Hospitality welcomes Government decision on Heathrow
Hospitality bodies, including the BHA, UKinbound, and VisitBritain, welcomed this week’s decision from the Government to expand Heathrow Airport, saying that it sent a message that Britain is open, and would encourage investment and inbound tourism. (The decision is still subject to pending legal approval, however).
French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten to open at The Connaught hotel
The highly-regarded French chef announced he would open an ‘informal, neighbourhood-style’, as-yet-unnamed restaurant in the luxury hotel in spring 2007, operating on the other side of the building to Helene Darroze’s existing high-end site. Vongerichten previously operated the now-closed site Vong at the nearby Berkeley Hotel.
The Marksman, Bethnal Green named Michelin Pub of the Year 2017
The Marksman, co-owned by former St John chefs Tom Harris and Jon Rotheram, became the first London pub to be awarded the Michelin accolade. The east London site also won a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, and was commended on its friendliness, passion, and “gutsy, keenly priced and wonderfully fresh dishes”.
Tourist visits to the UK hit new all-time high
VisitBritain revealed data showing that the UK welcomed the highest ever number of inbound tourists in the month of August, describing it as a ‘post-Brexit boom’. Tourists were estimated to have spent a total of £2.6b, and brought the total number of inbound UK visits up to a record 25 million from January to August 2016.
Springboard announces Awards for Excellence 2016 shortlist
The industry charity announced the individuals and employers who have helped to boost the profile of hospitality and tourism workers most this year. The winners are to be announced at a ceremony at the Novotel London West on 24 November, and include names from groups such as Marriott, Chewton Glen, Lucknam Park, Rocco Forte Hotels, QHotels, and Stonegate Pub Company.
See here for a full rundown of this week's news.