Monday 6/2/17
UCC-coffee.co.uk – Almost half of consumers avoid pubs serving poor quality coffee: In the last seven years, increasing numbers of non-specialists have turned their attention to coffee1, but how are things looking for the on trade when it comes to coffee? Our new Pubs & Coffee report has revealed a significant opportunity for pubs to increase trade through an improved coffee offering. With consumers rating the quality of coffee as average – just three out of five – the findings reinforce the demand for better coffee in non-specialist outlets. The survey of 750 consumers by Allegra World Coffee Portal reveals that 44% of consumers would be put off returning to a pub that serves poor quality coffee. Conversely, 41% would buy more coffee more often in pubs if the quality was better. Read More
Boutiquehotelier.com – St Ives’ Dolphin Hotel becomes first UK property for US-based operator after £3.4m sale: The Dolphin Hotel in St Ives has been acquired by US-based operator Aston Management Company for £3.4m and marks the company’s first move into the UK market. The 67-bedroom hotel has been owned by the same family for over 25 years and has recently been updated, strengthening its reputation locally for weddings and staycations. The sale is the first acquisition for the UK arm of the family-owned Aston Management Company, Cambridgeshire Hotels Ltd. Read More
Propelnfonews.com – Gourmet Burger Kitchen gets go-ahead for Leicester site: Gourmet Burger Kitchen has been given the go-ahead to open a site in Leicester. The company has been granted permission by the city council to open the restaurant at the Highcross shopping centre. It is investing £1.25m converting the former Laura Ashley store into the 122-seat restaurant, which is due to open on Monday, 3 July, creating 30 jobs. The venue will be set over two floors and include an open kitchen with customers able to choose banquette or booth seating. Gourmet Burger Kitchen marketing manager Laura Pettingale told Leicester Mercury: “We picked Highcross as it’s been developed massively over recent years and offers a great retail experience for our future customers.” Gourmet Burger Kitchen currently has 80 sites in the UK with its next restaurant due to open in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday, 13 February.
Pitchcare.com – BIGGA gives backing to Golf Sustainability Project: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association is working alongside England Golf and a number of other organisations to produce a Golf Sustainability Project, and is now appealing for help to take the scheme to the next level. Golf courses in the UK cover an area equivalent to the Lake District National Park. Unmanaged areas, which provide habitat for wildlife, wildflowers and other flora and fauna, are estimated to cover more than 1,000 square kilometres, or the equivalent of The New Forest and Pembrokeshire Coastal Parks combined. https://www.pitchcare.com/magazine/bigga-gives-backing-to-golf-sustainability-project.html
Tuesday 7/2/17
Bighospitality.co.uk – Mandatory Scores on the Doors will affect 43,000 businesses
By Stefan Chomka, 07-Feb-2017
More than 43,000 restaurants and catering businesses across England could be affected when a law to make it compulsory for places that serve or sell food to display their food hygiene rating comes into force in 2019. Read More
Wednesday 8/2/17
Propelinfonews.com – Trade accountant reports tenanted and leasehold pubs continuing to see squeeze on profitability, food venues seeing increased margin: Trade accountants Roslyn’s has reported its tenanted and leasehold pub clients are continuing to see a squeeze on profitability, while those majoring on food are seeing an increased margin. Its benchmarking survey for the year to December 2016 showed turnover among its pub clients was up 1.85%. The wet margin decreased by 0.76%, while the dry margin increased 8.51%. The average break-even figure has risen from £4,400 to £4,800 per week. Roslyn’s operations director Geoff Temperton is presenting a Margin Masterclass at Pub17 on Wednesday (8 February).
Thursday 9/2/17
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – Punch tenants won’t be forced to buy only Heineken products
By Nikkie Sutton, 09-Feb-2017
Star Pubs & Bars managing director Lawson Mountstevens has assured current Punch tenants they will not be forced to buy solely Heineken products. Read More
Friday 10/2/17
Morningadvertiser.co.uk – Heineken issues full assurances to Punch tenants
By Nikkie Sutton, 10-Feb-2017
Heineken has made further assurances to Punch tenants that there are no plans to force them to buy solely Heineken products. Read More