PHS Waterlogic, Europe’s largest supplier of mains-fed water dispensing and purifying systems, has announced that it is the world’s first company to have the carbon footprint of its water dispenser service certified by Carbon Trust Certification and to display the Carbon Reduction Label. Carbon Trust Certification certified the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2012
Innovative energy saving product keeps costs down
The economic downturn, coupled with hikes in energy prices and the proposal for a minimum price per unit for alcohol, is increasing the financial burden to those involved in the food and drink sector, creating a scenario where every penny saved really does count, says Bill Tripp of Innserve Ltd. For those running pubs the burden has been disproportionately harsh, forcing … [Read more...]
Nathan Outlaw’s – Fish & Chips for Friday
This video by Great British Chefs shows Nathan Outlaw preparing and cooking Fish & Chips, the attention to detail shows why tips from chefs can make a big difference, here getting all the basics right is the key to producing a classic fish & chips, enjoy. … [Read more...]
Burger King plans aggressive expansion
Perhaps reflecting the growth of the quality burger market in the UK, Burger King has signed to open four more restaurants at the Rock, Bury, the Queensgate Centre, Peterborough, Freeport Talke Outlet Village, Staffordshire, and Meridian Leisure Park, Leicester. These are reported to be the first in a wave of new openings to come as Burger King sets about a vigorous … [Read more...]
Ramada Birmingham Solihull hotel acquired by overseas investor
The Ramada Birmingham Solihull, brought to the market earlier this year by Christie + Co on behalf of the joint administrators of Ailsa Solihull Limited, has been sold. The 145-room hotel, located in the centre of Solihull, has been acquired by SGS Hotels (UK) Ltd, which is looking to build a small hotel group. SGS Hotels is a subsidiary of Indian company Subhash Gulati … [Read more...]
Wetherspoon flushes with success!
It’s official - Wetherspoon has the best pub loos across the UK. It swept the board in the pubs and wine bars category of the Loo of the Year Awards 2012, being named as the national category award winner in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. H & C News congratulates Wetherspoon: if the loos at The Prestwick Pioneer (pictured above) are typical, then … [Read more...]
Accor UK development pipeline
Hotel operator Accor is reported by Property Week to have acquired 4 sites for hotel development – one in London and as many as three in Edinburgh. The London site is at Marsh Street in Canary Wharf and is set to be a 310 room Novotel which will open in 2015. Edinburgh starts with a 103 room Ibis Styles in St Andrews Square, opening in later 2013. The other two properties … [Read more...]
Deal pipeline strong in bars and restaurant sector as Burger Boys lead the way
Nimble operators, a shift toward quality, and a renaissance in burgers and quality fast food has given the M&A market the confidence to invest in the UK’s restaurant and bars sector, and the trend will continue into 2013. This is the prediction of BDO’s ‘Restaurant and Bars Report’, with successful brands like brasserie Côte and burger specialist Byron likely to change … [Read more...]
Whitbread outperforms as it expands
Whitbread PLC has reported its trading performance for the third quarter to 29 November 2012, showing total sales up 14.4%, and like for like sales up across all parts of the business. Whitbread has outlined five-year growth milestones (to 2015/16) to increase the number of Premier Inn UK rooms to at least 65,000, to add 80-100 new Restaurants and to nearly double the size … [Read more...]
Spirit plans an apprentice in all 791 managed pubs
Spirit Pub Company has renewed its contract with Charnwood Training Group to deliver apprenticeship training throughout its managed estate. Charnwood has been working with the Spirit team for two and a half years now and over 400 apprentices are working towards their qualification or have already graduated from level 2 qualifications within the programme. The value of … [Read more...]
Wines and spirits market challenged by belt tightening
The latest Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) Market Report shows across the board falls in wines and spirits sales volumes, as consumers continue to tighten their belts. Sparkling wine in the off trade and sales of cider in bars and restaurants were two of the product categories to buck this trend. Against a backdrop of declining total alcohol sales, down 2% in the … [Read more...]
Bramwell completes 2012 investment, earmarks further £10 million
The opening of the Cornhill in Bridgwater on 8 December signified the completion of the Bramwell Pub Company’s investment programme for 2012: since the company’s inception in September, Bramwell has invested almost £2million across ten sites opening. The refurbishment programme has included pubs within the newly segmented trading formats across the breadth of the UK: from … [Read more...]
Kensington – Earl’s Court is 50th Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo, IHG’s upscale boutique brand, will reach 50 properties with the opening of hotels in London and New Orleans, two cities renowned for their rich history and culture, making them important markets for boutique hotels. Hotel Indigo has grown rapidly since its launch in 2004, and the openings of Hotel Indigo London Kensington-Earl’s Court and Hotel Indigo New … [Read more...]
International tourism hits one billion for 2012
One billion tourists have travelled the world in 2012, marking a new record for international tourism – a sector that accounts for one in every 12 jobs, 9% of global GDP (direct, indirect and induced impact), and 30% of the world’s services exports. On the symbolic arrival date of the one-billionth tourist (13 December 2012), UNWTO revealed the actions tourists can take to … [Read more...]
300 million view TripAdvisor content on other sites each month
TripAdvisor has announced that the number of people who view TripAdvisor content on sites other than TripAdvisor has doubled since last year to over 300 million per month, as marquee brands around the world—including Accor, Wyndham Hotel Group, Best Western and Thomas Cook—now partner with TripAdvisor to display TripAdvisor traveller content on their sites. And it’s not just … [Read more...]