Monday 19/10/15
Morningadvertiser: Cambridge publican awarded £25,000 in compensation after being wrongly evicted
By Emily Sutherland, 19-Oct-2015
A Cambridge publican has been awarded £25,000 in compensation after being sprayed with a form of pepper spray and being physically removed from his pub. Read More
Tuesday 20/10/15
Propelinfonews.com: Final Marco Pierre White site in Norfolk sold: The Wayford Bridge Inn situated in the Norfolk Broads National Park, the final pub of the sites previously operated by Marco Pierre White that went into administration, has been sold by agent Fleurets. The property, which has 15 en-suite letting bedrooms, has been sold to an “experienced” Norfolk hotelier.
Wednesday 21/10/15
Golf Club Management: Derbyshire club’s future secured with seven figure investment: Derby Golf Club, home to the Sinfin golf course, is to benefit from nearly £1 million of investment after having its future secured due to an agreement between its local authority and a private trust.Derby City Council has leased the municipal golf club to Sheffield-based 7 Hills Leisure Trust for the next 15 years in a bid to save thousands of pounds. Had the deal not gone ahead there were fears that the 92-year-old club would have closed down. Councillor Martin Rawson said: “It takes a revenue cost away from the council and enables golf to continue there, which is obviously a positive. Also, 7 Hills are putting nearly £1 million of their own money in to invest in facilities.” The course at Sinfin were tendered for privatisation in 2009 because it was costing the city council scores of thousands of pounds a year to run. But negotiations with Mack Trading, which wanted to lease the course and a neighbouring one for 50 years, broke down in 2012. Steve Brailey, chief executive of Seven Hills, said: “We’re delighted to be working on this exciting new project at Sinfin. In recent years, there have been upgrades to the course facilities and we’re looking forward to building on this to grow participation. “As well as further investment in facilities, we’ll be introducing a range of great-value membership and learn to play packages at Sinfin designed to attract even more people of all ages and abilities to get into golf and also strengthen the talent development pathway.” A spokesman added: “7 Hills Leisure Trust will introduce cheaper rounds during the week as well as its popular Golfit membership package and goGOLF scheme.” Golfit is a membership scheme which will provide unlimited access to Sinfin as well as four other golf courses – Tapton Park in Chesterfield and Beauchief, Birley Wood and Tinsley Park in Sheffield. Members also benefit from priority tee time booking, Fitness Unlimited membership offering swimming, gym and spa facilities and fitness classes at six leisure venues, 15 percent off food at cafes across the golf and fitness venues, priority booking and discounts for golf events and a lifeCARD offering up to 20 percent discount on activities such as ice skating and sports activities. goGOLF teaches the basics of golf – from grip and posture to swing and putting – during three 30-minute golf lessons with a PGA-qualified coach. Every year, the Sinfin course attracts more than 22,500 visitors. It was also played by Sir Henry Cotton as part of fund raising for the war effort in 1940.
Thursday 22/10/15
Imbibe.com: Sugar tax will cost pubs and restaurants millions, says Wetherspoon boss: JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has slammed suggestions by Jamie Oliver that the Government should introduce a 10p sugar tax on soft drinks, saying it would lead to pub closures. The TV personality and chef has introduced a 10p tax on fizzy or sugary drinks in his restaurants and is calling on the Government to introduce a tax on sugary drinks in the UK. Restaurant chains including Leon have already introduced the ‘tax’. However, Wetherspoon founder and chairman Martin has criticised the ‘big brother tax’, saying it would make pubs even more uncompetitive against supermarkets who are better able to absorb additional costs. He said: ‘A new tax on soft drinks will cost pubs millions at a time when prices in pubs are already very high compared to supermarkets. Jamie Oliver runs restaurants which cater to an affluent clientele. He is either courting the favour of the elite or is badly out of touch with the majority of people. ‘I believe that he should campaign for tax equality for pubs, restaurants and supermarkets, since pubs and restaurants pay 20% VAT on food sales, compared to zero for supermarkets. Showboating of this kind by Jamie Oliver will close pubs.’ The company, which has 950 pubs across the UK, said Pepsi is now its biggest selling draught product with 580,000 drinks served in the past seven days, of which 197,000 were Diet Pepsi. It also says it has served almost one million teas and coffees in the same period, all of which were served sugar-free.
BigHospitality.com: Nottingham’s Das Kino team to open Hockley Arts Club
By Emma Eversham+, 21-Oct-2015
The team behind Nottingham bar and entertainment venue Das Kino is set to open a four-storey bar and hospitality space in the former offices of a silk merchants in Nottingham. Read More
Propelinfonews.com: BrewDog signs deal for first site in East Anglia: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has struck a deal to take over the grade II-listed premises on Queen Street, Norwich, which were previously leased to the Hideout bar, according to property agents Arnolds Keys. The company currently has 23 bars in the UK, and a further 11 overseas, in locations ranging from Helsinki to Sao Paulo. This launch will mark the first BrewDog bar in East Anglia, with the nearest venues being in London and Leicester. “We are really pleased that we have been able to attract such an eclectic brewery to Norwich, and bring important bar premises back to life,” said Arnolds Keys partner Craig Knights. “The building occupies a prominent position on Queen Street in one of the city’s best night-time activity areas, close to a number of other bars and restaurants. BrewDog offers something different, which will complement the other bar offerings, and bring something genuinely new to Norwich.”
Leisuremanagement.co.uk: First spa apprentices take part in learning ‘The Macdonald Way’: Privately-owned UK hotel group Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has welcomed its first spa apprentices, who are working towards a standardised beauty step programme – “The Macdonald Way,” in partnership with the International School of Beauty Therapy. The apprentices attended a two-day interactive induction workshop at the Macdonald Craxton Wood Hotel and Spa under the leadership of Jeanette Jones, Macdonald Hotels’ managing director of leisure & spa. “It has been very exciting and a great pleasure to welcome our first apprentices to the programme, and I’m hoping this will give them the confidence to become the finest spa therapists,” said Jones. “I have been very impressed with their knowledge and passion for the industry, and am looking forward to seeing them progress using the tools and procedures we have put in place.”
Friday 23/10/15
Propelinfonews.com: Loco Mexicano to open third site – and first outside London – in Loughborough: Mexican bar and restaurant Loco Mexicano is to open its third site – and first outside London – in Loughborough, Leicestershire. The company has been confirmed as the final restaurant tenant at the new multi-million pound cinema development in the town. It will join PizzaExpress, Nando’s, Asian buffet and bar Mimosa, Casual Dining Group brand Bella Italia, Brazilian grill-house Preto, cafe and bistro Loungers and Starbucks at the complex that is being anchored by an eight-screen, 1,118 seat Cineworld cinema. Toby Baines, chairman of Citygrove, which is running the scheme, told the Loughborough Echo the development should open at the end of April or beginning of May. He added of the Loco Mexicano signing: “We wanted to make sure it wasn’t pizza or pasta and to get a cross section and that the restaurants do not cannibalise each other. We did not push people away but tried not to offer the same brand. They (Loco Mexicano) are excited about the local demographic and student population.” Loco Mexicano’s two existing restaurants are in Victoria and Westbourne Grove in London.
Boutique Hotel News: Olga Polizzi and Hotel Gotham are Independent Hotel Show award winners: Creator of Hotel Tresanton and new entry to the Manchester boutique hotel market triumph at the Independent Hotel Show 2015. The eldest daughter of Lord Charles Forte, Olga Polizzi won the Independent Hotelier award, celebrating her extended involvement within the luxury hotel sector and encompassing her role as design director of Rocco Forte Hotels. An acclaimed hotel owner with her own portfolio of independently owned hotels – Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall and Hotel Endsleigh in Devon, she is renowned for her design influence and loving restoration of hotels. She said: “Our business is not an easy one and I am particularly proud to win this award from the Independent Hotel Show. It is a lovely award to achieve, especially because it has been voted for by so many people in all areas of our business – hoteliers, manufacturers and suppliers. It is a real plus to know that I have been acknowledged and I am delighted.” Outstanding New Hotel winner Hotel Gotham was opened in April 2015, by the Bespoke Hotels group. The Grade II listed Art Deco building sits on King Street, and features 60 guestrooms, the 68-cover Honey restaurant and private members bar Club Brass. Jeff Ward, managing director of Hotel Gotham, said: “Receiving this award is probably the biggest pat on the back for a job well done. I came into the team back in November and we opened in April. We’ve just won the best award I could have won in such a short period of time” The awards were presented by Alison Dolan, deputy managing director of Sky Business and sponsors of the year’s awards, and Peter Hancock, CEO of Pride of Britain Hotels. Peter Hancock said: “The Independent Hotel Show is recognising the efforts of real entrepreneurs, people who have taken risks to build up a business and have excelled despite all the economic difficulties. Obviously one feels sorry for the nominees that didn’t win – equal in stature in my opinion – but what a joy to be part of this occasion and a beautifully organised show.”
Propelinfonews.com: Heavenly Desserts to open fourth site in Nottingham next month: Midlands-based artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts is to open its fourth site next month. The company has taken a 10-year lease on a 3,873 square foot unit in Angel Row, Nottingham, within metres of the Old Market Square. Established in 2007, Heavenly Desserts focus on quality and variety, which extends to both its take-out and eat-in menus. Alan Pearson of FHP, which acted on behalf of the private landlord, said: “It’s a pivotal time for Nottingham’s leisure scene. We have seen other big names such as George’s Kitchen, Reds True Barbecue and Bill’s have success in the city; Heavenly Desserts is expected to come as no exception. They cater to a niche market where the city has previously not ventured. Having a specific focus, where other restaurants haven’t specialised, will allow them to stand prominent within the city. It also brings a new dimension to the restaurant scene, bringing more options for younger consumers and those simply opting for a more relaxed evening.” Heavenly Desserts currently has restaurants in Birmingham and Leicester and a cafe at the Intu shopping centre in Derby.
Hospitality & Caterering News: BHA calls for new law on tipping and service charges: Restaurants and hotels should be legally required to tell customers how service charges and tips are distributed among staff. That’s the message from the British Hospitality Association (BHA) in a new initiative proposed to Business Secretary Sajid Javid. The BHA – which represents 40,000 hospitality establishments in the UK – wants the Government to introduce legislation to make businesses reveal exactly what happens to the ‘extras’ customers pay at the end of a meal. “For us it’s all about transparency,” said Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the BHA, which has outlined the proposal in a letter to the Business Secretary. “Although restaurants are legally entitled to deduct administration costs from service charges, for example, we think it’s important the customers understands exactly how much is deducted and why. Read More
Morningadvertiser: Pub operators failing to pay minimum wage named and shamed
By Oli Gross, 22-Oct-2015
Three pub operators have been named and shamed on a list of companies neglecting National Minimum Wage requirements. Read More
Sunday 25/10/15
Supplymanagement.com: UK hotels anticipate lower growth in 2016: UK hotels outside London experienced double-digit growth in revenue in 2014, which is expected to increase by a further 6.3 per cent this year and 4.2 per cent in 2016, according to a report. But the UK hotels forecast 2016 published by PwC added revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth is only anticipated to be 2.7 per cent in the capital in 2015, and rise by a further 2.3 per cent next year. But it added if this growth was achieved, London could still be 6 per cent above pre-recession levels. The authors said growth in 2016 was expected to be “at a slower pace”, and the impact of the National Living Wage for instance – with potentially significant increases to current hotel payroll costs – remained to be seen. PwC said despite economic issues affecting the Eurozone and countries like Russia, Brazil and China, the first six months of 2015 saw over 16.8 million overseas visits to the UK, a 3 per cent increase over 2014. London occupancies have averaged 80 per cent or above since 2006 and PwC’s forecast for 84 per cent this year and next would be the highest this decade. The slowdown in the first half of the year affected the mid-market hotels more than the luxury or budget accommodation and around the UK many cities continued to see strong RevPAR growth in the first half of 2015. Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool, Nottingham, Plymouth and Southampton all saw double-digit growth. There has been a continuing shift towards choosing branded hotels and a decline in the mid-market and the independent sector – over 50,000 rooms have closed between 2000 and 2014 alone – as demand for budget products increased. More recently hotels have also been facing increasing competition across London from serviced apartments, new style hostels and shared economy spaces like Airbnb, Homeaway and Flipkey.
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