Venues

Byron takes burger pop-up to festivals across UK

18-May-2011 - Hamburger chain Byron is expanding its pop-up business by targeting festivals, street parties and special events throughout the country.

Hallmark buys Croydon’s Aerodrome hotel

18-May-2011 - Leeds-based hotel group Hallmark Hotels has acquired the Aerodrome Hotel in Croydon, marking the seventh UK property in the company’s portfolio.

Michael Caines closes restaurant at ABode Glasgow

17-May-2011 - Michael Caines MBE has closed his award-winning restaurant at the ABode hotel in Glasgow after a difficult trading period.

Barracuda revamps Varsity bars but cuts estate

16-May-2011 - Managed pub operator Barracuda has reduced the number of its student-led Varsity bars by 12 to 27 sites across the UK as it focuses on upgrading the estate.

RBS set to sell 900 pubs

16-May-2011 - The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is gearing up to sell its 900 freehold pubs, including Guy Ritchie’s The Punch Bowl in Mayfair, according to The Telegraph.

Brazilian restaurant Rodizio Rico to open at Birmingham’s Cube

13-May-2011 - Brazilian restaurant Rodizio Rico is to open its fifth restaurant and first outside London at Birmingham’s Cube development.

Pedersen Hotels split up and sold

13-May-2011 - Four Pedersen Hotels, which went into administration in June last year, have been sold to separate buyers for an undisclosed sum.

Fluid Movement launch 17th Century Punch House

13-May-2011 - Fluid Movement, the team behind Purl and The Whistling Shop, have launched VOC, a Punch House in King’s Cross, London inspired by the 17th Century Dutch East India Company.

Marlon Abela takes fifth London site

12-May-2011 - The Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation (MARC) is set to open its fifth site in London after acquiring the former Bertorelli site in Fitzrovia.

Plans unveiled for 10 Trinity Square luxury hotel

11-May-2011 - Asian investors have released plans for a luxury hotel and private residences at London’s iconic 10 Trinity Square building, next to the Tower of London.

Mark Sargeant reveals plans to roll out The Smokehouse

11-May-2011 - Mark Sargeant has revealed plans to roll out his new fish and chip concept The Smokehouse across Kent and Sussex coastal towns once his inaugural site in Folkestone launches next month.

Luke Johnson acquires Gail’s bakeries; eyes rapid expansion

10-May-2011 - Serial investor Luke Johnson has acquired an undisclosed share of The Bread Factory owner Bread Ltd, and plans to expand the group’s London-based bakery and café concept Gail’s by five sites this year.

Jamie’s Italian criticised over several food hygiene “breaches”

10-May-2011 - Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant chain has come under fire after a series of hygiene failings and suspected food poisoning cases were uncovered by food safety inspectors.

Mexican restaurant Wahaca to open fifth site at Westfield Stratford

09-May-2011 - Mexican fast-casual restaurant chain Wahaca is to open its fifth restaurant at London’s newest shopping centre Westfield Stratford, which is due to launch in September this year.

Tragus to sell 12 Café Rouge, Strada and Bella Italia restaurants

09-May-2011 - Tragus has put 12 restaurants under the Strada, Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Ortega brands on the market.

Cyrus Todiwala to open restaurant at Hilton Heathrow

06-May-2011 - Cyrus Todiwala OBE, chef owner of Café Spice Namaste in London, is to open a new restaurant at Hilton’s latest luxury hotel opening at Heathrow Terminal 5 in August.

Australian coffee house lands in Clerkenwell; eyes expansion

06-May-2011 - Melbourne-based café/restaurant group St. Ali has launched its first UK site in Clerkenwell with plans to roll the brand out alongside a smaller coffee shop concept.

Mark Sargeant & Richard Edney join Canteen as consultants

06-May-2011 - Former Claridges executive chef Mark Sargeant has joined Canteen as a consultant chef to help “reinvigorate” the chain’s menus.

The St. Pancras Renaissance grand opening

05-May-2011 - Following a two week soft launch period the five-star St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel has now opened – exactly 138 years since the original hotel at St. Pancras International launched.

Elior opens City wine bar at Lloyds

05-May-2011 - Contract catering giant Elior has launched a new wine bar underneath Lloyd’s of London in the City, featuring a wine list compiled by the World’s Best Sommelier 2010 Gerard Basset.

Von Essen’s Hunstrete House goes into voluntary liquidation

04-May-2011 - Hunstrete House near Bath has gone into creditors voluntary liquidation after the administrators of Von Essen Hotels terminated the licensing agreement with its operator.

News in brief

Guess & Goddard to close Chelsea restaurant 101 Pimlico Road

03-May-2011 - After just 18 months of trading French restaurant 101 Pimlico Road in Chelsea is to close this month to allow its owners to concentrate on new projects.

Villandry sold to Village du Pain founder

03-May-2011 - Hush owner Jamie Barber has sold his two-strong Villandry restaurant business to the former managing director of Le Pain Quotidien Philippe Le Roux, who now plans to expand the concept.

Legacy to operate two further Lincolnshire hotels

28-Apr-2011 - Legacy Hotels and Resorts are to take over the management contract of two Lincolnshire hotels – the Legacy Woodhall Spa Hotel at The Broadway and the Lincolnshire Oak Hotel, Sleaford.

News in brief

Choice Hotels opens 18th property in London

28-Apr-2011 - Choice Hotels, operator of the Comfort, Clarion and Quality brands, has opened its 18th London hotel in Hyde Park.