London

Supernatural to roll out juice bars across London

22-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

Juice and smoothie bar Supernatural has announced plans to roll out further sites in London.

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 18/07 - 22/07

22-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

M Restaurants launches ‘post-Brexit’ M Social and postpones third M

20-Jul-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The M Restaurants group is to launch M Social, a new brand aiming for the districts in and around London, in what it has called a ‘reaction’ to the ‘post-Brexit landscape’.

L'orchidee launches £200k crowdfunding campaign

18-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

Two former catering staff at a top London hotel have launched a crowdfunding campaign to open a series of grab-and-go patisseries nationwide.

Hard Rock International signs Glasgow hotel deal amid wider UK plans

18-Jul-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Hard Rock International has signed a deal for a new hotel site in Glasgow, it has confirmed, soon after announcing plans to convert London’s 900-bedroom The Cumberland hotel by 2018.

US chain MOD Pizza sets out UK expansion plans

08-Jul-2016 By Sophie Witts

US chain MOD Pizza is to open a flagship Leicester Square restaurant later this year as it prepares to roll out across the UK.

Caribbean group Sugar Dumplin set for £1.5m expansion across UK

04-Jul-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The two-site Caribbean restaurant and bar group Sugar Dumplin BBQ & Bar is to more than double its estate, with three new sites expected between now and early autumn this year.

George Kataras of M named the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016

22-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2016 has been announced as George Kataras from M Threadneedle Street, London, who will now go on to represent the UK and Ireland in the final.

Small Talk

Andreas Antona on his Purecraft beer brand and nurturing chef talent

17-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Chef and restaurateur Andreas Antona is best known for his successful restaurants Simpsons and The Cross at Kenilworth. But as his beer-and-food-focused group Purecraft opens its second site, he talks the growing craft scene, and developing chef talent

The top 5 stories in hospitality this week 13/06 - 17/06

17-Jun-2016 By Sophie Witts

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.

The Cumberland Hotel to become Hard Rock Hotel London

16-Jun-2016 By Emma Eversham

The Cumberland Hotel in London is to be converted into the UK's first Hard Rock Hotel through a partnership between its operator glh Hotels and Hard Rock International.

Roca brothers to pop-up at London’s Hotel Café Royal

15-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The Roca brothers – whose restaurant El Celler de Can Roca was named second best in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants this week ‒ are to open a pop-up at London’s Hotel Café Royal.

World's tallest Novotel to open in London late 2016

15-Jun-2016 By Sophie Witts

AccorHotels has confirmed that it will open the world’s tallest Novotel in London this year.

Canadian coffee chain Second Cup to expand across London

10-Jun-2016 By Sophie Witts

Canadian coffee chain Second Cup has revealed plans to open five new sites across the UK this year as it aims to increase its share of the UK's £7.9bn coffee market.

SMALL TALK

Eneko Atxa on his new restaurant at One Aldwych Hotel

10-Jun-2016 By Laura Price

The chef-owner of Azurmendi in Spain’s Basque Country, number 19 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, is preparing to open Eneko at One Aldwych this summer.

INFOGRAPHICS: London hotel ratings don’t match prices, says Trivago

09-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

The cost per night of hotels in London boroughs does not automatically equal high visitor ratings, according to a new report from hotel search website Trivago.co.uk.

Peyton and Byrne to open fifth café venue

09-Jun-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Bakery group Peyton and Byrne, owned by restaurateur Oliver Peyton, is to open its fifth store this month, on London’s Great Portland Street.

John Tabatabai of Rawligion on changing the perception of plant-based restaurants

20-May-2016 By Hannah Thompson

When John Tabatabai woke up six years ago with half his face paralysed, he never imagined that a juice diet could help. Now fully cured after discovering vegan and raw foods, the former international poker player talks raw chocolate, expansion aims, and...

Lawrence Keogh joins Kew Gardens as executive chef

13-May-2016 By Sophie Witts

Peyton and Byrne has appointed TV star Lawrence Keogh as executive chef at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

Chef Anne-Sophie Pic to open restaurant at London's Four Seasons hotel

11-May-2016 By Hannah Thompson

Three Michelin-starred French chef Anne-Sophie Pic is to partner with the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square to open her first UK restaurant, La Dame de Pic.

Qatar-Singapore fund Ascott acquires London Islington serviced apartment scheme for £52m

29-Apr-2016 By Hannah Thompson

A new luxury apartment scheme under the Citadines Islington London brand has been acquired for £52m by Ascott, the Singapore-Qatar based CapitaLand serviced-resi business and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

Restaurant and pub groups report ‘tougher year’ than last

21-Apr-2016 By Emma Eversham

A number of restaurant and pub groups believe that 2016 is going to be a tougher year than 2015 as they deal with a slowdown in sales growth and uncertainty around the forthcoming EU referendum.

Arora Group buys the Hilton London Stansted

04-Apr-2016 By Sophie Witts

The Arora Group has taken over management of the Hilton, London Stansted hotel as it continues to expand its portfolio of airport properties.

Italian wine bar Enoteca Da Luca to open fifth and biggest London site

01-Apr-2016 By Hannah Thompson

London-based Italian wine bar group Enoteca Da Luca is to open its fifth location, in the city’s Old Street, this month (April).

Tom's Kitchen to open HMS Belfast deli cafe and bar

29-Feb-2016 By Emma Eversham

Tom Aikens' casual restaurant and deli brand Tom's Kitchen will open a deli and bar at London landmark HMS Belfast in March. 

Restaurants and pubs outside London see January sales bump

17-Feb-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Britain’s restaurant and pub groups reported collective like-for-like sales up 1.9 per cent for January, compared to the same month last year, according to the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. 

Business Profile: The Breakfast Club

09-Feb-2016 By Mark Wingett

All-day café chain The Breakfast Club might have an obsession with the ’80s but it’s very much a restaurant brand of the moment

Gareth Bowen joins The Shard's Shangri-La Hotel as executive chef

04-Feb-2016 By Sophie Witts

Gareth Bowen has been appointed executive chef at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard.

Jonathan Downey: Streets ahead

03-Feb-2016 By Stefan Chomka

His street food markets will attract more than one million visitors this year and his latest business, London Union, is backed by Jamie and Nigella. Now Jonathan Downey has his sights on creating the world’s best food and drink market.

Europe's largest Hampton by Hilton hotel opening at Stansted Airport

03-Feb-2016 By Sophie Witts

Hilton Worldwide has awarded developer McAleer & Rushe a £26m contract to design and build the largest Hampton by Hilton hotel in Europe at Stansted airport.

Sager Group announce new London serviced apartments

18-Dec-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Sager Group has released plans to create 108 serviced apartments in Islington Square, North London.

London hospitality trade down following Paris attacks

10-Dec-2015 By Liam Garrahan

London’s eating and drinking-out markets have been hit by a decline following the Paris terror attacks, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

The Peninsula London: Planning permission granted

10-Dec-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Joint venture developers, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland (Grosvenor) and The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels ltd. (HSH), have been granted planning permission to build The Peninsula London hotel on London’s Hyde Park Corner in central London.

SACO: The Serviced Apartment Company announces growth plans

04-Dec-2015 By Liam Garrahan

The Serviced Apartment Company (SACO) has announced that it is to double the size of its operation.

UK food and drink hubs set to grow at pace in 2016

02-Dec-2015 By Joe Lutrario

Food hubs will continue to spread across London and beyond, with new developments having been given the green light for 2016.

Restaurants and hotels braced for Black Friday sales boom

25-Nov-2015 By Sophie Witts

Restaurants and hotels are set to cash in on this year’s Black Friday madness, with UK shoppers expected to spend £3.49bn over the four-day period.

D&D London opening rooftop restaurant in Leeds

16-Nov-2015 By Liam Garrahan

London-based restaurant group, D&D London, is continuing its expansion into the north of England with the announcement of a second opening in Leeds in late 2016.

Airbnb shows 'significant' growth in London

06-Nov-2015 By Sophie Witts

Airbnb is seeing ‘significant’ growth in London with the site increasingly charging higher rates than traditional hotels, new research from STR Global has found.

Beany Green opening at Nova Victoria

05-Nov-2015 By M&C Allegra Foodservice

Australian-inspired coffee and restaurant group Beany Green is set to open at the new Nova development in Victoria after hitting its £300k crowdfunding target in under 24 hours, BigHospitality’s sister site M&C Allegra Foodservice has reported.

Hardens: London restaurants' growth rate 'off the charts'

05-Nov-2015 By Mark Wingett

The highest ever rate of new restaurant openings in the capital is recorded in the 25th edition of Harden’s London Restaurant guide, which is published today.

Rhubarb wins £60m Goodwood catering contract

19-Oct-2015 By Emma Eversham

Restaurant operator and event caterer Rhubarb has won a £60m contract to supply event catering at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. 

DoubleTree by Hilton expands London portfolio

15-Oct-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Hilton Worldwide and EQ Group has announced a new addition to its DoubleTree by Hilton range in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London.

Intercontinental London - O2 unveils five destination restaurants and bars

05-Oct-2015 By Sophie Witts

The Intercontinental London – The O2 has unveiled five destination restaurants and bars opening at the luxury hotel when it launches at Greenwich Peninsula this winter.

Net number of restaurants rises by 1,770 in past year

05-Oct-2015 By Stefan Chomka

The UK’s eating and drinking-out market saw a net 1,770 new restaurants open in the past 12 months, up 6.9 per cent on the previous year, according to the new Market Growth Monitor from AlixPartners and CGA Peach.

Dandelyan’s Iain Griffiths on building a bar in 24 hours and predicting the next big spirit

02-Oct-2015 By Emma Eversham

Iain Griffiths is business manager at Mr Lyan, Ryan Chetiyawardana’s bar and drinks company, and bartender at Dandelyan. He is also part of the London team competing in Bacardi Brown Forman’s 24 Hour Bar Build competition as part of London Cocktail Week...

TGI Fridays opening £3.5m flagship Leicester Square restaurant

23-Sep-2015 By Sophie Witts

TGI Fridays has confirmed plans to open a £3.5m global flagship restaurant in Leicester Square in November.

Polpo set for regional expansion

18-Sep-2015 By M&C Allegra Foodservice

Polpo, the Luke Bishop-­led restaurant group, is set for its next stage of growth after securing new bank funding and its first regional site in Brighton, according to BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Allegra Foodservice.

Amba Hotels to open second site based on TripAdvisor feedback

04-Sep-2015 By Sophie Witts

Amba Hotels, the glh owned four-star hotel brand, is to open its second London site at Marble Arch in November.

Tequila hotel and restaurant opening on the Isle of Wight

07-Aug-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Europe’s first Tequila hotel, El Patron Isle of Wight, will open on the Isle of Wight in August.

Why more chefs are heading to the pub

05-Aug-2015 By Joe Lutrario

A new wave of chefs are moving into the pub sector as restaurant sites – particularly those in central London – become both prohibitively expensive and difficult to get hold of, writes Joe Lutrario in the August issue of Restaurant magazine.