Casual Dining

UK WorldSkills team preparing for São Paulo

30-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Young hospitality professionals are preparing to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Competition in São Paulo, Brazil, in August.

Consumers demand better technology in pubs

29-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Over a quarter of consumers would like to see improved technology in pubs to allow them to work away from home, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker report.

Craft Beer Co. to make City debut

29-Jul-2015 By Mark Wingett

The Craft Beer Co is set to make its debut in the City of London, after securing the leasehold of the former Trident Bar and Restaurant on Mitre Lane. 

Pubs and restaurants back Live Your Life Day

28-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

Pub and restaurant groups, including Greene King, Yummy Pubs, La Tasca and Drake & Morgan will be giving out special wristbands and displaying posters on Thursday (30 July) in support of Live Your Life Day. 

Conscious Hospitality comes to The Restaurant Show 2015

28-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

A new exhibition exploring how hospitality businesses can improve their corporate, social and environmental responsibility (CSER) will run alongside The Restaurant Show at London's Olympia from 5-7 October.

Brighton considers banning smoking outside restaurants and pubs

27-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Smoking outside restaurants, cafes and pubs in Brighton and Hove could be banned under plans being considered by the council.

Young's begins Burger Shack expansion

24-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Young’s pub company is rolling-out its Burger Shack concept to a further three sites in July.

MPs to lobby for cut in tourism VAT

21-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) is increasing pressure on the government to cut the rate of tourism VAT by establishing a cross party parliamentary group of MP’s to build momentum for the bill.

Tourism industry welcomes Government’s five point plan

20-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

The tourism industry has responded positively to David Cameron’s five point plan for the tourism sector.

Councils urge restaurant and pub chains to display calories on menus

20-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Restaurant and pub chains are being urged by councils to introduce calorie labelling on menus in a bid to tackle rising obesity rates.

Dining trends report shows that diners are becoming more adventurous

20-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

The ‘Eating Out – Today and Tomorrow’ (EOTT) report by Sacla’ has found that 62 per cent of adults say that they are adventurous in terms of cuisine.

High staff turnover in hospitality causing a productivity crisis

20-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

High staff turnover in the hospitality industry has resulted in a productivity crisis costing the sector £272m per year, new figures show

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How to improve communication between front and back-of-house

20-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

Ashley Sheppard, commercial director at Call Systems Technology provides hints and tips on how to improve communication between customers and staff working front and back of house in restaurants.

Costa Coffee to build new multi-million pound roastery in Essex

17-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Costa Coffee has released plans to build a new roastery in Basildon, Essex.

David Cameron announces five point plan to boost regional tourism

17-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

The Prime Minister will today (17 July) announce a new five point plan designed to boost tourism across the UK.

How will the rising Living Wage affect hospitality?

16-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

The Chancellor announced last week that from April 2016 all UK businesses would have to pay staff over 25 a National Living Wage of £7.20 per hour, rising to £9 per hour by 2020.

Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence 2015 winners announced

15-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts announced the winners of the Annual Awards of Excellence (AAE) 2015 at Claridges last night (14 July).

Disclosing the gender pay gap – what will it mean for hospitality?

15-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

David Cameron has announced that from early 2016 businesses with more than 250 employees will be forced to publish salary details of male and female staff in a bid to end the gender pay gap. So what will this mean for hospitality?

Grind & Co hit Crowdcube target and launch mobile ordering app

15-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Independent coffee and cocktail group Grind has passed its £750,000 Crowdcube target in 20 days.

Bompas & Parr to launch breathable cocktail cloud at Borough Market

14-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Culinary design studio Bompas & Parr are popping-up at Borough Market this month with their latest creation - a walk-in cloud of breathable cocktail.

Quarter of service sector SMEs could offer increased pension contributions

14-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Twenty six per cent of service sector SMEs are willing to contribute more to their employee’s pension schemes than the minimum amount, according to a survey by NOW: Pensions (NP).

Consumer spending on hospitality continues to rise

14-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Restaurants, pubs and hotels all saw a rise in sales during the second quarter of 2015.

Neil Rankin: The Good, The Bad & The Eggy

13-Jul-2015 By Stefan Chomka

Neil Rankin, the chef behind Smokehouse and Bad Egg talks about his latest ventures, his eclectic menus and turning pubs into restaurants.

Springboard calls for entries into Awards for Excellence 2015

13-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

Industry charity Springboard is calling for entries into this year's Awards for Excellence.

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How to avoid costly hidden liabilities when acquiring a lease

13-Jul-2015 By Stuart Darlington

Stuart Darlington, partner real estate at Michael Simkins LLP and author of A Tenant’s Practical Guide to Commercial Leases, talks through the steps operators should follow when acquiring a commercial lease. 

Study shows sharp rise in number of people dining solo

10-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

The number of single-cover reservations has risen by 110 per cent in the last two-years, according to a study by online restaurant reservations group OpenTable.

Eating out sector sees unexpected decline

10-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Britain’s eating out sector experienced an unexpected dip in June with consumers dining out infrequently and spending less money, according to Horizons' latest report.

Bruno Loubet to open Grain Store Café and Bar at Gatwick Airport

10-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal is to become the first location of chef Bruno Loubet and The Zetter Group’s (TGZ) Grain Store Café and Bar.

Why it makes sense to tackle food waste

09-Jul-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Summer can be a lucrative time of year for pubs, restaurants and hotels, but the warm weather can also bring issues with food waste when left out for too long. 

Budget 2015: Osborne criticised for failing to consult hospitality industry over Living Wage

09-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Chancellor George Osborne has been criticised by the hospitality industry for failing to consult with the sector over the introduction of a compulsory Living Wage.

Summer Budget 2015: Hospitality industry mulls 'considerable impact' of compulsory Living Wage

08-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

Introducing a compulsory Living Wage will have a 'considerable impact' on the hospitality industry, trade bodies have warned with employers facing higher wage bills and greater administration. 

Summer Budget 2015: National Living Wage to be introduced in 2016

08-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

All UK businesses will have to pay workers a National Living Wage of £7.20 an hour from next April, Chancellor George Osborne has announced. 

“It could happen to anyone”: New Hospitality Action ad campaign unveils shocking images of renowned chefs

07-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

A new ad campaign by industry charity Hospitality Action is aiming to highlight the range of issues hospitality workers can face by using images of renowned chefs in trouble. 

Dining trends: Premium wine sales boom in restaurants and gastro pubs

07-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Premium wines are continuing to buck the trend of overall declining wine sales in restaurants, pubs and gastropubs, with the sector experiencing double digit sales growth year-on-year.

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How to create a Single Customer View

06-Jul-2015 By Jason Lark

Jason Lark, managing director of data marketing company Celerity gives three quick and easy tips on achieving a Single Customer View (SCV) which can help in better understanding of your customers and their habits. 

World of gastronomy 'enters new era of casual-dining'

02-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

Fine-dining chefs and restaurateurs are making continued moves to make their offerings more relaxed and informal as the world of gastronomy shifts towards 'a new era of casual dining'. 

Hospitality employers must act to prevent staff soft skills crisis

02-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality employers must do more to tackle poor staff soft skills, which risk creating an industry crisis by 2020.

Allergy UK launches accreditation scheme for hospitality businesses

02-Jul-2015 By Emma Eversham

Allergy UK has launched an accreditation scheme for foodservice operators which it says will help them better cater for customers with food allergies.

SMALL TALK

Lucy Townsend of The Greyhound on the Test on juggling her different businesses

02-Jul-2015 By Michelle Perrett

Lucy Townsend runs Michelin Pub of the Year 2014 The Greyhound on the Test in Stockbridge, Hampshire alongside her outside catering company Wilds, launched earlier this year. 

Boris Johnson urges hospitality businesses to pay Living Wage

01-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

London Mayor Boris Johnson has called on hospitality operators to pay employees the Living Wage.

EU referendum: Hospitality industry risks 'sleepwalking in to danger'

01-Jul-2015 By Sophie Witts

The hospitality industry must wake up to the potential dangers posed by Britain voting to leave the European Union, according to Travelodge CEO Peter Gowers.

Galvin Brothers: Bringing restaurant ethos to pubs

01-Jul-2015 By James Wallin

Chef-restaurateur brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin have set up a pub company which Chris said has been prompted by soaring property prices for restaurants and the need to create opportunities for his staff.

Phillip Oppenheim sets opening date for second Cubana site

30-Jun-2015 By Emma Eversham

Former Tory Treasury Minister Phillip Oppenheim has confirmed an October opening date for his second Cubana bar and restaurant site. 

Alan Lorrimer to open live music bar and restaurant The Piano Works

29-Jun-2015 By Emma Eversham

Serial restaurateur and bar owner Alan Lorrimer will open The Piano Works in Farringdon this week, a live music venue, bar and restaurant that aims to revive the tradition of the Victorian music hall

National Restaurant Awards: Barrafina Adelaide Street takes 2015 title

29-Jun-2015 By Emma Eversham

Barrafina Adelaide Street has been named the National Restaurant of the Year 2015.

Butlin's boss named as new Cut Tourism VAT campaign chaiman

29-Jun-2015 By Sophie Witts

Dermot King, managing director of Butlin's, has replaced Graham Wason as the chairman of the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign with immediate effect.

How hospitality can tackle the 'death of the Saturday job'

29-Jun-2015 By Sophie Witts

The hospitality industry is ‘perfectly placed’ to tackle the decline in young people combining part-time work with their studies, but must do more to retain the best talent.

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What hospitality businesses need to know about trademarking

29-Jun-2015 By Joe Covill

Joe Covill, partner at Adams & Remers LLP looks at the issue of trademarking in the hospitality industry and outlines what you need to do to protect your brand

Young National Chef of the Year 2015: Finalists revealed

25-Jun-2015 By Emma Eversham

Five young chefs have been picked to go through to the final of the Young National Chef of the Year 2015 following semi-finals in Sheffield and London. 

Mayor of London Boris Johnson to headline BHA Summit

25-Jun-2015 By Sophie Witts

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has announced the keynote speakers for the 2015 Hospitality and Tourism Summit being held in London next week (30 June).