Casual Dining

Liverpool hospitality, tourism and culture school gets go-ahead

25-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

A proposal to open a Studio School in Liverpool that will help train 14-19 year-olds to work in hospitality, tourism and culture, has been approved by the Department for Education to open in September 2013. 

Orchard Valley Foods extends McDougalls creative baking range

25-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Orchard Valley Foods has extended the creative baking range of products available to the foodservice trade under the McDougalls brand adding fudge cubes and yoghurt and chocolate coating buttons to the product list.

'Star Chamber' set to convene to tackle hospitality red tape and regulation

24-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

A cross-Whitehall committee or 'Star Chamber' is set to meet in the next few weeks to consider hospitality industry proposals to cut red tape and regulation, Tourism Minister John Penrose has revealed.

Pub restaurants benefit from people eating out more often

24-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Pub restaurants have been the greatest beneficiary of UK diners eating out more frequently over the last year according to Horizons' latest QuickBite survey.

Huhtamaki launches Olympics-themed summer celebration tumbler range

24-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Disposables manufacturer Huhtamaki has launched a range of Olympics and sport-themed summer celebration tumblers for hospitality businesses looking to encourage al fresco drinking during the good weather.

John Penrose Video Interview: Hospitality industry still needs to show Government why its VAT cut is different

24-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

In a wide-ranging, exclusive video interview for BigHospitality, Tourism Minister John Penrose has ruled out making a VAT cut for the hospitality industry a long-term ambition for the Government and has said businesses still need to show why a cut would...

Breaking the discount bind: Loyalty schemes provide effective alternative for restaurants

20-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Deep discounts, special offers and the use of daily deal websites could soon become a thing of the past for restaurants and pubs as customers are becoming more attracted to outlets which offer rewards for loyalty as opposed to money off, according to...

Maynard House Orchards adds Kidd’s Orange Red to apple juice range

20-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Suffolk-based apple juice supplier Maynard House Orchards is launching its home-grown heritage variety, Kidd’s Orange Red, available to its on-trade customers ahead of this year’s harvest.

BBPA voices concerns over Health Select Committee’s Alcohol Strategy conclusions

19-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has highlighted concerns it has over the conclusions reached by the Health Select Committee in its report on the Government’s Alcohol Strategy. 

Young's launches healthier breadcrumbed fish range for children

19-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Seafood company Young's has launched a range of breaded fish products designed for children which claim to be lower in fat than similar products already on the market. 

Government urges restaurants to increase country of origin labelling

19-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Government is urging restaurants to more widely adopt country of origin labelling and has said many caterers are still not providing enough information on the provenance of their food.

Vinopolis closes Wine Tour for major refurb, P&G hires event space for Olympics

18-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Vinopolis has temporarily closed its wine tour to make way for a multi-million-pound refurbishment, but the London wine tasting venue insists the closure will not impact its takings over the Olympic period.

Bad weather affects Fuller’s spring and early summer sales

18-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

The bad weather across the UK so far this spring and summer has been blamed for a drop in sales across Fuller’s 360 pubs.

Heavy rain, Diamond Jubilee and Euro 2012 bring ‘mixed fortunes’ for eating out sector

18-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

UK restaurants and pubs saw like-for-like sales edge up 1.3 per cent last month, but a combination of the unusually cold and wet weather, Euro 2012 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee brought contrasting prosperities for the sector.

How to develop closer links and relationships with food suppliers

18-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

With the popularity for local produce and diner demand for provenance information showing no sign of slowing down, Renaissance Pubs has solved the problem of developing closer links and relationships with suppliers by investing in their own farm.

Teknomat launches compact version of Synchro espresso machine

18-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

UK-based coffee machine and equipment supplier Teknomat has introduced a compact two group espresso coffee machine to its Synchro range.

First Drinks 2012 Market Report reveals polarising drinks market as consumers react to recession

17-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The UK on-trade drinks market is straining under the weight of the recession, with consumers now tending to react in one of two ways: trade up and buy less, or trade down and buy more, according to the 2012 First Drinks Market Report.

Beer Tax Fraud Inquiry: MPs tell Government the case for beer tax stamps is 'extremely problematic' and 'premature'

17-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Tax stamps on every bottle or can of beer would be 'extremely problematic' and the case for it is 'premature' when tax fraud enforcement options remain open to HMRC, according to a panel of MPs who reported to the Government yesterday.

Pizza Express, Wagamama and La Tasca among restaurants voted best for healthy eaters

16-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Pizza Express, Wagamama and La Tasca are among the high street restaurant chains who have been voted best choices for healthy eaters by health food magazine Healthy Food Guide. 

BBPA: Beer bottle tax stamps will damage pubs and may be illegal

16-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has called on the Government to abandon plans announced in the Budget for the introduction of tax stamps on every bottle and can of beer saying it will damage pubs and may be illegal.

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

The Reward Club at Beefeater: The effectiveness of a loyalty scheme vs. discounting

16-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

In our new look Ideas from your Peers column, we evaluate the effectiveness of one of Whitbread’s marketing campaigns, The Reward Club, which it has been using to promote its Beefeater brand for the last four months and question if it is a worthwhile...

Changing glassware can attract more female beer drinkers, says first woman accredited as a beer sommelier

13-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Annabel Smith, one of the first two women to receive official beer sommelier accreditation from the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) Beer Academy, has told BigHospitality changing glassware can significantly change the attitudes of women to...

T.G.I. Friday's joins calls for hospitality VAT cut

13-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

American restaurant chain T.G.I. Friday's has joined businesses in the hospitality industry calling for a reduction in VAT by signing up to membership of Jacques Borel's VAT Club.

Imperial introduces Cambro Camcart food transporter to UK

13-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Cambro Camcart, a heated, portable food transporter first launched in the US by food tray, shelving and storage manufacturer Cambro, has now been launched in the UK by Imperial Catering Equipment.

Pepijn van den Abeele: Career Profile

13-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Belgian national Pepijn van den Abeele has been manager of London burlesque club and cocktail bar, Volupté since November 2011. He worked in a variety of jobs in hospitality in Belgium before moving to London in 2006 to take up the role of manager at...

The Big Conversation: Industry event highlights importance of young people in hospitality

11-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

A joint initiative between Business in the Community (BitC), the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and Springboard today brought together an array of hospitality industry leaders with young people to stimulate a dialogue on employability skills, work...

Third of London's restaurants, hotels and pubs stockpiling goods to reduce deliveries during London 2012 Olympics

11-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

More than a third (37 per cent) of London-based businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and pubs, have said they will stockpile non-perishable goods in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics to help reduce deliveries made during the Games. 

Raymond Blanc named first president of the Sustainable Restaurant Association

11-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Raymond Blanc has called for the industry to 'embrace good strong ethics' as he takes up the post of president of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). 

Pub planning law change moves a step closer

11-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

A possible change in the law to protect community pubs and bars from planning decisions and stop venues from becoming victims to changes of use has moved a step closer after passing the first parliamentary stage in the House of Commons.

Smoking Ban: Five years on BBPA rejects calls for smoking rooms, what next for campaigners?

11-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

To mark five years since the implementation of the ban on smoking in pubs and bars in England, BigHospitality has produced a podcast report investigating the current situation and possible future options for campaigners and publicans still hoping to change...

Plusfood launches new recipe chicken steaks and nuggets

10-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Poultry supplier Plusfood has relaunched its breaded chicken steaks and battered chicken nuggets for the foodservice trade with a new, improved recipe.

JD Wetherspoon reopens Woolwich pub following riots destruction

09-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The Great Harry pub in Woolwich is set to reopen tomorrow (July 10) on the site of the original building which was burnt to the ground during last year’s riots.

Brakspear buys two Enterprise Inns pubs, declares intention to expand further

09-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Brakspear pubs has purchased two venues from Enterprise Inns as chief executive Tom Davies declares the tenanted pub operator will remain on the acquisition trail and intends to expand further this year.

Aviko introduces frozen sweet potato fries to foodservice range

06-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Potato processing company Aviko has launched a frozen sweet potato fry product for the foodservice trade based on research that suggests consumers perceive the product as a healthy and attractive option, especially for families.

Government minister claims beer duty escalator 'helps' publicans and drinkers

05-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

A Treasury minister has pledged the Government will continue to monitor the impact of the alcohol duty escalator but claimed the rising beer duty was a 'help' to publicans and drinkers as it was contributing to deficit reduction.

Ignite Group’s Matt Hermer reveals major expansion plans for Bumpkin

05-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

British restaurant chain Bumpkin, which currently has three sites in London, has plans to expand to 20 venues across the UK within the next five years.

Late Night Levy: No exemption for restaurants as pub owners declare it 'unnecessary'

05-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The Home Office has published its response to a consultation on the proposed Late Night Levy with legislation expected later this year which will not exempt restaurants and which pub and bar licensees have declared 'unnecessary'.

Smoking ban: debate still fuming five years on

05-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Five years on from the inception of the smoking ban in England and there are still mixed views in the pub industry, with many customers actually visiting the pub more frequently because of the ban, but the majority of licensees pressing for amendments...

Living Ventures plans to launch Oast House and Australasia in London

05-Jul-2012 By Stefan Chomka

Manchester-based restaurant, bar and pub group Living Ventures will launch a number of its newest brands in London, according to the company's co-founder Tim Bacon.

New Moon Pub Company announces details of second pub and restaurant

04-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The New Moon Pub Company, founded by acclaimed North West chef David Mooney and former Living Ventures director Paul Newman, has announced details of its second pub and restaurant in Cheshire.

Food Trends 2012: Top 10 restaurant predictions

04-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham, Luke Nicholls and Peter Ruddick

In the fourth and final part of our feature on food trends in 2012 we asked 10 leading chefs, restaurateurs and food critics including Heston Blumenthal, Simon Rogan and Richard Vines for their top tips and predictions on the hot trends to hit restaurants...

Fluid Movement to open speakeasy style bar and restaurant Dach & Sons in Hampstead

04-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Fluid Movement, the team behind London bars Purl and Worship Street Whistling Shop, will open their third venue - Dach & Sons, a 70-cover speakeasy bar and restaurant - in Hampstead next week. 

Final preparations: is your business ready for the London 2012 Olympics?

04-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With less than a month to go until the London 2012 Olympics kick off, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called on the capital’s business leaders to finalise their travel plans, urging them not to chance it by adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach.

Wear Inns buys nine TCG pubs taking portfolio to 24

04-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Wear Inns, the Northern community pub operator, has announced it has completed the acquisition of nine pubs in the North East and Yorkshire from TCG as a result of private investment backing secured earlier this year.

How to improve restaurant coffee: Consistency, quality and training

04-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

With the meteoric rise in the UK of the popularity of coffee shops, baristas and a flat white or a latte over a regular filter coffee, keeping the quality up in restaurants can be a grind as BigHospitality discovered in a special video report.

Sky TV price freeze good news for pubs but monopoly still damaging business, says BBPA

03-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has today welcomed the news that Sky is to freeze its UK pub and club subscription prices until at least June 2013, but insists the broadcaster is still the ‘underlying cause’ of overpricing in the market.

Drinks 21 brings Ice Cognac to the UK on-trade

03-Jul-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Premium drinks importer and distributor Drinks21 announced the arrival of Ice Cognac by ABK6 to its growing portfolio of niche, boutique brands.

The Trainline.com aims to show affordability of Michelin-starred lunch

03-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Train bookings website thetrainline.com has documented the price of lunch at Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK to show rail passengers that eating in well-rated restaurants may not be as expensive as they may think. 

Search starts to find the most multi-lingual hospitality workplace

02-Jul-2012 By Emma Eversham

Does your hotel, restaurant or pub boast a large number of employees for whom English is their second language and who can communicate with guests from different countries in their mother –tongue yet also converse perfectly with other guest and employees...

Prezzo and JD Wetherspoon help branded restaurants outperform hospitality market

29-Jun-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Italian casual dining chain Prezzo and mass pub operator JD Wetherspoon are helping drive estimated growth in the branded restaurant sector in 2012 of 6.5 per cent.