Friday five: The week's top hospitality stories
- The industry mourned the loss of restaurateur Andrew Edmunds, who passed away this month. His restaurant's website announced the news of Edmunds' death with a brief message that read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Edmunds.” Edmunds opened his eponymous restaurant in Soho in 1985 in a 18 century town house on Lexington Street is Soho on the success of his antique prints business. His restaurant was regarded as one of the last bastions of ‘old Soho’ with an unpretentious and charming interior, seasonal menu and a wine list noted for its value for money.
- The Government has announced a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for business customers, including restaurants and pubs. The new Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme will cut prices for electricity and gas for non-domestic for an ‘initial’ six-month period. The scheme, revealed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industry, will see wholesale prices to be fixed for all non-domestic customers at an expected rate of £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas for six months.
- Dame Karen Jones has announced that she is stepping down as executive chair of Italian casual dining chain Prezzo after four years in the role. Jones, who was appointed to the role in 2018, will continue to work with the group as a special advisor. Jonathan Goldstein, CEO of private investment firm Cain International, which acquired Prezzo in December 2020, will become non-executive chairman of the 148-strong group.
- Surrey country house hotel Great Fosters is relaunching its The Tudor Room restaurant as The Tudor Pass when it reopens next month. Chef Alex Payne will oversee the hotel' flagship restaurant, following the departure of Tony parkin as head chef in the summer. He joins from The Thames Table at Crockers in Henley-on-Thames, where he was head chef.
- Allegra chef Patrick Powell is taking over the space formerly occupied by Marcus Wareing's The Gilbert Scott within St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Called Midland Grand Dining Room, it will be the third collaboration between Powell and renowned London developer and hotelier Harry Handelsman.
