Longer licensing hours? We can all drink to that January 16, 2025 Sam Bidwell says three cheers for new laws to make it easier to extend licensing hours so pubs and hospitality venues can stay open for longer Slowly but surely, Westminster seems to be waking up to the idea that we can’t avoid the big questions forever. After years of collective head-burying, there is now a [...]
Young’s: Pub chain in ‘great shape’ after Christmas despite Budget burden January 16, 2025 Young & Co have reported an excellent Christmas trading period, with optimism abound despite a higher cost burden for the hospitality sector this year. The pubs-and-rooms operator, which has around 228 pubs and 5,600 employees, said that revenue in the five weeks to January 13 rose 30.4 per cent, with like-for-like sales up 11.6 per [...]
Pub giants allay fears of hospitality crisis despite higher wage bills January 15, 2025 Pub giants Mitchells & Butlers and Fuller, Smith & Turner have both expressed confidence as the firms adapt to higher wage bills, in a positive sign for an industry which warned of crisis last year. Mitchells, the owner of Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One, reported like-for-like growth of 10.4 per cent over the [...]
The Wolseley: Group behind high-end London restaurants eyes new openings January 9, 2025 The group behind some of London’s best-known restaurants is looking to open new locations at home and abroad. The Wolseley Hospitality Group, which is owned by Minor Hotels, currently operates nine high-end restaurants in the capital: The Wolseley, The Delauney, Brasserie Zedel, Colbert, Fischer’s, Belanger, Soutine, Manzi’s and The Wolseley City. The strategy update has [...]
Why the state should stay out of the kitchen January 7, 2025 A think tank has seriously floated the idea of government-run restaurants. The idea belongs in an age of wartime rationing, not the thriving, free-market food scene the City enjoys today, says Matthew Kilcoyne One wonders if the festive sherry stocks have been hit rather hard in certain London think tanks this Christmas. How else to [...]
Lucky Saint founder: Don’t let ‘Dry January’ dull Britain’s pub culture January 6, 2025 It is no secret that pub culture has long-been deeply ingrained into the social structure of Britain. That said, you’d be forgiven for assuming your latest Dry January drinking hiatus might result in a hiatus from socialising at your favourite local pub. Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint, however, has launched a new nationwide campaign to [...]
Why you should still go to the pub in Dry January January 2, 2025 Dry January has crept up on us once again — a month in which avid pub-goers look to kickstart a healthier year ahead. For some, it’s a month to start fresh with new beginnings. For others, such as the hundreds of independent pubs across the nation looking for growth, it is yet another challenge. Especially [...]
Behind the Scenes with Lisa O’Rahilly: Ten Trinity Square’s General Manager December 19, 2024 | Sponsored Q: To start, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up at Ten Trinity Square Members Club?Lisa: “The short version! I’m Irish, and I’ve spent over 25 years globe-trotting with Four Seasons, calling three continents home—Australia, the US, Europe—and even spending a few adventurous months in Russia. I [...]
Eastern City cycle Medics keeping people safe and secure at Christmas December 11, 2024 Following the success of last year’s initiative, the Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID),along with the City River Partnership, has sponsored and paid for two cycle response medics whowill be deployed in the area to assist any member of the public in difficulty or distress. Over the 2023 festive period the medics treated 116 people [...]
Pubs pin hopes on Christmas trading period amid post-Budget woes December 9, 2024 The UK’s hospitality industry is gearing up for a bumper festive season, the first in four years not to be affected by pandemic restrictions or transport strikes. The preparations come ahead of what is seen as one of the busiest times of year for pub operators across the country, a number of whom hope to [...]