Casual Dining

Mitchells & Butlers reports year-end sales and profits growth

26-Nov-2013 By Noli Dinkovski

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) claimed to be on track with its business transformation programme after reporting sales and profit growth in its annual financial results.

Hospitality industry welcomes ‘Night Tube’ announcement

22-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The recent announcement that London Underground trains are to run for 24 hours at weekends has been hailed as ‘excellent news’ for the capital's hospitality businesses.

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection enters UK

22-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

As the popularity of bourbon continues to boom in the UK, limited supplies of the five-strong Buffalo Trace Antique Collection have arrived for bartenders and drinks businesses across the country.

Hospitality food waste bill could reach £3bn by 2016, warns WRAP

21-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

The hospitality industry's food waste bill could reach as much as £3bn by 2016 if businesses fail to take action, a new report by the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has found.

Energy price hikes: What can hospitality businesses do now?

21-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The inflation-busting price rises announced by ‘the big six’ electricity and gas firms are set to hit the hospitality industry hard this winter, with 67 per cent of business owners claiming they will no longer meet their growth targets due to the punitive...

Hospitality House: New training centre open for business

19-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Hospitality House, the Hospitality Guild’s state-of-the-art training and meeting venue in London, was officially opened yesterday by the Minister for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock.

Enterprise Inns chief exec Ted Tuppen to retire

19-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

Enterprise Inns founder and chief executive Ted Tuppen has announced that he will retire from the company in February next year. 

More pubs for Brunning & Price as owner The Restaurant Group reports ‘good progress’

15-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Brunning and Price, the Chester-based pub company owned by The Restaurant Group, is opening three more sites by the end of the year, with an ‘even busier’ pipeline next year.

Boris Johnson launches new scheme to help restaurants cut food waste

15-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has this week launched ‘Foodsave’, a new scheme to help foodservice businesses maximise profits by reducing food waste and diverting surplus food away from landfill and towards useful purposes.

Petra Wetzel: Career Profile

15-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

German-born Petra Wetzel gave up a career in law six years ago to save the restaurant, bar and brewery in Glasgow she'd bought for her ex-husband to run. A self-confessed new-born 'beer nerd' Wetzel has grown the beer hall considerably...

Craft Beer Co prepares to open fifth pub

13-Nov-2013 By Helen Gilbert

The Craft Beer Co is preparing to open its fifth site in Clapham at the end of November, just two years after launching its first pub in the capital. 

Strong London market helps boost October restaurant and pub sales

13-Nov-2013 By Helen Gilbert

Britain’s pub and restaurant groups enjoyed a sales boost last month with collective like-for-likes up 1 per cent year on year fuelled mainly by a strong London market.

Hospitality bosses cite energy waste as top irritation

13-Nov-2013 By Helen Gilbert

Energy waste is a top concern for SME bosses in the catering and hospitality sector, a new poll has revealed. 

Restaurants urged to join campaign to gain zero food waste to landfill by 2020

12-Nov-2013 By Helen Gilbert

Restaurants, retailers, food manufacturers and householders should view food waste as a ‘valuable resource’ and adopt new measures to prevent the millions of tonnes of leftover and surplus food being sent to landfill each year, a new report has claimed.

Living Ventures opens fourth site under New World Trading Company format

11-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

Living Ventures has opened its fourth venue under its New World Trading Company (NWTC) format at Liverpool's Albert Dock. 

Government urged to lower hospitality VAT as majority of pub licensees back campaign

11-Nov-2013 By Helen Gilbert

The pub and restaurant industry is being urged to call on the Government to introduce a reduction in the level of VAT paid on food and drink.

Mahiki owner opens ‘mythical’ nightspot in the West End

08-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Nick House, the entrepreneur behind famous London nightclubs Mahiki and Whisky Mist, has formed a new team of ‘future stars’ for the opening of Chakana, a new Latin-pacific late-night lounge-bar and dance club in London’s West End.

Kench & Bibesy bar and restaurant opening in the City

08-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The team behind Prohibition-style West London venue Evans & Peel Detective Agency is launching a new bar and restaurant in Farringdon later this month.

Xavier Rousset: Pearls of Wisdom

08-Nov-2013 By Joe Lutrario

Certified as a master sommelier at just 23 years old, Frenchman Xavier Rousset now co-owns Michelin-starred restaurant Texture in Mayfair, London and wine-focused mini chain 28°-50°.

Young’s re-opens Richmond pub with MasterChef star on-board

07-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

London-based brewer and pub operator Young’s has re-opened its riverside White Hart pub in Barnes following a £500k refurbishment, with a MasterChef finalist at the helm of a new dining room housed within the venue.

UK grows in appeal to US travellers and staycationers

07-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

The number of people coming to the UK from America has risen by 23 per cent in the last year with travellers from Canada, Singapore and China also showing a greater interest in the nation as a tourist destination.

HMRC reminds small restaurant, hotel and pub companies about Employment Allowance

07-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

Small businesses in the restaurant, hotel and pub sectors are being reminded about the Government's new Employment Allowance which comes into force next April. 

Loungers wins Operator of the Year at R200 2013 Awards

07-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

Informal food-led bar and restaurant operator Loungers has been named the Operator of the Year at the 2013 R200 Awards. 

The Hand & Flowers: Restaurant magazine visits the UK's number one restaurant

07-Nov-2013 By William Drew

How can a cramped market-town pub be voted the UK's number one restaurant? Answer: Tom Kerridge. Restaurant magazine visits the chef at the Hand & Flowers to find out more about the business and what contributes to its success.

Hospitality trade associations call for Government re-think on personal licences abolishment

06-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

A number of pub, hospitality and drinks trade associations have joined together to ask the Government to re-think its plans on abolishing personal licences. 

MWB Group Holdings founder to build pub estate

06-Nov-2013 By Mark Wingett

Richard Balfour-Lynn, the founder of MWB Group Holdings, the former owner of the Hotel du Vin and Malmaison chains, is looking to build an estate of pubs in London, according to BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Report.

Family of ‘London’s oldest wine bar’ branch out

05-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The granddaughters of the current generation of Gordon’s Wine Bar owners are opening a new coffee house and restaurant in the same road in central London.

Food waste collaboration could cut business costs by 30% says report

05-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

The costs involved in dealing with food waste could be cut by as much as 30 per cent if hospitality companies collaborated on waste collection, says the author of a report into food waste management.

Pub industry wants extended licensing hours for World Cup 2014

04-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) is calling on the Government to offer greater flexibility on licensing hours for the World Cup 2014, with some games set to kick off as late as 11pm UK time.

Springboard Awards for Excellence 2013: Winners revealed

04-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The hospitality industry turned out in force at the Novotel London West on Friday evening (1 November) to celebrate the Springboard charity’s 11th annual Awards for Excellence, which rewarded those promoting careers and talent across the sector.

Admiral Taverns launches social media course for licensees

01-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

With social media tearing up traditional notions of marketing and sales in the pub industry, the UK's largest independent tenanted and leased company Admiral Taverns has launched a new course to help its licensees implement tools and campaigns through...

Bramwell placed in administration

01-Nov-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Bramwell Pub Company, the 185-strong managed pub operator, has fallen into administration with rival firm Stonegate already in ‘advanced talks’ to acquire around 80 of the better performing sites.

Michelin names The Greyhound on the Test its Pub of the Year 2014

01-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

Michelin has named The Greyhound on the Test in Stockbridge, Hampshire, its Pub of the Year 2014 as guide editor Rebecca Burr hails the number of 'thriving' good food pubs now in operation across the UK. 

Hospitality businesses paying under National Minimum Wage risk ‘serious damage’ to reputation

01-Nov-2013 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants, hotels and pubs paying employees less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW) could be at serious risk of damaging their reputation and losing business, says the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) after research showed that...

Anglian Country Inns adds fifth pub to estate

31-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Anglian Country Inns (ACI), the pub and restaurant company led by James Nye, has taken on its fifth site, the Water Lounge in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Graduates state hospitality is best industry for career progression

31-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

The hospitality industry provides one of the best opportunities for career progression to graduates, according to a new report by graduate job review website TheJobCrowd.

Apprenticeship reform: Will it help hospitality?

31-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The Government’s announcement that it is putting the development and implementation of apprenticeships at the hands of employers has been welcomed by People 1st, but the sector skills council fears that the models developed in other sectors will not be...

Fair Deal campaigners press Government on ‘market-rent-only’ option

31-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Fair Deal for Your Local - the campaign group that demands a halt to the exploitation of licensees by large pubcos - has written a letter to Business Secretary Vince Cable insisting a ‘market-rent-only’ (MRO) option for pub tenants is a simple, moderate...

UK's Ruth Hinks in top five of World Chocolate Masters 2013

30-Oct-2013 By Joe Lutrario & Emma Eversham

Chocolatier Ruth Hinks has been placed in the top five of the World Chocolate Masters 2013, the highest ever place achieved by the UK in the history of the competition.

Whiting & Hammond launches loyalty card with Zonal

30-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Pub operator Whiting & Hammond has launched a new range of loyalty cards for customers and staff across all seven of its sites.

Petition asks for rates relief for pop-up businesses

29-Oct-2013 By John Harrington

A petition has been launched urging retailers of ‘pop-up’ premises to be able to qualify for three months business rates relief, according to BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Report. 

Corney & Barrow transfers Waterloo's Cabin bar to SSP UK

29-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Corney & Barrow Bars has transferred its Cabin bar at Waterloo Station to UK travel food and beverage operator SSP UK as it looks to consolidate the business and focus on expansion within the City of London.

D&D London reports 'important year of growth'

28-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Following a renewed period of expansion and the opening of a number of new venues, restaurant, bar and hotel operator D&D London has reported a strong year of trading, with revenue and profits up across the group.

World Chocolate Masters' UK candidate Ruth Hinks shares pastry chef career tips

28-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Ruth Hinks, the chocolatier who will represent the UK in the World Chocolate Masters this week, has given her advice to those seeking a career as a chocolatier or pastry chef. 

From start-up to global chain: Law firm provides hospitality checklist

28-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Whether you are taking your restaurant from ‘pop-up to permanent’, starting an innovative new hotel concept or planning to open a new chain of destination bars, law firm Pitmans has provided seven top tips for entrepreneurs looking to avoid any legal...

Hudson’s House joins VQ at St Giles Hotel

25-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Hudson’s House, an ‘unselfconsciously hip’ bar and restaurant, has officially opened within the St Giles Hotel in central London after a soft launch period.

‘Bumper’ year for Welsh tourism and hospitality businesses

24-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Wales’ hospitality and tourism industries are thriving, with many local operators reporting their busiest year to date and a number of major business investments giving a clear sign that buyers are returning to the market.

James Chase and ex-Harvey Nichols bar manager join forces to launch The Running Horse pub

22-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Chase Distillery owner James Chase and Dominic Jacobs, a former bars manager at Harvey Nichols and bar director at Sketch, have joined forces to re-open Mayfair pub The Running Horse. 

Boxpark and Street Feast to collaborate for new food venture

22-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

The developers of East London's temporary shopping mall Boxpark and the team behind street food market Street Feast are collaborating to find a semi-permanent site for a new street food concept. 

Spirit sees full-year turnaround in pre-tax profit

22-Oct-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Spirit Pub Company has entered the new financial year with good momentum in the business, having reported a major turnaround in pre-tax profits over the past 12 months – up to £72m after a £589m loss this time last year.