All news articles for July 2011

Planning for the 2012 Olympics: Staff and training

Planning for the 2012 Olympics: Staff and training

By Emma Eversham

As McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc once said ‘You’re only as good as the people you hire’ so if you believe his mantra and want to make sure your business is a winner during next year’s Olympic Games, make sure you read our fourth and final instalment of...

Hoteliers notice signs of consumers saving money

Hoteliers notice signs of consumers saving money

By Lorraine Heller

Hotel and B&B owners around the UK have said that summer business this year has been broadly positive, although they have noted definite signs of consumers saving money.

Labour calls for VAT cut

Labour calls for VAT cut

By Lorraine Heller

The Labour Party has called for a temporary cut in VAT to 17.5 per cent as it embarks on a campaign to rejuvenate Britain’s high streets.

4m Brits plan holidays to avoid Olympic Games

4m Brits plan holidays to avoid Olympic Games

By Lorraine Heller

Just over half of Brits feel that the Olympic Games will have a positive impact on the country’s economy, while almost 4m people will be leaving the country to avoid the 2012 Games, finds a new survey by PwC.

How ready is the UK for Olympics hospitality?

How ready is the UK for Olympics hospitality?

By Lorraine Heller

With exactly one year to go until the London Olympics, the UK is sending out a call to the world to come to these shores next year, but initial figures suggest that the hospitality sector is far from ready to welcome the additional visitors.

European hotels trade well as traveller demand grows

European hotels trade well as traveller demand grows

By Lorraine Heller

Hotels across Europe have seen occupancy and rates increase over the past six months, as business and leisure demand continues to improve, according to recent data from the hotel market consultancy STR.

Premium brands driving on-trade spirits growth

Premium brands driving on-trade spirits growth

By Becky Paskin

A growth in cocktails, premium drinking venues and the rise of the Weekend Millionaire has fuelled growth of the spirits market, which is largely driven by premium brands.

Red tape costs small firms £14K a year, finds research

Red tape costs small firms £14K a year, finds research

By Lorraine Heller

Small firms in the UK are spending an average of £14,000 per year on complying with regulations, despite government initiatives to cut red tape, finds a new survey from the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

16” West Brasserie opens in Greenwich

16” West Brasserie opens in Greenwich

By Lorraine Heller

Catering group Elior UK has opened a new brasserie in Greenwich, which it hopes will help plug the gap in the area for mid-class establishments serving high-quality food.

Feng Sushi reveals plans for rapid growth

Feng Sushi reveals plans for rapid growth

By Becky Paskin

London-based Japanese restaurant chain Feng Sushi is to open its seventh site at Billingsgate this summer, and has revealed plans to operate a further five by the end of 2012.

Spirit rolls out graduate trainee scheme

Spirit rolls out graduate trainee scheme

By Emma Eversham

Pub company Spirit has decided to roll out a graduate trainee scheme across its entire estate following a successful trial in its city and urban pubs.

Career Profile: Mark Wood

Career Profile: Mark Wood

By Emma Eversham

Restaurateur Mark Wood spent three years working his way around the globe before returning to the UK to work in a number of London's top restaurants. He worked at several of Alan Yau's restaurants and studied for an MBA before landing the job...

Bookings rise 20% at Best Western hotels

Bookings rise 20% at Best Western hotels

By Emma Eversham

The number of bookings made at Best Western's membership hotels reportedly rose more than 20 per cent during the first six months of the year bucking current market trends.

New music fee proposals 'totally unacceptable' says BBPA

New music fee proposals 'totally unacceptable' says BBPA

By Emma Eversham

Proposals to increase the rates that pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants pay to host DJ nights or other special music-focused events are 'totally unacceptable' according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).

Planning for the 2012 Olympics: Transport and deliveries

Planning for the 2012 Olympics: Transport and deliveries

By Lorraine Heller

Hospitality businesses will be amongst the most affected by the transport and logistics changes during the Olympics next year. This article includes a simple break-down of what you should be thinking about to ensure business continuity, together with...

M&B takes hit from weakened consumer spending

M&B takes hit from weakened consumer spending

By Emma Eversham

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) says it is feeling the effects of weakened consumer spending as like-for-like sales for the first 42 weeks of the year rise just 3 per cent.

Malmaison owner to sell and leaseback four hotels

Malmaison owner to sell and leaseback four hotels

By Emma Eversham

Malmaison owner MWB has exchanged contracts to sell and leaseback four of its hotels which it says will enable it to reduce its debt levels without affecting the future operations of the group.

Accor sales grow as room rates recover

Accor sales grow as room rates recover

By Lorraine Heller

The international hotel group Accor has seen revenues grow over the first half of the year as occupancy rates rise steadily and room rates start to recover.

Peach on track for 22 pubs by 2013

Peach on track for 22 pubs by 2013

By Lesley Foottit

Peach Pub Company is on track to reach its target of opening 22 pubs by 2013 and is hoping to secure its first pubs in London if suitable sites become available.

CAMRA calls for Pub Design Award 2011 entries

CAMRA calls for Pub Design Award 2011 entries

By Lorraine Heller

The Campaign for Real Ale (CMRA) is calling for entries for its Pub Design Awards 2011, which are open to pubs that were refurbished or newly constructed last year.

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