Casual Dining

Admin burden on suppliers “threatens UK wine list diversity”

26-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Major wine suppliers have penned a letter to the Government asking it to take steps to reduce the extra administrative burden on EU wine imports that has been created by Brexit.

Conservative MPs call for beer duty cut

26-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

A group of Conservative MPs have called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to cut beer duty in his Budget next week to help the ailing pub sector.

Trade bodies warn roadmap jeopardises hospitality survival without further support

26-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality trade bodies have written to the Chancellor warning that, unless a substantial package of support is announced at the Budget, businesses will fail before they're able to reopen.

Various Eateries poised to scale up post lockdown

25-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

The owner of restaurant brands Coppa Club and Tavolino says it will pursue an aggressive post-lockdown expansion drive, with plans to “create a major leisure group” this year.

BrewDog achieves B Corp certification

25-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

BrewDog has become one of a small number of hospitality business in the UK to achieve certified B Corp status.

The Lowdown: al fresco April

25-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

With restaurants champing at the bit to reopen, many – particularly in the capital – are looking to make use of what outside space they have in order to unlock in April.

Optimism in sector grows but one in ten hospitality businesses face closure without more support

25-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

One in ten hospitality businesses will not survive if no additional support is announced in the Chancellor’s Budget next week, according to CGA’s Business Leaders’ Survey 2021.

Chancellor considers alcohol duty cut under Budget plans

25-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering plans to cut beer duty rates for pubs to below that of supermarkets in his Budget next week.

Trends Week

2021 restaurant and dining trends: part 3

25-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

With talk of the easing of lockdown and restaurants set to reopen sometime in the spring, we've finally dusted down the crystal ball to see what 2021 might bring in terms of restaurant and eating out trends. Part three: ingredient and dish trends.

Mowgli eyes further expansion with sites in Edinburgh, Brighton and Preston mooted

25-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Indian street food group Mowgli will open a site in Cheltenham this summer with expansion to other areas including Edinburgh, Brighton and Preston also planned.

Those that can, will: restaurants plan for 12 April al fresco reopening

24-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Restaurants across the capital have opened their reservations for al fresco dining from 12 April following the Government’s announcement of its post-lockdown roadmap.

Calls grow for June bank holiday

24-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Calls are growing for the Government to make 21 June - the day when it is hoped all final Coronavirus restrictions can be lifted - a bank holiday.

Westminster’s al fresco scheme to return

24-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Westminster City Council’s popular al fresco scheme will return as restaurants, pubs and bars re-open for outdoor dining and will run until the end of September.

How I Got Here: Elli Jafari

24-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The Standard hotel's London general manager on her love of hospitality, the value of hard work, and fears over what the future holds for the industry.

Hospitality groups see stocks rise on back of roadmap announcement

24-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality groups including The Restaurant Group (TRG) and SSP have seen their stocks rise following the announcement by Boris Johnson that hospitality could unlock from 17 May.

Gordon Ramsay loses almost £60m of trade during pandemic

24-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Gordon Ramsay has said his restaurant empire has missed out on nearly £60m of trade during the pandemic.

Scottish hospitality calls for UK-wide reopening of sector in May

24-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

A group of more than 80 Scottish hospitality businesses have come together to propose a full, UK-wide reopening of the tourism and hospitality sectors on 17 May.

Government to review issue of 'vaccine passports'

23-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised there will be a review into the 'deep and complex issues' surrounding the potential use of so-called 'vaccine passports' to enter venues like hospitality.

Applying a pitta pressure: UK kebab industry gets trade body

23-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The UK's £2.8bn kebab industry has established its first-ever trade body, the Kebab Alliance.

Scottish hospitality left 'bitterly disappointed' as Sturgeon fails offer clarity around reopening

23-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses in Scotland have been left 'bitterly disappointed' after Nicola Sturgeon failed to offer any real clarity as to when restrictions on the sector will be lifted.

Hostech: Customer marketing

Insider information: how to use customer data effectively

23-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Collecting data effectively and using it intelligently can have a transformational effect on hospitality businesses.

trends week

2021 restaurant and dining trends: part 2

23-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

With talk of the easing of lockdown and restaurants set to reopen sometime in the spring, we've finally dusted down the crystal ball to see what 2021 might bring in terms of restaurant and eating out trends. Part two: sustainability trends.
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SHG calls on First Minister to accelerate reopening of Scotland's hospitality sector

23-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) has called on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to confirm a similar reopening strategy to that outlined for England by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

'We're paying for the Government's mistakes' - frustration as hospitality forced to remain closed until May

23-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses have said they are 'paying the price for the Government's mistakes' after it was announced that much of the sector would remain closed until the middle of May.

Bone Daddies to open sister brand Wing Daddies next month

23-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Ramen restaurant Bone Daddies is continuing with its expansion with the launch of a sister brand as well as a new south London restaurant.

PM unveils roadmap out of lockdown with much of hospitality set to remain closed until May

22-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality venues in England will have to wait until at least the middle of May to reopen for indoor service under the Prime Minister's plan to ease lockdown in England.

Roux Scholarship set for Autumn

22-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

The Roux Scholarship is to finally go ahead in Autumn having been delayed twice due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Hostech - podcast

Podcast: Understanding reputation management

22-Feb-2021 By BigHospiality

Gary Banks and Kate Burns from Reputation on why hospitality businesses should care about what’s being said about them online.

Wild food restaurant Native to return to London for Mayfair opening

22-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Wild food restaurant Native is returning to London this spring with an opening in luxury retailer Browns’ new Mayfair boutique.

Hospitality supply chain businesses on verge of collapse without immediate support

22-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The UK’s hospitality sector supply chain is facing devastation with 324,000 jobs at risk unless businesses receive immediate financial support from the Government, new research reveals.

Leon burning through £200k a week and could fold if hospitality lockdown drags on

22-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Leon CEO John Vincent has revealed that the healthy fast food chain is losing £200,000 a week and could fold if lockdown restrictions on the hospitality sector drag on.

Hiscox Insurance makes initial settlement offers to business interruption policyholders

22-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Late night leisure broker NDML has received the first offer of settlement from Hiscox for its clients involved in the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) business interruption insurance test case.

Trends week

2021 restaurant and dining trends: part 1

22-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

With talk of the easing of lockdown and restaurants set to reopen sometime in the spring, we've finally dusted down the crystal ball to see what 2021 might bring in terms of restaurant and eating out trends. Part one: lifestyle trends.

Johnson to unveil 'four-stage plan' for easing lockdown

22-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will unveil a 'four-stage plan' for easing lockdown in England later today (22 February), which is expected to see hospitality remain closed until at least April.

Hostech: customer marketing

Delving deeper into digital

19-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

It’s taken a pandemic, but hospitality operators are finally beginning to understand the power of digital and the wealth of data it generates

Hostech: Case study

Driving engagement at Roadchef

19-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Roadchef uses online reputation management platform Reputation to manage its entire online presence, including reviews, business listings and social media.

Friday Five: the week's top news

19-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include HMRC clearing TiPJAR for use; plans to extend the lease forfeiture moratorium; and Alyn Williams winning his unfair dismissal case against The Westbury.

Podcast: sustainability and health key trends for 2021

19-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Sustainability and a focus on animal welfare as well as health will drive customer choices when eating out this year, according to predictions from Arla Foods.

Chancellor to delay ‘fundamental’ review of business rates

19-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Rishi Sunak is to delay the publication of the Treasury’s ‘fundamental review’ of business rates until Autumn.

Mayor announces £5m plan to support safe reopening of central London hospitality

19-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Sadiq Khan has announced proposals to invest £5m to support the eventual reopening of hospitality in central London.

McDonald's looks to improve gender and minority representation amid discrimination claims

19-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

McDonald’s has pledged to boost gender and minority representation among its senior US ranks by 2030.

Ramsay urges Sunak to extend VAT cut and furlough for hospitality

19-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Gordon Ramsay has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the VAT holiday and furlough for struggling hospitality businesses at his Budget.

hostech: interview

Pret a Manger: "click and collect is going to be really important for us"

19-Feb-2021 By Finn Scott-Delany

Pret a Manger chief information and transformation officer Sarah Venning on how the brand’s approach to delivery and click and collect led to the creation of its coffee subscription.

Hospitality expects to face long term operating restrictions, survey finds

18-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality operators expect increased trading restrictions to be in place for the foreseeable future, according to new research by workforce management specialist Bizimply.

Using its loaf: why Paul is finally ready to franchise across the UK

18-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Having previously concentrated on the capital, French bakery group Paul is preparing to expand across the country through a franchising model that could see its UK estate double in size.

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