2011
Wonder what 2011 has in store for hospitality? From dining trends to hotel occupancy forecasts, you can find all the industry predictions and essential information you need about the year ahead right here.
Business Outlook 2012: What’s in store for hospitality?
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.
Hospitality industry suffers ‘worrying’ increase in insolvencies
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.
BHA annual report reveals challenging year for hotels - could 2012 be the turning point?
The perfect storm of the financial crisis, high rates of VAT and planning delays took its toll on the hotel sector in 2011, with 36 per cent fewer hotel rooms opening than predicted at the start of the year.
Paramount Restaurants in administration
Paramount Restaurants, the operator of the Brasserie Gerard and Bertorelli brands, has been placed into administration, BigHospitality understands.
Mitchells & Butlers sales up 4.9%
Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the managed pub company, has seen sales rise by 4.9 per cent in 2011 to £1.76bn, boosted by an increase in food sales by 7.8 per cent.
VisitEngland: Staycation trend remains buoyant
The number of people enjoying a staycation in 2011 is on par with last year, with seven in 10 going to have taken a domestic break by the end of the year, according to new figures released today by national tourist board VisitEngland.
Profit decline forecast for provincial hotels in 2011
Hotels across the country have posted a healthy performance in May, but full-year profits are forecast to decline in the provinces as inflation and the VAT rise continue to impact consumer spending.
VisitLondon becomes London & Partners after agency reshuffle
VisitLondon, the capital’s marketing organsation, has merged with other promotional agencies to create one flagship group – London & Partners – as part of the government’s efforts to cut costs and streamline activities.
London voted top destination for US travellers
London is the top European destination for US travellers this year, although the Royal Wedding is not one of the attractions drawing the extra tourists, according to a survey by TripAdvisor.
UK hotels reveal trends to beat competition in 2011
Most UK hoteliers don’t plan to increase room rates in 2011, but a more competitive landscape is prompting them to invest in renovation, mobile marketing and social media, according to a new survey by TripAdvisor.
Restaurants and pubs invest in gaining market share, finds survey
Leading casual dining and pub brands plan to invest more in marketing, branding and customer feedback in an effort to gain market share in 2011, reveals a survey of top CEOs in the sector.
‘Non-essential’ hotel spend due to decline, warn asset managers
Hotels throughout the country are expecting to see more growth in their food and beverage offering than in their overall business, but asset managers Vision warn that the landscape ahead is not so rosy for the non-room side of hotel business.
Travelodge reports “robust” performance
Travelodge is on track to operate 1,100 hotels by 2025 after delivering a strong trading performance in 2010.
Pret A Manger remains most admired brand
Pret A Manger and McDonald’s are the UK’s most admired food and beverage brands by people in the industry, according to a new survey released today.
Food trends 2011: Top ingredients
BigHospitality brings you an exclusive insight into which ingredients will be top of the agenda for some of the UK’s top chefs this year.
Food trends 2011: Popular flavours and food pairings
In the second week of BigHospitality’s food trend feature, some of the country’s top chefs tell us which popular flavours and food pairings they think will be big in 2011.
Jamie's Italian set for £70m turnover
Jamie’s Italian, Jamie Oliver’s mid-market restaurant chain, is to open ten new sites in 2011 in a move that is set to boost turnover to an estimated total of £70m.
BHA highlights hospitality’s potential following jobs summit
As some of the UK’s leading businesses yesterday pledged to create more jobs over the coming year, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) again highlighted the importance of the hospitality industry in generating employment.
Food trends 2011: Popular cuisines
British diners have become more aware than ever of their expanding waistline and shrinking pockets, shifting their taste for out-of-home dining towards lighter, healthier meals that give value for money.
London hotels add £12 to average room rates
As much of the hospitality industry struggles to keep up revenue streams, hotels in the capital managed to make 2010 a year of growth by charging more for a night’s stay.
Consumers seek attainable luxury in hotels, finds report
A new group of consumers is emerging in the UK which is looking for hotel luxury in small doses as a pick-me-up in the midst of economic gloom.
Special feature: 2011 food trends
Will this be the year Chinese food regains its place in the nation’s hearts? Or will Indian and Mexican cuisine continue to dominate the market?
Leading restaurateurs predict 2011 dining trends
Hospitality operators this past year have been pitted against ash clouds, torrential snow and a consumer reliance on discount vouchers, and while many may welcome 2011 with open arms and optimism, the next 12 months are set to present their own challenges.
Small operators must plan ahead to survive spending cuts, say experts
Smaller companies will face a tough year ahead, as higher tax and restrictive employment law create barriers to growth, according to the Forum of Private Business.
Wetherspoon drops 99p pint deal
JD Wetherspoon is not re-running its 99p pint deal in its January Sale next month, BigHospitality has learnt.
Four Seasons London to launch Italian restaurant
The Four Seasons Hotel in London has revealed plans to launch an Italian restaurant and bar when it reopens on 31 January, following a two-year £125m refurbishment.
Review of the Year 2010: The future
With 2010 almost over its time to look ahead to what the future brings. We’ve spoken to some of the industry’s key players to find out what they believe 2011 has in store for them and the industry, and look forward to the major openings hitting the UK.
Delay VAT rise, begs pub industry
An industry body has called on the Government to delay the VAT rise in January, to compensate for the effects of the recent extreme weather.
British tourism set to rise in 2011
Britain is on target to attract 300,000 more visitors next year as confidence amongst overseas travellers returns.
Linking food preparation to flavour is key, finds diner survey
As we look to the dining trends that are likely to pick up in the new year, a recent survey of UK diners suggests that people are especially interested in discovering new flavours that are linked to the way food is prepared.
Small businesses urged to prepare now to avoid VAT complications
Independent operators and small businesses in the hospitality sector are being urged to prepare for the VAT increase next year, to avoid complications with their accounting systems that could hit their bottom lines.
The future of hotels, through the eyes of top CEOs
CEOs and top executives at Malmaison & Hotel du Vin, CitizenM Hotels, Best Western Hotels and InterContinental Hotels Group share their views on what’s in store for the industry, and where hoteliers should be focusing
Consumers plan 50% fewer leisure and business trips in 2011, reveals survey
New consumer research indicates that people and businesses in Europe are planning to severely restrict their travelling and their hotel stays next year, findings that come into direct contrast with the hopes of hoteliers for rejuvenated trade in 2011
2011 will be year of stability for UK hotels, says TRI
UK hotels should expect a period of stability next year, as the industry slowly emerges from the tough trading of the recession into a modest recovery, according to the latest market forecasts
Ask The Experts: How can I get more tax relief?
BigHospitality puts one reader's question about how to minimise the tax effects of recent legislation affecting the hotel industry to Shirley Smith, Partner at business, tax and wealth advisors Reeves
Profitable Christmas: Data capture for January
Christmas is a time for good cheer, plenty of treats, and general jolliness. But if you’re in the hospitality industry, Christmas is all about welcoming those extra people who come through your doors, and making sure you find ways to bring them back.
Hotels fare well but future could be tight, says consultant
Strong hotel business in most parts of the country over the past few months will help brace the industry for a tough road ahead as the effects of the Government’s spending review start to be felt
Hotels’ double-digit growth won’t last, say experts
Hotels across the UK delivered double-digit revPAR growth in the third quarter of the year, although experts warn the positive performance will not last into 2011
Challenging food journeys are the future of fine dining, say top chefs
Putting thought and sensibility into food, and taking customers on a "dining journey" is where the future of fine dining lies, according to top chefs speaking at The Restaurant Show today