Casual Dining

Foreign nationals make up 43% of UK hospitality's workforce

15-Dec-2016 By Mark Wingett

Currently more than two-­fifths (43 per cent) of workers in the restaurant, QSR, hotel and pub sectors in the UK are foreign nationals, according to latest figures from Fourth Analytics.

Albion and East to open Martello Hall, aimed at "Millennial working generation"

14-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The Albion and East Group – from restaurateur Sarah Weir, previously of Mitchells & Butlers and PizzaExpress, and backed by the Imbiba Partnership ‒ is to open its first cocktail bar and dining hall, Martello Hall, aimed at the "Millennial working...

MPs asked to tackle rural tourism challenges post-Brexit

14-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

MPs are being asked to consider the challenges facing hotels and other tourism businesses situated in the countryside as the organisation representing them contemplates how rural tourism will be supported post-Brexit. 

Hospitality staff clock up 28 hours overtime at Christmas

12-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

Hospitality staff will work an average of 28 hours overtime this Christmas according to the results of a survey into festive work habits. 

Why tea is a major sales opportunity for restaurants

12-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

Speciality teas could provide a major profit area for restaurants, hotels and pubs with a new study valuing the market at £3.4bn.

AB InBev to open craft beer bar in London

12-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

Brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is to open its first food-led bar in London based on the US beer brand Goose Island. 

Fewer pubs going insolvent, says finance firm

12-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

The number of pubs going through insolvency in the last year has fallen by 7 per cent to 480 according to specialist lender Ortus Secured Finance. 

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week – 05/12/16 – 09/12/16

09-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

From Tom Kerridge's first London restaurant, a £24m investment from Accor, to warnings of scams, we round up the week's biggest news

Chef Adam Handling partners with Sodexo corporate services

09-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Chef Adam Handling, of The Frog E1 in east London, has partnered with foodservice firm Sodexo to develop its Corporate Services business.

SMALL TALK

Indian chef-restaurateur Vineet Bhatia on his tasting-menu-only VBL venture

09-Dec-2016 By Joe Lutrario

The Mumbai-born chef-restaurateur has opened VBL restaurant within the converted Chelsea townhouse that once housed his Michelin-starred Rasoi after reacquiring the lease. By going tasting menu-only, he is hoping to reassert his position as the UK’s most...

ETM Group’s Aviary opens at the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel

08-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Aviary, the latest restaurant and bar from the ETM Group, has opened on the 10th floor of the 253-bedroom Montcalm Royal London House, after first being announced in August.

Restaurants warned against ‘Dan/Don’ scammer after PR raises alarm

08-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Restaurants across the UK have been warned to watch out for a scammer seeking free food and drink in return for a ‘review’, after a scam email came to light this week.

The rise of the beer sommelier: Why it’s time to put beer on the same footing as wine

08-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

There’s no doubt that interest in beer, both from the trade and consumers, has grown markedly over the last few years, yet, as a match to food beer is still overshadowed by wine.

Use Christmas to boost long-term recruitment, urges The Change Group

07-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The recruitment of temporary staff at Christmas could be used as a way for hospitality businesses to find and invest in future talent, new research has suggested.

UK one of Europe’s fastest-growing coffee markets, says report

06-Dec-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The UK is among the countries with the fastest-growing coffee market, which is still thriving and innovating to stay ahead, according to new research.

Stonegate buys Walkabout owner Intertain

06-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

Slug & Lettuce and Yates owner Stonegate Pub Company has acquired Intertain, operator of Australian bar brand Walkabout.

'Fundamental' Brexit effect on food and drink prices expected

06-Dec-2016 By Finn Scott-Delany

Brexit will have a fundamental impact on food and drink prices, with foodservice inflation expected to rise by 3.4 per cent in 2017 alone, David Read, chief executive of Prestige Purchasing has warned.

The Coaching Inn Group secures £10m to aid expansion

05-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

The Coaching Inn Group has secured £10m from the Business Growth Fund (BGF) to support its planned £50m expansion across the UK. 

Hospitality warned of 'significant' cyber attack threat

05-Dec-2016 By Emma Eversham

Staff at hotels and restaurants in the UK have been warned to be on high alert against potential cyber attacks as a sophisticated crime group turns its attention to the hospitality sector.

Prime Minister’s local pub sold to Chinese investor

05-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

A pub made famous when it was visited by David Cameron and the president of China has been sold to a Chinese company which aims to turn it into an international brand.

Over 5,000 restaurant firms could go bust, study warns

05-Dec-2016 By Mark Wingett

A total 5,570 restaurant companies have at least a 30 per cent chance of going insolvent within the next three years as Brexit raises costs and disposable incomes stagnate, BigHospitality's sister site MCA has reported.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to create the perfect Christmas cheeseboard

05-Dec-2016 By Adam Robery

Adam Robery, business director at The Rustic Cheese Company, gives his top tips for restaurants looking to put together a cheeseboard this Christmas, listing a range of options for different budgets. 

BrewDog launches £10m crowdfunding campaign

02-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

Scottish bar brand BrewDog has launched a fresh round of crowdfunding to support its 2017 expansion plans.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 28/11 - 02/12

02-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

Gold Service Scholarship announces 2017 finalists

02-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Gold Service Scholarship has announced the eight finalists who will be competing to win the 2017 award.

Pidgin team open 'Hackney’s smallest wine bar'

01-Dec-2016 By Sophie Witts

The team behind London’s Pidgin restaurant, which won its first Michelin Star this year, are to open a new wine bar in Hackney from today (1 December).

Bookatable launches restaurant music festival to explore food-music link

30-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Online restaurant booking platform Bookatable is to hold a festival exploring the links between food and music, as part of wider research into the subject.

Restaurants, pubs and hotels at front line of rising food inflation

30-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Foodservice operators are on the front line of rising food inflation as they face paying 2 per cent more for supplies than they did last year, according to supply chain management company Prestige Purchasing. 

Chichester College invests £3m in kitchens for catering students

29-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

They are often criticised for not equipping students with the right skills to work in the industry, but one catering college is helping to put its students 'at the cutting edge' by investing £3m in new kitchens and a training restaurant. 

Campaign calls for standardised fish and chip portion sizes

29-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

A campaign has been launched by Seafish and AHDB to encourage fish and chip restaurants and takeaways to serve portions in standard sizes. 

UK has seen no post-Brexit tourism surge, says BHA

28-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

The number of leisure tourists visiting the UK dropped by almost 400,000 in the first nine months of 2016, according to the British Hospitality Association's (BHA) Travel Monitor report.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to cater for large groups during the festive season

28-Nov-2016 By Darron Bunn

Darron Bunn, executive chef at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex - home to events like The Festival of Speed, as well as restaurants, a hotel and private members’ club – gives his top tips for catering for large parties over the festive season.

Boom Burger diversifies with new Boom Shack concept in Brixton

25-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Boom Burger, the Jamaican-style burger group, is diversifying its offer and seeking to expand, as it opens its long-awaited second site and cocktail concept Boom Shack, in London’s Brixton this weekend.

Springboard announces winners of Awards for Excellence 2016

25-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Byron, QHotels and Peach Pubs were among the winners of Springboard's Awards for Excellence 2016.

Tony Conigliaro to open Warhol-inspired bar, Untitled

25-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Tony Conigliaro, bartender, mixologist, and founder of London cocktail bars 69 Colebrook Row and Bar Termini, is to open his third bar concept, Untitled, this December in Hackney.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 21/11 - 25/11

25-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

SMALL TALK

DECK Social's Deborah Efemini on providing community-led hospitality

25-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Deborah Efemini turns disused spaces into community-led hospitality hubs through her work with DECK Social. She talks about her latest venture Parkside Social in Lewisham and why pop-up social projects can be worthwhile for new hospitality talent as well...

Birmingham named top UK city for business tourism

24-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Birmingham has been named as the UK’s top destination for business tourism outside of London.

Redcomb Pubs acquires The Old Manor in expansion push

24-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Redcomb Pubs has acquired The Old Manor in Potters Bar, bringing its estate to 14 pubs across London and the south of England.

What does the Autumn Statement mean for hospitality?

23-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Autumn Statement has received a lukewarm response from the hospitality industry after the Chancellor offered help for rural businesses, but failed to cut tourism VAT.

Restaurants and hotels prepare for Black Friday sales surge

23-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Restaurants and hotels are preparing to cash-in on this year’s Black Friday madness, with shoppers set to spend almost £2bn over the weekend.

Flat Iron triumphs at 2016 R200 Awards

23-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

Affordable steak restaurant brand Flat Iron was a double winner in the 2016 R200 Awards at London's M Restaurant Victoria last night (22 November). 

Video: The Wright Brothers on the magic of oysters

23-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

British consumers now love food and are truly open-minded about trying seafood and oysters. At least, so say Robin Hancock and Ben Wright, co-founders of expanding oyster supplier and London-based restaurant group, The Wright Brothers.

Wetherspoon’s Tim Martin hits out at pub VAT and business rates

22-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has again hit out against the VAT and business rates paid by pubs, saying that they are “killing pubs”.

Autumn Statement 2016: Five things hospitality wants to see

22-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

Chancellor Philip Hammond will deliver the UK’s first post-Brexit budget on 23 November, but what are the issues the hospitality industry wants to see addressed?

Why 'sleeping giant' Hull is a city to watch

21-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

It may not be known as a typical tourist magnet, but Hull is attracting a growing number of hotels and restaurants ahead its stint as UK City of Culture in 2017.

Business rate appeal block could cost small businesses £700m

21-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

The Government's plan to stop businesses appealing against incorrect business rates calculations could cost small businesses more than £700m, hospitality, retail and SME lobby groups have warned. 

The new black: How coffee got creative

21-Nov-2016 By Hannah Thompson

With the opening of new shops apparently slowing and brand loyalty at an all-time low, we look at the innovative new concepts fighting back against ‘peak coffee’.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 14/11 - 18/11

18-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick

SMALL TALK

Holly Eggleton on working with family and making front-of-house fun

18-Nov-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Holly Eggleton runs the Pony & Trap in Chew Magna with her brother Josh Eggleton where she is responsible for front and back-of-house operations. She is also involved with the Salt and Malt café; the company's outside catering business and new...