Casual Dining

Hospitality accounts for over half of commercial closures in the City of London in 2020

11-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Hospitality and leisure accounted for more than half of commercial business closures in the City of London last year, according to research by the Local Data Company.

Delivery platform Big Night goes nationwide

10-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Independent restaurant-focused delivery platform Big Night is offering nationwide delivery for the first time.

The Coconut Tree to open Bath restaurant this spring

10-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Sri Lankan street food restaurant group The Coconut Tree will open a seventh site, in Bath.

28°-50° Wine Bar & Kitchen to open in Chelsea this spring

10-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Wine-focused restaurant and bar 28°-50° Wine Bar & Kitchen will open a venue in Chelsea this spring with locations in Kensington and Oxford Circus set to launch later this year.

Prezzo to close 22 restaurants with 216 jobs lost in pre-pack deal

10-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Italian casual dining chain Prezzo is to permanently close 22 restaurants after being bought out of pre-pack administration by private investment firm Cain International.

Hospitality cash reserves run low

10-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

More than half of hospitality firms now have less than three months of cash reserves left, according to data from the think tank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Gordon Ramsay to open cooking academy and Street Burger site in Woking

10-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Gordon Ramsay is to launch a cookery school in Woking, Surrey, later this year alongside the first regional location for his recently-launched Street Burger concept.

case study: Hostech

Tampopo uses its iQ to problem solve

10-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Asian restaurant group Tampopo has harnessed back of house technology to streamline its operations.

Pub beer sales down nearly £8b in 2020

10-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Beer and pub sector leaders are pressing the Government for a reopening date as data reveals that trading restrictions and lockdowns caused sales of beer to plummet by 56% in 2020.

Searcys wins seven-year catering contract for Royal College of Surgeons

10-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Events caterer and restaurateur Searcys has been appointed the new catering partner for the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).

Theatreland icon and restaurateur Joe Allen dies aged 87

10-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Theatreland restaurateur Joe Allen, whose eponymous Covent Garden brassiere opened more than 40 years ago, has passed away at the age of 87.

Using their noodle: Koya launches nationwide delivery

09-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

London’s Koya is taking its famed udon noodles nationwide with the launch of a meal kit that fits through letterboxes.

Sacha Lord legal challenge heads to High Court

09-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

A legal challenge by Greater Manchester's night time economy advisor Sacha Lord against the restrictions placed on hospitality by the Government will be tried in the High Court.

Tomahawk launches two virtual restaurant delivery brands

09-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Northern-based Steakhouse group Tomahawk has launched two virtual delivery brands out of its newly-opened Hoxton restaurant.

Government agrees to meeting with Minister for Hospitality petitioners

09-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Paul Scully, will meet with petitioners calling for a Minister for Hospitality.

McDonald’s sets out plan to reopen walk-in takeaway

09-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

McDonald's intends to begin reopening its restaurants across the UK and Ireland for walk-in takeaway from 22 February.

Alistair Darby steps down as Brains CEO

08-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

SA Brain chief executive Alistair Darby has stepped down from the company after the completion of a deal that sees Marston’s take over the running of its pubs.

Bella Italia owner to launch premium Italian casual dining brand Amalfi

08-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Bella Italia owner Big Table Group is to launch a premium Italian casual dining concept called Amalfi this spring.

Philip Eeles of Honest Burgers on using tech to keep his team motivated

08-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Honest Burgers has done a better job than most of keeping its teams engaged throughout the pandemic, using Workplace from Facebook to host everything from 80s-themed HIT classes to interactive conversations about mental health.

Prezzo owner mulls insolvency options for Italian chain amid landlord discussions over rent arrears

08-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The owner of Prezzo is exploring whether to put the Italian casual dining chain through an insolvency process amid continued uncertainty about the industry’s reopening timetable.

Treasury extends terms of Pay As You Grow facility for Bounce Back Loan borrowers

08-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Small businesses that have taken out a Bounce Back Loan will now have greater flexibility over repayments, the Treasury has announced.

Caffè Concerto to launch CVA

08-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

London-based patisserie chain Caffè Concerto is launching a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) in an effort to reduce its rent debt after facing legal action from one of its landlords.

Fulham Shore to restart expansion when normal trading resumes

08-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Fulham Shore says it intends to restart its expansion programme as soon as full restaurant trading resumes.

Steakhouse group Tomahawk to open two more restaurants in the summer

08-Feb-2021 By Stefan Chomka

Steakhouse group Tomahawk has said it will continue to push on with its expansion plans in spite of the ongoing pandemic and that it has a couple more sites in the pipeline for summer.

Losses at top 100 UK restaurants groups up 112%

08-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

New figures reveal that losses at the top-earning 100 UK restaurants group increased 112% to £571m last year, rising from reported losses of £269m at the end of last March.

Friday Five: the week's top news

05-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

This week's main hospitality news stories include Government's plan to reopen the economy under national, not tiered restrictions; and landlord Criterion Capital launching legal action against hospitality tenants over unpaid rent.

Exclusive Collection to open two ‘hyper-local’ restaurants this spring

05-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Luxury hotel operator Exclusive Collection will open to ‘hyper-local’ restaurants this spring - Hillfield Restaurant & Bar and The Wellhouse - at its Pennyhill Park and Lainston House venues

Hostech: back of house technology

Back for good: how back of house technology can transform your business

05-Feb-2021 By Fiona Griffiths

If there’s one thing those in the restaurant industry have learnt more than anything in the past 12 months, it’s the true value of back of house tech.

Casa Cruz licence suspended for six weeks after lockdown breach

05-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The Notting Hill restaurant that hosted singer Rita Ora’s birthday party during England’s second national lockdown has had its premises licence suspended for six weeks following a review.

Furlough costing hospitality 'over half a billion a month'

05-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Furlough is costing the UK Hospitality industry in excess of £542m a month during lockdown.

Two thirds of hospitality operators want to see a return of Eat Out to Help Out scheme

05-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Almost two thirds of hospitality operators would like to see a return of the Eat Out to Help Out (EOHO) scheme, according to the latest Lumina Hospitality Leaders poll.

'Substantial meal' rule to be scrapped when pubs reopen

05-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Rules demanding pubs in England only be allowed to open if they serve a 'substantial meal' are set to be scrapped as and when the sector is able to unlock.

Mamasan to launch in Liverpool

04-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Brad Stevens has chosen Liverpool ONE for his second Mamasan restaurant following the success of South East Asian bar and brasserie concept’s Glasgow debut.

Dishoom: "we’re still excited about our big, beautiful restaurants"

04-Feb-2021 By Georgia Cronin

Dishoom's new delivery service has proved to be a lifeline for the business during lockdown, but the company remains confident in its large high-footfall restaurants.

Deliveroo launches cheaper subscription service

04-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Deliveroo has launched a cheaper subscription service aimed at families that offers unlimited free delivery on orders over £25 for £3.49 a month.

Treasury signals further rates help is on its way

04-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The Treasury has signalled that further business rates support could be coming after a minister advised councils not to issue bills until after the March Budget.

Gunpowder launches delivery-only brand Empire Biryani

03-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

London-based Indian restaurant group Gunpowder is launching a delivery-only offshoot available across the capital that's centred around the Northern Indian tradition of dum biryani.

Many insurers continuing to 'sit on their hands' over business interruption claims

03-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

A large number of insurers are continuing to 'sit on their hands' over business interruption claims, leaving many operators stuck in limbo as they try to secure payouts.

in association with Zonal

Zonal on the future of mobile ordering and payments

03-Feb-2021 By Matt Brooks

Zonal's product delivery manager on how the pandemic has changed the industry's view on mobile ordering and payment technology.

MEATliquor's Scott Collins: "we're chomping at the bit to reopen"

03-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Restaurant group MEATliquor has used the time its restaurants have been closed during lockdown to streamline its operations and make its offer stronger than ever before, according to managing director Scott Collins.

Branded restaurants see steep decline

03-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Branded restaurants experienced a 16.6% outlet decline in 2020, according to research from Lumina Intelligence’s Operator Data Index.

Sunak told to extend furlough or risk mass unemployment

03-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

The Chancellor has been warned by both leading business groups and the trade union movement that Britain faces a period of mass unemployment if furlough isn't extended.

Endo Kazutoshi opens Sumi in Notting Hill

02-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Sushi master Endo Kazutoshi has launched a second London restaurant in Notting Hill.

Independent Business Network tables £35bn strategy to save hospitality

02-Feb-2021 By Joe Lutrario

A £35bn strategy to save Britain’s pubs, restaurants and high streets from ‘irreversible decline’ has been put forward by pro-Brexit organisation the Independent Business Network.

Hospitality sector could reopen under national rather than regional restrictions

02-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

The hospitality sector could reopen from the third lockdown under national rather than regional restrictions, according to Boris Johnson.

Franco Manca's David Page: third-party delivery is a "frustrating experience"

02-Feb-2021 By Finn Scott-Delany

Franco Manca chairman David Page has spoken of the frustration, but inevitability, of working with delivery partners during the pandemic.

Hostech 2021 to run as a month-long multimedia event in February

02-Feb-2021 By Restaurant

Hospitality technology event Hostech returns this February as a special month-long virtual event and editorial series, bringing you the latest developments in digital technology in the hospitality industry.

India Club crowdfund sets sights on raising £100k after hitting initial target

02-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

A crowdfunding campaign set up to help save The India Club in London’s The Strand from closure has surpassed its initial £25,000 target and is now aiming to raise £100,000.

Marston’s rejects Platinum Equity bid

01-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Brewer and pubco Marston’s has rejected a takeover bid from Platinum Equity Advisors, stating that it 'very significantly undervalues' the business.

Aegean restaurant Pascor opens in Kensington

01-Feb-2021 By James McAllister

Aegean restaurant Pascor has opened in the heart of London's Kensington.