Investigating COVID-19's Impact on Ledbury Restaurant's Performance

This research project investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance and operations of Ledbury Restaurant, a fine-dining establishment in London. The introduction highlights the challenges faced by businesses during the pandemic, particularly in the hospitality sector, emphasizing the effects of social distancing and travel restrictions. The literature review explores the concept of COVID-19 in a business context, the issues faced by restaurants (staff shortages, supply chain disruptions), and the impact on performance. The research methodology focuses on a quantitative approach using positivism philosophy. The project aims to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Ledbury's performance, identify the issues faced, and provide suggestions for improvement, such as implementing safety measures, offering online ordering, and adapting the supply chain. The report includes a table of contents, introduction, literature review, research methodology, and references.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Title of the Research........................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

Title of the Research
An investigation over determining the impact of COVID-19 over decreasing performance
and operations of the business. A case study on Ledbury Restaurant.
INTRODUCTION
The study initiates to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 over decreasing performance and
operations of the restaurant business. However, COVID-19 has made a remarkable emergency
all businesses around the world. Notwithstanding, the travel industry, housing, and travel
organizations, notably delicate to genuine stuns in like manner as the commonness of pandemics,
are enduring a sharp drop in the interest. In this manner, the inn business specifically has
encountered sensational deals misfortunes as inhabitance rates have to a great extent dropped
because of social removing and the exceptional decrease in the quantity of travelers. The lodging
business encountered a work stun sooner than different enterprises, with a sharp drop in the
quantity of representatives and a sensational ascent in the number on transitory leave. The
COVID-19 pandemic has presented a myriad of challenges for the businesses in terns to
managing and suitably accessing its activities within the market (Chowdhury and et. al., 2020).
Therefore, the operations of the business are widely influenced in the pandemic of COVID-19 as
in this pandemic situation restaurant businesses are affected badly as the operations of the
business are restricted due to the legislations imposed by the government of countries. In this
present analysis the study is executed over the analysis of Ledbury Restaurant, thus it is a leading
restaurant which is located on Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London, England. The company was
established in the year of 2005. In the pandemic situation due to government restrictions the
restaurant was not able to perform in the appropriate manner and the COVID-19 has direct
impact over the operations of the business. Thus it is important for the business to impose all the
safety measures and conduct operations effectively.
Rationale of Research
The project into consideration is based on determining the impact of COVID-19 over
decreasing performance and operations of the business. Therefore, it is a most recognized subject
in today's modern era as it needs suitable recognition (Elavarasan and et. al., 2020). The major
rational behind selecting this, subject is that, COVID 19 pandemic is virus that impact on the
business. Present study helps in examining the potential impact on determining the impact of
1

COVID-19 over decreasing performance and operations of the business. The project is
imperative in exploring individual recognition in relation to the aspect of COVID-19 and in
which manner it impact on the productivity and profitability of business. The another expectation
of executing the examination is the individual premium of the specialist, as the examiner needs
to investigate own thought and information according to the picked subject.
Research Aim
To determine the impact of COVID-19 over decreasing performance and operations of
the business. A case study on Ledbury Restaurant.
Research Objectives
 To enhance knowledge about the concept of COVID-19 in the context to business.
 To articulate the issues faces by the restaurant business in the pandemic of COVID 19.
 To explore understanding in relation to the impact of COVID-19 over the performance of
Ledbury Restaurant.
 To make suggestions for Ledbury Restaurant to develop the operations and performance
of the business during the pandemic of COVID-19.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of COVID-19 in the context to business?
 What issues are faces by the restaurant business in the pandemic of COVID 19?
 What is the impact of COVID-19 over the performance of Ledbury Restaurant?
 What are the suggestions for Ledbury Restaurant to develop the operations and
performance of the business during the pandemic of COVID-19?
2

LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is termed to be the most imperative aspect of the project as it helps in
executing the detailed analysis over a specified subject. Therefore, literature review is effective
in developing theoretical understanding in relation to a specific subject. This section of the
investigation is mainly relay over the secondary sources i.e. books, journals, articles and so on.
Concept of COVID-19 in the context to business
According to opinion of Naveen Donthu and Anders Gustafsson (2020) Covid-19 is a
virus that linked to similar family of the viruses as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS) and some common cold type. Virus that causes the COVID-19 is in virus family that is
known as Coronaviridae. The antibiotic does not work against the virus. Some of the people who
ill with the COVID-19 pandemic situation can develop the bacterial infection as complication. In
the present case, antibiotics can be recommended through provider of healthcare. At present,
there is no license medication cure due to the COVID-19. The businesses should navigate
operational as well as financial challenges of the coronavirus while addressing quickly
requirements of suppliers, people and the consumers. Several organisations are faced with the
overwhelming, competing with challenges and the uncharted waters as they are continuing to be
navigate impact of COVID-19 pandemic situation (Hao, Xiao and Chon,2020). Firms are taking
the no regret actions in order to emerge from pandemic stronger. These are the leaders facing
crisis with reinvention spirit such as establishing the variable cost structures, accelerating the
digital transformation and execution of agile operations. Firm should be outmaneuver through
course correcting as changes in the circumstances. Consequences of coronavirus disease
outbreak are the unprecedented and also felt around world. Whole world is being impacted
through pandemic situation. It is mainly impacted the economies, enterprises and labour markets
consisting global supply chain that leading to the business disruptions.
Issues are faces by the restaurant business in the pandemic of COVID 19
As per opinion of JEFFREY LENTZ (2020) Restaurant sector has some of notable changes
that caused through COVID-19 pandemic situation. For the consumers, dining rooms of
restaurant are closed. COVID-19 situation forced the restaurant to make changes way in which
they are mainly operate. Responsibility related to the workplace safety falls to managers or
owners (Nicola and et. al., 2020). There is a need to the staff members to follow the new safety
3

regulations and rules all time. Other than this, there are some issues are faces by the restaurant
business in the pandemic of COVID 19 mention below:
Limited staff- Shortage of the employees are mainly impacted the Ledbury Restaurant. It
is operating at 50% capacity and still have complex time searching enough employees to be
work. Having the more people for every shift is constant struggle. COVID-19 pandemic caused
loss of several jobs and also closure of the business. Unemployment funds are the rival salaries
of the part- time workers in restaurants. Staff members which work more hours get similar
amount as those which work few. In regards to this, some choose to gather assistance than risk
personal safety to employee’s local eateries.
Making adjustments- Several restaurants have been added the delivery and also carryout
services. The consumers enjoy the food from favourite spots. In context to this, they have the
limited contact with the others as this needs the additional hands. Ledbury Restaurant should
carefully pack orders and consist additional such as cutlery, ketchup and napkins. If the
consumers were inside restaurant, then this would easier to give them. The consumers would
wither have use own items (Ivanov, 2020).
Supply shortages- The cleanliness has been always priority for Ledbury Restaurant.
Since begin of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, sanitizers, soaps and the cleaning products
have been short in the supply. They are the complex time for average consumers to be locate.
This has been complex for restaurant to search what they require. In regards to this, restaurant
require the extra gloves and masks for staff members to serve the consumers.
Impact of COVID-19 over the performance of Ledbury Restaurant
On the basis of opinion of Jungkeun Kim and Jacob C. Lee (2020) impact on restaurant
sector has been dramatic. The restaurant foot traffic and also online reservations may reduce to
zero but in some countries there are online orders for the pickup and also delivery are enhancing
with steady enhanced over past 45 days. The COVID-19 develops negative impact on the
performance level of Ledbury restaurant as there is reduction in the supply and also the
customers. Other than this, impact being felt through the businesses in restaurant and hospitality
sector as result of COVID-19 pandemic that expanding rapidly the needs of social distancing and
also travel limitations (Nicola and et. al., 2020). Ledbury restaurant is operating at the small
capacity fractions if it is not closed. The employers are concerned regarding spread of the
COVID-19 at workplace between those staff members which are not able to be perform work
4

from home, deep cleaning, social distancing and the handwashing at workplace are among most
recommendations for staff members which cannot be work remotely. Other than this, managers
in restaurant are facing more challenges like reduced requirement for staffing, staff without the
childcare, requirement for the remote work and also protecting staff members from spread of
COVID-19 at workplace.
Suggestions for Ledbury Restaurant to develop the operations and performance of the
business during the pandemic of COVID-19
Fine dining and casual restaurants are rallying quickly now with fighting the spirit in wake
of the COVID-19 shifting businesses in order to accommodate the delivery and takeout. It is
necessary for the Ledbury restaurant to use the proper safety measures by providing the gloves to
staff members, use sanitizers and also maintain the social distancing at workplace. Establish the
safety measures and also mention at forefront of marketing efforts that ease the fears of
customers. The service- minded messages for an instance curbside pickup and also contactless
delivery. Human resource of Ledbury restaurant should provide the facilities about minimizing
the working hours as well as rotating staff members. Other than this, supply chain should be
flexible as to respond challenges in food supply chain. To reduce the impact of COVID-19
pandemic, it is necessary for the Ledbury restaurant to provide the online order and home
delivery services. This will help in attracting the customers and also minimize chance to arising
the COVID-19issues. It will assist in improving the operations as well as performance level of
the business at the time of pandemic of COVID-19.
5

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Type of Research Method: This is the most imperative aspect of the research methodology
as it mainly relays over the two imperative aspects i.e. qualitative and quantitative research
method. This aspect mainly consists over mixed method, mono method and multi method. In the
context to this present investigation work based on the aspect of analysing the determining the
impact of COVID-19 over decreasing performance and operations of the business. Quantitative
research will be considering by the researcher, thus it is effective in conducting detailed analysis
and helps the investigation via gathering information within actual facts and figures
(Papadopoulos, Baltas and Balta, 2020). The key merit of this approach is that it is effective in
providing descriptive evaluation as in this data can effectively be analyzed as the sample is large.
In addition to this, it provides descriptive evaluation via the support of providing data within
facts and actual figures and the assessment of outcome are easy as in this evaluation is based on
numerical aspects. On the other side, the key demerit of this approach is that, it is more difficult
to generalise as it always needs large sample to generate accurate outcome.
Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is defined as the belief which is connected to a
way in which information in relation to a specific phenomenon needs to be gathered, analysed
and applied. The research philosophy is recognised as the specific way of developing knowledge
that defines the effective philosophical paradigm. This section is based on two imperative aspects
i.e. Interpretivism and positivism research philosophy. For considering the present research,
positivism philosophy will be considering by the researcher, thus it is imperative in nature to
conduct descriptive quantitative analysis (Qin and et. Al., 2020). However, positivism
philosophy is suitable in providing information with actual facts that are encompasses over
analysing the determining the impact of COVID-19 over decreasing performance and operations
of the business.
Research Approach: This mainly defined as the useful and effective process of information
evaluation which is widely based over two approaches that are effective in assisting the whole
investigation in a right direction to attain suitable results, therefore, approach is mainly
encompasses over deductive and inductive research approach. In the context of this present
investigation, deductive research approach will be effective to drawn valid outcome via
analysing theories and hypothesis that are based on determining the impact of COVID-19 over
decreasing performance and operations of the business. Despite from this, deductive approach is
6

effective for quantitative analysis and the selected area incorporates over mono method where
quantitative will be the best aspect to address the issue of training via developing theories and
hypothesis related to the specific area (Shafi, Liu and Ren, 2020). The key advantage of this
approach is that it is highly suitable for quantitative analysis and Quantitative examination is
more "logical" in its strategies than subjective exploration and subsequently more dependable. In
research, quantitative information gives target data that analysts can use to make logical
suspicions. The key demerit of this approach is that, it does not provide in-depth data and the
validity of the data is also low.
Data Collection Tools: This section of methodology is based on two aspects i.e. primary
and secondary sources of data collection, therefore these two are imperative in gathering
information on different grounds. In the context to this present research project, both the aspect
will be considering by the researcher, thus, primary research will be considering to gather first-
hand information which are specific to the aspect of determining the impact of COVID-19 over
decreasing performance and operations of the business. Therefore, primary research will be
conducting via the support of questionnaire. On the other side, secondary research is effective in
providing support to enhancing theoretical understanding about the topic. In this information
accumulation will be based on books, journals, articles and so on. The key merit of the primary
research is that it is effective in providing specific data which is encompasses over the particular
study and furthermore, it permits the scientist to acquire unique information that are current and
exceptionally explicit to their necessities (Sharpe Jr and et. al., 2020). On the contrary the
demerit of this approach is that it is quite time consuming in nature. The key benefit of secondary
research is that, it is advantageous for analysts as it is done at home, in libraries, and other
comparative spots and it is also affordable as this incurred less cost. The key disadvantage of this
approach is that in this old information’s are gathered which may lead the investigation in wrong
manner.
Data Sampling: Sampling is defined as the process which is implemented in the measurable
investigation under which the pre-recognized perceptions number is chosen from huge populace.
This part of procedure depends on two basic viewpoints for example probabilistic and non-
probabilistic information inspecting. In the context to this present investigation work, 30 samples
will be picked randomly via the probabilistic sampling tool, thus random sampling is the
appropriate tool to picked individual to conduct analysis effectively. In this, employees of
7

Ledbury Restaurant will be select as they are more liable in providing suitable information about
the training processes of the business (Shen and et. al., 2020).
Data Analysis: Data analysis is characterized as the method of examining, purifying,
changing and displaying the data with the objective of finding suitable data. In the present
research work information will be analyse via implementing thematic analysis approach. Thus, in
this themes are developed over the questions of questionnaire and analysis will be carried out via
creating interpretation over the information accumulated via the participant’s views. in addition
to this, the representation of the information is relay over frequency table, graphs, charts,
diagrams and so on.
Ethical Consideration: In the execution of the undertaking it is basic for the analyst to
follow all the morals in regard to suitable implementation of the research. Researcher needs to
provide consent form to their participants at the initial stage of the investigation as it is
imperative in taking prior approval from the participants to taking part in the research process. In
addition to this researcher likewise needs to guarantee their members about the wellbeing and
security of their private information, thus the participants are having their major concern over
maintaining the confidentiality and the anatomy of their private information (Stephany and et.
al., 2020). Researcher also concern over not asking any question which hurts the emotions and
sentiments of the individual.
Cost, access and time: These three are the important aspects to be considered by the
researcher, in the manner to attempting suitable execution of the project. therefore, in the
execution of the research the investigator needs to keep an eye over these aspects, thus researcher
needs to manage cost and capital for the effective implementation of research activities and few
activities like data collection, transportation, stationary, access of the sources and so on are quite
cost consuming in nature and suitable funds to access the project in right manner (Stephany and
et. al., 2020). In addition to this, the researcher also needs to design a time frame for overcome
the issue of time as it helps the investigation in suitable execution of the project and complement
the project within time. Researcher also needs to select the most suitable sources to gather
information as access is also considered as the major challenge which affects the completion of
the project.
8

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Chowdhury, M. T. and et. al., 2020. A case study on strategies to deal with the impacts of
COVID-19 pandemic in the food and beverage industry. Operations Management
Research, pp.1-13.
Elavarasan, R.M. and et. al.,2020. COVID-19: Impact analysis and recommendations for power
sector operation. Applied energy, 279, p.115739.
Hao, F., Xiao, Q. and Chon, K., 2020. COVID-19 and China’s hotel industry: Impacts, a disaster
management framework, and post-pandemic agenda. International Journal of Hospitality
Management. 90. p.102636.
Ivanov, D., 2020. Predicting the impacts of epidemic outbreaks on global supply chains: A
simulation-based analysis on the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2)
case. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review. 136.
p.101922.
Nicola, M. and et. al., 2020. The socio-economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic
(COVID-19): A review. International journal of surgery (London, England), 78, p.185.
Nicola, M. and et. al., 2020. The socio-economic implications of the coronavirus and COVID-19
pandemic: a review. International Journal of Surgery.
Papadopoulos, T., Baltas, K. N. and Balta, M. E., 2020. The use of digital technologies by small
and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and
practice. International Journal of Information Management, 55, p.102192.
Qin, X., Huang, G., Shen, H. and Fu, M., 2020. COVID-19 pandemic and firm-level cash
holding—moderating effect of goodwill and goodwill impairment. Emerging Markets
Finance and Trade. 56(10). pp.2243-2258.
Shafi, M., Liu, J. and Ren, W., 2020. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on micro, small, and
medium-sized Enterprises operating in Pakistan. Research in Globalization, 2, p.100018.
Sharpe Jr, R. E. and et. al., 2020. Special Report of the RSNA COVID-19 Task Force: The
Short-and Long-Term Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Private
Radiology Practices. Radiology, p.202517.
Shen, H. and et. al., 2020. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firm
performance. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade. 56(10). pp.2213-2230.
Stephany, F. and et. al., 2020. The CoRisk-Index: A data-mining approach to identify industry-
specific risk assessments related to COVID-19 in real-time. arXiv preprint
arXiv:2003.12432.
Stephany, F. and et. al., 2020. The CoRisk-Index: A data-mining approach to identify industry-
specific risk assessments related to COVID-19 in real-time. arXiv preprint
arXiv:2003.12432.
Online
Donthu, N. and Gustafsson, A., 2020. Effects of COVID-19 on business and research. [Online].
Available through: <
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296320303830>.
Kim, J. and Lee, J.C., 2020. Effects of COVID-19 on preferences for private dining facilities in
restaurants. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7373016/>.
9

Lentz, J., 2020. 4 Big Marketing Challenges Facing Restaurants in a COVID World. [Online].
Available through: < https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/4-big-marketing-
challenges-facing-restaurants-covid-world>.
10

11