Latest GDP fi gures

Latest GDP figures shows importance of hospitality sector in driving economic recovery

Data published by the ONS (12 August 2021) has revealed the UK economy grew by 4.8% in Q2 2021 as coronavirus restrictions were lifted.

Further analysis as part of the UKHospitality Quarterly Tracker, produced by CGA, shows the significant contribution made by the sector; responsible for 40% of the UK’s total economic growth from Q1 to Q2 2021, they observe.

Commenting on the latest figures, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “These figures not only show the importance of the hospitality sector to the UK economy, even in the severely restricted and beleaguered state it was in during the second quarter of this year, but also demonstrate its real potential to power a wider economic recovery now trading restrictions have finally been eased after almost 18 months.

“However, this was not a period characterised by booming sales and plain sailing for the sector, but many weeks where businesses were still operating under strict restrictions and experienced a multitude of challenges brought about by the pandemic. What should be remembered is that the sector collectively lost over £100bn in sales across the course of the pandemic – a truly staggering figure.

“To help safeguard the future of the sector and its recovery, we urge the government to continue to work closely with businesses to help them navigate the challenges that we will undoubtedly face in the months ahead and to create a business landscape that will help return businesses to profitability as quickly as possible. Measures we are calling for include the urgently needed reform of business rates and a permanently lowered rate of VAT.”

Lichfield’s Damn Fine café wins a Gaggia La Precisa!

The Damn Fine Café in Lichfield now boasts an impressive new Gaggia La Precisa coffee machine, after winning the recent competition promoted by Café Life magazine.

“I decided to enter purely on the basis that I had nothing to lose,” said winner Sophia Charalambous, owner of the Damn Fine Café. “To say I was stunned when I got the call from Evoca is an understatement!”

The timing of Sophia’s good fortune couldn’t have been better. “I inherited my espresso machine when I bought the café just over three years ago,” she explained. “It had been showing signs of its age for a while, so I knew I was going to have to invest sooner rather than later. When were closed due to lockdown, I had a chance to refresh the café’s branding and the décor, and to think about what I wanted from my next espresso machine.”

The Café Life magazine prize was originally intended to be one of Gaggia’s La Decisa machines, but as it turned out, it was La Precisa that ticked all of the Damn Fine Café’s boxes.

“It was very kind of the Gaggia team at Evoca to offer us an upgrade from La Decisa to La Precisa,” added Sophia Charalambous. “We all agreed that the red machine would make a bold impact and stand out on our counter – and we weren’t wrong! Our regular customers have commented on how fantastic it looks. What’s more, the staff love the new machine, too. It’s given my team a renewed sense of pride in their work, and they’re loving using it.”

“We were very clear that our aim for this competition was to support a hospitality venue at the precise moment it was allowed to re-open,” said Evoca sales director, Craig Jukes.

“We’re delighted we’ve been able to provide such tangible support to an independent business at this crucial time. The Damn Fine Café’s ethos mirrors what Gaggia has always stood for - style, dedication and hard work. We hope that La Precisa will be a fantastic addition to the offer and that it will help Sophia and her team to maintain their enviable ranking as one of Lichfield’s top cafés.”