Has it happened to you? You’re in a meeting and suddenly someone brings up The Cloud and you have no idea what they are talking about except that it’s definitely not about the weather. Well, you’re not alone. The Cloud is one of those hot topic tech terms that has created a lot of buzz but seems completely ambiguous and vast in regards to what it actually is. And since we’re … [Read more...]
Archives for August 2019
Exclusive Hotels and Venues re brand Exclusive Collection
Exclusive Hotels and Venues have rebranded as Exclusive Collection, the new brand is designed to reflect a contemporary modern, clean and simple message. Exclusive Collection has adopted a modern typeface and logo featuring an animal for each property. At South Lodge it’s a sheep and a horse for Royal Berkshire, both synonymous with the location. It’s been a busy few … [Read more...]
Hospitality should seriously consider click-and-collect meal service
Off-premises food sales are increasingly becoming big business for the hospitality industry thanks to the rapid rise of web-based ordering and delivery services. Restaurants, pubs and cafés are waking up to the soaring demand for ready-to-eat meals, professionally prepared, ordered online but eaten at home. To put this trend into context some 755 million food deliveries were … [Read more...]
‘Southern Style’ hospitality extended across the North West and Midlands
Hickory’s Smokehouse has agreed to take the lease for a premises currently called ‘The Waterfront and Bonds’ nightclub that fronts The River Severn at Victoria Quay. The first Hickory’s Smokehouse opened in Chester in 2010 following founder Neil McDonnell’s extensive research into the American BBQ and smokehouse sector. The team behind Hickory’s has been operating in … [Read more...]
Red Oak Taverns acquire Wadworth portfolio
Red Oak Taverns have announced the completion of the purchase of a portfolio of 18 leased and tenanted pubs from Wadworth. The acquired pubs are all located in the south and south west of England and strengthen the strong regional focus of Red Oak’s existing estate, that with the acquisition now comprises 179 pubs. Mark Grunnell, Co-founder of Red Oak Taverns said: “We are … [Read more...]
Michelin-starred The Forest Side announce new head chef
Grasmere’s The Forest Side has today announced the appointment of Paul Leonard as its new head chef, following the departure of Kevin Tickle earlier in the month. The Michelin-starred, four AA Rosette restaurant and rooms will welcome Leonard in November 2019. Having previously cooked under the likes of Marcus Wareing and Andrew Fairlie, Leonard’s Michelin … [Read more...]
CH&CO acquire Mitie Catering adding £137m T/O and a footprint in Ireland
CH&CO earlier this morning announced the acquisition of Mitie Catering, comprising Gather & Gather and Creativevents, the workplace catering and events businesses of Mitie. The deal brings an increase in turnover of £137m to CH&CO, 330 more sites across the UK and Ireland, and an additional 3,600 team members to the CH&CO family. Joining the CH&CO … [Read more...]
Scotland’s Dear Green Place making its mark as a major foodie destination
Take a walk around Glasgow city centre and you will find treats for the eyes and for the taste buds at virtually every turn. The city affectionately known as the Dear Green Place is as famous for its distinctive architecture as it is for its many parks. And increasingly, Scotland’s largest city is making its mark on the map as a major foodie destination. These twin … [Read more...]
UK travel hubs now a distinct foodservice market
The UK’s travel hubs, airports, motorway service stations, train stations and petrol forecourts now represent a distinct foodservice market. The value of the travel hub foodservice market increased by over +11% for the year ending June 2019, from £2.47bn to £2.75bn. Visits were up from 576 million to 619 million, an increase of more than 7%. Over the past three years, … [Read more...]
The Battleaxes and The Castle Inn acquired by The Country Pub Group
The Country Pub Group owned by young hospitality entrepreneur Matthew Lowe, has purchased two pubs from Flatcappers, The Battleaxes in Wraxall, and The Castle Inn in Bradford-on-Avon. The Country Pub Group currently owns and runs The Mendip Inn, in Shepton Mallet and the acquisition boosts their portfolio to three. The group will be focusing on providing a consistently … [Read more...]
Food for the Brain accreditation at Royal Berkshire Conference Centre for Levy UK
Royal Berkshire Conference Centre (RBCC) and official catering partner Levy UK have been awarded a ‘Food for the Brain’ catering accreditation for their commitment to nutrition and wellbeing and achieving high standards of nutritional excellence in their food offering. Food for the Brain is an educational charity promoting the importance of nutrition and recognises the food … [Read more...]
Should the Government be investing £1.2bn in The Clink Charity?
The UK’s record on prisons is in comparison to most civilised societies, lamentable, and a huge drain on public funds, as well as public wellbeing. In 2019 the Government’s prison policy seems based on replicating Victorian prisoner warehouses and is now pledging to further fund their growth. In the run up to the imminent general election The Conservative Party with no fear … [Read more...]
FCSI EAME appoint Meiko UK’s Specification Manager
Meiko UK is delighted to announce that Specification Manager Mick Jary has been chosen as the new allied member for the EAME (Europe and Middle East) region of the FCSI. Jary joined Meiko UK in 2017 specifically to increase Meiko’s support for foodservice consultants. He has now been asked to represent the voice of the catering manufacturers to the boards of FCSI EAME and … [Read more...]
From quick serve restaurants to high end restaurants and everything in between
Burgers, beef burgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers, you name it burgers, has seen the humble burger transcend from quick serve restaurants to high end restaurants and everything in between. The popularity of burgers with food and drink outlets is equally abundant due to the high margins available. For some food and drink outlets space for equipment can be an … [Read more...]
Meiko UK fuels unprecedented growth by further strengthening management team
Meiko UK is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Evans as Sales Director UK, Evans brings extensive experience of sales leadership and business development in the catering sector. “Steve is joining Meiko UK as we are experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and in advance of exciting future developments within the Meiko group that will become apparent … [Read more...]