Trends & Reports

News in brief

'Pasty Tax' gets go-ahead despite opposition in Parliament

19-Apr-2012 - The so-called 'Pasty Tax' will be introduced as planned after a last-minute amendment to the Budget proposals for VAT changes on hot takeaway food was narrowly defeated by 35 votes in the House of Commons last night.

Spirit announces rise in profits as business transformation continues

19-Apr-2012 - Spirit Pub Company has announced it is continuing to transform the business as pre-tax profits for the 28 weeks to 3 March 2012 rose 7 per cent to £20m driven by a strategy for the managed site portion of the business.

Accor reveals near record occupancy for London hotels

19-Apr-2012 - International hotel operator Accor has revealed in its first quarter results that increased revenue growth globally has been driven in the UK by a very strong period in London with occupancy rates at near record levels for the French company.

World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards: What makes a restaurant world class?

18-Apr-2012 - In the ten years since the World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards was launched a wide variety of gastronomic and dining styles have been represented in the top 50 so as excitement builds for the 2012 list BigHospitality asked chefs and experts what makes a restaurant world class.

London 2012: Hospitality businesses urged to improve customer service with 100 days to go

18-Apr-2012 - As the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics reaches the last 100 days hospitality businesses are being urged by VisitBritain and People 1st to 'warm up their welcome' and improve customer service to make the most of the Games. 

Restaurant no-shows: are booking websites to blame?

17-Apr-2012 - A number of high-end restaurateurs and industry experts have condemned the use of online reservation systems, claiming booking websites are contributing to the growing number of people booking tables and not showing up. 

Hotels on track to benefit from London 2012

17-Apr-2012 - Hotels both in and outside of London are on track to benefit from London 2012 with occupancy and room rates predicted to continue to rise during the summer months following strong growth in March. 

Sales boost for eating out sector following warm March

17-Apr-2012 - Restaurants and pubs have benefited from the unseasonably warm weather of March, with collective like-for-like sales up 1.9 per cent and total sales up 6.3 per cent on the same month last year.

London restaurants shouldn't 'rest on their laurels' and risk being overpriced

13-Apr-2012 - Benny Peverelli, former head chef at healthy fast-food chain Leon, has said London restaurants should not 'rest on their laurels' and must consider value for money as a survey suggests diners think some restaurants might be overpriced.

Hospitality operators urged to take part in Gram Green Paper 2012

13-Apr-2012 - Food service and hotel operators are being urged to take part in the Gram Green Paper report for 2012 to look at the industry’s attitudes to the environment and sustainability.

News in brief

D&D London achieves SRA star rating for all its sites

12-Apr-2012 - Restaurant group D&D London is celebrating achieving a star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) for all its sites while the group as a whole has been awarded a two star rating for its efforts on sustainable sourcing. 

Punch Taverns 'on track' despite profits drop

12-Apr-2012 - Punch Taverns has said it remains 'on track' to meet its expectations for the year despite a drop in first half pre-tax profits from £41m last year to £33m in the 28 weeks to 3 March 2012.

The rise of the restaurant no-shows: what can the industry do to combat it?

12-Apr-2012 - As the number of people booking tables and then not showing up increases we ask how big a problem is it for the restaurant sector and what can the industry do to guard against it? 

Energy bills: Hospitality businesses renew calls for same support as domestic customers

12-Apr-2012 - Hospitality businesses have renewed calls for extra support on energy bills and dealing with utility suppliers after the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) announced it was backing Ofgem proposals to help domestic customers.

Protected pubs list among options in Kensington and Chelsea consultation on pub closures

11-Apr-2012 - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has launched a public consultation on options to change local planning laws to stop the closure of pubs including asking residents to make a list of pubs they want saved and protected.

UK hoteliers among hospitality contributors to HVS Executive Search film

11-Apr-2012 - Leading UK hoteliers, including Stephen Alden, chief executive of Maybourne Hotel Group, are among hospitality leaders who have contributed to a new film from HVS Executive Search exploring business advice.

Half of hospitality operators feel positive about business for 2012

11-Apr-2012 - Almost half of restaurant, hotel and pub operators feel positive about the year ahead with just 8 per cent believing the economy will slip back into another recession this year. 

News in brief

London restaurateurs encouraged to serve offal during Nose-to-Tail Fortnight

10-Apr-2012 - London restaurateurs and chefs are being encouraged to serve offal and less typical cuts of meat during Nose-to-Tail Fortnight organised by Sustain's Ethical Eats restaurant network which kicks off later this month.

Good news for hotels as domestic trips on the up

05-Apr-2012 - Hoteliers across the country will welcome the news that domestic trips and holidays have increased for the third consecutive year to record levels, with total spend also on the up.

News in brief

Voucher websites lose popularity with hoteliers, finds survey

04-Apr-2012 - UK hoteliers are yet to be convinced of the value of group discount websites as a way of filling empty rooms, according to the latest survey by hotel solutions provider TravelClick.

Prezzo profits up, 20 sites planned for 2012

04-Apr-2012 - Italian restaurant chain Prezzo has unveiled plans to open 20 sites in 2012 after reporting a 14 per cent increase in pre-tax profit last year.

Design and presentation: How key is the look of a restaurant to its success?

04-Apr-2012 - Restaurant presentation, whether that be interiors or tableware, can have a huge impact on the diner experience, but how key is it to a business's success? 

Sustainable Restaurant Association ratings to be highlighted in Harden's guide

03-Apr-2012 - Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) ratings, awarded to recognise restaurants' efforts on sustainability, will now be highlighted in the Harden's guide in print and online.

News in brief

Camra launches first Community Pubs Month, names Local Pubs of the Year

03-Apr-2012 - The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has launched its first ever Community Pubs Month by releasing new statistics on the impact of the pub on the community and revealing the full list of Local Pubs of the Year winners now competing for the national title.

Son of Miso restaurant chain owner launches steak concept solo venture

03-Apr-2012 - Reis Remzi, the 21-year-old son of Olgun Remzi, the owner of noodle restaurant chain Miso, has launched his own company and opened the first site under a new restaurant concept - Branded: Steak & Burger.