Sodexo food production manager Mark Davidson has been recognised as a Catering Mark Champion at the Soil Association Food for Life Catering Mark Awards. The awards, which took place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London earlier this month, celebrate the determination and passion of individuals who have worked with the Soil Association to promote the Catering Mark in … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2015
Lisa Brook to be GM of Foodco
Foodco has announced the appointment of Lisa Brook as its UK General Manager. The global company has more than 420 fresh food and coffee retail outlets worldwide, with 58 in the UK. Lisa will be predominately based at the UK head office in Cambridge. In her new position, Lisa has been appointed to increase market share, sales and profitability through Foodco’s network of … [Read more...]
Aquae Sulis on market in busy Bath
Bath hospitality specialist Simon Wells from Colliers International has brought the landmark Aquae Sulis B&B to market, having sold the Ayrlington, Kennard and Griffin in 2014. Aquae Sulis is a distinctive 14-bedroom Edwardian property on Newbridge Road which is on the market at £1.6m freehold. The West-based hospitality specialist said: “Aquae Sulis is furbished in … [Read more...]
Dermot King, MD of Butlin’s to Cut Tourism VAT Campaign
Dermot King, Managing Director of Butlin’s will take up the role of Chairman of the Cut Tourism VAT Campaign on behalf of the British Hospitality Association (BHA) with immediate effect. In his new role, Dermot King will join the BHA Board of Directors, working with BHA Chairman Nick Varney, Chief Executive Officer Ufi Ibrahim and the Cut Tourism VAT campaign team. The … [Read more...]
onefinestay announces $40m growth financing and key senior hires
onefinestay, the pioneering hospitality business that offers guests the opportunity to experience handmade hospitality in the finest homes, has announced growth financing and key hires to its leadership team. From opening with six homes, onefinestay’s portfolio across London, New York, Paris and Los Angeles is now six times bigger than the combined inventory of The Ritz, The … [Read more...]
Arrival of Innovation Pubs
Two former colleagues who worked together at Mitchells & Butler and Whitbread have joined forces to start their new pub company. Innovation Pubs, run by Anthony Mitchell and Edward Willson, have purchased their first two pubs and are looking at further sites with the aim of operating up to eight pubs by the end of 2016. Their first two pubs have been purchased from the … [Read more...]
Hi-Spirits reports strong sales growth
UK spirits marketing and distribution specialist Hi-Spirits has reported 9.3% turnover growth to 16.5m, 12.4% gross profit growth to £3.72m and 166% operating profit growth to £417k for the year to 31 March 2015. The company, which distributes brands such as Antica Sambuca, Buffalo Trace bourbon, and Brokers Gin, has also reported sales for the first two months of the … [Read more...]
Frugal Brits opt for staycation
Brits are demonstrating that they are prepared to forego an overseas holiday for the benefit of a well-deserved staycation as they continue to cautiously monitor their spending, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker. The Leisure Spend Tracker has shown that, while consumers are increasingly treating themselves to a holiday, they are still cautious when it … [Read more...]
Sales up for Caring and Caprice Holdings
The Sunday Times reports that Richard Caring’s restaurant and nightclub empire enjoyed significant sales progress in 2013. After another busy 2014, we can expect still more progress when results are reported. Caprice Holdings, which operates many of London’s best known fine dining establishments including the Ivy (pictured above), Le Caprice, Scott’s and J Sheekey, had sales … [Read more...]
Leading British linen company extends its luxury spa collection
Leading British linen company Mitre Linen is extending its spa collection due to popular demand. Following extensive consultation with some of the industry’s top spas, the company is unveiling new vat-dyed towels and couch covers to add its existing super soft white and coloured towels, bathrobes and slippers. Mitre Linen is a key supplier to luxury hotels and spas … [Read more...]
Silverburn leisure extension opens with 11 restaurants
Hammerson has opened its new £20 million leisure extension at Silverburn in Glasgow. The 100,000 sq ft development is anchored by a 50,000sq ft 14-screen Cineworld and features 11 new restaurants, including Carluccio’s, Chimichanga, Cosmo, Zizzi, Pret, TGI Friday’s and Five Guys. Completion of the extension to Silverburn marks the most significant investment project … [Read more...]
The case for championing the Night Time Economy
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has released ‘Forward into the Night’, a report by Professor Frank Furedi on the changing landscape of Britain’s cultural and economic life. The report makes it very clear that the Night Time Economy (NTE) now makes a major contribution to the UK economy – not just in London – that needs to be more widely recognized and … [Read more...]
Debenhams enhances customer experience with new food concessions
Debenhams is to broaden its food and clothing brand offering with a range of new partnerships to be introduced during the second half of 2015. Food brands will include Insomnia Coffee, Chi Kitchen, Patisserie Valerie and Joe & the Juice. The activity comes in addition to the opening of five new stores this autumn - in Rugby, Wandsworth, Beverley, Bradford and Newport - … [Read more...]
EU Commission confirms non-intervention in alcohol policy
The ALMR has welcomed the clear statement by the European Commission that public health and alcohol policy is a matter for national governments, ruling out harmonization of rules across Europe. The Commission was responding to a House of Lords report on the EU Alcohol Strategy published earlier this year which called for greater European intervention, with new regulations on … [Read more...]
Flat Cap Hotels launches with The Vicarage
Flat Cap Hotels is a new countryside boutique 4* brand which will be rolled out throughout Cheshire & the North West, and in 2016 into the South. The Vicarage Freehouse & Rooms (pictured above) is the first under the brand umbrella. New assets are being acquired during 2015 - the plan is to have 5 properties by 2018 – and the progress of Flat cap is sure to be … [Read more...]
