Casual Dining

Jane Hunt replaces Paul Scully to oversee Government's hospitality remit

12-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Jane Hunt MP has been confirmed as the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), replacing Paul Scully in the role.

Premium beer brands becoming more prominent on UK pub and bar drinks menus

11-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Premium beer brands are becoming more prominent on operator menus across UK pub and bar drinks menus, according to data from Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker.

Drinks sales continue to dip as working-from-home bites

08-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Britain’s on premise drinks sales remain just short of the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, CGA’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker shows.

Friday Five: the week's top news

08-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

This week's top news stories include Brewdog's plans to launch the UK's largest pub, St John opening in London's Marylebone, and Tony Parkin announcing he's to leave The Tudor Room.

Spending remains flat as cost of living continues to bite

08-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Average hospitality spend increased just 2% in the 12 weeks ending 12 June despite opportunities for growth including the Jubilee weekend, Lumina Intelligence reveals.

Space saviour: Ravneet Gill on her new platform for pop-ups

08-Jul-2022 By Stefan Chomka

The former pastry chef and founder of Countertalk has launched Spaces, a platform that matches pop-ups and events to suitable venues.

New World Trading Company CEO steps down

07-Jul-2022 By Finn Scott-Delany

Jesper Friis is stepping down as CEO of New World Trading Company (NWTC) in order to return to Denmark with his family.

Fury as Abandon Ship staff made redundant despite assurances jobs were safe

07-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Staff working at two bars owned and operated by collapsed Scottish pub and bar group MacMerry300 have been made redundant despite recent assurances their jobs would be safe.

I am Döner signs multi-site franchise deal

07-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

Premium kebab concept I am Döner has signed a multi-site franchise deal to take the brand to Merseyside and the Isle of Man.

Absurd Bird enters administration

07-Jul-2022 By Finn Scott-Delany

Fried chicken brand Absurd Bird has entered into administration with the closure of its five dine-in restaurants.

Prince of Peckham landlord to launch inclusively-minded pub group

06-Jul-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Prince of Peckham landlord Clement Ogbonnaya has taken on a second South London pub.

The George at Kilsby to relaunch with Hari Shankararkrishnamurthy at the helm

06-Jul-2022 By Joe Lutrario

The George in Kilsby will reopen later this month with chef Hari Shankararkrishnamurthy at the helm having been closed for the past three years.

Matthias Ingelmann on KOL’s progressive cocktail programme

05-Jul-2022 By Joe Lutrario

The Marylebone Mexican restaurant took home the Cocktail List of the year award at the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards last month.

Big dog: Brewdog to launch UK's largest pub next month

05-Jul-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Craft beer brewer and operator Brewdog will open its biggest ever venue next month.

Growth at Oakman Group slows as a result of staff shortages

05-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

Pub operator Oakman Group says that the group has lost 2-3% of growth as a result of having to restrict trading because of a shortage of staff.

'Bleak picture' for night time economy with nearly half of businesses 'barely breaking even'

04-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has issued a fresh call for VAT across the sector to be reduced to 12.5%, amid warnings businesses are facing 'a bleak summer'

Dirty Bones teams with Hero Brands to accelerate growth

04-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

Casual dining restaurant group Dirty Bones is partnering with Hero Brands to accelerate future growth across the UK.

Gusto Italian looks south after posting ‘resilient’ results

04-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

Northern-based restaurant group Gusto Italian is looking to expand south over the coming year after announcing ‘resilient’ financial results for the year to September 2021.

Pret A Manger sees sales increase by 230% for the first half of 2022

04-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

Pret A Manger has reported a sales lift of 230% for the first half of 2022.

Government ad campaign to warn students of needle spiking

04-Jul-2022 By Georgi Gyton

Students beginning university in September are to be targeted with Government ads warning them about the risk of being spiked with needles in nightclubs.

Pub numbers plunge to record low

04-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

The number of English and Welsh pubs fell below 40,000 for the first time during the first half of 2022, research by the real estate adviser Altus Group reveals.

Do competitive socialising operators have the upper hand in premises licence applications?

01-Jul-2022 By David Inzani

David Inzani of solicitor Poppleton Allen examines the rise of the UK's competitive socialising space.

Friday Five: the week's top news

01-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

This week's top news stories include Ukrainian chef Yurii Kovryzhenko's plans to open a London restaurant, warnings of a 'critical situation' in hospitality, and a battle for control of Comptoir.

Rising cost of living forcing younger people to eat out less

01-Jul-2022 By Restaurant

The rising cost of living is starting to bite among 18-34 year-olds with the demographic eating out less frequently in restaurants, new data shows.

Disabled people being denied full access to hospitality

01-Jul-2022 By Georgi Gyton

Disabled people are being denied some of the pleasures of eating and drinking out because of inaccessible or difficult to navigate venues and websites and poor customer service, a new report by the Business Disability Forum has found.

Richard Kleiner re-appointed Comptoir chairman despite AGM result

01-Jul-2022 By Georgi Gyton

Comptoir Group’s Richard Kleiner has been re-elected as chairman despite the resolution to re-elect him not passing at its annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday (30 June).

British Beer & Pub Association calls for permanent tax relief to encourage investment

01-Jul-2022 By James McAllister

The Government should introduce a permanent tax relief to encourage more investment by businesses, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Pret to expand into India

30-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Pret A Manger is to expand into India with up to 100 sites expected to open in the country over the next five years, under its latest global franchise agreement.

Book review: Core

30-Jun-2022 By Stefan Chomka

Clare Smyth's book is fascinating insight into what it takes to be a chef at the very top of their game.

TVG adds to Borough portfolio with two new concepts

30-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

The Venue Group (TVG) is adding to its Borough portfolio with the launch of two new concepts next month, both on Southwark Street

Vita Mojo raises £25m to fund expansion

30-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

Restaurant software company Vita Mojo has raised $30m (£24.7m) of funding to help it expand into new markets.

Industry criticises Government price cut campaign

30-Jun-2022 By Shwetali Sapte

A Government campaign asking businesses to lower prices due to the cost of living crisis has been met with criticism from across the hospitality industry.

Greene King to fill recruitment gap with apprentices and prison leavers

30-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

Pub giant Greene King has pledged to recruit 5,000 more apprentices and 300 prison leavers as part of its drive to fill job vacancies.

Sacha Lord: 'We must work internally to aid staff retention'

30-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester's night time economy adviser, has called on operators to commit to paying the living wage, saying the sector must 'work internally to aid staff retention'.

Government review of short-term letting market welcomed

30-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

The Government’s call for evidence on England’s short-term letting market has been welcomed by trade body UKHospitality following years of it pushing for a review.

NTIA: 'Government must recognise economic, cultural and community value of night time economy'

29-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said the Government must recognise the 'economic, cultural, and community value' of the night time economy.

Matsudai Ramen to open 'Wales' first ramen shop' in Cardiff this August

29-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

Cardiff noodle vendor Matsudai Ramen will open its first bricks and mortar restaurant in early August, which it says will be Wales’ first ramen shop.

Fundamental questions on Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme remain 'unanswered'

29-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

UKHospitality Scotland has warned that the country's forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) could become another form of taxation on businesses and customers, adding to the cost-of-living crisis.

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Recipes for success: Belazu shares two of its best

29-Jun-2022 By Belazu

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ingredient specialist Belazu has come up with a duo of recipes that showcase the quality of its wares.

BrewDog eyes blockchain

29-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

BrewDog is working with digital finance platform Globecap on options for investors to 'tokenise' their equity in the craft beer business.

Comptoir founder calls for resignation of CEO and chairman

29-Jun-2022 By Georgi Gyton

Comptoir Group founder Tony Kitous has written to the board calling for the resignations of chief executive Chaker Hanna and chairman Richard Kleiner as directors of the company.

Levy takes 50% stake in Peppermint

28-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

Sports and hospitality caterer Levy UK and Ireland has taken a 50% stake in bars and event business Peppermint.

Liquid assets: the latest drinks launches for July

28-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

This month sees a number of new spirit collaborations as well as non-alcoholic wines, crafted lemonade and a dessert-led liqueur.

Empanada specialist DE NADAS to make UK debut in Notting Hill

28-Jun-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Next month will see the launch of London’s first empanadería - a restaurant dedicated to empanadas.

'Slimdependence Day' - Slim Chickens to open four restaurants on 4 July

28-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) is to launch four new Slim Chicken sites simultaneously on 4 July in Leicester, Liverpool, Milton Keynes and London’s Bishopsgate.

Chipotle to open first restaurant outside of London

28-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

US burrito brand Chipotle is to open its first UK restaurant outside of London this week in Watford, some 12 years after arriving in the country.

Food standards largely maintained amid two years of upheaval

28-Jun-2022 By Restaurant

Food standards in the UK have largely been maintained following two years of upheaval – however challenges remain over the risk of reduced inspections and import controls.

Hospitality faces 'critical situation' as only one in three businesses reported as profitable

28-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Hospitality businesses across the UK are facing a 'critical situation' with only 37% currently turning a profit, a new study has warned.

Asian bar and kitchen Gura Gura set for UK debut at The Yards

28-Jun-2022 By James McAllister

Gura Gura, a brand-new Asian bar and kitchen concept, has signed at 19 Slingsby Place, The Yards, for its debut restaurant within London’s Covent Garden.

Resetting the bar: how Vinoteca changed the wine bar game

27-Jun-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Having played a key role in reviving the wine bar in London, Charlie Young and Brett Woonton are now bringing Vinoteca to Birmingham.