Casual Dining

Where to find inspiration at The Restaurant Show 2016

15-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

This year’s Restaurant Show is all about inspiring you and your business to be the best. We’ve delved into the programme ahead of the event and dug out our top picks especially for you. 

BHA condemns view that hospitality is not a good career as ‘outdated’

14-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has branded the view that hospitality is not a good career for young people as ‘an outdated viewpoint’.

Epicurean bar focusing on home-grown plants to open in Edinburgh

14-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Epicurean, a new bar focusing on drinks with home-grown flowers and herbs, is to open in Edinburgh in October.

One in 10 diners admit to not paying the bill because of waiting times

13-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Over one in 10 UK restaurant-goers have admitted to leaving a restaurant, café or bar without paying the bill, either because they didn’t want to wait any more, or couldn’t find a member of staff.

Why the gin trend is showing no sign of drying up

13-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

The popularity of gin in the UK is showing little sign of waning with sales of the spirit breaking the £1bn barrier six months earlier than predicted according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Restaurant cleanliness more important than customer service, finds report

12-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Food hygiene ratings have greater influence over a diner’s choice of venue than customer service, according to research by food safety management company Checkit.

Frontier Pubs opens first site in London

12-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Frontier Pubs, the joint venture between Enterprise Inns and London gastropub operator Food & Fuel, has opened its first site in the capital.

Big Red Teapot to open fourth Edinburgh site

12-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Edinburgh-based bar operator Big Red Teapot is to open a fourth bar and restaurant in the city's West End. 

Whitbread to open flagship Bar & Block at King's Cross

09-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Whitbread is to open a flagship branch of its steak-focused all-day dining restaurant Bar & Block at London's King's Cross. 

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 05/09 - 09/09

09-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

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

Hospitality businesses to provide evidence for seaside towns inquiry

08-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Owners of hospitality and tourism businesses in seaside towns are being asked to help MPs with an inquiry into the problems facing these areas. 

Industry representatives needed for new Hospitality Apprenticeship Board

08-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

People 1st is asking hospitality businesses which are 'passionate about skills and apprenticeships' to nominate representatives for a new Hospitality Apprenticeship Board. 

Good Pub Guide 2017: The Horse Guards Inn named Pub of the Year

08-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Horse Guards Inn in Tillington, West Sussex, has been named the Good Pub Guide Pub of the Year 2017.

Fabric closure fuels concern for London's late-night venues

07-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

The closure of Fabric, one of London’s most infamous nightclubs, has sparked widespread concern over the future of the UK’s late-night sector.

Craft Guild of Chefs names eight new graduates

07-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

The Craft Guild of Chefs has named eight recipients of its 2016 Graduate Awards with chefs from The Ritz, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and Wiltons restaurant among those honoured. 

VizEat, the Airbnb for food, to expand in the UK

06-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

VizEat, the European food platform designed to give travellers access to meals and food experiences provided by locals, is set to grow in the UK after receiving an extra £31m in investment.  

Rise in summer spending at restaurants, hotels and pubs

06-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Restaurants, hotels and pubs all saw a double-digit rise in spending in August as more people opted for UK staycations, according to a Barclaycard report.

ASK THE EXPERTS

10 ways to respond to online reviews

05-Sep-2016 By RJ Friedlander

ReviewPro CEO and founder RJ Friedlander gives his 10 top tips for hoteliers and restaurateurs responding to online reviews.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 29/08 - 02/09

02-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

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

Punch to launch food-led village pub concept

02-Sep-2016 By Sophie Witts

Punch Taverns is to launch a new premium food concept based on a traditional village pub.

Ancient Roman-inspired restaurant Roma to open in east London

01-Sep-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Roma, a new Roman-themed restaurant, is to open in east London on 23 September.

Front-of-house staff encouraged to enter Gold Service Scholarship 2017

01-Sep-2016 By Emma Eversham

Front-of-house staff are being encouraged to enter the Gold Service Scholarship as the 2017 competition opens for entries.

Drake & Morgan plans Corney & Barrow site conversions

31-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Bar operator Drake & Morgan will convert two Corney & Barrow sites to its own brand by the end of the year as it looks to integrate the city-based wine bars into its estate.

In Operation with... Drake & Morgan

31-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

The return of our popular video series In Operation with... sees us find out more about the inner workings of bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan.

Half of millennials moving to healthier diet

30-Aug-2016 By James Wallin

New research has shown an increasing appetite for healthy eating – with 47 per cent of millennials saying they have changed their dining habits over the last year towards a healthier diet.

Hospitality benefits from £40m fund as Government pledges to boost UK tourism

30-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Seafood restaurants on the South Devon coastline, hotels and restaurants along the South West coast and golf resorts are some of the tourism businesses set to benefit from a share of the Government's first £40m Discover England Fund.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 22/08 - 26/08

26-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

From high-profile restaurant lists to chefs writing to the Mayor of London, it was eventful this week. Here’s some of the top stories

UK restaurants help raise money for Italian Red Cross after earthquake

26-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Restaurants across the UK are helping to raise money for the victims of the Italian earthquake, via the Italian Red Cross.

The doggy dollar: How hospitality is recognising our love of dogs

26-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

It’s no secret that Brits love their dogs, and recent trends suggest that hospitality is starting to wake up to the business benefits of catering to customers' canine friends.  

Maxwell's to open Covent Garden bar in £1m investment

25-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Maxwell’s Restaurants Group has revealed plans to open a new Covent Garden venue as part of a wider £1m investment across its late-night estate.

L'Enclume named UK's best restaurant in 2017 Good Food Guide

25-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume has been named the UK’s best restaurant for the fourth year running in the 2017 Waitrose Good Food Guide

WINE TRENDS

Restaurants sell more cool climate wines

24-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants, hotels and pubs are stocking more wines from cool climate regions to help fuel diner demand for lighter, fresher and food-friendly styles.

More Britons to holiday at home this Bank Holiday

24-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

The number of people planning UK staycations over the August Bank Holiday has risen by 300,000 year-on-year, according to a VisitBritain survey.

Chefs call on London Mayor to ban polystyrene food packaging

24-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

A group of chefs and food writers including Ed Baines, Mark Hix and Theo Randall have called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to ban polystyrene packaging - "the scourge of Soho" - in the capital city.

National Waiters' Day returns to celebrate front-of-house staff

23-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Hard working front-of-house staff are set to be celebrated at this year’s National Waiters' Day on 20 October.

The Chestnut Group secures another £2.5m funding for expansion

23-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Suffolk-based hospitality business The Chestnut Group has raised £2.5m through the Government's Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) to help with its plans to expand to 10 sites by the end of 2018. 

Former Geronimo Inns director opens first of planned regional pubs

23-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Former Geronimo Inns managing director Ed Turner, and his wife Buffy, have re-opened The Old Ale & Coffee House pub near Salisbury Cathedral, with plans for more across the UK under the Buff and Bear Saloons brand.

Hospitality industry welcomes Night Tube, despite staff concerns

22-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

The launch of the Night Tube in London could be a major boost for restaurants and bars, but many staff are concerned they could be left working longer hours, according to new research.

Mexican cheese and edible insects at this year's Speciality and Fine Food Fair

22-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

A Mexican cheese, edible insects and a riddled beer are among the products available to try and source at this year's Speciality and Fine Food Fair. 

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 15/08 - 19/08

19-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

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

Admiral Taverns confirms £750,000 investment in Yorkshire estate

19-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Pub group Admiral Taverns has confirmed a series of significant investments in three of its Yorkshire pubs, including £250,000 in soon-to-open The Albert in Hebden Bridge.

A-level students urged to take up hospitality careers

18-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality firms are urging young people to choose apprenticeships over going to university, as students receive their A-level results this week.

Columbo Group and Lucky Chip to open Camden music venue

18-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Blues Kitchen owner The Columbo Group is teaming up with London burger bar Lucky Chip to launch its latest food and music venue The Camden Assembly next month.

Employing hospitality staff legally: What you need to know about the Immigration Act 2016

18-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Byron received unwanted media attention last month after it helped the Home Office organise an immigration raid on some of its staff who were found to be working illegally in the UK. 

Neil Rankin to fire up new Soho barbecue restaurant

17-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Chef Neil Rankin is to launch a new whole animal barbecue restaurant, temper, in Soho on Bonfire Night this year.

Brexit vote impact fails to curb eating and drinking out

17-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

The impact of the 'out' vote in June's EU Referendum failed to impact July sales in the UK's pub and restaurant chains, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. 

Steak: Macellaio RC and the importance of sourcing

17-Aug-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Macelliao RC might appear to be a complex name for a restaurant, but it’s actually simple - much like its dedication to Fassone beef.

Bartenders invited to help create new single malt whisky

16-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Scotch whisky brand Auchentoshan is searching for creative bartenders to become part of its New Malt Order and help create a limited edition single malt whisky.

Pubs and restaurants oppose sugar tax over job loss fears

16-Aug-2016 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality and food trade bodies have teamed up to fight Government plans to impose a sugar tax on soft drinks.

The Apprenticeship Levy: What hospitality employers need to know

16-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Last week the Government published its proposals for a new funding model for apprenticeships and details around its controversial Apprenticeship Levy.