Revelry not riots
Restaurant chains Leon and Giraffe are among those hoping to entice diners back through their doors following the riots in English cities earlier in the week. Giraffe ran its 'Burger Tuesday' promotion, which offers burgers for just £5.50 after 5pm, on Thursday 11 August instead while Leon is giving diners a free carafe of wine, or lemonade at its non-licensed Regents Street and The Strand restaurants, if they say 'revelry not riots' when placing an order between 6pm and 11pm on 11 or 12 August.
Afternoon teatox
London hotel Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has devised a special spa and afternoon tea promotion. The £109 Revitealize package includes a 50-minute massage at the hotel's Mandara Spa followed by a Champagne afternoon tea in the Atrium Executive Lounge where guests have views across Westminster Bridge. The package includes use of the spa's pool, sauna and steam room.
Home brew challenge
To re-inforce its interest in ale and coincide with the revival of craft brewing across the globe, Mitchells & Butler's pub brand Nicholson's is launching a competition to find the best home-brewed beer. The winner will see their brew recipe transformed into a production brew by Thornbridge Brewery that will be available at Nicholson's 80 pubs. Thornbridge's Simon Webster said: "A considerable number of home brewers develop great quality beers that can never be appreciated by a larger drinking public. The Home Brew Challenge 2011 will provide home brewers with an opportunity to match their beers against those of other enthusiasts, and have them tasted by a panel of expert beer judges”.
Pet policy
The Four Seasons hotel in Hampshire is hoping to attract animal lovers with the introduction of its Welcome Pets policy. The hotel, which has just adopted its own resident canine - Oliver Beckington - has teamed up with London dog and cat outfitter Mungo & Maud to offer a range of luxuries for four-legged guests such as dog beds, grooming products, feeding bowls and organic food. General manager Charlie Parker said: “Pets are part of a family and, for many people, a holiday or a visit to the countryside just isn’t complete without them. We happily invite our guests to bring their dogs to stay and are delighted that they will now be greeted by our own."