Casual Dining

Taylor St Baristas to double business size

13-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

Taylor St Baristas is hoping to raise between £1.5m and £3m through a mini-bond on Crowdcube to double the number of its venues in the next two years.

Cubitt House sister company to open all-day dining venue

13-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

The team behind Cubitt House have confirmed they will open a 200-cover all-day restaurant and bar at Fitzroy Place in March 2015.

Mowgli street food eyes expansion

13-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

New Indian concept Mowgli Street Food has opened its doors on Liverpool’s Bold Street, with plans to expand to Manchester and London.

Strong London economy boosts October restaurant and pub sales

12-Nov-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The UK’s pub and restaurant groups enjoyed a sales boost in October with like-for-like sales up 2.2 per cent nationally, mostly driven by the strong London market.

BHA appoints Merlin CEO as chairman

11-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin Entertainments will be taking over from Alan Parker CBE as chairman of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) on 1 January 2015.

Foodservice failing on gluten-free, finds survey

10-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

Pubs, hotels, cafes and restaurants are still falling short when it comes to catering for gluten intolerances, according to a new survey.

Comment: Talking about a generational shift

10-Nov-2014 By Mark Wingett, editor M&C Report

Over the last few years there has been a generational shift in food awareness, a move that the New York Times recently referred to this phenomenon as a ‘gastronomic youthquake’. Food is the new rock ’n’ roll and chefs are the new rock stars.

Pubs and bars still a hit with UK adults

10-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

Pubs and bars are still the number one out-of-home leisure destinations for adults, according to a new report from Carlsberg UK.

FSA urges consumers to check food hygiene ratings this Christmas

06-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is using the festive period to boost public awareness about food hygiene ratings after research revealed that four in ten UK diners never check the ratings of restaurants they eat in.

Cost saving remains biggest draw for loyalty scheme users

05-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

The majority of consumers that sign up to loyalty schemes are drawn to cost savings, as opposed to location or mobile accessibility of offers, according to data marketing firm GI Insight.

Hospitality jobs fall short of Living Wage

04-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

Hospitality jobs are some of the lowest paid in the UK, with the majority of bar staff, waiting staff and kitchen assistants currently earning less than the Living Wage, according to new research from KPMG.

Make the most of the slow-cooking trend, urges EBLEX

04-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

The English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) is urging foodservice operators to surf on the slow-cooking trend and maximise meat value in its latest Focus on Foodservice report.

The Bristologist to launch next week

03-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

Bristol will welcome a new cocktail bar and restaurant called The Bristologist on 10 November.

McVeigh to open sixth Draft House

03-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

Publican Charlie McVeigh is set to open his sixth Draft House venue in the former Birdcage Public House site in East London, on 30 November.

Industry warns against calorie labelling on alcohol

03-Nov-2014 By Carina Perkins

The licensed trade has warned that displaying calorie labels on alcohol in pubs and bars could encourage people to skip food in favour of booze.

The Wild Rabbit crowned Michelin Pub of the Year

31-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

Kingham’s The Wild Rabbit has been named Pub of the Year in the 2015 edition of the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide.

Longshot to open sixth Bel & The Dragon site

30-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Longshot Country Inns will open its sixth Bel & The Dragon site at The George in Hampshire on 10 November.

5cc launches fourth venue in Hoxton Square

30-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

Cocktail bar 5cc has opened its fourth venue in the basement of the Electricity Showrooms in Hoxton Square.

Former Tourism Minister calls for VisitEngland refocus

30-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

Former Tourism Minister and MP for Weston-super-Mare John Penrose has said VisitEngland should be independent from VisitBritain and gradually move away from government funding.

Scottish businesses pledge over 300 job opportunities for young people

28-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Scottish businesses made 342 pledges to create jobs, apprenticeships and work placements at the Big Hospitality Conversation in Glasgow last week.

Back-of-house technology: Staff management without the spreadsheet

28-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

In the second part of our special feature on back-of-house technology, BigHospitality looks at how technology is transforming staff management.

Modern Slavery Campaign appeals to hospitality industry

27-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The Home Office has launched the Modern Slavery Campaign to raise awareness of potential victims across a number of large industries, including hospitality.

Hospitality third biggest growth sector for jobs

27-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

The availability of hospitality jobs in the UK grew by 36 per cent between September 2013 and the same month in 2014, according to the latest data by job board Indeed.

Jamie Oliver to open new concept at King’s Cross

27-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

The celebrity chef has received planning consent from Camden Council to turn the historic Fish & Coal buildings and Wharf Road Arches into a new pub and restaurant, set to open in 2016.

Three new hospitality apprenticeship standards in development

24-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

Apprenticeship standards for commis chefs, chefs de partie and hospitality team members are being developed as part of phase three of the government’s apprenticeship trailblazer programme.

Positive outlook for foodservice operators as food sales rise

24-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Over two thirds of operators have seen an increase in food sales year-on-year, according to the latest Eating Out-Look report by Horizons and JRA.

Inception Group to open seventh site

23-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The Inception group will open themed-bar Beaver Lodge in London’s Chelsea in January 2015.

Demon Leisure to open Leeds sports bar

23-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Demon Leisure will open The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes sports bar in Leeds city centre on 8 November.

Brew to open fourth London site

22-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

All-day dining concept Brew will open its fourth London site in Putney on 10 November.

Concession on alcohol may be necessary in VAT fight, warns Borel

21-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

Jacques Borel has warned that it might be necessary to make some concessions on alcohol if the cut VAT campaign is to be successful.

Lancaster Hotel appoints new exec chef

20-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

The Lancaster London hotel has appointed Masterchef 2013 mentor Ben Purton as its new executive chef.

Tom Sellers takes over The Lickfold Inn

20-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

Restaurant Story chef patron Tom Sellers hopes to bring new life to The Lickfold Inn in West Sussex from the end of November.

Young's acquires London pub operator 580

20-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

Young's has expanded its London portfolio with the acquisition of pub operator 580 Limited - which runs four pubs across the capital - for £10.4m.

Restaurants and pubs enjoy rise in September sales

17-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The eating and drinking out sector has enjoyed its 18th consecutive month of positive growth, according to Coffer Peach Business Tracker data.

Truffle Hunting takes over The Lady Ottoline

17-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Bar operator Truffle Hunting has taken over The Lady Ottoline pub in Bloomsbury from former operator Noble Inns.

UK Barista Champ to open craft beer and coffee venue in Bath

15-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

The UK's 2014 Barista Champion Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood will open a new craft beer and speciality coffee venture in Bath later this month.

Protect pubs by freezing business rates, says BBPA

14-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

The community pub sector faces a £15m rise in business rate bills unless the government takes immediate action, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has warned.

MSC updates sustainable fishing standards

14-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has overhauled its fishery certification standards to offer better protection to marine life and workers, with benefits for restaurants looking to source sustainable fish.

Recruitment strategy change needed to tackle £2.7m turnover cost

14-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

The hospitality industry needs to change its recruitment and staff retention strategy in order to reduce turnover, which currently costs the sector £2.7m a year.

Hospitality and tourism leads the field on customer satisfaction

14-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

Hospitality and tourism is outperforming other industries in terms of customer satisfaction and experience, according to the latest analysis.

Tom Kerridge: 'It’s not about success, it’s about getting better every day'

13-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

In an exclusive interview with BigHospitality at the Restaurant Show, Tom Kerridge explained why he believes pubs need to change and revealed the secrets behind his success at the Hand & Flowers.

Red tape could ‘derail’ pub sector potential

10-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has warned that despite growing economic potential, the pub and bar industry could suffer from the continued hike in legislation costs.

BBPA and VistEngland team up for English Tourism Week

10-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

VisitEngland and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) have announced their partnership in advance of English Tourism Week 2015.

Cocktail sales on the rise

10-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

Cocktail sales have grown by 10.8 per cent over the last two years, according to CGA Strategy’s Mixed Drinks Report 2014.

Tourism spend rise on track despite fewer August visits

09-Oct-2014 By Melodie Michel

VisitBritain is on track to deliver its 2015 target of £2bn extra visitor spend, despite a slight 1 per cent increase year to date.

Government urged to 'commit' to tourism

06-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

Industry leaders urged the government to commit to tourism and do more to promote employment in the sector during debate held at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham last week.

The Sun Tavern opens in Bethnal Green

03-Oct-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The Sun Tavern – the second bar from The Umbrella Project team – opened in London’s Bethnal Green this week.

ALMR welcomes income tax pledge

03-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

The Association for Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge that a future Conservative government would cut income tax for low paid workers.

Beer duty cut supports 16,000 jobs, report finds

01-Oct-2014 By Carina Perkins

Two consecutive beer duty cuts have boosted sales, investment and employment in the pub sector at very little cost to the government, a new report has found.