The top five stories in hospitality this week 08/02-12/02

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

The top five stories in hospitality this week 08/02-12/02

Related tags Restaurant Soft drink Advertising

What were some of the top stories in hospitality this week? Here's our pick.
  • It was a victory for rude-sounding names when a poster for a Glasgow Vietnamese restaurant's 'Phat Phuc' menu was cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)​ after two complaints. Apparently the slogan is pronounced 'Fet Fook' and means 'Happy Buddha', but the ASA acknowledged that the poster 'sounded similiar to the expletive fuck'. 
  • Whitbread is going a bit hipster with the launch of its new 'edgier' Beefeater Bar & Block brand.​ The group said the restaurant, which is all exposed brickwork and wooden floors, was designed to attract a 'younger' crowd.
  • A lack of skilled staff is the biggest threat to the survival of restaurants over the coming year, according to new research which surprises no one​. The poll of restaurant owners said rising operational costs and increased competition were their next biggest concerns.
  • Eating out is getting cinematic, and no we're no talking about Bradley Cooper. ODEON are launching a fine dining cinema with waiter service​ in Islington in 2017. Gourmet hot dogs, dim sum and ice cream soda will replace overpriced bags of sweets on the menu.
  • Former Michelin-starred chef Paul Heathcote is selling his final two restaurants​ to focus on 'other projects'. Heathcote said he was closing the last of his portfolio to do something 'slightly different' but was 'absolutely' not retiring. 

For a full run-down of this week's news, see here.

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