tuesday 12th January 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
MPs rally behind industry's calls for further financial help as they support dedicated hospitality minister petition: MPs across the political spectrum have backed sector calls for an extension of the VAT cut and the business rates holida … view
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Monday 11th January 2021
Update: TGI Fridays, Wing Wing, Hogs Back Brewery
Electra Partners to sell TGI Fridays this year: The Times has reported that the private equity owner of TGI Fridays in the UK plans to put the bar and restaurant chain up for sale this year as it winds down its portfolio. The Times report … view
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Monday 11th January 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
Leading chefs and 200,000-plus more back hospitality ahead of vital debate in parliament: TV chef Angela Hartnett is spearheading a new campaign to help champion millions of hospitality workers hard hit by the pandemic. Alongside fellow c … view
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Friday 8th January 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Why lockdowns don’t work, opportunities await those that make it through, delivering more 
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Toph Ford

Why lockdowns don’t work by Paul Chase

view
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Friday 8th January 2021
Update: Patisserie Valerie, Marston’s, Pony & Trap
Patisserie Valerie liquidators sue Grant Thornton for £200m: The liquidators of Patisserie Valerie are suing auditors Grant Thornton for £200 million for its role in its collapse. Liquidator FRP Advisory has launched a claim against the … view
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Friday 8th January 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Scottish Hospitality Group says ‘worst December trading in living memory’ will hit sector until 2022, trade down 80%: The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) has said the “worst December trading in living memory” will continue to hit … view
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Thursday 7th January 2021
Update: Deltic sold for £10m, M&B possible equity raise, Oakman
Deltic sold out of administration for £10m: Nightclub company Deltic Group was sold out of administration to Scandinavian company Rekom Group for £10m, an administrator’s report has stated. Rekom bought 44 venues out of its 55 sites. … view
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Thursday 7th January 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
UKHospitality urges members to email their MP for ‘targeted support measures’ ahead of debate: UKHospitality has urged its members to write to their MP to demand “a package of targeted support measures” ahead of a Westminster … view
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Wednesday 6th January 2021
Update: Greggs, £9,000 grant, Deliveroo and McDonald’s
Greggs – it will be 2022 at the earliest before profits return to pre-covid levels, loses up to £15m in 2020: Greggs has reported its total 2020 sales were £811m (2019: £1,168m). Fourth quarter company-managed shop like-for-like sale … view
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Wednesday 6th January 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Borg-Neal – Five key steps needed to ensure that hospitality can play a lead part in a post-covid economic recovery: Peter Borg-Neal, founder and chairman of Oakman Inns, has set out the five key steps that are needed to ensure that hos … view
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Tuesday 5th January 2021
Brains Cardiff brewery faces redundancies, Marston’s sealed deal to run pubs in three weeks
Brains Cardiff brewery faces redundancies, Marston’s sealed deal to run pubs in three weeks: The future of iconic Welsh beer Brains Cardiff brewery is in doubt. According to ITV News, no buyer has yet been found for the brewery and a consult … view
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Tuesday 5th January 2021
New one-off grants of £9,000, drive-thru spend up 45%
Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils one-off grants of up to £9,000 for struggling firms: Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help busine … view
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Tuesday 5th January 2021
Pubs and restaurants banned from serving takeaway pints in latest lockdown
Pubs and restaurants banned from serving takeaway pints in latest lockdown: Pubs and restaurants have been banned from selling takeaway alcohol under the latest lockdown rules announced by the prime minister last night. All restaurants, p … view
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Tuesday 5th January 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Douglas Jack – many private companies could run out of liquidity in the Spring: Peel Hunt leisure analyst Douglas Jack has forecast Quarter One of 2021 will be liquidity crunch time for many private companies. In a note, he stated: “W … view
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Monday 4th January 2021
UKHospitality calls for roadmap to recovery and pledges support for vaccine roll-out
UKHospitality calls for roadmap to recovery and pledges support for vaccine roll-out: Following respective statements strengthening covid restrictions in England and Scotland, UKHospitality has called for a road map to recovery and has co … view
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Monday 4th January 2021
Update: Vaccination centres, Caffe Nero, Dermot King and Soho House
Operators offer up premises as vaccination centres: Sector operators, including BrewDog and Loungers, have offered up their sites for use with the roll-out of the covid-19 vaccine. Chief executive and co-founder of BrewDog James Watt twee … view
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