New research has confirmed that the level of protection put in place by operators is an important factor when it comes to how confident consumers feel An “overwhelming” number of consumers (94%) who have visited pubs, restaurants and bars in England in the two weeks since reopening were satisfied with the safety steps in venues they visited. This is according to responses via the ‘We hear you’ initiative, launched by the CGA, UKHospitality and Yumpingo, which designed to gauge consumer feedback and identify ways to increase consumer confidence and footfall. The research also found that 96% of customers are likely to recommend a visit to friends and family. While 48% of customers accept their eating and drinking out experience feels “different”, CGA said it is “reassuringly so”. The research confirms that the level of protection put in place by operators is an important factor when it comes to how confident consumers feel, with 77% of diners stating
‘Overwhelming’ number of guests satisfied with safety standards that they considered the precautionary measures being taken before visiting a venue, while nearly half admitted to pre-visit nerves. The majority of those that have eaten out since establishments re-opened have stuck to places they know well, with just 14% of consumers trying new places. However, 91% stated that their overall experience made them feel reassured enough to visit again. UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls, said: “We know the next six months will be crucial for hospitality and survival will depend on a concerted and joint effort from everyone within the industry. “We’ve worked closely with the Government to ensure safe venues upon re-opening and the ‘We hear you’ tool, with help from operators, will ensure their customers are happy, comfortable and more importantly confident that the industry is listening and doing what it can to make them feel safe.”
Corbin & King to reopen Bellanger with ‘cheaper prices, more fun, and greater casualness’ Corbin & King has announced it will reopen its Bellanger restaurant in Islington a year after announcing its closure. The group closed the site in August 2019, saying the critical success it had gained hadn’t been matched financially. However, restaurateur Jeremy King, who founded the group with Chris Corbin, said after two sales had fallen through, the group had decided to “scratch an itch” and reopen with a slightly different offer. He explained: “Were we too precipitous in closing and should we have tried changing the offer and having another go? Well, that question has now been asked by way of a survey of the database and some 4,000 local customers have responded with a resounding ‘Yes!’.
The 200-cover restaurant originally opened in May 2015, serving dishes inspired by the Alsatian roots of the original Parisian brasseries. It was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the same year. When it opened The Times’ Giles Coren gave the restaurant 8/10, while The Guardian’s Grace Dent described it as “a delightful mix of the Delaunay (European old-school glitz pulled off with Manhattan chic) and the gloriously eccentric Fischer’s (schnitzel, würstchen and Viennese konditorei)”.
“The new version is best described as more akin to Zédel in terms of menu and price. While it will remain familiar to our old regulars, the decor will take a new turn and the overall feeling will be one of cheaper prices, more fun, and greater casualness – but all in the Corbin & King style.” Bellanger will reopen on 14 August with previous general manager Jo Cromwell back at the helm.
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