How to do things differently in the pub industry: An interview with Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay June 1, 2016 It's fair to say it’s been a challenging decade for the UK's pub sector. First it was hit by the smoking ban in 2007, then by the recession in 2009. Revenues across the industry have also been affected by broadly falling levels of alcohol consumption. Pub companies have been forced to rethink their strategies to stay [...]
Brexit vote too important to be left up to politicians June 1, 2016 Moan all you like about the EU referendum but it's got people talking. From Cornwall to the City and from the Western Isles to Westminster, people are engaged and discussing the issues. People are debating in restaurants and outside pubs and, as is always the case in political campaigns, they're doing so with more nuance and [...]
Finally, you can get Pizza Express delivered to your door May 31, 2016 Middle class pizza lovers rejoice – you can now get those delicious dough balls and more delivered straight to your door from Pizza Express. The high street chain has inked a deal with restaurant delivery startup Deliveroo to get its menu to people sat at home on their sofa in addition to those who visit the [...]
Gordon Ramsay Group toasts healthy sales growth after “huge transformation” May 31, 2016 The Gordon Ramsay Group toasted healthy full-year results today, as revenue at the London-based, international restaurant firm grew more than 10 per cent The figures Revenue at the restaurant group was up 12.6 per cent to £50.3m in the year to 31 August 2015, up from £44.7m in 2014. The group posted an operating loss of £1m [...]
The English wine industry uncorked another bumper year in 2015 May 30, 2016 The English wine industry gained more fizz last year as 37 new wine producers and vineyards opened over 2015, research from national accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young has found. A total of 170 wine producers have entered the domestic industry over the past five years, UHY Hacker Young said, while the popularity of boutique alcohol and locally-made products [...]
Food is the megatrend of the future and investing in meat, pork, health foods and grains is making investors money May 26, 2016 Doom-mongers often talk of the impending explosion in the human population. There will be 9bn people on the planet by 2050, and one of the big problems will be how to feed so many mouths. “Global supply and demand is out of balance, and in a state of flux,” says Hugo Rogers of the Liontrust [...]
Ladies who don’t lunch: Maike Currie talks to Hermes Investment Management’s Harriet Steel about success, failure and building things May 26, 2016 Most people detest building. Whether it’s a new build, extension or renovation, chances are it will feature somewhere on the list of life’s more stressful events, perhaps only a few notches below death, divorce, starting a new job and moving home. Harriet Steel, global head of business development at Hermes Investment Management, however, relishes it. [...]
If businesses in the leisure and hospitality industry listened to their customers it could add £3.2bn to the sector May 24, 2016 The hospitality and leisure industry could get a £3.2bn boost if it responds better to reviews, research published today suggested. Improving how the sector manages and responds to customer feedback could add an extra £2bn to the UK economy with the impact on the sector’s large supply chain contributing a further £1.2bn, according to a report [...]
Ferrari California T Handling Speciale review with price and specs: a £150,000 delight, but better suited to the Tuscan Hills than the Tooting school run May 23, 2016 Everyone should have a ‘bucket list’ – a checklist of things to do before kicking the bucket. Yours might include a meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bungee jump or running a marathon dressed as a rhino. Mine was driving a Ferrari. Now, I should explain that, in eight years as a journalist, I’ve been [...]
Pinkster gin the tipple of choice for crowdfunders at Growthdeck May 20, 2016 Premium gin brand Pinkster has ridden high on the "gin-aissance" sweeping the UK and smashed through an equity fundraising target of £600,000 in six weeks. Pinkster, a fast-growing, Cambridge-based gin produced with fresh raspberries, raised £758,000 in 47 days since it placed its listing on the relatively new crowdfundraising platform Growthdeck on 31 March. Unlike most crowdfunding platforms, Growthdeck does [...]