March has seen a flood of restaurant and bar openings in the hospitality sector, including the first James Martin Kitchen at Stansted Airport, Vinoteca in King's Cross and Boozy Cow expanding within Scotland.
Pizza Express has announced plans to recruit 2,500 staff over the next five years and expand its apprenticeship scheme to ensure there is at least one apprentice in each of its restaurants.
Clifford, who is chef patron of acclaimed Cambridge eatery Midsummer House, bought the freehold of the Flitch of Bacon, in Little Dunmow, for £300k with an eye to re-opening it in under five months after a £500k refurbishment.
The owner of Glen Rothay hotel in the Lake District has turned to crowdfunding to help raise funds for bedroom refurbishments and a restaurant re-launch.
Thai Leisure Group (TLG), operator of fine dining brand Chaophraya and street-food brand Thaikhun, has secured £10m of new funding from Santander to aid its expansion plans.