Casual Dining

What a waste: UK hospitality industry accused of overspending on energy by £180m a year

24-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The UK hospitality industry is overspending on energy by £180m per year, according to new analysis from the Energy Efficiency Financing (EEF) scheme.

Manchester 235 closes Fusion bar ahead of refurb and renaming

24-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Entertainment and restaurant venue Manchester 235 has closed one of its bars - Fusion - in order to refurbish the venue before it re-opens next month with a new name and a Las Vegas-inspired look.

Which? investigation reveals 'postcode lottery' on food hygiene ratings

23-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Consumer rights group Which? is urging restaurants to display their food hygiene rating in a prominent position after analysis of ratings for businesses in England, Northern Ireland and Wales found that there was a 'postcode lottery' when it...

Restaurants and pubs to benefit from late May bank holiday trade

23-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Restaurants and pubs around the country could be set to experience high levels of trade during the forthcoming bank holiday, after a survey revealed that more than three-quarters of people plan to dine out during the extended weekend.

Mitchells & Butlers sees special occasion, upmarket and family dining markets key to growth

23-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to focus its future business on three specific areas of the eating-out market – upmarket social, special and family – to build growth after identifying five ‘market spaces’ in which it operates.

VIDEO: Community Pubs Minister launches Pub & Bar Careers work experience programme

23-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Community Pubs Minister Brandon Lewis MP has officially launched the Pub & Bar Careers work experience programme and has welcomed news that the industry aims to offer 15,000 placements as part of the scheme.

Young's announces 13.1% rise in profits, reveals new logo

23-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Young's has revealed a new logo and corporate identity and declared that the last year was an 'exceptional' one for the pub operator after it recorded a 13.1 per cent rise in pre-tax profits.

Pidy unveils 2013 range of patisserie and desserts

23-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Pastry manufacturer Pidy has unveiled its 2013 range of foodservice dessert items which includes fruity cups, pastry shapes and a selection of sweet crumbles.

Hospitality apprenticeship rates double, but figure could be higher says industry advisor

22-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Research by sector skills council People 1st has revealed that the number of people taking up apprenticeships in hospitality has more than doubled over the last three years with completion rates up 10 per cent in the same period. 

ANNT Candle Company introduces non-toxic candles for hospitality businesses

22-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The ANNT Candle Company has launched two new non-toxic votive and tealight candle products which are now available to UK hospitality buyers.

Ever So Sensible opens 12th site with re-launch of The Hume Arms pub

21-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Ever So Sensible Restaurants has opened its 12th site with the re-launch of The Hume Arms in Torksey, Lincolnshire, after the company acquired the leasehold for the venue.

VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2013 winners announced

21-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

The Swan Hotel in Suffolk, Gidleigh Park in Devon and The Feathered Nest pub in Oxfordshire have been named among the winners of the VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2013. 

Camra launches new Good Bottled Beer Guide

21-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has released a new version of its guide to the best bottled beers - the Good Bottled Beer Guide features over 1,800 beers.

NatWest and RBS launch £150m leisure industry fund

20-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

NatWest and RBS have worked closely with VistEngland on the details of a new £150m fund designed specifically for the leisure industry which was launched today.

Living Ventures to open Artisan restaurant in Manchester

20-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Tim Bacon's restaurant and bar group Living Ventures has confirmed it will open Artisan, a casual dining restaurant with two wood-fired ovens, in Manchester's Spinningfields development next month.

Marine Conservation Society puts line-caught mackerel back on 'Fish to Eat' list

20-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has issued new guidance around mackerel, making it clearer to chefs and consumers about which fisheries the species can be sourced from safely. 

North London pub saved by conservation area to re-open in June

20-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The Wenlock Arms in Islington is to re-open in June after the pub, which was reportedly a favourite of David Beckham and his grandfather, was saved from demolition as a result of a local campaign.

Two-thirds of Brits to holiday at home this summer says Travelodge survey

20-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

A survey by budget hotel operator Travelodge has revealed that almost two thirds (65 per cent) of Brits will be spending their summer holiday on home turf this year with London replacing Cornwall as the top holiday destination for domestic tourists. 

Work begins on £90m Bromley hotel and restaurant development

20-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Construction work has begun on a £90m mixed-use development in Bromley which will include a new 130-bedroom hotel and a set of restaurants and bars.

Glen Dimplex develops EfficienC range of sustainable bottle coolers

20-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Under the Lec Commercial brand, professional appliance manufacturer Glen Dimplex has launched a range of sustainable, environmentally-friendly bottle coolers.

British Hospitality & Tourism Summit 2013: Time for hospitality to realise its potential

20-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

The hospitality industry will need to invest in its future workforce if it wants to realise its full potential in 2013 and beyond, the British Hospitality Association has warned as it prepares for its second British Hospitality and Tourism Summit. 

Trade accountancy firm masterminds business turnaround to launch Bar Titania

17-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Bar Titania, a gay-friendly bar and club, has launched on Charing Cross Road after an accountant brought in to help close the venue down decided to invest in it and open a new business.

Tim Hulme: Pub industry should embrace BII's new direction

17-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Tim Hulme, the newly-appointed chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has called on the pub industry to back his organisation as he attempts to push through cultural changes.

Russell Norman to open food-led Shaftesbury Avenue pub

17-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Polpo owner Russell Norman has announced he is currently refurbishing The Marquis of Granby pub on Shaftesbury Avenue and will re-open the property as food-led venue The Ape & Bird Public House.

How to be a better licensee: BII Licensee of the Year 2013 reveals all

17-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Ashley and Kelly McCarthy, co-owners of the freehold of the Ye Old Sun Inn pub in North Yorkshire, were this week named joint winners of the 2013 BII Licensee of the Year Award and have now revealed their top tips for fellow licensees.

VOC London to launch grill restaurant alongside punch house bar

15-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The team behind VOC London have revealed they are transforming the Kings Cross venue to create a new 38-cover grill restaurant which will accompany the existing 17th century punch house-inspired bar.

Restaurant sales recover in April following March snow

15-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Restaurants and pubs returned to a marginal sales growth in April following the devastating effects of the snow and freezing temperatures in March.

#SocialRestaurant: How to use Twitter effectively

15-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

They’re all on it. Big national chains, high-profile chefs and small emerging brands across the UK have realised the power of Twitter. But in the fast-moving world of social media, how can you use the networking site to convert followers to customers?

National Chef of the Year 2013 semi-finalists announced

14-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

The Craft Guild of Chefs has revealed the names of the 44 chefs who have made it to the semi-finals of the 2013 National Chef of the Year competition.

VisitEngland reveals Excellence Awards 2013 finalists

14-May-2013

Northcote, Rockliffe Hall and The Drunken Duck Inn in Cumbria are among the finalists in the 2013 VisitEngland Excellence Awards, the national tourist board's annual awards designed to celebrate the best that the country has to offer.

People 1st welcomes Government support of hospitality industry traineeships

14-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

People 1st has welcomed an announcement from the Government that it is planning to introduce traineeships for 16 to 19-year-olds later this year and has said it should help the hospitality industry by helping to 'bridge skills gaps'.

TCG targets daytime trade with pub re-openings

10-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Managed pubco TCG has revealed it is spending £400k to refurbish two of its venues which will focus more heavily on the daytime trade when they re-open later this month.

Andrew Pern to open second restaurant in York

10-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Andrew Pern, chef-proprietor of the 90-cover Star Inn in North Yorkshire, is set to open a second venue – the Star Inn The City – in York’s Museum Gardens this autumn.

Bragard launches Chef on the Move workwear range

10-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Hospitality workwear provider Bragard has launched a new range of uniforms for chefs and kitchen staff which feature a more modern design and more technically advanced materials.

Hartlepool Borough Council halts EMRO plans; Early Morning Restriction Orders explained

09-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Following news that the council in Hartlepool has halted plans for an Early Morning Restriction Order for its licensed premises, BigHospitality has produced this lowdown of EMROs and the likelihood of other councils adopting the power. 

MasterChef's John Torode and Gregg Wallace fly into Heathrow to improve dining experience

09-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

John Torode and Gregg Wallace of MasterChef fame have been drafted in by the head of food and beverage at Heathrow to help improve the dining experience for passengers passing through the airport. 

Wetherspoon wins battle with Greene King for new pub in Stirling

09-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has asked rival pub company Greene King to ‘respect’ a decision by the Stirling Licensing Board to grant a licence for a new Wetherspoon pub in Stirling city centre, close to a number of Greene King pubs.

Burst bubble? London's managed food-led pubs feel the squeeze

09-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Managed pubs located within the M25 are failing to perform as strongly as those outside the capital when it comes to food sales, according to a new report released by on-trade consultancy firm CGA Strategy.

New energy-saving cooker developed for chefs

09-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

A new cooker has gone on trial in commercial kitchens with its creators claiming it can save more energy and water than using a conventional hob, water bath or steamer.

John Vincent and Brad Blum set up restaurant investment business

08-May-2013 By Mark Wingett

John Vincent, co-founder of Leon, has teamed up with ex-Burger King and Olive Garden executive Brad Blum to launch a new investment vehicle called Five to Seven.

Orchid targets family market with creation of All Inns brand

07-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Pub company Orchid is hoping to grab a larger slice of the family market by launching a new sub-brand called All Inns. 

City Pub Company acquires three pubs as part of plan to operate 20 by 2014

07-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

City Pub Company, the operator founded by the team behind the Capital Pub Company, has revealed it has acquired three sites and made two appointments to its senior management team in order to support further growth.

E-learning customer service course for SMEs launched by People 1st

07-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

The People 1st Training Company has launched an interactive e-learning course in customer service that is designed for use within small companies. 

Lack of defibrillators in hospitality industry raises concerns

03-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The vast majority of British hospitality businesses do not have a defibrillator, despite the impact the device has on cardiac arrest survival rates, according to a recent report.

Belvedere Vodka launches illuminated bottle to help drive on-trade sales

03-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Belvedere Vodka has launched a fully illuminated 175cl bottle which uses an encased LED to help drive interest and sales of the product in on-trade locations. 

New Tourism Strategy missed a trick, says VAT campaign

02-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

The Cut Tourism VAT Campaign is ‘disappointed’ that Culture Secretary Maria Miller and VisitBritain have both failed to realise the importance of reducing VAT for the sector after the national tourist board published its new tourism strategy earlier this...

Hope on the Horizon: Five steps forward for foodservice

02-May-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Following the annual Breakfast Briefing by foodservice consultancy Horizons yesterday morning (1 May), BigHospitality has picked out five of the big trends and forecasts for the eating-out sector to help your business plough on through the recession.

Millenials seek job fulfillment, not high pay, survey finds

02-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Employees from the Millenial generation are more likely to stay with a company if they feel fulfilled in their jobs rather than if they were highly paid, a new survey has found. 

Fudge Kitchen launches 'squeeze and stir' drinking fudge

02-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Artisan fudge manufacturer Fudge Kitchen has launched a new drinking fudge which it says removes the problems of powdery clumps caused by other products on the market. 

Texture restaurant owners to open third 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen

01-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Agnar Sverrisson and Xavier Rousset, the founders of Texture, have announced plans to open a third 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen in London later this year.