Casual Dining

TripAdvisor: study gives insight into impact of reviews

12-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Reviews are playing an increasingly important role in travellers’ choice of hotels and restaurants, but businesses can counter negative comments with timely responses, according to a new study.

Floods fail to dampen January sales at UK's restaurant and pub groups

12-Feb-2014 By Emma Eversham

The floods failed to dampen sales across the nation's restaurant and pub groups last month according to the Coffer Peach Tracker which found they actually rose 7.2 per cent compared to the same period last year. 

VQ Day awards to celebrate vocational education

12-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Hospitality businesses are being encouraged to enter the VQ Employer of the Year awards 2014, which recognise employers that promote the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace.

Britain’s Best Pub: Camra’s 2014 National Pub of the Year revealed

12-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

A sleepy village pub in Lancashire has today been crowned the best in Britain by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) in its 2014 National Pub of the Year competition.

Grand Union gears up for next stage of growth with new F&B offering

12-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

London-based bar operator Grand Union has unveiled plans to triple the size of its estate and eventually expand outside of the capital, having recently rolled out new food and drink menus across its existing eight sites.

Treasury rejects VAT cut despite cross-party support

11-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Treasury minister David Gauke has rejected a call for tourism VAT to be cut to 5 per cent, despite 28 MPs from all parties gathering to support the measure during today’s Commons debate. 

Technology, investment people and green issues up for debate at British Hospitality & Tourism Summit 2014

11-Feb-2014 By Emma Eversham

The themes for this year's British Hospitality and Tourism Summit have been set with technology, how to develop people within the industry, investment and the environment top of the agenda for debate.

Blackpool's licensing committee votes against EMRO

10-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Blackpool Borough Council’s licensing committee has voted against the imposition of an Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO) in the town centre.

Jerk BBQ & rum shack concept unveiled by Adventure Bars

10-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

Dub Jam - a new, fast-casual jerk BBQ rum shack concept – is being launched in Covent Garden next month by London-based bar operator Adventure Bars. 

Report reveals impact of pubs on employment and economy

10-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Pubs employed over half a million people last year, but difficult trading conditions are putting jobs at risk, according to a new report.

New initiative calls on foodservice sector to buy British

07-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Foodservice sustainability group Footprint has launched a new initiative to encourage hospitality and catering businesses to source more British food.

Supermarket sweep: Expanding stores call last orders on hundreds of pubs

07-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

With 18 pubs closing every week across the UK, new research from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has found that two of those pubs are being converted to supermarkets, despite objections from local residents. 

Tube strike: Travel chaos brings ‘mixed bag’ for London’s restaurants and pubs

07-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

The first of two strikes on the London Underground disrupted the journeys of millions of commuters this week, but for the capital’s restaurant and pubs, the business effects were varied, with some actually reporting an increase in trade. 

Parliament to debate hospitality and tourism VAT

06-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

After years of industry campaigning, Parliament will next week hold a debate on VAT rates for tourism and hospitality.

Darwin & Wallace snaps up The Frog as London expansion continues

05-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

Darwin & Wallace has taken The Frog in Clapham as the second in a series of London acquisitions for the Imbiba Partnership-backed bar and restaurant group.

Meantime Brewing re-launches Union Lager

05-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

Meantime Brewing Company is bringing back its first ever beer, the Union Lager, as a limited edition seasonal brew.

UK coffee company puts camel milk on the menu

04-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

UK coffee company Taylor Street Baristas will be serving up camel milk coffee this week as part of a fundraising drive for Farm Africa.

Government does U-turn on World Cup licensing

03-Feb-2014 By Carina Perkins

The government has made a U-turn on World Cup licensing, and will consult on whether to extend pub opening hours during the football tournament this summer.

Admiral announces new CEO and chairman

03-Feb-2014 By Luke Nicholls

Jonathan Paveley has stepped down as executive chairman of Admiral Taverns; to be replaced by John Sands as non-executive chairman, with Kevin Georgel promoted to chief executive officer.

Premier League prosecutes pub over foreign satellite football screening

31-Jan-2014

The Premier league has begun its crackdown on foreign football broadcasts in pubs, with one landlord forced to pay out £65,000 in legal costs after a ruling in the High Court.

Employment assistance programme launched by Hospitality Action

30-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Hospitality Action is encouraging catering and hospitality businesses to join a new scheme providing 24-hour support to employees facing hard times.

Ego looks to expand in Midlands and North West

30-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

3Sisxty Restaurants is hoping to expand its Ego Mediterranean brand into pubs in the Midlands and North West.

Craft Guild of Chefs invites entries for NCOTY and Graduate Awards 2014

29-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

The Craft Guild of Chefs is calling for chefs to enter this year's National Chef of the Year (NCOTY) competition and its Graduate Awards. 

Equipping your kitchen: a buyer's guide

29-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

How much should I spend? How long should it last? Do I even really need one? These are the questions every chef and restaurant operator will be asking when on the hunt for a new bit of kitchen kit. Here are BigHospitality’s top 15 tips on what to look...

Hospitality businesses welcome Government's pledge to cut red tape

28-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant, pub and hotel owners have welcomed the news that the Government will be reducing red tape and cutting business rates for small businesses, but say more could be done to encourage growth across the sector.

Beer sales rise for second consecutive quarter

28-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

For the first time in a decade, British beer sales have increased for two consecutive quarters.

UK restaurants capitalise on healthy eating trend

28-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Mediterranean chain Mezze Restaurants has reported surging January sales on the back of demand for healthy food.

Hand & Flowers voted best gastropub in the UK for third year running

28-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Tom Kerridge's pub the Hand & Flowers scored a hattrick at yesterday’s Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropub Awards, taking the top title for the third year in a row. 

Equipping your kitchen: How to work with the space you've got

28-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

In the first of this special feature series, BigHospitality speaks to operators and suppliers to find out how best to equip your restaurant, pub or hotel kitchen, depending on the size you have to work with. 

You’re hired: Hospitality’s job creation drive continues into 2014

27-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

Last week’s revelations of unemployment dropping to a five-year low has been met by positive recruitment ambitions for the hospitality and leisure industries, with almost half of businesses pledging to take on new talent this year.

UK team wins European Pastry Cup 2014

27-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

The UK team has won the European Pastry Cup, earning itself a cash prize and securing a place in next year's Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie. 

New energy audit scheme for hospitality sector

27-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

A new energy audit programme from NatWest and RBS could help pubs, restaurants and hotels reduce their energy spend by thousands of pounds.

Diners influenced by health and lifestyle choices, says Horizons

24-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Restaurants, pubs and hotels must make more of an effort to meet diners’ health and lifestyle demands, according to market analysts Horizons. 

Career colleges gain biggest level of support from hospitality industry

23-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

The Career Colleges Trust has received an 'overwhelming' level of support from the hospitality industry and educators within the field, according to its chief executive, who says they see the new educational centres as a way towards solving...

‘The Secret Scandal’: Pubs Watchdog petition almost complete following pubco debate

22-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

A petition calling for the introduction of a ‘Pubs Watchdog’ has almost reached its target of 35,000 signatures following yesterday’s debate on pubco reform.

Increase in UK hospitality businesses facing 'significant' financial distress

22-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

The number of UK hospitality businesses experiencing ‘significant’ financial distress has increased over the past year, according to the latest Begbies Traynor Red Flag Alert.

Back in business: Hospitality property market outlook

22-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

As the new year gets rolling, now is the perfect time for hotels, restaurants and pubs to determine the key developments that will impact their business in 2014. This short audio podcast, taken from Christie & Co's annual Business Outlook, should...

Labour forces Commons debate on Pubs Bill

21-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Labour's attempt to force the government to introduce legislation establishing a statutory code for pubs in the Queen’s Speech was rejected by Parliament during yesterday’s opposition day debate.

Restaurant groups Living Ventures and D&D London announce 'record' Christmas

21-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant and bar groups Living Ventures and D&D London experienced very merry Christmasses last year with 'record sales' up 43 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. 

Amber Taverns reports strong sales over festive season

20-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Community pub operator Amber Taverns experienced strong sales growth over Christmas and New Year, boosting confidence in plans for the year ahead. 

Call Time on Duty: Pubs, bars and restaurants face extra £100m alcohol tax bill

20-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants will be £100m worse off if the Government goes ahead with plans to hike alcohol taxes in this year’s Budget.

The London Story: What makes the 'global capital' so hospitable?

17-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

With a record number of tourists continuing to flock to London, chef, TV personality and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay is fronting a new video campaign to promote the capital’s food and drink businesses to the rest of the world.

Tourism spend hits record levels

17-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Tourism spend in the UK reached its highest ever level in the first 11 months of 2013, and could hit £20bn for the full year. 

Last orders? Pubs and clubs ‘routinely serving drunks’, research finds

16-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has hit back at a study which claims pubs and nightclubs are routinely breaking a law which prevents them serving alcohol to drunk people.

Brits celebrated Christmas 2013 and New Year in restaurants and pubs

16-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

Brits decided to celebrate last Christmas and New Year by eating out in pubs and restaurants according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker which found that like-for-like sales were up 3.3 per cent on the same period in 2012. 

Local authorities slipping on food hygiene, claims Which?

15-Jan-2014 By Carina Perkins

Budget cuts have left some local authorities struggling to enforce food hygiene standards in restaurants and takeaways, according to a new report from Which?

Peach Pubs searches for more sites in 2014 following strong year

15-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

Peach Pubs plans to continue looking for more sites this year after experiencing a strong 2013 and its most successful week 'on record' before Christmas. 

Business Outlook 2014: What’s in store for hospitality?

15-Jan-2014 By Luke Nicholls

An increasing number of pubs will be sold for ongoing use; private equity will continue to pour into restaurants; and hotels in London and the provinces will look to consolidate their positions in the marketplace. 

Southern Eleven owners to open two more restaurants in Manchester

14-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

James, Karina and Guy Hitchen, the owners of Manchester's Southern Eleven and Neighbourhood restaurants, are planning to open another two businesses in the city this year. 

The Columbo Group adds two East London venues to restaurant, pub and live music portfolio

13-Jan-2014 By Emma Eversham

The Columbo Group has acquired two sites in East London - The Cat and Mutton in Hackney and Bar Music Hall on Curtain Road, Shoreditch - growing its restaurant, pub and live music venues portfolio to eight.