Comprehensive package of support needed immediately to avoid ‘catastrophic failure’ of hospitality sector: The government must deliver far more wide-reaching support, tailored specifically to hospitality businesses to avoid a “catastrophic failure” of the sector, according to sector trade associations. They have written to business minister Paul Scully, calling for more comprehensive, sector-specific support. Without that support, the letter states, hundreds of thousands of jobs are on the brink of being lost. UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping and the British Beer & Pub Association have called for an immediate revamp of the support on offer, citing underwhelming feedback from businesses who fear the current support will not prevent their failure. The letter also emphasised hospitality companies are now being asked to operate under additional restrictions that are unsustainable for many businesses. The letter called for an overhaul of the Jobs Support Scheme whereby employers guarantee one third minimum hours, paying staff for those hours and paying for any hours worked on top of this with the government’s subsidy to be increased to a maximum of 44%, making up the difference in full; the introduction of lock-down grants based on an agreed percentage of turnover up to an agreed maximum cap amount payable per week for the duration of any local or national lock-down; an extension of the business rates holiday; extension of the VAT cut to boost productivity and competitiveness, and to support consumer confidence; and a rent debt proposal as a matter of urgency, including both a package of fiscal and non-fiscal interventions to address rising rent debt that is “increasingly unsustainable”. In a joint statement, the trade bodies said: “The unfortunate reality is the measures announced last week to support our sector do not go far enough. Revenues are tumbling, one-fifth of businesses are still closed and more than half a million redundancies are now expected. The outlook for the future is overwhelmingly miserable, but it will be even worse if we do not get further support. We desperately need a comprehensive package of sector-specific support to see us through the winter. We have been devastated to an extent that no other sector has and now we are being asked to operate within a set of new restrictions. The government must recognise this and ensure the support goes further.”

 

Sector training awards open for entries, three new categories for 2020: The National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs), run by the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), is open for entries – with three new categories added for 2020. The event, organised in partnership with Propel, highlights individuals and businesses in the sector who put their people first. Recent challenges surrounding the support and retention of hospitality teams through the pandemic have hugely increased the focus on well-being as a unique and important part of their development. The BII said, therefore, the NITAs this year will be a platform to recognise not only those who have continued with their existing training programmes, but also those who have developed and created new ways to support their staff and colleagues, despite the unprecedented challenges facing them. Three new categories have been added this year – The BII Heart of the Community Award; Staff Wellbeing Award; and Hospitality Support Programme Award. They join the other categories of Best Managed Training Programme Companies under 50 outlets; Best Managed Training Programme Companies 50 outlets and over; Best Training Programme – Leased & Tenanted Companies; Best Apprenticeship Training Programme; Best Individual Operator Training Programme; Training Professional of the Year; HR Manager of the Year; and the Franca Knowles Lifetime Achievement Award, which is an industry recognition award. The winner of the Franca Knowles Lifetime Achievement Award will be chosen by a panel led by Keith Knowles, chief executive and founder of Beds and Bars. The award will identify and recognise an individual who leads by example and can demonstrate people are at the core of what they do. The award is in memory of the late Franca Knowles, who was a multiple winner of NITA awards and passionate about people and training. Entrants have until Monday, 2 November, to complete their entries and can enter more than one category. Criteria for each award and registration forms can be found on the NITAs page at www.bii.org. Each category will have a judging panel consisting of industry experts and the winners will be announced at the end of November.

Seven free copies of new sector executive coaching book by professor Chris Edger: The sector's leading academic professor Chris Edger, a contributor to Propel and leader of several previous Propel Masterclasses, has a new book – Advanced Leader Coaching – Accelerating Personal, Interpersonal and Business Growth (co-authored with Dr Nollaig Heffernan, centre for neuroscience) – published this week. There are free copies for the first seven people to email paul.charity@propelinfo.com with a postal address. It has been highly endorsed by professor Jonathan Passmore, director of the Henley Business School Centre for Coaching and Behavioural Science, who described it as “a fabulous book – with a sophisticated model – written by two highly experienced coaches providing a wealth of details to support the executive coach and individual leaders”, and professor Peter Palmer, founder of the London Centre for Coaching, who praised it as an “easy-to-read book that if you dip into it or read it from beginning to end, will provide useful insights and techniques for both coaches and leaders”. The book gives leading-edge insights into the way in which professional or workplace-based coaches can optimise executive and leadership performance, particularly during disruptive events. Practical and easy to use, it provides coaches with an overarching “Advanced Leader Coaching Model”, focusing upon accelerating three interconnected leadership factors – personal (feel!), interpersonal (behave!) and business (perform!). Within these three factors various critical subcomponents are explored – personal (self-awareness, mental toughness, capacity, style and transitioning); interpersonal (customer, employee, team and stakeholder); and business (strategy, operations, change and innovation). Backed up with contemporary concepts, models, case studies and hundreds of questions coaches can use to raise executive and leadership performance, this book should provide “real stimulus and confidence to coaching practitioners who are working with business leaders confronting tough times”. Priced £19.95 it can be purchased from Amazon Books. 

 

Curfew and lock-downs put pub and restaurant recovery into reverse: Sales across Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups were hit hard in the last full week of September as new restrictions on hospitality were introduced, the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker has revealed. Like-for-like sales across the sector were down 22.8% on the same week last year, with drink-led pubs down 28.6%. With 88% of sites trading before the pandemic now open, total sales for the week across the sector were 27.7% below 2019 levels. But crucially they were 8.2% down on the previous week, reflecting the immediate impact of new restrictions, including the 10pm curfew, local lock-downs, table-only service and limits on numbers socialising. Drink-led pubs saw a 15.3% week-on-week decline. The reverse in trading follows a strong month for managed groups in August, when the Tracker showed sales drawing level with August 2019. Drink-led businesses saw the biggest reverse. As well as drink-led pubs suffering, bar businesses saw like-for-likes down 47.6% for the week beginning 21 September, with week-on-week sales falling 13.8%. Food-focused businesses did relatively better. Pub restaurants and food-led pubs saw like-for-like sales drop 19.3%, with week-on-week trade down 11%. Restaurant groups were more stable, with week-on-week sales slightly up at 1.9% and like-for-likes 14.3% down on the same week last year. Almost three quarters (71%) of group-owned restaurants are back trading, but that remains well below the numbers of drink-led pubs (96%) and pub restaurants (97%). “Sales had started to slip back in early September after the Eat Out To Help Out initiative ended, but looked like they were levelling off, before this latest round of restrictions were announced,” said Karl Chessell, director for food and retail at CGA, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker in partnership with The Coffer Group and RSM. “Rising consumer confidence and government support gave managed groups a major lift in August, but the curfew and other restrictions are a severe setback to progress, and these numbers highlight the difficulties facing groups this autumn.” 

 

Almost 300,000 job losses and £7.4bn hit to economy unless government changes tack on pubs, report says: Almost 300,000 jobs will be lost and there will be a £7.4bn hit to the economy unless the government changes tack on pubs, according to a new report. The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and forecasting and analysis consultancy Oxford Economics have modelled the likely impact of coronavirus on Britain’s brewing and pub sector. The report models three scenarios on how coronavirus could impact the sector, based on different assumptions underpinned by data and insights from surveys of pub and brewing businesses. According to the report, the increasingly likely scenario showed more than 290,000 jobs will be lost – a third of the 900,000 jobs the pub and brewing sector currently supports. Of the 600,000 people directly employed in pubs, 43% are held by people under the age of 25, meaning they would be most affected by such a cut to employment opportunities in the sector. If this situation were allowed to become reality, it would mean the total economic output of the beer and pub sector in the UK would fall by 31%, or £7.4bn. It would also result in £3.9bn in wages being lost from the economy for good. The BBPA pointed out the survey that led to the modelling of the scenario, was undertaken before the latest restrictions were introduced – including the 10pm curfew and table service only – that would now only make the potential outcome even worse. The BBPA said if this was to be avoided, the government must review the 10pm curfew at least every three weeks and remove it if it is found not to impact the spread of the virus. It added a sector-specific package of support for pubs and hospitality must also be provided, including an extension to the VAT cut and business rates holiday through 2021. There must also be a significant cut in beer duty, lock-down grants and removal of employer contributions for hospitality businesses to the Job Support Scheme. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “It’s important to remember, outside of the current circumstances, our sector is a thriving one – and when this epidemic ends it will be key to driving the economic bounce back we will desperately need. For that to happen though, the government must invest in it now to ensure its still here to play that role.”

 

Scottish operators warn of sector ‘Armageddon’ and house party ‘boom’ if restrictions tightened further: The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) has warned of a house party “boom” if restriction are further tightened on the sector. The body, whose members employ more than 6,000 people, said such measures would be “Armageddon” for the sector with many pubs, restaurants and hotels closing permanently. SHG spokesman Stephen Montgomery, who runs two hotels in Dumfries, said: “Scotland’s bars and restaurants are a vital part of the fight against the spread of covid. If we are locked down or the restrictions on us are tightened, it will simply drive more people to socialise at home, with the inevitable increases in covid that will follow. Unlike in bars and restaurants, where there is track and trace, social distancing, personal protective equipment and strict hygiene rules, if you go to a house party, you’re just playing covid Russian roulette.” Buzzworks Holdings managing director Kenny Blair added: “Clear feedback we are getting from many in our industry right across the country is they are only just managing to stay afloat. If we have further restrictions imposed or, God forbid, another lock-down, it will be Armageddon for a sector that employs more young Scots people than any other.”

 

Mayor calls for immediate review of 10pm curfew in London: London needs an “immediate review” of the “arbitrary” curfew for restaurants, pubs and bars, according to mayor Sadiq Khan and night tsar Amy Lamé. Khan called on the government to address “unintended consequences” of the law as the capital faces a “serious tipping point” in its fight against the virus. “Given the government’s failure to set up an adequate testing or contact tracing system, it left itself no choice but to implement further measures that would limit people mixing,” Khan argued. “But there have been some real concerns; over the past week, the current 10pm closing time for pubs, bars and restaurants may be counter-productive given the scenes we’ve seen across the UK of people gathering and drinking on the streets once licensed premises close.” Lamé also urged the government to rethink the “arbitrary” rule. “There’s nothing magic about 10pm – the virus doesn’t care what time it is,” she said on Twitter. “What matters is covid-19-secure environments; test, track and trace. Nightclubs, pubs, bars and restaurants are well equipped for covid-19 rules. We are part of the solution not the problem.” It comes as coronavirus cases rose in 28 London boroughs in the latest Public Health England data. Public Health England’s London boss, professor Kevin Fenton, said residents “still hold the key” to halting the spread of covid-19. “Small actions can have a big impact on these trends, and by sticking to social distancing, practising good hand hygiene and following guidelines around the rule of six and face coverings, we can all play our part,” he said. “Londoners have done it before and now is the time to do it again.”

 

The Sunday Times – Cineworld plans temporary closure of cinema estate: Cinema company Cineworld is set to temporarily close its UK sites in the coming weeks. The Sunday Times said the firm is writing to prime minister Boris Johnson and culture secretary Oliver Dowden to say the industry is now “unviable”. Cineworld said it has been hit by delays in the release of big-budget films, putting 5,500 jobs at risk. The premiere of the 007 film No Time To Die has been postponed twice and is now due for release in April. It is hoped the Cineworld cinemas will be able to reopen next year, with staff being asked to accept redundancy in the hope of rejoining the company when theatres open again. In September, Cineworld reported a $1.6bn (£1.3bn) loss for the six months to June as its cinemas had to close because of coronavirus lock-downs. And it warned at the time it might need to raise more money in the event of further restrictions – or film delays – due to covid-19.

 

Boris Johnson claims eat-out scheme could have spread the virus: Prime minister Boris Johnson has claimed the Eat Out To Help Out scheme may have contributed to the spread of covid-19. Johnson, appearing on BBC One's Andrew Marr show on Sunday (4 October), said the 50% off scheme could have contributed to the spread of the virus. He said: “I hope you understand the balance we are trying to strike.” He also discussed the UK's situation as it looks ahead to the next few months and said it was “going to continue to be bumpy through to Christmas, it may even be bumpy beyond”. Johnson was also challenged on the evidence behind the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants. He said: “What I hope, and I believe very strongly, is in the course of the next weeks and months, the scientific equation will change and we will start to see progress, whether it is on vaccines or on testing, which will enable us to take a different approach.”

 

Tipjar warning over £300m loss in tips due to 10pm curfew: Tipjar, the peer-to-peer tipping and tip-sharing concept, has warned if the 10pm curfew remains in place for six months, minimum wage staff at hospitality sites will lose out on £300m in tips. It claimed wet-led venues have suffered from an 18.5% slump in tips during the curfew while tips at restaurants have dipped 9%. Tipjar founder James Brown said: “Two years ago, we set out on a mission to help the millions of tipped workers in the hospitality sector, never has helping these staff earn more been more important, never has contactless and cashless tip transactions been more relevant than in the post lock-down operations of bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels across this country and around the world.” The company stated the use of cash has been in decline for years but has accelerated during coronavirus because people have been advised to use contactless payments where possible.

 

New York could see half of bars and restaurants close permanently, jobs only 55% of pre-covid levels: New York City could see up to half its restaurants and bars close permanently in the next six months because of the coronavirus pandemic, a top state official has warned. The report by the state’s comptroller Thomas DiNapoli also showed employment in the city’s restaurant industry in August was still only 55% of its level in February. His report warned up to 150,000 jobs could go in the industry, which has been rocked by the economic fallout of covid-19 and public health restrictions. Restaurants have been seating customers outside for months and indoor dining only returned last week, but at 25% of capacity. DiNapoli’s report stated, in 2019, the industry was responsible for employing 317,800 people, paid out $10.7bn in wages and accounted for $27bn in taxable sales. “The industry is challenging under the best of circumstances, and many eateries operate on tight margins,” said DiNapoli. “Now they face an unprecedented upheaval that may cause many establishments to close forever.” The report also stated, at the height of the pandemic, three quarters of those employed in the industry found themselves out of work. “It’s important the state and city continue to be creative and bolster the industry,” said DiNapoli. “The city’s decision to extend outdoor dining year-round to help keep restaurants afloat is a step in the right direction along with opening for indoor dining.”

  

More than 40 independent cinemas share £650,000: More than 40 independent cinemas will share £650,000 in coronavirus support funding to help them through the pandemic. Culture secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed the money would be the “first wave of emergency funding” of the government’s previously announced £30m support package to help independent movie theatres. Initial funds will be spread across venues in England including Gloucester, London, Plymouth, Rochdale, Wakefield and Sheffield. Dowden said: “We all enjoyed the escapism of a good film during lock-down, but nothing beats the experience of the big screen. This first wave of emergency funding will help dozens of independent cinemas around the country, preserving their unique character and history for future generations.”

 

BBPA welcomes chance to ‘level playing field’ through alcohol duty review: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed the government’s call for evidence to formulate its policy on alcohol duty. The government said on Thursday (1 October), it wants to reform the rules now the UK has left the EU and make the system “simpler, more economically rational and less administratively burdensome on businesses and HMRC”. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “The government now has the opportunity to set out how it will back Britain’s world-renowned pubs and breweries, which support 900,000 jobs, contribute £23bn to the economy and play such a vital role in local communities throughout the UK. Our sector needs more support to help it recover from the devastating impact of covid-19. Now that we have left the EU, now is our opportunity to create a more level playing field compared with other major beer-producing countries and support our British brewers. We pay 11 times more beer duty than Germany or Spain.” The review will also study whether the method of alcohol taxation should be standardised; the duty categories should be changed or unified; products should be consistently distinguished by their strength; distinctions should be made based on the place of retail; small producer reliefs should be extended or standardised; duties could be uprated for inflation in a more consistent manner; a single process for approvals, declarations and payments should be introduced; and more could be done to tackle avoidance and evasion of duty.

 

Deliveroo picks bankers for potential IPO, unveiling new services: Deliveroo has appointed investment bankers to oversee a long-awaited flotation as it unveils a series of innovative features that it hopes will provide a compelling growth story for public market investors. Sky News reported the food delivery app, which last week said it was preparing to add 15,000 riders to its fleet by the end of year, has begun working with Goldman Sachs on its plans for an initial public offering. A float is expected to take place in London next year, and is likely to value the company at more than £2bn, according to insiders. Deliveroo declined to comment on Goldman's appointment, and sources close to the company insisted there was no definitive timetable for a public listing. Further banks are expected to be appointed in the coming months. Sources said Deliveroo now had 44,000 restaurants on its platform in the UK, as well as 16 on-demand convenience and grocery partnerships with companies such as Waitrose, Morrison's, Aldi and the Co-op. Deliveroo is now preparing to launch a series of other features aimed at strengthening its appeal to customers, restaurants and riders. These will include post-order tipping – allowing customers to reward riders after their delivery has arrived – in the UK and a number of other markets. Deliveroo also plans to offer a group-ordering function in its app. Sources said this was likely to benefit restaurants through larger orders from multiple people in the same household or office. The company is also expected to announce the launch of a service called Brought to you by Deliveroo, which will allow customers to order food from restaurants' websites, but with the technology company fulfilling the orders’ delivery. It is said to be the first time a delivery platform will have offered such a service in Europe and Asia, and is being tested with companies including Nando's. Stephen Goldstein, executive vice president of restaurants at Deliveroo, said: “These changes are particularly important given the current backdrop and are in addition to other support measures we have developed to help all restaurants, particularly small, independents that are the lifeblood of the industry and the high street.”

Hedge funds eye $140m PizzaExpress payday: The rescue of PizzaExpress is bringing a windfall to some, Bloomberg has reported. Hedge funds that bought credit insurance are receiving a payout from an auction to settle credit-default swaps. The initial auction set the value of the payout just shy of 100%, amounting to compensation of $142m. A panel representing CDS traders ruled last month PizzaExpress contracts will pay after the company missed interest payments on its debt. PizzaExpress is cutting rents and closing 73 of the chain’s UK restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk. Bondholders are likely to take ownership of the majority of the business while the chain’s private-equity owner, Hony, will keep the Chinese operations. Credit swaps are commonly used by hedge funds and investment firms to bet on companies running into trouble and to hedge exposure. A spokesman for PizzaExpress declined to comment on the CDS auction.

Arc Inspirations to make Birmingham debut: Arc Inspirations, the Leeds-based operator of a number of fast-growing brands, is to make its debut in Birmingham, with an opening of a site in the city under its Manahatta brand, Propel has learned. The 17-strong company has secured the former Anarchy 45 Gym site at 10-12 Temple Street for its New York-inspired cocktail bar concept. The Martin Wolstencroft-led company currently operates six sites under the Manahatta brand. Wolstencroft told Propel: “We’re delighted to be bringing Manahatta to the people of Birmingham, which marks our first site in the city. We look forward to welcoming guests once the time is right to open and introducing them to the Manahatta experience our customers know and love. Despite the challenging environment, we continue to focus on our strategy of bringing our complementary brands to new locations.” Earlier this summer Arc Inspirations announced plans to introduce its Box sports bar brand to Deansgate, Manchester. It secured planning permission for a site at 125 Deansgate and plans to open early next year.

Comptoir Group appoints Michael Toon as finance director: Comptoir Group, the owner and operator of Lebanese and eastern Mediterranean restaurants, has appointed Michael Toon, formerly of Casual Dining Group (CDG) and Chopstix, as its new finance director, Propel has learned. Toon, who spent 17 years at CDG, stepped down as finance director at Chopstix earlier this year, after more than two years with the Jon Lake-led group. Toon replaces Mark Carrick at Comptoir. The company announced Carrick's resignation as its chief financial officer last month.

Advisory firm looks to launch pub company following staycation boom, strengthens hospitality team: South west-based advisory firm GJC is looking to launch its own pub company following the staycation boom and has also strengthened its hospitality team, Propel has learned. The company is close to securing its first site, in Devon, and is also looking to acquire a small pub company with a bolt-on micro-brewery in the region. Meanwhile, GJC has brought in Bruce Wakeling, former operations director at UK transport hub foodservice company SSP Group; Andy Singleton, who joins from Patisserie Valerie where he was group property director; Lee Anderson-Frogley, former head of finance at Towergate Insurance; and Kam Bains, previously of Punch, InterContinental Hotels Group and Patisserie Valerie. Speaking about the pub company venture, Bains told Propel: “We believe this area, in particular, is going to being hot on staycations for the next few years so we’re keen to maximise on this opportunity. Our focus is on a couple of food and drink concepts that are unique to that region. This is a real opportunity for us to demonstrate our expertise in the market, which is why we’re backing ourselves.” GJC chief executive Gavin Jones said: “The past few months have been devastating for the hospitality industry but I’m confident we now have a team with the right mix of experience and knowledge to support wherever we can. We are in very uncertain times right now but I genuinely believe that opportunities are to be had and we want to be on hand to support those, so much so that we’re also actively seeking out opportunities ourselves. I’m putting my money where my mouth is and using this team of experts to help start up our own pub company. This is an exciting time for us and we like everyone else recognise the challenges ahead but we’re using this as an opportunity to prove our worth.”

 

Restaurant Group boss involved in pay row: The Restaurant Group chief executive Andy Hornby is involved in a new pay row over plans to hand him a shares windfall, the Mail on Sunday has reported. The newspaper stated: “Hornby waived his bonus for 2019 and took a pay cut as the group battled to survive the pandemic. But The Restaurant Group will ask shareholders to approve a new executive pay scheme that would give him a fixed annual payout on top of his £630,000 base salary. If the plan is approved, Hornby will be handed a potential £787,500 share award for this year – taking the chief executive's total maximum pay packet for 2020 to £1.3m. From 2021, his £945,000 cash bonus would be reintroduced alongside a £630,000 share award, taking his maximum potential remuneration to £2.2m.” Andrew Speke, of the High Pay Centre pressure group, said: “Companies have a moral responsibility to protect workers’ jobs over their top bosses’ bonuses. To make thousands of workers redundant and still award the chief executive a bonus large enough to have saved dozens of jobs is completely unacceptable.”

  

Coaching Inn Group launches new training development programme: Coaching inn and hotel operator The Coaching Inn Group has launched a new training and development programme, together with a purpose-built accompanying app. It is available to all 750 team members employed at its 18 sites. Head of learning and development Lee Melton said the new five tiered programme made it possible for any employee to progress to a senior management position. He added: “We have redesigned all of our development programmes to ensure they are suited to the current hospitality climate, and focus on the core skills needed for a learner to be able to further their career. The app has been built with transparency and visibility as the core focus and will enable the learner and their manager to be in complete control of their development programme. It is also structured to promote social and peer-to-peer learning to ensure a blended learning approach.” Melton said individuals could progress at their own pace and each programme can be tailored to each learner’s need.

 

Jessen ‘astonished’ by advertising crackdown in empty City: Soren Jessen, owner and operator of Square Mile restaurant 1 Lombard Street, said he was “astonished” by a City of London Corporation crackdown on his advertising efforts. Jessen received a letter from the Corporation barring him from placing more than one pavement sign to prevent overcrowding. The restrictions are being enforced despite the City being dramatically less busy than usual, and with many restaurants in the capital struggling to survive. Jessen received the notice after placing two A-boards outside his premises – advertising special offers to drive customers into his restaurant and recently launched cocktail bar. The letter cited the “Gehl model” as justification for the decision, which has a “threshold of 13 pedestrians per minute, which is the threshold at which pedestrians become uncomfortable”. Jessen told City AM: “I am astonished to be told about congestion and the Gehl model in the middle of the most abandoned City of London for centuries. What traffic? No one is around and we depend on every inch of outdoor presence we can use for safe dining or even an A-board.” Jessen’s request for outdoor seating has also been knocked back on several occasions by the Corporation, again to ensure the passageway is kept free for pedestrian traffic. A City of London Corporation spokesman said: “We are aware many City businesses are struggling at the moment but ensuring there is enough space for pedestrians to safely and comfortably adhere to social distancing regulations is vital during the current pandemic.”

  

Former Carluccio’s and PizzaExpress marketing head takes lead role at food waste app: Former head of marketing at Carluccio’s and PizzaExpress Paschalis Loucaides has joined food waste app Too Good To Go as managing director. Loucaides, who also founded better burger brand Cut + Grind, said: “I’m excited to join Too Good To Go and take the helm of the UK operation. Running a restaurant from scratch myself, I saw, first hand, how important it is for food businesses to manage food waste. Having previously implemented sustainability practices in some of the UK’s most-loved hospitality brands, I’m now very much looking forward to applying all the skills I have learned to help Too Good To Go reach, and exceed, its potential, and grow its support within the hospitality sector and increase our number of restaurant partners as a key objective for 2021.” The Too Good To Go app lists unsold food from businesses such as restaurants so local diners, or like-minded companies, can find, buy and enjoy it. Loucaides will work from the app’s base in Liverpool Street, east London.