90% of independent restaurants could face closure due to pandemic

Campaign launches to support Britain’s food culture

• New research shows that 90% of independent restaurants in the UK have faced the risk of permanent closure at some point in the pandemic
• And 70% of people fear the variety of Britain’s food scene is under threat as a result
• Interviews are available with Chef Gizzi Erskine and self-confessed foodie & comedienne Katherine Ryan on Thursday 28th January

Chef Gizzi Erskine                   Comedian and self-confessed foodie Katherine Ryan     Long-term ambassador Joe Wicks MBE 

The campaign comes as new research polling 250 independent restaurant workers and 2,000 British adults revealed that 90% of restaurants have faced the risk of permanent closure at some point during the pandemic. 70% of people fear the variety of Britain’s food scene is under threat as a result.

To help this cause that’s so close to our hearts, chef Gizzi Erskine, long-term ambassador Joe Wicks MBE and comedian and self-confessed foodie Katherine Ryan have joined forces with recipe box pros, Gousto, to launch Cookstarter, a campaign supporting Britain’s diverse food culture by helping independent restaurants thrive during the pandemic.

Following a nationwide search, the campaign will see five much-loved independent restaurants receive £10k-worth of funding each, alongside a year-long programme of business coaching support, spanning finance, marketing, HR and product development from a dedicated Board of Mentors at Gousto, put together by CEO and co-founder Timo Boldt.

Alongside the year-long support programme, Gousto will collaborate with the five independent restaurants to create new recipes inspired by the restaurants for customers to enjoy at home. Every time a subscriber orders a Cookstarter recipe, they will be able to ‘tip’ the restaurant’s team through the cashless tipping solution TiPJAR.

The campaign will go one step further to benefit the industry as a whole by encouraging Brits to donate to Hospitality Action, a charity that supports all workers in the UK hospitality industry.

The research also revealed that over a third of restaurant workers (36%) are fearing for the future of independent restaurants in the UK, as restrictions in many areas of the country are only getting tighter.

The vast majority (97%) of restaurants have had to pivot and adapt to the changing times, but sadly with a huge financial cost, 86% have reported reduced profits, making it a tough year to stay in business.

Almost all (97%) of restaurants have had to adapt to changing regulations and fluctuating demand, with over half reducing their menu size in the past year, greatly restricting the meal choice available to customers. Despite this, for nearly half (43%) food wastage is at an all-time high.

But Britain’s food culture is loved by many and hunger for culinary diversity remains high. For over half of British diners, the UK’s unique food scene is one of their favourite things about the country.

A huge 79% believe that independent restaurants are what makes Britain’s food scene so unique, and 82% would like to be able to do more to help them during this difficult time.