Casual Dining

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to keep beer fresh

01-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

With cask ales back in growth, publicans will be looking to stock more of them, but what is the best way to keep beer? Conrad Boucher of automated beer line cleaning system Beer Piper, underlines the importance of keeping beer lines clean to ensure pubs...

Latin American Barrio Bars aiming for five London sites by 2013

31-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

The team behind Latin American-inspired bar concept Barrio Bars is aiming to increase its reach across the capital with plans to add sites in Clapham, south London and Notting Hill, west London to its estate by the end of next year.

Hospitality Management apprenticeship launched to take professionals higher

31-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

People 1st has launched the first ever Level 4 apprenticeship framework for the hospitality industry to bridge the gap between the supervisory skills gained in an apprentice’s early career and the strategic management skills required to work at a senior...

Laverstoke Park Farm ordered to change 'childish' ale and lager labels

31-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

An independent complaints panel has ordered producer Laverstoke Park Farm to change the labels on its bottles of ale and lager because it thinks the images on them could appeal to children.

Licensed coffee bar and restaurant at heart of former Dundee Royal Exchange development

30-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Caffe Borsa, a licensed coffee bar and eatery, is set to open early next month on the ground floor of a new event and office space following a £500k refurb of the former Royal Exchange building in Dundee.

Are we moving forward? Hospitality business confidence falls but it's not all doom and gloom

29-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Almost half of hospitality and leisure companies in the UK will not reach profit targets this quarter with an increasing number of business owners feeling pessimistic in outlook due to the lack of any bounce in spending during the Queen’s Jubilee and...

Facewatch joins forces with Crimestoppers and ACPO to better tackle crime

29-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Facewatch, the crime prevention scheme set up by Gordon's Wine Bar managing director Simon Gordon, has formed a partnership with charity Crimestoppers and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to better tackle crime.

Pimhill launches no wheat or nuts muesli

29-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Pimhill Farm in Shropshire has launched a muesli which leaves out wheat or nuts, allowing hotels, restaurants and pubs to give customers with allergies or intolerances a wider choice at breakfast. 

Joseph Holt acquires two Greater Manchester pubs

29-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Manchester brewer Joseph Holt has announced it has acquired two Greater Manchester pubs within the last three months as its plans to expand its estate in the North West continue.

Marco Pierre White: Pearls of Wisdom

26-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Once the holder of three Michelin stars, legendary chef Marco Pierre White is now a regular face on TV, fronting shows such as Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Wars and is the owner of eight pubs under the Wheeler's of St James name. He also co-owns...

Browns launches £150k apprenticeship scheme

25-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Mitchells & Butlers restaurant brand Browns has invested £150k in launching an apprenticeship scheme in a bid to help address the staff shortage across the sector and better develop its staff for the future. 

Cargo owner takes over Duke's Bar in City of London

25-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Cargo owner Shoreditch Bars Group is to take over the former Duke's Bar in the City of London with plans to turn into a cocktail bar and gourmet pizza restaurant. 

Cozy Pubs expands hunt for new sites beyond Essex

25-Oct-2012

Cozy Pub Company has announced it achieved record sales growth in the third quarter of the year and revealed it is looking for new sites sites in locations beyond its Essex base to achieve its expansion plans.

Punch Taverns reveals restructuring talks as profits drop

24-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Punch Taverns has announced a drop in its pre-tax profits for the last year and revealed it has begun discussions about possible restructuring options for the business.

Beer tax escalator to be debated and voted on by MPs on 1 November

24-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The controversial beer tax escalator is to receive a Parliamentary debate on 1 November after a House of Commons committee agreed to let MPs discuss and vote on a motion calling for a review of the policy.

Aspall launches Harry Sparrow Cyder in tribute to former cider maker

24-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Suffolk cyder producer Aspall has launched a ‘sessionable’ 4.6% abv cider called Harry Sparrow in tribute to its former cider maker. 

Time Out London praises restaurants and bars for adapting to survive recession

23-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Introducing simpler food and no-bookings policies has helped London's restaurants survive the recession says the food and drink editor of Time Out London as the publication reveals the winners of its Eating & Drinking Awards 2012. 

Beer sales plummet as fight for fairer tax deal moves up a gear

23-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Despite a summer of sport which included the Olympics and the Euro 2012 football, Britons drank 117 million fewer pints of beer in the three months to September this year than in 2011, with pub sales down 4.8 per cent.

Mark Hix to close HIX Belgravia and Mark's Bar at Belgraves hotel

23-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

HIX Restaurants and Belgraves, the Thompson Hotels venue in London, have confirmed Mark Hix is set to part ways with the hotel with HIX Belgravia and Mark's Bar due to close at the end of November.

Pennington Hotels acquires two historic Lakeland Inns

22-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

West Cumbrian hotel and leisure company Pennington Hotels has taken on two historic properties – the nine-bedroom Boot Inn in Eskdale and the 11-bedroom Pooley Bridge Inn near Ullswater.

People 1st launches Apprentice 1st online portal for hospitality businesses

22-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Sector skills council People 1st has launched Apprentice 1st, an online portal which allows employers, learners and training providers to access all aspects of an apprenticeship, including coursework, assessments and practical training material, from...

Springboard Awards for Excellence 2012: Winners revealed

19-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The hospitality industry turned out in force at the Novotel London West last night (18 October) to celebrate the Springboard charity’s 10th annual Awards for Excellence which rewarded those promoting careers and talent across the sector.

The Gold Service Scholarship launched to promote front-of-house hospitality

19-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

An array of service professionals have launched The Gold Service Scholarship - a new UK scholarship for front-of-house professionals in a bid to inspire a new generation of young people to make a career out of front-of-house hospitality.

Business rates revaluation delay creates 'toxic cocktail' for UK hospitality businesses

19-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The Government’s decision to postpone the revaluation of business rates from 2015 to 2017 will create a ‘toxic cocktail’ for UK hospitality businesses and is a ‘further blow to the country’s struggling high streets’, according to industry experts.

Brakspear acquires first pub on a sale and lease back basis

19-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Tenanted and leased pubco Brakspear has purchased The Running Horses pub in Mickleham, Surrey in the first sale and lease back acquisition for the Henley-on-Thames-based company.

Nisbets adds two new Waring waffle makers to product range

19-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Catering supplier Nisbets has added two new Waring Belgian waffle makers to its range of kitchen equipment products describing both as 'profitable additions' to any foodservice operation.

Wake up and smell the coffee: Surveys reveal importance of coffee to restaurants and pubs

18-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

According to two surveys, hospitality operators are increasingly realising the importance of coffee to their businesses with national pub chains now selling more cups of the beverage than their coffee shop neighbours on the high street.

Last-minute Christmas planning: Orchid shares secrets to festive success

18-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Despite price-sensitive diners booking Christmas dinners and events later than ever, pub and bar operator Orchid has already seen bookings up 10 per cent on last year. The group has given us some timely top tips to help with that last-minute festive planning.

BBPA Annual Dinner & Industry Awards

18-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The winners of the inaugural British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) industry awards were announced at the organisation’s Annual Dinner which took place at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square hotel last night.

Monster Energy launches calorie-free version of its energy drink for on-trade

18-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Monster Energy has launched Monster Absolutely Zero for the on-trade market in the UK - a calorie-free version of its Monster Export energy drink.

Buddha Bar's London return confirmed

17-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Buddha Bar, the pan-Asian restaurant and bar concept, will officially make its return to London in November with the reopening of the former Chicago Rib Shack site in Knightsbridge. 

Spirit reports 16% rise in pre-tax profits

16-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Spirit Pub Company has reported a rise in pre-tax profits of 16 per cent in the last year, its first as an independent business, while chief executive Mike Tye has stated his intention for the business to increase performance in its leased venues after...

Increasing drinks margins: Panel discussion at The Restaurant Show

16-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

At 22.7bn and in growth, the UK on-trade beer, wine and spirits market remains a star performer. This panel discussion at The Restaurant Show explores some of the current trends and identifies how you should be revising your drinks list over the next...

September washout hits sales growth for Britain's top restaurants and pubs

16-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

September's rain and bad weather held back sales growth at Britain’s leading pub and restaurant groups with like-for-like sales up just 0.7 per cent, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Plusfood introduces chicken fillet to frozen Hot ‘n’ Kickin’ foodservice range

16-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Foodservice poultry supplier Plusfood has expanded its frozen Hot ‘n’ Kickin’ range to include a chicken fillet covered in the crispy coating with a kick of chilli that has become a signature of the product range. 

Gladwin brothers launch The Shed restaurant & bar

15-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Three brothers - a farmer, chef and restaurateur – have brought their skills together to open The Shed, a new restaurant and bar in Notting Hill with an emphasis on seasonal British produce.

Green Paper 2012: How sustainable is the UK hospitality industry?

15-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The 2012 Gram Green Paper – a study into the hospitality industry’s attitudes towards sustainability – has been released, providing a comprehensive review of the sustainable attitudes and behaviours within the hotel, restaurant and pub sectors. 

Four pubs sold in a fortnight, defying national trends

15-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

A clutch of pubs across the South West have been sold in the space of just two weeks, defying gloomy national pub sale forecasts and giving sector specialists Colliers International its busiest month since 2008.

Country Range introduces Rainforest Alliance certified coffee to its foodservice offer

15-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Country Range has introduced a Rainforest Alliance certified coffee and chocolate drink to its foodservice product range.

BigHospitality at The Restaurant Show: Nurturing the talent of the future

12-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The hospitality industry needs to unite and speak with one voice when it comes to finding, nurturing and retaining the sector’s future leaders, according to a selection of industry experts partaking in BigHospitality’s panel discussion at The Restaurant...

Rock restaurant group to expand after securing funding from Colonial Leisure Group

11-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Rock, the pub and dining group and events catering company set up by chef Nick Atkins, Jonny Townsend, and Jeremy Brown, has received a 'sizeable cash injection' from Australian leisure business Colonial Leisure Group (CLG) to help it expand...

All Star Lanes to open in Manchester, Adam Breeden leaves to focus on Bounce

11-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Adam Breeden, co-founder of new ping pong concept Bounce, has announced his resignation from the board of boutique bowling operator All Star Lanes (ASL) which will open its fifth site in Manchester next year. 

Amber Taverns secures £24m financing to open one new pub every month

11-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Wet-led, community pub operator Amber Taverns has announced it plans to open one new pub every month following the completion of a £24m financing deal from Lloyds Bank Wholesale Banking & Markets in Liverpool.

Spirit Pub Company opens 100th John Barras pub, targets 200 mark

10-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Spirit Pub Company has opened its 100th site under the growing neighbourhood brand John Barras and has committed to a target of further doubling the estate.

Hospitality industry urged by VisitBritain to help deliver 40m tourists by 2020

10-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

VisitBritain is calling on the hospitality industry to help it achieve an ambitious inbound tourism growth strategy by taking part in a consultation and helping address perceived weaknesses of Britain's image such as food, value and welcome.

Hospitality insolvencies continue to rise

09-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Hospitality and leisure (H&L) was one of the worst-hit sectors in the UK in terms of insolvencies over the past year, a new report has found.

Tom Kerridge's apprentice honoured in HTP Training Awards for Excellence

08-Oct-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Connor Black, who is about to begin an apprenticeship in Tom Kerridge's Michelin-starred pub The Hand & Flowers, is among hospitality industry individuals and employers who have been honoured in the 2012 HTP Training Awards for Excellence.

New Sport & Tourism Minister Hugh Robertson delivers first speech to hospitality industry

08-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

In his first speech to the industry, new Sport and Tourism Minister Hugh Robertson claimed tourism will play a central role in the legacy for 2012 and that the Government considers the industry as an important driver of the economy, but failed to address...

Hospitality employers must change to attract Generation Y workforce

08-Oct-2012 By Emma Eversham

Employers across the hospitality industry must change their staff policies and adapt to the needs of the Generation Y workforce if they want to attract and retain talent in the future. 

Michelin Guide 2013: What makes a Michelin-starred restaurant?

05-Oct-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Following last week's early release of the 2013 Michelin Guide to Great Britain & Ireland, the Guide's editor Rebecca Burr has revealed how the inspectors define a Michelin-starred restaurant and what some establishments must do to take...