Friday Five: the week s top news This week s main hospitality news stories include the reopening of indoor trading, more expansion for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, and the return of the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards
- Sales at Britain’s restaurants, pubs and bars
were up by a quarter on pre-Covid levels as consumers returned for the first day of indoor service on Monday (17 May). Data from CGA shows that reopened managed venues’ average sales were 24.9% higher than on the equivalent Monday in May 2019. Food sales jumped 29.6% as consumers took advantage of the opportunity to eat inside again for the first time this year in England and Wales, while drinks sales were up by 21.2%. These latest figures follow recent CGA data indicating strong sales for pubs, bars and restaurants over the first fortnight of outside-only service from 12 April, but more difficult trading conditions amid poor weather in early May. CGA’s Market Recovery