Welcome to this week’s News Bites. From easing of restrictions to offering your pub as a film location, here is a selection of the headlines that caught our eye this week:
Substantial meal rule to be scrapped
Some glimmer of light for hospitality seems to be on the horizon as reports emerge that Boris Johnson will scrap the substantial meal rule when pubs reopen. However, it is also believed that al fresco dining and drinking will be allowed before eating indoors. Let’s hope we gain clarity on 21 February, when Boris is due to set out his roadmap to ease restrictions.
Are Dark Kitchens the light at the end of the tunnel?
For popular restaurant brands such as Dishoom, the shift to delivery has been a lifeline during lockdown. Using dark kitchens to develop its delivery offer, Dishoom has recently expanded its reach outside London into Brighton and Cambridge, with further sites on the cards. However, the brand is confident it won’t be turning its back on creating beautiful restaurants to dine-in in high footfall locations.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Some of the most iconic films have featured scenes in a great British pub – Shaun of the Dead, An American Werewolf in London, Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Kings: The Secret Service and Withnail & I. Now, location agencies are urging hospitality venues to list as TV and film locations as an alternative revenue stream.