Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge has shared a video showing the stark reality of Christmas cancellations, with hundreds of hospitality businesses calling on the Government to offer proper financial support.
The chef owns several restaurants and pubs across the UK, including two-Michelin star pub The Hand and Flowers and the acclaimed Bull & Bear in Manchester city centre’s Stock Exchange Hotel.
Kerridge is arguably one of the most successful restaurateurs in the country – but even he is warning that many places ‘will crumble’ without help.
Tom Kerridge.
Businesses are now calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to give them some relief, saying that the ‘cost of protecting the NHS is being put onto businesses’.
The Government hasn’t ordered the closure of pubs and restaurants at this stage, but the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and the introduction of ‘Plan B’ restrictions is having a devastating impact on the industry anyway.
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Kerridge posted a video on Twitter yesterday that showed a list of cancellations received in just one of his restaurants.
The list is pages and pages long and shows 654 guests pulling out of reservations.
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Here we are… This is the list of cancellations taken in one of our restaurants in the past six days… 654 guests I understand why. Public health is THE most important thing. But what will the government do to support the industry? Many places will crumble without help… pic.twitter.com/OyA2xTustJ
He wrote: “Here we are… This is the list of cancellations taken in one of our restaurants in the past six days… 654 guests.
“I understand why. Public health is THE most important thing.
“But what will the government do to support the industry? Many places will crumble without help…
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“And before some gammon faced idiot says “you can afford it fat lad!” ….. yes I probably can, but this isn’t about me or my restaurants. It’s about our industry and peoples livelihoods.”
Gusto
Gusto’s CEO Matt Snell echoed this, posting: “15% of our booked covers cancelled on the day. 7% just didn’t bother to show up and didn’t let us know. This cost us almost 100k in sales.
“For us it hurts, for some it will finish them off! @RishiSunak”
Michelin starred chef Tommy Banks said: “Devastating!! @ChefTomKerridge asks the right question of the government. What are you going to do to support the industry’s affected?”
Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc also replied to Kerridge, writing: “Hello Tom @ChefTomKerridge. I know my dear friend. It is the very same in all our @brasserieblanc. its a carnage. And we all hope that the governement will help the industry best.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Getting London’s economy back on its feet is a top priority but businesses are already being hit very hard again this winter – this time without additional support. The Govt must provide proper financial support to get them through this difficult period.”
Prof Christina Pagel added: “Independent SAGE have been calling for more support for hospitality (& other affected) industries. (correct) Messages to avoid social contact *without* support or legislation puts the cost of protecting NHS onto businesses. Govt should step in – it’s a collective responsibility.”
Publican Adam Brooks has also shared shocking photos of an empty pub just days before Christmas, a time when most venues are packed to the rafters.
I’m sat in my pub atm doing some paperwork, it’s 11 days before Christmas Day…@BorisJohnson@RishiSunak what have you done?..
Salford RLFC issue statement as head coach Mike Grady departs after less than three months
Danny Jones
Salford Rugby League Football Club have issued an official statement following the departure of head coach Mike Grady, who has left the role after less than three months in the job.
It has been insisted that this is not a sacking, but rather a joint decision to terminate his contract.
Grady, who took up the mantle at the start of this project following the end of the Salford Red Devils era, was only appointed on 5 January.
He had previously been in charge of the Red Devils’ women’s side over the past couple of years, but moved over to hopefully lead this new era forward.
As you can see, the club confirmed in a statement that they and Grady have “mutually agreed to part ways due to changes in his personal circumstances.”
They go on to write: “We are forever indebted to Mike for his unwavering commitment to the club. We want to thank him for all his hard work since taking on the role as Head Coach in very challenging circumstances in December.”
Also sharing a comment from former player turned CEO, Ryan Brierley, he said: “Mike came in as Coach at a time when the club had just come through one of its toughest times with the double impact of relegation and liquidation.
“He was willing to roll up his sleeves and bring stability to the club on the pitch. The fact we were able to field a team against Oldham in January, after only three weeks, speaks volumes about his commitment and determination. To beat Hunslet at home only four weeks later was a fantastic achievement.
“Mike will always be remembered as the person [who] strived and achieved the objective of sending out the first Salford team of this new era. A team running onto the pitch, after so much hard work, gave us all something to cheer about. We also remember how well he successfully guided our women’s team to third and fourth place finishes in the Championship.”
Sharing his own farewell message, he went on to add: “I want to thank Ryan for the opportunity to represent this great club and fan base. What we created at the start of the year was pretty special, and I’m proud to have built that.
“I’m happy to leave the club in a better place than I found it and wish the club all the best for the future.” Salford RLFC have already assured that they are now recruiting for his replacement.
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Daisy Jackson -
15th December 2021 
