Monday 12/9/16
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – ‘Unfair’ changes to business rates could cost pubs thousands
By Oli Gross, 12-Sep-2016
Proposed changes to business rates revaluation are unfair, unworkable and will potentially cost businesses thousands of pounds, according to the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR). Read More
Propelinfonews.com – Nine of Marco Pierre White’s pub and restaurant companies go bust owing almost £10m: Nine of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s pub and restaurant companies have gone bust owing nearly £10m. Last month Minotaur Inns, which ran four pubs in Norfolk, collapsed having paid back £4.2m of a £7.4m bank loan. Eight more of White’s firms are in liquidation or administration, a Sun on Sunday investigation found. The administrator of Minotaur Inns said: “Following the sale of assets the bank has received a total of £4.2m and suffered a shortfall.” The firm is also likely to owe money to other creditors but the administrator said they did not even invite claims “due to the lack of funds available”. Another company, Frogmill Inn, dissolved in August owing creditors £453,000. Liquidator reports show money owing to creditors, associated businesses and HMRC. Almost £3m is owed to other companies that White controls. However, despite the uncertainty, he opened his 15th Steakhouse Bar and Grill in Lincoln last month and set up a property management company.
Propelinfonews.com – Moroccan concept Marrakech Bar and Kitchen launches in Lincolnshire: New Moroccan concept Marrakech Bar and Kitchen has launched in Laceby, Lincolnshire. The restaurant in Caistor Road is on the site of the former 1815 Bar and Grill and offers a “taste of the mystical and romantic soul of Morocco in the heart of the village”. Head chef Laz Elantouri’s menu features tagine dishes – served in genuine Moroccan earthenware – couscous, fish dishes and brochettes, as well as a full tapas selection. He told the Grimsby Telegraph: “The food is authentic, which comes from my experience in Morocco. In this area we don’t have this style. We feel like we’ve filled a gap – this area needed another inspiration. The back room will be a cocktail bar and function room.”
Tuesday 13/9/16
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – Diners rack up £150 bill before fleeing Suffolk gastropub
By Daniel Woolfson, 13-Sep-2016
Two customers racked up a food and wine bill of almost £150 at a top Suffolk gastropub before fleeing with a half-drunk bottle of wine.
Propelinfonews.com – Epic Pubs opens fourth site following £600,000 joint investment by Charles Wells and Fitzrovia Pub Company: Epic Pubs has opened its fourth site following a joint £600,000 investment by Bedford-based brewer and retailer Charles Wells and Fitzrovia Pub Company. The Anchor in Aspley Guise, near Milton Keynes, has undergone significant refurbishment, offering space for up to 90 diners in the main area and a further 16 in a private dining room. Andrew Coath, managing director of Epic Pubs, said: “Customers will find a pub for everyone at The Anchor, with a focus on informal dining and drinking in an exquisite environment that reflects the best in British design and offers a warm, friendly welcome. The exciting menu and daily specials will be created from fresh, British seasonal produce overseen by Mark Austin, whose experience includes The Swan at Salford and the Luton Hoo Hotel. The drinks offer will include seasonal cocktails, an extensive gin collection and real ales including Bombardier, Eagle and Young’s Gold. An exciting range of fine wines and a creative list of non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.” Epic Pubs’ other sites are The Golden Ball in Maidenhead, Berkshire, 185 Watling Street in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and Mill Street in Oakham, Rutland.
Wednesday 14/9/16
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – New secretary of state considers calls to sack pubs code adjudicator
By Oli Gross, 14-Sep-2016
New secretary of state Greg Clark has stated intentions to consider alleged evidence that pubs code adjudicator Paul Newby should be sacked. Read More
Bighospitality.co.uk – One in 10 diners admit to not paying the bill because of waiting times
By Hannah Thompson, 13-Sep-2016
Over one in 10 UK restaurant-goers have admitted to leaving a restaurant, café or bar without paying the bill, either because they didn’t want to wait any more, or couldn’t find a member of staff. Read More
Thursday 15/9/16
Boutiquehotelier.com – Hoteliers are missing a trick when it comes to capitalising on the power of pensioner spending: Hoteliers are missing a trick, as the health-, cash- and time-rich retiree market are on the prowl for their next adventure and businesses are failing to grab this opportunity with both hands. We discover the power of the grey pound and find out why this audience carries huge spend potential for hoteliers to embrace. Austerity has firmly fallen off the agenda for many of Britain’s pensioners, as this growing market blaze a trail as tourists. The rise of the retiree has opened up a world of opportunity for UK hoteliers, which according to research, is being left unmet. Hoteliers are missing a trick, as the health-, cash- and time-rich retiree market are on the prowl for their next adventure and businesses are failing to grab this opportunity with both hands. We discover the power of the grey pound and find out why this audience carries huge spend potential for hoteliers to embrace. Despite the over-65s boosting the UK hotel and travel economy by an estimated £37bn in 2014, businesses are failing to make the most of the ‘grey pound’, according to Barclays, targeting them in lacklustre ways. The report showed that just 5% of hotel and travel businesses within the sector saw over 65s as their most important target market, while UK-wide, 76% of firms had no plans to introduce products targeting the over-65s. For hoteliers, this looks short sighted. Read More
Friday 16/9/16
Propelinfonews.com – Cambscuisine to open new ‘modern brasserie’ concept in Cambridge next month, seventh site in total: Pub and restaurant operator Cambscuisine, led by Oliver Thain and Max Freeman, will open a new “eclectic modern brasserie” concept in Cambridge at the end of next month. The company is launching Millworks in the old watermill on the Mill Pond, which was previously home to Casual Dining Group brand Bella Italia. The restaurant, which will have 130 covers and feature an indoor barbecue, will offer brunch-style food and meat-based dishes. There will also be an extensive cocktail and wine list. Thain told the Cambridge News: “We bought it about a month ago – now we’re gutting it and turning it into a lovely spacious building. We’re building a new water wheel. We’ve changed where the bar was and we’re rebuilding it. We’re also having a massive change of decor and interior design – turning it on its head. It’s a great spot, we’re very happy to be there. It is going to be an eclectic, modern brasserie.” The new restaurant is the seventh in the Cambscuisine portfolio, which also includes The Cambridge Chop House and Smokeworks.
Bighospitality.co.uk – UK hotels urged to help OTA rate parity investigation
By Sophie Witts, 15-Sep-2016
UK hotels are being urged to take part in an EU-wide survey investigating the impact of rate parity agreements used by online travel agents (OTAs). Read More
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – CAMRA’s rumoured isinglass ban troubles brewers
By Nicholas Robinson+, 15-Sep-2016
Brewers have received calls from agitated consumers, asking them to stop using the beer fining agent isinglass, after the national press falsely reported a ban by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Upcoming Trade Shows
The Restaurant Show, 3rd-4th October, Olympia – www.therestaurantshow.co.uk
The Bar & Pub Show , 3rd-4th October, Olympia – www.thebarandpubshow.co.uk