US fried chicken chain Popeyes to open first London site September 24, 2021 US fried chicken brand Popeyes has announced plans for a flagship UK site this autumn. The KFC rival will open up a venue at Westfield Stratford in November as it said the UK was its next opportunity for growth. There are plans to open 350 sites around the country over the next ten years with [...]
Takeaways threatened: Customers may pay extra £2bn after tax hike September 24, 2021 Consumers could end up paying an extra £2bn for takeaways, ahead of rises in VAT, the British Takeaway Campaign has warned. VAT for hospitality is to rise to 12.5 per cent next month, ahead of another hike up to 20 per cent in March next year, to the frustration of beleaguered food bosses. Takeaway operators [...]
Boris Johnson pleaded with me for emergency food deal, claims Brazil’s president Bolsonaro September 24, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson requested an “emergency” food deal to import food from Brazil as the UK is facing shortages, according to Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro said the request applied to one particular food item, although he declined to reveal what it was. The alleged plea came as the Prime Minister faced warnings over [...]
High street dentists and pharmacies afflicted with Covid side effects September 24, 2021 High street dentists, opticians and independent pharmacies have been badly affected by the pandemic, a fresh report has revealed. In a report titled Small Business, The Big Picture, insurer AXA, said small and medium sized-retail businesses were in a strong position with hopes for a healthy recovery from lockdowns. However, health businesses have struggled with [...]
Mexican food brand Tortilla announces AIM float intention September 24, 2021 Mexican fast food chain Tortilla has announced its intention to seek admission of its shares to trading on London’s AIM market. The restaurant brand Tortilla boasts 62 sites across the country including 50 venues operated by the group and two franchise sites in the UK. The group also operates 10 franchised sites in the Middle [...]
Restaurants banned from taking staff tips under new legislation September 24, 2021 Pub and restaurant workers will be entitled to all of their tips under fresh government plans, impacting 2m employees. The government set out new legislation that would overhaul tipping practices on Friday, in a show of support for workers after their sector was hit hard by the pandemic. Employers will be banned from withholding tips [...]
Ministers urge Brits not to panic buy food and fuel as shortages spread September 24, 2021 Government ministers urged Brits not to panic buy fuel and goods as the shortage of lorry drivers is increasingly hitting supplies across the UK. Yesterday, BP said a number of its filling stations are closed due to a lack of fuel available, while Esso owner ExxonMobil also said some of its Tesco Alliance petrol forecourts [...]
Bonus backlash: John Lewis workers angered by awards for senior staff September 23, 2021 Retail group John Lewis Partnership has angered employees after senior managers received awards while a wider partnership bonus was denied for the first time. Almost 4,000 special contribution awards were made last year, it was first reported by The Financial Times, including to 16 managers, out of an 79,000-strong workforce. A wider percentage award was [...]
Shell forecourt stores join Uber Eats as popularity grows for speedy groceries September 23, 2021 Shell petrol station shops have partnered with Uber Eats, meaning consumers will have 24 hour access to grocery products. Some 340 forecourt stores are joining the delivery platform after the company left a partnership with Deliveroo. More than 250 of the stores are available for orders 24 hours a day. More than 750 products will [...]
Suburban and food-led brands drive recovery for Mitchells and Butlers September 23, 2021 Harvester operator Mitchells and Butlers has said it has seen a stronger recovery in suburban and food-led brands. The pub group described sales as “volatile” since pubs were permitted to reopen for indoor trading in May, but said they had generally strengthened overall. Food-led and suburban brands had fared better than city boozers as customers [...]