Career Profile: Peter Borg-Neal

Gastropub entrepreneur Peter Borg-Neal is the brains behind the six-strong Oakman Inns & Restaurants, which was last month nominated for Best Pub Company at Restaurant magazine's R200 Awards . Having started his career as a cellar boy and also trained to be a chef, Borg-Neal has been involved in hospitality for almost 35 years.

Wadworth launches 2.8% beer for January 'squeeze'

Wiltshire brewer Wadworth has created a 2.8% ABV beer for the January 'squeeze', designed for when consumers traditionally cut back on the calories they consume and their spending.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from BigHospitality

Here at BigHospitality we'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and wish you a happy, healthy and profitable year in 2012.

Hotel performance flat in November amid economic downturn

London hotel occupancy fell by nearly 2 per cent in November although the average daily room rate did see an increase, according to data released from hotel consultancy PKF which indicates UK hotel performance was flat last month as economic problems continued.

New hospitality apprenticeship scheme from De Vere Academy

Young people looking to build a career in restaurants, hotels and pubs and bars will be able to get access to a new apprenticeship scheme from 1 February 2012, The De Vere Academy of Hospitality have announced.

Living Ventures to open seven sites in 2012 and roll out new Oast House concept

Restaurant and bar operator Living Ventures is planning to invest £8m in the opening of seven new sites next year as well as roll out a new pub concept called Oast House.

Bird boxes at Premier Inn and cooking for friends at Rhubarb's The Gallery Mess

Restaurants and hotels, including Premier Inn, Park Plaza County Hall and The Gallery Mess at the Saatchi Gallery, tell BigHospitality about special events and promotions they're running to attract more customers.

Chefs get more creative with Christmas menus this year as cost of ingredients rises 7%

Many chefs are being forced to be more creative with Christmas menus to remain profitable this year as the latest food price index shows that the ingredients used in a traditional Christmas dinner have risen by an average of 7 per cent on last year.

Hotel boards of directors need more women, says executive search firm

Women still account for less than a third of seats on hotel boards of directors of the top publicly quoted groups, according to the latest HVS Executive Search European Hotel Board study.

HVS managing director wins top hospitality lifetime achievement award

The managing director of hotel consultancy HVS London, Russell Kett, has won a lifetime acheivement award from the Hospitality Professionals Association for Finance, Revenue Management and IT (HOSPA) in honour of Kett's career as a respected hotel advisor.

News in brief

TV football in pubs: High Court date set

Karen Murphy, the Hampshire pub landlady who won a European court battle for the right to show foreign TV coverage of live football matches using a decoder, has received a date to have her case considered by the High Court.

Looking back at 2011: The 10 most-read stories in hospitality

What were the hottest topics in the hospitality industry in 2011? We've taken a look back through our news list and dug out the top 10 most read stories on BigHospitality this year for you to peruse as you relax over the festive period.

News in brief

14-year-old London riots Ledbury thief pleads guilty

A 14-year-old boy who robbed diners in the two Michelin-starred restaurant The Ledbury during the London riots has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit violent disorder and robbery.

Jumeirah Carlton Tower executive scoops HMA Young Marketer of the Year award

The Hotel Marketing Association (HMA) has named its Young Marketer of the Year as Sarah Tobler from The Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London. Hotel marketing campaigns by De Vere and Intercontinental Hotel Group also won at the HMA awards in London.

Decline in pub drinking drives beer sales down

A decline in the number of people drinking in pubs has led to beer sales dropping by £2.2m this year, according to new data released by Mintel, although sales in restaurants rose slightly as the trend for matching beer with food grew..

Indian restaurateur wins 'copycat' court case against rival restaurant

The owners of an Indian takeaway in Rochester have been forced by the High Court to pay damages of £50k to Jamal Ahmed, chef and owner of Shozna restaurant, after opening a rival takeaway one mile away with nearly identical name, logos, artwork, menus and even takeaway bags.

Tortilla Mexican restaurant chain plans to open sites outside London

Tortilla, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain founded by Brandon Stephens, could open up to 25 sites both in and outside London in the next two years after receiving funding help from private equity firm Quilvest.

Von Essen's Callow Hall bought out of administration

Former Von Essen hotel Callow Hall in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has been bought out of administration by an unnamed private buyer for around £2.25m.

Antonin Bonnet leaves The Greenhouse: Arnaud Bignon announced as replacement

Antonin Bonnet, executive chef at Mayfair's French restaurant The Greenhouse, is to leave his position of six years to pursue other opportunities in 2012, the restaurant's owner MARC Restaurants announced today.

News in brief

Olympics style customer service training for thousands of hospitality staff in Northern Ireland

Hospitality and tourism staff in Northern Ireland are set to receive WorldHost customer service training ahead of key events in the next two years including the Titanic Centenary and Derry-Londonderry’s period as the first UK City of Culture.

LPV International adds single estate Chinese teas to LuLin range

Tea trader LPV International has added three 'single estate' Chinese teas to its loose leaf range for the hotel, restaurant and pub sectors.

BigHospitality's Top 5 audio of 2011

Some of hospitality's biggest names have talked to BigHospitality in 2011 about the key issues facing restaurants, hotels and pubs and bars. As the year draws to a close we took the chance to review the most listened pieces of audio gathered at leading industry events to give you the chance to listen again.

Hospitality management careers rewarded as IoH ‘Aspiring Managers’ are announced

Hotel and restaurant staff were among the winners as the London branch of the Institute of Hospitality awarded the achievements and career development of nine hospitality managers, some of whom are new to the industry.

Admiral Taverns continues to sell pubs as group releases financial results

Executive chairman Jonathan Paveley revealed reducing the Admiral Taverns estate to a 'quality core' and becoming the UK leading operator of community pubs was the priority for the group who sold more than 450 sites in the most recent financial year and saw their turnover per pub rise by 6.9 per cent.

News in brief

San Carlo Group’s John Thompson awarded Maitrise Escoffier

John Thompson, executive chef at San Carlo Group restaurants has been awarded the Maitrise Escoffier by the Conseil Culinaire Francais de Grande Bretagne.

People on the Move in Hospitality: December 2011

BigHospitality rounds up the latest appointments in the hospitality industry. This month sees key appointments at hotels, restaurants and pubs including Charlottes Holdings, The Devonshire Arms, Village East and 10in8.

2012 Olympics and Queen's Diamond Jubilee to help push UK visitor numbers to 30 million in 2012

Key events such as the 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee could push up the number of visitors to the UK to 30 million next year according to VisitBritain as it delivers its predictions for 2012.

Travelodge: 2011 review and 2012 outlook

Following a year which saw Travelodge develop its Metrolodge strategy as well as securing deals with pubs and supermarkets, the budget hotel chain has added a further 146 new UK locations to its target requirements list for 2012.

Soho power cut: Pubs, bars and restaurants lose out on Mad Friday

As businesses braced themselves for ‘Mad Friday’, one of the busiest trading days of the year, a power cut left parts of London’s Soho without electricity for the majority of the day, forcing pubs, bars and restaurants to close.

Firmdale Hotels secures financing for boutique hotel at Ham Yard

Boutique hotel group Firmdale Hotels has secured funding for the next stage of an expansion of the chain which includes a new 92-bedroom hotel on the Ham Yard site near London's Piccadilly Circus.

ASK THE EXPERTS

How to get rid of unpleasant odours from a commercial kitchen

David Glover, an odour control specialist and managing director of Plasma Clean, gives his advice on how to control food waste smells from a commercial kitchen.

Prezzo snaps up three former Paramount sites

Italian restaurant chain Prezzo has bought three former Paramount Restaurants sites out of administration for £1.125m in cash.

Pub and restaurant sales rise for sixth consecutive month

Sales at pubs and restaurants run by the biggest operators, such as Whitbread, Mitchells & Butlers and Tragus, continued to rise for the sixth consecutive month in November as consumers refused to give up an 'affordable treat'.

Plasma Clean air purifier now installed in Meiko food waste systems

Air purification developer Plasma Clean has joined forces with Meiko to help reduce food waste odours by providing its Xtract 2100 ioniser as standard odour control in Meiko's food waste management systems.

Camra’s National Pub of the Year 2011: Finalists revealed

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has announced the four finalists of its National Pub of the Year competition for 2011.

News in brief

Limited display of food hygiene ratings in Wales restaurants, finds FSA research

Only six per cent of restaurants in Wales with low food hygiene ratings of 0, 1 or 2 are actually displaying the ratings in their premises, compared with 66 per cent of those businesses which have received a rating of 5.

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

Cook your own Steak at Ciro's Brasserie and Networking Lunch at QHotels

Restaurants, hotels and pubs including Ciro's Brasserie, QHotels, Renaissance Pubs and Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel tell BigHospitality about special events and promotions they're running to attract more customers.

How many units in your drink? BBPA launches unit awareness campaign for pubs

In the build-up to the busy Christmas period for the UK’s pubs, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has launched a national campaign to raise awareness of alcohol unit consumption among pub-goers.

Availability of finance for UK hotel sector holds key to 2012 success

An improved outlook for the UK hotel sector will depend largely on the availability of debt to fund hotel transactions and complete long overdue refurbishments, according to hotel consultancy HVS London.

Westminster parking charges postponed until after 2012 Olympics

The controversial plans by Westminster City Council (WCC) to introduce weekend and night-time parking charges in London’s West End have been halted after a High Court judge granted campaigners a judicial review.

Exclusive interview: Ash Mair tells BigHospitality what’s next after winning Masterchef: The Professionals 2011

Ash Mair, who was last night crowned winner of BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals 2011, has told BigHospitality of the massive impact the show is already having on his career, revealing the ideal restaurant he would like to own and his top tips for aspiring chefs.

Ash Mair crowned winner of Masterchef: The Professionals 2011

Australian chef Ash Mair has been crowned the winner of BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals 2011.

Pearls of Wisdom: Will Smith

The co-owner of Arbutus Restaurant Group opened Les Deux Salons in London's Covent Garden a year ago with Anthony Demetre. They have recently refurbished Soho-based Arbutus.

SurveyMe smartphone app gives restaurants real-time customer feedback

SurveyMe, the UK’s first smartphone app which allows for real-time customer feedback in restaurants, has launched in the hospitality industry.

News in brief

Hilton Heathrow turns food waste into water

Hilton Heathrow hotel has introduced an innovative solution to dealing with food waste by installing a Wate2Water digester.

Two ex-Paramount Restaurants sites bought by Spaghetti House

Italian restaurant group Spaghetti House has bought two ex-Paramount Restaurants sites - Bertorelli on Argyle Street and Brasserie Gerard on Kensington High Street in London - out of administration.

Top chefs go head-to-head with food critics to dine in most Michelin-starred restaurants for Cannonball Run 2012

Ten top chefs are set to go head-to-head with 10 national food critics and bloggers in a competition that requires teams to dine in as many Michelin-starred restaurants within 48 hours as possible.

Major plans announced for Bedford Lodge and Boringdon Hall

Two hotels have announced major development programmes, with the creation of luxury spas and additional bedrooms, in an effort to become two of the UK’s leading four-star properties.

Smartphone pub tour app backed by Northern Ireland Tourist Board to boost Belfast pubs

An iPhone and Android app designed to increase hospitality trade for Belfast pubs in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year is being backed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the professional body, Pubs in Ulster.

Morgans Hotel Group to open Mondrian hotel in London

Morgans Hotel Group has announced it will open its first European Mondrian hotel in London in 2014 with an investment of £9m into the project.

New pub businesses launched as former Fuller's MD joins The City Pub Company

Two pub companies, formed by the previous owners of Capital Pubs, have announced John Roberts, the former MD of London brewer and pub operator Fuller's, has joined the launch of the new business venture.

News in brief

Loud music could improve pub and bar sales

Pub and bar-goers are more likely to consume larger quantities of alcohol in noisy venues, according to new research.

BigHospitality's Top 5 videos of 2011

As Christmas approaches and 2012 beckons, BigHospitality has reviewed our most popular videos of the year to give you the chance to see them again or catch a first viewing before 2011 draws to a close.

Best Western has record year for sales and new hotels

Best Western, the UK’s largest group of independently-owned hotels, has recorded the most successful year to date in its 44-year history, with overall sales up 17 per cent and 21 hotels added to its portfolio.

Waterloo Wines selects Waipara West wines to match festive food

Agent and importer Waterloo Wines has selected six Waipara West wines designed to be a 'perfect match to a range of festive feasts'.

West Ending: Hospitality’s elite unite with 15,000 workers and residents to oppose Westminster parking charges

They have been slammed by Caprice Holdings’ Richard Caring, strongly opposed by MPs and London Mayor Boris Johnson, and estimated to threaten over 5,000 local jobs. Now, over 15,000 West End workers and residents have united in signing petitions to halt the proposed night-time parking charges for the area.

Blue Elephant relocation: Restaurant owners would have preferred Mayfair

Thai restaurant The Blue Elephant has been forced to relocate from the site on Fulham’s Broadway that it has occupied for the past 25 years, to a new riverside site at Imperial Wharf, where it hopes to become the Thai version of the River Cafe.

Whitbread reveals Q3 sales growth of 11.4%

Hotel and restaurant operator Whitbread saw total sales rise 11.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2011 with its budget hotel brand Premier Inn and coffee chain Costa responsible for the growth.

The Portas Review: Recommendations could benefit high street restaurants and pubs

Recommendations put forward in a review of the UK’s high streets released by retail guru Mary Portas today could not only bring in more diners to town centre restaurants and pubs but could also make more sites available for operators looking to expand.

News in brief

Craft Guild of Chefs calls for chefs to enter Hotelympia cooking demonstrations

The Craft Guild of Chefs (CGC) is calling upon both young and experienced chefs from across all sectors of the hospitality industry to take part in a series of cooking demonstrations at Hotelympia.

Restaurant and bar mergers and acquisitions set to rise in 2012

Restaurants and bars in the UK should be prepared for an increase in mergers and acquisitions next year as successful chains look to cash in and buyers prepare for growth in 2013, according to a new report.

Nicholas Cowell-owned Hotel Verta to be re-branded Rhombus

Hotel Verta, the luxury London hotel formerly owned by Von Essen's Andrew Davis, has reportedly been bought by entertainment guru Simon Cowell's brother Nicholas and will be re-branded a Rhombus hotel.

Craft Guild of Chefs adds military chef category to 2012 awards

The Craft Guild of Chefs has added Military Chef of the year to its category list for the 2012 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, to recognise the individuals in charge of feeding the Armed Forces.

Mark Hix to serve international menu at HIX Belgravia

Seasonal British food champion Mark Hix is to move away from his signature style at his latest venue - HIX Belgravia - to serve a menu with an international focus.

Orchid prepares for 2012 with list of pub trends and predictions

Orchid, the 290-strong food-led pub group, has released its own 2012 guide, featuring experts’ predictions of the trends, key issues and challenges facing the wider pub trade next year.

Free hotel internet the priority for business travellers

The majority of hoteliers believe business travellers to their hotels value free Wi-Fi or internet as the best way to enhance their visit, while 60 per cent think a 24-hour security or reception is what their business guests value the most.

GMB urges Government to act over ‘under-filling’ of pints in pubs

GMB, the union for tied pub tenants, is urging the Government to act over the under-filling of pints by cash-stripped pub landlords.

News in brief

Wetherspoon triumphs again at 2011 Loo of the Year Awards

JD Wetherspoon has been awarded for having the best toilets across the hospitality industry at the Loo of the Year Awards 2011.

Novus reveals strong pre-Christmas trading

Bar and restaurant operator Novus Leisure has announced strong pre-Christmas sales, forecasting a record festive period driven by corporate parties and events.

New smartphone loyalty app aims to boost return business for restaurateurs

A new stamp-based virtual loyalty scheme for use on smartphones has been developed with the aim of helping independent restaurateurs and retailers see customers return to their businesses more often.

Andrew Davis' Hotel Verta saved from administration

Hotel Verta, the luxury Battersea hotel owned by former Von Essen managing director Andrew Davis, has been saved from administration, safeguarding the future of 75 jobs.

Luminar saved from administration by former MD Peter Marks

A new group led by industry veteran Peter Marks, who was formerly chief executive at Brook leisure and Sports Café, has completed the acquisition of nightclub operator Luminar out of administration in deal worth around £45m.

Marco Pierre White’s restaurant at The Swan Inn sold to Mitchells & Butlers

Marco Pierre White’s restaurant at The Swann Inn in Aughton, Lancashire, has been sold and will close for three months on 2 January, before re-opening as a Mitchells & Butlers pub.

UK hotel prices surge by up to 200% for New Year’s weekend

Hotels across the UK are ramping up their tariffs over the New Year’s weekend, with Edinburgh hotels charging almost three times more for a one-night stay in a standard double room.

La Tasca and Soho House appoint CVS to carry out business rates appeals ahead of huge hikes

With plans for a significant increase in business rates as of April 2012, business rates specialists CVS is seeing an increasing demand for its services.

X-Factor final weekend set to boost food delivery services

With an estimated 20 million TV viewers for this weekend’s X-Factor final, London-based high-end food delivery service Deliverance has revealed that it is one of the biggest dates of the year for the food delivery market.

News in brief

Exclusive Hotels raises £112,000 for Springboard and Macmillan

Luxury five-star hotel group Exclusive Hotels has raised over £112,000 for hospitality industry charity Springboard and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Seven Von Essen hotels sold to Halcyon Hotels & Resorts

Seven hotels from the Von Essen Hotels portfolio have been sold to Halcyon Hotels and Resorts at a guide price of £40.5m in what is the largest package sale since the company fell into administration.

Career Profile: Byron Lang

Byron Lang has been head maitre d' at Gordon Ramsay Holdings' The Savoy Grill since it re-opened for business in 2010. He started his hospitality career at The Ivy before going on to work for Jeremy Corbin and Chris King at The Wolseley and St Alban.

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

Advent Calendar Tables at Andaz Liverpool Street and Duchess Rooms at Dukes

Restaurants, hotels and bars from across the UK, including Andaz Liverpool Street, Dukes London, Vista at The Trafalgar and Bentley’s Oyster& Grill, tell BigHospitality about special events and promotions they’re running to attract more customers.

Juna fruit drinks offer UK foodservice sector ‘something totally new’

Euro-Colombian start-up company Juna has launched a new range of fruit drinks with high vitamin, protein and fibre content aimed at the foodservice sector.

Invest in marketing and staff training to survive, Ian Pegler tells ailing hospitality businesses

Former Little Chef chief executive Ian Pegler has revealed his top tips for turning ailing businesses around after saving the roadside restaurant chain and his latest project, events venue Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, from failure.

Westminster parking charges to cost West End businesses £800m a year and threaten 5,000 jobs

The proposed night-time parking charges for London’s West End will cost businesses in the area £800m a year and threaten over 5,000 jobs, a study has found.

Hospitality employers urged to do more to attract responsibility-hungry university graduates

Employers within the hospitality industry are being urged to do more to recruit young people at both graduate and non-graduate level after a survey of recent university graduates found that more than a third are disappointed with the levels of responsibility given to them in their first job.

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.

News in brief

BHA and IoH re-issue police warning on illegality of selling Olympics tickets

The British Hospitality Association (BHA and the Institute of Hospitality (IoH) have re-issued a warning by the Metropolitan Police about the illegality of selling unauthorised Olympics tickets to hotel guests and customers.

Pubs must not be penalised under new gaming machine duty system, says BBPA

Pub operators are awaiting a ‘crucial’ decision from HM Revenue & Customs over the rate of tax applied on gaming machines, following the announcement that they will be split into two bands.

Nelson Hotels buys The Fishpool Inn with plans for £1m gastropub transformation

Nelson Hotels, the family-owned, Cheshire-based hotel group has bought The Fishpool Inn in Delamere, with plans for a £1m refurbishment of the property to transform it into a gastropub.

Pub prices plummet with north of England worst hit

The price of bottom end freehold pubs has fallen by 3.2 per cent nationally and 11.6 per cent in the north of England, according to Fleurets’ latest annual survey of pub prices.

Chez Léon to open flagship restaurant in London

Belgian restaurant chain Chez Léon is to open its first international branch of its Léon de Bruxelles franchise in the heart of London’s West End.

Urban & Country Leisure quits country pubs as Lazy Cow hotel & restaurant brand set for aggressive expansion

On Monday it confirmed the sale of The Marylebone Bar in what is one of the biggest tied-lease deals of the year, and earlier in the year it quit running the White Horse pub in Harpenden. Now, pub and restaurant operator Urban & Country Leisure (UCL) has announced it is to exit country pub locations entirely, focusing on higher-footfall areas.

Two Edinburgh restaurateurs detained by HMRC in tax raids

Two restaurateurs from Edinburgh have been detained by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on suspicion of failing to pay tax, as part of the on-going taskforce operation targeting restaurants across Scotland.

News in brief

The Italian Restaurant opens at Novikov Restaurant & Bar

The Italian Restaurant, part of the new Novikov Restaurant & Bar, is officially open today.

Ask restaurant chain begins rollout of new look and more authentic concept

Italian chain Ask is rolling out a new look and a more authentic food and drink offer across its 123-strong estate following a successful trial of the revamp in select locations.

Business Profile: Le Bistrot Pierre

Two childhood friends opened their first restaurant on a whim. Seventeen years on, Le Bistrot Pierre provides timely lessons in delivering value in the middle market.

TripAdvisor: Where do we go from here?

Reviews website TripAdvisor has angered some members of the industry who feel the website does not do enough to protect businesses who find themselves victims of false or defamatory reviews.

Bubble Food launches molecular festive menu for Christmas parties

Corporate catering company Bubble Food has launched a new festive menu featuring an innovative ‘molecular’ selection of food and drink, available to hospitality businesses planning a Christmas party.

Exclusive: Richard Caring talks to Restaurant magazine about latest restaurant 34 and Thomas Keller partnership

Caprice Holdings chairman Richard Caring has revealed plans to bring Thomas Keller's Bouchon restaurant concept to the UK as well as considerably increase the number of Soho House branches in operation across the world.

News in brief

Manchester Hoteliers Association raises funds for Hospitality Action

The Manchester Hoteliers Association (MHA) has raised £11,604 for Hospitality Action after holding the MHA Annual Ball at The Palace Hotel.

Pink, girly beer won’t tempt women, says master beer sommelier

As Molson Coors launches a sampling campaign for Animée, its new low-calorie beer range designed for women, master beer sommelier Mark Stroobandt believes many brewers and pub operators are ‘getting it wrong’ when it comes to attracting the female beer-drinking market.

Elior launches FEDE restaurant at Starwood’s first UK Aloft Hotel

Contract caterer Elior has partnered with Starwood to manage the food and beverage operations at the FEDE restaurant in the first UK-based Aloft hotel at London’s Excel.

Martin Morales confirms location and opening date for Ceviche restaurant

Ex-DJ and Apple executive Martin Morales has confirmed the location of his first Peruvian restaurant Ceviche which he plans to open in early March 2012.

Saffron Birmingham fine dining Indian restaurant opens in city centre

Saffron Restaurant Group, which has two sites in the West Midlands and one in London, has opened an Indian fine dining restaurant in the heart of Birmingham’s city centre.

Gastropub chef Craig Minto opens third venture after acquiring The Fleece in Addingham

Gastropub chef Craig Minto has re-opened former Punch Taverns pub The Fleece in Addingham, West Yorkshire as a pub, deli and cook school.

The Marylebone Bar sold in record deal

Pub and restaurant operator Urban & Country Leisure (UCL) has today confirmed the sale of The Marylebone Bar in what is one of the biggest tied-lease deals of the year.

‘Onwards and upwards’ for Peckforton Castle after groom admits £6m hotel fire

Peckforton Castle, the Cheshire hotel, wedding, conference and events venue, has reacted to the admission of guilt by groom Max Kay to starting the fire which caused £6m worth of damage in June this year.

Increased marketing is the key to 2012 success for hotels

The majority of hoteliers believe that the sector will realise a sustained upturn in 2012, while 82 per cent believe a hotels most important business priority over the next six months should be to step up its marketing activities.

Westminster parking charges: Proposed discount for night workers is ‘no comfort’ say critics

News that those working in Westminster after 6.30pm will be given a discounted rate when parking charges are extended into the evening and weekends next year comes as no comfort or relief to businesses or employees say critics of the scheme.

Restaurants and pubs show resilience as UK consumers eat out more

In spite of the current economic crisis, UK consumers are going out to eat and drink and restaurants and pubs even more than before, according to the latest Taste of the Nation survey conducted by Deloitte.

News in brief

Wetherspoon raises £5m for CLIC Sargent cancer charity

JD Wetherspoon has raised £5m for its chosen charity CLIC Sargent, a cancer charity for children and young people.

Chef Rowley Leigh to provide menu for new Odeon boutique cinema

Le Cafe Anglais chef-patron Rowley Leigh has partnered with cinema chain Odeon and UCI to provide an up-market menu to be served to movie-goers at its new boutique style cinema at Whiteleys.

Richard Corrigan’s Mayfair restaurant celebrates ‘forgotten foods’ in support of Slow Food UK

Richard Corrigan has launched an innovative new menu celebrating ‘forgotten foods’ at his Corrigan’s Mayfair restaurant in a bid to promote the ethics of the increasingly-popular Slow Food UK Chef Alliance.

Drury releases special spiced pyramid teabags for Christmas

London-based tea blender and coffee roaster Drury has added a special spiced Christmas blend to its pyramid-shaped teabag range to enable hotels, restaurants and pubs to enhance their beverage menus for the festive season.

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

Priscilla’s Fabulous Finale Afternoon Tea at Kettner’s and Sherlock Scones at Park Plaza

Restaurants, hotels and bars from across the UK including Kettner’s, Park Plaza, Kumo and The Chester Grosvenor tell BigHospitality about special events and promotions they’re running to attract more customers.

‘British publicans need a voice’: Industry bodies call for public consultation into pub sector

Pub industry bodies have slammed the Government over its persistent reluctance to protect publicans from mistreatment by large pub companies under the new, self-policed pub industry framework code of practice.

People 1st receive funding boost to spark economic growth for hospitality businesses

Hospitality businesses have been boosted by the news that People 1st has secured £6.8m from the Employer Investment Fund in a bid to reduce youth unemployment, increase professionalism and ultimately achieve economic growth for the industry.

Giant Heathrow hotel cleared for take-off

A new 583-bedroom, six-storey Heathrow hotel is to be built from scratch within the next 18 months having today been granted planning permission.

Two Northumberland hotels up for sale

Two ‘superbly located’ hotels in Northumberland have been put up for sale after falling into administration.

Obikà restaurant to open in Canary Wharf with three more UK sites to follow

Obikà Mozzarella Bar, an Italian restaurant chain with 17 sites worldwide, is set to hit the UK with a restaurant to open in London’s Canary Wharf later this month and three more sites to follow in 2012.

News in brief

Restaurateurs offered branding help with free workshops

Food and drink branding agency Mystery is to run a series of workshops for aspiring restaurateurs to help them build a strong brand.

Heineken buys entire RBS Galaxy pub estate for £412m

Royal bank of Scotland (RBS) has sold its entire Galaxy estate, a portfolio consisting of 918 pubs, to Heineken in a deal worth £412m.

Pearls of Wisdom: Elena Arzak

Elena Arzak is the third generation of chefs to work at Arzak in San Sebastian in Spain. She currently runs the restaurant, number eight on the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Restaurants list, with her father Juan Mari.

Table Art creates winter-inspired table decorations for Hotels’ Christmas and New Year’s parties

Table decorations supplier Table Art has created a new range of winter-inspired illuminated art pieces for hotel tables at Christmas and New Year’s Eve events.

Nathan Outlaw sees 30% rise in restaurant turnover following Michelin stars

Nathan Outlaw has revealed that his two restaurants in Cornwall are continuing to go from strength to strength, with Restaurant Nathan Outlaw up 30 per cent overall since being awarded two Michelin stars last year.

How to run a sustainable restaurant or pub

It is now almost two years since the Sustainable Restaurant Association launched in a bid to help restaurants, pubs and caterers become more sustainable and hundreds of businesses have since been audited and rated.

News in brief

Phil Vickery announces Gluten-free Chef of the Year winners

Phil Vickery has announced the winners of Coelic UK’s Gluten-free Chef of the Year competition 2012.

2012 Olympics: Hospitality businesses urged to plan ahead with new TfL travel hotspot information

Hospitality businesses are being warned to plan ahead for the huge logistical challenge posed by the 2012 Olympics, following the release of detailed hotspot information from Transport for London (TfL).

Public sector strikes lead to trade boost at child-friendly restaurants

Yesterday's public sector strikes reportedly had a positive effect on trade at child-friendly restaurants as school closures forced parents to find other ways to keep their children entertained.

Jeremy Lee leaves Blueprint Café for Quo Vadis

Jeremy Lee is to leave London’s Blueprint Café after 16 years to join Sam and Eddie Hart’s Quo Vadis.

SIBA Locals pub scheme reaches 100 members

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has reached 100 members for its SIBA Locals scheme, which launched this summer in a bid to help licensees capitalise on growing demand for locally-sourced food and drink in pubs.

Corporate bookings at Best Western hotels rise 16% in six months

Bookings made by corporate guests at Best Western’s 279 member hotels have risen 16 per cent in the past six months which the group claims is its highest level of corporate bookings ever.

Oakman Inns & Restaurants’ sixth site: The Blue Boar, Witney

Oakman Inns & Restaurants, the five-strong pub restaurant operator, is set to unveil The Blue Boar in Oxfordshire this month following a £1.5m restoration programme of an 18th Century coaching inn.