The HRC event was due to take place from 22-24 March 2021 at ExCeL London. Services provider Compass was announced as the headline sponsor for the chef competition International Salon Culinaire that was due to take place during the event.

In a statement released on the HRC Show’s website, Ronda Annesley, HRC event manager, said: “Even though we had introduced ‘All Secure Standard’, a risk-assessment based framework for Covid-19, and planned for the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness, ultimately the lack of guidance and clarity from the government on when business events can restart has meant that we have had to take the painful decision to postpone HRC until 2022.

“We felt extremely confident that we could deliver a safe and secure live event for the tens of thousands of hospitality industry professionals that look forward to the show each year and we are devastated that we will not be able to play our part next year in helping the hospitality industry recover from the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic in a face to face format.

“However, we are currently investigating numerous ways in which we can continue to support and connect with the hospitality industry throughout 2021 and beyond, and hope to make an announcement around this in the near future.

“We would like to thank you, our loyal exhibitors and visitors for your ongoing support and we look forward to seeing you again, face to face in 2022.”