Business & Legislation

Strong sparkling wine and Champagne sales are driving value growth in the on-trade market

Premiumisation drives on-trade drinks market

By Carina Perkins

Sparkling wine sales have continued their impressive growth, with Champagne also showing strong upward movement, according to the latest market report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

New YouTube series Bites by Get Lifted TV is set to explore a number of ‘undiscovered’ eateries

New YouTube series to explore independent London eateries

By Lauren Houghton

New YouTube series Bites by Get Lifted TV is set to explore a number of ‘undiscovered’ independent restaurants, bars and cafes around the UK capital with a programme format that combines music and food. 

Central Perk sites are designed to reflect the famous Friends coffee house

Friends’ Central Perk coffee shop set for UK expansion

By Lauren Houghton

The Central Perk franchise, based on the coffee shop featured on popular US sitcom Friends, has just opened its third site in the UK in Liverpool and has ambitious expansion plans, aiming to have 300 UK franchises in the next decade. 

PwC expects hotel occupancy rates and average daily rates to rise in the UK in 2015

PwC predicts further hotel growth in 2015

By Lauren Houghton

Analyst PwC has reported a strong start to 2014 for both London and regional hotels, and expects to see further growth next year as a result of further economic recovery and the Rugby World Cup being held in England.

Restaurants in the UK saw a 17th consecutive month of growth this August

Restaurants see steady growth in August

By Lauren Houghton

Despite the cooler weather, restaurants in the UK saw a 17th consecutive month of growth this August, according to Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Would Scottish independence be good for bad for hospitality? We look at some of the views

Special report

Scottish independence: what impact on hospitality?

By Carina Perkins

As Scotland draws closer to its historic vote on independence, BigHospitality takes a look at the potential impact of a yes vote on the Scottish hospitality sector.

Diners are eating out less often than in the past, but spending more on each meal

Mixed growth for restaurants and pubs

By Melodie Michel

Restaurants and pubs are forecast to grow, despite continued pressure in terms of outlets and value over the next few years, according to Allegra Foodservice.

Town House hotel is in a grade II listed building

The Town House hotel opens in Ludlow

By Lauren Houghton

Brothers Claude Bosi, the chef behind London’s Hibiscus restaurant, and Cedric Bosi, chef patron at The Charlton Arms pub in Ludlow, are opening a B&B style hotel in the Shropshire village. 

Under the new initiative, the government will refund the cost of visas for UK tours booked through approved Chinese tour operators

UK to refund the cost of 25,000 Chinese visas

By Carina Perkins

Chancellor George Osborne has revealed plans to refund the cost of thousands of Chinese visas to boost inbound tourism and strengthen relations between the UK and China.

Small Talk

James Robson on Cartizze and making it in Mayfair

By Carina Perkins

Investor and entrepreneur James Robson has established a portfolio of exclusive venues in London, including Mews of Mayfair, La Cave, Mayfair Pizza Co and his latest venture, Cartizze.  

Inbound tourism reached a new record in July

Inbound visits reach another record

By Melodie Michel

The first seven months of 2014 saw 7 per cent more visits to the UK from overseas residents than in the same period the year before, according to the latest inbound tourism report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Kate Nicholls has replaced David McHattie as ALMR chief executive

Kate Nicholls steps up as ALMR chief executive

By Carina Perkins

Kate Nicholls has been appointed new chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) after David McHattie stepped down from the role to concentrate on his pub operation.

The menu will be uncomplicated, American barbecue style

Porky’s BBQ comes to Shoreditch

By Lauren Houghton

American barbecue restaurant Porky’s BBQ is expanding quickly by opening its third London site in Shoreditch, having opened its second site in Bankside earlier this summer. 

There are many legal pitfalls to avoid when opening a hospitality business

Ask the experts

Avoiding legal pitfalls when starting a hospitality business

By Nicola Kirk

Whether you are opening a pop-up restaurant, starting a new hotel or launching a new concept business within the hospitality sector, here are top tips to avoid any legal pitfalls, by Nicola Kirk, head of the hospitality sector at Pitmans LLP.

Hotel room rates continue to rise, with London, Aberdeen and Glasgow enjoying particular growth in H1 2014

'Megacities' enjoy strong ARR growth

By Carina Perkins

Global hotel room rates continued to climb in the first half 2014, with the UK enjoying a ‘very positive’ six months, according to the latest Hotel Survey from Hogg Robinson Group (HRG).

The webinar covers the importance of online images for customers booking hotels

Trivago hosts free webinar for hotel owners

By Lauren Houghton

Hotel comparison website Trivago is to host a free webinar for hotel owners at 3pm on 16 September covering the importance of online images for customers booking hotels. 

The Legacy Falcon was placed into administration on Monday and sold to St James's the same day

St James’s buys Legacy Falcon Hotel

By Melodie Michel

St James’s Hotel Group has acquired the Legacy Falcon Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon after it was placed into administration on 8 September.

Alex Polizzi will be opening with the keynotes speech at the Annual Hotel Conference

Alex Polizzi to open Annual Hotel Conference 2014

By Lauren Houghton

The line-up for this year’s Annual Hotel Conference (AHC) has been announced, with Alex Polizzi of BBC2’s The Hotel Inspector and The Fixer taking the role of keynote speaker on the first day of the conference at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester...

Seafish has announced the top 20 fish and chip shops in the UK

UK’s top 20 fish and chip shops announced

By Lauren Houghton

Seafish has announced the top 20 fish and chip shops in the UK, all still in the running for the Independent Takeaway Fish and Chip Shop of the Year title in its 2015 National Fish & Chip Awards.

Business Profile: Loch Fyne

By Carina Perkins

Liz Williams, director and general manager of the UK’s biggest seafood restaurant group Loch Fyne, talks discounting, the competition and chasing the grey pound.

Travelodge invested £25m in a TV advertising campaign last May

Travelodge returns to profit and creates 206 jobs

By Melodie Michel

Budget hotel chain Travelodge made a £5.6m operating profit in 2013 – its first positive result since its financial restructuring in 2012 – and is creating 206 jobs in the run-up to Christmas.

Andrew Tolley of Harris + Hoole demonstrates how to make the perfect latte

60-Second Skill: The perfect latte

By Melodie Michel

With the growth of coffee culture in the UK in recent years, having a decent coffee offering has become indispensable. Here Andrew Tolley, co-founder of Harris + Hoole and head judge at the UK Barista Championships, demonstrates how make the perfect latte.

Carl Brown, ‘daru-wallah’ at Dishoom, won the alcohol category at the YBFs 2014

Young British Foodie 2014 winners announced

By Carina Perkins

Climpson’s Arch head chef Tomos Parry and Dishoom bar manager Carl Brown were among the winners at this year’s Young British Foodie (YBF) awards, announced at the Tate Britain on Wednesday evening.

52 per cent of those surveyed will eat fish and chips straight from the paper

Traditional fish and chips still a hit for Brits

By Lauren Houghton

As The National Fish & Chip Awards draw closer, organiser Seafish has conducted research into fish and chip eating trends throughout the UK, with traditional takeaways and salt and vinegar as a topping popular with customers.

Gleneagles Hotel where the Ryder Cup will happen

Ryder Cup sees Scottish hotel prices soar

By Lauren Houghton

Average hotel prices in Perth and Sterling have more than doubled for the Ryder Cup, while other hotels in Scotland have also see a price rise, according to hotel comparison site trivago.co.uk. 

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