Monday 4/7/16
Propelinfonews.com – Nottingham-based operator Junkbars opens third site in city: Nottingham-based operator Junkbars has opened its third site in the city. The company, owned by Nigel Garlick and Sam Dean, has launched The Herbert Kilpin pub in Bridlesmith Walk, creating ten jobs. It has opened on the site of the former The Rhinegold restaurant, which has been dormant for more than 20 years, supported with finance facilities worth £100,000 from The Royal Bank of Scotland. The pub is named after Herbert Kilpin, a Nottingham-born and bred English footballer pioneer, player and manager and was best known as the founder of AC Milan. It is next to Junkbars’ original site Junkyard – the craft beer and deli food venue that opened 18 months ago. Garlick told The Business Desk: “The Herbert Kilpin will deliver something that contrasts as well as complements Junkyard. Nottingham is blessed with so many old and historic pubs but we have felt that there is a need for an urban and contemporary pub in Nottingham’s city centre.” The company also operates the Boilermaker cocktail bar in Carlton Street.
Propelinfonews.com – Land Securities withdraws TGI Friday’s plan in Cambridge: A plan for a new TGI Friday’s in the middle of Cambridge Leisure Park has been scrapped. The scheme’s backers withdrew the application this week with the plans heading for rejection by city council planners. The park’s owners Land Securities were bidding to build a TGI Friday’s restaurant in the main square of Cambridge Leisure Park, off Hills Road near the railway station. But there had been widespread concern about the loss of the only open space at the park, which is already heavily developed. The new restaurant would have occupied the equivalent of 30% of the open space at the park. Land Securities had argued the area is currently underused and wanted to provide a children’s play area to offset the loss of open space. “The square was the central part of the council approving the leisure park development in the first place – it really wasn’t envisaged to get rid of the open space,” city council leader Cllr Lewis Herbert said.
Tuesday 5/7/16
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – Courts protect famous music pub in landmark victory
By Oli Gross, 05-Jul-2016
A famous live music pub has won a legal battle against the development of nearby block of flats, in a decision which has been hailed as a landmark victory for grassroots music venues.
Propelinfonews.com – Leicester-based entrepreneur co-launches Indian and craft beer restaurant concept in Warwick: Leicester-based entrepreneur Mashuk Miah has co-launched an Indian restaurant concept serving locally sourced craft beers in Warwick. Miah has opened Jambavan, which means “King of Bears”, with brother Bokul in Castle Street. Miah, who has been in the hospitality business for 25 years with restaurants in Leicester, told the Coventry Telegraph: “We chose this unusual name for the restaurant because Jambavan is the King of Bears in an Indian epic and it establishes our link with the county town, as Warwickshire’s emblem is the bear and ragged staff. We have 70 covers and will be sourcing local fresh produce and stocking a variety of local craft ales. In addition to our Indian meals, we will also serve sandwiches and snacks in the future – and creating some new cocktails, alongside the more traditional ones.” Nick Watts, a commercial solicitor from Blythe Liggins who negotiated the lease on the Castle Street premises, said: “Warwick and Leamington have become very popular with diners from all over the region for their quality eateries, and there is no doubt Jambavan will add to that list of successful restaurants.”
Propelinfonews.com – Nottingham vegetarian and vegan cafe owner opens pub in city: The owner of the Nottingham vegetarian and vegan Alley Cafe And Bar has opened a pub in the city. Benjamin Rose has taken on the lease of the Old Angel Inn, which he has reopened as an organic gastro-pub and live music venue with a micro-brewery. Now called The Angel Micro-Brewery, it serves food made from organic, locally sourced produce. There is also a large selection of organic wines. Future plans involve setting up a micro-garden, where the pub will grow its own vegetables, fruit and herbs to ensure sustainability. Rose told the Nottingham Post: “Taking over such a recognised Nottingham venue is an honour and an absolute challenge at the same time. We have so many great plans for the building and it will continue to develop in so many different directions. We’ve tried to keep as much of the traditional character in the main room as possible so we’ve not been too extravagant. We’ve completely changed one room to make it into a micro-brewery so we can brew all our own beer.” Rose launched the Alley Cafe and Bar in Cannon Court 16 years ago.
Wednesday 6/7/16
Propelinfonews.com – Pubco’s plans approved to turn Leicester’s oldest house into bar and restaurant: A pubco’s plans to turn Leicester’s oldest house into a bar and restaurant have been approved. 006pubco, which also runs Taps bar in nearby Guildhall Lane, had already agreed a 25-year lease with Leicester City Council for 15th century Wygston’s House in Applegate. Now permission has been approved to change the registered use of the grade II-listed premises from a museum. However, the new venue cannot operate between midnight and 7.30am. Geoff Thornton, 006pubcodirector, told the Leicester Mercury: “Wygston’s House is going to be a family-friendly destination for dinner or a drink, but we also hope to serve breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and plan to host wedding receptions and private functions. As we did at Taps, our intention is to carry out a sympathetic conversion.” The timber-framed hall at the heart of the building dates to the 1490s.
Thursday 7/7/16
Eastern Daily Press – The Norwich restaurant where you can only get desserts: It is news that is sure to have the sweet-toothed salivating. A top pastry chef who carved out a career at a string of Michelin-starred restaurants in London has decided to open a dessert restaurant in Norwich. Jaime Garbutt, 34, worked at the Waffle House in the Fine City before a call to Gordon Ramsay’s company started his meteoric rise. He has worked with Marcus Wareing at Petrus, which has two Michelin stars, was Yotam Ottolenghi’s pastry chef at his flagship restaurant, opened Playboy Mayfair where he served stars from Snoop Dogg to Stevie Wonder, founded Jinjuu London and has appeared on Iron Chef USA. His daughter Ella is now 19 months old and with a second daughter on the way he decided to return to Norwich with his American wife Stephanie, 32, who he met while she was completing a post-graduate degree at UEA. They have now opened their restaurant, called Figbar, in St John Maddermarket, and the desserts are the stars of the show. Among the tantalising options on the launch menu are a twist on Norfolk strawberries and cream featuring homemade ice cream, gin and tonic jelly, elderflower Chantilly and candied pistachios, and yuzu brulee with passion fruit curd, blackberry sorby, yoghurt mousse and crispy rice shortbread. There is also a strong selection of local teas and coffees, cakes, croissants, savories such as a chorizo pork pie, and the restaurant has applied for an alcohol licence. “The whole point of this was to bring desserts into focus,” explained Mr Garbutt. “If you go out in the city for a meal, to the theatre or the cinema, you might not want the night to end. “Unless you go to the pub there’s a lack of places you can go later in the evening and have anything like a snack or a dessert that’s not in a traditional pub setting. “Hopefully people will embrace this kind of way of eating.” They also hope to catch the pre-theatre crowd, and will open through the day as a meet-up spot for people. Mr Garbutt said everything on site would be made by him – from the bread to the ice cream, the pork pies to the cakes. “When you buy stuff in you lose a certain amount of control,” he said. “When you make it yourself it’s exactly the way you want it.” There is a focus on local ingredients, and Norfolk graffiti artist Tony Allen helped with the interior design – with Mrs Garbutt looking after more or less everything in the restaurant aside from food preparation. For Mr Garbutt, working with desserts was an easy decision. “I’ve got a really big sweet tooth,” he revealed. “For me the essence of pastry is that you take things like flour, sugar, butter and eggs which in themselves are nothing much but the possibilities they present are infinite. “The amount you can do is just endless.” He said he took inspiration from the work of Heston Blumenthal and enjoyed the science behind the food. The food preparation area of the modern restaurant is on display, and Mr Garbutt keeps a blackboard of ideas, with the menu set to evolve. “We will be quite fluid and we will experiment,” he said. “I want to provide variety for people coming back, but keep a few favourites on the menu all the time.” He said he would get “obsessed” about an ingredient after he eats it somewhere or sees it on TV, and that familiarity and childhood memories were key in creating new dessert ideas. He hoped to work with City College and social enterprise The Feed, and has not forgotten his roots. “I still like going back to the waffle house and having a bolognese,” he smiled.
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – Licensee’s furious response to beer pricing TripAdvisor complaint
By Oli Gross, 06-Jul-2016
TripAdvisor reviewers can be infuriatingly harsh in their assessments of pubs, and none more so than a customer who branded his experience ‘terrible’ based purely on the price of a pint.
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – ‘Predatory purchasing’: Co-op accused of breaking promise to protect viable pubs
By Oli Gross, 07-Jul-2016
The Parliamentary Save the Pub Group has accused Co-op of ‘predatory purchasing’, and breaking a promise not to pursue the conversion of viable community pubs.
Propelinfonews.com – Nottingham-based high-end bar and restaurant concept set to close nine months after launch as owner runs out of money: A high-end bar, restaurant and entertainment concept that opened in Nottingham in October is set to close after its owner ran out of money. Vesper TPG, led by Poseidon Kumar, launched Loom in High Pavement after securing a 15-year-lease. However, the bar has been closed this week and its Facebook page deleted, reports The Business Desk. The idea behind The Loom was it would double up as an entertainment venue, with live shows on a purpose-built stage, so guests could listen to music or watch a show while drinking and dining. Last month, Kumar set up a page on crowdfunding platform GoFundMe asking for investors in The Loom but it has yet to attract a single pledge. The statement on the page read: “We are now at a stage of closing due to a lack of funds to pay salary and rent. Whilst we knew the risks we were getting into, it’s a shame the thing that is going to close the business is not a well-received concept, but that our creditors could not keep their word. I find myself here now as a last resort to save the business as well as the futures of the staff who have worked tirelessly to make The Loom a real thing by reaching out to the kindness in people that I know is in all of us to help give this place another chance.”
Horticulture Week – Pollinator awards open for golf course managers: Syngenta has launched the Operation Pollinator Awards 2016, to reward golf clubs that have created ecological features to attract essential pollinating insects and other wildlife. The awards promote the many ways golf course operators can proactively manage areas of their courses for wildlife, alongside the playing areas intensively managed for golfers. The result can be a golf course that is attractive for both wildlife and golfers. Syngenta Operation Pollinator manager Caroline Carroll said all courses have the potential to integrate many of the measures championed by the initiative. These could range from wildflower meadows to nesting habitats. “The awards have shown that even relatively small clubs have great capacity to make a real difference. It is incredibly exciting to see what they have achieved, and the immense passion that it generates for all involved with the club,” Caroll said. Entries are open until the end of September, followed by the judging, but greenkeeprs are advised to take plenty of pictures now while wildflowers are in bloom and pollinating insects most active. STRI ecologist and awad judge Sophie Vukelic said many previous winners have pioneered ideas which other greenkeepers can incorporate into their course management. “It is so important that we inspire others to play a part in conserving vitally important insects through creating the wildflower habitats promoted by Operation Pollinator.” Vukelic added that the golfing industry has changed over the past decade, with far more emphasis on the ecological value of golf courses and their ability to provide a wildlife resource within the wider landscape.
Friday 8/7/16
Bighospitalaity.co.uk – Vegetarian and vegan trend soars as consumers reduce meat intake
By Hannah Thompson, 07-Jul-2016
Use of the term ‘vegetarian’ in newly-launched food and drink ventures has shot up by 60 per cent worldwide between 2011-15, amid a trend towards more plant-based diets, new research has shown.
MorningAdvertiser.co.uk – Business minister Soubry rules out retrospective pubs code
By Mike Berry, 07-Jul-2016
Small business minister Anna Soubry has ruled out making the new pubs code retrospective in a decision likely to infuriate tenant campaigners.
MorningAdvertiser.co.uk – Pubco sued after umbrella falls on customer
By Oli Gross, 07-Jul-2016
A pubco has been sued by a customer who claimed he was injured by an umbrella which fell on him in a pub garden.
Propelinfonews.com – Hearing charity urges restaurants, pubs and cafes to take background noise off the menu: Restaurants, pubs and cafes have been urged to reduce background noise after a survey found more than three-quarters (79%) of diners left because a venue was too loud. The findings by hearing charity Action on Hearing Loss also showed 81% of people – including those with and without hearing problems – have had difficulty holding a conversation because of noise while dining out. 77% thought hospitality venues had become louder during the past five years, while 27% said they had received the wrong order because of noise. The charity’s Speak Easy campaign is calling on the hospitality industry to take action over background noise. It said the problem was exacerbated by recent interior design trends that had seen venues turn to industrial, minimalist aesthetics with hard surfaces and high ceilings instead of soft furnishings that absorb sound. Action on Hearing Loss chief executive Paul Breckell said: “Through our campaign we want to help the restaurant, cafe and pub industry to create a more welcoming dining experience for all customers. Whether you’re out for a meal with friends or if you’re on a date, you should be able to enjoy it without having to repeat yourself, raise your voice or receive the wrong order due to high levels of background noise. There are 11 million people in the UK with hearing loss so, financially, it’s a no-brainer for the industry to help make dining out even more enjoyable and accessible. Three-quarters of people believe restaurants, cafes and pubs have become louder in the past five years and we look forward to working with the industry to help take noise off the menu.”
Propelinfonews.com – Marco Pierre White set to open 15th Steakhouse Bar & Grill, in Lincoln: Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White will open his 15th Steakhouse Bar & Grill, this time on Lincoln’s waterfront at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, on Saturday, 30 July. Lincoln is the fourth DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel to partner with Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, which is operated under franchise by Black and White Hospitality. Hilton general manager Richard Metcalfe told the Lincolnshire Echo: “Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels have a lot in common and we’ve worked incredibly hard to bring the restaurant to the city. I think it’s going to add something very different to the current dining scene, which people will love. With its fantastic views of Lincoln Cathedral, the castle and the Brayford waterfront, our fifth-floor restaurant offers a unique view of the city.” Black and White Hospitality chief executive Nick Taplin added: “Lincoln is a fast-growing city, steeped in history, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of whom stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. We’re very excited to be opening another restaurant, which will be our 15th Steakhouse Bar & Grill.”
Propelinfonews.com – London-based Ashley Hotels acquires Corby site: London-based operator Ashley Hotels has acquired the Rockingham Forest Hotel in Corby, Northamptonshire. The company has acquired the 71-room venue in a deal overseen by agent Christie & Co. All staff will remain in place and there is an option to add 35 rooms to the venue subject to planning permission. Lee Howard, Christie & Co’s regional director for the Midlands and Anglia region, told Insider Media: “This is a property with huge potential for a new operator to develop the hotel’s already large and diverse offering. This is a great acquisition for the purchaser’s continued expansion and investment outside of London and shows the nationwide appeal of the Midlands for hotel operators.” Ashley Hotels operates four other sites – two in Victoria in London and one each in St Albans, Hertfordshire, and Andover in Hampshire.
Sunday 10/7/16
The Sunday Times – Greene King sale calls time on 90 pubs: Greene King has put a swathe of its worst-performing pubs up for sale. The brewer and pub operator is hoping to raise as much as £30m from the 90 pubs, most of which are tenanted. It is part of a move towards managed pubs with a focus on food, which are generally more profitable.The sites will be sold off in small batches and not packaged together for one buyer, according to City sources. The company declined to comment. Greene King, led by Rooney Anand, operates more than 3,000 pubs, restaurants and hotels and employs 44,000 staff.