Hospitality news

Headlines

Chet Sharma on his upcoming Mayfair Indian restaurant Bibi

Chet Sharma: "A lot of places have stripped back too much and lost flavour"

The former The Ledbury and Moor Hall development chef is out to disrupt the top-end Indian space with his debut restaurant Bibi.

Byron to open first new restaurant in five years

Better burger group Byron is back on the expansion trail after a five-year hiatus with the opening of a new restaurant in the capital.

Friday Five: the week's top news

This week’s key hospitality news stories include Alyn Williams winning £57,000 in damages from The Westbury Hotel, the closure of The Gilbert Scott and Wendy’s ambitious expansion plans.

Preparing for 17 May - what are the rules for reopening indoors

With indoor hospitality across much of the UK finally able to reopen on Monday 17 May, we take a look at the Government guidance to see what the rules are.

One in three hospitality employers don’t have enough staff for next week's reopening

One in three hospitality employers don’t have enough staff to cope with the reopening of indoor hospitality next week, a new survey has found.

Insurers continuing to play 'fast and loose' with business interruption claims

A law firm has accused insurers are continuing to play 'fast and loose' with their response to business interruption claims made by hospitality operators.

Al Mare to be flagship restaurant of soon-to-be-relaunched The Carlton Tower

Jumeirah’s Knightsbridge hotel The Carlton Tower will reopen next month with a new flagship restaurant called Al Mare.

Japanese handroll bar Temaki to open in Brixton

Japanese handroll bar Temaki is to open its debut site on Market Row in London's Brixton next month.

Sales down by a quarter across managed sector in April

Managed pub and restaurant groups recorded a 26% drop in like-for-like sales in April compared to the same month in 2019, data from the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker show.

Natasha’s Law: what you need to know

What does the upcoming law change making it a requirement for hospitality businesses to list all the ingredients and allergens present in their ‘pre-packed for direct sale’ food items mean for the industry?

Six by Nico scores second London site

'Ever-evolving' tasting menu concept Six by Nico is to open its second London restaurant on Chancellor Passage in Canary Wharf later this summer.

Businesses concerned residual Coronavirus restrictions will hamper trade

The majority of operators say they have concerns about possible residual restrictions that will remain in place as a result of the virus, Lumina Intelligence’s latest Hospitality Leaders Poll reveals.

The Lowdown: Restaurant radio stations

Infamous pirate radio station Kurupt FM is taking over Subway’s in-store radio network next week. Hold tight for the rhythm...

pub & bar

Drake & Morgan to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement

Bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan is to enter a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in order to help it recover from prolonged closures due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Are you ready to build back better with a ‘safety edge’?

Well-run, efficient and hygienic environments are essential as the hospitality sector reopens. Ensure you're ready to build back better with these handy tips.

Hospitality to benefit from £2.5bn sales increase in first week of full reopening

Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues in the UK are set for a much-needed £2.5bn sales increase next week as indoor service resumes, according to a new report.

Yotam Ottolenghi to open first new deli in six years

Yotam Ottolenghi will open his first new deli in six years in Marylebone this June.

Manuele Bazzoni to open Italian restaurant in Kings Cross

Former Trinity sous chef Manuele Bazzoni is to open an Italian restaurant within Kings Cross’ Megaro hotel on 21 May.

pub & bar

Three quarters of nightlife venues face bankruptcy without rent solution

MPs have been warned that spiralling rent arrears threatens to bankrupt 75% of commercial tenants in the night-time economy once the lease forfeiture moratorium expires at the end of June.

Ten food and drink brands to join Hawley Wharf Camden development

London-based restaurants including Ekachai, BaoziInn and Three Uncles will be among 10 food and drink venues to open at canal-side development Hawley Wharf Camden this spring.

Seven Dials Market to reopen with four new traders

Covent Garden food hall Seven Dials Market will reopen on 17 May with four new traders that started out in London streets and markets.

Boparan partners with Sainsbury's to launch trio of concepts

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has partnered with Sainsbury's to trial three new concepts in its supermarkets, two of which will launch under the Carluccio’s brand.

Chef Dani García to bring Bibo to London

Andalusian chef Dani García is to bring his brasserie and a tapas bar concept Bibo to the capital, launching in the Mondrian Shoreditch hotel later this summer.

Paul Bates appointed executive chef of Hilton London Metropole

Hilton London Metropole, the largest Hilton hotel outside of the US, has appointed Paul Bates as its new executive chef.

Alyn Williams wins £57,000 in damages from The Westbury Hotel

Chef Alyn Williams has been awarded just over £57,000 in damages for unfair dismissal from his role at The Westbury Hotel in London's Mayfair.

Marcus Wareing's The Gilbert Scott closes after 10 years

Marcus Wareing has closed The Gilbert Scott restaurant at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel as its lease ‘naturally expired’ after a decade of trading.

pub & bar

How I Got Here: Margriet Vandezande-Crump

The Belgium co-owner of The Greyhound in Beaconsfield, which was recently named ‘One to Watch’ at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs, reflects on her career to date.

Welsh hospitality gets green light to reopen indoors from 17 May

Restaurants and pubs in Wales will be able to reopen for indoor service from Monday (17 May), it has been announced.

Government urged to consult with hospitality on legislation to tackle obesity

The Government has been urged to undertake 'close and meaningful consultation' with hospitality businesses over legislation to tackle obesity in the UK.

Soho House to open Mexican restaurant at The Hoxton

Soho House is bringing its US-born restaurant Mexican concept Maya to London.

Restrictions on indoor alcohol sales in Scotland set to ease on 17 May

Restrictions on Scottish hospitality businesses serving alcohol indoors are set to ease across most of the country next week, but pubs and restaurants will still be subject to curfew restrictions.

Le Bab's late-night Kebab house to launch next week

The Le Bab trio’s late-night kebab shop will open as indoor dining resumes, offering an eclectic menu that plays around with the post-pub staple.

Wasabi 'in a strong position to grow' as it plans for the future

Sushi and bento brand Wasabi says it is in a 'strong position to grow' as Covid restrictions ease, and is in the process of building a new openings programme.

Gino D'Acampo partners with Innside by Meliá hotels to create new hospitality empire

Italian celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo has partnered with Spanish hotel brand INNSiDE by Meliá to launch a series of restaurants and bars across its growing UK estate.

pub & bar

MEATliquor's Scott Collins to take on The Dartmouth Arms in London’s Forest Hill

MEATliquor co-founder Scott Collins is making a return to his pub roots by taking on The Dartmouth Arms in London’s Forest Hill.

Thunderbird plans clutch of new openings as it strengthens senior team

London-based premium fried chicken brand Thunderbird is planning a clutch of openings as it ramps up expansion following a recent 'relaunch' of the brand.

Former The Dairy chef Richard Falk to open Lewes restaurant

Former The Dairy head chef Richard Falk will open a restaurant in the East Sussex town of Lewes early next month.

Pret aims to expand its reach with launch of stores in Tesco supermarkets

Pret A Manger is to open four new stores in Tesco supermarkets as part of a drive to expand its reach beyond the high street.

Pubs and restaurants in England will be able to reopen on 17 May, Prime Minister confirms

Boris Johnson has confirmed that indoor hospitality settings will be able to unlock next Monday (17 May), as England moves into the third phase of its roadmap out of lockdown.

pub & bar

Welsh pubs and brewers demand clear roadmap out of restrictions

Companies representing hundreds of Welsh pubs and brewers have written to newly re-elected First Minister Mark Drakeford urging him to deliver grants for pubs and a roadmap for their reopening.

Piazza Italiana to open on the former home of British Linen Bank in the City this May

Italian restaurant Piazza Italiana will open later this month on the former home of British Linen Bank in the City.

Fino Tapas launches £2m expansion drive

Preston-based Spanish restaurant Fino Tapas is to open four new locations this year as part of a £2m expansion plan, with a view to establishing further sites in the future.

Maarten Geschwindt to head the food offer at Hertfordshire's The Grove

Maarten Geschwindt, former executive sous chef at The Savoy, has been appointed executive chef of the The Grove.

Finding the Ji spot – why Mr Ji is ditching grab-and-go and embracing a chef-led approach

Taiwanese chicken joint Mr Ji has scrapped its grab-and-go model and relaunched as a full-service restaurant with an expanded menu created by TĀ TĀ Eatery’s Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng.

Andrew Clarke to oversee food at Hertford House Hotel plus trio of new ventures

Andrew Clarke is to oversee the food at Hertford House Hotel as well as a new tapas bar, takeaway and deli in the Hertfordshire town.

Wendy's plots up to 400 UK sites

US burger chain Wendy’s is planning to open up to 400 UK sites as it plots to become a major player in the country's fast food market.

Almost half of businesses have raised menu prices since reopening, report finds

Rising costs of ingredients and increased overheads has forced hospitality businesses to increase their menu prices, Lumina Intelligence’s Hospitality Leaders Poll reveals.

UKHospitality pushes for further support to 'help deliver a viable recovery' for sector

UKHospitality has suggested it could work with the Treasury to develop a more targeted loan scheme that recognises the acute difficulties the sector faces as it emerges from the pandemic.

Johnson expected to confirm restriction easing

Boris Johnson is expected to confirm that hospitality venues will be able to open for indoor trading from 17 May, as part of the next stage of restrictions being lifted.