Ask the Experts

Our panel of industry experts give their top tips on a range of topics, from marketing to operations and staffing, to help you run a better business. 

ASK THE EXPERTS

How a Brexit could affect the hospitality industry

21-Mar-2016 By Matthew Pryke

Matthew Pryke, a partner at Hamlins law firm, outlines some of the areas where hospitality could be affected should Britain leave the EU. 

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What to consider when hiring an apprentice

14-Mar-2016 By Jill Whittaker

At the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2016 Jill Whittaker, managing director of HIT Training discusses considerations for hospitality businesses when hiring an apprentice. 

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The name game: How to find the right name for your restaurant

10-Mar-2016 By Emma Eversham

You have secured a business loan, found the perfect site and decided on the style of food you’ll serve. Now comes the tricky part: what do you call your restaurant?   

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How to make a five star hotel family-friendly

15-Feb-2016 By Mark Anderson

Mark Anderson, deputy general manager of Kensington’s Royal Garden Hotel, discusses the challenges and benefits of being both five-star and family friendly. 

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How to value your hospitality business correctly

01-Feb-2016 By Darren Seward

Darren Seward, hospitality specialist at commercial insurer, NFU Mutual, discusses the importance of valuing the business assets of a pub, hotel and restaurant correctly. 

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What you should know about accepting payments from customers from abroad

25-Jan-2016 By Gino Ravaioli

Gino Ravaioli, chairman of the DCC Forum, a group of 5 international companies which works in the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and financial services sector, talks through the options hospitality businesses now have when taking payments from overseas...

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What the Temporary Event Notice (TEN) changes mean to pubs and other licensed venues

18-Jan-2016 By John Coen

John Coen, a partner at national law firm Weightmans, talks through what the recent changes to Temporary Event Notice (TEN) legislation will mean to pubs and other licensed business. 

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How to safeguard your hospitality business against flooding

11-Jan-2016 By Sandra Jones

Sandra Jones, a partner at law firm Weightmans, advises owners of restaurants, hotels and pubs on how to protect their businesses from flooding and gives tips on what to do if you have been affected. 

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How music can benefit your hospitality business

21-Dec-2015 By Nick Chambers

Nick Chambers of PlayNetwork, a provider of entertainment media for businesses, looks at how choosing the right music for your hotel, restaurant or pub, can benefit your business.

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What to consider when making your pop-up restaurant permanent

14-Dec-2015 By Nigel Mason

Nigel Mason, partner at Hamlins LLP gives his top tips to pop-up restaurant and pub owners looking to make their concepts a permanent fixture. 

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How to get your head around SEO

30-Nov-2015 By Tom Beasley

Tom Beasley, founder and CEO of Wired Media gives advice to hoteliers looking to take control of the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) for their websites.

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How to dress your hospitality venue for Christmas

23-Nov-2015 By Debbie Lakin

Debbie Lakin, senior designer at commercial interiors company Hunter Patel Creative Group, offers her top tips to making your hotel, restaurant or pub look suitably festive this Christmas.

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How to improve dwell time in your restaurant

16-Nov-2015 By Ashley Sheppard

Ashley Sheppard, commercial director at Call Systems Technology (CST) provides seven top tips on how to increase dwell time in restaurants and help drive loyalty.

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How to balance hospitality and technology

02-Nov-2015 By Liam Garrahan

Adrian Valeriano, vice president UK of OpenTable tells us how you can get the most from the latest innovations in the world of technology.

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How hotels can remain compliant following CMA ruling on OTA rate parity

26-Oct-2015 By Charles Livingstone

Following last month's decision by the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) to close its investigations into rate parity agreements between hotels and online travel agents (OTAs), Charles Livingstone, a partner at law firm Brodies LLP, gives his top...