Exclusive lager at Slumdog restaurant and stylish weekends at Greenway hotel

24-Sep-2009 - Last updated on 27-Apr-2021 at 11:34 GMT

Charan Gill (right) has commissioned WEST's Petra Wetzel (left) to create an exclusive lager for his restaurant

BigHospitality rounds up the promotions, offers and marketing ideas being run by restaurants, hotels and pubs across the country

The hospitality industry may be about providing food, drink, accommodation and service, but sometimes you have to go the extra mile to pull customers in. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to make your business more appealing take a look at what others are doing for inspiration.

Slumdog lager

Indian restaurateur Charan Gill has commissioned the Glasgow-based independent brewery WEST to develop a lager exclusively for drinking at his new restaurant. The Slumdog lager will only be available on draught at Gill's Slumdog resetaurant when it opens in Glasgow next month. Gill, who sold his Harlequin Restaurant empire four years ago, is returning to the industry with his new restaurant and has trademarked the Slumdog brand for potential use at other restaurants, bars and cafes and on food and drink products in the future. “What attracted me to get involved with WEST Brewery in the first place was the fantastic quality of its product range. That’s why I’ve now asked the brewery to develop a light and crisp lager, evocative of the kind of brew available on the back-streets of Mumbai," he said

Food quiz at Harrison's

Food writer Sudi Pigott is taking her Better Foodie Quiz to Harrison's Restaurant on October 13. Piggott will ask teams of between four and six people food-related questions during dinner with rounds being held between courses. The restaurant in Balham is charging competitors £30 per person which includes a bellini on arrival and a three course dinner.

A stylish stay

Von Essen's Cotswold's hotel The Greenway has employed fashion and beauty stylist Stuart Weir as its own in-house stylist to give advice to guests seeking a new look as well as hospitality. The hotel is running two-night personal shopper packages that give guests the chance to accompany Weir on shopping trips to Cheltenham while staying at the hotel. The Stylish Weekend Break package costs £930 for two people for two nights and includes dinner, bed and breakfast, a Champagne afternoon tea and Weir's expert advice and help. The same package is available mid-week for £700.

Film themed cocktails

Park Plaza's four London hotels will be serving special film-themed cocktails next month to coincide with the BFI London Film Festival which runs from 14 to 29 October. Limited edition cocktails include the Coen Cocktail - a mix of kahlua, vodka and lime inspired by the Coen brothers - The Bloody Murray inspired by actor Bill Murray and Toffee Popcorn vodka inspired by movie-goers' favourite snack. They are all priced at £6.95 and will be available throughout October.