Restaurant Openings

Travelodge expands Dorset presence

Travelodge expands Dorset presence

By Melodie Michel

Travelodge has opened its first hotel in Christchurch, and is looking for two more sites in Dorset, in Weymouth and Swanage.

A Staycity apartment at the London Heathrow site

Staycity to open in Covent Garden

By Lauren Houghton

Serviced apartment operator Staycity has signed a deal to open the first of its new luxury aparthotels in London’s Covent Garden.

The Ten Trinity Square building is to become a luxury hotel

Four Seasons hotel to open in Ten Trinity Square

By Lauren Houghton

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans with investor and developer Reignwood Group to transform London’s grade II listed Ten Trinity Square building into a luxury hotel and residential development. 

Australian-born Will Ricker has founded a number of restaurants including La Bodega Negra, Casa Negra and XO

Will Ricker wins Westminster licensing battle

By Carina Perkins

Restaurateur Will Ricker has won an appeal against Westminster City Council to allow customers at his Soho restaurant, La Bodega Negra, to buy alcohol without food.

Allan Pickett, head chef of London's Plateau, will open the new restaurant with Andrew Blais

Bodean's Blais teams up with Plateau's Pickett

By Ruth Williams

Andre Blais, of Bodean’s BBQ restaurant group, is teaming up with Allan Pickett, head chef of London’s Plateau restaurant, to open a French restaurant called Piquet in early spring 2015.

The Death Row Dinners website featured images of 'inmates' with details of their final meal requests around their neck

Death Row Dinners pop-up comes under fire

By Carina Perkins

The organisers of a death row themed pop-up restaurant in London’s Hoxton Square have apologised after the concept provoked a furious backlash. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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.

Will Thompson founded all-day Italian concept Vivo with his brother Ben.

Viewpoint

Will Thompson on Vivo and the rise of all-day dining

By Carina Perkins

Will Thompson opened Italian café and bar Vivo on Islington's Upper Street with his brother Ben. He talks to BigHospitality about Italian food culture, the rise of all-day dining in London, and how restaurants can benefit from a more casual approach.

Drawing of the exterior of The Beaumont, Mayfair

Details released for The Beaumont, Mayfair

By Lauren Houghton

Restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin will be opening their first hotel, The Beaumont, Mayfair, this autumn, complete with three eateries and a suite inside a sculpture.

Tesco's food-to-go site is anchored by deli-diner concept Fred’s Food Construction

Tesco launches food-to-go format

By Mark Wingett

Tesco has launched its new Express food-to-go store format as it looks to compete with the likes of Pret A Manger and EAT across the lucrative lunchtime market.

Hotel Football will boast its own rooftop football pitch which can be hired for events

Opening date announced for Hotel Football

By Lauren Houghton

It has been announced that Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville’s Hotel Football will open on 8 December this year, with bookings being taken now for that date onwards.

The pub has undergone a complete refurbishment and redesign by PNW

Brasserie Bar Co set to open fourth pub

By Lauren Houghton

The Brasserie Bar Co is to open its fourth pub under The White Brasserie Company branding this September; The British Queen in Orpington. 

Evening dining concept Shindig will be launching at Lantana Soho and Lantana Fitzrovia this September

Shindig to launch at Lantana Café

By Lauren Houghton

Evening dining concept Shindig will be launching at Lantana Old Street and Fitzrovia this September, when both cafes will open with an evening offering centered round surf and turf. 

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