Premier Inn-owner in €798m loss as Covid restrictions bite                   

Premier Inn hotel chain are part of Whitbread PLC stable. Picture by: Lewis Whyld/PA Archive/PA Images

Whitbread said business had slowed this month after the UK government asked people to work from home and imposed new regional lockdowns, adding to pressures after the Premier-Inn owner posted a hefty first-half loss.

The UK government reimposed curbs in September and in response, Whitbread plans to cut up to 6,000 jobs at its hotels and restaurants, it said last month.