Casual Dining

Hotelympia 2012: BigHospitality's must-see checklist

31-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

With Hotelympia on the horizon the hospitality industry is gearing up to descend on the ExCel centre, but with five days (26 February-1 March) of awards, product launches, chef demonstrations and more it can seem a daunting prospect, so BigHospitality...

Peter’s Food Service launches new pie range

30-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Pie manufacturer Peter’s Food Service has launched a new range of pies that are 30 per cent larger and feature enhanced recipes, but are the same price as the product they replace.

Hospitality businesses urged to take advantage of pension obligation changes

30-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Employers in restaurants, hotels and pubs and bars have been encouraged to take advantage of the extra time that has been provided before they need to comply with automatic pension enrolment obligations.

Fuller's reports sales growth ahead of busy 2012

27-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Fuller's, the brewer and pub operator, has reported like for like sales growth of 4.1% for the 42 weeks up to 21 January 2012 ahead of a busy year of sport and acquisition openings for the London-based company.

London 2012 Olympics: Six months left and businesses not prepared, says People 1st survey

27-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

With six months to go until the London 2012 Olympics begin, the majority of businesses have not prepared themselves for the Games, according to a survey by hospitality skills council People 1st.

How to manage your hospitality business's online reputation: Your website

27-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

In the consumer-led world of hospitality, it is easy to underestimate the power of the internet. But with well over a million Google searches for ‘London hotels’ being made every month in the UK, and an ever-increasing number of restaurant bookings made...

Mitchells & Butlers 2011 festive pub sales buoyed by good weather

26-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Good weather around Christmas 2011 helped keep Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) festive sales buoyant, the managed pub operator has reported, with like-for-like sales up 6.5 per cent for the nine weeks to 21 January.

First Aid survey reveals negligence in commercial kitchens

25-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With more than two-thirds of chefs and kitchen staff incurring injury in the workplace at least once a month, current first aid provision in commercial kitchens needs tightening up according to a survey by food hygiene specialist DayMark.

Hospitality regulation and red tape cutting report presented to Government by industry taskforce

25-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

An industry taskforce chaired by the British Hospitality Association featuring representatives from restaurants, hotels and pubs and bars has submitted a report of recommendations on cutting red tape and regulations to the Tourism Minister John Penrose.

BII launches Licensed Hospitality Apprenticeship

25-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has teamed up with Kensington and Chelsea College (KCC) to offer local employers access to a new business-boosting apprenticeship in licensed hospitality.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to ensure you are employing foreign workers legally

25-Jan-2012

The UK Border Agency's head of Immigration, Jeremy Oppenheim, outlines how employers can check whether foreign nationals have the right to work in the UK.

Eating out reserved for special occasions as cash-strapped consumers cut spending

24-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Eating out at restaurants and pubs is fast-becoming a treat reserved for special occasions, as cash-strapped consumers are more cautious with their discretionary spend, according to foodservice consultancy Horizons.

Camra urges Government to save Britain’s suburban pubs

24-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has today urged the Government to take action to save Britain’s historic pub culture in the light of new research which reveals that 16 pubs now close across the country every week.

Pub beer sales decline at slowest rate since 2004

23-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Beer sales continued to fall in 2011 with pub sales down by 3.4 per cent in the last year but the rate of decline has shrunk to the slowest since 2004, according to the latest Beer Barometer from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

Pub industry welcomes progress of Live Music Bill

20-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and publicans have welcomed the latest passage of the Live Music Bill through parliament in it's progress to possibly becoming law and making it easier for venues to put on live music.

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

Seaside Sleepover at Barceló Imperial and Brew Your own Ale at The Draft House

20-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Restaurants, pubs and hotels - including Barceló Imperial, The Draft House, Prism Brasserie and Gilpin Hotel - tell BigHospitality about new products, special events and promotions they're running to attract more customers.

How to manage your hospitality business's online reputation: Social media

19-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Social media, like it or not, now plays an integral part in the marketing plans for the majority of restaurants, hotels and pubs, so we’ll presume, if you’re reading this, that you have at least set up a Twitter account and/or a Facebook page to promote...

Grand Union appoints new management team ahead of 2012 expansion

19-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

London-based bar operator Grand Union has set its sights on rapid expansion this year, with plans for at least three new venues and the appointment of a completely new management team.

JD Wetherspoon expects lower margins due to rising costs

18-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

JD Wetherspoon expects a continued decline in its operating margin this year due to continuing cost pressures resulting from government legislation and VAT rates.

Business Outlook 2012: What’s in store for hospitality?

18-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Restaurants, hotels and pubs had mixed fortunes in 2011, with all three hospitality sectors suffering a decline in property prices. But there is hope on the horizon, with the potential for an increase in opportunities and transactions in 2012.

Second The London Cocktail Club bar for BBC's The Restaurant winners

17-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Less than 12 months after opening their 'gin palace' bar, The Restaurant winners JJ Goodman and James Hopkins have opened a second site under The London Cocktail Club brand with partners David Moore, Sarah Willingham and Raymond Blanc who has...

Family Brewers joins Jacques Borel's 5% VAT club

17-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The Independent Family Brewers of Britain has pledged £240k of funding to support Jacques Borel’s campaign to reduce the VAT charged in pubs on drink, food and accommodation to five per cent.

Pubs and restaurants see major sales boost after snowless December

17-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Britain’s pubs and restaurants saw a major sales boost over the Christmas and New Year period, with like-for-like sales for December up 9.9 per cent from 2010.

Peach pub company end 2011 with strong trading, plan 2012 openings

16-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Independent pub company Peach reported a like-for-like sales increase of 9 per cent last December in what was one of the most productive months of 2011 for the operator.

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

Leggera Pizzas at PizzaExpress and Dining Clubs at Hotel du Vin and Malmaison

13-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Restaurants and hotels, including PizzaExpress, Hotel du Vin & Malmaison, The Capital hotel and the Grand Imperial London, tell BigHospitality about new products, special events and promotions they’re running to attract more customers.

Bath Ales opens new craft beer bar in expansion plans for the brewery

13-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Bath Ales has opened it's eighth venue in the South West, a craft beer bar in Bristol, as part of an expansion of the independent brewery which will also see it increase production volume.

Career Profile: Will Torrent

13-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Pastry chef Will Torrent scored a week's work experience with Heston Blumenthal at the tender age of 15. Ten years on he is working alongside Blumenthal again as a pastry chef consultant for Waitrose. He was the first British pastry chef to win at...

Delight and disappointment: Parliament unanimously passes ‘Fair Deal for Pubs’ motion

12-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Following a lively debate on the floor of the House of Commons today, MPs have unanimously passed a motion requiring the Government to commission an independent adjudicator to manage the relationship between pubcos and tenants this autumn.

Moy Park launches Mega Menu Sale for pubs to boost post-Christmas sales

12-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Moy Park Foodservice is helping pubs overcome the traditional post-Christmas decrease in trading by providing outlets with high-impact posters and menu flyers to promote an attractive Mega Menu Sale.

Pub and bar operators 'cautiously optimistic' for 2012 after Christmas trading boost

11-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Pub and bar operators are ‘cautiously optimistic’ for the year ahead after seeing a year-on-year sales boost over the Christmas period, a survey from the Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has discovered.

The Oyster Shed: ‘Dream pub’ in the City for Geronimo Inns

11-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Geronimo Inns, the London-based, food-led pub operator, is set to unveil The Oyster Shed in the City of London as the latest addition to its growing portfolio.

How to manage your hospitality business’s online reputation: Review websites

11-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Review websites can be double-edged sword for businesses. When used successfully, they can turn you into an overnight success. But they can just as easily destroy your reputation, with negative reviews able to spread like wildfire if left unchecked.

A day in the life of a kitchen porter with Restaurant editor William Drew

11-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant editor William Drew heads to the kitchens of Les Deux Salons in London to spend a day as a kitchen porter.

Hospitality industry suffers ‘worrying’ increase in insolvencies

10-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The hospitality industry has felt the strain of the tough economic climate over the past year, with a significant increase in the number of restaurants, bars and hotels becoming insolvent.

Hospitality training provider buys Manchester hotel

10-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Blue Training UK has acquired the Bower Hotel in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, and will take over the day to day running of the hotel as well as launching a new catering and hospitality academy for young people in the area on the same site.

Hot Talent: Judges and mentors Ben Spalding and Esher Williams give their top tips to hopefuls

10-Jan-2012

There are just a few days left for hopefuls to get their entries in for Hot Talent, a brand new competition launching at Hotelympia this year that aims to showcase talented under-30s in the industry.

Cardiff the top UK city for socialising and going out

10-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Cardiff has been declared the most social city in the UK with residents of the Welsh capital most likely to go out and meet others in its restaurants, bars and pubs, according to social network CitySocialising.

Novus festive sales up for fourth year in a row

09-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Restaurant and bar operator Novus Leisure has revealed like for like sales were up 18 per cent over the festive period, led by the success of the recently acquired city bar chain Balls Brothers and an increase of pre-booked and advance corporate events.

Drinkers advised to have two alcohol-free days as calls come for MPs to review guidelines

09-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Drinkers are being advised to have two alcohol-free days per week as calls come for MPs to review current guidelines around alcohol consumption.

New Moon Pub Company plan two new venues after just six months trading

09-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Less than a year after launching the New Moon Pub Company Paul Newman, former marketing director of Living Ventures, and chef David Mooney are planning to add two new pubs to their portfolio.

Punch Taverns pub co-investors form Distinctive Inns

06-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Distinctive Inns has been formed in the East Midlands by James Bull and Ross Tunaley who opened the Riverside Pub and Kitchen near Newark in a co-investment deal with Punch Taverns last year.

Greene King 'meet and eat' franchise key for company in 2012

06-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Greene King will continue the rollout of their ‘Meet and Eat’ franchise pubs in 2012 as the scheme forms an important part of the Suffolk-based brewer's business plan during the tough economic climate.

VisitBritain calls on hospitality businesses to ‘Share Your GREAT Britain’

06-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Hospitality businesses are being urged to make use of a free online toolkit from VisitBritain that allows users to participate in, and benefit from the ‘GREAT Britain – You’re Invited’ 2012 campaign.

How to manage your hospitality business’s online reputation: Why you need to watch the web

05-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

The internet has become something of a mixed blessing for owners of hotels, restaurants and pubs. On one hand, you can use it to help direct potential customers or from anywhere in the world to your business quickly and easily, but on the other, its ease...

Dining vouchers still popular but most consumers would use restaurants who remove discount

05-Jan-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Restaurant discounts and vouchers are still popular with nearly two thirds of consumers using them when dining out but just 18 per cent say they would stop visiting somewhere if they were removed, according to a new survey from Deloitte.

Christmas sales up 17% at Atmosphere Bars & Clubs

04-Jan-2012 By Emma Eversham

Chicago's owner Atmosphere Bars & Clubs saw Christmas sales grow by 17 per cent compared to the same period in 2010 as revellers decided to 'let their hair down' during the festive period.

Happy New Year? What restaurants must do to achieve 2012 success

04-Jan-2012 By Luke Nicholls

As foodservice consultancy Horizons insists the UK hospitality industry is set for its most challenging year ever, BigHospitality has spoken to restaurants across the nation to find out what they are doing to ensure 2012 is a year to remember for the...

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