Ministerial freebies rules tightened – but Starmer stops short of banning gifts November 6, 2024 Keir Starmer has tightened up the rules on ministers accepting freebies, according to new guidelines, but stopped short of banning gifts and hospitality. An update to the government’s ministerial code published today included new advice for ministers who accept freebies and hospitality, which took a tougher stance than the previous document. The new code states: [...]
Domino’s Pizza: Firm back on track as sales outpace estimates November 6, 2024 Domino’s Pizza has reported a return to positive sales growth as the firm’s efforts to improve the customer experience have paid off. The fast-food chain told markets this morning that orders grew by 3.5 per cent in the third quarter to 17.4m. This was driven by deliveries rather than collections, with the former up 6.6 [...]
DP Poland: Sales at Eastern European Domino’s Pizza owner jump November 4, 2024 DP Poland, the owner of Domino’s Pizza in Poland and Croatia, has announced double-digit growth as its bet on franchising has paid off. The group holds the master franchise rights to the Domino’s brand and network in Poland and Croatia, with 111 locations across Poland and five across Croatia. In Poland, sales increased by 19 per cent [...]
Hotel group PPHE reports double-digit growth after strong summer October 31, 2024 Hospitality real estate group PPHE has reported strong growth driven by higher occupancy rates in central and eastern Europe. The LSE-listed company posted record revenue of €125.4m (£104.8m), an increase of €12.6m, or 11 per cent, year on year. The firm, which is registered in Guernsey, said that demand continued to increase for its city centre hotels [...]
Budget tax grab will put hospitality jobs at risk, trade groups warn October 28, 2024 UK business leaders have threatened to scale back on jobs growth and investment if business rates relief is not extended in the upcoming Budget.
Wetherspoons and Pizza Pilgrims bosses call for business rates relief ahead of budget October 21, 2024 Hundreds of UK hospitality groups and pubs have called for permanent action on business rates relief ahead of the Autumn Budget. In an open letter to Rachel Reeves, the hospitality bosses called for permanent action with the extension and lowering of business rates relief for the sector. It included 170 signatures from various high street [...]
The Square Mile and Me: M Restaurants founder Martin Williams on backpack etiquette and mandatory two hour lunches October 17, 2024 Each week we ask a City figure to take a trip down memory lane. Today it’s Martin Williams, CEO of Groucho and founder of M Restaurants on the City staple’s 10th birthday What was your first job? I started working in hospitality when I was sixteen, as a dishwasher in a grotty hotel in North Yorkshire. I [...]
Concern for British high street as sector set for four-fold tax rise in April October 16, 2024 The double effect of inflation-linked tax bumps, as well as the end of business rate relief for consumer-facing firms, will lead to a four-fold tax increase for high street businesses next April, industry bodies have warned. Industry leaders across the board have been increasingly vocal about the need for reform to business rate taxes, and have [...]
Employer National Insurance hike could risk jobs amid 95,0000 vacancies October 15, 2024 Increasing employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs) could pose a risk to jobs amid some 95,000 vacancies across pubs and restaurants, a hospitality lobby group has warned. Data released from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today revealed there are a “stubbornly high” 95,000 openings across the sector, including in venues, cafes and eateries. Hospitality UK [...]
Hospitality needs a magic spark of confidence to boom, brewery boss says October 10, 2024 The boss of Britain’s oldest brewer, Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, has suggested that the hospitality industry is nearly ready for a return to a boom period, but only is we serve up a spark of confidence. Neame suggested that if fundamentals remain strong and mortgages continue to fall, consumer spending on hospitality would follow a similar [...]