December restrictions see Britain’s bar sales suffer 15th January, 2021 by Owen Bellwood
Sales in Britain’s bars plummeted in December as 93% of venues across the country were closed for indoor drinking, according to new data.
According to CGA, 93% of UK bars were closed in December
The latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker found Britain’s bar sales were down 87% in December, and that just over half of the country’s managed pubs, bars and restaurants were trading again after the November lockdown. However, by the end of December the total number of venues open was 9%.
According to CGA, 11% of pubs, 7% of bars and 5% of restaurants in Britain were open for indoor dining and drinking during the period.
Supreme Court backs small businesses over Covid-19 insurance claims 15th January, 2021 by Melita Kiely
The UK Supreme Court has ruled in favour of small firms following a legal battle over business interruption insurance claims, meaning hundreds of bars could soon receive payments to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court’s decision has been hailed a “landmark victory”
Watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) brought the test case to the Supreme Court, with eight insurers agreeing to take part in the proceeding. The appeal aimed to clarify whether a number of insurance policy wordings cover business interruption losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic and public health measures taken by UK authorities in response to the pandemic from March 2020.
More than 300,000 jobs across the hospitality and tourism sectors could be lost if the VAT rate reverts back to 20% in April 2021, trade bodies have warned.
Scotland tightens takeaway alcohol rules 14th January, 2021 by Owen Bellwood
Financial support for Scottish hospitality firms must be “expanded swiftly” to save businesses, as takeaway offerings are restricted under tougher lockdown measures.
The consumption of alcohol in public places across Scotland has been banned
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has imposed new restrictions on businesses across Scotland as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise. There have so far been more than 155,000 cases of Covid-19 in Scotland, which increased by 1,949 cases yesterday (13 January).
In response to the rising case numbers, lawmakers in Scotland have tightened restrictions surrounding click and collect and takeaway offerings.