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London hotels outperformed by the regions in February

London hotels outperformed by the regions in February

By Peter Ruddick

Hotels in the regions enjoyed a bigger rise in revenue per available room (RevPAR) than those in London for the first month in two and a half years in February, according to the latest market data from hotel consultancy firm PKF.

Budget 2012: The pub and bar industry's reaction

Budget 2012: The pub and bar industry's reaction

By Peter Ruddick

The Chancellor George Osborne's decision to refuse to budge on the controversial beer duty escalator in the Budget has been widely criticised by the pub and bar sector as a missed opportunity to reverse a policy that continues to lead to job losses...

Wine sales at restaurants, hotels and pubs fall 6% in 2011

Wine sales at restaurants, hotels and pubs fall 6% in 2011

By Emma Eversham

Volume sales of wine at restaurants, hotels and pubs fell 6 per cent in 2011, according to the latest Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) Market Report with spirit sales down slightly less at 2 per cent. 

IHG reveals strong profit and revpar growth in 2011 results

IHG reveals strong profit and revpar growth in 2011 results

By Peter Ruddick

InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) has announced global operating profits of over $550m in 2011, representing annual growth of 26 per cent, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) also rose despite a fall in the last quarter of the year in the UK and...

Whitbread records sales increase of 13% in Q2

Whitbread records sales increase of 13% in Q2

By Becky Paskin

Whitbread, the UK’s largest hotel and restaurant group, has seen sales for the second quarter this year increase by 12.9 per cent, making it one of the fastest growing consumer-facing companies in the FTSE100.

UK hotels’ buoyant summer expected to dip in August

UK hotels’ buoyant summer expected to dip in August

By Becky Paskin

UK hoteliers have enjoyed a buoyant summer season so far, underpinned by a continued trend for the staycation, although operators are being warned not to expect the same result for August.

Premium brands driving on-trade spirits growth

Premium brands driving on-trade spirits growth

By Becky Paskin

A growth in cocktails, premium drinking venues and the rise of the Weekend Millionaire has fuelled growth of the spirits market, which is largely driven by premium brands.

M&B takes hit from weakened consumer spending

M&B takes hit from weakened consumer spending

By Emma Eversham

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) says it is feeling the effects of weakened consumer spending as like-for-like sales for the first 42 weeks of the year rise just 3 per cent.

Pub operating costs stabilise, growth expected ahead

Pub operating costs stabilise, growth expected ahead

By Lorraine Heller

Pub operating costs are stabilising for the first time since 2007, indicating that Britain’s pubs and bars have a good platform for growth, reveals a benchmarking report from ALMR.

Hoteliers have their work cut out over next year, says PwC

Hoteliers have their work cut out over next year, says PwC

By Lorraine Heller

Hotels in the UK have been through a volatile six months, and although revenue is likely to continue growing the landscape ahead will be challenging, said PricewaterhouseCooper (PxC) in its latest report.

Whitbread first quarter performance hit by Royal Wedding

Whitbread first quarter performance hit by Royal Wedding

By Lorraine Heller

Premier Inn operator Whitbread has reported a continued sales increase in its first financial quarter, but said that business suffered in April as a result of the extended Easter and the Royal Wedding holiday.

IHG increases profits by a third

IHG increases profits by a third

By Lorraine Heller

InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) has increased its first quarter profit by more than a third on the back of strong growth in the US and China.

Cider is only alcohol to escape drops in consumption

Cider is only alcohol to escape drops in consumption

By Lorraine Heller

Consumption of cider in the UK has increased marginally over the past year, although volumes were down for beer, wine and spirits, according to the latest data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

British palate becoming more European, finds survey

British palate becoming more European, finds survey

By Lorraine Heller

The modern British palate is becoming increasingly European, with the majority of consumers in the country saying they like to try British dishes that incorporate European ingredients, finds a new survey.

UK hotels reveal trends to beat competition in 2011

UK hotels reveal trends to beat competition in 2011

By Lorraine Heller

Most UK hoteliers don’t plan to increase room rates in 2011, but a more competitive landscape is prompting them to invest in renovation, mobile marketing and social media, according to a new survey by TripAdvisor.

‘Non-essential’ hotel spend due to decline, warn asset managers

‘Non-essential’ hotel spend due to decline, warn asset managers

By Lorraine Heller

Hotels throughout the country are expecting to see more growth in their food and beverage offering than in their overall business, but asset managers Vision warn that the landscape ahead is not so rosy for the non-room side of hotel business.

Whitbread sees ‘continued growth’

Whitbread sees ‘continued growth’

By Becky Paskin

Premier Inn and Costa Coffee operator Whitbread has today revealed a 7.9 per cent hike in like for like sales for the 24 weeks to 19 August

Only a fifth of diners use discount vouchers

Only a fifth of diners use discount vouchers

By Martyn Leek

The value of discount vouchers in the eating and drinking out sector was put into question today after a new study found that only 17 per cent of customers take advantage of the offers

Eating out market set to reach £40.5bn this year

Eating out market set to reach £40.5bn this year

By Martyn Leek

A new report from Allegra Strategies suggests that the UK informal eating-out market will grow by 1 per cent to reach £40.5bn by the end of the year, despite growth being pegged back by recession

Leeds diners dubbed UK's most generous tippers

Leeds diners dubbed UK's most generous tippers

By Emma Eversham

Diners in Leeds are the most generous tippers in the UK, according to a survey by discount and deals website MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, while their Swansea counterparts are the least likely to leave a tip when eating out

Analysts predict 3% revpar rise at UK hotels in 2010

Analysts predict 3% revpar rise at UK hotels in 2010

By Emma Eversham

Analysts PricewaterhouseCoopers predict that revpar at UK hotels will rise 3 per cent this year and will rise another 5 per cent in 2011 as business travellers and conference bookings return

January’s snowfall caused ‘havoc’ for UK hotels

January’s snowfall caused ‘havoc’ for UK hotels

By Becky Paskin

While the January snow benefited some hotels in the regions, by leaving stranded travellers needing a last minute bed for the night, many experienced a negative month with occupancy levels falling

British tourism industry set for bumper 2010

British tourism industry set for bumper 2010

By Emma Eversham

Britain is set to benefit from a domestic tourism boom for a second year running, with the high Euro and frustrations with air travel the main reasons for Brits choosing to holiday at home again this year.