'I think everybody's going to behave': Mancunians cautious as lockdown eases
While hairdressers were busy, many of the tables at restaurants and bars were empty at lunchtimeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAmid sporadic drizzle, Mancunians in the city...
View ArticleEngland's pubs reopen as lockdown eases – in pictures
Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas and theme parks reopen, and weddings and baptisms take place as lockdown rules relaxedContinue reading...
View Article‘It's so good to be back’: Jay Rayner’s first restaurant meal since lockdown
As London’s Trullo opens its doors to its first in-house customers in 108 days the seating is restricted and the waiters visored but it’s not only its fabulous pasta that thrills the Observer’s food...
View ArticleI left my heart in the Luton airport branch of Bella Italia ...
Memories were made alongside the carbonara and chianti. But now it’s time to say ciao as the high street fixture is culled by Covid-19The Covid-19 era has been a sensitive time for the high street. To...
View ArticleDinner at home was a triumph, but Jay’s kitchen was wrecked
The place looked like a battleground, but on the other hand, the battle was wonThere’s a good reason why the cooks in a restaurant kitchen are called a brigade. It’s not just the hierarchical structure...
View ArticleHigh street spending doubles on Saturday after easing of English lockdown
Consumer expenditure rose 100% in seven days but still not back to normal across UKHigh street spending enjoyed a much-needed boost as lockdown eased on 4 July but hairdressers benefited more than pubs...
View ArticleUnder lockdown, we thrived on pointing the finger at rule-breakers. What now?...
As Britons sip their officially sanctioned pints, the mean-spirited mood of the nation is lifting. Enjoy it while it lastsI am starting to wish I’d made some sort of feelings-based track and trace app...
View ArticleNo flip-flops, no hoodies: was Jess Glynne wrong to complain about Sexy...
The singer accused the London restaurant of ‘pure discrimination’ for turning her away – although she has since apologisedName: Sexy Fish.Age: Four.Continue reading...
View ArticleChancellor's 'eat out to help out' plan: how to get value for money
Rishi Sunak’s summer statement promised diners discounts to kickstart Britain’s economy. Here’s how the scheme worksCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageRishi Sunak called it the...
View Article'No masks': Wagamama criticised over Rishi Sunak photo op
Chancellor visited branch after summer statement, but some have pointed to his lack of PPECoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageRishi Sunak was nowhere to be seen on Thursday at...
View ArticlePubs and restaurants in England trade at half their pre-virus levels
Trade in line with expectations, with restaurants less likely than pubs to open their doors Pub and restaurant chains traded at half their pre-pandemic levels after reopening across England last...
View ArticleOne in 10 of Restaurant Group outlets will not reopen this year
Owner of chains including Frankie & Benny’s hopes to open most by end of SeptemberCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe hospitality chain the Restaurant Group (TRG) has...
View ArticleWelsh restaurants and pubs could reopen indoors from August
Beauty salons and museums to reopen from 27 July and some amateur team sport to resumeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coveragePubs, cafes and restaurants in Wales will be allowed to...
View ArticleA high street bistro that really delivers…
Côte at Home shows how to do home delivery with flair – assuming dinner turns up… A Saturday night and my phone pings. It’s an email from a well-known courier company. Earlier that day they’d confirmed...
View ArticleOur restaurant booking was forced off the menu
We had to cancel a wedding meal due to the lockdown, but met a string of excusesWe made a restaurant reservation with Radici (part of D&D London) and paid a refundable £250 deposit for a family...
View ArticlePub and restaurant visitors: share your experiences of test and trace
If you’ve been to a pub or restaurant in England since 4 July, we’d like to hear about your experiences of test and traceAs England’s lockdown eased, pubs and restaurants were encouraged to collect the...
View ArticleUK fast-food and coffee chains cut prices as VAT relief comes into effect
Treasury says some businesses may struggle to pass on savings to customers after lockdownCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK’s fast-food chains and coffee shops have set...
View ArticleTop chefs back Tom Kerridge for calling no-show diners 'disgraceful'
Concerns raised about high landlord rents and fewer customers due to social distancingTop chefs have rallied behind Tom Kerridge after he criticised “selfish” and “disgraceful” customers for failing to...
View Article'Not much difference': few takers on first day of hospitality VAT cut
Much remained quiet or closed in centres of Manchester and London as measure came into effectCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageShoppers and workers were in scant supply in...
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