CLH Digital - Issue #208

THE LEADING PUBLICATION FOR THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR & LICENSED TRADE Issue 208

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Hospitality Sector Welcomes Labour’s Plan To “Revitalise” High Streets

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Labour Party plans to revitalise the high street have been broadly welcomed by sector leaders, with British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Emma Clarkin calling the move a positive step which will help pubs remain at the heart of communities.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves are visiting Great Yarmouth today (April 12) to launch The Labour Party’s five-point plan to revitalise local high streets following the closure of thousands of hospitality and retail outlets since 2010.

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They began their trip with a visit Starting to the Fish 'O' Licious restaurant, Sir Keir and Mrs Reeves had a private conversation with several local business owners before speaking out against "years of decline for beloved local shops, pubs and entertainment facilities", adding "Because that's not just a failed business, it has an impact on other businesses and makes it much less likely that people will come into the high street. That leads to a downturn for everybody else."

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3...)

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CLH Digital

Issue 208

Editor's Viewpoint

Welcome to the latest issue of CLH Digital It would appear, will to me at least, that we have seen the first salvos fired in the lead up to the General Election. And not before time! I did say in a previous editorial that you would not believe 2024 was a general election year, since the silence from the political parties was deafening.

PUBLISHED BY RBC Publishing Ltd 3 Carlton Mount 2 Cranborne Road Bournemouth Dorset BH2 5BR

However, today marks a critical juncture for the UK hospitality and licensed on-trade sector, as the Labour Party unveils a comprehensive 5-point plan aimed at revitalizing Britain's struggling high streets.

TELEPHONE:

01202 552333

EDITOR

At CLH News, our commitment to impartial reporting remains steadfast, but, as a dedicated hospitality unlicensed on trade publication, we acknowledge the necessity for political parties, particularly in the lead-up to a general election, to articulate clear strategies aimed at remedying the catastrophic challenges confronting our industry.

Peter Adams

The state of the UK hospitality and licensed on-trade remains dire. Over the past several years, our sector has weathered an unprecedented storm of challenges— from the lingering impacts of the pandemic to soaring operating costs, labour shortages, and regulatory burdens, and increased taxes. These cumulative pressures have taken a profound toll on businesses large and small, with many facing existential threats.

Against this backdrop, Labour's unveiling of a specific plan to rejuvenate Britain's high streets is a timely and noteworthy development. The 5-point strategy reportedly encompasses initiatives to empower local communities, support small businesses, tackle empty commercial properties, promote vibrant public spaces, and ensure fair access to finance. If implemented effectively, such measures could potentially inject much-needed vitality into our struggling high streets and provide a lifeline for hospitality and licensed on-trade businesses.

While we refrain from endorsing any political agenda, it is essential that we, as a publication serving this vital industry, highlight and analyse proposals that directly impact our readership. The Labour Party's plan, alongside other policy initiatives from across the political spectrum, should be subject to rigorous scrutiny. What matters most is the tangible impact these proposals will have on the ground—whether they can translate into meaningful support and sustainable recovery for our industry.

FAX: 01202 552666

www.CLHNews.co.uk @CLHNews CLHNews CLHNews While Labour's 5-point plan offers a ray of hope, we must acknowledge that it falls short of addressing the depth of the crisis faced by the hospitality sector. Much more needs to be done to secure its future. The answer, we believe, is hiding in plain sight: a clear, brave, and rational decision to implement a temporary reduction in hospitality VAT. This measure has proven effective in stimulating demand and supporting businesses during challenging times.

It is imperative that we do not let up on our campaigns. We must continue to press for policies that provide immediate relief and long-term support for hospitality businesses across the UK. Our industry is resilient, but it requires meaningful support and decisive leadership to navigate this unprecedented crisis, and I feel today is just a small positive step along the very hard and difficult road.

EDITOR Peter Adams

SALES EXECUTIVES David Bartlett Guy Stephenson

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Matthew Noades

PRODUCTION & WEB ADMIN Charlene Fox

Published by Published by

I can always be contacted at edit@catererlicensee.com Once more I would ask you to please follow us on X (Twitter), and encourage as many people you know in the trade to sign up to our digital issue, further details can be seen at www.catererlicensee.com

The Caterer, Licensee & Hotelier News Group is published by RBC Publishing Ltd, 3 Carlton Mount, 2 Cranborne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BR. Contributions are welcome for consideration, however, no responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage. Views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Whilst every care is taken when compiling this publication to ensure accuracy, the publisher will assume no responsibility for any effects, errors or omissions therefrom. All rights reserved, reproduction is forbidden unless written permission is obtained. All material is assumed copyright free unless otherwise advised.

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Hospitality Sector Welcomes Labour’s Plan To “Revitalise” High Streets Issue 208

(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER) Sir Keir declared that British businesses have been “held back by 13 years of Tory economic failure” after Labour launched its five-point plan to “revitalise local high streets”, including £700m to support small businesses with their energy bills.

“Britain’s businesses already give so much to our economy and hold a huge amount of potential and promise just waiting to be unlocked.”

“But they’re being held back by 13 years of Tory economic failure. The Tories crashed the economy, and business and working people are still paying the price on higher interest rates.

“With our five-point plan, Labour will work in partnership with businesses and local communities to get our high streets thriving again. This is just one of the ways we will deliver our mission to secure the highest growth in the G7, so every part of our country can feel better off.”

Labour said its five-point plan would “reverse 13 years of decline and revitalise local high streets”. The party’s proposals include cutting business rates for small businesses for the coming year, funded by increasing the digital services tax paid by online companies like Amazon.

RATE CUT WORTH £2,600 Labour said the move would be worth more than £2,600 to the average pub, café or restaurant, based on Valuation Office Agency data. The party has previously committed to cutting and eventually scrapping business rates and replacing them with a “new system of business taxation fit for the 21st century”.

As part of its five-point plan, Labour is also proposing to invest £700m to support small businesses with their energy bills by offering vouchers for energy efficiency measures such as insulation or heat pumps, funded through changes Labour has proposed to the windfall tax on oil and gas companies.

The party said it would introduce new laws to crack down on late pay-

ments to high street firms, requiring big businesses to include their company’s payment practices in their annual reports, with the aim of making boards more accountable and providing clarity for smaller businesses.

Labour’s plan also incorporates its proposal to introduce ‘empty shop orders‘ – giving councils powers to bring empty shops back into use – and its plans to tackle antisocial behaviour, with the party arguing that the Tories’ “failure” to address crime is impacting how much local people visit high streets.

According to analysis from the Centre for Retail Research, a total of 17,145 shops on high streets and in other locations closed for good during 2022, up almost 50% on the 11,449 shops that closed in 2021.

PUBS ARE “VITAL” More than 150 pubs closed permanently in England and Wales during the first three months of 2023, according to analysis by property firm Altus Group – equivalent to almost two pubs a day. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned that 2,000 pubs and 25,000 jobs could be at risk amid rising energy costs.

Commenting on Labour’s plan, the BBPA’s chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Pubs are a vital part of so many high streets across the country and without support there is a risk that these much-loved community hubs will be lost.

“It is positive to see the Labour Party developing ideas to address some of the issues these businesses face and help pubs to remain at the heart of high streets and communities.”

BROKEN RATES SYSTEM Allen Simpson, Deputy Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “Hospitality helps create places where people want to live, work and invest, but too often policies make it expensive to run businesses in the heart of communities.

“We’re pleased to see this focus on high streets and fixing the broken business rates system. The current system is archaic and unfairly penalis-

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es businesses that have a physical presence in communities, like hospitality. It’s clear that the current system is in urgent need of reform.

“We need to see governments in Westminster, Edinburgh and Cardiff, alongside local authorities, do all they can to rebalance and reduce the costs that businesses are paying.

“Reforming business rates is an ideal place to start and will enable businesses to spend more of their available cash on investment, rather than just paying the bills.”

CRITICAL ROLE Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, emphasises the critical role that licensed and cultural spaces play in the night time economy and the broader community, and said : “Without adequate support, these important businesses risk closure, leaving significant voids in local high streets. I applaud the Labour Party’s efforts to tackle the challenges facing such businesses, recognising the need for initiatives that will enable night time economy businesses to thrive and continue serving as vital community and cultural hubs.”

Mr Kill also highlights the detrimental impact of the current business rates system, which disproportionately burdens night time economy businesses with an annual cost of millions to the sector, and stressed the urgent necessity for a comprehensive, long-term solution to this issue, advocating for reforms that empower businesses in the night time economy to invest in their personnel and physical spaces, ensuring their sustainability and continued contribution to local communities.

Conservative party chairman Greg Hands said: “Labour have abandoned their pledge to abolish business rates. The only position they remain committed to is more unfunded, uncosted spending pledges.

“We have a £13 billion package in place now to support firms with the cost of business rates as we push on with our mission to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt to help businesses right across the UK.”

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CLH Digital

Issue 208

Will British Staycations Continue To Pave The Way For Holiday Makers?

By Matthew Prosser is the senior sales director for EMEA at Agilysys® Staycations have always held a place in the hearts of UK travellers. Whether it be the beautiful highlands of Scotland, or the dreamy beaches of Cornwall, thousands of Brits flock every year to local destinations for their holiday fix.

Recently the trend has gathered pace, with more people choosing to seek exciting holiday destinations closer to home than ever. According to a study by Verdant Leisure, 9 in 10 (91%) of respondents said that they were looking to go on a staycation this year. In the same study it was noted that there are over ten thousand searches for staycation holidays.

The boom in staycations was ignited during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, two years since the last restrictions were lifted in the UK, the staycations trend looks like it is set to continue as more people try and find cheaper alternatives in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis.

Many Brits are looking to travel within the country.

Shorter stays at hotels are also proving to be very popular this year with 1 in 5 (22%) of respondents saying that they are planning 2/3-day trips, rather than the traditional one- or two-week trips most Brits take.

WHY GOOD PMS IN HOTELS WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY: These shorter stays mean that hotels have limited time to impress their guests and ensure they are offering consumers a memorable and satisfying experience. To do this, the hotels need to be in ship shape. Every touchpoint with the guest matters, regardless of length of stay, but if you only have 3 days to wow someone?

The pressure is on.

During shorter stays, the limited time means that activities, meals, and interactions with staff are compressed into a tighter timeframe. As a result, hotels need to ensure that every aspect of the guest experience, from check-in to check-out, is optimised.

When a guest walks into your hotel, and the first thing they’re greeted with is a long wait time to check-in to their room you’re not only leaving a bad taste in their mouth, but also taking precious minutes off their long-awaited holiday.

Hotels use PMS across their entire complex to ensure that guests have the best possible stay. These systems range from check-in kiosks to booking and scheduling activities via a hotel app. The way these systems are integrated is crucial to creating a stress free and easy experience for hotel guests.

British hotels must ensure that their systems are all up to date as the added pressures of shorter stays increased guests' capacity may create potential problems with slower service and a worse guest experience.

For some hotel goers, they want to feel reassured that everything at a hotel can be done electronically, without the need to speak to hotel staff. However, others believe that being able to engage with staff helps them explore new experiences and can broaden their horizons. So having the right mix of technology and human interaction is the key to boost customer experience.

The best hotel stays are the one they’ll remember when it comes to booking their next holiday. To maximise guest experience, hotels in the UK will need to ensure that their PMS is usable across all hotel systems, because this style of service will help guests feel comfortable that they can come back knowing they will get the same personalised, convenient, and pleasurable experience.

UTILISING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL: The Staycation trend will continue to shape the future of travel. With more guests preferring to spread their budgets more widely by going on more frequent, shorter breaks, there is a rush for British hotels to adapt their services to align with the needs of future hotel guests. The way that we go on holiday is completely different so it's more important than ever that hotels remain agile to keep pace with these ever-changing future travel trends.

Six By Nico Announces Westgate Oxford Restaurant Opening In May Restaurant group, Six by Nico, has announced it will be opening a new restaurant in Westgate Oxford on Wednesday 22 May, which will be the fifteenth restaurant across the UK.Six by Nico Oxford has a capacity for 64 covers in the main dining area with a private dining space for 12 guests, plus a terrace in a space boasting nearly 4,300 square feet overall, and 50 new jobs will be created.

Six by Nico has seen significant growth over the last few years with UKwide expansion. Since opening in Finnieston in 2017, Six by Nico now has locations in 10 cities in the UK with 15 locations including two in London, two in Manchester and three in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff.

Nico Simeone comments: “We are thrilled to bring the taste of Six by

Nico to Oxford. Westgate Oxford, located in the heart of the city, is a great site for us as it has become a popular food and lifestyle destination.

We pride ourselves on originality – Six by Nico is founded on a meticulously curated and ever-changing tasting menu that combines various ingredients, tastes, and dishes, drawing inspiration from both the UK and beyond. Our team look forward to opening our doors this May 2024, and to be bringing a truly unique and unforgettable culinary experience to the people of Oxfordshire”.

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Six by Nico to Westgate Oxford next month.

Our roof terrace is one of the region’s premier dining destinations and, with Six by Nico bringing their experience-led dining, we are excited to welcome new and returning guests over the summer months.”

The Perfect Snack for All Your Trade and Hospitality Needs Robert's Dorset provides an unparalleled snack experience that will elevate your trade and hospitality offerings to your customers.

At Robert's Dorset, we understand the diverse dietary preferences of your patrons, whether they follow a vegan, keto, or allergen-free lifestyle.

Rest assured; our selection of snacks caters for all.

As a trusted supplier to independent shops, pubs, and the hospitality industry, we offer a range of sizes in all our products for direct reselling.

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Contact Robert for an online catalogue and more information regarding our perfect snacks. robert@robertsdorset.com | 01202 875280 | www.robertsdorset.com

Issue 208

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Scottish Pubs Code To Protect Tenants And Improve Choice At The Bar Long Overdue: CAMRA The Scottish Government has announced action to improve the rights of tied pub tenants.

The Bill will ensure that tied tenants have the option to request a “marketrent-only” (MRO) lease. This means that a tenant can pay the going market rate to rent the pub without having to buy products or services from the pub-owning business, therefore ending the tied relationship. Even if a tenant remains tied, the Bill provides an opportunity to sell guest beers. They will not be restricted to only selling the brand of the pub-owning business.

Ministers will lay secondary legislation in Parliament next week which, if accepted, would see the Code come into force on 7 October 2024, and will be overseen by an adjudicator.

Ministers expect the legislation will deliver a fairer tied pubs sector, with risks and rewards being more equally shared between tenants and their landlords. In 2023, it was estimated that there were just under 700 tied pubs in Scotland. Small Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “We need to do all we can to protect pubs, bars and licensed clubs in Scotland, which in 2022 supported 34,000 jobs throughout the country and play an important role in our communities.

“I am pleased that we are now free to introduce measures contained in the Tied Pubs Act and give tenants more freedom to choose the lease which best suits their needs and diversify the number of products they can sell.

“It’s in everyone’s interest that the sector prospers and I look forward to working with tenants, pub-owning businesses and the new Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator to deliver these important changes Welcoming the announcement, CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said: “Today’s announcement that the Scottish Government recognise the importance of protecting pubs, the role they play in our communities and are now introducing a new, legal Pubs Code for Scotland, is fantastic news for licensees and pubgoers.

“As well as making sure tied tenants can earn a decent living, the new Pubs Code looks set to make it easier for tied tenants to sell more locally brewed beers, increasing choice at the bar for customers o tasty and distinctive products from small, local and independent breweries – particularly cask ale.

“These new protections in law are vital so tied tenants can make a long-term success of their pubs and shape the unique character of their businesses to become an integral part of their community. This requires a balanced relationship between licensees and pub companies, preventing any unfair practices like pub companies taking more than is fair or sustainable from tied licensees’ profits – or making it harder to sell a range of locally-brewed products.

“This fair deal for tied pub tenants to protect pubs at the heart of communities can only be achieved by a robust and long-overdue statutory Scottish Pubs Code and the new Pubs Code Adjudicator to enforce it.”

Heartwood Collection Acquires The White Hart, Lymington Heartwood Collection, the leading UK hospitality group backed by Alchemy Partners, has acquired The White Hart, Lymington from the Stonegate Group. The acquisition continues the Group’s ambitious growth plans and it remains on track to grow to over 60 sites by 2027.

Built in the late 1700’s, The White Hart is a Grade II listed building located on the edge of the New Forest. Following the acquisition, the pub will undergo a significant multi-million pound refurbishment to restore and preserve its many historical features including its part-tiled exterior and beamed interior. The sympathetic renovations will infuse the pub with Heartwood’s signature warm, quirky style to create a welcoming bar, dining room and beautiful outdoor space for dining.

Guests will be able to enjoy Heartwood’s seasonally-changing menu which is

developed in line with the Group’s ethos for delivering sustainable, fresh food. This sits neatly alongside a carefully selected wine list, cask ales, beers and cocktails.

Heartwood has the highest possible rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (Three stars) and also recently won ‘Best Food-Led Pub Group 2023’ at the Restaurant Magazine’s Awards, ‘Best Managed Pub Group (up to 50 sites)’ and ‘Best Operations Team’ at the prestigious Publican Awards 2024.

Richard Ferrier, CEO, Heartwood Collection, said: “The White Hart is a beautiful pub that is clearly much loved by the local community in what is a fantastic location. We’re looking forward to restoring this pub and returning it to its former glory. We have long wanted to open in or close to Lymington and are delighted to have found the White Hart.”

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CLH Digital

Issue 208

Pushing the Envelope - Why It Pays To Have a Holistic View of Card Payments

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

By Phil Edwards, Head of Merchant Services Portfolio, Lloyds Bank Cardnet® SIZE DOESN’T MATTER Many businesses want an omni-channel payments approach, and this supports our motivation to be able to offer a holistic view of payments, which can really help serve as a commercial advantage.

Cardnet can evolve with an individual business; comfortable with operating as effectively for small independents, as it can for large corporates.

It means that any changes to payment needs can be met seamlessly – whether that’s switching from in-person to online payments, looking at multi-currency payments, or buying into a complete omni-channel solution.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DATA

In a world where businesses are increasingly facing pressure on resources and margins, having the right payment systems partner becomes crucial.

Payment services are one of the most fundamental parts of a business’ finances, but they’re also an area that’s rapidly changing. Artificial Intelligence, digitisation, and predictive analytics are already starting to make a difference to how businesses operate and how they plan.

Business owners in the hospitality sector are calling out the emerging trends. From the rise of online and remote payments, to increases in travel and tourism, the use of cards as a payment mechanism, the need for payment software that supports exceptional customer service and card payments which integrate with other financial products and services.

One of those needs is understanding how digital transformation can create opportunities for your business. Being able to use and optimise your data is a great example. While data is fast becoming one of the most valuable assets you have, being able to access it easily, and analyse and understand what it means for your business can still be a challenge.

Cardnet have the tools to deliver a business management solution that is expressly designed to make running your business easier because they have data sitting at the top table.

You may know your customer by name, or what they look like, but our systems can help you better understand their actual behaviour, creating a more robust customer profile, and help you take a deeper dive into what they’re actually spending their money on.

The insight from your own customer data is great, but it can be backed up by broader data from our wider group. We touch more than 25% of the UK card market, which creates access to some strong trend information about where customers are spending, which in turn might be the extra push you need to get ahead of those trends everyone is talking about. We can share that insight with the businesses we support.

A 360 DEGREE VIEW

new technology emerges, and payment habits start to evolve, finding efficiencies when margins are tight and customers are watching every penny can really make a difference to growth and how successful your business becomes.

With an increasing 360degree view of real-time payment activity across every point-of-sale channel, and a full range of payment solutions to choose from, security is also important. No business can afford to lose money, or reputation, which is why secure data processing and fully PCI compliant payment devices is a must, regardless of who you work with. The Cardnet platform has a 99.9999% uptime* providing reassurance for you, your business, and your customers.

Taking the worry out of payment acceptance means you can focus on delivering great service, secure repeat custom, and support your ambitions to grow and hopefully thrive in even the most challenging of environments.

Some 35 years of experience in supporting hospitality businesses of all shapes and sizes with card payments has gone into developing Cardnet so that it continues to meet business’ requirements now and in the future.

We’re proud to support UK hospitality businesses be a part of that future.

Lloydsbank.com/cardnet *Based on the Cardnet platform maintaining 99.9999% uptime covering the 12 month period from January 2023 to January 2024.

Cardnet® is a registered trademark of Lloyds Bank plc.

Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation

It’s clear that the card is still king when it comes to payments, but as

Authority under Registration Number 119278.

The Packhorse Inn Celebrates 10th Birthday With A Full Makeover The Packhorse Inn, located in Moulton – a short trot over the gallops from Newmarket, reopened on Friday 5th April following a twomonth refurbishment and extension project.

Chestnut’s investment in the pub marks a positive decade for this popular village pub and foodie destination. It includes a significant extension of the kitchen, a new flint and timber barn extension with views over the village green and re-establishes the original entrance into a dedicated bar.

The pub’s reopening was celebrated on Friday night with previous employees, local business clients, journalists and team. This was followed by an exclusive event held for the village on Sunday

evening.

Philip Turner, Chestnut’s founder, and CEO, said of the project “Our three priorities were to put the pub back into the pub, create a better working space for our chefs and make the most of the views across the village green. The Packhorse is where the Chestnut journey began, we have not lost sight of that and are privileged to be able to take the pub to its next stage.”

The additional eight-bedroom barn to the rear of the pub will open in the summer, taking the total bedroom offering to 16. The existing bedrooms are on sale now, and the additional bedrooms can currently be booked for September onwards

Exploring Opportunities for Reusables In Hospitality and Foodservice A new report shows caterers and the public pulling together to cut waste Now available to download for free is the new Footprint Intelligence report, ‘Can a cup save the planet? Exploring opportunities for reusables in hospitality and foodservice’, produced in association with dishwashing specialist Meiko UK. “Waste disposal costs are going through the roof, storage space for bins is at a premium, and customers can’t stand packaging. Everybody hates waste, and we need to eliminate single-use items wherever possible,” says Paul Anderson, managing director of Meiko UK and chair of the Foodservice Equipment Association.

Amid apocalyptic headlines about environmental catastrophe and climate change, there is overwhelming evidence that consumers – and caterers – want action.

The report details the challenges and solutions, finding evidence that reuse schemes are working.

“The issue of reusables and cutting single-use products is having an

extraordinary effect on the UK catering industry,” says Paul Anderson. “What is heartening is that we are witnessing a core change in societal behaviour, with the public and caterers pulling together to reduce waste. We are making it happen, and you can find out how by reading about the opportunities for reusables in hospitality and foodservice.”

Download the report here: https://www.meiko-uk.co.uk/en/footprint-reusables-report For more information contact: Meiko UK Limited, 393 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4UF Tel: 01753 215120 E-Mail: MeikoUK@Meiko-uk.co.uk www.Meiko-uk.co.uk

Issue 208

CLH Digital

St Patrick’s Day Tips Drinks Sales Into Growth

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16 March) respectively.

Drinks sales continued a pattern of growth into the second half of March, with St Patrick’s Day celebrations boosting pubs and beer suppliers in particular.

St Patrick’s Day made it a good period for the Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) category, and beer and cider sales were both 8% ahead of last year.

However, soft drinks (down 8%), wine (down 8%) and spirits (down 6%) were all in the red.

CGA by NIQ’s Daily Drinks Tracker shows average sales in managed venues in the week to Saturday 23 March were 1% ahead of the same week in 2023. It follows a 1% increase over the previous week, and 5% growth in the seven days before that.

“St Patrick’s Day continues to deliver for pubs, bars and drinks brands,” says Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland. “Hot on the heels of Mother’s Day, it’s another reminder of the value of celebratory occasions to the On Premise. More modest growth on other days suggests some consumers are saving their money for big events like these and cutting down on more everyday occasions, and recent wet weather won’t have helped general spending. Nevertheless, three straight weeks of yearon-year growth is a positive indicator for the rest of Spring and Summer.”

Pubs and bars took advantage of St Patrick’s Day falling on a Sunday (17 March) this year, and sales were 13% ahead of the equivalent Sunday last year. FA Cup quarter-finals also brought people out to drink.

Solid trading continued through the week, but the weekend was tougher, with sales down year-on-year by 2% and 6% on Friday and Saturday (15 and

Back To The Floor Raises Over £258k In Support Of Hospitality Action acts as the safety net for industry households across the UK.

Hospitality Action celebrated the triumphant return of their much-loved Back to the Floor event last week, raising an astonishing £258,643 for the charity.

Guests were welcomed with a champagne Taittinger and canapé reception followed by a sumptuous three course meal. Entertainment, laughter and merrymaking mischief were the order of the night as a team of top hoteliers put their silver service and playful sabotage skills to the test once again in a friendly battle to earn the most tips in recognition of the tireless efforts their exceptional teams carry out every day.

Returning for a sixth time and hosted by James Clarke, General Manager of Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, the fundraiser saw senior hospitality figures return to their hospitality roots in the role of waiter or sommelier for the evening with an outpouring of support from across the industry, underscoring the resilience and unity of the hospitality community during challenging times.

Co-founder Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director at Exclusive Collection, was joined by over 80 leading names from across the hospitality industry including Michael Bonsor, Managing Director, Rosewood London, Tej Walia, General Manager, Foxhills Club & Resort and Joanne Taylor-Stagg, General Manager, Athenaeum Hotel & Residences who returned to the floor to test their silver service skills for 500 guests in aid of Hospitality Action, which

Photography Credit – Jeremy Rata

Mark Lewis, Chief Executive at Hospitality Action, said: “This has proven to be the most successful fundraising event in Hospitality Action’s 187-year history. It really is a sight to behold watching such industry veterans roll their sleeves up as waiters and sommeliers and serve guests with such enthusiasm and expertise along with a healthy dose of horseplay. A big thank you to all in attendance for their incredibly generous tips and to those who have worked tirelessly to organise such a wonderful event with funds raised going directly to help those most in need in our industry.“

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CLH Digital

Issue 208

Marketing- Effective Ways to Promote Your Business

By Catherine Storey, Founder and Director of Freshbat Marketing (www.freshbat.com) There are more options than ever when it comes to marketing your hospitality business; but it can feel so overwhelming that it’s difficult to know where to start. Ideally, your marketing should include a combination of both digital and traditional marketing and in this article, we’ll discuss the most effective ways to promote your business to new and existing customers.

Online content means that customers are more tuned in than ever to hospitality brands and if you’re not present on at least a few marketing channels, you risk falling behind your competition.

At the core of great marketing is great communication and building relationships with your customers to make them rave about their experience with you to their friends, family and colleagues. Word of mouth marketing is by far the most powerful way to market your business. Reward programmes and offers are a reliable way to keep customers coming back and expand your customer base because people love to get something back! Think about brands like Nando’s and McDonald’s which reward loyalty by enabling customers to redeem points collected each time they spend. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as that; something as simple as a printed loyalty card you stamp every time and give out a free drink on the 10th visit can entice customers back and turn them into loyal fans.

Online reviews are the lifeblood of hospitality marketing. People will often check online before deciding where to eat or drink, so making sure profiles on TripAdvisor and other review sites are up to date is essential. You can encourage reviews by making sure your customers know how to leave a review; for example, using QR codes on loyalty cards that you send out with deliveries or that you place on tables and of course, making sure that you encourage reviews from regular customers every time they engage with you.

To help keep lines of communication open with your customers and make them aware of your latest offers, ensure you have some basic email marketing in place, such as confirmation emails when someone books online, a reminder email 24 hours before the booking and a follow up email afterwards to ask them how their visit was and request a review. It's also worth sending one-off emails for special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Christmas and whenever you have news to share, such as a menu update. Ensure you give people enough notice for bigger occasions (send emails at least 3-4 weeks before).

When it comes to social media, things are more fast-paced. Statistics say that you have about three seconds to grab a user’s attention on TikTok (https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2023/03/29/tiktok-and-the-power-thefirst-3-seconds#:~:text=You%20have%20about%20three%20seconds,to%20make%20your%20point%20quickly.) and on other platforms, without video content, attention spans can be even shorter.

Social media is a great way to promote your business for very little investment. Short-form video content is particularly useful for cutting through the noise, especially on visual platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Close ups of food and drink are really engaging and you can use a phone to do close ups, for example cutting into some food and steam emerging, or cutting an egg showing the yolk spilling out. Behind-the-scenes content is another cost-effective way to create authentic and engaging posts. Audiences love to see how their food is made or how their cocktail is put together behind the bar. When it comes to photography, make sure your phone camera is clean, remove clutter from the background and use portrait mode to get a more professional-looking photo.

To build an engaged community, make use of features such as polls on Instagram stories to get customers excited about upcoming events and offers, and to get feedback so you can keep improving the experience for your customers. Think about easy two-choice polls, for example, which drink are you ordering tonight? Are you eating in or taking away? Keep questions simple to maximise engagement.

While it might seem overwhelming, once you’ve chosen your key channels there are lots of opportunities to get creative with your marketing. Think about where your customers are most likely to be spending time, choose the marketing activities you want to do and have fun!

Portobello Pub Company Acquires Award-Winning Darwin & Wallace Bar-Restaurant Group Pub and restaurant operator, The Portobello Pub Company, has completed on a deal to purchase the London-based, award-winning neighbourhood bar-restaurant business, Darwin & Wallace.

The acquisition will add seven high-volume venues located in some key London ‘villages’ including Battersea Power Station, Clapham Old Town, Wimbledon and Richmond.

Darwin & Wallace will continue to operate under the same name, and continue to provide guests with its high-quality, all-day drinking and dining offer that has become revered for its high standards and award-winning design, as well as its sustainability credentials and commitments.

The acquisition means the enlarged Portobello Pubs business now comprises 27 sites, with plans to further grow the group, including the Darwin & Wallace collection, via selective acquisitions.

Darwin & Wallace was founded by Mel Marriott in 2012, backed by leading private equity firm Imbiba and approximately 200 smaller individual shareholders, via the government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme.

The deal will see Marriott step down from day-to-day operations, with the enlarged group led by Richard Stringer, Managing Director of Portobello Pub Company. The rest of the existing Darwin & Wallace senior

team will remain in place.

Commenting on the development, Mark Crowther, Chairman of Portobello Pub Company, said: “This is a fantastic acquisition for Portobello, bringing an extremely successful and high-quality business under our umbrella. It represents a fantastic opportunity for us to blend our existing high-quality estate of pubs and restaurants with a collection of truly excellent and premium high-street hospitality venues.

“Mel and her team have done an extraordinary job in creating and building the business over the past decade, and we’d like to thank her for trusting us to be careful custodians; we are looking forward to taking Darwin & Wallace to the next level. We’d also like to thank the teams at both Imbiba and Zetland for supporting this deal, enabling us to start this exciting new chapter at Portobello.”

Mel Marriott, Founder and Managing Director of Darwin & Wallace, said: “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Darwin & Wallace and am immensely grateful to everybody who has been a part of this journey. While it’s the end of an era for me, what we have created is truly special and I am looking forward to watching the business continue to flourish under the stewardship of Mark, Richard and the Portobello team.”

Stella Artois Launches ‘Perfect Serve’ Campaign Celebrating The Perfect Pint Budweiser Brewing Group celebrates their dedication to serve quality, incentivising consumers to rate the quality of their Stella Artois serve, and rewarding customers who serve the perfect Stella Artois.

Stella Artois, a proud part of Budweiser Brewing Group, has announced the launch of its new ‘Perfect Serve’ campaign, illustrating the brand’s dedication to the perfect serve ritual. From the 1st of March consumers are encouraged to rate the quality of their Stella Artois or Stella Artois Unfiltered served in 2000+ venues across Britain. Consumers will be rewarded with cash back on the full price of their pint, driving footfall to on-trade venues stocking Stella Artois on tap.

From the 1st of May through to the 26th of June, Stella Artois, the official beer partner of the Wimbledon Championships, will then offer participating consumers entry to a prize draw for a chance to win a pair of tickets to Wimbledon Tennis Championships; transforming every Stella Artois moment into a chance to win.

At the heart of the campaign is a mobile powered platform called TaDa, which allows consumers to rate the quality their Stella Artois and Stella Artois Unfiltered serve. As part of the campaign, Budweiser Brewing

Group will also be ensuring continued excellent serve quality by refreshing tap lines, training staff on the perfect serve ritual, and using targeted ads to drive local customer traffic into participating pubs year-round. Each pub will also receive promotional kits with coasters, bar runners and other materials to promote the ‘Perfect Serve’ campaign.

"We're excited to give pub-goers even more reasons to enjoy a pint of Stella Artois through this new campaign," Elise Dickinson, Stella Artois Marketing Director. "By focusing on the Perfect Serve, we aim to boost dwell time and keep customers coming back for the perfect pint."

The ‘Perfect Serve’ uses the iconic Stella Artois chalice, pouring at a 45degree angle whilst allowing the foam to spill over the top of the chalice.

Next is to use the skimmer to slice the excess foam off the top – which creates a smooth foam barrier that locks in the CO2 bubbles, providing Stella Artois with its distinctly fresh flavour. The final step is the placement, with the cartouche (the brands iconic emblem representing it’s 600 years of brewing history) facing forward towards the consumer.

Sign up here https://thepubclub.beer/service/perfect-serve/ to be part of the campaign.

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SIBA Partners With Great British Pub Awards To Launch New ‘Best Beer Pub’ Award For 2024 The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has partnered with the Great British Pub Awards to introduce a brand-new category for Best Beer Pub, with nominations now open.

Building on the success of SIBA’s “Independent Beer Bar” which they brought to the Awards in 2023 and which will return again in 2024, the new SIBA sponsored “Best Beer Pub” award is open to all pubs with a focus on their exceptional beer offer.

The winner must consistently deliver value and high standards through their range, showcasing the quality of their serve, cellar management and training, staff knowledge and excellent customer service.

SIBA Chief Executive Andy Slee will join the judging panel for 2024 and had this to say on the awards; “SIBA are proud to be supporting the Great British Pub Awards in seeking to highlight the UK’s best beer pubs. Quality beer goes hand in hand with a superb pub – and with the vast majority of the beer produced by independent breweries being sold to pubs in their local area, the Great

British Pub is absolutely vital to our member brewers in the independent brewing sector.

Judges will not only be looking for a great range of beers on offer, but also impeccable cellar skills, great customer service and staff with a real passion and knowledge for the beer they serve. I look forward to seeing who is in the running for this year’s inaugural award!”

Dubbed ‘The Oscars of the pub industry”, the Great British Pub Awards take place in Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse and seek to reward and recognise the nation’s finest pubs, helping pub owners and operators put bums on seats and pride in teams.

With a wide variety of categories, from the new ‘Best Beer Pub’ to ‘Best Pub for Dogs’, there’s opportunity for pubs of all shapes, sizes and strengths to make their mark on the industry and propel themselves into the limelight.

To find out more or enter the awards visit www.greatbritishpubawards.co.uk

Robinsons Brewery Pays Tribute To Life President Robinsons Brewery has paid tribue following the death of of Company Life President, the last of the fifth generation who worked for Robinsons, Mr Dennis Robinson.

Mr Dennis joined the family’s business on 25th October 1953, starting as a trainee brewer. During the succeeding 71 years he has taken an active role in the company’s affairs. In 1962 he became a main board Company Director, becoming Life President in 2020. He remained committed and fully engaged as the Chairman of the Trustees of our historic Pension Schemes and with the evolution of the business over the last 10 years right until his death.

Joint Managing Director and son of Mr Dennis, William Robinson, said “He will be remembered by many colleagues across the business as a true gentleman with a fastidious attention to detail! He was a walking

almanac of all things Robinsons, custodian of the company’s history and keen to ensure this was brought to life and shared widely” “Throughout his working life, he was heavily involved in the Stockport community, as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, as a Magistrate for over 40 years and through his roles on various other local trusts and committees.

“He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and colleagues inside and outside the business who were such a large part of his life for many years.”

“For the Robinson family the loss of the last of the three brothers, the fifth generation of the business, is the end of an era, their wise counsel will be deeply missed.”

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Making Stays Exceptional: Insights From A Keeper Of The Elusive ‘Golden Keys’

By Simon James, Head Concierge at Burgh Island Hotel Amongst those working in the hospitality sector, there’s a consensus that hospitality is not just a job but a calling. Those drawn to hospitality typically have a passion for providing clients with exceptional service and memorable experiences. In the hotel world, the concierge team is at the forefront of this mission – sharing with guests their knowledge, care and problem-solving skills to make their visits as gratifying as possible.

ROLE OF THE CONCIERGE When people think about a concierge team, they may presume their service is limited to booking theatre tickets and restaurant reservations, but the concierge’s remit – and value – extends far beyond this. Indeed, at Burgh Island hotel – an iconic art deco retreat on Devon’s secluded Burgh Island – we encourage guests to contact the concierge team before arrival to help plan their visit.

Concierges are experts on their locale, with carefully-curated knowledge on the best places to eat, the most rewarding things to do and the most enjoyable places to visit. Guests may ask them to help book reservations at the most exclusive restaurants, arrange entry to the most in-demand tourist attractions or source elusive tickets for events – which sometimes comes with the ability to bypass queues. But concierges can also help with more bespoke requests – including anything from offering ideas to help make an anniversary special through to handling deliveries, organising private security services, coordinating meetings, providing directions, resolving complaints and arranging transport to make a stay seamless and stress-free.

Taking this broad scope into account, the role of a concierge encompasses everything from personal assistant to local expert and event planner. Crucially, their service is completely free and their information is unbiased. In some hotels, concierges are now called guest relations managers to reflect the important role they hold – whether welcoming new and returning visitors or acting as a liaison between guests and hotel staff to ensure any issues are swiftly resolved.

Each guest has a unique story, a set of preferences and a desire to feel seen and appreciated. Whether remembering a guest’s favourite drink, dietary restrictions or interest in certain activities, the ability to anticipate and fulfil their needs is what sets apart the best hotels.

ELEVATING HOSPITALITY THROUGH LES CLEFS D'OR Les Clefs d’Or – or ‘the golden keys’ – represents the pinnacle of concierge excellence. This prestigious association of concierge professionals was officially founded in 1952 and is based on the principles of service and friendship. It now has around 4,000 members across more than 80 countries. Membership is a mark of distinction; members must have several years of hotel concierge experience, undertake comprehensive testing and demonstrate their ability to deliver the highest level of service.

At Burgh Island hotel, our Head Concierge holds these distinguished keys, which not only represent excellence but also unlock access to a global network of concierge experts. Members can confer with like-minded individuals, benefit from training and development opportunities, and access invaluable resources – sharing insights and best practice to elevate their craft to new heights. What’s more, when faced with a challenging request, they can call on the expertise of their global network to accomplish it – enhancing their guests’ experiences and setting new standards of hospitality excellence worldwide.

CULTIVATING BESPOKE EXPERIENCES At Burgh Island hotel, we strive to provide a symphony of attentiveness, care and attention to detail towards our guests so that they are enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. Every gesture, whether through handwritten notes, personalised greetings or curated recommendations, is done with sincerity and authenticity, and our commitment to creating memorable experiences resonates with guests long after they have departed.

We take the approach that nothing is too much trouble and we delight in cultivating bespoke experiences.

Our concierge team can arrange anything from artist experiences and workshops through to fishing trips, sea tractor rides, curated island walks, surfing and paddleboarding experiences, and outdoor picnics – while providing insight about the cultural and architectural history of this unique island.

MAKING STAYS EXCEPTIONAL

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONALS

Customer service is paramount in hospitality. The most successful concierges are those who make their guests’ visits exceptional by anticipating their needs, understanding their preferences and providing a personalised, considerate service.

Exceptional hospitality lies in fostering a culture where every guest interaction is tailored to their individual needs. Understanding the unique preferences of each guest and responding accordingly leaves a lasting impression.

Good hospitality service is about making guests feel valued and understood. This extends beyond the tangible aspects of a guest’s stay – it encompasses the emotional connection forged through thoughtful gestures and genuine interactions.

For those aspiring to enter the world of hospitality, embracing a mindset of continuous learning and consideration is key. By prioritising empathy, personalisation and professional development, aspiring professionals can achieve a rewarding career in hospitality and enrich the lives of their guests .

Craft Guild Of Chefs Unveils Shortlisted Finalists For 2024 Awards The Craft Guild of Chefs has unveiled the shortlisted nominees for its’ 2024 Awards, for which the winners will be announced on Monday 24th June at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London.

The Craft Guild of Chefs Awards are seen as the chefs’ Oscars recognising the exceptional talent across the whole of our industry – from apprentice and young chefs just starting out to chefs who are established in their careers in hospitality, pubs and restaurants.

In addition to the 15 categories listed below, the Craft Guild of Chefs will also present a Special Award to the chef who, above all others, has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

Matt Owens, chair of the Craft Guild of Chefs, said: “We are proudly celebrating 30 years of our awards this year. All of you nominated this year, as many great chefs before you, are true credits to our industry but most importantly yourselves.

“I wish each and every one of you the best of luck on the night. It such an honour to be recognised by your peers to get you this far and it’s why The Craft Guild of Chefs are proud to showcase some of the great talent with have in our industry.”

The full list of nominees can be seen here or you can find out more information can be found at www.craftguildofchefs.org

Twickenham Brewery’s ‘Naked Ladies’ Pump Clip Complaint Rejected A complaint against Twickenham Brewery’s ‘Naked Ladies’ pump clip has not been upheld by the alcohol industry’s Independent Complaint Panel (ICP), following a complaint from a member of the public.

The complaint raised concerns that the name, branding and design of the pump clip were inappropriately sexualised and could cause offence and embarrassment for customers and staff when ordering the product in a pub or bar, under Code rule 3.3 – causing serious or widespread offence. The Panel did not uphold the complaint.

The Panel discussed the product name ‘Naked Ladies’ and noted the company’s submission that the beer was one of several which it named after local landmarks, in this case a well known and colloquial term used to describe a group of statues in Twickenham. The Panel noted the packaging and company website incorporated descriptive language designed to explain the historical context of the statue, and while limited space on the pump clip didn’t include this – the reference of Twickenham in the company’s name did provide some context.

The Panel considered that the design was artistically stylised and akin to art deco, with no identifying detail added to any of the statue’s features or undue focus on its pelvic or breast area.

alised. In this case, the Panel concluded that the overall impression of the Naked Ladies pump clip did not fall foul of the Code and did not uphold the complaint.”

CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “We are disappointed that the Independent Complaints Panel did not uphold the complaint from a member of the public.

“The beer in question was removed from eligibility for inclusion in our Champion Beer of Britain Competition in 2022, following complaints from members of the public. Our volunteer committees have upheld that decision, and we are proud to have robust policies and practical guidance for our volunteers on the naming and marketing of beers and ciders, and whether products should be eligible for our highest accolades or on sale at our festivals.

“Our policies are unashamedly consumer focused and include the environment that product names and marketing – including pump clips – can create for bar staff, volunteers at our festivals, and members of the public enjoying the licensed trade. We also require brewers, cider makers and other vendors at our festivals to refrain from using discriminatory marketing at CAMRA events, as covered in our Festival Code of Conduct.

As such the Panel considered that the depiction of the statue and the name ‘Naked Ladies’ did not cause serious or widespread offence. Accordingly, the complaint was not upheld under Code rule 3.3.

“Beer and cider are for everyone, and we want everyone to feel welcome at CAMRA festivals and in their locals. For CAMRA, that means making sure that products on sale do not invite inappropriate or exclusionary behaviour or comments.

Chair of the Independent Complaints Panel, Rachel Childs said: “It’s vitally important under the Code that producers ensure their products do not cause serious or widespread offence and in relation to sexual objectification, that they don’t incorporate elements which are demeaning, derogatory, gratuitous or overly sexu-

“We are looking forward to working with the Portman Group when they next review their Code of Practice, and we will be making detailed representations on behalf of consumers and in line with our own policies on naming and marketing of beer and cider.”

SLTA Responds To Introduction Of Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act Issue 208

The (SLTA) Scottish Licensed Trade Association welcomes the introduction of the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act, announced this morning by the Scottish Government.

Gavin Stevenson, the SLTA’s tied pubs policy adviser, an Inverness-based publican, said: “This act will regulate the tied pubs sector and provide some of the same protections that tenants in England have long enjoyed.

“However, we are extremely disappointed in the delays to implementation, first as a result of Scottish Government insisting on an extended two-year period for the Act to take effect, then by the obstructive behaviour of some of the tied pub companies in pursuing protracted, but futile, legal challenges, and now by the Scottish Government announcing that the Act will not take full effect until much later this year.

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“Scottish tied pub tenants cannot afford any further delay, and we urge the Scottish Government to accelerate implementation.”

The SLTA, which represents independent licensees, has long been a supporter of both the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill and a Scottish Pubs Code, claiming that many Scottish tied pub tenants have lost their livelihoods and savings as a result of “rapacious pubco behaviour”.

It previously said that measures in the Bill would strengthen the position of tenants in their relationship with landlords, and put Scottish tenants on an equal footing with their counterparts in England. A statutory code of conduct has been in place in England for several years.

The Bill, put forward by Labour MSP Neil Bibby, was backed by a broad coalition including the SLTA, the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), GMB Scotland, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Pubs Advisory Service, and many small brewers.

London’s Most Iconic Pubs Make Shortlist For Top Consumer Awards Some of London’s most popular boozers are vying for the top accolades in this year’s Art of Going Out Awards 2024, organised by venue booking platform DesignMyNight.

thing just a little bit different,” commented DesignMyNight senior marketing manager Leighanne Bent. “It will be fascinating to see which one gets the top votes overall against such fierce competition.”

Pubs that have made the shortlist in the ‘Pub You Couldn’t Live Without’ category are: The Prince, SW6; The George in Great Portland Street; The Devonshire in Denman Street, Soho; the Punch & Judy in Covent Garden; and two Fuller’s pubs The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden and The Churchill Arms in Notting Hill, while Wetherspoon’s is up for the ‘Biggest Bang for your Buck’ award.

Around 60,000 total votes have been cast by members of the public in this year’s Art of Going Out Awards with up to seven shortlisted venues across the 12 categories which include ‘The Experience That Defines London’, ‘TikTok Made Me Book It’, ‘Worth the Queue’ and ‘Date Night with a Difference’.

‘Some of London’s finest and most unique venues make up our shortlist this year, proving the enduring popularity of pubs as places the general public still love to visit, particularly if they’re quirky and olde worlde but have adapted to today’s consumer by providing some-

Those in the shortlist now have until 17th April to canvass for votes in the grand final, with the winning establishments being announced on 24th April.

Cast your votes here: https://www.designmynight.com/london/designmynight-awards-2024

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Further Industrial Action Drives Night Time Economy Losses to Exceed 5 Billion Say NTIA current challenges faced by the sector. This cannot continue if we are to build back and recover from what feels like a four-year hangover,” Kill added.

NTIA CEO Michael Kill addresses the impact of industrial action as the sector is expected to exceed an estimated £5 Billion in lost revenue, as further strike action is announced.

He notes that disruption caused by industrial action and rising costs not only affects livelihoods but also jeopardises the safety and well being of both staff and customers, who must navigate their way home late at night.

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), representing night-time businesses, expresses profound concern regarding the recent industrial action announced by the ASLEF union and London Underground. The strike, scheduled to run from April 5th to April 8th, including a six-day ban on overtime, poses significant challenges to the night-time economy and hospitality sectors, compounding existing economic hardships.

NTIA CEO Michael Kill underscores the adverse effects of industrial action on the transport infrastructure, resulting in an estimated £5 billion in lost revenue for the night-time economy and hospitality sectors throughout the strike period.

Kill emphasises the critical state of the industry, citing significant revenue losses, high operating costs, and increased taxation, leading to thousands of business closures. He urges the government to intervene, prioritise people’s well-being and address the crisis, reiterating the proposed reduction in VAT for hospitality and nighttime economy businesses to provide essential financial relief.

“The continuation of industrial action is without doubt taking its toll on businesses and has added to the

Acknowledging the lawful nature of industrial action, Kill stresses the importance of dialogue and collaboration. He urges all parties to engage in meaningful discussions to find solutions that mitigate negative economic impacts.

The NTIA encourages the ASLEF union and London Underground Drivers to consider the broader consequences of their actions and seek solutions that protect member welfare and local business viability. Kill believes open discussions can lead to creative alternatives balancing workers’ rights and night-time economy needs.

During this period, the NTIA advises individuals to check travel plans in advance, as services will operate on an amended timetable. The NTIA pledges to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates.

In conclusion, Kill reaffirms the NTIA’s commitment to supporting the night-time economy and advocating for its sustainable growth. He calls for collaboration to find long-term solutions, securing the future success of city night-time businesses and ensuring the continued flourishing of the vibrant night-time economy.

Shakespeare With Sheps Returns To Two Kent Pub Gardens This Summer

Shepherd Neame is joining forces for a second year with Kent theatre company, Changeling, to stage open air theatre at two of its popular pubs this summer.

Shakespeare With Sheps will see Maidstone-based Changeling Theatre perform Shakespeare’s Henry V during its outdoor summer theatre tour in two of its pub gardens.

The two diverse destinations chosen are The New Flying Horse at Wye and the Royal Albion Hotel on Broadstairs seafront.

It is the second time Britain’s oldest brewer has teamed up with the company to bring Shakespeare to Shepherd Neame venues.

This year, the first performance will be at The New Flying Horse in the beautiful village of Wye near Ashford on Tuesday, July 2 at 7pm. Theatre fans will be able to soak up the rural setting, as the show takes place in the pub’s spacious, lawned garden.

The second will be the following night on Wednesday, July 3, also at 7pm, at The Royal Albion Hotel on Broadstairs seafront.

Best known for its hugely successful open air tour each summer, the Changeling Theatre have staged Shakespeare’s most popular plays in locations ranging from castles to gardens and even beaches for more

than 20 years.

Henry V is arguably Shakespeare’s most famous and popular ‘war play’ and is based on the events of the Hundred Years’ War. It is also not without comedy, and in typical Shakespeare style, the leading characters are ruthlessly mocked by the underclass throughout.

Directed by Rob Forknall and with the same creative team from last year’s Love’s Labour’s Lost, this production will take its design cues from the game of chess and promises to be a visual treat – full of action and intrigue.

Shepherd Neame’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Neame, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce that this exciting partnership is returning for a second year, bringing live theatre to two of our pub’s open spaces this summer.

“The New Flying Horse and The Royal Albion Hotel are both fantastic locations in which to enjoy the show. The Changeling Theatre are well known for their fun and creative shows and we can’t wait to add their performances to what we already offer our customers this summer.”

Artistic director of the Changeling Theatre, Rob Forknall, said: “Henry V is popular with audiences and our production promises to be entertaining, challenging and with some Changeling humour thrown in for good measure.”

The Plant-Based Zone Returns To Food & Drink Expo With the prevalence of plant-based food growing significantly within the food & drink market, Food & Drink Expo aim to shed light on this booming sector through their dedicated Plant-Based zone, home to vegan and plant-based products.

Supported by The Vegan Society and Chirpea, the zone returns after a successful launch in 2023 to showcase some of the very best vegan and plant-based products the UK sector has to offer, including a range of meat alternatives, snacks, drinks, ingredients and just everything plant! Big names exhibiting include Suma Wholefoods (Stand CC210), BioVit (Stand EE211), Moving Mountains (Stand BB228) and Novameat (Stand FF210).

Food & Drink Expo also has an exciting line-up of sessions covering a range of industry-impacting topics, highlights include:

WHERE NEXT FOR PLANT-BASED? The panel of experts in this session will debate the future of the plant-based category, identifying the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

HEATHER MILLS: TAKING BACK CONTROL

VBites founder Heather Mills sits down for an exclusive interview with The Grocer to discuss everything plant and the future of VBites.

Across five content theatres, a variety of expert panels will call on some of the industry’s biggest names for their take on the sector’s most pressing challenges.

Planet Organic’s founder Renée Elliott, UK&I MD of Innocent Drinks Sam Akinluyi, CEO of FareShare George Wright and Better Nature Tempeh’s CoFounder & CEO Christopher Kong are just a few of the panellists scheduled to appear at the event.

Food & Drink Expo, Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show, The Forecourt Show and The Restaurant Show will form part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, encompassing the whole spectrum from food development, grocery to specialist retail, wholesale, hospitality and foodservice.

To find out more and to register for your free pass, visit: www.foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk

NTIA & UKDSA Urges Government to Extend Protections to Frontline Security Staff Within Night Time Economy Issue 208

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guard these essential workers who contribute to maintaining public safety.

Following the announcement that the Government has presented plans to target Serial or abusive shoplifters, who will face tougher punishments as the Prime Minister sets out tough new action to crack down on retail crime and protect UK high streets.

Moreover, the initiatives to track and penalise serial offenders through tagging and enhanced community sentencing are crucial steps toward deterring repeat criminality. By investing in facial recognition technology which has been trialled on the south coast, and bolstering police resources, we can prevent crimes before they occur and hold perpetrators accountable.

Michael Kill CEO of the Night Time Industries Association “I commend the government’s decisive action to combat retail crime and protect the invaluable staff who serve our communities. Assaulting retail workers is an intolerable offence that undermines the safety and security of our high streets. By establishing assault on retail staff as a standalone criminal offence, the government is sending a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

However, as we celebrate this step forward, we must also address the urgent need to extend protections to the security sector. Shockingly, over 90% of security operatives endure verbal and physical abuse or sexual harassment in the line of duty. It’s imperative that the government considers implementing similar measures to safe-

As we move forward, I urge the government to prioritise the safety and well-being of all frontline workers, including those in the security sector, and continue collaborating with industry stakeholders to ensure comprehensive protection for those who serve our communities tirelessly. Together, we can create safer environments for both workers and patrons alike, fostering vibrant and thriving high streets and night time economies across the UK. Docuseries presented by BBC on the Abuse suffered by the Door Security Sector https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68773704

Monica And David Galetti Announce Closure Of Mere After Seven Years Monica and David Galetti are to close their Mere restaurant in London’s Fitzrovia later this month after seven years of trading.

Storey and everyone who has supported us and our loyal patrons and dedicated staff throughout this journey.”

Mere opened in 2017 and was the first standalone joint project for the Galettis, who met while working at Le Gavroche in Mayfair which closed its doors earlier this year, gaining a reputation for dishes blending classical French flavours with South Pacific Island influences.

“Here’s to the next adventure” the restaurant recommended in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2024, however, it did not hold a Michelinstar.

The announcement of the closure follows the closure of other high-profile restaurants, fellow MasterChef professional Judge Marcus wearing coasters restaurant at the Berkeley at the end of 2023 with Jason Atherton recently announcing the closure of Pollen Street Social.

Posting the news on social media, the Galettis said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closure of Mere restaurant – but we feel this is the right time after 7yrs!

“We want to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank Alastair

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• Sample and source the latest offerings • Learn the latest trends and insights • Make valuable contacts

Find out more and register free at: foodanddrinkexpo.co.uk This is a trade event. No under 18s will be admitted.

Nine Stonegate Group Managers Gain Leadership Roles Across Its UK Pubs 16

CLH Digital

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Stonegate Group marks a significant achievement as it celebrates the graduation of nine talented managers from its diverse pubs across the UK. This milestone marks the first-ever Aspirations cohort comprising members from each of Stonegate’s three business units: Pub Partners, Craft Union and Managed Pubs.

The Aspirations programme, now in its eleventh cycle, is part of Stonegate Group’s award-winning learning and development programme, Albert’s Theory of Progression. The programme provides customised learning paths for career advancement in the hospitality industry.

The latest cohort concluded in December 2023 and played a crucial role in propelling nine high-potential individuals into leadership roles within the company. The group saw promotions across various business areas, highlighting the programme’s adaptability and success in cultivating leadership skills.

The graduation ceremony, held at Stonegate’s Academy in Birmingham, celebrated six new Regional Managers, one Area Manager, one General Manager and a Pub Support Team Manager.

During the programme, several significant promotions took place, highlighting the real impact of Aspirations

on career progression. Darren Guyon, a General Manager, was promoted to Area Manager, while Ashley Roper climbed to the role of Regional Manager in Craft Union. Associate Regional Managers Emily Jordan and Bethan Johns stepped into Regional Manager positions.

Since its inception, Aspirations has seen 31 Area Managers within Stonegate and nine Craft Union Regional Managers climb through its ranks.

Tim Painter, Stonegate HR Director, expressed his pride in the achievements of the Aspirations graduates. He said: “It is hugely rewarding to see another cohort of ambitious, motivated and forward-thinking individuals progress through the Aspirations scheme. Congratulations to all this year’s graduates for their hard work, this is a well-deserved achievement.

“Our people are at the core of our ethos here at Stonegate and we are committed to the development of our team. The Aspirations programme is a fantastic real-life example of our bar to boardroom ethos.”

This historic Aspirations graduation not only signifies personal accomplishments but also reflects Stonegate Group’s dedication to investing wisely in its people and providing equal opportunities for growth across its diverse business units.

GBM Winner To Launch Debut Restaurant In Liverpool Photo Credit Optomen Television

Chef Dan McGeorge, winner of TV’s Great British Menu 2021, is set to open the doors of his debut restaurant later this Spring.

Vetch, located at 29A Hope Street in the heart of his home town of Liverpool, is currently being transformed into a 26-cover fine dining restaurant. Which once open will serve up a relaxed seasonally inspired five-course lunch and a seven-course dinner, with both tasting menus showcasing modern British cooking interspersed with Nordic and Asian flavour influences.

For those that don’t know Dan’s route to the kitchen is unconventional, in that he started out studying for a law degree, before deciding it wasn’t for him and changing tack completely to train as a chef.

2011, saw Dan gravitate to Liverpool Community College, where he began to learn his craft and further develop his passion for cooking. On graduating he worked in several high-profile kitchens, with stints alongside the likes of Simon Rimmer, Sam Moody at the one Michelin starred, three rosetted Bath Priory and Ben Mounsey at the three rosetted Lawns Restaurant, Thornton Hall Hotel, before making the move to the Lakes in September 2017 as head chef at the then two AA rosetted Rothay Manor.

Dan left Rothay in October 2023, having previously secured a third AA rosette in January 2019 along the way. In 2020 he joined the likes of Marcus Wareing, Jason Atherton, and Marco Pierre White as he was presented with an Acorn Award.

He added a Michelin Plate to his accolades in January 2021, which he followed by being crowned ‘Champion of Champions’ in BBC Two’s Great British Menu programme. In June 2022, Dan was presented with the Restaurant Chef Award by The Craft Guild of Chefs.

Since then he’s relocated to his native Liverpool, taken some time out with his young family, and then got stuck into searching for the right venue to realise his dream off opening his debut restaurant.

Vetch’s chef-owner Dan McGeorge said: ‘ ’It was a big decision leaving Rothay, but it was the right one to make. Georgia and I wanted to move back to Liverpool and realise our joint ambition to open a restaurant. We’ve been fortunate enough to find an amazing location right in the middle of the city at 29A Hope Street.

We’re busy recruiting staff at the moment and then we’ll spend time working with our team to hit the ground running. Hopefully opening the doors in early May. We can’t wait to welcome guests through the door to enjoy what will hopefully be a great additional to Liverpool’s emerging dining scene.’’

St Austell Brewery And Thatchers Sign New 10-Year Partnership Deal

St Austell Brewery has signed a new 10-year deal with fellow Westcountry drinks brand, Thatchers Cider. The two companies have been working in close partnership since 2002.

As part of the new, long-term strategic deal, St Austell Brewery will stock Thatchers cider in its managed pubs, from the Isles of Scilly to Bath.

Thatchers will also continue to be a key drinks partner for publicans across the company’s 122-strong leased and tenanted estate.

As the South West’s leading wholesale drinks distributor, Thatchers brands are also widely available to St Austell Brewery’s 3,000+ freetrade customers across the region.

Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive, St Austell Brewery said: “We’re delighted be continuing our longstanding partnership with Thatchers by signing this new 10-year deal. It’s a fellow family-owned drinks company, which shares many of our values.

“Working collaboratively with other businesses in our region, and building strong long-term relationships, is something which has always been important to us. It’s fantastic to continue supporting one another by growing Thatchers’ Westcountry distribution whilst bolstering our drinks portfolio and cider offer for pub guests

and wholesale customers.”

Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cider maker, said: “Working in partnership with St Austell Brewery just makes sense; we share our values, roots and commitment to giving customers a great experience. This 10-year deal, which may seem short in comparison to the combined 292 years of family expertise our companies have, is a testament to our shared commitment to collaboration and sustainability. We look forward to raising a glass in a St Austell pub to celebrate!”

Thatcher’s cider has been made on Myrtle Farm in Somerset since 1904.

A family business just like St Austell Brewery, they’re on their fourth generation dedicated to its craft with a fifth already learning the craft.

St Austell Brewery was founded by Walter Hicks in 1851. It remains an independent, family-owned business 172 years later. The company’s range of award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide.

The business owns over 160 pubs, inns, and hotels across the West Country - including managed houses and leased and tenanted sites. It also operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley, near Bath.

Taking a Closer Look at Seafood in the Foodservice Sector 18

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In the ever-shifting seas of consumer spending, anyone involved in the selling of seafood can thrive from a better understanding of the current trends and market opportunities. Our latest report, ‘Fish and Chips in Foodservice’, looks at the insights we’ve uncovered based on data gathered over two years (to September 2023).

home has become the new ‘going out’.

FISH AND CHIP SHOPS SUFFER AS SOCIAL EATING IS PRIORITISED On-premises dining remains important to people for the socialising opportunity it offers, with full-service restaurants seeing an overall traffic growth of 2.5%. Meanwhile, fish and chip shops have seen a significant dip in sales as consumers tighten their purse strings to cope with the cost of living.

The first step to changing or reacting to buying behaviour is knowing what drives customers. Our report on out-of-home seafood sales combines industry data with consumer surveys to reveal the bigger picture.

The headline news is that, despite declining fish and chip shop sales, overall fish and chip sales across total foodservice are recovering, with 1.1 million more servings in the last two years. While the cost-of-living crisis has had a dampening impact on the market, post-pandemic recovery continued steadily, slowing only in the most recent quarter (July to September 2023).

THE BIG TAKEAWAYS Foodservice equates to almost a third of the volume sales of seafood.

Of that, fish and chip meals represent around 20% of all foodservice seafood consumption. In the two years analysed, 337 million servings of fish and chips were sold – a 0.3% increase on the previous two years.

FISH AND CHIPS ARE MOST POPULAR WITH OLDER GENERATIONS Despite under-50s representing 73% of the out-of-home total of food and drink servings, 59% of all fish and chips servings are to consumers over 50. This skew is more apparent in pubs, where over 72% of fish and chips servings are to over-50s.

OPPORTUNITIES IN FISH AND CHIPS – THE 5 ES 75% OF FISH AND CHIPS SERVINGS ARE TO ADULTS WITHOUT CHILDREN

1. Engage younger consumers to broaden the consumer base.

2. Expand the buying window by finding ways to make fish and chips relevant throughout the week.

Fish and chips perform better in adult-only occasions, particularly in pubs and full-service restaurants where over 80% of servings are to adults without children.

3. Embrace delivery services and app-based ordering, and explore digital loyalty schemes.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY DINNER REMAIN THE PEAK TIMES FOR FISH AND CHIPS

4. Explore opportunities to diversify with portable snacking options, or expand menus for fish and chip shops.

Saturdays are now the most popular day for fish and chips, with Fridays a close second. Together, they account for 43% of all fish and chips servings per week.

5. Emphasise value for money, promoting fish and chips as a delicious, filling and affordable meal option.

THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS IS REFLECTED IN A SHIFT FROM OUT-OF-HOME TO IN-HOME

In navigating the evolving landscape of the fish and chips market, businesses must be willing to adapt, innovate and strategically target emerging opportunities to ensure sustained success.

In line with the trading behaviours seen in foodservice, there’s been an increase in purchases of frozen fish and chips products from supermarkets as a cheaper substitute to takeaways. For many people, dining in at

Want to dive deeper? Read the full report at www.seafish.org/insight-and-research/seafood-in-foodservicedata-and-insight

Revolution Bars Proposes Restructure And Closure 18 Sites Bar and gastro pub operator Revolution Bars (REVB) has proposed a restructuring of the group, which would involve the shuttering of several sites, rent reductions, and an equity raise of up to £12.5m featuring new and existing investors.

the Group to improve its future prospects and provide the best outcome for all stakeholders.

“After much consideration, the board concluded that a plan to restructure the business, together with a fundraising of up to £12.5 million and to simultaneously launch a formal sale process would deliver the best value.

Revolution Bars said its restructuring plan would affect Revolution Bars Ltd and would see it exit the leases of 18 loss-making sites and impose a rent reduction on a further 14 sites, which the company said would enable it to return to profitability at a sustainable level.

To fund the planned restructure and provide additional working capital, a fundraising is proposed to raise up to £12.5m.

Group like-for-like sales for the four weeks to 31 December were up 9.0%, the company’s best festive period since 2019. Like-for-like sales for the first half, including New Year’s Eve, were down 2.8%.

Rob Pitcher, chief executive of Revolution Bars Group plc, said: “Following a period of macro-economic and external challenges which has impacted both the company and disproportionately its Revolution brand’s young customer base and consequently our trading, the board has had to consider all strategic options for

“We are driven by the imperative to deliver to stakeholders a business which is fit for purpose in today’s environment, better balanced and financed in a way to provide a sustainable long-term future for the Group which, in time, has the opportunity to grow and flourish again.”

Revolution said the restructuring plan would “primarily impact the Revolution-branded sites” listed under the Plan Company, which holds 38 Revolution branded sites, six closed sites, one Playhouse site and one Founders & Co site.

Last month, the company reiterated it is “actively exploring all the strategic options available” following press speculation that it plans to close a quarter of its sites.

The hospitality group closed eight bars across England in January after blaming the cost of living crisis for hitting the spending power of its younger customers.

Banners are an Exceptionally Effective Tool for Drawing Crowds into Your Pub 6. CAPITALISE ON LOCAL PRIDE

Banners are an exceptionally effective tool for drawing crowds into your pub for sporting events, turning a regular night into a bustling hotspot of fan excitement and camaraderie. Here's how creatively leveraging banners can significantly boost your pub's appeal and bring in sports enthusiasts:

If your pub is in a city with a local team, use pub banners to show your support for the home team during their games. Local pride is a powerful draw, and showcasing your pub as a supportive hub for the community can significantly boost patronage.

1. PROMOTE UPCOMING GAMES WITH VIBRANCY Use large, colourful banners outside your pub to announce upcoming sporting events. These banners can highlight key matches, special gameday discounts, or viewing parties. With bold graphics and the logos of competing teams, you'll not only capture the attention of passersby but also ignite the spirit of rivalry and anticipation.

2. CREATE A THEMED ATMOSPHERE Inside the pub, banners can transform the space to reflect the fervour of the games. Hang banners of the teams playing in the upcoming matches to create a themed environment that resonates with fans. This visual appeal can make your pub the go-to place for fans looking for an immersive game-watching experience.

3. HIGHLIGHT SPECIAL OFFERS AND PROMOTIONS Custom banners can effectively advertise special promotions, such as discounted drinks or game-day menus, exclusive to sporting event nights. Placing these banners strategically at the entrance or within high-

7. SOCIAL MEDIA TIE-INS Use banners to promote your pub’s social media hashtags or handles, encouraging patrons to share their game-day experiences online. This not only increases your pub's visibility but also creates a digital community of fans who frequent your establishment. visibility areas in the pub can entice sports fans to choose your venue over others.

4. ENCOURAGE FAN ENGAGEMENT Encourage patrons to wear their team's colours by promoting a "Best Dressed Fan" contest on banners. This not only increases engagement but also fosters a lively, competitive atmosphere, making your pub an exciting place to be during major sporting events.

5. USE BANNERS FOR DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE For larger venues, banners can serve as effective directional signage, guiding guests to specific areas set up for watching the games. This can include different sections for fans of competing teams, enhancing the overall experience by catering to the tribal nature of sports fandom.

8. ANNOUNCE POST-GAME ENTERTAINMENT Attract patrons to stay longer or come in after the game by using banners to advertise post-game entertainment, such as live music, karaoke, or a DJ. This can turn game day into an all-night event, increasing your sales and patron satisfaction.

Implementing these strategies with banners not only elevates the game-watching experience but also solidifies your pub's reputation as the ultimate destination for sporting events. By visually communicating excitement, offering, and community, banners can significantly influence sports fans' choice of venue, ensuring your pub is their first pick for enjoying the game.

Check out the online Banner Library at www.hfe-signs.co.uk for promotional ideas for your pub!

Travel & Tourism Set To Break All Records In 2024, Reveals WTTC 20

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is projecting a recordbreaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of $11.1 trillion.

According to the global tourism body’s 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR), Travel & Tourism will contribute an additional $770BN over its previous record, stamping its authority as a global economic powerhouse, generating one in every 10 dollars worldwide.

As the global sector soars past its pre-pandemic prosperity, WTTC expects 142 countries of 185 analysed will be outperforming previous national records.

In partnership with Oxford Economic, WTTC’s latest EIR showcases a sector briming with opportunities, underpinning almost 348MN jobs globally. This represents an increase of more than 13.6MN jobs compared to its highest point in 2019.

International visitor spending is expected to come within touching distance of the 2019 peak, to reach $1.89TN, while domestic tourists are forecast to spend more than in any year on record to hit $5.4TN.

A LOOK BACK ON LAST YEAR Despite economic uncertainties and geopolitical shake-ups, the Travel & Tourism sector is thriving. With an economic injection of nearly $10TN, the sector matched its pre-pandemic zenith, flexing its resilience and proving its critical role in the global economy.

Representing 9.1% of global GDP at just over $9.9TN in 2023, Travel & Tourism’s financial footprint was the largest it’s been since the golden year of travel in 2019, trailing its peak by a mere 4%.

The sector also bolstered its workforce by an additional 27.4MN, propelling the total to nearly 330MN jobs worldwide.

International spending increased by 33.1% to reach $1.63TN, underscoring a vibrant comeback story for many countries around the world, with domestic spending increasing by more than 18% to reach almost $5TN.

2023 set the stage, demonstrating the unwavering passion for travel, paving the way for a record-breaking year in 2024.

This growth comes despite two of the world’s biggest tourism markets lagging in terms of international visitor spend, with both the U.S. and China seeing a far slower return of international tourist spend.

Last year in the U.S., international visitor spending remained more than a quarter below the peak of 2019, while China’s visitor spend remained almost 60% down.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Against the backdrop of uncertainty, the Travel & Tourism sector remains a global economic powerhouse.

“This isn’t just about breaking records, we’re no longer talker about a recovery – this is a story of the sector back at its best after a difficult few years, providing a significant economic boost to countries around the world and supporting millions of jobs.

“There’s a risk however, we need the U.S. and Chinese governments to support their national Travel & Tourism sectors. The U.S. and China will continue to suffer whilst other countries are seeing international visitors return much faster.”

TRAVEL & TOURISM 10 YEARS FROM NOW Looking ahead, WTTC is forecasting a promising future for the next decade, characterised by robust growth and unparalleled career opportunities.

By 2034, the sector will supercharge the global economy with a staggering $16TN, making up 11.4% of the entire economic landscape.

This booming industry is also set to be a job creation juggernaut, providing employment for 449MN people worldwide. Nearly 12.2% of the workforce will be powering this vibrant sector, showcasing Travel & Tourism’s pivotal role in global employment.

With more than three quarters of the countries analysed expected to exceed the high point of 2019, in terms of GDP contribution.

BII Licensee of the Year 2024 Semi-Finalists The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has announced their 12 Semi-Finalists for this year’s Licensee of the Year competition.

Since the launch in January this year, licensee operators have been entering the competition, showing the judges evidence of how they have been building their businesses and communities, with a focus on their resilience, sustainability, diversification and commitment to their teams.

Selected from a field of over 300 entrants, the 12 Semi-Finalists have reached this far in the awards based on their exceptional entry forms, social media and web presence audits as well as mystery customer visits, courtesy of HGEM. Head Judges, Amanda Hemming FBII and Ashley McCarthy CBII, will be making their way across the country over the next few weeks to meet all of the Semi-Finalists in person to experience their businesses first hand.

The 2024 Licensee of the Year Semi-Finalists are as follows:

Helen Paterson – The Cherry Tree – ML2 0BP Justine Lorriman – The Royal Dyche – BB11 3BW Max Shaw & Kelly Deary – The Castle Inn – DE74 2PP Paul Dexter – The Old Swan – NN6 0NA Sarah Godwin – The Lamb Inn – BS26 2AP Steve Banks – The Woodman, Ruislip – HA4 7SE Victoria Williams & Zac Williams-Wolfe – Fletchers Arms – M34 6EG Steven Alton, BII CEO commented: “Our Licensee of the Year Award is the most prestigious & hard-fought award, showing the excellence in our sector; our Semi-Finalists are of a fantastic standard.

Emma Harrison – The Three Hills – CB21 4PW

“We are proud that the awards process this year, more than ever, is offering a value-added experience to all those involved with business insight and the chance to evaluate your business available at every stage. In addition to the mystery customer visits, facilitated once again by HGEM, we have this year been supported by useyourlocal who have been promoting our entrants to consumers across the whole of the UK. With Cask Marque auditing cellars in addition to the visits from our Head Judges, Amanda and Ashley, the competition this year will provide more value to contestants than ever before.”

Harry Seccombe & Nicholas Humphrey – Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar – BH1 4AG

Following the judging visits, the finalists will be announced in mid-May.

Andrew Goodall – Rose & Crown, Severnstoke – WR8 9JQ Benjamin Bullman – The George IV – W4 2DR Chris Michaelas – The Dartford Sports Bar – DA1 2DJ

CLEAN Do The Workwear, So You Can Do The Work CLEAN Linen & Workwear are one of the UK's most trusted laundry companies. They supply tailored workwear solutions provided by real people. Their comprehensive laundry network means they can service customers throughout England and Wales, providing chefswear, workwear and linen rental services. Whether you operate from a single-site hotel, pub or restaurant or have multiple locations, CLEAN can tailor a workwear rental solution to suit your business requirements. They offer a range of functional, non-restrictive, breathable chef clothing perfect for the modern commercial kitchen, ensuring that your people look smart and are comfortable, boosting their confidence and productivity. They offer various uniform options to support the entire kitchen brigade, from Executive Chefs to Kitchen Porters.

With their workwear rental service, you can say goodbye to the hassle of purchasing, storing, and maintaining chef and kitchen uniforms. Instead, enjoy the convenience of a hassle-free rental system that provides freshly laundered garments whenever your team need them. By renting with CLEAN,

you can avoid upfront purchase costs, spread the payments over your contract, and ensure quality and care with every wash. Delivery is free, and there are no hidden charges; contracts even include repairs. Each item of clothing can be branded and tailored to the wearer with logos and embroidery. Their managed service prevents issues compiling when supplying your team with work clothes; a convenient locker valet service helps distribute and store uniforms, and they tackle minor repairs early to extend the service life of a uniform. Ultimately, this avoids costly replacements wherever possible as it reduces uniform losses, and uniforms only need replacing when a repair is not safe or cost-effective.

With CLEAN's workwear rental and laundry service, business owners can focus on what matters most — running their business — while CLEAN takes care of the rest.

To find out more visit: www.cleanservices.co.uk

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New Staffing Models and Embracing More Technology – How Hospitality Will Change

By Nicolas Ferrary, UK Managing Director, Brigad (www.brigad.co) Another budget gone and the hospitality industry heaves a collective sigh of disappointment with another missed opportunity to back the industry.

With no support forthcoming the industry is now facing tough challenges and decisions to ensure it not only survives but will be in a position where it can thrive once more.

It is obvious it cannot do this by relying on State support, so the hospitality sector must look at itself and elsewhere for solutions that will enable it to be more flexible and agile, so it can adapt to situations quickly.

Hospitality businesses can no longer afford to maintain the status quo – they have to be creative in finding answers.

solution for their staffing needs. Businesses can also bring in specialists with unique or hard to source skills that can help them expand their offering.

Since the pandemic, there has been a rise in the number of workers going freelance to enable them to choose a work life balance. These individuals want to have control over who they work for and when. In hospitality, this might mean not having to do ‘graveyard’ shifts, or having to choose between work and family first, which has a disproportionate impact on women.

Changing these working practices can enable more women to return. It also needs to see the rise of more women in decision-making positions, as this will also have a positive effect.

Those businesses that adapt to the blended workforce model effectively should see the rewards.

The second trend that hospitality businesses need to adopt is to be more innovative and embrace technology solutions that can reduce costs and increase revenue to aid that bottom line.

More than 6,000 hospitality venues closed in 2023, while annual new openings continue to fall as a result of the ‘cost of doing business’ crisis.

Fortunately, the bars, restaurants and hotels that are facing the biggest impact are blessed with creative and innovative individuals to help shape the future of how businesses are run.

Cost rises in energy, in food and in labour are hardly going to drop, so the sector needs to look at embracing technology more if it wants to be more streamlined.

What does that future look like?

“Improving efficiency through technology can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Using apps to complement strategic actions should be part of every hospitality business operation,” says Brigad’s UK MD Nicolas Ferrary.

To ensure venues are flexible and can be agile to the ebbs and flows of business, they firstly need to be creative with staffing solutions.

Latest data from the Office of National Statistics showed there were 112,000 hospitality vacancies at the end of 2023, which is far higher than pre-Covid levels.

Enticing people back to the industry is a top priority. However, the traditional model is going to have to change and there will be a shift to a more flexible and cost-efficient workforce model.

This can be achieved through adopting a blended workforce, where businesses operate with a select number of permanent staff, which is then supplemented with skilled freelance hospitality workers.

This model of working, which has been steadily expanding over the past decade or so, will become more universal.

One of the key advantages for businesses is they can strategically optimise their operations to be more agile in the face of uncertainty. By relying on self-employed professionals during peak times, businesses can ensure they have the right number of staff with the right skills, without the burden of long-term commitments.

For businesses operating on tight margins, especially small businesses, a blended workforce is a cost-effective

Technology already plays a part, Brigad’s hospitality freelance platform being one example.

Brigad has identified technology that is already available now that can assist businesses. This is the future of hospitality. It isn’t a fad but they are must haves.

The notion of relying on current cost-heavy methods is over. The hospitality business of the future will be more reliant on technology. Businesses can already use apps or programmes that can do the following: • Optimise stock management • Reduce sourcing costs • Adapt menus • Minimise Waste • Manage staff efficiently • Control your energy Given the pace at which technology advances, the early adopters that get on board now are the ones that will benefit the most. They are the ones that will have better margins, be more flexible and adapt to industry changes.

Trio Of Leicestershire Pubs Join The Punch Pubs Family Punch Pubs & Co has acquired three pubs within Leicestershire to add to its growing estate.

Estate Development and Acquisitions, Andrew Cannons, said: “We are pleased to welcome The Dog & Gun, the White Bear and the Horse & Trumpet into the Punch family and look forward to seeing our proposed plans come to life.

The Dog & Gun in Syston, the White Bear in Hinckley and the Horse & Trumpet in Sileby all form part of the latest pub package acquired by the independent pub company.

“Our Publicans will have access to Punch’s industry-leading investment and support which will allow each of these pubs to flourish once again. Our priority is in providing the communities of Syston, Hinckley and Sileby with fantastic community pubs and I am looking forward to sharing further updates as these plans progress.”

All three pubs will join Punch’s Leased and Tenanted estate, which is made up of more than 900 pubs as part of its 1,300 strong portfolio.

Speaking on behalf of the latest acquisition, Punch Pubs & Co Head of

Hospitality Trends for 2024 With the hospitality industry getting ready for 2024 we at Alliance have taken the opportunity to research the top emerging trends set to take hold this year. We have identified four trends so far which are beginning to permeate the current hospitality scenery:

MEDITERRANEAN ROMANTIC To make this trend work you need to embrace bright, light spaces and pair them with natural tones and textures such as wooden furniture and areas of bare, undecorated walls. When trying to achieve an “Old World” Mediterranean charm we’d suggest looking to employ neutral crockery and glassware to help allow your establishment to be the main focus. Great options include Artis’ Nara Rose or the Utopia Santo ranges (both the taupe and light grey colourways) where crockery is concerned, and RCR by Steelite Essential glassware range is perfect for serving drinks.

INVITINGLY GLAMOUROUS For this theme the key is employing a refined colour palette but doing so in a sensible and stylish capacity. The idea is for dining

spaces to not appear overwhelmingly expensive whilst still maintaining an inviting and glamourous aesthetic.

Churchill’s Kintsugi Reverse is brilliant for adding a subtle hint of glamour to any table setting and works as a brilliant canvas to showcase your food. The Villeroy & Boch Rock range is also fantastic for serving a refined menu on to your customers, especially when paired with the Artis Speakeasy Swing.

ORGANIC BRUTALISM Organic brutalism is a theme which is becoming popular in developed urban areas and requires the restaurant / hotel to fully embrace the notion of opposites attract. The best way to visually capture this theme is by twinning the brutally linear nature of city architecture with the softness of organic elements. When tying in your tableware with this style of décor we’d suggest Churchill Stonecast Sorrel of this Fusion range or opt for the stark contrast of the Artis Elements collection.

NUOVO CAFFÈ The term “Let’s grab a drink” is slowly shifting from referring to have an alcoholic beverage and becoming more synonymous with having a coffee. If you serve coffee and want to attract the discerning coffee drinker, then give your social areas are more relaxed and contemporary.

At Alliance we are always up to date with the latest hospitality trends and products so call your nearest Alliance Local to see how we can help you with all your needs. www.allianceonline.co.uk

Prowrap Dispensers are a Cut Above Thanks to the New Speedwrap Pro 24

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THE NEW SPEEDWRAP PRO

Did you know that just 1kg of food waste sent to landfill produces the same amount of carbon emissions as 25,000 500ml plastic bottles?

Now made in the UK, we designed the Speedwrap Pro to be as efficient as possible – and that process always begins with safety. Nothing can derail a kitchen’s process like an accident, which is why we improved the cutting action of the Speedwrap Pro with a patented sheathed blade. The blade only unsheathes and makes a cut once the lid of the dispenser has been pushed closed, dramatically reducing the risk of accidents.

That’s not to say plastic waste isn’t also a problem that we need to solve. But the impact of food waste is much more serious, while also being harder to describe and much less direct. And, as around 12% of all wasted food occurs in the hospitality and foodservice sector, foodservice operations have a direct influence on this very real problem.

At Prowrap, we’re committed to helping foodservice operators balance food and material waste, minimising both to create a more efficient, profitable kitchen.

The compact 300 model is ideal for smaller kitchens thanks to its minimal footprint. Meanwhile, the wider 450 model is essential for catering businesses that regularly have to wrap larger platters of prepared food or other ingredients.

That’s why we’re updating our market-leading Speedwrap film, foil, and parchment dispensers with a new, improved range – the Speedwrap Pro – making them faster, safer, and more efficient.

SAVING MONEY AND MATERIALS WITH EVERY USE Outside of environmental considerations, there’s also the financial angle to consider. Wasted food is wasted money – and, at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is squeezing already thin profit margins, this can have catastrophic consequences.

WRAP estimates that food waste costs the foodservice sector £3.2bn every year – an average of £10,000 per outlet. This is money that many outlets simply cannot afford to lose. Throwing food in the bin means you’re leaving money on the table.

However, on particularly busy shifts in the kitchen, it’s easy to see how wrapping and unwrapping small batches of ingredients or garnishes can get missed from time to time.

That was the problem we, at Prowrap, set out to solve when we designed our new Speedwrap Pro dispenser. Like its predecessor, it cuts

precise lengths of cling film with a simple press on its lid, streamlining the wrapping process while also minimising the amount of cling film that is wasted. If you’ve ever spent precious time wrestling with a box of cling film trying to get the integral cutter to make a clean cut, you’ll understand how that time can add up quickly, spilling over into the rest of the kitchen processes. No more soggy serrated cardboard edges and twisted, ragged lengths of cling film – just quick, clean cuts every time.

That’s Speedwrap Pro. All dispensers are made in the UK, significantly reducing carbon footprint during the manufacturing process. The Speedwrap Pro 300 and the larger Speedwrap Pro 450 model feature several upgrades that emergered from our understanding of the fine balancing act between food and plastic waste.

Both models include antimicrobial technology for enhanced dispenser protection to reduce the risk of contaminants spreading onto stored food during the wrapping process, which will help when preserving highly perishable ingredients. But the benefits of the new dispensers go beyond reducing food waste, as they are also designed to reduce material waste with each use.

The Speedwrap Pro is launching a fully recyclable refill roll across its film, foil and parchment range. The plastic adapter required for the previous model will be removed and as a result, will dramatically reduce plastic use. We’re excited to be introducing a range of fully recyclable films and our foil refills, which are proudly made from recycled content.

As the foodservice industry continues to throw up unexpected challenges, it’s important for operators to have a set of tools and processes they can rely on. That’s why Speedwrap Pro is a must for any kitchen looking to reduce its overall environmental impact and improve efficiency.

For further information visit https://wrapex.com

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS DAILY VISIT WWW.CATERERLICENSEE.COM

Food Safety

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Taking the Fear From the EHO Inspection Ask any food operation, and they’re likely to agree that an EHO inspection provokes feelings of anxiety and sleepless nights. But it shouldn’t - for establishments who audit carefully and have the right checks and processes in place, an inspection should be an opportunity to demonstrate their competence and secure that crucial 5 rating.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) relies on regular face to face meetings on the food premises which allows the EHO to see the facilities, ask questions and examine process, paperwork and general hygiene standards. Dependant on the evidence available during the inspection, the EHO will score the premises in three key areas and the rating will be awarded based on these scores.

Environmental health practitioners are a valuable source of information and advice and can help a food business shift their operation from good to great. The Safer Food Group have teamed up with a leading Environmental Health consultant to produce a comprehensive FREE training course to help food business managers assess their readiness for their inspection, available now from www.thesaferfoodgroup.com

The course details the three areas of an inspection and how it will be undertaken. Learners are supported by a comprehensive checklist that allows them to analyse their own operation’s performance in detail, including an action plan that supports them to make improvements as part of everyday business – ensuring that the business is well prepared and food safety is always front and centre, not just saved for inspection day.

‘How to secure a 5 rating’ uses a blend of video and written content to support the learner throughout their training. Businesses with SFG accounts can secure access to the free course for any employee with a learner account – adding even more value to our comprehensive food safety training portfolio. View the course and the whole portfolio here: www.thesaferfoodgroup.com or call 0800 612 6784, info@thesaferfoodgroup.com for more information.

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VERY GOOD

Acclaimed Hospitality Podcast From the Other Side of the Pass Shares Best Practice and Top Tips for Small Business Owners Following on from a successful first season, hosts Lucy Branson and Ruth Baker embark on Season Two with their conversational chat covering hot topics in the industry.

As the hospitality sector continues to navigate challenges, From the Other Side of The Pass fosters a sense of community among industry professionals. Season Two delves into a myriad of topics essential for success in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of hospitality, including the world of allergens and compliance, people management and culture, and nitty gritty topics, like handling customer complaints.

Dubbed “the relatable EHO”, Ruth, founder of Food Safety Consultancy, Simply Safer, offers bitesize episodes giving insight into the real dangers surrounding rice, and the wonderful world of Listeria.

Lucy, “the lover of the people”, is co-owner of restaurant group The Coastal Kitchen Family, shining a light

on employee wellbeing; inspiring listeners to lead with confidence, by building positive workplace cultures.

Special Guests so far include All Star Marketing Club’s Victoria Vickery; Qudos Management Coach, Margaret Faulkner, and Employment Law advise from Solicitor Emma Jewell, alongside a number of restaurant owners who have shared their own challenges and successes.

In a world where everything comes at a cost, this FREE podcast is available on all platforms, and offers actionable tips for you and your teams to take away and put into practice immediately.

Keep an eye out for new episodes from social media gurus Delivered Social and hospitality training experts Purple Story.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/simply_safer Contact theothersideofthepass@gmail.com if you have any questions you’d like the team to answer live on air, or if you’d like to feature as a future guest.

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Diners Offered Allergy Lifeline A woman who developed a life-changing service for allergy sufferers after her friend was served nuts, is hoping it will help save thousands of others.

Juliet Moran, the founder of AllergyMenu.uk created the service following an incident where her friend almost suffered a severe allergy attack whilst on holiday.

Whilst in Amsterdam, Juliet’s friend Kate informed the front-of-house staff about her allergies - including nuts.

Despite getting the message across in both English and Dutch, the first dish to arrive was Kate’s meal, rich in peanuts. And, without thinking, she put her fork to her mouth about to take a bite.

It wasn’t until her husband pushed his arm across Kate and shouted, ‘Stop!’, that she realised the dish could have sent her into an anaphylaxis shock.

The restaurant had included nuts in Kate’s meal, despite being told that she was severely allergic.

After speaking to her friend, Juliet realised this was a communication issue between front-ofhouse staff and restaurant chefs.

She created a website and app to help save those suffering from allergies customers can now see which items on the menu they should avoid and which dishes are safe to consume.

With the number of those suffering with food allergies on the rise, Juliet hopes AllergyMenu.uk will be a life-changing addition for those eating out.

It also helps restaurants streamline their booking services by flagging any allergy issues before diners arrive.

Juliet said: “I was out at a restaurant with friends including Kate who suffers with a nut allergy, and we were talking to the staff to make them aware of it.

“We were having a few glasses of wine and chatting away when Kate put her fork in her food, about to eat it when her husband suddenly put his arm

over her and shouted ‘Stop!’

He’d realised the restaurant had put nuts in her dish.

“I was really taken aback about how serious it was and spoke to her about all these problems and came to the conclusion that it seems like a communication problem between the front of house staff and the restaurant chefs.

“Most businesses already have a chart with all the allergen information on but we’ve found that the real problem is that the chefs aren’t communicating with the front of house staff about what exactly is in the food.

“But putting the allergens into a proper computer system and giving the information directly to the consumer who downloads the app or looks on our website can instantly see what food substances are in their dish.

“Everytime I speak to users of our service, their only frustration is that not every restaurant is on it. I created this app to help solve this problem - and I’m doing this because I think it can help people out like my friend Kate.” https://allergymenu.uk/

Kafoodle: Simplifying Allergen Reporting for Safe, Reliable Dining Are You Natasha’s Law Compliant? Many Still Aren’t YOUR PARTNER IN ALLERGEN SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE In the bustling world of food service, where safety and efficiency are paramount, Kafoodle emerges as your indispensable digital partner in allergen management and compliance. Our cutting-edge kitchen management software simplifies the complexities of serving food safely and provides a single source of truth across the business, ensuring your customers’ well-being and your peace of mind.

DETAILED ALLERGEN INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Understanding the critical importance of accurate allergen information, Kafoodle’s system begins with an extensive and detailed ingredient database. This robust foundation allows for the creation of recipes and menus, automatically presenting associated allergens, nutrition and costings. Whether you are a hotel, restaurant, pub or any food establishment, you can ensure each dish served is safe for your customers with the use of our intuitive platform.

DIGITAL MENUS AND INNOVATIVE LABELLING Kafoodle extends beyond the kitchen to your customers’ hands. To prepare your establishment for Owen’s law, we provide you with branded digital menus which seamlessly integrate with the backend of your ingredient

database. Accessible via a simple scan of a QR code, these menus allow guests to filter dishes based on their dietary needs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable dining experience for everyone. And for grab-and-go, you can make bespoke allergen and nutrition labels complying with the latest food allergen safety regulations, including Natasha’s Law, in less than 5 minutes.

EFFORTLESS UPDATES, REDUCED HUMAN ERROR Kafoodle’s system is designed to eliminate the risk of manual entry errors. Ingredients, recipes, and allergen information can be updated across all platforms with just a few clicks, saving you time and reducing vulnerability to human error. This automatic synchronisation ensures that your customers can always access the most current and reliable information.

JOIN THE REVOLUTION IN FOOD SAFETY Serving food safely and reliably has never been easier with Kafoodle. Our comprehensive solution protects your customers and streamlines your operations, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating exceptional culinary experiences. Embrace the future of kitchen management with Kafoodle, where safety meets efficiency.

Visit www.kafoodle.com or see the advert on this page for details.

It’s been more than two years since Natasha’s Law came into force, but there’s evidence that many food businesses are still struggling to comply with it.

The law, known formally as the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019, means all businesses in England that produce pre-packaged for direct sale (PPDS) food to customers on site must label food clearly with information on potential allergens present.

These need to stand out so a customer can tell at a glance what they’re about to eat.

A 2023 study carried out by Erudus, the market leading source of accurate allergy, nutritional and technical product data, found that more than half (54%) of 116 PPDS products sampled still failed to meet the requirements by accurately declaring the presence of allergen ingredients on the labels.

The report also revealed the most common reasons for non-compliance in the sample. In a quarter of cases, no information at all had been placed on the packet, a third failed to list ingredients, two fifths didn’t emphasise allergens and a third featured illegible information.

Incorrectly labelled PPDS can not only put customers’ safety at risk, but those who don’t comply also face the possibility of large fines of £5,000 per instance and reputational damage, with longer-lasting

consequences for customer numbers.

The right tool for the job One way to achieve compliance with Natasha’s Law reliably and efficiently is by adapting your labelling processes.

Small businesses have historically opted to handwrite their labels, but these are time-consuming and risk poor legibility.

Pre-printed labels from an external supplier is one alternative, but can lack flexibility and prove costly as any changes or additions to a product’s ingredients will mean ordering a new run of labels and potentially throwing away unwanted bulk-printed batches.

An on-site printing solution avoids these issues.

To help business of all sizes comply efficiently, integrated packages are available that bundle a label printer with easy-to-use menu-management software.

These make it simple to keep your labels up to date as you make changes to your menu, and multi-site solutions are available for those businesses with more than one outlet.

If you’re looking for a compliant labelling solution, a Brother printer can help make it easy, whether as a standalone device or as part of a turnkey menu-management system from one of our partners.

To find out more, go to brother.co.uk/food-labelling

Cleaning and Hygiene Kärcher Professional UK Discount Scheme Helps Hospitality Sector Get Ahead of the Post-Christmas Clear-Up 28

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hotel, restaurant and café cleaning teams with industry-focused solutions that deliver results on multiple levels. This includes cleaning systems that are quiet, easy to transport, ergonomically designed and useable in the smallest of spaces. At the same time, they are also economical and designed to last.

Kärcher Professional UK is helping the hospitality industry get one step ahead of new guest arrivals by eradicating, with ease, the mess caused by Christmas, thanks to their latest offer.

Hotel, restaurant and café staff can get access to all the professional cleaning equipment they need for less as part of the offer, which is aimed at making sure they have everything in place to conduct their first deep clean after the festive season.

Those taking part I the offer will be rewarded for their Kärcher Professional purchases as part of the campaign, which runs until February 29th. They will receive 5% off in return for buying one machine, 10% off for purchasing two machines, and a 15% discount in return for investing in three machines.

As a leading provider of professional cleaning systems to the hospitality sector, Kärcher Professional provides

James Gordon, Marketing Director at Kärcher Professional UK, said: “While Christmas may be over, clearing up after all of the festivities is very much a key priority for hospitality cleaning teams this time of year.

In order to get ahead and be on the front foot with implementing their cleaning regimes, it’s essential hotels, restaurants and cafés have everything they need to deep clean their facilities efficiently and effectively and make the right first impression with their customers and guests from the outset.”

Achieving Sustainability with Dry Steam Cleaning Technology

by Thomas Stucken, Osprey DeepClean (www.ospreydc.com) Cleaning is important for supporting public health and wellbeing and vital in maintaining a healthy population and vibrant community life.

faces. The environmental costs of high-pressure washing are astronomical, and that’s without considering the massive volume of wastewater.

Now, consumers are motivated to make environmentally conscious, sustainable, choices and this reflects in their buying behaviour. People want to align with brands that care about sustainability and strive to limit their environmental impact. Get closer to meeting these expectations by adopting ‘green’ cleaning practices.

Stop chemical pollutants and dangerous wastewater

You don’t need to view sustainable cleaning as something to achieve in the future when affordable and effective technology is readily available.

Introduce the best possible cleaning practices and show people that your business is taking every measure now.

Drastically reduce your water consumption with Dry Steam Vapour Because DSV cleaning needs just 1 litre of water to generate 1,600 litres of dry steam, which in turn only requires 5 litres an hour, you can reduce water consumption by over 90% almost instantaneously, this in turn alone helps your company take huge strides towards realising your sustainable ambitions.

In practice, let’s look at companies that rely on high-pressure washing to clean pavements. This method could demand up to 1,000 litres of hot water every hour, whilst the high pressure poses a risk to damaging sur-

One of the biggest problems with traditional cleaning methods is the considerable volume of effluent discharge. Toxic chemicals can pollute clean water sources and damage the environment when handled incorrectly. When handled properly, wastewater still consumes significant energy to remedy and levies a high cost on the environment.

One of the most significant advantages of DSV technology lies in the waste removal procedure that saves considerable time and money while providing an environmentally friendly solution that prevents cross-contamination. Your cleaning operatives can simply empty the waste tank when it fills and enjoy the peace of mind that sustainable actions provide.

The science behind DSV technology When you combine dry steam vapour with validated technologies, you achieve the most effective, efficient, and sustainable cleaning standards, without the use of any chemicals.

The process requires a small amount of cold tap water that gets superheated inside our machines, reaching temperatures up to 175 degrees.

Just one litre of water transforms into 1600 litres of small but powerful

dry steam droplets.

These tiny dry droplets cover a far greater surface area than manual cleaning in a shorter time with greater effectiveness. It loosens dirt and grime that you can easily remove with Osprey Deepclean’s validated HEPA filtration vacuum cleaners or microfibre cloths, leaving your surfaces clean and sanitised.

Driving Sustainability with DSV technology DSV technology relies on super-heated dry steam that substitutes tonnes of hot water for small amounts of cold tap water. It produces no moisture, prevents cross-contamination and relies on no chemicals to achieve higher standards of environmental hygiene than any other cleaning technology.

Government research shows that UK businesses can save up to £23 billion every year through the way they use energy and water. Financial rewards, unmatched environmental benefits and exceptional hygiene standards should drive home the transformational effects of DSV cleaning.

At OspreyDeepclean, we’ve dedicated 20 years to engineering the most sustainable and effective DSV technology. Tested in healthcare settings and relied on by hospitals, we’re striving to help businesses like yours have a positive environmental impact.

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Dishwasher Temperature is Vital Step to Ensuring Commercial Health and Safety, But How Should You Monitor It? the dishwasher during a cycle and provide a temperature reading throughout the wash cycle. Many commercial businesses often have pre-existing digital HACCP platforms that these can plug into, but for smaller organisations, simply recording the data in a safe and responsible way is accessible through this tech all the same. I’d still recommend looking into a digital HACCP software for the ease of recording, archiving and filing of all the data.

Protecting customer health is the cornerstone for any good food service operation. To ensure those standards are upheld, it is legally mandated that UK businesses must adherer to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. These guidelines provide an outline of best practice to help businesses manage their food risk and safety management.

A key part of these principles is to make sure that equipment and tableware is thoroughly cleaned to a high standard. This is to ensure that a high satisfactory health, safety and cleanliness process is consistently and regularly completed. Temperature is a key part in securing this, with commercial dishwashers needing to reach a high enough heat to kill bacteria and viruses, and effectively clean dirty dishes, cutlery and equipment.

HACCP principles state that commercial dishwashers should be maintained at a minimum of 55 °C during the wash cycle, and a minimum of 82 °C during the rinse cycle. Anything outside of this would not be considered an effective or safe clean due to the temperature not being high enough to kill pathogens.

The dishwasher temperature should be regularly monitored, tested and logged to ensure compliance, and to protect the health and safety of your staff and customers This is now easier than ever thanks to temperature measuring equipment that places the technology right in the hands of the user.

Traditional means of recording dishwasher temperature through single use strips have a high cost due to the continuous need for purchase. Their accuracy can also be questionable, and they’re not the most environmentally sound option either. Investing in long term digital solutions for your health and safety benefits everyone across the board.

Think of it as an investment in the future by being confident in your practices with the hard data to back you up.

It is important to view food safety and adherence to HACCP from a holistic view. Of course, restaurants and catering services should comply with this as a matter of principle, but think about the wider effects of improper recording, human error or lack of training. Not only does it leave the business open to legal implications, but long-term reputational damage across consumer and business audiences if news gets out. New technology provides sound and trustworthy equipment that improves efficiency and reduces costs at the same time.

Dishwasher temperature probes can be placed inside

Visit www.thermometer.co.uk for details.

Sustainable Resources

How Can UK Hospitality Businesses Become More Sustainable?

By Rob King, CEO and co-founder, Zedify (www.zedify.co.uk)

With over 220,000 hospitality businesses registered in the UK, the sector is the UK’s third largest employer.

However, it is also one of the biggest polluters because according to data from Big Hospitality, UK hospitality accounts for up to 15 percent of UK greenhouse gases.

And so quite rightly, the industry is under renewed pressure to engage in more sustainable business practices. And this is not just because it is the right thing to do but because consumers are demanding it.

Our research with Unidays showed that over 80 percent of Gen Zers are prepared to pay more for sustainable goods and services, while Rebound research shows that 87 percent of consumers want a sustainable delivery option.

So in the face of economic uncertainty and challenging times for the sector, it pays to be more sustainable - for our planet, for our people and for our profits. So, what can UK hospitality businesses do to

become more sustainable this year?

SUPPORT LOW-VOLUME RECYCLING STREAMS As new innovations in the circular economy develop, it is a good idea to start separating more of your waste - for example, coffee grounds, which can be used to create biofuel, as well as beauty and food products.

Due to space restrictions and hygiene, these materials need to be collected quite frequently but the benefits of separating this waste are drastically reduced if they’re collected by a van or HGV. Look for providers who offer low-carbon collections and consolidate the small volumes collected from you with those collected from other businesses, at local microhubs before the materials are collected in bulk for larger vehicles.

PACKAGING RETURNS Work with suppliers and carriers to find the best low-carbon approach to dealing with reusable packaging returns.

In cities, developing efficient reverse logistics can have a huge impact on carbon, congestion and air quality. Consider partnering with companies like Again which has developed the technology for food and drinks brands to make it easier to swap single use packaging for reusables.

NAVIGATE CLEAN AIR ZONES With more cities bringing in restrictions to prevent high polluting vehicles entering central zones, now is a good opportunity to review how regular bulk deliveries from suppliers are arriving at your venue.

Consider collaborating with other food and drink businesses to make use of micro-consolidation centres where suppliers can drop off in bulk and can fulfil smaller and more regular deliveries to your business. This is a smart way to influence the footprint of your supply chain and have a positive impact on local air quality.

ADDRESS THE LAST MILE Consider what happens once your products leave your kitchen or warehouse. How are they arriving at your customer’s doorstep? Many food and drink businesses are addressing food sourcing and sustainable waste management, investing in making their products and services more sustainable but this means they often forget this last step.

The last mile is a highly polluting part of the supply chain and with the huge rise in subscription based food businesses, direct to consumer goods from the likes of breweries and coffee roasteries, as well as a general rise in deliveries post pandemic, increased van journeys in our cities is having a big impact on air quality.

So consider more sustainable carbon saving delivery options, including cargo bikes, which slash carbon at the source, making any business model inherently more sustainable.

THE FUTURE By integrating these sustainable practices, hospitality businesses can not only reduce the environmental impact of their operations, but also appeal to increasingly environmentally conscious consumers who are prioritising businesses who not only have sustainability at their core, but who can prove the effectiveness of their environmental policies.

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Sustainable Resources

Navigating NET-Zero: A Business’s Guide to Sustainability

Phrases such as ‘sustainable’, ‘net-zero’, ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘green’ are used everywhere, but what do they mean? To many consumers those words all mean the same and ultimately mean ‘good for the planet’. Consumers place trust in the claims made by businesses, so it’s important to get green claims right to protect your reputation and avoid visits from regulators.

Whether it’s beer that claims to be made using renewable energy, or a restaurant using local sourced ingredients, it’s clear that green sells. Even in the restaurant sector 7 out of 10 Brits believe that restaurants should be more sustainable (Source : Belu and Wateraid). Younger consumers in particular care about the environment with 69% of Generation Z consumers willing to pay more for sustainable products (Source : Statista) . Even during a cost-of-living crisis that’s affected the hospitality industry, consumers are still looking for green ways to spend their money. As retail guru Mary Portas puts it 'Every £1 spent is a vote for how we want to live' Businesscompanion.co.uk is a free government backed website, written by trading standards professionals, that helps you comply with consumer protection law, which includes green claims. This will help ensure that your green claims around your food, drink, and even the way your business operates will be legal. On the site you’ll find handy guides and leaflets that will help you to get your green claims right.

A good question to ask yourself around green claims, is “how can I prove this”? Also put yourself into the mind of your customer. Would your customers understand what a ‘sustainable meal’ or what a ‘responsibly sourced’ product is? If your green claims are vague, misleading, or not adequately explained, then you might not be complying with the law.

Riso Gallo - Sensationally Sustainable!

Getting green claims right from the beginning will save you time and money, and protect your reputation.

Top tips to getting environmental claims right:

• Make sure that you understand the difference between various definitions, such as sustainability, Eco designed and carbon footprint. Our free net zero guidance on businesscompanion.co.uk can help you • Make sure that every green claim you make can be backed up by evidence.

• As a professional you may know the meaning of green terminology such as ‘sustainable’, ‘environmentally friendly’ and ‘net-zero’, but most consumers don’t. Consumers will appreciate an explanation of how and why your product or service is green, and it will help you comply with the green claims code.

• Don’t be afraid to challenge your suppliers on their environmental claims.

• Familiarise yourself with the Competition and Market Authorities Green Claims Code • If you need further information, or want to check if your products or services comply then download your copy of the free Net Zero guide available on www.businesscompanion.info/focus/net-zero-forbusinesses Net zero for businesses | Business Companion www.businesscompanion.info See the advert on the pervious page. innovative startups to give new life to the by-products of the rice mill which produces the delicious range of rices of the Riso Gallo Brand.

Riso Gallo is the first international rice brand to have produced its rice from sustainable agriculture, making their premium best-selling risotto completely sustainable from field to fork.

Rice House is an Italian initiative in which the secondary materials in rice cultivation are used to build ethical houses.

Established in 1856, Riso Gallo is the oldest Risotto rice producer in Italy and has been delivering its premium rice to consumers around the world for over six generations.

Rice by-products are even used by Mogu in a range of designer furniture production.

Known to many as Italy’s first choice, Riso Gallo is one of the longest surviving rice companies in Italy and is still growing. A family run business, it is now in it’s 6th generation.

The Albini Group to develop a process of ‘Off the Grain’ dye for fabric. When the Nero (black) rice is processed for the food industry, the by product of the deep grape coloured water is used as a natural dye.

The company has uniquely created its own Circular Economy within it’s rice production, collaborating with

All Riso Gallo plastic vacuum packaging is now suitable for recycling, following the launch of a new eco-sustainable, low environmental impact plastic. Riso Gallo are the first company to adopt this sustainable packaging. The Gallo Risotto Traditional, Arborio, Carnaroli, and the Carnaroli Rustico are now in packs using FSC certified cardboard outer to protect the grains.

Riso Gallo is committed to reducing and monitoring greenhouse emissions and uses energy from renewable certified resources. www.risogallo.co.uk

Unlocking Sustainability With Hot Water

Sustainability shouldn’t be difficult. But, with ever present energy demands leisure and hospitality organisations are potentially significant contributor to UK carbon emissions.

However, as a sector, it has been one of the first to lead the charge in sustainable practices. Activities such as responsible sourcing of ingredients through local suppliers has become a familiar activity for many businesses, defining a brand and encouraging engagement from new customers who are increasingly aware of, and seeking to participate in collaboration with brands which empower them to make eco-conscious choices more easily.

The existence of such sustainable culture is particularly advantageous when addressing the more challenging technical challenges of addressing sustainability within our buildings. Water heating – which alone can account for anywhere up to 30% of overall daily energy demands – is inherently more complex and expensive in the commercial sector as regulations are more exacting to ensure the safety of staff and customer alike.

Addressing the sustainability of inherently businesscritical water heating is the most straight-forward and therefore cost-effective way to unlock energy savings.

Working as a ‘closed system’ water heating is easier to upgrade without major structural changes, the focus

being on the plant room storage and heat sources, whether gas, or preferably electric and renewables in the shape of air source heat pumps (ASHP) and/or solar thermal. The renewables are deployed in a hybrid approach to provide low carbon pre-heat, reduce the energy demands on gas or more expensive electric, offsetting operational costs, reducing carbon emissions, and as a bonus avoiding costly scale buildup in hard water areas.

A well-designed water heating system will actively meet demands when required, minimising flow and return to avoid waste energy. When combined with hot water conservation efforts which can include low-flow showerheads or tap aerators, there is a real opportunity to cut wasteful energy demands from a daily service supply. Such practical responses are eminently repeatable and very demonstrable, enabling capital investment in sustainability to be clearly communicated to both staff and customers, building trust and attracting the environmentally conscious.

Adveco can help your sustainability strategy with hot water system metering, design and supply to maximise investment and minimise buildings works. www.adveco.co See the advert on page 9 for details.

Introducing Powerdown220:

Leading the Charge in Energy Efficiency with Voltage Optimisation Mitchells and Butlers Install 1,125 Voltage Optimisers Are you tired of sky-high energy bills weighing down your hospitality business? Look no further!

Powerdown220 is here to improve your energy efficiency game with our cutting-edge voltage optimisation units.

As the UK's leading specialist of voltage optimisation technology, Powerdown220 has earned its stripes by partnering with industry giants like Mitchells and Butlers, the powerhouse behind beloved brands such as Harvester and Toby Carvery. When Mitchells & Butlers sought to slash their energy expenditure and shrink their carbon footprint in line with their 2040 net zero target, they turned to Powerdown220 to deliver this mission.

In a groundbreaking undertaking, Mitchells & Butlers embarked on an extensive survey of their estate and a trial to prove the concept. We identified a whopping 1,125 sites suitable for voltage optimisation. This colossal project marks the largest multi-site initiative of its kind in the UK! With up to sixty Powerdown220 machines being installed weekly at the peak of the project, the impact is undeniable.

Extensive Hotel Experience

‘‘I didn’t realise beforehand that this would be the biggest project of its kind in the UK, but that fact puts it all into perspective,’’ reflected Dale Fenton, energy manager at Mitchells & Butlers.

The company was looking to invest in a technology that would deliver cost savings and improve its sustainability and found VO to be a technology that ‘‘ticked both boxes.’’

We also have extensive experience within the hotel industry, working with leading groups and independent hotels such as Hilton, Marriott, Dakota, IHG and many more…

Why Voltage Optimisation But why voltage optimisation, you may ask?

Picture this: the average voltage supply across the UK stands at a staggering 242 volts. However, all CE marked equipment operates optimally at 220 volts. That's where Powerdown220 comes in. Our state-of-the-art voltage optimisation technology effectively lowers incoming voltage from the National Grid, ensuring that your equipment runs smoothly while simultaneously delivering substantial savings of typically between 7-10%.

Join the ranks of industry leaders who have embraced the power of voltage optimisation with Powerdown220. Say goodbye to excessive energy bills and hello to sustainable savings. Elevate your business's performance and environmental stewardship with Powerdown220 today!

Contact us to learn more about how Powerdown220 can transform your hospitality business for the better.

For a free energy audit of your energy spend and quote please contact: Josh Connolly, Marketing Communications Manager

01625 469 011 josh@powerdown220.co.uk www.powerdown220.co.uk

Victus Emporium Victus Emporium is a family run wholesaler of speciality foods, working with artisan producers from across Europe.

With over 35 years’ experience in the hospitality and retail sectors, our passion for exceptional ingredients and food products runs deep within the families roots.

We aim to supply unique, high quality products from across Europe that have a point of difference and can compete on price and service.

An enormous amount of time is invested contacting suppliers and researching the market, so we can have the upmost confidence that our products are the best.

Chef's Buyer's Guide Aneto Broths is one such company who have a range of outstanding products.

Aneto Broths are made just as you would in the kitchen. Using only the best, freshest, quality ingredients, Aneto Broths are 100% natural and do not include any additives, concentrates, preservatives or flavourings. Just great tasting, fresh, natural ingredients.

For example, the vegetables are bought from social cooperative and the chicken stock has full animal welfare certification. Products with this label will come from animals raised on farms where four basic principles of animal welfare are employed; feed, housing, health and animal behaviour is assessed.

In addition to this, 87% of the packaging, including the cap, is made of plant-based materials thus reducing CO2 emissions by 18% compared to the same packaging with fossil plastic.

For more information on Victus Emporium and our wider range or if you wish to place an order, please see our website www.victusemporium.co.uk or email info@victusemporium.co.uk or call 01172 421669.

Twister Fries ‘No Nacho’ Mexican Sharer Sharer portion – serves 2-4 This dish combines the playful shapes and satisfying crunch of Seasoned Twister Fries, mouthwatering, crispy Southern Fried Chicken or Cajun Chicken, the creaminess of avocados, and the zing of jalapeños and fresh coriander, all brought together with the delightful flavours of tangy burger relish and cool sour cream. Add this simple sharer to your summer menu and give your guests a taste of Mexico!

INGREDIENTS • 500g Lamb Weston Seasoned Twister Fries • 2 Avocados; peeled, seeded & diced • 4 Southern Fried Chicken/Cajun Chicken fillets, sliced • 100ml Burger Relish • 75ml Sour Cream • 40g Jalapeños, sliced • 5g Chopped Fresh Coriander

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Bake or fry Southern Fried chicken fillets according to instructions 2. Fry Lamb Weston Seasoned Twister Fries at 175°C (350°F) for 3:15 mins, with a shake after 30 seconds of frying 3. Peel, seed, and dice avocados. Set aside.

4. In serving bowl, layer Seasoned Twister Fries, Southern Fried slices, and diced avocados 5. Drizzle with Burger Relish and Sour Cream 6. Sprinkle sliced jalapeños and garnish with fresh chopped coriander

A Much-Needed Evolution For The Kitchen Hailed as a ‘much-needed evolution for the kitchen’, LittlePod’s natural vanilla paste is used by professional chefs across the UK and all over the world.

Founded in 2010, the East Devon ingredients company is preparing to celebrate its 14th anniversary this year.

To mark the occasion, Janet Sawyer MBE BEM – LittlePod’s Managing Director and Founder – is on a mission to discover how those chefs who use the company’s most-popular product keep it real in their kitchens.

“Do you use LittlePod? Please get in touch, tell us your story and share news of how you use our vanilla and other natural products,” Janet said. “In 2014, Stephane Delourme joined us to mark National Real Vanilla Day, an occasion that has since become International Real

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More Twists, More Taste, More Profit!

For fresh menu inspiration with nostalgia, elevate your food offer with a twist!

Including a different potato shape will increase variety and liven up your menu without adding effort in the kitchen.

Lamb Weston invented the original Twisters in 1983 using a patented knife to create the curly shape. Since then, Twisters have ALWAYS been cut from whole potatoes and are NEVER reformed, giving more taste, better flavour and more natural goodness.

Twisters offer a high innovation value, meaning you can provide an exciting loaded fries option or serve them alone and capture the imagination of a nostalgic classic for consumers. Children and young families love the fun and entertainment that Twisters provides and as an affordable snacking option, it shows that treats don’t have to be expensive.

Lamb Weston’s Twisters are also a Chef’s secret weapon. Not only do Twisters give guests extra experience, but did you know that they also yield 15% more portions per kg*? This means that for every 100 portions sold of regular fries, Twisters delivers an extra 15 portions per day – this means an additional 3,000 extra portions per year! There’s also a shorter cooking time, resulting in less energy consumption too.

Lamb Weston’s UK Marketing Manager, Craig Wescott, says: “We are really proud of Twisters at Lamb Weston and we are all very excited to launch our first global marketing campaign this March. Twisters are a fun, exciting classic and offer a unique experience which consumers and operators alike are bound to love. My favourite Twisters recipe is our ‘No Nacho’ Mexican sharer, but there are so many ways you can customise them – have fun!” * Lamb Weston study: From 10kg of product Private Reserve 9x9 the yield is 64 portions compared to 74 portions of Seasoned Twisters. Average weight per portion: Private Reserve 9x9 106g vs. Seasoned Twisters 101.9g Visit www.lambweston.eu for more information

Vanilla Day, and one that we still celebrate each year on October 17th. Stephane told us how he loves to use LittlePod’s vanilla paste at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. Ever since then, we’ve made a point of keeping in touch with our chefs and sharing their stories with our followers and all those who support our Campaign For Real Vanilla.”

LittlePod’s research shows professional chefs find the company’s vanilla paste easy to use, with the recyclable aluminium tube proving good to handle in the kitchen environment, and the versatile product’s consistency aiding portion control and reducing wastage.

“Convenience, quality and affordability combined – it’s a no-brainer,” said Jamie Raftery, The Holistic Chef, who uses LittlePod vanilla in the plant-based dishes he creates in his kitchen in Thailand.

“I love using LittlePod; every chef should have it,” added Peter Gorton, Master Chef of Great Britain. “It’s so versatile and saves so much time without compromising on quality.”

Like to find out more and share your LittlePod stories? Follow @little_pod and their #CampaignForRealVanilla on Instagram or visit www.littlepod.co.uk

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Spirits and Mixers

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Resilient Scotch Whisky Industry Reaches £5.6bn Global Exports Despite “Challenging” 2023 The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has released global export figures that show the value of Scotch exports topped £5.6bn in 2023.

The equivalent of 1.35bn 70cl bottles of Scotch Whisky were exported last year, equating to 43 per second.

The figures, released today, show a decrease on 2022 exports for both volume and value, which the industry says was a “bumper” year for exports as global markets reopened and restocked following the pandemic, as well as the full reopening of global travel retail. The 2023 figures represent a more normalised depiction of the current state of global exports, with robust growth on pre-pandemic numbers. Exports of Scotch Whisky have risen by 14% in value compared to 2019, with a 3% increase in volume. However, whisky bosses have also warned that 2023 posed “significant” challenges for the sector both at home and in a number of key markets, warning that maintaining these numbers without more concrete government support in the coming year could hamper longer term growth.

As in 2022, Asia-Pacific continued to dominate as Scotch Whisky’s largest regional market by value in 2023, supported record value exports to China, a market up 165% on 2019, and value uplifts Singapore (19%) and Taiwan (8%). Premiumisation of Scotch Whisky remains a driver in these key markets: single malt Scotch Whisky continued to rise in popularity among a growing cohort of consumers, with double digit growth in China and Singapore on 2022.

G&Tea - Adventurous Spirits stockists and always happy to offer ongoing social media support and in store events and tastings to help our stockists sell lots of lovely spirits”

Local spirits producers G&Tea have had quite a journey since they started just over 4 years ago in Liskeard, Cornwall. They have grown to having a range of award-winning gins, including Great Taste, British Food Awards, London Spirits Competition and multiple Taste of the West Gold awards as well as launching a new partner brand Passenger which houses their hand-crafted vodka and rum range.

G&Tea have two main options on bottles including 50cl and also a newly introduced gifting size at 20cl so no matter the budget the range is accessible and can be enjoyed by all.

With contract distilling offer for clients to have their own brand range of spirits and events thrown in for good measure, the team at G&Tea are certainly flying the flag for the South West and growing from strength to

G&Tea have over 12 products now across the two brands and some exciting new blends coming out in time for 2024 season.

“We have stockists nationally now and even some over in Europe but always keen to have more people join our growing G&Tea family” said General Manager Kim “we have some fantastic offers for new

strength.

The full range from G&Tea can be seen on their website www,gandtea.uk or at stand H44 at the ExpoWest event in Wadebridge in March.

Europe remained a key export region for Scotch Whisky for both volume and value, with France once again becoming the industry’s largest volume market – a position briefly held by India in 2022.

Exports to India fell in volume and value compared to 2022, the fall coming against a backdrop of ongoing UKIndia FTA talks and the Scotch Whisky industry’s calls for a trade agreement which lowers the 150% tariff on Scotch imports into India, which would lead to significant export growth to the market.

The United States, which has long been Scotch Whisky’s biggest market by value, saw a sector-wide fall in exports of 7% compared to 2022, and 8.5% on 2019, to £978m. Industry figures say that these numbers are reflective of global economic conditions and rising living costs for consumers in the US, which remains a dynamic, competitive market for whisky, and the wider spirits category. Last year saw companies manage stock levels within market following restocking in 2022, and the industry expects the short-term export dip to realign over the course of 2024. However, the SWA has also warned that 2024 marks a halfway point for the five year removal of tariffs on single malt Scotch Whisky which were imposed in 2019, and has urged the UK government to press for longer-term tariff-free trade for Scotch in its talks with the US administration.

The export figures come a month on from the industry’s latest economic impact report, which showed that the contribution of the Scotch Whisky sector to the UK economy has reached £7.1bn annually, supporting 66,000 jobs across the UK. Mark Kent, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association said: “Scotch Whisky has once again shown its export strength despite significant challenges across a volatile global trading environment. The figures demonstrate that Scotch Whisky brands and distilleries are investing in their teams, their tourism offering, their long-term sustainability and their global presence to ensure that Scotch continues to be the world’s favourite whisky.

“We know that the Scotch Whisky industry is remarkably resilient as we look at these numbers against the backdrop of rising costs for consumers and businesses, but the figures are a reminder once again that the Scotch Whisky success story cannot be taken for granted. We need to see more tangible support from government both at home and in our priority markets in order to continue to grow our export numbers, and the resultant investment, employment and economic benefits that come with that.

UK Government Minister for Exports Lord Offord said: “Scotch Whisky is a major UK exporting success story contributing billions of pounds to the economy and supporting thousands of jobs.

“We want the UK to be an export-led economy and reach a trillion pounds of exports a year by 2030. It’s fantastic to see whisky exports in 2023 continuing to outperform pre-pandemic levels as businesses take advantage of our free trade deals and expand into new markets around the world.”

Rum and Reggae: Our Adventure So Far The seed of Rum and Reggae was born from our love for tunes and of course, rum. Blending the sunny sounds of reggae with our renowned rum punch was a no-brainer and we knew this experience needed to be shared. Venturing out, we hit the road to spread the Rum and Reggae joy at festivals and food events. And guess what? People loved it!

From punch to product, we crafted our signature ‘serious rum,’ a 40% abv golden tipple that shines in cocktails and pairs perfectly with your favourite soft drink. Our initial success paved the way for our next creation: a rum infused with honey sourced from rescue bees.

As the buzz grew, our reach extended to pubs, clubs, restaurants,

and bars, revealing a demand for our rums with a difference. Our brand's visuals are a burst of excitement – simple, fun, and full of colour, they effortlessly capture the heart of Rum and Reggae whilst drawing in customers with their vibrant charm.

Continuing our flavour journey we recently released two new tantalizing rums – mango and coffee. With rave reviews already pouring in, you can be sure that even more innovative flavours are in the pipeline. Stay tuned!

Now ready to spread sunshine nationwide through the hospitality trade.

See our advert on the front cover for further information or call 01428 641884

World's First Pre-Mix Is A Party For Your Taste Buds!

Hot on the heels of their successful new drink-in-a-can margarita, (which launched on World Margarita Day in February) Pergola Drinks is introducing a second new drink: Tequila and Tonic.

The world's first pre-mix in a can Tequila and Tonic has been infused with the cosy warmth of cinnamon and the creamy sweetness of vanilla.

Pergola Drinks has been created by husband and wife team Rahul and Sheetal Murthy. The company is a cocktail creator with a focus on the premium market.

Sheetal said: "Say goodbye to boring drinks! Pergola's unique flavour combos take the tequila experience to a whole new level.

"Say hello to the world's first canned Tequila and Tonic that's gonna blow your mind! It's like a party for your taste buds! Perfect for stocking up your minibars at home or adding a splash of excitement when you visit your favourite bar."

Last month, Pergola Drinks jazzed up the classic Margarita with a kick of fresh mint and the exotic tang of yuzu citrus. It's fizzy, it's allergen-free, it's preserva-

tive-free - and it's about to become your new favourite go-to drink, whether you're chilling at home or hanging out at your favourite bar.

Rahul said: "Margarita with Mint and Yuzu takes the tequila experience to a whole new level.

With a chill 5% abv, our cocktails are down for whatever - from lazy poolside days to wild wedding parties.

"What's more, our cans are eco-warriors - no plastic sleeves here, just crush and recycle for a guilt-free sip!"

To secure your supply of our Margarita with Mint and Yuzu and Tequila and Tonic with Cinnamon and Vanilla, simply reach out to us at rahul@pergoladrinks.com. Whether you're interested in sampling our products or have inquiries about marketing support, our team is here to assist you every step of the way.

We are confident that our allergen-free, preservativefree fizzy tequila cocktails will be a hit at your establishment, providing your customers with an unforgettable drinking experience.

Cheers to success and innovation!

Spirits and Mixers

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Renais - Cultivated in France, Distilled in England Watson family, where Alex and Emma spent the summers of their childhood at their family’s vineyard, Domaine Watson, which their Father has operated for over 30 years. Following their family passion for winemaking, and Alex’s history of working for over a decade in the drinks industry, they founded Renais gin.

Luxury gin brand Renais, founded

by Alex and Emma Watson, promises to bring an elegant taste of Northern France’s wine region to the UK. Renais has a contemporary palate, bright tasting notes of minerality, fresh citrus, white grape, garden herbs, juniper and flowers.

Distinctive and luxurious, it has been inspired by the people, produce and provenance of two iconic regions within Northern France.

Renais is a bold and vibrant gin, with an incredible story and flavour profile, combining both modernity and heritage in a beautiful bottle.

Designed to be enjoyed both neat, and in stirred-down classic cocktails such as the martini, long and refreshing cocktails like a spritz or in a classic G+T. Renais has a collection of suggested serves, including The Emma, Bees Knees and Terroir Martini.

The Spirit has been created through grapes salvaged from the wine making process, pressed Grand Cru grapes, local terroir, and a selection of natural botanicals. Renais is a product of two generations of the

When creating Renais, Alex and Emma wanted to ensure the spirit was as sustainable as possible. Their unique production process begins with sourcing and distilling upcycled French pressed wine grape skins and lees, including some sourced from Domaine Watson, which are by-products of the distilling process. Renais is distilled in small batches, and combined with Kimmeridgian stone maceration which the region is famed for. The liquid is elevated with hand-picked pressed organic grapes, sourced from Northern France’s finest Grand Cru vineyards and other all natural botanicals including linden flowers, cubeb berries and acacia honey.

See the advert on this page for details.

Mutiny Island Vodka has Arrived in the UK Mutiny Island Vodka was created by award winning chef Todd Manley in the beautiful island of St Croix. Mutiny Island Vodka unleashes an unforgettable taste that is distinctive, clear and clean. A true island vodka with a luxurious smoothness that takes you to the trade winds and blue waters of its island home.

We support the global community throughout our value chain with environmental initiatives, employment and retention, responsible agriculture processes, supporting breadfruit as an ingredient and food crop, and with great flavor and fun.

‘exceptional spirits that set the standard in their categories’.

Founder Todd Manley said, ‘Breadfruit with its rich history and legacy, provided us with the type of vodka that we knew would be true to the island. Hand crafted Mutiny Island Vodka retains the character of the island and the breadfruit from which it is distilled’.

We strive to bring the rich, tropical experience of the U.S. Virgin Islands to consumers around the world with the world’s first and only island vodka made from breadfruit.

In April 2022 Mutiny Island Vodka was awarded a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Gold Medal recognises

All natural ingredients come together for a silky smooth, versatile vodka and infusions that speak for themselves. www.mutinyislandvodka.co.uk

Pergola Introducing Our New Offerings Margarita with Mint and Yuzu Embark on a flavor journey with our Margarita, infused with invigorating mint and the exotic zest of yuzu.

Tequila and Tonic - Cinnamon and Vanilla Flavoured This innovative blend offers a delightful balance of flavors, providing a unique drinking experience that is both comforting and invigorating.

rahul@pergoladrinks.com www.pergoladrinks.com

Please mention the Caterer, Licensee & Hotelier News when replying to advertising

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Kitchen Equipment and Fit-Out

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Don’t Pay for a Dishwasher – Pay per Wash Get a top quality Winterhalter glasswasher or dishwasher, with no up-front cost and no contract Winterhalter will take account of the money you’ve spent through PPW to discount the purchase price. Or, if business booms, you might decide to stick with PPW, but swap your machine for a larger one.

A quality dishwasher or glasswasher won’t just deliver sparkling clean results, it’s also going to reduce running costs, save staff time and, because it’s reliable, ease staff stress. The only downside is the up-front cost – but not anymore.

Pay Per Wash (PPW) is Winterhalter’s innovative finance scheme. There’s no need to buy a dishwasher: the company provides a top quality model for free.

Pay Per Wash covers the machine, the cleaning chemicals AND servicing. All you do is buy wash credits (online or by phone), then load the machine with the dirties and push the button.

Pay Per Wash takes away all the headache of warewashing. No need to worry about servicing or ordering chemicals, Winterhalter take care of all that. It’s a truly flexible solution that’s ideal if you’re on a tight budget but still want the best that money can buy!

Want to find out more? Just visit winterhater.com/uk-en and click on the finance tab.

Another bonus is that you only pay when you’re washing, when you are actually using the machine. So if you’re not open one or two days a week, your dishwasher isn’t costing a bean.

Winterhalter provides a total solution for dishwashing and glasswashing, from pre-sales advice to after-sales service, training and maintenance, with sustainability fitted as standard. Alongside its market-leading dish washers and glass washers, the company’s range includes utensil washers, advanced water treatment machines, and cleaning detergents and rinse aids. For further details, call Winterhalter on 01908 359000, visit www.winterhalter.com/uk-en/ or email info@winterhalter.co.uk.

PPW is available on Winterhalter UC (undercounter) and PT (passthrough) machines, all of which, as well as delivering top notch results, have energy and water saving features fitted as standard. That means as well as getting superclean dishes and glasses, you’ll be reducing running costs. There’s no contract, so you can give it back any time. Alternatively, if you decide to buy the machine,

Fridge Seals Direct

Fridge Seals Direct proud to be UK's no1 supplier of replacement fridge and freezer seals. We fabricate for a wide variety of commercial fridge & freezers.

The management team at Fridge Seals Direct have over 30 years of experience in the refrigeration industry and have each spent many of those years installing gaskets and hardware for a range of styles, brands and sizes of fridges.

From restaurant kitchens to food warehouses - we have experience in dealing with fridge & freezers of all sizes and scales. To learn more about fridge seals, be sure to explore our range of extensive guides on how to replace a refrigerator door seals. Otherwise, find your specific guides in how to identify,

measure, install or maintain your fridge or freezer door seal.

Our reputation in the industry along with our commitment to providing a high-quality gasket without having to buy from the factory allows us to have competitive pricing and fast turnaround time.

Try us out, order your door gaskets from us and discover a better way to do business. We are here to help you. www.fridgesealsdirect.co.uk

Temporary Catering Facilities For Events & Kitchen Refurbishments Mobile Kitchens Ltd specialises in the hire of temporary catering facilities and foodservice equipment.

Ideal for events or to provide temporary catering facilities during your kitchen refurbishment, our versatile units and equipment offer an efficient and economical solution to the caterers’ needs.

Production Kitchens, Preparation Kitchens, Ware-washing Units, Dry Store Units, Cold Rooms and Restaurant Units are available as individual units in their own right or they can be linked together on site to form a complete complex.

Alternatively, we can offer modular, open-plan facilities, usually for larger, longer-term hires.

We offer a free design service, and project management from concept through to delivery and installation on site, plus full technical support throughout the hire

• Be ready for your inspections • Damaged fridge seals are unhygienic • Make your fridge more energy efficient with a good seal on your fridge • We provide custom seals for cold rooms, discontinued models, and units with no identification information • Next-day delivery service • Discounted prices on large orders

WhatsApp, phone, and email support

07936807320 sales@fridgesealsdirect.co.uk

fridgesealsdirect.co.uk

period.

The standard specification of our Medium Production Kitchen unit includes a six burner oven range, salamander grill, twin basket fryer, undercounter fridge, undercounter freezer, hot cupboard, double bowl sink unit with integral hand wash basin, storage racking, plus ample power points to plug in Microwaves, Food Processors, Toasters etc. Internal equipment can be interchanged, and clients can effectively specify their preferred layout.

We have many tried and tested design layouts and would be pleased to put forward our recommendations for your project.

So, if you’re planning a refurbishment or need to cater for an event then why not give us a call and we’ll be happy to provide advice and put forward a competitive proposal.

For further information or to arrange a site visit, email: sales@mkhire.co.uk or call us on 0345 812 0800, or visit our website: www.mk-hire.co.uk

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Issue 208

Kitchen Equipment and Fit-Out

Microsave Launch New, High Grade Teflon Cooking Trays for Accelerated Cooking Ovens and Microwaves The Microsave brand is well known throughout the foodservice industry for it innovative Microwave Cavity Liner products, saving operators time and money by keeping the insides of their expensive microwaves clean and free from unnecessary repairs, essentially protecting their investment.

Manufacturers and third parties are, in my opinion either ridiculously expensive, of very poor quality or in some cases both. These new Microsave products are made of a really high grade material, and the reinforced ring make the trays so robust.

The fact we can offer them with a saving in the region of 15% from the manufacturers original product, whilst in my opinion offering a superior item, made it a very easy decision to bring these excellent new trays into our product range’.

The brand is now launching a range of Teflon cooking trays, designed for use in both microwave ovens and accelerated cooking ovens, such as Merrychef, Panasonic and the Lincat Cibo + as well as others.

Manufactured in Europe, the trays use an extra thick Teflon coated material and boast a 25mm wall around the tray to catch all unwanted spills. The Teflon coated material is completely nonstick and easily cleaned. The tray is reinforced with a medical grade stainless steel rim. This rim is wrapped in a Teflon cover, making it completely food safe and also safe for use in both Microwaves and accelerated / speed ovens.

As with all other Microsave products, distribution will be through Regale Microwave Ovens Ltd. Iain Phillips, Managing Director of Regale said ‘ The current range of cooking trays available from both

In fact, Regale are so confident in the new Microsave cooking trays, they will offer a full refund to anyone who returns one within 30 days of purchase, no questions asked.

The trays measure 290mm x 260mm and are 30mm deep. They are in stock and available in Blue, Black and Green.

For more information, please email; Microwaves@regale.co.uk or call Regale on 01329 285518.

See the advert on page 8 for details

Hot Wastewater Pumping – The Problems Caterquip Ventilation and the Solutions!

Reliability is absolutely essential for busy commercial kitchens. This is especially true when pumping hot wastewater from equipment such as pasta boilers, glasswashers, dishwashers, combi ovens and even sinks with Zip taps.

The Problem: While all wastewater pumping systems utilise submersible pumps, these are generally only designed for pumping wastewater at nominal temperatures of 35°C.

The Solution: For wastewater coming from a system that regularly discharges hot wastewater, a submersible pump rated for continuous use is therefore essential.

Over many years of testing and development, one range of pumps has become the benchmark for reliable hot wastewater pumping. These are the Jung Pumpen 730HES (10m closed valve), or for higher discharge requirements, the 1030HES (12.5m closed valve).

Due to their internal shaft seal design, specification and choice of construction materials these pumps are reliably rated for continuous operation at 90°C, meaning that they are specifically designed for hot wastewater.

These unique pumps can be used as part of an automatic hot wastewater pumping system and a number of different floor mounted tank designs and options are available. These include the Pump Technology Ltd, DrainMajor (pictured) for single pump specification or, if a twin duty standby pumping system is required, the DrainMajor Duo and DrainKing.

The automatic start stop is controlled by the pump’s own large, triangular, low-level float, which is external to the pump body and attached via a rigid float arm. This design ensures accurate and reliable operation, even when the incoming flow is turbulent or contains debris that could tangle or block conventual lead or tube float systems.

More assistance and technical advice is always freely available from the experienced Pump Technology Ltd team, who will ensure that the correct pumping system to meet the required discharge pumping parameters is

Caterquip Ventilation Ltd is proud to be celebrating their 23rd Anniversary this year.

This Warwick based company offers nationwide coverage for all your commercial catering needs: free site surveys, quotations and designs (CAD), quality bespoke and standard fabrications, specialist knowledge of catering ventilation systems including input air, odour reduction (carbon filtration and ESP) and sound attenuation. Affiliated members of Constructionline and CHAS, Caterquip Ventilation have a strong hold in the marketplace often advising industry professionals on ventilation systems to a DW172 specification & BSEN:6173.

They have strong relationships with all leading kitchen equipment suppliers, and

they offer a kitchen design service to help you build your ideal kitchen.

Projects undertaken have included Olympic Villages, Basildon Hospital, The Mitre Hotel at Hampton Court, The Truck Stop at Anglesey, The Lodge at Old Hunstanton, Colleges, Schools, Hotels, Restaurants and Public Houses.

They ensure their systems are compliant with the current guidelines whilst maintaining an efficient and dynamic facility.

With extensive knowledge of manufacturing and installing ventilation systems, they can help you design the best kitchen within the space available.

Call: 01926 887167, visit: www.caterquipventilation.co.uk, email: info@caterquipventilation.co.uk

Kitchen Equipment and Fit-Out

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Independent Kitchen Extract Auditing Service Swiftclean, the nationwide-based air and water hygiene company, has recently launched its new Kitchen Extract Auditing service.

It has been developed primarily to support Facilities Management companies when they take on a new multi-site contract.

When a new facilities management team takes over the running of a new multi-site contract, they may, as part of that contract be required to make sure that the current specialist cleaner of the kitchen extract systems is carrying out the work to the required standard.

As a member of the BESA and the Ventilation Hygiene Elite Scheme, Swiftclean has the experience and qualifications to carry out these audits and ensure that they have been completed thoroughly and competently following the TR19® Grease specification. TR19® Grease is issued by the BESA (Building Engineering Services Association) and is widely accepted as the leading source of authority on kitchen extract system hygiene.

condition of the extract system with photos. They will detail the grease thickness levels before and after the clean and, if there are any inaccessible areas, they will make recommendations as to how to resolve these issues.

Evolution Fryers and Filter Units

More and more insurers are now insisting that systems are cleaned to the TR19® Grease specification. It is important for you to check your policy as there will be a possibility that you may not be paid out in the event of a fire if you cannot provide clear evidence of your compliance with TR19® Grease.

Swiftclean, as a member of the Vent Hygiene Register, is also a leading provider of expert cleaning for kitchen extract systems, routinely providing clients with compliant systems. www.swiftclean.co.uk

Rational iVario by CEE

Our audit reports include a summary of the overall

You can boil, fry and deep-fry with just a single cooking system. Up to 4 times as fast and with up to 40% less energy. The iVario thus replaces numerous conventional kitchen appliances. Such as the stove, pots, pans, deep-fat fryers, pressure cookers and bainmarie. And in the restaurant, it is impossible to imagine the mise en place and à la carte without it.

Use the iVario to blanch, deep fry or confit effortlessly and in no time. Thanks to the powerful heating system iVarioBoost, the oil is heated in record time and you can start deep-frying immediately. At the same time, the temperature is regulated so sensitively

The Premium Fryer and Burner System The ultimate solution for any catering establishment, perfect for pubs, hotels, restaurants, cafes and much more.

and precisely, that even meat, fish or vegetables can be prepared using the confit method.

Call For the best prices in the UK on 01902 495634.

www.blue-seal.co.uk Please mention the Caterer, Licensee & Hotelier News when replying to advertising

Rational iVario by CEE

Boil, fry and deep-fry with just a single cooking system

Silver service for kitchen H[WUDFW ɢUH VDIHW\

You create the fabulous food, we’ll look after your kitchen extract ductwork. No matter how healthy or exquisite your food, grease deposits will build up on the surfaces of your extraction hood and

GXFWZRUN FUHDWLQJ D ɢUH ULVN WKDW PXVW EH UHPRYHG :HʈYH EHHQ market leaders in this type of work for 40 years, so you can trust us to do an expert job, meeting all the requirements of TR19® Grease.

0800 243 471 info@swiftclean.co.uk www.swiftclean.co.uk

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CLH Digital

Products and Services

Issue 208

Real Hand Cooked Crisps Cut The Mustard With New Colman’s Collab

Colman’s, the UK’s number one mustard brand , has partnered with premium hand cooked crisp brand, REAL, to relaunch its Ham & Mustard Crisps with the iconic taste of Colman’s English Mustard.

Available exclusively in the food service channel from April, the REAL Ham & Colman’s Mustard Crisps pack a distinctive Colman’s flavour punch and is set to be the perfect pairing to a drink, whether that be a pint, a chilled diet coke, or a delicious sandwich.

With expected sales of over 1.5m packs a year , REAL Ham & Colman’s Mustard Crisps is a huge opportunity for more people to enjoy Colman’s in a different way, whether they are existing fans or new to the famous condiment.

REAL has been making premium hand cooked crisps with punchy flavours for the food service sector since 1997. With this collaboration, the brand’s fifth bestseller2 Ham & English Mustard, has been given an upgrade with a boost of Colman’s English Mustard’s fiery

Sir Woofchester’s - Canine Hospitality Sir Woofchester’s has the UK’s largest and most specialised product range for dog-friendly hospitality businesses, including several personalised products.

For your BAR OR RESTAURANT Our Dog Menu features a range of Treat Pots, Dinner Bowls, Dog Drinks and Snacks, displayed with eye-catching point of sale

For your BEDROOMS & ACCOMMODATION

flavour that is loved across the nation.

Jolanda Wells Licensing Manager at Unilever said: “Not only are crisps the nation’s favourite snack , but they are also the number one item people buy alongside a drink or a sandwich when eating out . To help operators tap into this opportunity, we’ve brought together two iconic British brands to give people the ultimate ham and mustard crisp combination, which we know Colman’s aficionados will love.”

Matt Smith Marketing Director at REAL Crisps added, “REAL Crisps have always stood out for their distinctive, punchy flavours tailored for food service. Our new Ham & Colman’s Mustard takes this to a new level with a full-on flavour that is the perfect partner for a drink or sandwich.”

The new REAL Ham & Colman’s Mustard Hand Cooked Crisps will be available to purchase in the food service sector from 1st April 2024.

DOGFRIENDLY BENEFITS You may also wish to consider the following benefits of working with Sir Woofchester’s, to help elevate your wider business: • Increased average customer spend • Increase repeat visits • Enhances staff engagement & enjoyment • Link to other initiatives – charityfundraisers, online competitions • Great social media content & word of mouth marketing • Contributes towards improved reviews • Fully compliant with legislation etc

WHY DOG-FRIENDLY?

Choose between:

The number of UK dog owners has increased by over 25% since 2020

-“All day breakfast” snack bar: a delicious innovative treat for dogs on-the-go!

-“Sleepy Bones” treat pot: relaxing bedtime dog treats.

-“Dog Welcome Pack” PERSONALISED: an nicely presented pack containing poo bags, a ball toy and a pot of Sleepy Bones. (Note: the container also serves as a temporary waterbowl!)

Dog owners like to treat their canine like one of the familywhen they visit your establishment

YOUR COMPLETE SOLUTION

The dogfriendly trend in hotels & tourism etc has been increasing for over a decade!

Water bowls, waste bags, accessories, top tips & everything else you need to be more dogfriendly.

The pandemic has seen a behaviour change, with more dog owners choosing the UK for their short breaks or annual holidays

To ensure the highest quality products, we hold a DEFRA registration, a GB Pet Food Manufacturers registration and much of our range is BRC or SALSA certified.

The cost of boarding kennels & pet-sitting has risen, so your customers now increasingly want to bring their dog with them!

We look forward to working with you.

We see ever-increasing dog-friendly requirements with accommodation providers, food & beverage outlets, as well as tourist attractions.

David & the Sir Woofchester’s team

Many of these are new ‘first time dog owners’ (including pre-family millennials)

See the advert on page 17 for details or visit www.sirwoofchesters.com

Exclusive Elegance and Quality by Design Benefiting from Fracino's extensive research and development programme, world class engineering skills and state-of-the-art production technology, the Romano-R is a genuine fusion of style and luxurious quality.

Available in 2 or 3 group versions, it boasts all the power, technical qualities and reliability synonymous with Fracino products, in a stunning design to create the ultimate coffee bar furniture. The Romano elegantly combines classic curves and retro styling with contemporary materials and close attention to detail, ensuring a truly outstanding finish. Featuring latest technology integration, the full width touch pad features ‘digital trace’ icons for the drink selection and a wide range of control features within the programme - including controlled on/off times for maximum energy efficiency, coffee extraction displayed in volume and time for each espresso shot for precise drink quality, multi-lingual display selection and digital programme set-up for easy user adjustment capability.

Our powerful combination of stylish design and creative technology enables discerning clients to choose a bespoke finish for their Fracino espresso machine. Our expertise caters for individuality – whether it be to enhance a theme or interior design, promote a brand - or simply to challenge convention.

We offer the option to select a bespoke mirror finish in a range of lustrous colours, which draw out the beauty of the highly polished stainless steel, whilst an extensive range of dramatic solid colours – in a satin or matt finish – are available to complement and enhance the interior designer’s creativity and provide the finishing touch befitting the individuality of the exclusive luxury restaurant and coffee bar.

Transforming the purely functional into an enviable work of art; that’s Romano!

Fracino - +44 (0)121 3285757 sales@fracino.com www.fracino.com

Consort Claudgen Launches Consort Connect app Consort Claudgen is renowned for its innovative heating solutions. Recently, they introduced the Consort Connect app that enables users to control their heating units from anywhere using their smartphone or tablet. The app is free and downloadable from Google Play or Apple Store. It can control Consort's Wi-Fi enabled heaters and SL heaters connected to an SLPBWIFI wireless controller.

The Consort Connect app is easy to set up. It provides quick access to four operating modes and a 7-day timer with twenty-four daily heating periods. The Connect app offers complete customisation, allowing users to modify the settings of every connected heater according to their preferences. Users can keep track of the app's energy consumption statistics to increase energy efficiency and monitor consumption.

The app has several noteworthy features, including custom automation and a security lock function to prevent unauthorised access to the system. It also features an open window

detection, which reacts intelligently to a sudden temperature change in the area or room.

Additionally, the SLPBWIFI controller and Consort heaters with Wi-Fi and occupancy sensor have a self-learning control ability. This sophisticated feature uses occupancy and temperature sensors to detect and learn a user's weekly presence in a room. It then creates a heating schedule and automatically warms the room according to the detected or predicted occupancy. When the room is unoccupied, the heater will conserve energy by switching to a setback temperature or frost protection mode.

Those interested in learning more about this exciting offering from Consort Claudgen can contact one of their sales representatives via phone at 01646 692172, or visit their website at www.consortepl.com to discover how they can transform their heating control experience.

See the advert on page 3 for further information.

Hospitality Technology

Every Minute Counts!

In the fast-paced world of dining out, every minute counts. That's where restaurant pagers come in, revolutionising the way we experience meals. Gone are the days of idly waiting for your name to be called or constantly checking with the host. With guest pagers, customers are empowered to make the most of their time, enhancing their overall experience.

Restaurant customer pagers are compact, wireless devices that alert customers when their food is ready for collection or their table is ready. The latest Matrix Customer Pagers from Pager Call Systems offer a sleek design with IP68 waterproof pagers.

With the Pager Call Systems Server Call wait staff

paging system your staff can be recalled to the kitchen to run food the moment it is ready, no more lingering in the kitchen, staff can spend their time front of house serving tables & looking after diners.

From bustling urban eateries to take away restaurants, restaurant pagers have become a staple in the industry, streamlining operations and delighting customers. With their convenience and effectiveness, it's no wonder that more and more establishments are utilising paging systems from Pager Call Systems to enhance their guests' dining experience.

Call 0800 774 7320 www.PagerCall.co.uk

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Hospitality Management Software with All the Functionality at a Fraction of the Price Hop is an all-in-one, cloudbased Property Management System that has been expertly developed by hoteliers - with you, your team, and your guests in mind. At Hop, we aim to deliver an easy-to-use, reliable, and affordable system that will significantly increase revenue through increasing direct bookings, reducing time spent on additional admin, whist also making your guest's experience seamless.

With Hop you can optimise your reservation workflow and enhance your analytics. Our integrated system includes a robust commission FREE Booking Engine, a versatile Channel Manager, Event Management functionality to manage your events from initial inquiry to post event feedback and advanced Revenue Management capabilities which can be paired with several products in our software suit.

Hop is designed to meet the needs of various property types including independent hotels, hotel groups, self-

accommodation including lodges, cottages, apartments, and caravan parks as well as student accommodation… If you have a room to sell Hop has a solution to help you achieve your goals!

We continually push the boundaries, always sourcing the latest integrations and leading industry trends to stay at the forefront, ensuring that our clients receive the finest experience. Our commitment to excellence means we only partner with the elite to offer comprehensive integrated solutions for Epos, Gift Vouchers, Accounting Software, GDS, Channel Managers - Siteminder and Synxis, Guest Review’s & Spa’s and more!

To find our more visit www.hopsoftware.com, or email sales@hopsoftware.com to arrange a demo and find out how we can save you money without compromising on quality.

Avoid Losses, Increase Profits and Build Relationships with CardsSafe

®

If you want to build trust and relationships with your customers, CardsSafe can help. The system wirelessly and securely holds customers' bank cards while they run a tab. As a result, staff can spend more time with customers, upsell and build valuable relationships.

Customers will also feel more relaxed knowing that their cards are safe.

The CardsSafe system is specifically designed to securely retain customer credit, debit and ID cards while the cardholder runs a tab. As a result, the technology not only protects against credit card fraud but also eliminates dine and dash and allows for checking the validity of bank cards.

The CardsSafe system has revolutionised how hospitality businesses manage their customers' payment obligations. The wireless technology can be safely tucked away behind the bar, POS or service station. The units are easily installed, and the system does not capture data, so it never breaches GDPR. CardsSafe helps pubs, bars and restaurants avoid losses, and it helps to increase profits. That's why over 5000 venues trust CardsSafe to manage their

customer food and drink tabs and leisure facility hires. From Young's pubs to Hilton Hotels, the London Golf Club, Lord's cricket ground and numerous restaurants and bars utilise the CardsSafe system.

Timothy, Young's Bar Manager, explains, "Average spend is up, and chargeback has virtually disappeared after we installed CardsSafe, which really puts our customers' minds at rest."

CardsSafe is affordable too. Each unit contains ten card drawers that can be hired for just £9.95* per month. In addition, each unit hire comes with customer service troubleshooting and free replacement keys. Additional units can be added at any time.

For more information, please visit www.cardssafe.com Or contact the sales team on 0845 500 1040 *Plus, a sign-up fee of £39.95 (plus VAT) for new customers.

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Facilities Maintenance Visibility, Cost Control and Improved Compliance manpower. An automated invoice validation process reduces the burden of invoice review, while legislative compliance reporting identifies actual compliance levels and PPM needs, based on what clients should have, not just what they have.

Ostara Systems focuses on helping clients manage maintenance costs, especially in the F&B and Hotel sectors with clients such as Whitbread and Admiral Taverns.

The Ostara System establishes a culture of paying for completed work using automatic cost calculations based on contractor rates and time on-site. The Ostara Mobile App validates engineers' attendances to sites, while proprietary Bluetooth technology can replace QR codes for more accurate data.

One of the key advantages of CAFM Systems is the ability to systemise and reduce client administrative input. However, this should be accompanied by a level of client oversight and review. Ostara's built-in auditing process allows clients to audit invoices based on specific criteria and sample size.

Further cost control options include replacing fixed cost quotes with estimates based on agreed rates, time, parts, and miscellaneous costs, acting as a ceiling for costs rather than a fixed amount. This then works alongside the check-in and time on site processes cited earlier, resulting in the client only paying for actual time spent and parts used.

Finally, one of the key applications and benefits of a CAFM system is client ‘buy in’ to the process and world of maintenance. Ostara’s self-service portal and mobile app enhance client involvement and job information capture, improving the maintenance process. All work order information can be captured, including all email chases and notes, resulting in clear job history in one place.

Customizable authorisation rules allow for a flexible approval processes, with single or hierarchical structures, based on a range of conditions. At all authorisation statuses there is functionality for spend value comparison to a budget.

info@ostarasystems.com

However, it is clear to Ostara that it is not just client expenditure that proves costly, but also the client’s

www.ostarasystems.com

Let’s talk. Contact us on: +44(0)844 880 2582

WaiterMate Debuts the World’s Fastest, Most Efficient Mobile EPOS Revolutionary technology company, WaiterMate has launched the world’s fastest and most efficient EPOS system.

Powerful and pocket sized, it combines traditional EPOS functions with an integrated ordering system and payment processing functionality for speedier service, a greater volume of sales and better tips.

Designed for fast-paced hospitality venues, including restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs, WaiterMate allows customers to be processed at a minimum of twice the speed of traditional systems. Every single waiter or waitress can serve customers and take payments at the same time. No bottlenecks during peak periods. No frustratingly lengthy waiting times.

No jostling for use of the till or card machine. Just seamless customer service, efficient ordering, and lightening quick payments from any location within the venue.

WaiterMate empowers every waiter or waitress to serve their customers’ food and drinks noticeably quicker and to a higher standard. With more accurate order placement, seamless table management, options to split the bill, take payment and print receipts, they have a full EPOS system

in the palm of their hand. Better service means better tips and a better customer experience.

With one client, WaiterMate helped their bartenders set a record for revenue. The venue was looking for a solution that could help its business to scale, generate more profit and make life simpler for staff. WaiterMate exceeded all expectations. With the old system, a bartender generated a maximum of £1,500 worth of sales per evening. With WaiterMate, that increased to £2,700. It’s a truly revolutionary piece of kit that is user-friendly and packed with functionality for customer-facing teams and managers alike.

For those in charge of the bigger picture, WaiterMate doesn’t just ensure a faster rate of table turnover, and improved productivity front-ofhouse. It’s also been precisely engineered to make complete venue management easier. The robust interface comes with enhanced analytics and truly useful reports, for easier staff management, easier data-based decision making, improved service quality and upgraded customer loyalty.

This functionality is the brainchild of WaiterMate CEO, Lee Nazari. “I

grew up in the hospitality business. Today’s managers and waiters face a range of challenges. WaiterMate is designed to help them succeed, by making life easier for staff to help with productivity and retention, elevating the customer experience to encourage loyalty, and providing easy access to data and reporting for informed decision making.”

Multiple site management is also covered. Each venue can be reviewed independently or the whole property estate brought together to see the bigger picture. Those in charge have complete control and oversight of performance in real time or retrospectively.

Compatible with online ordering, WaiterMate integrates with UberEats, Deliveroo, Just Eat, App 4 and Delivery Hero straight out of the box.

Payments can be processed via Google Pay, Apple Pay, Visa or MasterCard and payment processing fees are almost 1% lower than popular alternatives. There’s no need to juggle multiple complex platforms and no challenging accountancy tasks. Everything needed is readily accessible from the pocket-sized device.

To find out more, visit: https://waitermate.co.uk View the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX_mjBK7bDc or follow on social @WaiterMate.

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AI and Tourism: Transforming Customer Experiences

By Fritz Oberhummer, VP of Travel & Hospitality, Intellias (https://intellias.com/) Because travel is an inherently human-centric experience, tourism and hospitality companies have been somewhat sceptical of the impact of AI in the travel industry. But the sentiment is shifting.

AI models are very efficient at analysing data — and the travel industry has deep data troves. By using algorithms for advanced data analytics, industry players can reach more customers, elevate service levels, tap into new revenue channels, and increase operating efficiencies.

Let’s take a look at how this revolutionary technology is already making waves in this sector.

DEEPER CUSTOMER INSIGHTS Machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms can trawl millions of data points in provided datasets to uncover new correlations, trends, and similarities. In short, AI and ML both enable advanced customer segmentation, sentiment analysis, and behaviour forecasting.

Hostelworld, for example, successfully uses machine learning for sentiment analysis and marketing campaign optimisation. By combining the analytical and predictive powers of ML, Hostelworld managed to increase its click-through rate (CTR) for email campaigns by 86% and its email open rate by 12%.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT Thanks to natural language processing (NLP), algorithms can easily understand text-based commands and different contextual clues to better deal with incoming customer requests. At the most basic level, AI can help classify and prioritise customer support cases or look up relevant information for agents. More advanced AI use cases include end-to-end customer issue resolution, voice-based support bots, and customer support.

AI in tourism can increase support staff productivity by 20% to 50% or more. Airlines like Cathay Pacific

already handle 50% of their customer care chats with Gen AI assistants, allowing human agents to focus on more complex tasks.

GEN AI TRAVEL AGENTS ChatGPT has turned out to be a very capable travel agent. Unlike the early generation of chatbots, which were mostly driven by pre-programmed rules, a generative AI (GenAI) travel agency or travel assistants have more wits and can perform a greater repertoire of tasks. GenAI chatbots can analyse and summarise content from a wide variety of sources to reply to different user queries and create personalised travel itineraries on the fly. From finding a room with the right amenities, to booking group transportation and choosing add-on activities that align with an individual’s personal preferences, GenAI makes it happen seamlessly.

On the back end, conversational systems can also interact with other tech systems: they can exchange data, look up information, update records, etc. A GenAI concierge can automatically handle a wide range of tasks, from guest self-check-in to ordering late-night munchies and upselling some neat services in between.

At Virgin Hotels, guests are greeted by Lucy — an inapp virtual assistant. Lucy functions as a contactless mobile key to access the room and can automatically adjust the lights, thermostat, and TV. It’s also the one to ring up for room service or ask about any details regarding the stay. Lucy is a capable concierge because it integrates directly with: Virgin’s property management system (PMS), which contains data about guest bookings; a point of sale (POS) system used for managing food and beverage operations; a smart system for controlling every appliance in the room; and guest management software, which automatically generates checklists for staff based on guest requests. Thanks to such deep integrations, Lucy can perform a wide range of tasks across all Virgin properties and retain guest preferences for better experience personalisation.

HYPER-PERSONALISATION Due to robust classification capabilities, GenAI travel apps can offer real-time personalised travel recommendations by identifying and continuously tracking new patterns in data representing customers’ purchase

intentions, stay preferences, and general travel interests.

Similar to Netflix, such algorithms can churn out hyperpersonalised travel offers based on customers’ past trips, known room preferences, and data from thirdparty sources.

Accor, for example, uses an AI-powered customer-

relationship management (CRM) suite with some 400 customer attributes to run deep segmentation and personalise customer communication. According to the company’s CDO Alix Boulnois, the solution generates a significant uplift in sales, with revenue from emails increasing threefold.

Notts County FC's Fan Experience Transformed with the Help of MCR Systems In football, it's not only about the game; it's about creating a memorable experience for fans. That's why clubs are continuously seeking ways to enhance matchday experience by reducing queues and providing more options for their supporters.

Notts County FC adopted an innovative strategy to achieve this by installing a new bar inside a repurposed shipping container at their Meadow Lane stadium, with the aim of improving fan experience and boosting matchday revenue.

To ensure seamless operations and efficient transactions at the new bar, Notts County turned to MCR Systems, a leading provider of EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) solutions.

INSTALLING A WINNING SOLUTION MCR Systems swiftly responded to Notts County's needs by installing eight cutting-edge EPOS terminals with the new bar. These state-of-the-art terminals were equipped with interactive media screens and integrated payment devices, providing a robust solution to manage the bustling crowds during home games.

MCR Systems conducted thorough training sessions with the club's team to ensure a seamless transition and help the team maximise the functionality of the new system.

Notts County FC Nets Immediate Results The installation had an immediate and practical effect. Fans enjoyed shorter wait times and quicker transactions, significantly improving their matchday experience.

Encouraged by these positive outcomes, Notts County FC decided to take further steps to enhance their matchday offerings by expanding their partnership with MCR Systems.

Notts County ordered an additional ten terminals from MCR Systems for two new sections in the away end of Meadow Lane. These terminals were operational just in time for the Boxing Day fixture against Doncaster Rovers, further enhancing the stadium's amenities and revenue potential.

MCR Systems T: 0116 299 7000 E: enquiries@mcr-systems.co.uk www.mcr-systems.co.uk See the advert on the back cover

SumUp Launches End-To-End Product Package For Quick-Service Businesses Kitting out your business with tools that support your staff and satisfy your customers improves the flow of your venue. SumUp has launched an all-in-one setup for quick-service businesses that transforms how these businesses operate. The quick-service package includes a range of solutions for coffee counters, takeaways and everything in between, with huge savings on hardware, software, transaction fees and more.

Each included product optimises a different customer or staff touchpoint, simplifying orders and payments, reducing queues and relieving staff—especially during those busy periods.

POINT OF SALE PRO One POS solution for all of your daily tasks.

SUMUP KIOSK Customers order and pay freely, while your team focuses on the food.

SOLO CARD READER Never miss a sale with reliable payment acceptance.

KITCHEN DISPLAY SCREEN Give your kitchen staff the boost they deserve.

Point of Sale Pro, SumUp’s most extensive POS solution, is the central hub within this package. Made up of easy-to-use hardware and software, staff can take orders, accept payments and make important changes in a few clicks.

The POS system provides valuable insights through data and reports, and is integrated with tools like Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Xero—ensuring businesses have everything they need in one place.

Orders can also be accepted via SumUp Kiosk, a selfservice terminal where customers order themselves—

reducing queues by up to 50%.

When it comes to payments, kiosks have an integrated card reader so customers can pay right away. The package also includes a Solo card reader, which can be used to accept flexible payments with POS Pro. All orders—including those from delivery apps—are synced with the kitchen display screen, a separate display that supports staff by organising orders on-screen in real time.

With these solutions, SumUp provides an ecosystem of tools that work seamlessly together at an accessible cost.

All of these individual products can now be purchased as the quick-service package, priced at £599 (instead of £1,929).

Software costs are reduced to £59 per month (instead of £118) and card reader transaction fees are discounted to 0.99%. These fees are guaranteed to never be increased.

Businesses can access their daily earnings made via SumUp the next day at 7am—even on holidays and weekends.

Talk to the SumUp team +44 20 3936 1981 www.sumup.co.uk/qsr

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The Impact Of Weather On Consumer Buying Behaviour For Picnic Benches

In the bustling landscape of the UK outdoor furniture industry, valued at £650 million, the ebb and flow of consumer preferences are intricately tied to the ever-changing weather conditions. Central to this dynamic is the link between supply and demand for items like picnic tables and children's picnic benches. These essential pieces of outdoor furniture become not just functional elements but witness a surge in demand during periods of good weather.

As the outdoor furniture market anticipates an annual growth rate of 2-3%, the influence of weather patterns on consumer behaviour becomes increasingly evident. The Met Office, in a revealing study, underscores the undeniable influence of sunshine and warm temperatures on consumer spending habits. The climax of this impact is remarkable, with outdoor furniture sales soaring by an impressive 70% during periods of good

weather. Conversely, the subdued months during rainy spells reverberate through the market, evident in the 2019 downturn where UK retailers faced a substantial £200 million dip in sales, with outdoor furniture, including the beloved picnic benches, bearing a significant drop.

In the heart of these market dynamics stands MG Timber, a specialist in the realm of high-quality wooden picnic tables. Each masterpiece is meticulously crafted from top-tier timber, not merely as outdoor furniture but as a seamless blend of functionality and aesthetics. MG Timber's picnic tables stand as beacons of durability, weathering the changing seasons while elevating outdoor spaces with timeless elegance. Dive into our expansive range today and discover the perfect complement for your outdoor haven, where every piece becomes a part of the evolving narrative of the outdoor experience.

Domestic & Trade Handmade Garden Furniture From MG Timber SGM Recycled Plastics Ltd.

The UK outdoor furniture market is heavily influenced by changes in weather conditions, with consumers more likely to purchase picnic benches during periods of good weather. MG Timber specialise in the manufacturing and supply of high-quality wooden picnic tables. Their picnic tables are made from high-grade timber and are designed to withstand the harsh outdoor elements.

Whether you’re a restaurant seeking to enhance the cosy ambiance of your outside space with a highquality dining set. A hotel wanting to revive your garden with a premium picnic table or a pub landlord aiming to elevate your beer garden with an impressive selection of pub benches and wheelchair accessi-

ble picnic tables. MG Timber are the garden furniture suppliers for you.

Crafted from the finest Swedish Redwood, each piece is expertly pressure treated to ensure longevity and protect against the elements. Renowned for their robustness, our treated wooden outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the unpredictable British weather, making them a reliable choice for any catering and licensing industry outdoor space.

For full details about our vast array of top-quality outdoor picnic benches for sale, please visit our website www.mgtimberproductsltd.co.uk or call us on 01902 953166.

LeisureBench Ltd, is proud to introduce its new sister company SGM Recycled Plastics Ltd. Made from 100% recycled plastic, our new ranges are designed and manufactured at our new premises in Granthan using the latest technology.

From picnic tables to planters, the growing range of products are ergonomically designed for the commercial sector at affordable prices and most items come with a 25-year construction guarantee.

Introducing our new stylish side chairs available in several colours, they are both comfortable, and at a starting price of just £99.45 +vat in black, they represent excellent value for money.

Our new website www.sgmrecycledplastics.com has automated muti-buy discounting.

Discounts start from as little as two of the same product for exceptional value. We believe we are the most competitive in the market.

Our in-house design team can design bespoke products for our clients and no job is too small or too big.

Customer service is key to our success.

We welcome visitors to our factory showroom at Old Wharf Road, Grantham, Notts, NG31 7AA. SGM T: 0333 0112314 Calls charged at local rate.

E: support@sgmrecycledplastics.com SGM W: www.sgmrecycledplastics.com

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Leading the Way in Table Numbers & QR Code Labels Brunel Engraving proudly stands as the UK's foremost supplier of table numbers and QR code labels, catering to the evolving needs of the hospitality sector. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, we offer swift and efficient solutions to enhance the dining experience for both establishments and their patrons.

Our investment in cutting-edge equipment and software underscores our dedication to meeting the increasing demand for personalised table numbers and QR code discs. These meticulously crafted items serve as invaluable tools for modern establishments, seamlessly integrating technology into their service offerings.

By utilizing our table numbers and QR code labels, businesses can streamline operations and elevate customer satisfaction. Guests can effortlessly access menus, promotions, and other pertinent information with a simple scan, eliminating the need for physical menus and expediting the ordering process.

At Brunel Engraving, quality is paramount. Our ISO9001 accreditation ensures that every product meets stringent standards of excellence, reflecting our

unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Our reputation for reliability and superior craftsmanship is further underscored by the continuous stream of 5-star ratings we receive on Trustpilot.

In addition to our signature rotary engraving, we offer a comprehensive suite of printing and engraving techniques, including laser engraving, chemical etching, and various printing methods. This diverse range of capabilities allows us to cater to the unique needs of each client, delivering tailored solutions that exceed expectations.

From large blue-chip chains to local privately owned establishments, our table numbers and QR code labels can be seen installed across the UK. Join countless satisfied clients in experiencing the Brunel Engraving difference. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can transform your establishment's operations and elevate your guest experience.

T: 01275 871 720 E: info@brunelengraving.co.uk W: www.brunelengraving.co.uk

Café Culture - Pavement Profit

We create appealing and comfortable outdoor seating areas for your clients supplying everything required including:-

• planters with real or faux plants • cafe banners and restaurant screens • lighting • heating • classic neon signage • parasols installed and repaired • lenticular bladed roofed shelters • tables and chairs Our hardy planters are built to order using rot proof artificial wood planks. This unique material is not only completely waterproof but is formed from

UK factory waste plastics and materials that would otherwise have gone into landfill. They will last you countless years and are a genuine recyled investment.

From our workshops in Kent we deliver UK wide and are happy to visit and survey your site to to discuss your needs and prepare a drawing and quotation outlining what could be done, all within your available budgets.

We firmly believe the better you look on the outside, the more customers will come to the inside so contact us on 01733 559437 or sales@cafeculture.biz

Please mention the Caterer, Licensee & Hotelier News when replying to advertising

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Banners from HFE Signs: The Immediate Impact Advertising Solution In the fast-paced world of advertising, businesses are constantly on the lookout for effective solutions that deliver immediate results without draining their budget. Enter HFE Signs, a company that has revolutionised the advertising game with its high-quality banners and online library. These banners are not just any ordinary form of advertisement; they are a dynamic and impactful way to grab attention, convey messages, and drive action instantly. This article delves into why HFE Signs banners are considered the best form of advertising for businesses seeking immediate impact.

UNMATCHED QUALITY AND VISIBILITY HFE Signs has earned its reputation by providing banners that stand out for their superior quality. Crafted from durable materials, these banners are designed to withstand the elements, ensuring your message remains

vibrant and visible come rain or shine. The use of high-resolution printing technology guarantees that every banner is a visual feast, with crisp, clear images and bold, readable text. This quality translates into unmatched visibility, making HFE Signs banners a magnet for potential customers' eyes.

ONLINE BANNER LIBRARY HFE Signs' online library for Pub & Hotel Banners promotional ideas is a treasure trove for businesses seeking innovative and effective advertising inspiration. This comprehensive resource is meticulously curated to showcase a wide array of banner designs, themes, and messaging strategies, catering to various industries and promotional events. Whether you're aiming to launch a new product, announce a special sale, or elevate brand awareness, HFE Signs' online library provides a wealth of creative con-

Increase Your Revenue with a Commercial Shading Solution The battle for customers is tougher than ever, but with recent research suggesting 40% find the pub garden their Ultimate Happy Place, now is the time to make the most of your outdoor space and turn it into a haven for customers and a true talking point.

Whether it’s covering a terrace bar, expanding your seating area or providing a truly unique standalone outdoor experience, our commercial awnings and Louvred roof systems can create a unique feature for your business and add not just a significant WOW factor, but an area to be used again and again.

At Roché we offer award-winning retractable wallmounted and freestanding awnings from leading German manufacturers Markilux and Weinor, as well as the stunning Louvred Roof systems from both Renson and Weinor. Our team of experts have over 20 years’ experience in advising businesses on the right shading solution to suit a variety of outdoor spaces, and can help you maximise potential revenue by increasing usable floorspace, both kerbside and in

any garden areas you may have.

All our products are made-tomeasure and completely customisable to meet your exact requirements, with powder coated frames in a range of RAL colours and hundreds of weather-resistant fabrics to choose from. Take advantage of accessories such as lights and infared heaters to create a desirable location for customers to relax and be comfortable while they enjoy evening meals or drinks. For an added wow-factor you can add signwriting to help reinforce your brand and drive people into your premises who may have otherwise walked by without noticing.

Our teams of engineers and surveyors are based nationwide and use their experience to ensure each installation is completed to an extremely high standard.

Call us on 0800 060 8844 to arrange a free site survey or visit www.rocheawnings.com

cepts and practical tips to maximise the impact of your banner advertising. All designs can be tailored to your specific requirements at no additional cost!

high return on investment, making it an attractive option for companies of all sizes and budgets. With 8ft x 3ft banners priced at just £45+vat you really can’t go wrong!

CUSTOMISATION AT ITS BEST

PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS

One of the cornerstones of HFE Signs' success is the unparalleled level of customisation and design support they offer. Understanding that every business has unique advertising needs, HFE Signs provides a bespoke service that allows businesses to tailor every aspect of their banner, from size and design to maximise your message.

The ultimate testament to the effectiveness of HFE Signs banners is the countless success stories from businesses across various industries. From retail to real estate, companies have reported significant increases in foot traffic, inquiries, and sales following the deployment of HFE Signs banners.With a five-star Trustpilot rating, you can be reassured you are in the best hands.

RAPID TURNAROUND TIMES In today’s fast-moving market, timing can be everything.

HFE Signs stands out for its rapid production and delivery times, ensuring that businesses can launch their advertising campaigns without delay. Order your custom banner today for delivery tomorrow! (weekdays)

COST-EFFECTIVENESS Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of HFE Signs banners is their cost-effectiveness. Compared to other advertising mediums that require ongoing investment, banners from HFE Signs are a one-time purchase that continues to deliver results long after the initial investment. This affordability, combined with the banners' durability and effectiveness, provides businesses with a

Catering Equipment Ltd Catering Equipment Ltd are the authorised UK Distributor for the range of Kängabox thermoboxes that keep items Hot or Cold. Kängabox is a revolutionary new high density EPP series of containers in which hot or cold items can be transported with an average temperature loss of less than 1°C plus or minus per hour within a temperature range of -40°C to +120°C. Kängaboxes are available in a range of capacities and attractive colours. Kängabox are available in eight different designs and four different depths.

The various gastronorm, pizza, ice cream and euro norm formats are available.

Our Transport Boxes perfect for keeping food HOT or COLD whether delivering food, running an event or managing extra food production in the Kitchen.

Comprehensive product details can be found on our

CONCLUSION In the competitive landscape of advertising, HFE Signs banners emerge as the clear winner for businesses seeking immediate, effective, and cost-efficient advertising solutions. With their unmatched quality, customisation capabilities, rapid production times, and proven success, these banners offer a compelling way to capture attention and drive business results. As the demand for impactful and affordable advertising continues to grow, HFE Signs stands ready to help businesses achieve their marketing objectives with its exceptional banners.

Visit HFE Signs Today!

Visit www.hfe-signs.co.uk or see page 3. website www.kangaboxuk.com.

We are also leading suppliers of European manufactured Stainless Steel items such as Sinks, Gastronorms, Accessories and other products.

In addition Catering Equipment Ltd are also the UK's largest specialist supplier of European manufactured gastronorm containers, ice cream containers, sinks, hand wash and restaurant equipment.

See our extensive range of products on our website clickonstore.net.

Catering Equipment Ltd are a family firm that has been trading for almost 30 years. Our commitment is to our customers you are the most important people in our business.

Our promise is that you can count on Catering Equipment Ltd to help you and that our team will do their utmost to ensure that dealing with us is a pleasant and worthwhile experience. Call the team on 0121 773 2228 now.

Outdoor Spaces

Create a Cohesive Indoor and Outdoor Look Having a cohesive indoor and outdoor look is a great way of encouraging your guests to make the most out of your outdoor space this summer. It ensures that all areas of your establishment are welcoming to your customers and helps you to create a recognisable brand.

Woodberry knows that your outdoor areas can look just as good and work just as hard as your indoor areas. So, here are some top tips on creating a cohesive, stylish, and

hardworking establishment.

Villiers designs and creates beautiful furniture and works of art. Built with the finest materials and superb craftsmanship, pieces are individually made to last more than a lifetime.

Venturing into the great outdoors, the latest Villiers work features exquisite sculptures and large planters — launched this year and available in zinc and stainless combinations as well as rust and stainless steel finishes. Designed to breathe new life into external spaces, the materials are chosen so they can evolve with time and exposure to the elements – each unique to its surroundings.

Every Villiers piece is made to order, whether working to an existing design, or a oneoff bespoke commission. Designs can be customised with different colourways, shapes and sizes, and planters can be supplied with trees, adding the final flourishes to achieve a signature look.

With well-honed artisanal skills, Villiers combines traditional methods and machinery with modern tools and technology. One of the most valuable machines in the workshop is a 100-year-old power hammer, and blacksmithing is an integral part of the production process –

an ancient metal working skill that they are keen to keep alive through the specialist expertise of the team.

Alongside the new outdoor collection are beautiful dining and console tables, mirrors, lighting, and modern metal furniture, each designed to complement elegant and aesthetic interiors. Villiers has built an outstanding reputation over 30 years, with classic and contemporary pieces displayed in the finest hotels, private residences, yachts and luxury spas across the world.

Villiers will be exhibiting at Landscape, the industry trade show at NEC Birmingham, 27th and 28th

USE SIMILAR COLOUR SCHEMES & MATERIALS Using similar colour schemes and materials throughout your establishment will help you create that cohesive look. It will also help you to attract the right type of customers to your business which is great if you’re hoping to bring in people that will want to come back time and time again.

INVEST IN A SHELTER There are multiple ways you can use a shelter to elevate your outdoor space. You could use it to extend your indoors out by placing it next to your building or create a freestanding shelter for a separate event space.

USE FURNITURE SUITABLE FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USE Indoor outdoor furniture can offer you a higher level of flexibility as you

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can move your furniture in or out depending on where you need it most while giving you a cohesive look. The best furniture for this would be pedestal tables and chairs.

However, if you wanted a cohesive look without the need for flexibility you can invest in similar furniture throughout.

Woodberry’s Discovery and Gabion ranges are great for this as they have indoor and outdoor versions of the products within the ranges, and they are as sturdy as they are stylish.

If you need have any questions regarding shelters or indoor-outdoor furniture the Woodberry team are happy to help: Call 01926 889922 Email mail@woodberry.co.uk

Beautiful and Functional TDP Sustainable Furniture

September 2023.

The new collection of planters are currently displayed at the flagship Linley store in Belgravia. You can view a selection of sculptures and furniture online at www.villiers.co.uk and keep up to date with the latest designs and works in progress on Instagram @villiersfurniture.

For enquiries and further details about Villiers, please contact the team at hello@villiers.co.uk or telephone 01799 516680.

UNIQUE SCULPTURES, PLANTERS AND FURNITURE

BEAUTIFUL AND FUNCTIONAL You can view a selection of sculptures and furniture online at

www.villiers.co.uk Contact the team at hello@villiers.co.uk or on 01799 516680

Make the most of your outdoor space with 5% off our maintenance free furniture! Are you tired of constantly maintaining outdoor furniture? If so, invest your money in furniture you can rely on. Here at TDP we know the hospitality industry has been hard hit by financial challenges in recent years and budgets are tight, so that is why our furniture is maintenance free and built to last!

Designed to withstand heavy use and harsh weather conditions, the hard-wearing recycled plastic is resistant to cracking and warping. TDP furniture does not require any additional maintenance or treatments, meaning you can buy them once and they will last a lifetime. Perfect for a hospitality environment, our furniture is easy to sanitise with standard cleaning products. Unlike timber, our products do not remain damp. With just a simple wipe, they are ready to use, meaning happier customers and more use for your out-

side space. TDP is one of only 15 organisations to be recognised with a Kings Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. We are passionate about sustainable production and are committed to using recycled materials to minimise waste, and so far, have saved over 4,500 tonnes of plastic waste from landfill.

Our extensive range includes a variety of colour choices, to complement your branding, along with options to personalise the furniture by incorporating your name and logo with plaques or engraving. In addition, if you use a numbering system for food orders, the tables can be numbered accordingly. TDP has you covered with outdoor furniture that will not let you down. Call us now on 01629 820011 and get multibuy discounting or head to our website www.tdp.co.uk and use our promotion code – Hospitality24 - for 5% off (valid until 30th April 2024).

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Sustainable Furniture Sustainable Furniture is a Cornish family run business headed by Margaret Larson. The company founded in 2007 comes from Margaret’s many years of experience in furniture retail combined with a love for all things Sustainable. Margaret started with a vision to exclusively sell products that are ethically and sustainable sourced. Ensuring that throughout the supply chain, from sourcing of timber right through to delivery in the UK, that every aspect of the business is conducted in the most ethical of ways.

Seeing obvious shortfalls, Margaret set about to readdress the balance with Sustainable Furniture. Utilising her large knowledge of the industry she went about procuring products sourced from forestry protected by commissions. These commissions prevent illegal logging from occurring, whilst ensuring re-plantation does.

Logging when undertaken happens in an eco-manner using techniques such as thinning to promote growth of the trees around it. We also support the removal of the roots of trees from previously illegally logged ground so that re-plantation can occur, an essential undertaking to create reusable ground. Incidentally, these now form our teak root tables.

Sustainability means more than just supporting the timber supply chain; we also support the local communities to which this trade is their only source of income. We ensure fair pay and equitable wages for these communities to allow them to flourish.

Closer to home in the UK we also support Cornish manufacture from local sawmills using timber sustainably sourced from Devon and Cornwall, certified woodlands.

All our products be they indoor or outdoor are built to last. This means that the investment in timber is not for a loss. All our products are manufactured using traditional, tried, and tested methods which will ensure longevity, meaning less replacement and less timber needs to be used. www.sustainable-furniture.co.uk vicky@sustainable-furniture.co.uk 01726 884123/07878 851693

Domestic & Trade Handmade Garden Furniture From MG Timber

The UK outdoor furniture market is heavily influenced by changes in weather conditions, with consumers more likely to purchase picnic benches during periods of good weather. MG Timber specialise in the manufacturing and supply of high-quality wooden picnic tables. Their picnic tables are made from high-grade timber and are designed to withstand the harsh outdoor elements.

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Whether you’re a restaurant seeking to enhance the cosy ambiance of your outside space with a high-quality dining set. A hotel wanting to revive your garden with a premium picnic table or a pub landlord aiming to elevate your beer garden with an impressive selection of pub benches and wheelchair accessible picnic tables.

MG Timber are the garden furniture suppliers for you.

Crafted from the finest Swedish Redwood, each piece is expertly pressure treated to ensure longevity and protect against the elements. Renowned for their robustness, our treated wooden outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the unpredictable British weather, making them a reliable choice for any catering and licensing industry outdoor space.

For full details about our vast array of topquality outdoor picnic benches for sale contact us today. We are also offering up to 15% off on commercial orders, please visit our website www.mgtimberproductsltd.co.uk or call us on 01902 953166.

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New Stock Chair Ranges from ILF www.ilfchairs.com email terry.kirk@ilfchairs.com With the continuing success of the ILF Chairs website, 2023 has seen an increase in their STOCK chairs to 11 ranges available in different Faux and Velvet upholstery and selection of frame colours, plus a 12 colour STOCK range of Egger laminated 25mm table tops in a selection of sizes and colour finishes. A full range of table bases in metal and stainless steel are also kept in STOCK. In addition, ILF now also have a comprehensive range of STOCK outdoor seating and tables to suit all budgets plus real wood table tops and real wood table bases for indoor use.

More STOCK ranges coming soon please check the website.

Their online website offers both indoor and out-

door seating and table solutions.

Divided into Contemporary seating, Boutique, Lounge Seating, Period Seating, Outdoor seating and tables plus Indoor Dining & Coffee height wood tables, creating a great selection of products to view at your leisure.

Most made to order indoor seating and indoor wooden table bases and tops can be finished to any customer specification. Outdoor items offer a variety of colours within the same product style.

Enquiries can be sent to ILF directly from the website and they will reply within 24 hours. ILF hope you will enjoy the experience of viewing their easy to navigate website and they look forward to helping clients get the best products for their hospitality site.

Get Ready for Summer with Stylish and Durable Outdoor Furniture With brighter days ahead, it’s time to make sure your outdoor space is all geared up for the summer season. Here at Trent Furniture, we’ve got a great range of outdoor furniture especially designed to cater for al fresco dining and drinking.

While it’s always best to cover outdoor furniture when not in use, you can rest assured that all our contract grade outdoor tables and chairs are tough enough to withstand the unpredictable British summer!

If you’re looking to create a stylish and contemporary outdoor area for drinks and dinner, look no further than the water and UV resistant Plaza range. The durable black synthetic rattan is hand woven over a rust resistant aluminium frame to create an elegant and hardwearing outdoor

dining solution.

The Plaza Table features a hardened glass top and looks stunning with a combination of the Plaza Chair and Plaza Armchair.

Alternatively, the Monaco Stacking Chair offers comfortable and chic outdoor seating in natural, red or green wicker, aluminium or wood effect.

Built for durability as well as good looks, it’s easy to stack away at the end of the summer or when the rain sets in. It pairs perfectly with a wide range of outdoor tables including the Capra Round Table, which features an attractive synthetic teak top and the highly versatile Alma Square Aluminium Table.

Check out www.trentfurniture.co.uk to see our latest special offers. For more information about our fantastic range of outdoor furniture, please call us on 01162 864911 or fill in our contact form on our website.

FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND PRODUCTS FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY VISIT CLHNEWS .CO.UK

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MST Auctioneers Ltd Kinedo Launches Stunning NEW Kinewall Panels MST AUCTIONEERS Ltd specialise in handling & auctioning a wide variety of goods.

We act for Insolvency Practitioners, Receivers, Bailiffs and Solicitors as well as large PLCs. We are members of The National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers (NAVA).

For the past 25 years, we've provided a unique disposal service tailored to suit, liquidators, banks, receivers as well as private and corporate vendors.

We carry out probate valuations and conduct complete house and commercial clearances.

We have the largest Auction venue in the South of England. Our regular monthly Auctions occupy 45,000 sq.ft. of undercover space, selling over 2500 lots from 3 rostrums over two days.

We also hold regular Auctions ”On Site” and "On Line" See advert on this page for further details.

Kinedo introduces the game-changing Kinewall panels for the hospitality sector, elevating bathroom aesthetics in hotels, restaurants and pubs.

Boasting 70 unique patterns and colours across four themes—Minerals and Metals, Nature, Patterns and Geometric, and Wood—these panels offer versatile options to match various hospitality design schemes.

Designed for ease of installation and customisation, Kinewall panels come in six sizes, ensuring adaptability to diverse bathroom layouts commonly found in hospitality settings. Crafted from premium materials with a polyethylene core sandwiched between aluminium layers, these panels offer durability and can be effortlessly trimmed on-site to fit specific dimensions.

Manufactured in France by Kinedo, Kinewall panels meet the rigorous quality standards expected in the hospitality industry. Their lightweight construction, weighing just 11kg, facilitates hassle-free handling during installation, minimising downtime.

In partnership with Ideal Bathrooms, Kinedo ensures prompt availability of popular panel sizes and colors essential for the hospitality sector's fast-paced demands.

Ideal Bathrooms stocks 21 designs of the 1500 x 2500mm panels for immediate delivery, while additional options can be ordered with a lead time of four weeks,

providing flexibility to meet project timelines.

Amanda Mills, Kinedo's Marketing Manager, underscores Kinewall's resilience to withstand the rigorous demands of hospitality environments, offering unmatched resistance to chemicals, scratches, and corrosion. With a 10-year warranty and adherence to European quality standards, Kinewall meets and exceeds the expectations of the discerning hospitality sector.

Introducing Kinewall panels marks a significant advancement in bathroom design for the hospitality industry, combining style, durability, and ease of installation to elevate guest satisfaction and enhance overall guest experiences.

Contact Kinedo: www.kinedo.co.uk Call: 020 8842 0033 Email: info@kinedo.co.uk

Welcome The Crowds With Flexible Furniture On Fast Delivery With the Six Nations beginning a busy year of sport, now’s the time to check whether you have enough furniture at your disposal to cater for all the rugby and football matches coming up this year, not to mention all those busy weekend evenings!

Trent Furniture have a great range of chairs that can be delivered to you in super quick time.

Available in brown or grey easy-to-clean faux leather, the retro looks and high back of the Bremen Chair means it’s as at home amongst the traditional dark wood and leather of a traditional pub as it is in a modern bar. Alternatively, the Hamburg Chair offers comfortable and flexible seating in vintage grey or vintage brown, with its generous proportions and stylish fluted back. Or why not opt for the always popular Bella Chair, based on the iconic Tolix design and available in a large choice of colours ranging from mint green to silver? Thanks to its French café origins, Bella is stackable too!

Poseur Tables are also a great bet if you want to create more space for your customers, and many of these are also available on short lead times. The simple clean lines of the Chrome Pyramid Poseur Table means it offers ultimate leg room for those sitting around it and is super easy to clean.

Alternatively, the Alma Aluminium Poseur Table provides the ultimate in lightweight flexibility for use indoors or out. And don’t forget our wide range of stacking tables such as the Square Stacking Table can also be delivered to you quickly when you need to cater for crowds.

To find out more about these items and the other great furniture we currently have available on fast delivery (in as little as 2-3 days on some products), please call us on 01162 864911 or fill in our contact form at www.trentfurniture.co.uk

Design and Refit Creating Exceptional Spaces, Empowering Exceptional At Nobis Restaurant Furniture, we believe in crafting beautiful spaces for the hospitality industry that evoke comfort, warmth, and exceptional experiences.

With a transparent, customer-focused, adaptable, and problem-solving approach, our mission is to become the most recognized brand in providing quality furniture that resonates with our core values.

Our target audience encompasses businesses within the hospitality industry -hotels, restaurants, and event venues - who strive to create remarkable environments for their guests. We understand the importance

of tailored solutions, and our commitment to personalization helps build lasting relationships with every client.

Our Mission Is to Curate and Deliver Superior Hospitality Furniture Offerings to Enhance the Experiences of The Education, Office, Outdoor, and Restaurant Sectors, While Fostering a Collaborative, Customer-Focused, Transparent, And Passionate Work Environment That Drives Continuous Innovation and Sustainable Impact.

For further information visit www.nobisrestaurantfurniture.co.uk or call 01733 342 372.

Mayfair Furniture Mayfair Furniture will be celebrating 12 years this year of providing the UK’s fastest and affordable commercial furniture. Supplying all kinds of establishments from high end hotel chains to small local takeaways.

We keep in stock a huge variety of items ready for immediate dispatch, and can fulfil a wide range of bespoke orders. We deliver to all areas of the UK, Ireland & Europe.

We are not just a supplier; we understand that from time to time hospitality and leisure establishments like to give themselves a fresh new look. That's why not only do we supply contract furniture, but when it's time for your establishment to go through a refur-

bishment we also offer a complete clearance service.

We'll organise everything from a suitable time and date, professional clearance staff to remove contract furniture whether fitted or unfitted. Along with our sister company Caterfair who provides commercial catering equipment for your kitchens we are the ideal people to speak to when you are looking to refurbish.

01733 310115 sales@mayfairfurniture.co.uk www.mayfairfurniture.co.uk

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Design and Refit CONCEPT Bars CONCEPT bars are the UK's leading bar manufacturer - offering bespoke stainless steel bar counter design and manufacture alongside specialist consultation and equipment specification. Our installations can be found at a range of sites including hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, whilst utilising specialist metalwork finishes such as brass, zinc and pewter. Working closely with the operators, designers and owners we can achieve a working bar to the right style of finish and to budget.

We are proud to have worked on some of finest hotels in London, including bars at The Corinthia Hotel, The Langham Hotel, the Radisson Mayfair Hotel and Claridges Hotel.

The ‘World’s best 50 bars’ list regularly includes award-winning CONCEPT designed bars – including Scout, Happiness Forgets, Swift and Artesian,

We also have significant international installations, including at the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, Le Logis Grey Goose in France and the Chan restaurant in Thessaloniki.

In addition, CONCEPT mobile bars offer a full bar service to the function and hospitality sector, with units including mobile coffee counters, mobile deli units and full mobile draught beer bars.

CONCEPT also specialise in the supply of bespoke wine cabinet solutions and have spectacular installations at a range of exclusive hotel and restaurants. Our cabinets include dimmable LED lighting, angled champagne bottle display shelving & wine cellar style shelving, and a range of finishes from matt black to patinated bronze.

With over 30 years design experience we closely follow the latest trends in bar service offers, and with our own bespoke stainless steel manufacturing facility we have the flexibility to quickly adapt to achieve your design. www.conceptbars.com 0300 1246987

Restaurant Furniture Store

Restaurant Furniture Store, the leading UK supplier offering a wide selection of affordable and high-quality indoor and outdoor restaurant furniture. Whether you're searching for restaurant chairs, tables, table tops, or table bases, we have the perfect options to suit your needs. Our extensive range caters to various styles, from classic to contemporary, ensuring that you find furniture that complements your establishment's aesthetic. We understand the importance of affordability and good value, which is why our collection offers competitive prices without compromising on quality.

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With thousands of products in stock, including faux leather restaurant chairs and laminate table tops, we are well-prepared to meet your immediate requirements. We take pride in our commitment to next-day delivery, ensuring that you receive your furniture promptly. And here's the best part: we offer FREE

delivery to enhance your experience, making it even more convenient for you to furnish your space.

At Restaurant Furniture Store, customer satisfaction is our top priority. We strive to create a collaborative environment where we work together to bring your vision to life. With our reliable and durable products, we offer a warranty to ensure your peace of mind.

Whether you're furnishing cafes, hotels, bistros, bars, or restaurants, we have the furniture solutions you need. Browse our online store, take advantage of our next-day delivery, and enjoy the convenience of purchasing in-stock items or personalised made-to-order pieces.

See the advert on the facing page for further information or visit www.restaurantfurniturestore.co.uk

bar design consultants bespoke stainless steel manufacture full design & build specialist refrigeration unique wine wall displays With over 30 years experience of bar design tel 0300 1246987 info@conceptbars.com www.conceptbars.com

Design and Refit Healey and Lord Healey and Lord Limited specialise in the supply of high quality sanitaryware to commercial and hospitality projects around the world. Our extensive range includes urinals, disabled washrooms, sanitaryware and brassware in both traditional and modern styles.

We offer our products in a wide range of finishes including chrome, matt black, satin stainless steel, nickel, polished brass and brushed brass as standard with bespoke finishes available on request.

We also have an extensive range of no-touch wash-

room products including toilets, taps, accessories and urinal controls that are available in a range of finishes to complement any scheme.

We regularly work with design and hospitality professionals to specify good value, durable washroom schemes for high profile venues.

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Recent projects we have supplied include The Shard, The Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Lords Cricket Ground, The Queens Club, Battersea Power Station, The Globe, The Connaught Hotel, Whites in London, The Garrick Club, Scott’s Richmond and the Hurlingham Club.

Please contact us on +44 (0)1603 488709 or at sales@healeyandlord.co.uk or visit our website at www.healeyandlord.co.uk for more details.

Tailor-Made Designed Seating For You Have you recently taken over premises, just fancy a change or need to replace your tired old fixed seating and fixtures? At Drakes, we can help you realise your dreams with our bespoke furniture design service. Every week we build new tailor-made furniture up and down the UK, working with owners to come up with design concepts for fixed seating, booths and even bars and fixtures. We can take ideas from you, or your interior designer, or we can design something ourselves, all done efficiently, with professional quality and on time within budget.

Our service provides a unique opportunity to make your establishment stand out from others and add additional comfort for your customers.

We have been providing bars, pubs, restaurants, cafes, clubs, and hotels with high-quality furniture and

fixtures for decades. We employ over 15 joiners, upholsterers, polishers and designers who are capable of installing fixed seating and bespoke joinery, new bars and full refurbishments, or simply making stools for the front of the bar, or providing quality tables that last. Our dedicated team are either time-served officially trained craftsmen or externally based professionals.

Got you interested? Let us give you a free quote or ask for professional advice. We are available for a chat Monday – Thursday: 9.00 am > 4.00 pm and Friday: 9.00 am > 12.00 pm on 01422 839 690.

If you prefer, email us at sales@askdrake.com, and of course please visit our website www.askdrake.com to see some of our range and past work. We are also available on Facebook and Instagram, so give us a follow!

Classic & contemporary designer sanitaryware & accessories Made in the UK and Western Europe

All products are available from stock

w w w. h e a l e y a n d l o r d . c o . u k Tel: 01603 488709 | E-mail: sales@healeyandlord.co.uk

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Oaknorth Completes £232m Club Loan To FamilyRun Business, Splendid Hospitality Group with over seven different brands, as well as independent hotels. With the support of OakNorth and HSBC, we’ll be able to continue delivering the exceptional service and quality, as well as the extraordinary experiences our guests have come to know us for over the decades.”

OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, has partnered with HSBC on a £232m club loan to Splendid Hospitality Group. Splendid Hospitality Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing privately-owned hotel groups, with a portfolio of 24 hotels from London to Bristol, York to Edinburgh covering economy, midscale, upper midscale, boutique, and luxury markets. For over 30 years, it has built an excellent reputation, as well as an impressive portfolio of properties with brands including IHG, Accor, Marriott and Hilton.

Ben Barbanel, Head of Debt Finance at OakNorth, continued: “For over 30 years, Splendid Hospitality Group has been creating extraordinary experiences in the hospitality industry, and forging an exemplary reputation in the process. This transaction was very exciting not only because it gave us the opportunity to support this incredibly strong family-business, but also because it is the largest club deal we’ve ever participated in. The hospitality industry is facing numerous challenges, from staff shortages to the cost-of-living crisis, but despite these headwinds, Splendid Hospitality continues to find opportunities to expand and further enhance its impressive portfolio.”

The club loan will support future capex works, including the extension of Hilton London Bankside based in Southwark. The hotel currently has 292 rooms, as well as a disillery bar, restaurant, executive lounge, conference and event facilities, a spa and leisure club, and a ballroom which can accommodate up to 700 guests. The capital will enable Splendid to extend the hotel, adding a futher 76 rooms.

Commenting on the transaction, Nadeem Boghani, Vice Chairman at Splendid Hospitality Group, said: “Splendid has always been an entrepreneurial business with incredible agility – traits that we know OakNorth and HSBC share. The teams demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the hospitality sector, and a clear understanding of what makes our business unique. We are incredibly fortunate to operate hotels across the UK,

Elizabeth Davies, Head of Real Estate Finance – Hotels HSBC UK, added: “HSBC UK has enjoyed a strong relationship with Splendid Hospitality for many years and we are proud to continue supporting this best in class, family business. Our partnership with Splendid Hospitality reflects HSBC’s enduring commitment to the UK hospitality sector, and our ability to provide bespoke funding solutions to realise clients’ ambitions.

Stocktake UK Offers New Hospitality Career Opportunities As Pub Closures Rise company’s top franchise partners earning over £125,000.

Hospitality stocktaking specialists, Stocktake UK has announced the launch of a new franchise programme designed to help hospitality managers impacted by the growing number of pub closures.

With over 500 pubs closing in 2023, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the initiative aims to harness the skills and experience of former pub and hospitality managers, offering them business opportunities within their chosen industry.

Over recent years there has been unprecedented strain on the hospitality industry, with many businesses succumbing to the dual pressures of rising operational costs and changing demands from customers seeking better service and increased value for money. This has left many skilled professionals seeking alternative career opportunities. Stocktake UK's franchise programme enables hospitality professionals to utilise those skills in a viable business venture.

Stocktake UK's Franchise Offer As part of its goal to help those affected by closures, Stocktake UK is inviting experienced managers and others from the broader hospitality sector to join its national network of professional stock auditors. The franchise opportunity comes with an average turnover of around £50,000 per year, with the

For an initial investment starting at £11,999 plus VAT, franchisees will receive comprehensive training, all necessary equipment and a steady flow of leads from Stocktake UK's head office. The offer is designed to appeal to individuals seeking to be their own boss and who want to work regular hours instead of the long and unsociable hours normally associated with the hospitality industry.

Andrew Consterdine, Managing Director, at Stocktake UK said, "Stocktake UK is committed to helping those hit hardest by the recent challenges in the hospitality sector. Our franchise offers people a chance to rebuild their careers within an industry they are familiar with, and with the support of a company that values their experience and skills.

We're not just offering a career; we're offering a completely new way of life."

The franchise programme is aimed at individuals with a background in hospitality but who are looking for a change in career direction. The company believes that their extensive hands-on experience will be invaluable in providing high-quality stocktaking services to hospitality businesses across the UK. However, extensive stocktaking experience is not required, as full training is provided. This will cover everything from the use of bespoke stocktaking software, developed in-house, to effective business management practices.

Those interested in becoming a franchise partner are encouraged to contact Stocktake UK or download the franchise brochure and application form from the company website, www.stocktakeuk.co.uk

PLEASE MENTION CLH NEWS WHEN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISING

Property and Professional

Unique Profitable Business for Sale La Fiesta is a classic twin screw motor yacht. I purchased her ten years ago and have spent most of that time fully restoring her into what she is today. I have been a cordon Bleu chef all my adult life having worked on Hotel Barges in France , Together with Ski Chalets throughout Europe. From the onset my plans were to offer Classic fine dining to just four guests, together with a four hour cruise down the River Thames to Sunbury and return to Weybridge . She is one of, if not the Prettiest boats on the river. I commenced trading from a cold start without advertising in August 2019 and the business was hugely successful , however I only traded for seven weeks.This because I suffered serious injuries from a road traffic accident which has left me

permanently disabled. Hence the reason for the sale. In that seven week period I turned over in excess of £35,000 with just one other crew member. I am also a Qualified RYA yachting pilot . The boat has everything one can imagine on board , Full air conditioning throughout, desalination unit , fully fitted catering kitchen, two en/suit twin cabins, Art deco style salon with piano. She is due an out of water survey this coming spring at which point she is being completely repainted. She has enormous provenance, listed on the National historic ships registry , and once belonged to Sir Alex Guinness.

Our experts will analyse your entire operation and also its key operating figures if they are available. We then help you to identify strategies to manage costs and overheads associated with the core Profitability of running a Hospitality business.

The largest overhead, even higher than Cost of Sales, is the Labour cost, so, with detailed analysis of your wages and being able to understand ‘’the way your business actually works’’ we can ensure that you are

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For further details and contact kindly email www.lafalaise1923@gmail.com

La Fiesta is regrettably for sale.

I can assure a potential buyer that this is a Diamond opportunity not to be overlooked.

Answer: because we can help your business to succeed.

PROFITABILITY & OPERATIONS

CLH Digital

PROFITABLE BUSINESS FOR SALE

Why Use a Specialist Hospitality Consultant?

With over 30 years of industry experience in the Hospitality sector, The Bowden Group’s Managing Consultant David Hunter will work with you to address the following elements: Profitability, Operational Strategy, Staff Management, Marketing and The Future of your business.

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maximising the labour usage in your business.

Budgeting, Forecasting, Menu Management, Stock Controls, Purchasing, and controlling Variable Costs are just a few of the other areas that David Hunter, your Restaurant Consultant, will work on with you, and improve with you.

MANAGING PEOPLE Managing people brings with it a whole set of new skills that are now needed more than ever. From ‘’Managing the Managers’’ through to Service and Kitchen staff, your team needs careful and skilful Management, Motivation, guidance and Development.

Catering for just four guests at £250 per head for a four course tasting menu inclusive of Champagne, and Paring wines for either lunch or dinner, with just two crew members and a three hour cruise included.

With the investment capital returned within two seasons.

Not to mention the enormous attraction at the Henley Regatta offering a potential income stream of around £50,000. in one week.

The price is £150.000 or nearest offer.

MARKETING We will help you build a workable, planned Marketing Strategy. From Digital Marketing, such as Social Media marketing, Websites, eMail Marketing and online advertising, to print design, Promotions and offline advertising, your Hospitality business should be constantly working on ‘’ all things Marketing’’.

If your business is actually struggling, or if you just feel that it could be doing some things better, give David Hunter a quick call on 07831 407984 to arrange a ‘’Free of Charge’’ initial consultation (please quote CLH Offer), when David will discuss with you what could be achieved if you ask us to work with you.

This is a Hospitality, Home, & Business Opportunity Based on the River Thames in Surrey

Presently undergoing a complete repaint and out of water survey.

For further details and contact kindly email www.lafalaise1923@gmail.com

T H E W E S T C O U N T RY S P E C I A L I S T S

• Substantial Traditional Freehold Country Pub with Separate Rental Income • Currently Closed but Full of Character & Charm with Outside Terrace & Gardens • Spacious Owners Accommodation • Large Paddock Available for Functions & Weddings • Separate Property Included - Fully Let Achieving £15,500 pa Rental

CONGRESBURY, BRISTOL

SOUTH CORNWALL COAST

CHAGFORD, DEVON

SOMERSET TOWN

Free Of Tie Village Pub/Restaurant

Manageable Character Café & Tearoom

Landmark Inn With 16 Letting Rooms

Stunning & Profitable Business

Tearoom (22), Catering Kitchen

Bar & Restaurant 82+, Kitchens

Impressive Bar & Dining Areas 104+

2/3 Bedroom Owner’s Apartment

Owner’s Apartment, Car Park

Gardens, Parking, Owners Accom.

Easy Daytime Hours, 5 Days A Week

Free Of Tie Leasehold

Excellent Reputation & Reviews

Tremendous Potential

Impressive & Profitable Business

LH £45,000

4850

LH £39,950

2150

LH £69,950

EAST DEVON COAST

NORTH CORNWALL COAST

EXETER CITY CENTRE

Substantial Free Of Tie Inn

Daytime Only Coffee Shop Seating 18 Plus Space For More

Prime Town Centre Location

Stunning High Turnover Business

Impressive & Very Well Equipped

4 Letting Rooms, 3 Bed Cottage

Undoubted Potential

Vibrant Coastal Town

1 Bed Cottage & 1 Bed Flat

City Centre Trading Position

Tremendous Potential

1 Acre Of Gardens, Sea Views

Well Presented Throughout

2164

LH £95,000

4853

LH £45,000

W! NE

4829

Licensed Café, Bar & Restaurant

LH £75,000

GUIDE RENT: £30,000 + PER ANNUM

2163

PRICE: £595,000

REF: 4744

• Licenced Hotel Situated in Quiet Location Close to Beaches & Town • Well Presented Guest Rooms with Recently Refurbished Shower Rooms • Guest Bar, Lounge & Dining Room, Mature Garden & Rear Car Park • Owner’s Private Lounge, 2 Bedrooms, Galley Kitchen, Utility & Office • Genuine Retirement Sale

PAIGNTON, DEVON

FREEHOLD

REF: 4769

PERRANPORTH, CORNWALL

• Stunning 17th Century Traditional Cornish Inn • Less than a 5 Minute Drive from Perranporth and The Popular North Cornish Coast • Successful Business, Oozing with Character and Atmosphere • Well Equipped Commercial Kitchen & Attractive Owner's Accommodation • Outside Seating Areas with Sunny Aspect & Car Park

PRICE: £30,000

W! NE

PRICE: £625,000

NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON

• Renowned Licenced Café/Bistro in Heart of Bustling Market Town • Trading for over 15 years with Considerable Customer Base • Seating 68 with Boho Parisian Style Décor • Comprehensive Catering Kitchen & Prep Area • Open Pizza & Crepe Kitchen

OFFERS IN THE REGION OF £140,000

REF: 4529

LOOE, CORNWALL

SOMERSET VILLAGE

DORSET VILLAGE

Stunning Country Inn & Restaurant

Traditional Pub & Restaurant

Spacious 2 Bedroom Apartment

3 E/S Letting Rooms, 2 Bed Owners

Bar Areas 48+, Gardens 78+

Trading Just 8 Months Of The Year

Bar & Restaurant Areas 82+

3 Bed Owner’s Accommodation

Exceptional Business Opportunity

Commercial Kitchens, Gardens 40+

Sought After Dorset Village

Potential To Develop Business

Impressive Multi-Faceted Business

Profitable Wet Led Village Pub

LH £79,995

2161

FH £525,000

THINKING OF SELLING? CALL FOR A FREE VALUATION

4848

FH £495,000

4851

01392 201262 www.stonesmith.co.uk

• Substantial Property Occupying a Prominent Corner Plot • Six Spacious Self-Catering Apartments • Furnished to a High Standard & Fully Equipped • Double Glazed & Gas Centrally Heated Throughout • Ideal Investment or Home & Income Property

TORQUAY, DEVON

FREEHOLD

REF: 4806

NR SALCOMBE, DEVON

PRICE: £99,950

LEASEHOLD

REF: 3684

• Substantial Character Pub with 3 sets of Versatile Living Accommodation • Successful Business with Strong Net Profit, Recently Trading on Limited Hours • 2 Main Atmospheric Trading Areas with Function Room/Skittle Alley • Pretty Private Garden, Roof Terrace & Car Park • Fantastic Opportunity - Would Suit Multi-Generational Family

EXETER, DEVON

• Beautifully Presented Grade II Listed Village Freehouse • Elevated Position Overlooking the Teign Estuary in South Devon • Character Main Bar, Lower Bar/Dining Room & Library • Sunny Trade Terrace to Front with Partial View of the Teign Estuary • Spacious and Well Presented Five Bedroom Private Accommodation

OFFERS IN EXCESS OF £350,000 + VAT FREEHOLD REF: 4420

REF: 4711

• Award Winning Restaurant in Idyllic South Hams Location • Panoramic Coastal Views over Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • Trading 11 Months of the Year • Local Repeat Custom with Huge Tourist Boost • Contemporary Interior Design & South Facing Terrace

BISHOPSTEIGNTON, DEVON

Coastal Town Licensed Restaurant

LEASEHOLD

PRICE: £575,000

FREEHOLD

REF: 4721