All Loungers articles – Page 5
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NewsReilley: ‘Budget the most important day in history of hospitality’
The Budget is arguably the most important day in the history of the hospitality sector, with Sunak’s support set to either provide “desperately needed hope” or “a single, devastating blow,” Loungers Chairman Alex Reilley has said.
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Analysis & InsightRoadmap ‘too little too late’ and ‘worse than the worst-case scenario’
Sector leaders have criticised the Government for once again “penalising hospitality” with its reopening strategy, forcing pubs and restaurants to wait a further three months before they can operate inside. The proposed reopening timeline has been branded “too little too late,” and “worse than the worst-case scenario” by operators from all corners of the sector, who have warned that without significant support in next week’s Budget, there will be a “devastating” fallout for businesses.
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NewsCast your vote in the Retailer’s Retailer Awards
Make sure you cast your vote in MCA’s Retailer’s Retailer of the Year Awards, as we count down to the big event on 11 March.
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InterviewsNick Collins: ‘Opportunities won’t sway our strategy’
The inevitable increase in high-footfall site opportunities following the pandemic will not change Loungers’ established property strategy, CEO Nick Collins has said.
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InterviewsAlex Reilley: ‘The end of the moratoria will leave thousands of businesses horrifically exposed’
Loungers chairman and co-founder Alex Reilley expects the end of the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratoria in March will lead to a ‘phenomenal glut’ of CVAs across hospitality.
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Analysis & InsightPeel Hunt on 2021: A year of two halves
Q1 is traditionally the quietest quarter in licensed retail; it is when tenants are most likely to hand back the keys. Sadly, without any additional government support and with the rent moratorium ending in March (with 15 months of rent due in some cases), many private companies could run out of liquidity. Many sources have suggested a 20-30% supply reduction. We are more optimistic than this due to corporate activity. The speed and direction of capital reallocation will be critical to this, in our view.
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InterviewsLoungers CEO Nick Collins: ‘We have a real role in improving high streets’
When discussing the enduring success of the Loungers business, “well-hedged” is not a phrase CEO Nick Collins says he would necessarily use, but he recognises it’s a good one.
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NewsLoungers holds profit despite lockdowns
Loungers saw its turnover fall 33% to £53.5m in the 24 weeks to 4 October, but still managed to turn a profit despite a raft of restrictions.
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NewsLoungers trading well post-reopening
Loungers has released a trading update saying since reopening on 4 July the Group delivered like for like sales growth of 25.1%. All of its 168 sites are trading and it plans to open three more before the end of the year. “I am delighted with our continued excellent trading which reflects the resilience of our brands and fantastic performance of our team working in very difficult circumstances,” said CEO Nick Collins. ”Loungers, and the sector more broadly, have gone to considerable efforts to ensure the safety of our teams and customers.
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InterviewsLoungers CEO Nick Collins: ‘Our customers missed us’
All-day café-bar-restaurant operator Loungers is back to its market beating trading, with net like for like sales growth of 29.9% over the past nine weeks.
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NewsLoungers emerges from crisis as a ‘better business’
Loungers has reported a “significant market out-performance” since reopening, with net like for like sales growth of +29.9% from 4 July to 13 September 2020.
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NewsKaren Jones: Why is it so important that hospitality wholeheartedly supports NHS Test and Trace?
So it’s a Bank Holiday weekend, pay day for many and the last EOTHO on Bank Holiday Monday. Many of our restaurants and pubs across the UK will be very busy and it seems an opportune moment to remind ourselves of the vital importance of all our places fully supporting NHS Test and Trace. Why is it so important that hospitality wholeheartedly supports NHS Test and Trace? Because hospitality offers safe spaces for people to enjoy being with friends and family. Because we are often at the centre of our communities and high streets. We have a real responsibility to keep our customers, our teams and our communities safe and well. NHS Test and Trace is a powerful way to do just that: collecting and providing the information to help break the chain of transmission and control the virus.
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OpinionPeter Martin: A postcard from commuter country
It would be ironic if 2020 turned out to be the year that the British fully and finally learned to embrace continental café culture. Going out has changed, perhaps even permanently. We rarely stand by the bar with pint in hand, not that we are generally allowed to. We are all getting used to booking a table on-line, waiting to be seated on arrival and then ordering at the table, even for a beer, wine or coffee and often from an app on our smart phone. Table service is obligatory. No more heading straight to the bar. If we can we’ll venture outside.
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NewsLoungers chairman Alex Reilley: ‘Hospitality has finally got the respect it deserves’
Loungers chairman and co-founder Alex Reilley says that the pandemic has brought about a welcome shift in how the hospitality sector is viewed by both the Government and the public.
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NewsLoungers sees encouraging July trading
Loungers has reported an encouraging performance for its first four weeks of post-lockdown trading.
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Analysis & InsightLarge majority feel safe in pubs and restaurants
An overwhelming number of consumers (94%) who have visited pubs, restaurants and bars in England in the two weeks since reopening were satisfied with the safety steps in venues they visited, with 96% being likely to recommend a visit to friends and family.
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NewsLoungers accelerates reopening, permanently closes two sites
Loungers is accelerating its reopening programme, with plans to have the full estate open by the beginning of next month.