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Saturday 30th May 2020
Pret appoints advisors for ‘comprehensive transformation plan’
Pret appoints advisors for ‘comprehensive transformation plan’: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-owned business, has appointed advisors as it looks to undertake a “comprehensive transformation plan”, which could it see it push to change … view
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Friday 29th May 2020
Chancellor reveals new furlough arrangements, but no hospitality concessions
Chancellor reveals new furlough arrangements, but no hospitality concessions: Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the extension of the flexible furlough option to the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but confirmed employers ac … view
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Friday 29th May 2020
Government tries to break rent stalemate with new code of practice
Government tries to break rent stalemate with new code of practice: The government is working with businesses and trade associations to publish a code of practice to provide them with clarity and reassurance over rent payments. It said th … view
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Friday 29th May 2020
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The road to reopening, the hypocrisy police and countering contradictions with common sense 
Authors: Adam Jones, Paul Chase and Ted Schama 

The road to reopening by Adam Jones 

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Friday 29th May 2020
Exclusive: Casual Dining Group launches accelerated sales process after approaches
Exclusive – Casual Dining Group launches accelerated sales process after approaches: Casual Dining Group (CDG), the Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas operator, has launched an accelerated sales process after receiving multiple e … view
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Friday 29th May 2020
Propel Friday News Briefing
Tattu shares reopening planning document to help other operators: Contemporary Chinese restaurant group Tattu has shared its standard operating procedure (SOP) for how the business is adapting and planning to reopen to help other operator … view
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Thursday 28th May 2020
Propel Thursday News Briefing
McDonald’s accelerates UK reopening plans, only releasing locations on the day to manage anticipated demand: McDonald’s is to accelerate its reopening plans across the UK and Ireland. The company, which has so far reopened 44 of its r … view
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Wednesday 27th May 2020
UKHospitality launches alliance to secure government support for sector suppliers
UKHospitality launches alliance to secure government support for sector suppliers: UKHospitality has launched a new lobbying group to push for government support to help hospitality supplier businesses. The Supplier Alliance will provide … view
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Wednesday 27th May 2020
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Gilkes – stimulus from the government is needed to get us going again: Charlie Gilkes, co-founder of Inception Group, which owns and operates concepts including Cahoots and Mr Foggs, has said a stimulus element to the government’s sup … view
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Tuesday 26th May 2020
Revolution extends debt facility with NatWest
Revolution extends debt facility with NatWest: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of 74 premium bars, trading under the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, has extended its debt facilities, to provide ‘sufficient liquidity for t … view
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Tuesday 26th May 2020
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Draft House founder launches campaign to promote pubs post-lock-down: Charlie McVeigh, the founder of Draft House, has launched a campaign under the banner Project Pint, which he hopes will remind people the important and positive role pu … view
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Friday 22nd May 2020
Marston's and Carlsberg UK form joint venture business
Marston's and Carlsberg UK form joint venture business: Marston’s and Carlsberg UK have formed a joint venture partnership, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC), to create a “best in class, brand-led UK brewer of scale”. The deal … view
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Friday 22nd May 2020
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Maintaining morale from a working from home set-up, thank you, six weeks to go with any luck and how technology can help you reopen your restaurant  
Authors: Adam Keary, Ann Elliott, Alastair Scott and Nick Popovi … view
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Friday 22nd May 2020
JD Wetherspoon to invest initial £11m as it sets out guidelines for when pubs reopen
JD Wetherspoon to invest initial £11m as it sets out guidelines for when pubs reopen: JD Wetherspoon is to invest an initial £11m to ensure its staff and customers are safe before its pubs reopen. Social distancing measures will result in th … view
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Friday 22nd May 2020
Boparan buys 30 Carluccio’s sites for circa £3m
Boparan buys 30 Carluccio’s sites for circa £3m: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has completed the acquisition of the Carluccio’s brand and 30 trading sites saving over 800 jobs. The company already operates Cinnamon, Fishworks, Slim … view
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Friday 22nd May 2020
Propel Friday News Briefing
UKHospitality warns Scottish reopening plan will lead to business failures: UKHospitality has warned the Scottish government’s plan for restarting the economy in Scotland is likely to result in business failures and lost jobs. The plan … view
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Thursday 21st May 2020
Greene King announces 90% rent reduction for tied tenants
Greene King announces 90% rent reduction for tied tenants: Brewer and retailer Greene King has announced a multimillion-pound investment in the next wave of financial support for its tied tenants to help them through the coronavirus crisi … view
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Thursday 21st May 2020
Whitbread launches £1bn rights issue, assuming UK hotels closed or at low occupancy until September
Whitbread launches £1bn rights issue, assuming UK hotels closed or at low occupancy until September: Whitbread has launched a rights issue to raise £1bn. The company said its UK hotels are ready to open when the government advises … view
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Thursday 21st May 2020
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Morris – delivery kitchens have moved high up the agenda: Richard Morris, chief executive of Tortilla, the Quilvest-backed fast-casual Mexican concept, has said opening more delivery kitchens has “moved high up on the agenda” for th … view
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Wednesday 20th May 2020
Government introduces new legislation to give tenants and company directors further breathing space
Government introduces new legislation to give tenants and company directors further breathing space: The government has introduced new legislation to give businesses further breathing space – and stop tenants being evicted over unpaid rent. … view
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Wednesday 20th May 2020
Caffè Nero launches delivery service for first time
Caffè Nero launches delivery service for first time: Caffè Nero has partnered with UberEats to offer a delivery service for the first time as it responds to demand from customers for its coffee. The exclusive partnership with UberEats m … view
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Wednesday 20th May 2020
Update: UKHospitality unveils proposed covid secure guidelines, pub beer gardens could reopen in July
UKHospitality unveils proposed covid secure guidelines for sector to government to help industry restart: Condiments would be removed from tables and drinkers stopped from jostling at the bar under plans aimed at allowing hospitality firm … view
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Wednesday 20th May 2020
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
UKHospitality launches campaign calling on governments to be fair to industry and support sector’s roadmap to restart: Governments in Westminster, Holyrood and Cardiff must invest in a fair and timely return for hospitality this summer, … view
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Wednesday 20th May 2020
UKHospitality launches campaign calling on governments to be fair to industry
UKHospitality launches campaign calling on governments to be fair to industry and support sector’s roadmap to restart: Governments in Westminster, Holyrood and Cardiff must invest in a fair and timely return for hospitality this summer, … view
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Tuesday 19th May 2020
Wagamama to reopen up to half its estate for delivery and takeout
Wagamama to reopen up to half its estate for delivery and takeout: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, is to reopen up to 67 sites for delivery and takeout by the end of June. Following successful trials of delivery in London and Leeds … view
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Tuesday 19th May 2020
Update: PizzaExpress, Compass Group, hotels
PizzaExpress to begin reopening sites for delivery only: PizzaExpress, the Hony Capital-backed chain, is to begin reopening a select number of sites for delivery only. Propel understands that the Zoe Bowley-led brand will open 13 restaura … view
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Tuesday 19th May 2020
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Roger Wade – we need to find a middle ground on rent: Roger Wade, chief executive and founder of Boxpark, has called on the industry and landlords to find a “middle ground” on the issue of rent. Speaking as part of Propel’s naviga … view
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Monday 18th May 2020
Opinion Special: Luke Johnson's love letter to the sector

A love letter to the sector by Luke Johnson

On official forms, where it asks my profession, I put rather pretentiously, “restaurateur”. I have been involved in starting and backing businesses in dozens of industries, but restaurants … view
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Monday 18th May 2020
CDG prepares for financial restructure
CDG prepares for financial restructure: Casual Dining Group (CDG), the Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas operator, is preparing for a financial restructure as it looks to safeguard its future. The company, which employs about 6,000 peo … view
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Monday 18th May 2020
Propel Monday News Briefing
Brasserie Bar Co chair puts forward proposal to kick-start sector: Mark Derry, executive chairman of Brasserie Bar Co, has put forward an alternative proposal to kick-start the post-lock-down restaurant and pub industry based around the i … view
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Sunday 17th May 2020
UKHospitality calls for far-reaching government action on rent to protect millions of sector jobs
UKHospitality calls for far-reaching government action on rent to protect millions of sector jobs: UKHospitality has written to the government urging it to intervene and broker a solution that solves the current stalemate on rent in the s … view
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Friday 15th May 2020
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The most dangerous phrase in politics, an open letter to hospitality leaders, making more money from your marketing and the hospitality sector needs room to breathe 
Authors: Paul Chase, Barak Peled, Victoria Searl … view
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Friday 15th May 2020
Propel Friday News Briefing
Piano Works founder launches campaign to transform public spaces into al fresco dining areas: Alan Lorrimer, founder of dining, drinking and live music concept The Piano Works, is calling on operators nationwide to support the #UKGrandOut … view
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Thursday 14th May 2020
Marston’s agrees £70m of extra liquidity, scraps dividends for 2020
Marston’s agrees £70m of extra liquidity, scraps dividends for 2020: Brewer and retailer Marston’s has scraped its dividends for 2020 and agreed £70m of extra liquidity. The company stated: “We continue to take a highly prudent ap … view
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Thursday 14th May 2020
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Greene King launches delivery and takeaway offer: Brewer and retailer Greene King is to launch a delivery and takeaway service through its Metropolitan Pub Company division in London, Propel has learned. From next Friday (22 May), 29 of t … view
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Wednesday 13th May 2020
Legal Briefing

Trading spaces by Michelle Hazlewood

As a sector, hospitality is incredibly creative and dynamic. Our businesses have a long-standing track record of evolving and innovating so as to keep attracting customers into their venues. When the … view
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Wednesday 13th May 2020
Opinion Special: A bridge over troubled waters by Propel insights editor Mark Wingett

A bridge over troubled waters by Propel insights editor Mark Wingett

Having been befuddled by Boris on Sunday, the UK’s hospitality sector has once again been reassured by Rishi. Of course, the devil will be in the detail later this mo … view
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Wednesday 13th May 2020
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Pret UK MD – ‘it is critical that businesses share what is and what isn’t working’: Clare Clough, UK managing director of Pret A Manger, has said it is critical for the sector that people share what is working and not working, and … view
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Tuesday 12th May 2020
Furlough scheme extended, Subway and Caffe Nero reopenings, Andre Johnstone joins Qoot as operating partner
Government extends furlough scheme until October: The government has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for four months, until the end of October. The scheme, which sees the government pay 80% of furloughed workers’ wages – … view
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Tuesday 12th May 2020
Loungers to launch trial takeaway service across selected sites
Loungers to launch trial takeaway service across selected sites: Cafe bar operator Loungers is trial a takeaway service across six of sites this week, Propel has learned. The AIM-list, circa 170-strong operator launched the takeaway trial … view
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Tuesday 12th May 2020
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Neame – VAT payment needs to be retrospectively cancelled: Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Kent-based brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame, has suggested retrospectively cancelling the VAT payment for the quarter to March 2020, in orde … view
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Monday 11th May 2020
Opinion Special: NPD Group – deals, delivery and technology to be the ‘new normal’

Expect to see deals, delivery and technology as part of the ‘new normal’ by Dominic Allport

During February 2020 the British restaurant industry, along with the wider economy, was showing tentative signs of growth. It seems like a li … view
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Monday 11th May 2020
Sector gives mixed response to Boris Johnson’s re-opening plan
Sector gives mixed response to Boris Johnson’s re-opening plan: The sector has given a mixed response to PM Boris Johnson’s plan to re-open the UK economy, which suggested “at least some” of the hospitality sector might be ab … view
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Monday 11th May 2020
Propel Monday News Briefing
Chopstix exploring dark kitchen franchise model: Jon Lake, managing director of Chopstix, has said the pan-Asian quick service restaurant concept is exploring the opportunity of launching a dark kitchen franchise model. Speaking as part o … view
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Thursday 7th May 2020
Update: Corbin & King, BrewDog, Pret, Marston's, BBLs et al
Corbin & King launches advanced dining voucher scheme to support staff and ‘keep redundancies to a minimum’: London restaurant operator Corbin & King is launching an initiative to support its staff and “keep redundancies to a minimu … view
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Thursday 7th May 2020
Update: Cafes opening, consumer attitudes, BrewDog, Fuller’s
Health secretary: Cafes with outside spaces could reopen over the summer: Health secretary Matt Hancock has opened up the possibility that outside spaces at cafes, restaurants and pubs could be allowed to reopen over the summer. Hancock w … view
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Thursday 7th May 2020
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Stonegate MD – biggest challenge has been looking after our people ‘without putting a nail in the coffin of the business’: Stonegate Pub Company managing director Helen Charlesworth has said the biggest challenge has been looking … view
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
Only a third of sector bosses expect to eventually reopen all sites
Only a third of sector bosses expect to eventually reopen all sites: Only about a third (36%) of sector bosses believe they will eventually reopen all their sites for trading, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey. Another third a … view
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
Update: Chancellor, M&S, Hammerson, Burger King
Chancellor to “wean” businesses off furlough scheme sector by sector: Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to “wean” businesses and workers off the government’s furloughing scheme by cutting wage subsidies amid concerns that the … view
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Wednesday 6th May 2020
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Jeremy King – ‘social distancing in a restaurant is impossible and implausible’: Corbin & King co-founder Jeremy King has said “social distancing in a restaurant is impossible and implausible”. King, who with Chris Corbin, opera … view
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Tuesday 5th May 2020
Update: Furlough scheme, Steve Easterbrook, coronavirus impact
Chancellor: There will be no ‘cliff-edge’ cut off for furlough scheme: The chancellor Rishi Sunak has said that he is preparing to phase out the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) as the economy begins to unlock, but promised no ‘cliff edge … view
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Tuesday 5th May 2020
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
O’Riordan – businesses need to get ‘match fit’: Jane O’Riordan, chair of Caravan, Flight Club and Turtle Bay, has said businesses need to think about what happens when they come off government support and how they can be “matc … view
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Monday 4th May 2020
Propel Monday News Briefing
Azzurri CEO – we will need to re-educate customers that restaurants and pubs are safe: Steve Holmes, chief executive of the Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama operator, has said the government and the sector will nee … view
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Sunday 3rd May 2020
Azzurri Group appoints advisors to help navigate coronavirus crisis
Azzurri Group appoints advisors to help navigate coronavirus crisis: Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama operator, has become the latest sector operator to appoint advisors as it seeks to navigate its way through the lo … view
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Saturday 2nd May 2020
Auction for Byron to start this week
Auction for Byron to start this week: Byron, the UK casual dinner burger chain, is understood to have instructed KPMG to explore a sale of the business by way of an auction this coming week. It is understood KPMG will be targeting a range … view
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Friday 1st May 2020
Update: Prezzo, CGA survey, McDonald's, pub beer sales plummet and insurance intervention
Prezzo appoints advisors: Prezzo, the Karen Jones-led chain, has appointed advisors to consider its post-coronavirus funding options. Sky News reported Prezzo has appointed FRP Advisory, which is currently acting as administrator to Carlu … view
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Friday 1st May 2020
Friday Opinion
Subjects: CBILS – the story so far, it’s good to talk, understanding the cost of our complexity will be part of survival, cutting discount dependence and supporting your team
Authors: Emma Maile, Nick Griffin, David Read, … view
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Friday 1st May 2020
Exclusive: Ex-Jamie’s CEO joins TRG as MD of Leisure & Concessions
Exclusive: Ex-Jamie’s CEO joins TRG as MD of Leisure & Concessions: Jon Knight, the ex-chief executive of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, has joined The Restaurant Group (TRG) in the newly created role of managing director – Leisure & … view
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Friday 1st May 2020
Propel Friday News Briefing
Loungers CEO – this is an opportunity to assess how we can evolve: Nick Collins, chief executive of cafe bar operator Loungers, has told Propel the current lock-down provides the circa 170-strong business with an opportunity to see how … view
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