Sofitel London St James has announced the appointment of Angelo Sparvoli as the new Head Bartender of the five-star hotel’s St James Bar. The arrival of Angelo marks the next stage in the bar’s exciting journey alongside the explorative ‘Imagination’ menu. Angelo Sparvoli joins St James Bar with an impressive résumé. The 28-year-old Italian- native began his foray into the … [Read more...]
Tim Martin attacks the PM over Downing Street parties
In an amazing outburst, even for Tim Martin, the Wetherspoon boss has hit out at the PM and his government’s ‘hypocrisy’ over the infamous parties held at No 10 Downing Street during Covid lockdowns. In its most recent trading update, part of the Wetherspoon statement read: “There would have been a number of advantages for the nation if pubs had been open on 20 May 2020" - the … [Read more...]
Extending Platinum Jubilee licensing hours backed by UKHospitality
Plans to extend licensing hours in England and Wales to 1am for this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations for HM The Queen have been backed by UKHospitality. The trade association has said that they could give Covid-devastated businesses ‘vital extra trading time’ during an extended four-day weekend of revelry. Since last summer, UKHospitality has led calls for licensing … [Read more...]
Stonegate Group announces Director of Legal Operations appointment
Stonegate Group has announced the appointment of James Richards as Director of Legal Operations to focus on legal and estate transactions as well as taking responsibility as Code Compliance Officer under the Pubs Code across the Stonegate Group Pub Partners business. Richards brings extensive experience having worked in the industry for circa 16 years with Spirit Group and … [Read more...]
H&C News Top 10 Pub & Bar News Headlines 2021
PM photographed breaking pub restrictions celebrating election results with mates Tesco asks customers to go and support their local pub today US investment group acquires all 1,300 Punch Pubs BrewDog accused of operating under a culture of toxic fear People development company that operates pubs reporting significant growth Stonegate celebrate career … [Read more...]
Cru Holdings acquires The White House
Cru Holdings, the Highland hospitality group has announced adding The White House a cocktail bar and bistro to its stable of bars and restaurants in the north of Scotland. The acquisition will retain fifteen jobs in the Highland hospitality industry as a result of the deal. Cru Holdings Director Ken Loades said: “When the opportunity presented itself to add The White House … [Read more...]
US investment group acquires all 1,300 Punch Pubs
Fortress Investment Group has today announced the acquisition of 100%, along with existing management, of the share capital of Punch Pubs from Patron Capital Partners. The transaction is entirely funded by equity provided by funds managed by Fortress affiliates, with no additional debt finance, with existing management maintaining its equity ownership. Punch Pubs & Co., … [Read more...]
People development company that operates pubs reporting significant growth
The Oakman Group continues to make excellent progress on several fronts, highlighted by revenues for the 21 weeks to Sunday 5th December, the group has delivered sales of just over £26m. Versus the last comparable data, which is for 2019, this represents like-for-like sales growth of 16.3% and total growth of 34.1%. Oakman does not expect to be negatively impacted by the … [Read more...]
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise our readers… James Askew
By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News Your definition of hospitality? Always striving to push yourself and others to create unforgettable experiences and memories both for guests and for your team. What does sustainability mean to you? Sustainability is about being smart in both what you use and how you use it, not just with food and cooking but also the … [Read more...]
Sam Cary showcases his modern British cooking at The Great Shefford
A privately-owned public house, near Newbury, Berkshire, The Great Shefford originates from 1848, and was acquired by restaurateur Joshua Khan in late 2019. The site underwent a full refurbishment, launching just prior to the pandemic; it reopened in late July 2021, and new Head Chef Sam Cary joined in September 2021. Sam was previously at The Bell at Ramsbury, Sudbury House … [Read more...]
Stonegate launch bespoke training for Craft Union Pub Company
Stonegate Group has launched a bespoke learning and development programme for Craft Union Pub Company. Part of Stonegate’s multi-awarding winning Albert’s Theory of Progression, this programme called Elevation is designed for Regional Managers giving them an internal personal and career development programme specifically designed to develop, elevate and enhance their skills and … [Read more...]
Champagne Bar by Searcys now open
London’s newest underground bar is at 116 Pall Mall, Champagne Bar by Searcys is now open. Behind the stunning façade of the Grade-I listed building, find this hidden gem, which has been reinvented by Searcys into a champagne bar, offering an array of fizz, including one of the largest selections of magnums in London, alongside creative cocktails, British bar bites and a … [Read more...]
Pedalling for Pubs passes £100,000 fundraising-milestone
The intrepid volunteer riders behind initiative Pedalling for Pubs: Cycle Jordan have sprinted past an initial £100,000 fundraising-milestone. The group is on track to smash the original collective total target of raising £140,000 for vital industry charities, organisers say. The brainchild of KAM Media’s Katy Moses, the epic two-wheeled challenge, which is raising funds for … [Read more...]
Organisational hierarchy being flipped on its head by Greene King executive board
Greene King is championing diversity and inclusion through various programmes including the novel Reverse Mentoring approach, where team members from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds mentor the executive leaders. This action follows on from Greene King’s 2020 pledge to become a truly anti-racist and inclusive company with equal opportunities for all. Everyone on … [Read more...]
MOJO helps feed families of children diagnosed with cancer for 10 months
Bar group, MOJO celebrated the launch of its sixth outlet and the arrival of its first bar in Sheffield and in true MOJO style, by raising over £7,000 for the Parents Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia. A charity which offers support to families of children who are undergoing treatment for cancer or leukaemia at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. With over 400 … [Read more...]
