Tuesday 31/5/16
The Eastern Daily News – New Mexican restaurant Blue Agave opens in Norwich: Flavour and spice have become the letter of the law in one of Norwich’s newest eateries – as a Mexican restaurant has moved onto the site of a former solicitors.Formerly Overburys Solicitors, 3 Upper King Street is now home to Blue Agave, a Mexican Grill, which opened for business earlier this month.The restaurant is the project of Californian Jason Coolbaugh, who has settled in the region with his wife, Sophie, and nine-year-old daughter, Hana.Having grown up in Orange County, California, Mr Coolbaugh developed a love of Mexican cuisine from a very young age.Mr Coolbaugh, 48, said: “My earliest memory of cooking was making quesadillas with my sister when I was just five, so I’ve always loved Mexican food.“Growing up so close to the Mexican border, the food was everywhere.”It was only when moving to Ohio years later that he developed his passion for food, after finding his favourite meals harder to come by.Upon moving to London in 2003, he found a similar problem and, in 2010, opened his first restaurant.He added: “I live and breathe Mexican food – I have grown up ?eating it all my life, but I often found some flavours were missing over here.”Mr Coolbaugh is now bringing his recipes to the Fine City, after being impressed when visiting with his family.He said: “When we decided to move out of London we looked at a few different places and Norwich was the one that stood out. It’s a gorgeous city with great history.”He now aims to bring an authentic Mexican feel with him, right down to the site’s floor tiles and decorations.As well as making its food in house from Mexican-sourced ingredients, the restaurant also serves beer from the Cerveceria Mexicano brewery, as well as no fewer than 49 brands of Tequila.The venue also sells its ingredients to customers and is will be hosting some cooking classes later this year.
MorningAdvertiser.co.uk – Decision on illegally demolished pub must “set a deterrent”
By Oli Gross, 31-May-2016
A public inquiry into a pub which was demolished illegally has come to a close with campaigners fearing a decision not to enforce the rebuilding of the pub could set a precedent for further demolitions. Read More
Propelinfonews.com – Hawksmoor teaches staff sign language to improve overall operations and customer experience: High-end steak brand Hawksmoor has invested in teaching its staff sign language to improve its overall business operations and the experience delivered to its deaf and hard of hearing customers. Staff attended an in-house British Sign Language (BSL) training workshop to help them communicate better with each other across busy restaurants as well as diners. The training, delivered by Lancashire-based workplace training and consultancy company HearFirst, aims to introduce staff to learn restaurant-related signs and develop their signing ability and deaf awareness generally. Georgie Parrott, from Hawksmoor, told 24 Dash: “We are aiming to create an even slicker service as we will be able to communicate across the restaurant floor using BSL without interfering with the ambience of the restaurant. Instead of using secret signs as in some restaurants, we are providing staff with an internationally recognised sign language.” Hearfirst director and founder Julie Ryder added: “The BSL training the management team at Hawksmoor initially identified was a business benefit to encourage all staff to communicate with each other across the restaurant floor using signs such as steak, cutlery, dessert menu and sparkling water, for example, but the skills they have now learnt will also benefit their deaf customers, thus improving their overall experience.” Hawksmoor has five restaurants in London and one in Manchester and will open in New York in the World Trade Centre at the end of the year.
Wednesday 1/6/16
Leisuremanagement.co.uk – New operator sought as Margate’s Dreamland enters administration: Troubled heritage theme park Dreamland has been placed into administration after a tough opening year. Relaunched on 19 June 2015 following an £18m (US$26m, €23.3m) restoration, the attraction in Margate, UK, failed to attract enough visitors to the park, with its operator Sands Heritage entering administration on 27 May. Sands Heritage won the right to operate the 95-year-old attraction from park owners Thanet Council in November 2014. The company entered into a voluntary debt plan last December when it was revealed Dreamland was in troubled waters, making a net loss of £5m (US$7.3m, €6.5m) – something the operator blamed on a ‘council blunder’. One of the main failures, said Sands Heritage, was not being able to open the Scenic Railway on time, resulting in 50 per cent fewer visitors than had been anticipated over the summer season. In addition, the operator was forced to take over incomplete building works from the council, which resulted in the park closing for 17 days shortly after opening. Failure to open other rides, restore the menagerie cages and to complete important landscape work was also blamed. “Sands Heritage would like to thank the management team for their unwavering commitment and hard work in the phenomenal development of Dreamland,” said company chair Nick Conington. “Many people have worked tirelessly, despite truly challenging circumstances beyond their control, to make Dreamland one of the UK’s most talked about visitor attractions. This new phase for the park will enable it to thrive and continue to bring more and more visitors to Margate, the essential ingredient to further enable regeneration.” The park will continue to operate as normal, with administrator Duff and Phelps now seeking a new operator. Duff and Phelps was also appointed administrator for another seaside theme park – Fantasy Island in Skegness – which went into administration in 2014 and was sold to Leisure Company the Mellors Group in March.
Propelinfonews.com – Innventure launches bespoke ‘liquor loft’ at Cambridge site: Innventure, the gastro-pub operator led by former Mitchells & Butlers executive Chris Gerard, has launched a bespoke drink-led “liquor loft” in an unused area above the existing restaurant at its d’Arry’s site in Cambridge. The area was the brewing headquarters of Cambridge Brewery owner George Scales, who brewed and owned pubs in Cambridge at the turn of the 19th century, and still contained much of the brewer’s equipment, including mash tuns and a hot liquor furnace. The “liquor loft”, which also provides a second rooftop terrace at the venue, has now opened with the site renamed d’Arry’s Liquor Loft and Restaurant after Innventure negotiated a new free-of-tie lease with Greene King. The “liquor loft” offers barrel-ageing, its own infusions and syrups, and stocks a range of beers, including a link-up with Gerard’s former colleague at Vintage Inns, Jim Minkin, who has operated Purity Brewery since 2005. Glen Newton, managing partner at d’Arry’s, told the Cambridge News: “d’Arry’s was going through some changes when a fire in the kitchen five or six years ago burnt through the floor into the loft area. We uncovered some very unusual and incredible original features, including the original equipment that was used by George Scales to brew his beer. After the fire we discovered what was hidden in the loft and thus created a charming, historic space.”
Nottingham Post – Blind man left ‘humiliated’ after being turned away from restaurant over guide dog: A blind man says he feels “sickened” and “humiliated” after being turned away from a Chinese restaurant because of his guide dog. Nathan Edge and his girlfriend Emma Fotheringham had booked a table at the Shangri-La Chinese restaurant and take-away, in High Street, Mansfield, on Saturday night but were rejected as staff said there was no space for Mr Edge’s guide dog, Hudson. Moments later a manager appeared and said Hudson could not enter for “hygiene” reasons. The conversation between Mr Edge, his girlfriend and the staff was videoed and shared on his Facebook page – and been viewed more than 57,000 times and had 1,000 shares. The restaurant has since apologised, but Mr Edge, of Mansfield, says he is still not happy with the way he was treated and that it has made him even more determined to campaign for fairer access for people with sight problems. The former student of Vision West Nottinghamshire College, who turns 22 today, said: “We were told that dogs aren’t allowed. But I told them he’s clearly a working dog. Then they came out with the excuse that there was no space. I explained that I was more than happy to. “It’s an absolutely ridiculous excuse – the law states that guide dogs are allowed to enter restaurants.” He added: “I just felt physically sick at the way it made me feel. I was really humiliated and embarrassed.” Mr Edge had only attended the Houses of Parliament four days before the incident, as one of 100 guide dog owners lobbying for better access to pubic places. He met his local politician, Mansfield MP Alan Meale, there, who shares Mr Edge’s disgust. Mr Meale said: “I will get in touch with the restaurant proprietors and say this is not satisfactory. They had no right to do it.”According to the Guide Dogs charity, under the Equality Act 2010, blind and partially-sighted people should have the same right to services like restaurants, pubs and cafes as everyone else. It includes a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people can access services. This includes amending a ‘no dogs’ policy to allow guide dogs and other assistance dogs. Reasonable adjustments may include prroviding a seating area for a guide dog owner with sufficient room for the dog to lie under the table as it has been trained to do. James White, senior campaigns manager at Guide Dogs, said: “We were shocked to find out that Nathan had been turned away by a restaurant in Mansfield. It’s always distressing for a guide dog owner to be illegally refused access by a business. It can knock people’s confidence and prevent them from living independently. “Sadly these illegal refusals are far too common, with our research showing that seven out of 10 guide dog owners have been turned away because their dog isn’t welcome. Guide Dogs is campaigning to change this.” Jason Liu, from the S hanri-La restaurant told the Post: “Firstly, I would like to apologise and understand this incident has greatly upset to Mr Edge and his party. I would like to make it very clear that we have no issues accepting guide dogs into our establishment. “Although customers are not required to inform or notify us that they will be bringing a guide dog at the time of booking, it is highly recommended and appreciated that they do state any additional requirements so that we can organise and arrange our tables with adequate space so incidents such as the above can be avoided.” He added: “I strongly disagree that any discrimination has taken place throughout this incident however, I do accept that there may have been miscommunication regarding the phrase ‘ health and hygiene’ and ‘health and safety’. I did offer Mr Edge that he would be very welcome to come back later on in the evening to see if we would then have space to accommodate him and his party as can be heard and captured on his video.”
Loughbroroughecho.net – Loughborough’s Nando’s restaurant opens to the public: WE’VE got some ‘peri-peri’ good news for chicken fans!Loughborough’s new Nando’s restaurant officially opened to the public today (Wednesday, June 1 ). The popular chain restaurant has been designed by architects Moreno Masey in a “modern contemporary” style and has created 32 jobs in the town. It is part of the new multi-million pound development in the heart of Baxter Gate on the site of the former Loughborough General Hospital.Cineworld, Starbucks, Pizza Express and Bella Italia all opened in May, as well as Centro Lounge which is part of the West Country based restaurant/café/bar group Loungers. Still to open on the site are Asian buffet and bar Mimosa, Brazilian grill-house Preto, and Loco Mexicana. As part of the grand opening, Nando’s has created its very first Snapchat filters, geo-targeted for the people of Loughborough, including one with a ‘PERiometer’ so fans can sketch on their Nando’s heat.
Thursday 2/6/16
MorningAdvertiser.co.uk – Works Must Pay: PMA launches roadworks compensation campaign
By Oli Gross, 02-Jun-2016
The Publican’s Morning Advertiser (PMA) is launching a campaign calling for compensation to businesses that lose out on trade due to the impact of nearby roadworks. Read More
Propelinfonews.com – Chestnut Group to open first managed site this month: Suffolk-based hospitality company Chestnut Group will open its first managed site – The White Horse pub in Easton, near Woodbridge – on Friday, 17 June. The company is currently refurbishing the site, which dates to the 18th century and features a central bar, the “Club Room” and three dining areas. Michelin-experienced Dominic Clarke has been appointed head chef as the company aims to re-establish The White Horse as a “quintessential English pub serving outstanding dishes and drinks with a local provenance”. Dishes will include dingley dell pork belly, sticky pigs cheek with barbecue hispi cabbage, cider onions and sage quaver, coq au vin, and fish and chips. Clarke said: “There is a real vibrancy in the east Suffolk region. We want to capture that at The White Horse by delivering a memorable, home-from-home hospitality experience to all our guests, whether local or visiting the region. Serving quality dishes with local flavours will be right at the heart of it.” The Chestnut Group’s first opening was The Packhorse Inn in Moulton, near Newmarket. It also owns The Rupert Brooke in Grantchester and is also due to reopen the nine-bedroom Ounce House in Bury St Edmunds as The Northgate this summer. As well as a bar, dining area, private dining, and meeting room facilities, The Northgate will have a “Chef’s Table”, giving diners the opportunity to see their meal being prepared from start to plate.
Friday 3/6/16
MorningAdvertiser.co.uk – Voluntary pubs code to be introduced for smaller pubcos
By Oli Gross, 02-Jun-2016
A voluntary code for smaller pubcos will be introduced once the statutory code comes into force for larger companies, the Pub Governing Body (PGB) has confirmed. Read More
BigHospitality.co.uk – Campaigners ask restaurants to turn down the music
By Sophie Witts, 02-Jun-2016
Campaigners are calling on restaurants, cafes and pubs to turn down loud music to make eating out a more ‘pleasant’ experience for hard of hearing diners. Read More
Propelinfonews.com – Knead Pubs to trial pop-up gin bars, plans to roll-out concept if successful: Knead Pubs, which has six sites across Nottinghamshire, Rutland and Lincolnshire, is to trial pop-up gin bars at two of its venues with a view to rolling the concept out across the estate. The company will be running the pop-ups at The Crown Hotel in Stamford and The Prince Rupert in Newark during World Gin Day on Saturday, 11 June. The bars will promote locally distilled gins from companies such as Two Birds in Market Harborough, Burleigh’s in Leicester, and Warner Edwards in Northampton, along with gins from across the world such as Monkey 47, Bathtub, and Gin Mare. If the pop-ups are a success, the company said it planned to roll them out across the estate during the year as well as expand the range of 17 gins it will be initially promoting. The company said it was introducing the pop-ups because of the “ever-growing market for craft gins” and was continuing to “look at the market trends, concentrating on the casual dining market but introducing new ideas and events to entice guests’ interests in the venues”.
Propelinfonews.com – Stone Place Restaurant Company launches SteakStones pub concept in Buckinghamshire: The Stone Place Restaurant Company has opened its first venue – at the 16th century Feathers pub in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire – with all meat and fish cooked using the SteakStones concept. SteakStones was invented by Nick Metcalf, with the process described by Stone Place Restaurant Company owners Melvyn Angell and Sylvia Sheridan as “dining theatre”. SteakStones involves cooking meat and fish at diners’ tables on hot volcanic rocks. Due to their density, the rocks stay hot for more than an hour and no oil is required in the process. The menu at The Stone Place At The Feathers pub restaurant consists of a choice of beef, lamb, scallops, prawns or tuna, served with chips and salad. Angell said: “We wanted to create an extraordinary dining experience, something quite theatrical, within the informality of a village pub. SteakStones gives you the opportunity to cook your meat and fish exactly as you like and is such fun at the same time. All cuts of red meat are lean. Not only is it a healthier way to dine, it also ensures the meat doesn’t smoke while it is being seared on the SteakStones.” The Stone Place At The Feathers seats 56 diners and is open daily from 11am to 11pm.
Propelinfonews.com – New £8m leisure development in Thetford featuring five restaurants set for completion in October: A new £8m leisure development in Thetford, Norfolk, which includes five restaurants, is set to be completed in October. The 41,000 square foot Thetford Riverside scheme, which is a joint venture between Breckland Council and The Land Group, will be anchored by a three-screen The Light cinema and also feature a 62-bedroom Travelodge hotel. The five restaurant units range from 1,300 square feet to 3,750 square feet and agent Francis Darrah Chartered Surveyors said it was in “advanced discussions” with a number of interested national restaurant chains. The development is in the centre of Thetford, adjacent to the Little Ouse river, with direct links to the main shopping area via a footbridge. Breckland Council deputy leader Sam Chapman-Allen said: “This project represents significant investment in Thetford and demonstrates our commitment to supporting its growth and vibrancy. When complete, Thetford Riverside will deliver excellent leisure facilities to the growing number of residents, businesses and visitors.”