Earlier this afternoon Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said he believed the hospitality sector has been particularly badly impacted from Covid-19 and announced three major financial initiatives for hospitality. In Parliament he said he was cutting VAT on food, accommodation and attractions saying: "VAT will be reduced, from next Wednesday until January 12 2021, … [Read more...]
Chinese security take over Hong Kong hotel and transform into intelligence headquarters
China has today ‘taken over’ a hotel and immediately transformed it into its intelligence unit force's headquarters to operate Hong Kong’s new security laws. The new security base in the hotel is located nearby Hong Kong’s Victoria Park, where ominously pro-democracy protests took place for years, as well as the annual vigil that commemorates Beijing's Tiananmen Square … [Read more...]
Uber acquires Postmates for $2.65 billion
Uber has announced a deal to acquire Postmates for $2.65 billion that is expected to complete in Q1 2021. Uber strategy is to run the Postmates app separate from its Uber Eats app and keep both brands operating. The acquisition announcement follows quickly after Uber's failed deal with Grubhub, enabling Just Eat to make the $7.3 billion acquisition announced last … [Read more...]
Chancellor to unveil stimulus for hospitality today
Rishi Sunak will today announce a series of further measures to help the hospitality industry to further combat the impact from Covid-19 amidst the ongoing crisis. Following much of the hospitality industry in England reopening from last Saturday, these businesses do so in circumstances that continue to threaten their existence. A reduction in the VAT rate would be a boost … [Read more...]
Statement on workplace catering and hospitality from House of Commons
Yesterday we published a news item from the GMB union where they accused the House of Commons of not following Government guidelines relating to Covid-19 and catering for workplaces. Earlier today we received a request from the House of Commons asking us to publish the response below from a House of Commons Spokesperson. We are happy to do so to present a balanced … [Read more...]