Comrades, the whisperings of a new era are true, our time is near: Imbibe Live is set to rise again on July 1st & 2nd 2014. Be part of the UK on-trade’s most powerful drinks movement in the fight to overthrow the mundane and the mediocre. We are here with a joint purpose, to usher in a new age of exciting and dynamic trends and products, and transform our industry as we … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2014
Women 1st opens nominations for 2014 Shine Awards
Women 1st, the initiative that aims to increase the number of women working in senior positions in hospitality and the wider tourism and visitor economy sector, has opened nominations for its annual Shine Awards. Now in their 10th year, the Women 1st Shine Awards are the only awards that exclusively celebrate the achievements of women working in the hospitality, passenger … [Read more...]
Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin say ‘Non’ to Foie Gras
After being contacted by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) about how birds are force-fed several times a day through metal pipes that are rammed down their throats in order to make foie gras, nationwide boutique hotel groups Malmaison and Hotel du Vin have made the compassionate decision to ban the foodstuff from all their menus in a total of 28 hotels … [Read more...]
Trump for Turnberry
US property tycoon Donald Trump is reported to have bought the Turnberry golf resort, acquiring the entire South Ayrshire complex, including the hotel, from the Dubai-based group Leisurecorp. The price has not been advised, but it is rumoured to be in the region of £35 million, which would be a substantial discount to the price paid by Leisurecorp, particularly since it has … [Read more...]
City Marque capitalises on London’s luxury accommodation gap
City Marque, the London luxury serviced apartments operator, has secured investment worth £2.1 million through Santander’s Breakthrough programme, to finance the next phase of its expansion. Founded in 2009, City Marque offers an attractive and competitive alternative to London’s luxury hotels. The company provides high-end accommodation through apartments in cluster locations … [Read more...]
Macdonald Hotels profits up, refinancing in place
Macdonald Hotels has announced its results for year ended 28 March 2013 and confirmed a new 5 year banking facility totalling £299m with Lloyds Banking Group. As part of the refinancing the Executives now own 100% of the share capital. Group turnover of £138.6m resulted in an increase in operating profit to £14.9m (£13.8m) an increase of 7%. Group profit increased to £3.3m … [Read more...]
Manitowoc Multiplex Beverage Technology triumphs at Innovation Awards
The new beverage product launch from Manitowoc Foodservice – the Multiplex Blend-in-Cup - scooped the ‘Most Innovative Catering Equipment’ accolade at the 2014 Hotelympia Innovation Awards. The Multiplex Blend-in-Cup is the latest innovation in blended beverage equipment by the industry-leading equipment manufacturer. The workstation has been developed to help its customers … [Read more...]
New owners snap up Tenby’s Heywood Mount Hotel
New buyers have snapped up Tenby’s landmark Heywood Mount Hotel from LPA Receivers at Begbies Traynor in a deal brokered by sector specialists Colliers International. Described as the town’s leading hotel, Heywood Mount closed suddenly earlier this year, and new owner Claire Nutty said: “For those couples who arranged wedding receptions at the venue and have not been able … [Read more...]
KFC to deliver 6,000 jobs and five more years of growth in UK
Martin Shuker, Managing Director of KFC, the UK’s favourite chicken restaurant, has announced plans to open 150 new restaurants, creating 6,000 jobs, in the UK and Ireland over the next five years. 2014 marks Shuker’s tenth year at the helm of KFC UK and Ireland, and will see the company investing £21m to open 32 new stores before the end of the year, creating 1,300 new … [Read more...]
Domino’s appoints David Wild as CEO
Domino’s Pizza Group plc has announced that David Wild has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Stephen Hemsley, Non-Executive Chairman, commented: “We are delighted that David will be joining Domino’s permanently as Chief Executive Officer. Since becoming Interim CEO in January, he has impressed the board with his passion and understanding of … [Read more...]
Bath Ales wins Gold at SIBA’s Tuckers Malting Beer Festival
West Country brewer, Bath Ales, has won the top accolade for its Golden Hare beer at SIBA’s annual Tuckers Malting Beer Festival. The awards are designed to showcase the very best products in the region with over 250 different beers on show at this year’s event, and Golden Hare fought off tough competition from The Liberation brewery and The Ramsbury brewery to claim the top … [Read more...]
BrewDog apologises to Portman Group for ‘not giving a ****’
Following the official announcement (see below) from the Portman Group that BrewDog’s Dead Pony Club pale ale is in breach of the alcohol marketing code, BrewDog promptly took the Portman Group to task – in no uncertain terms. James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog commented in a statement: “On behalf of BrewDog PLC and its 14,691 individual shareholders, I would like to issue a … [Read more...]
HCA 2014 Conference speakers call for support for Nutrition & Hydration in patient care
The 2014 Annual National Conference and Exhibition of the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) took place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, NEC, Birmingham on 10 – 11 April. The 2014 Conference theme was “Engineering the Future”, taking its inspiration from Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the South West mechanical and civil engineer whose vision and passion demonstrated that … [Read more...]
Greggs reports good start to year with sales up 4%
GREGGS plc - the leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer in the UK, with almost 1,700 retail outlets throughout the country - has issued an interim management statement showing good trading in the year to date, and expects ‘satisfactory’ results for the year. Total sales in the 17 weeks to 26 April 2014 up 4.0% Own shop like-for-like sales in the first 17 weeks up 3.7% … [Read more...]
#SOCIALCHEF – how can you join the conversation?
A survey conducted at the end of 2013 by industry social media expert Digital Blonde on behalf of Mars Foodservice and the Craft Guild of Chefs found that while many chefs (92.5%) are social media savvy 65.5% would like additional training. And an overwhelming 90.1% of chefs agreed that social media was a great way to increase footfall to their establishment, with 87.9% also … [Read more...]
