Monday 4/1/16

Morningadvertiser.co.uk: New changes to Temporary Event Notices

By Mike Berry, 04-Jan-2016

New changes to Temporary Event Notices (TENs) mean that pubs are able to extend their trading hours in order to run three more events each year. Read More

Propelinfonews.com: Daniel Batham reports profits up: Midlands-based brewer and pub operator Daniel Batham has reported turnover of £5,041,263 for the year to 30 June 2015, compared to £5,173,566 for the year before. Pre-tax profit rose to £1,433,876 compared to £1,290,050 the year before. The company has net funds of £9,054,715. A dividend of £380,000 was paid.

Propelinfonews.com: Nottingham nightclub to make way for six restaurants: The former ISIS nightclub in Nottingham will be demolished and replaced with six new restaurants after planning permission was granted for the development. The former ISIS club on Redfield Way, near to the Showcase Cinema and Dusk til Dawn casino, closed its doors in 2009 after a spate of violent incidents. Now Nottingham City Council’s planning committee has given DLA Architecture Limited the go-ahead, a new lease of life could be breathed into the site – as well as create 140 full and part-time jobs. Two of the A3 units will measure 2,200sqm, whilst the other four will measure 4,000 square metres. Councillor Brian Parbutt, said: “At the moment, it is a big, horrible shed and it is empty. We need to do something with it. It seems like a reasonable proposal with the existing leisure offering near the cinema, and cinema and eating seem to go hand in hand.”

Tuesday 5/1/16

Morningadvertiser.co.uk: Backlash against beer price hike gains momentum

By Emily Sutherland, 04-Jan-2016

Another leading operator has joined the growing backlash against big brewers upping their beer prices this New Year and warned the cost of a pint could soon be out of reach for some consumers. Read More

Propelinfonews.com: Marston’s site in Huntingdon to undergo licence review: Huntingdonshire District Council’s licensing sub-committee has been asked by Cambridgeshire police to review the premises licence for Cromwells Bar Café in High Street, Huntingdon, which is operated by Marston’s. In a notice in the bar’s window and on the district council’s website it states that the review has been requested: “On the grounds of a number of violent incidents at and in close proximity to the premises and a breach of the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance and failing to promote public safety in the way the business is operated.” Police are currently producing reports which will be put before the district council’s licensing sub-committee in order for the review to take place. A police spokesman said: “A licence review application has been submitted concerning Cromwells Café Bar, so it would be inappropriate to comment on the specific details.”

Propelinfonews.com: Batemans raises £60,000 for charity in 2015: Batemans, the family brewer based in Lincolnshire, has raised nearly £60,000 for eight worthy causes throughout 2015. The brewer and retailer supported both local and national charities throughout 2015, a highlight of which was the first ‘Big Week’ which took place from 25 May to 31 May last year. This raised £10,629 for the local learning disability charity, Linkage Community Trust, and 52 of Batemans’ pubs took part, with events held in both the pubs and at the head office. The week was launched at the brewery Visitors Centre with a beer festival opening attended by the chief executive of Linkage, Ges Roulstone. Jaclyn Bateman, marketing director of Batemans, said: “I am incredibly proud of both our brewery team, and our pubs, for their dedication to raising money for such a variety of good causes throughout 2015.”

Wedneday 6/1/16

Bighospitality.co.uk: Diners ‘annoyed’ by restaurants failing to offer contactless payment

By Sophie Witts, 05-Jan-2016

Touch and go payments are on the rise in restaurants but many customers are still left frustrated by businesses failing to offer contactless options. Read More

Morningadvertiser: Trade told be on your guard against counterfeit alcohol or risk consequences

By Emily Sutherland, 06-Jan-2016

Licensees have received fresh warnings to be on their guard against convincing counterfeit alcohol. Read More

Propelinfonews.com: Red Dog Saloon gets go-ahead to open new site in Nottingham: Red Dog Saloon has been given the go-ahead to open a new restaurant in Nottingham. The company has received permission from Nottingham City Council to convert the site formerly occupied by fashion retailer Ark in Victoria Street, creating up to 50 jobs. As part of the plans, the building’s ground floor and part of its basement and first floor will be converted into a bar and restaurant. Under the terms of its lease, Red Dog Saloon could also utilise the property’s rooftop plant deck. Red Dog Saloon founder Tom Brooke told the Nottingham Post: “I am thrilled to be expanding our brand out of London and I look forward to offering a unique and fun concept to customers in Nottingham. With delicious food, a fantastic drink selection and vibrant atmosphere there is something for everyone at Red Dog Saloon.” Red Dog Saloon, which serves a range of barbecued meats, burgers and sandwiches, currently has venues in Soho, Hoxton and Clapham North in London with a site also planned to open at the WestQuay Watermark development in Southampton.

Thursday 7/1/16

Propelinfonews.com: World’s self-styled first pan-Caribbean restaurant to launch in Leicester this week as Sutton Coldfield site ‘stalls’: The world’s self-styled first pan-Caribbean restaurant is set to launch in Leicester this week as plans for a site in Sutton Coldfield have “stalled”. White Sands, which is the brainchild of Lloyd Waldron and Jermaine Jarratt, will give diners a choice of food from all the 28 island nations in the Caribbean. The inaugural restaurant was meant to be in Sutton Coldfield but the owners said the proposed site in Birmingham Road that has been beset with planning issues was no longer viable. Waldron told the Sutton Coldfield Observer: “We thought the premises were licenced for liquor and Birmingham City Council has said there is no proper planning consent for a restaurant. We need proper clarification on that unit. We have wasted thousands on legal bills for no reason. It should have been opened way beforehand. A site in Leicester is opening this week, which was meant to be way after the Sutton one. But we are definitely opening in Sutton Coldfield. We are looking at other sites now. There’s a massive demand and we definitely won’t let it go. We hope to open in the next few months.” Waldron and Jarratt are also planning to open a flagship base in Birmingham city centre this year as well as sites at Touchwood in Solihull and Leamington Spa as it looks to create a chain across the Midlands.

Friday 8/1/16

Insidermedia.com: Luxury Bucks hotel sold out of admin: A 39-bedroom boutique hotel in Buckinghamshire, set within 26 acres of gardens designed by the celebrated 18th century landscape architect Capability Brown, has been purchased out of administration.International real estate advisor Savills has sold the long leasehold interest in Stoke Place Hotel in Stoke Poges to a subsidiary of Cairn Hotel Group for an undisclosed sum. The sale was completed on behalf of M B Callaghan and R M Wilkinson, the joint administrators of Stoke Place Hotel Ltd. The hotel comprises a grade II-listed manor house, two cottages and a separate terrace of bedrooms as well as a drawing room, restaurant, bar, wine cellar and events facilities. There are a number of high profile tourist and leisure destinations, including Windsor Castle, Ascot Racecourse and Legoland, situated close by. Gary Witham, hotels director at Savills, said: “This country house hotel was once a renowned wedding and events venue and is well-suited to both leisure and corporate guests. Cairn Hotel Group also owns the nearby Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross as part of its extensive portfolio and has the capability and expertise to put Stoke Place back on the map.”

Morningadvertiser: Industry disappointed by new drinking guidelines of no more than 14 units per week

By Oli Gross, 08-Jan-2016

New guidelines advise both men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week but licensees are reassured that consumer behaviour will not change overnight. Read More

Propelinfonews.com: Freehold of pub let to Mitchells & Butlers for sale for £1m: The freehold of pub let to Mitchells & Butlers in Lincolnshire, The Fox and Hound in Old Somerby, near Grantham, is for sale for £1m through agent James A Baker. Mitchells & Butlers pays a passing rent of £54,810 on a lease that expires in January 2036. There is an upward only rent review due on 4 February 2020.

Saturday 8/1/16

Insidermedia.com: Surya Hotels buys four East Anglia properties: Surya Hotels has expanded its portfolio with the purchase of four of five Dragonfly hotels in East Anglia. The chain includes Dragonfly hotels in Colchester (50 rooms), Bury St Edmunds (71), Peterborough (70) and King’s Lynn (50). Following the deal, Surya’s portfoliow now consists of 11 hotels. Suki Dulai, managing director of Surya Hotels, said all four properties would undergo “extensive refurbishment”. The hotels will continue to trade under the Dragonfly brand.