Legislation

News in brief

EU scraps olive oil ban after industry outrage

24-May-2013 - The EU has withdrawn its plans to ban restaurants from serving olive oil in refillable jugs and dipping bowls, less than a week after they emerged.

Which? investigation reveals 'postcode lottery' on food hygiene ratings

23-May-2013 - Consumer rights group Which? is urging restaurants to display their food hygiene rating in a prominent position after analysis of ratings for businesses in England, Northern Ireland and Wales found that there was a 'postcode lottery' when it came to quality levels across the country. 

Olive oil ban: Refillable jugs and dipping bowls can remain on restaurant tables

22-May-2013 - The European Union ban on the use of olive oil jugs and dipping bowls in restaurants should be taken with a pinch of salt according to the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) who says restaurants will still be able serve customers olive oil at their tables, provided they mix it with another product.

Hospitality apprenticeship rates double, but figure could be higher says industry advisor

22-May-2013 - Research by sector skills council People 1st has revealed that the number of people taking up apprenticeships in hospitality has more than doubled over the last three years with completion rates up 10 per cent in the same period. 

Restaurants hit back at ‘stupid’ EU olive oil law

20-May-2013 - A new ban on restaurants serving olive oil in refillable jugs and dipping bowls has today been lambasted by UK restaurants as an unnecessary interference by the EU which will strangle business at a time of economic crisis.

Supermarket sweep: How to beat the meal deals

10-May-2013 - As supermarkets begin to take a bigger bite of the foodservice sector, many restaurant operators are left struggling to compete. Could an extra emphasis on lunchtime offerings and more seating options provide that crucial point of difference?

Pickles' planning proposals to benefit pop-up restaurants

10-May-2013 - New planning rules are likely to make it easier to open pop-up restaurants and cafés, and convert disused farm buildings for these uses.

Hartlepool Borough Council halts EMRO plans; Early Morning Restriction Orders explained

09-May-2013 - Following news that the council in Hartlepool has halted plans for an Early Morning Restriction Order for its licensed premises, BigHospitality has produced this lowdown of EMROs and the likelihood of other councils adopting the power. 

Wetherspoon wins battle with Greene King for new pub in Stirling

09-May-2013 - JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has asked rival pub company Greene King to ‘respect’ a decision by the Stirling Licensing Board to grant a licence for a new Wetherspoon pub in Stirling city centre, close to a number of Greene King pubs.

Soaring food prices leave restaurants fighting for profit

03-May-2013 - Food prices have overtaken rent and business rates in the list of major overheads facing UK restaurants and are now second only to staff wages, according to a new industry-wide report by reservations company Livebookings.

Lack of defibrillators in hospitality industry raises concerns

03-May-2013 - The vast majority of British hospitality businesses do not have a defibrillator, despite the impact the device has on cardiac arrest survival rates, according to a recent report.

Lording it up in London?

02-May-2013 - Shifts in landlord behaviour are making it harder for smaller players to get on the property ladder in the capital, writes Restaurant magazine's Joe Lutrario.

New Tourism Strategy missed a trick, says VAT campaign

02-May-2013 - The Cut Tourism VAT Campaign is ‘disappointed’ that Culture Secretary Maria Miller and VisitBritain have both failed to realise the importance of reducing VAT for the sector after the national tourist board published its new tourism strategy earlier this week.

Hope on the Horizon: Five steps forward for foodservice

02-May-2013 - Following the annual Breakfast Briefing by foodservice consultancy Horizons yesterday morning (1 May), BigHospitality has picked out five of the big trends and forecasts for the eating-out sector to help your business plough on through the recession.

Pub beer sales fall by 50 million pints in Q1

29-Apr-2013 - The long winter has seemingly taken its toll on UK pubs with beer sales dropping by almost 50 million pints in the first quarter of 2012 and pub trade down 5.5 per cent.

BHA hits back at ‘British workers in British hotels’ comment

25-Apr-2013 - The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has condemned comments made earlier this week by senior Labour MP Chris Bryant that ‘it would be nice if British hotels had British receptionists’.

Dietary requirements: Everything you need to know

24-Apr-2013 - As the first part of our special feature on dietary requirements shows, effectively catering for customers with food allergies and intolerances can help set your business apart from the rest, potentially increasing your bottom line. But with food allergies on the rise and a new set of Food Information Regulations looming, it is important you and your staff are fully aware of exactly what’s on your menu.

Dietary requirements: Catering for customers with allergies and intolerances

23-Apr-2013 - In the world of dietary requirements, allergies and food intolerances, the UK hospitality industry has come on leaps and bounds. Go back just 10 years and a restaurant would stand out for including an ‘N’ on the menu next to dishes containing nuts, while coeliac disease was virtually unheard of.

Statutory pub code of conduct dubbed 'step towards fairness' for sector

22-Apr-2013 - The introduction of a new statutory code of conduct for pub companies and an official adjudicator to enforce it has been hailed 'the first step towards fairness' for the sector. 

Dulwich Estate to add boutique hotel to refurbished Crown and Greyhound pub

18-Apr-2013 - Planning permission has been granted for an ambitious scheme which will see the Crown & Greyhound pub in Dulwich Village refurbished and extended with the addition of a 20-bedroom boutique hotel.

Little Chef for sale: Business timeline

15-Apr-2013 - Roadside restaurant chain Little Chef has been put up for sale, as turnaround firm RCapital – which bought the business out of administration in 2007 – claims ‘it’s time to explore the next phase for the foodservice operator’.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall welcomes report calling for action on Marine Conservation Zones

11-Apr-2013 - Chef, restaurateur and food campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has welcomed a report by MPs which has accused the Government of letting the Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) project 'flounder'.

Travelodge offloads 38 hotels under CVA programme

08-Apr-2013 - Budget hotel chain Travelodge has today moved a step closer to completing the offload of 49 hotels under its financial restructuring programme, with 18 properties transferring to new owners and 20 moving under franchise agreements.

Fishy business: Could fish mislabelling be the next horsemeat scandal?

03-Apr-2013 - Foodservice businesses across the UK are being urged to take more responsibility for serving the right type of fish after a survey has found that seven per cent of cod and haddock sold in restaurants was actually another species. 

Restaurants given hygiene reminder after Plumstead cafe owners find themselves in hot water

03-Apr-2013 - Restaurants are being reminded of the importance of complying with food hygiene laws after the owners of a cafe in Plumstead, south east London were fined thousands because they failed to respond to calls to supply hot water for hand-washing.