Casual Dining

Breakfast tasting menu at Winteringham Fields, and wedding package at The Ritz

27-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Restaurants, hotels and pubs including Winteringham Fields and The Ritz tell us what promotions they’re running to attract customers.

Summer drinks trends: Wine

26-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

While there are no real new trends emerging this summer in the wine category, there are several areas of growth that restaurant and pub operators need to be aware of.

Tourists spent £114bn in UK in 2008, says ONS

26-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Domestic and foreign tourists spent a total of £114bn in the UK in 2008, with more money forked out on food than on hotels, according to a new set of experimental data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

YCYW introduces new skills awards

26-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Entries are now open for the 2011 Young Chef Young Waiter competition (YCYW), which this year see the addition of six new skill awards.

TRG to sell three restaurants in southern England

25-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The Restaurant Group (TRG), owner of Frankie and Benny’s and Chiquito brands, is selling three of its restaurant and bar properties in the south of England.

South Bank restaurants and pubs to benefit from ‘accessibility makeover’

25-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

London’s South Bank will undergo a £4m makeover to make it more easily accessible to visitors in time for the Olympics, with the works due to benefit the area’s restaurants, cafes and bars.

BBPA calls for more dialogue on Scottish drinks’ policy

24-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The BBPA has called for a new dialogue with the Scottish government, following concerns that the pub sector is at risk from certain aspects of the alcohol policy, including tax on beer.

US tourists are highest spenders, but visitors declining

24-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

US tourists are the highest spenders out of all holidaymakers to the UK, but their numbers continue to decline, according to new data released today by VisitBritain.

Another Icelandic ash cloud set to hit UK

23-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Ash from an Icelandic volcano looks set to hit UK airspace tomorrow, threatening to close airports and disrupt thousands of travellers almost exactly a year since a similar event last April.

Britons to spend £7bn on home holidays this summer

23-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The British tourism industry is set to receive a £7.2bn boost this summer from cash-strapped Britons opting to take their holiday break in the UK, reveals a new travel study conducted by the budget hotel group Travelodge.

Expect a VAT reduction by 2014, says expert

20-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

The UK hospitality industry could see a targeted VAT cut by April 2014, according to restaurateur and hospitality expert Jacques Borel.

Cyrus Todiwala receives Footprint Special Achievement Award

20-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Cyrus Todiwala OBE, chef proprietor of Café Spice Namaste in London, has been given the Special Achievement Award at the annual Footprint Awards for championing environmentally-friendly and sustainable operating practices.

M&B food sales overtake drink for first time

20-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Food sales have overtaken drink sales for the first time at pub operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), which is now focusing on growing its food-led business.

Chelsea Flower Show menus at Tom Aikens and Flower Power costumes at Barts

20-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Restaurants, Pubs and Hotels including Tom Aikens and Barts tell us what promotions they’re running to attract customers during the Chelsea Flower Show (24-28 May).

Montcalm luxury hotel opens doors in City

19-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The new five star Montcalm hotel will be opening its doors next week in a Grade II listed building, which formerly housed the Whitbread brewery.

Dorsia restaurant and members’ club opens in S. Kensington

19-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Dorsia, a new restaurant, bar and private members’ club, will be opening its doors in South Kensington next month, following the £2.4m refit of a Georgian town house.

Alcohol prices see record hikes in April as inflation rises

18-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The UK’s latest inflation hike is likely to cause further damage to the hospitality sector, both in terms of sales and staffing, say sector trade groups.

Government calls for feedback on hospitality regulations

18-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Publicans, restaurateurs and hoteliers have just a few weeks left to voice their concerns with regulations that they feel are stifling the industry as the deadline approaches for the government’s call for comments.

April pub and restaurant sales up, but analysts urge caution

18-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The Royal Wedding, Easter Holidays and record sunshine all contributed to higher sales in pubs and restaurants this year, but market analysts warn that they also created new challenges for the hospitality sector, which did not trade as well as it could...

Screenmedia expo showcases technology for hospitality businesses

17-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The Screenmedia expo 2011 is this week opening its doors in London, featuring the latest technologies that can be adopted in the hospitality sector.

Summer drinks trends: Spirits

17-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

In the second part of our feature on summer drinks trends, BigHospitality takes a look at which spirits will be in the spotlight this summer season, and why.

BHA launches hospitality health report, urges more action

17-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) is urging the industry to increase its focus on health as part of a wider government push to reduce obesity levels in the UK.

The London International Wine Fair returns

16-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

The 31st London International Wine Fair (LIWF) is kicking off this week at ExCel London, offering restaurateurs, publicans, sommeliers and wine buyers the chance to meet suppliers and improve their wine list.

Barracuda revamps Varsity bars but cuts estate

16-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Managed pub operator Barracuda has reduced the number of its student-led Varsity bars by 12 to 27 sites across the UK as it focuses on upgrading the estate.

“Gluten-free” food safety rules change

16-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Caterers serving gluten-free items on their menus will need to ensure they adhere to new rules relating the definition of the term.

Ask the Experts

How to write an effective business plan

16-May-2011

With most banks seeing hospitality as a high risk sector, a business plan is a critical document that potential lenders will interrogate in depth. Shirley Smith, a partner at hospitality business advisers Reeves, highlights key points that will improve...

Career Profile: Hannah Bass

13-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Despite excelling in academics, Hannah Bass, the operations director for burgeoning gastropub group ETM, always knew somehow that she’d end up working in hospitality. The group is now on the verge of launching two venues and a food and beverage offer...

Fluid Movement launch 17th Century Punch House

13-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Fluid Movement, the team behind Purl and The Whistling Shop, have launched VOC, a Punch House in King’s Cross, London inspired by the 17th Century Dutch East India Company.

Bring Your Own at Ribble Valley and Tuscany trip giveaway at Locale

13-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Restaurants, pubs and hotels including Locale and Ribble Valley Inns, tell us what promotions they’re running to attract customers.

Lonely Planet: Britain full of “overpriced” restaurants and hotels that lack style

12-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Britain’s restaurants and hotels are too expensive and lack quality compared to the rest of Europe, and will ultimately drive Britons abroad for their holidays this year.

Caffè Culture to open doors in London next week

12-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Caffè Culture, the trade show for café and bar operators, is preparing to open its doors to industry next week, providing a chance to meet key suppliers and gather tips on managing successful coffee-based operations.

Luminar reports loss in ‘challenging’ marketplace

12-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The nightclub operator Luminar has said its business has been hit by high youth unemployment and lower disposable incomes, which contributed to the group making a loss of over £1m in the last financial year.

VisitBritain captures global web interest from Royal Wedding

11-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The UK’s tourist agency VisitBritain has released preliminary figures from a marketing study from the Royal Wedding, and has said it hopes to continue to engage the additional international web users who joined its online communities during the event.

Summer drinks trends: Cider

11-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Usually kicking off on the first public holiday in May, the cider season began early this year with the celebration of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding in April.

M&B appoints Bob Ivell as non-exec director

09-May-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has appointed industry veteran Bob Ivell as non-executive director, effective immediately.

Dowling launches members’ clubs chain

09-May-2011 By Mark Wingett

Frank Dowling, the entrepreneur behind Inc Group, the London-based bar and restaurant group, is launching a chain of members’ clubs under new company, the Alphabet Group.

Heston Blumenthal and British Airways search for apprentice chef

09-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal is looking for an up and coming apprentice chef to create a signature menu for all British Airways (BA) flights flying into and out of London in the run up to and during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Edible flower cocktails at Tempo and Art Auction at Hotel Missoni

06-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Restaurants, pubs and hotels, including Tempo and Hotel Missoni, tell us what promotions they’re running to attract customers.

Elior opens City wine bar at Lloyds

05-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Contract catering giant Elior has launched a new wine bar underneath Lloyd’s of London in the City, featuring a wine list compiled by the World’s Best Sommelier 2010 Gerard Basset.

Michael Caines creates new City & Guilds qualification

05-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Michael Caines MBE, executive chef at Abode Hotels, Gidleigh Park and Bath Priory, has partnered with City & Guilds qualifications to design a two-year hospitality and catering course for students at Exeter College.

How to beat the challenges of e-procurement

03-May-2011

E-procurement can be quite daunting for businesses used to traditional telephone ordering. But with an open mind and the right know-how to overcome the challenges, e-procurement can have great benefits for your business. Christian Berthelsen, CTO at Fourth...

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