Monday
PropelInfonews.com: Figures show record inbound tourism: Official figures showed that foreign traveller numbers to the UK rose by 6% to 34.8 million last year compared to 2013 with spending up by 3% to £21.7 billion. Arrivals from the US, the most valuable market, were up by 4% to 3.7 million – the highest level since before the recession in 2008. The figures indicate that numbers are on par with prime minister David Cameron’s forecast of welcoming 40 million visitors per year by 2020, but that they are likely to supersede this projection by 2017 if the 6% annual growth rate can be maintained.
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: Lib Dems to pledge pub planning policy in election manifesto
By Ellie BothwellEllie Bothwell, 13-Feb-2015
The Liberal Democrats will pledge to force developers to submit planning permission before a pub can be converted to another use or demolished in its General Election manifesto, according to MP Greg Mulholland.
PropelInfonews.com: Metro Inns takes tenth site: Metro Inns has opened its tenth site, The Maids Head, King’s Lynn’s following a £190,000 joint investment with Enterprise Inns. The company, headed by directors Sean Driscol and Gary Wood, already operates nine pubs across East Anglia, including The White Horse, in Gaywood and The Masons Arms, Bury St Edmonds.
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: SIBA calls for third cut in beer duty
By Ellie BothwellEllie Bothwell, 13-Feb-2015
A third cut in beer duty would provide a further boost to growth, employment and investment in British brewing, while increasing tax revenue to the Treasury, the Society of Independent Brewers Association (SIBA) has claimed in its Budget submission.
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/SIBA-calls-for-third-cut-in-beer-duty
PropelInfonews.com: Venture Pub Company takes on first site with Star Pubs & Bars, eighteenth in total: Multiple operator Venture Pub Company has taken on its first pub with Star Pubs & Bars, The Bricklayer’s Arms in Leicester, bringing its estate to a total of 18 sites.
PropelInfonews.com: Award-winning pub boss takes on his third site: The former frontman of the punk band Anti-Pasti, now running two award-winning pubs in Derby, is to take on a third venue, in Burton upon Trent. Martin Roper, landlord of The Exeter Arms and The Silk Mill, both in Derby, will take over the former Caliente restaurant, in High Street, Burton. Although its original name was The Blue Posts when it was a pub, it is being renamed The Crossing because it was next to an old railway crossing. Roper, who was lead singer with the Derby-based punk band Anti-Pasti from 1978 to 1984, said he would provide “cutting edge, contemporary food and drink” in his new venture, which will also boast eight different cask ales.
Tuesday
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: CAMRA crowns its Pub of the Year 2015
By Mike BerryMike Berry, 16-Feb-2015
A former City worker who had never pulled a pint before quitting his job and becoming a publican has picked up the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) National Pub of the Year Award.
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/Salutation-Inn-CAMRA-pub-of-the-year-2015
Hospitalityandcateringnews.com: Canine guests good for business at Monkbar Hotel
A York hotel’s dog friendly status has seen it becoming a “pedigree chum” to a rising number of canine guests.
Over the last 12 months The Best Western Monkbar Hotel has checked in more than 260 dogs accompanying their owners, on both leisure and business breaks, a 20 per cent rise on the year before. Read More
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: Charity begins at the pub in battle against prostate cancer
By Mike BerryMike Berry, 16-Feb-2015
Prostate Cancer UK is calling on pubs to get involved with its new Men United campaign , which aims to help beat the disease.
Wednesday
PropelInfonews.com: Colliers anticipates boom in pension pot investments in hospitality sector after April changes: Colliers International is anticipating a rush to invest in the hospitality sector from over-55s taking advantage of major reforms to the pension system from April which will enable them to access their entire pension pots.
PropelInfonews.com: Casual Dining show sold out: Casual Dining 2015, the award-winning trade event for the UK’s £7bn casual dining pub, bar and restaurant market, is sold out. It will feature more than 150 sector exhibitors when it returns to the Business Design Centre, in Islington, North London, next week on 25 and 26 February.
PropelInfonews.com: Punch pub with own microbrewery attached wins Partner of the Year award: The landlord of a Yorkshire pub who transformed it from a “challenging” venue to a flagship real ale and cider destination with its own microbrewery and a deserved local reputation has won the overall Partner of the Year Award at Punch Taverns’ Regional Partner of the Year awards ceremony. Andrew Stephens from the Closed Shop, Walkley, near Sheffield, beat off competition from more than 360 operators. Punch Tavern’s regional director, Steve Burns, said: “The Closed Shop is worthy of the overall title, having brought the pub back to its former glory just two years after a £250,000 joint investment.
Thursday
PropelInfonews.com: Luminar nightclub hosts Sunday church meetings: A city centre nightclub in Cambridge, Ballare in Lion Yard, owned by Luminar Group is seeing up to 180 people turn up every Sunday for worship. During term-time the nightclub hosts the KingsGate Community Church, where members enjoy food and soft drinks before services with music start at 6.30pm, running until 8pm, with the option to stay on afterwards to socialise. Steve Squirrell, a student worker with KingsGate, said: “It is just a fantastic venue right in the centre of town, with great facilities and known by every student in Cambridge.
Friday
PropelInfonews.com: Dagenham chip shop wins title of UK’s best: A chip shop in east London has been named the best in the UK. The Golden Fish in Dagenham was given the accolade by the Potato Council after beating off competition from 900 rival restaurants.
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: Starbucks reveals plans to sell alcohol in more UK stores
By James Wallin, M&C ReportJames Wallin, M&C Report, 20-Feb-2015
Starbucks is planning to roll out its evening concept – which includes the sale of alcohol – to other UK stores after its debut at the coffee giant’s Stansted Airport outlet.
PropelInfonews.com: New high-profile restaurant due for Brayford Pool in Lincoln: A high-profile restaurant is set to be built on Brayford pool. The two-storey eatery and bar opposite Chimichanga in Brayford Wharf North would sit a few yards from a 100-seater, 30-job Wagamama . The new plans are similar in style and size. Investors in Lincoln, the regeneration group which works with the Brayford Trust, spearheaded the arrival of Wagamama and is behind the latest venture.
Dates for Your Diary
Casual Dining Show 24th & 25th February www.casualdiningshow.co.uk
British Pie Week: 2nd – 8th March www.britishpieweek.co.uk