Restrictions in Wales & NI, self-isolation, menus, CWT & other:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

When websites ask for my birthday, I tend to say 1 Jan which, though not wrong by a million miles, isn’t actually the case.

I suppose I can convince myself I’m striking a blow against identity thieves but, in truth, it’s more of a snub to nosey parkers but, whatever the merits or demerits, it does mean that I start getting birthday greetings and offers of discounts from various pubs, bars and restaurants at about this time of year.

Which is both misplaced and slightly annoying as things are hectic enough at this time of year and, even if they weren’t, I don’t really want a sparkler plonking in my free ice-cream whilst assorted waiters and waitresses dance around the birthday singing Happy Birthday and trying to look happy that they’re doing so.

Anyway, I must look up ‘Grinch’, ‘grouch’, ‘curmudgeon’ and ‘kvetch’ and see which is the most appropriate. On to the news:

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TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS – WALES & NORTHERN IRELAND:

Wales is to reintroduce the ‘rule of six’ in pubs & restaurants from 6am on Boxing Day. There will be table service only, two-metre distancing is to be introduced and face coverings will also be required when walking around in venues. Large events in Wales will be banned both indoors (over 30 people) and outdoors (over 50 people).

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Trade in industry body reaction.

UKH says the ‘new restrictions on hospitality businesses in Wales will have devastating financial impacts and could still preface early year closures and job losses, despite a package of Welsh Government cash support.’

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SIBA say new restrictive Covid measures in Wales will ‘particularly harm small brewers’. It adds ‘the Welsh Government has brought in the most restrictive measures in the UK, which will severely hit community pubs and small brewers at this critical time of the year.’

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Northern Ireland’s nightclubs will now close from 26 December as fresh restrictions are imposed to tackle the Omicron Covid variant, BBC News understands. It says that Stormont ministers met for more than four hours yesterday afternoon and says ‘nightclubs will have to close their doors at 06:00 GMT on 26 December.’

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PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been accused of failing to do enough to help embattled hospitality businesses by refusing to bring back furlough. Tim Rumney, CEO of the Best Western hotel chain, which employs 10,000 staff in the UK, said a return to furlough was vital if the current Covid wave continues.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has cut the Covid self-isolation period to seven days in an attempt to ease mounting staff shortages. There is no change to the guidance for unvaccinated positive cases, or unvaccinated contacts of positive cases, who are still required to self-isolate for the 10 full days.  

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The Lumina Intelligence Menu & Food Trends Report 2021 has found that chain restaurants had implemented the largest reduction in menus year-on-year with an average number of 64 dishes, down from 80 (-20%) in 2019. The report concluded that simplified and reduced menus were aimed at mitigating challenges around staff shortages and supply chain disruption.

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Customers as well as businesses may feel the pinch in the New Year as the UK gas price rocketed to a new high of 470p per therm on Tuesday, with contributing factors including low storage levels across Europe, reduced output from renewable sources and delays to Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This will take money out of consumers’ pockets (hence impacting demand) and it will directly increase costs for operators.

OpenTable in the US has reported that the Omicron variant seems to be dissuading would be restaurant visitors from dining out. It says on 18 Dec, this year was only behind 2019 by 2% but, by 20 Dec, the gap had widened to 33%.

The MA reports that more than 90% of operators would rather be shut down than face post-Christmas trade with indoor restrictions. The MA’s snap survey shows ‘a resounding 94% would rather be shut down, with only 6% saying they’d prefer to be able to trade even if it was only outside.’

NPD in the US reports that the guest count for breakfast and lunch restaurant began to improve in the September-November period. It says ‘from a pre-pandemic view, breakfast traffic is now at the same level as the September through November period in 2019.’ It adds ‘the increased mobility this fall contributed to year-over-year gains at key restaurant dayparts, although visits are not fully back to pre-pandemic levels.’

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COMPANY & OTHER NEWS:

The MCA reports that Caffé Concerto has noticed a 20-30% reduction in footfall on ‘every West End street’ on the back of government advice around Omicron. Director Maher Al-Hajjar said ‘If somebody went in and had a starter, main course, and dessert, before, now [it’s] main course only.’

Fuller’s London Pride has announced a multi-year partnership with Premiership Rugby. Fuller’s London Pride is also the current beer partner for the British & Irish Lions.

IRI figures show that Aldi’s £14 own-label champagne has become a hit in the UK and is second only to Moët & Chandon in sales.

The Board of BrewDog has written to employees saying that there is a “distinct gap” between the perceptions of ex-staff who have criticised the brewer and those still at the firm. It says ‘of course it’s not perfect – no workplace is, but we were struck by the enthusiasm for the business and the excitement we all share about its future.’

Robinson’s Brewery is to cut rents by 10% for its tenants in January. It will also delay its annual price increase by a month to March.

LEISURE TRAVEL & HOTELS:

CWT Travel Holdings has announced its new Board following a financial restructuring in November. Former InterContinental Hotels Group board member Jim Abrahamson has been named as chair and is joined by CWT chief executive Michelle McKinney Frymire.

City AM says that British visitors to the EU will have to start paying €7 per person and pre-register their details in order to enter the Union from next year. It says ‘the European Commission confirmed that, from late 2022, the UK will be part of ETIAS, meaning that Brits will have to pre-register their details before any trip, as well as pay the €7 levy.’ Once they have been given permission to go there, ‘British passport holders will be allowed to stay in Europe up to 90 days.’

Austria will require visitors from the UK to have booster jabs and a negative PCR test to enter the country (or face quarantine) from Christmas Day.

Ryanair has reported a “sudden downturn” in Christmas bookings and has cut its January flights in response.

OTHER LEISURE:

Flutter Entertainment has announced the acquisition of Sisal, Italy’s leading online gaming operator, from CVC Capital Partners Fund VI for a consideration of €1.913bn or £1.62bn. It says ‘this acquisition fully aligns with the Group’s strategy of investing to build leadership positions in regulated markets globally. The transaction is likely to complete during Q2 2022 and is expected to be accretive to adjusted earnings in the first 12 months post-completion.’

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The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned two promotions for ‘fan tokens’ from Arsenal Football Club, saying they were misleading supporters over the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies.

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he is “absolutely devastated” after Cinderella was forced to close until February. Lloyd Webber Tweeted ‘once again, this wretched virus has put paid to the joy of entertaining audiences, something that I hold so dear.’

FINANCE & MARKETS:

The ONS has reported that the UK economy grew at a slower pace than first estimated between July and September. It says Q3 registered growth of just 1.1% against the 1.3% that it had first suggested, blaming weaker consumer spending, and the impact of energy companies going out of business.

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UK car production fell to its lowest level since 1984 in November with output down 28.7% to 75,756 units per the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The SMMT adds that the numbers are “incredibly worrying” and says that the situation could worsen further after goods checks are finally introduced in two weeks’ time.

Sterling up at $1.3351 and €1.1776. Oil price up at $75.46. UK 10yr gilt yield up 2bps at 0.89%. World markets better yesterday & London set to open up around 32pts as at 7am.

RETAIL WITH NICK BUBB:

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