The first week of 2024 was tough for the sector with several high-profile restaurants closing their doors amid insurmountable cost pressures, and data showing a decline in consumer spend.
Cardiff-based restaurateurs Phill and Deb Lewis are to close their sustainability-focused outdoor restaurant Kindle, describing the decision as ‘a reflection of the current industry struggles’.
Takuya Watanabe and the Leong family’s follow up to their Michelin-starred Mayfair omakase joint Taku has a more casual vibe but is still decidedly high-end.
Restaurant and bar group Mission Mars is planning to open a further 12 Rudy’s Pizza sites this year after reporting ‘record’ sales across its estate over the festive period.
Manchester-based restaurant group Sud Pasta will relaunch this month under a new brand called Rigatoni’s, which is billed as aiming ‘to bring quality pasta to the masses’.
KERB is to welcome four new traders to Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden as it looks to place greater emphasis on incubating fresh talent at its flagship food hall.
Restaurants saw a spending decline of 6.7% in 2023, according to data from Barclays, as Brits spent less on eating out to offset rising household bills.
Tony Rodd has announced the immediate closure of his Copper & Ink restaurant in Blackheath, south east London, saying that ‘continued financial difficulties’ have made the business ‘untenable’.
Chef James Allcock has permanently closed his Yorkshire bistro The Pig and Whistle in Beverly, describing it as ‘the most gut-wrenching decision’ of his life.
Richard Caring is reportedly considering selling a ‘big’ stake in the The Ivy Collection in a deal that could see the circa 40-strong business valued at ‘around £1bn’.
High-end London coffee business WatchHouse has secured £7.9m in Series A funding to support its ‘rapid’ growth plans in both the UK and New York over the next 36 months.
While operators big and small grappled with the impact of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, 2023 also saw both investment and a degree of optimism return to the restaurant sector.
With new ventures from Jeremy King, Ruth Hansom, Ashley Palmer-Watts, Michael O’Hare and Ellen Chew, amongst others, 2024 is shaping up to be a banner year for new restaurant openings.
Hospitality businesses in Wales are facing a business rates hike next year after the Welsh Government announced it would reduce the sector’s discount while raising the rate across the board.
Delivery sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant groups rose 4% year-on-year in November 2023, CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker shows — but takeaway sales fell 6%.
Scottish tourism and hospitality bodies have issued a unified statement in response to the Scottish Government Budget branding it ‘extremely disappointing’.
Manchester-based restaurant group Sud Pasta is to close its four-strong estate at the end of the month and relaunch it early next year under a new concept.
New analysis shows that thousands of Scottish hospitality businesses will be left unsupported if rates relief isn’t included in the Scottish Budget tomorrow (19 December).
MasterChef The Professionals winner Tom Hamblet's residences, the departure of Nathan Davies from SY23, and the relaunch of Knightsbridge stalwart Sale e Pepe were among this week's most read hospitality stories.
Des Gunewardena, former CEO of restaurant group D&D London, will embark on his first project since his departure from the multi-site restaurant group at the end of 2022.
D&D London CEO David Loewi says that the recent sale of the group to Calveton and Breal Capital will help the circa 30-strong business “get its mojo back”.
London-based restaurateur Ellen Chew will launch the first permanent site under her Singaporean-focused Singapulah concept early next year on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Mexican burrito brand Benito’s is returning to the expansion trail this month with the launch of its first franchised site in the departure lounge of London Luton Airport.
More than 20 takeaways and restaurants in Edinburgh, London, St Helens and Stoke have been subject to unannounced visits as part of a crackdown on electronic till fraud.
Everything you need to know about managing online orders, including integration, how the pandemic changed the delivery game and the new tech coming down the track.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the Eat Out to Help Out scheme he introduced in August 2020 as chancellor saying it was created to save the livelihoods of millions of people.
This week's top news stories include reaction to the Government's new immigration plans, the UK’s 'largest' kebab house arriving in London, and the date for Michelin's 2024 star revelation ceremony.
