Monday
Propelinfonews.com: Wagamama submits plans for new restaurant in Reigate, eyes Peterborough opening: Wagamama has submitted plans to open a new site in Reigate, Surrey. The company has lodged plans with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to convert the former Edward Dean kitchen and bathroom store on the corner of Bell Street and Bancroft Road into a restaurant, reports the Surrey Mirror. The application stated: “The company is now seeking to open its first store in Reigate and, following an extensive search, the application site has been identified as ideal for their requirements.” Wagamama said the restaurant would create 20 full-time and 20 part-time jobs. Meanwhile Wagamama is eyeing an opening in Peterborough’s Cathedral Square. London based Deloitte Real Estate, on behalf of Universities Superannuation Scheme, is seeking planning permission to change the use of 37-39 Long Causeway, at the entrance to the Square, from retail to restaurant – something actively encouraged by the city council. It says Wagamama is the likely new tenant, subject to the application being granted. Deloitte, in its application, says: “Wagamama is one of the UK’s leading pan-Asian restaurant chains and regards Peterborough as a key town to expand its offer. The nearest Wagamama is located 30 miles away in Cambridge.”
Propelinfonews.com: Nando’s plans next generation green restaurant in Cambridge: Nando’s is planning a next generation green restaurant in Cambridge, its third opening in the city. It has unveiled plans to move into a new unit at the Cambridge retail park on Newmarket Road – it already has sites in the city on St Andrew’s Street and at Cambridge Leisure Park beside the railway station. The company has submitted plans to the city council for a brand new unit next to the existing Frankie & Benny’s restaurant, near Coldhams Lane. The application, submitted by Nando’s architects Urban Edge and planning consultants Montagu Evans, is promising “a fresh take on the Nando’s concept”, including a ‘green wall’ on one side. The design and access statement said: “Our new restaurant in Cambridge is an opportunity for us to build a restaurant using more sustainable and cleaner materials, employ better design processes to reduce the carbon impact and include technologies that will mean the restaurant can be run more efficiently. We aim to measure the carbon impact of the materials used and use alternatives where possible to reduce this, measure it for the build and also the fit-out of the interior design. We are also aiming to use the benefits gained in our negotiations with other developers to influence future builds that are offered to us as we grow as a business.”
Propelinfonews.com: Greene King partners Redwell Brewery owner to launch gin distillery at Norfolk pub: Greene King has partnered Redwell Brewery owner Patrick Fisher to launch a gin distillery at the Ten Bells pub in Norwich. The distillery and bottling rooms are both visible from within the recently refurbished pub, which is on St Benedict’s Street. The new distillery will produce two 43% ABV standard London dry gins, which will be available to buy in 70cl bottles, as well as being served at the bar. Following on from the success of Redwell Brewery’s recent relaunch of the Bullards brand, one of the gins will be the “Bullards Norwich Gin” and the other “Firewater Gin”. Fisher spent time researching the technique of gin distilling at gin producers, Thames Distillers in London. He said: “It was such a valuable experience getting to grips with the intricacies of making gin at Thames Distillers, and has helped shape how our distillery works. Everyone that knows me knows that as well as my passion for real ale, I also have a fondness for a G&T, so bringing to life Norfolk’s first distillery was a personal mission as much as anything.” Clive Chesser, business unit director for Greene King Pub Partners, owner of the Ten Bells, said: “Like Patrick, stepping out of the world of brewing and running pubs into distilling gin was a first for us, so we had to make sure we got it right. Together we have harnessed the right expertise to make sure that what is thought to be Norfolk’s first gin distillery produces a quality product that will please gin lovers. Introducing the distillery at the Ten Bells is one of our biggest innovations to date, and we are pleased to be able to support Patrick in bringing his vision to life.”
Tuesday
Propelinfonews.com: MPs call for end of business rates levied on pubs: Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group Save the Pub have called for the reform of the business rates paid by pubs. The parliamentary motion, EDM 759, tabled by Save the Pub chair Greg Mulholland MP said the high business rates were an “unfair and onerous burden” and called on the government to “look at further ways directly to support British pubs through the tax system considering their importance to local communities as well as the local and national economy”. Mulholland said: “It is simply unfair that pubs, which are important for the local and national economy, as well hugely important in their local communities, currently pay such high business rates, six times more than is justifiable on the actual turnover figures. There needs to be real reform of the business rates system for pubs including looking at retail relief but also looking at pub-specific business rate relief to recognise the value of pubs to their communities. It is easy for ministers to say nice things about the importance of pubs but it is time this was acknowledged in the tax system, starting with fairer business rates.”
Wednesday
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: Greene King to halve brands and concepts following Spirit integration
By MC Allegra FS, 02-Dec-2015
Greene King expects to halve the number of brands and formats it operates across it estate through the integration of the Spirit Pub Company portfolio. Read More
Propelinfonews.com: Unique Hockley Arts Club, spread across four floors, opens in Nottingham: Nottingham’s newest bar, The Hockley Arts Club, has now opened its doors after the transformation and restoration of the Victorian grade II-listed building it is housed in. The creative team behind popular cult venue Das Kino have sought to create a unique venue in the heart of Nottingham. Spread across four floors, the ground floor houses mid-century furniture, Scandinavian wood panelling and features an imposing back bar stocked with unique liquors. The first floor has the intimate feel of a gentleman’s club surrounded by original fittings, a bar, and a series of rooms lit by moody lamps and neon lights. The Electric Garden lies in the loft space to entice guests with the feel of an outdoor meets indoor feel, complete with a third bar enclosed by foliage. Guests can experience casual dining in the form of shareable plates, an extensive wine list and a carefully crafted list of cocktails. General manager Adam Sumner said: “It’s been a fantastic opening! People really seemed to love the unique décor and what’s on offer. After months of renovating and furniture sourcing, it’s amazing to hear all the positive feedback.”
Propelinfonews.com: New American smokehouse and grill concept opens on site of former Lincoln pub: A new American smokehouse bar and grill concept has been opened in Lincoln. Huckleberry’s, which is the brainchild of Di Fuller and head chef Tom Rose, has launched on the site of the formerly Ye Olde Crown pub in Clasketgate, creating 21 jobs. Fuller and Rose have extensive experience in the food industry with the latter having worked at restaurants across America. The menu includes St Louis cut and baby back ribs, which are cooked for 24 hours in the smoker after being marinated for 48 hours, and handmade burgers. Fuller told The Lincolnite the focus of the restaurant is on quality food and said: “Every element of the menu features home-made and locally sourced ingredients. We have an authentic smoker, in which we change the timber every month to get different flavours and aromas. All the meat is butchered in-house, and our focus is scratch-cooking, our fresh bread and even our sauces are made from scratch.”
Morningadvertiser.co.uk: Half of publicans risked licence by turning a blind eye to dodgy dealers
By Oli Gross, 01-Dec-2015
Licensees have been warned that turning a blind eye to dodgy deals may lead to losing their licence, after research revealed nearly half of publicans didn’t kick out known perpetrators. Read More
Thursday
Bighospitality.co.uk: Vivek Singh: ‘immigration issues’ to blame for curry chef shortage
By Liam Garrahan, 02-Dec-2015
The current curry chef shortage can be attributed to ‘immigration issues’ with Indian chefs coming to the UK, according to Michelin-starred chef, Vivek Singh. Read More
Propelinfonews.com: Bakkover launches Inferno pizza concept in Nottingham: Bakkover Foods has launched its new pizza concept Inferno, trading under the Inferno Group vehicle, in Nottingham’s Trinity Place, opposite the Intu Victoria Centre. Inferno serves custom-made pizza in super-quick time using 900-degree ovens. Customers can craft their own pizza with over 50 freshly prepared toppings (for over a million different combinations) or select from one of the six Hall of Flames signature pizzas, including The Inferno. Whatever the pizza, however many toppings, it’s all for less than £7. Michael Johnson, operations manager at Inferno Nottingham, said: “You can’t escape the UK’s love affair with pizza – so what better way to satisfy that appetite than opening an interactive, new pizza place where you can create your own freshly made pizza, get great value for money and be ready to enjoy it in less than five minutes? Nottingham is fast gaining a reputation for its vibrant food culture; we’re proud to be part of this exciting new phase.”
Propelinfonews.com: Bedford restaurateurs open second site in town: Bedford restaurateurs Manolis and Karen Christou have opened their second site in the town. The husband and wife team, which owns Greek restaurant Athena Palace in Midland Road, have launched Argentinian-inspired barbecue restaurant concept El Greco Eatery in Tavistock Street. Karen Christou told the Bedfordshire News: “We have had great success with our first restaurant in Bedford and decided to head over to this side of town. With restaurants you really have to move with the times, so offering our Argentinian-inspired barbecue gets people quite excited, as does our new surf and turf menu, which is very trendy right now. But most important I think it is our character that brings people back again and again. When people go out they want something special so we help them have the best night.”
Friday
Propelinfonews.com: Enterprise invests £2.4m in East Anglia in partnership with multi-site operators: Enterprise Inns has invested £2.4m in key pubs across its East Anglia region in its last financial year (FY15) and early FY16, including one set to reopen in time for Christmas. The Wash & Tope, in the Norfolk seaside town of Hunstanton, opens its doors again on 10 December following a major £340,000 refurbishment. And a £195,000 spend – Enterprise contributing £150,000, and the publicans £45,000 – at The Woodcutters Arms, Leigh-on-Sea, has seen it reopen in time for the busy festive period. The Wash & Tope, a local landmark in Le Strange Terrace, will be run by Tim Joudrey’s Lifeboat Pub Company, whose waterside pubs offer ‘quality food and drinks at competitive prices’. He said: “I want The Wash & Tope to replicate what we’ve done at The Two Lifeboats, at Sheringham, and offer a very accessible, mid-range drinking and dining experience for couples and families. The local authority and people in Hunstanton are delighted with what we’re doing in partnership with Enterprise. They’re really pleased to see this sort of investment, saying it’s just what the town needs.” Woodcutter publicans Stephen Carey and Louise Devlin have four other pubs with Enterprise: another in Leigh-on-Sea, The Broadway; two in London, The Queens Head, Stratford, and Edmonton’s Crown & Anchor; plus The Old Courthouse, in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Another pub in the region that reopened recently following joint investment from Enterprise (£120,000) and publican Rod Benson (£20,000) is The Cock Horse, Lavenham. It is run by Rod and Joanna Knight, and manager Sam Morris. Other pubs across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex that have benefitted from Enterprise investment during the past 12 months are the historic Maids Head, King’s Lynn (£190,000); The Black Bull, Godmanchester (£160,000); The Ship Inn, Caister (£140,000); The White Horse, Swavesey (£130,000); The Papillon, Southend (£75,000); The Red Lion, Kirby-le-Soken (£60,000); and The Boundary, Norwich (£50,000).