Casual Dining

Restaurant and Bar Design Awards 2014: winners revealed

30-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

One Canada Square, Topolski and Hutong Shard were among the UK winners of the 2014 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards, held in London this week.

The Church Group to launch first venue outside New York

29-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

US-based The Church Group has secured a site in London to launch its Louisiana-themed bar and restaurant concept Ninth Ward in the UK in early 2015.

'Informed but informal' dominates dining trends

29-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

The increase in eating out and higher customer expectations are driving the continued growth of ‘informed but informal’ dining experiences.

Tourism employment grows twice as fast as rest of market

26-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

Employment grew twice as fast in the tourism industry as in other UK sectors between 2009 and 2013, according to figures released Friday (26 September) by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

#TaxEqualityDay: Sales boost for operators

26-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

Participants to Wednesday’s (24 September) Tax Equality Day reported sales increases of 10 to 20 per cent for the day, supporting their argument for VAT cut from 20 to 5 per cent.

Small Talk

Harwood Warrington on Macdonald Hotels and the importance of food

25-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Harwood Warrington recently took over as Macdonald Hotels’ restaurant operations director and has begun a multi-million pound redevelopment of the group's food and beverage offering.

#TaxEqualityDay: Pubs and restaurants unite for VAT cut

24-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

Over 15,000 pubs and restaurants across the UK cut their prices by at least 7.5 per cent on 24 September to show the positive impact reducing VAT to 5 per cent would have on the hospitality sector.

6,000 new hospitality jobs available for 16-24 year olds by year end

24-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has announced the creation of 6,000 new jobs in the industry for 16 to 24 year olds by the end of 2014.

Dirty Martini to open St Paul’s site

23-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

CG Restaurants-owned Dirty Martini has secured a site in London’s St Paul’s, due to open in November.

Nathan Outlaw crowned Chefs’ Chef of the Year at AA Hospitality Awards

23-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

Nathan Outlaw received the hospitality industry’s recognition last night, when he scooped the Chefs’ Chef of the Year title at the AA Hospitality Awards.

Property: Finding the perfect pub

23-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

In the second part of our special feature on property, we discuss how to find the perfect pub and make sure it has a profitable future.

Labour's minimum wage pledge could hit hospitality businesses

22-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Ed Miliband's pledge to increase increase minimum wage by more than 25 per cent over five years if Labour wins the next general election could be potentially disastrous for hospitality businesses, industry leaders have warned.

Licensed trade warns against heavy handed measures to tackle binge drinking

19-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

As police chiefs call for tough new measures to tackle excessive drinking, the licensed on-trade has warned that ‘partnership, not punishment’ is the key to addressing alcohol harm.

Rugby World Cup 2015 hailed as big opportunity for hospitality

19-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

VistEngland has described the Rugby World Cup 2015 as a 'tremendous opportunity' for tourism and hospitality, with hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars in host cities set to benefit from a big increase in international spend.

Hospitality businesses urged to look forward after Scotland rejects independence

19-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

With Thursday's referendum on Scottish independence returning a 'no' vote, industry leaders have urged hospitality businesses in the country to look forward and make the most of the promised devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament.

Southampton City Council to implement late night levy

18-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Southampton City Council has voted to implement a late night levy to pubs, bars and other venues in the city which serve alcohol past midnight.

Heineken agrees sale of 111 pubs to Admiral Taverns

16-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Heineken has agreed to sell a significant portion of its Star Pubs & Bars estate to Admiral Taverns for an undisclosed sum.

Pub and restaurant groups among 100 companies calling for business rate reform

16-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Pub companies, restaurant groups and industry bodies have joined forces with retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers to publish an open letter calling for ‘fundamental reform’ of business rates.

More work needed to improve customer service, says People 1st

16-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Hospitality employees are still falling short when it comes to customer service, according to new research from People 1st.

Innovative ice cream flavours driving demand, finds study

16-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Diners are increasingly moving away from traditional ice cream flavours in favour of ‘weird and wonderful’ varieties, according to new research from Amore di Gelato.

New YouTube series to explore independent London eateries

15-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

New YouTube series Bites by Get Lifted TV is set to explore a number of ‘undiscovered’ independent restaurants, bars and cafes around the UK capital with a programme format that combines music and food.

Friends’ Central Perk coffee shop set for UK expansion

15-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

The Central Perk franchise, based on the coffee shop featured on popular US sitcom Friends, has just opened its third site in the UK in Liverpool and has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to have 300 UK franchises in the next decade.

Restaurants see steady growth in August

12-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Despite the cooler weather, restaurants in the UK saw a 17th consecutive month of growth this August, according to Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Special report

Scottish independence: what impact on hospitality?

12-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

As Scotland draws closer to its historic vote on independence, BigHospitality takes a look at the potential impact of a yes vote on the Scottish hospitality sector.

British pub groups report positive performance

12-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Pub groups the Peach Pub Company and J D Wetherspoon plc have released their results for the year, with turnovers looking positive.

Mixed growth for restaurants and pubs

12-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

Restaurants and pubs are forecast to grow, despite continued pressure in terms of outlets and value over the next few years, according to Allegra Foodservice.

UK to refund the cost of 25,000 Chinese visas

12-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Chancellor George Osborne has revealed plans to refund the cost of thousands of Chinese visas to boost inbound tourism and strengthen relations between the UK and China.

The Pony & Trap wins Best Food Pub at Great British Pub Awards

12-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

Josh Eggleton’s pub, The Pony & Trap in Chew Magna near Bristol, has been crowned Best Food Pub at the Great British Pub Awards.

Small Talk

James Robson on Cartizze and making it in Mayfair

11-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Investor and entrepreneur James Robson has established a portfolio of exclusive venues in London, including Mews of Mayfair, La Cave, Mayfair Pizza Co and his latest venture, Cartizze.

Inbound visits reach another record

11-Sep-2014 By Melodie Michel

The first seven months of 2014 saw 7 per cent more visits to the UK from overseas residents than in the same period the year before, according to the latest inbound tourism report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Kate Nicholls steps up as ALMR chief executive

11-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Kate Nicholls has been appointed new chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) after David McHattie stepped down from the role to concentrate on his pub operation.

Stonegate brings Missoula – Montana Bar & Grill to Nottingham

10-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Stonegate Pubs is converting the Living Room bar in Nottingham into its third Missoula – Montana Bar & Grill this September after an investment of £310,000.

Ask the experts

Avoiding legal pitfalls when starting a hospitality business

10-Sep-2014 By Nicola Kirk

Whether you are opening a pop-up restaurant, starting a new hotel or launching a new concept business within the hospitality sector, here are top tips to avoid any legal pitfalls, by Nicola Kirk, head of the hospitality sector at Pitmans LLP.

Protect hospitality employees with new laws on tips, urges MP

10-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

An MP has called for new legislation to ensure hospitality employers pass on tips and service charges to their staff.

Spending grows at restaurants, bars and hotels

09-Sep-2014 By John Harrington

Two new surveys have pointed to strong growth in the industry in August.

Britain's culture and heritage still major tourist draw

09-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Britain’s culture and heritage is a key driver for inbound tourism, with food and drink an important part of the cultural package, according to a new report.

Equity launches live entertainment campaign

08-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Trade union Equity is calling on pubs and bars to host more live music, comedy and theatre events.

Tax Equality Day: 15,000 pubs and restaurants prepare to cut prices

08-Sep-2014 By Carina Perkins

Thousands of pubs and restaurants across the UK will slash food and drink prices on 24 September to highlight the benefits of cutting hospitality VAT.