CLH News #251 June/July '23

THE LEADING PUBLICATION FOR THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR & LICENSED TRADE Page 2

Editor's Viewpoint

Page 22

Products and Services

Pages 24-26

Food Safety

Pages 27-31

Chef's Buyer's Guide

Pages 32-33

Sustainable Resources

Pages 34-39

Outdoor Leisure

Pages 40-44 Catering Equipment & Kitchen Fit Out Pages 45-49

Hospitality Technology

Pages 50-54

Design and Refit

Page 55

Property and Professional

Hospitality Could Deliver £29 Billion Boost to UK Economy with Right Support www.CLHNews.co.uk

The hospitality sector can deliver a massive boost to the UK economy according to a report.

A new report reveals that in the past six years hospitality has increased its annual economic contribution by £20 billion to £93 billion. It also shows that employment in the sector has risen to 3.5 million, making hospitality the third largest employer in the country.

CLHNews ISSUE 251

June/July 2023

The report, produced by Ignite Economics, details how hospitality operates at the centre of the economy. In 2022 alone – and in spite of post-pandemic challenges still stifling growth – hospitality contributed £54 billion in tax receipts to the Treasury, generated £20 billion worth of exports and £7 billion in business investment.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3...)

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CLH News

Editor's Viewpoint

June/July 2023

It will come as a surprise to nobody of the vital role the hospitality sector plays in boosting the UK economy.

EDITOR

Peter Adams

Our lead story shines a light on a report which reveals that in the past six years hospitality has increased its annual economic contribution by £20 billion to £93 billion. It also shows that employment in the sector has risen to 3.5 million, making hospitality the third largest employer in the country, operating at the very centre of the economy.

In 2022 alone – and in spite of post-pandemic challenges still stifling growth - hospitality contributed £54 billion in tax receipts to the Treasury, generated £20 billion worth of exports and £7 billion in business investment.

Furthermore, with the economy practically stagnating figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) again shines a light on the hospitality sector being the largest contributor to the increase in consumer-facing services in April 2023. ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said: “GDP bounced back after a weak March. Bars and pubs had a comparatively strong April.”

These numbers reflect the unwavering demand for hospitality services in the country, showcasing the sector's ability to drive consumer spending and stimulate economic activity.

Furthermore, the hospitality sector stands as one of the largest employers in the UK, providing jobs to approximately 3.2 million people. From bustling restaurants and vibrant pubs to luxurious hotels and charming bed and breakfasts, these establishments are the lifeblood of local communities, offering employment opportunities across a wide range of skill sets. The sector not only supports the livelihoods of millions but also helps reduce unemployment rates and fosters social mobility. However, that does seem to fall on “deaf ears”.

Recognizing the sector's contributions and reducing the tax burden it faces, particularly in alcohol duty, will not only enable businesses to thrive but also unlock its full potential as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation.

The Caterer, Licensee & Hotelier News Group is published by RBC Publishing Ltd, Suite 4, Roddis House, Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset. 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.

It really is imperative that policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public at large acknowledge the importance of the hospitality sector and actively work together to create an enabling environment that nurtures its growth and maximizes its positive impact on the UK economy, before it is too late and the damage is done for good!

Supporting this vital sector is not only a matter of economic prosperity but also a testament to the rich cultural heritage and diverse offerings that make the UK a world-class destination.

Don't forget to sign up to our weekly digital editions and read all the latest news and developments from the hospitality sector at www.catererlicensee.com

PUBLISHED BY RBC Publishing Ltd Roddis House, Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1LG

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EDITOR Peter Adams

SALES EXECUTIVES David Bartlett Guy Stephenson

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Matthew Noades

PRODUCTION & WEB ADMIN Charlene Fox Published by

Hospitality Could Deliver £29 Billion Boost to UK Economy with Right Support June/July 2023

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “These figures show just how much of an economic powerhouse hospitality is.”

tality is harnessed by the Government.”

half, which is currently running at 8.7 per cent.

HOSPITALITY LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR

“We are growing the economy, with the IMF [the International Monetary Fund] saying that from 2025 we will grow faster than Germany, France and Italy,” Mr Hunt said.

The UK economy was further confirmed as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday (June 14) cited hospitality as one of the biggest drivers of jobs growth after UK employment hit a record high of 33 million.

“Despite going through a pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis over the past six years, as a sector we have continued to overcome challenges to increase our value to the economy and cement our position as a major employer.

“It’s essential that our role as a strategically important sector for the nation is recognised by politicians, and that we work together to help grow our economic contribution, create more jobs and enhance our offering in communities.

The UK economy recorded slow growth in April, after having shrunk in the previous month, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves from the opposition Labour said: “Despite our country’s huge potential and promise, today is another day in the dismal low-growth record book of this Conservative government.

The economic output grew by 0.2 per cent, month on month, in April, in line with economists’ expectations, the ONS said.

“The facts remain that families are feeling worse off, facing a soaring Tory mortgage penalty and we’re lagging behind on the global stage.”

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES

“Not substantive but positive signs of growth and recovery – and dependent on discretionary spend – but clearly fragile confidence and vital action to tackle inflation uses the right levers and tackles the right causes – energy and labour.”

“I urge the Government to work even more closely with us, to seize the opportunities available and unleash the incredible potential of hospitality. This means tackling short-term issues that are stifling further growth, like enormous energy costs, food and drink inflation and damaging labour shortages, and really looking at the long-term structural issues holding businesses back, across business rates, licensing and planning.

She added the results served “a reminder of the importance of hospitality in driving economic growth and why it matters whether the sector is resilient”.

“I’m incredibly proud of the resilience our sector has shown in recent years and the fact we continue to be a significant source of economic growth.

It comes after the ONS revealed the UK economy unexpectedly grew by 0.1% in November 2022 as a result of people going to the pub to watch the FIFA World Cup.

“Our sector has a long track-record of growing rapidly and driving the economy – these figures back that up and I hope the potential of hospi-

PLAN TO CUT RATE OF INFLATION Chancellor Jeremy Hunt repeated his plan to cut the rate of inflation in

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However, the hospitality sector was the largest contributor to the increase in consumer-facing services in April 2023, ONS director of economic statistics Darren Morgan said: “GDP bounced back after a weak March. “Bars and pubs had a comparatively strong April, while car sales rebounded and education partially recovered from the effect of the previous month’s strikes.”

“This report shows what can be achieved if we can stimulate growth, bear down on inflation and have an enabling and supportive policy environment in place for hospitality. The potential for the sector to deliver another £29 billion to the economy annually is an opportunity that the Government should be eager to embrace.

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“But high growth needs low inflation, so we must stick relentlessly to our plan to halve the rate this year to protect family budgets.”

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(CONTINUED FROM FRONT COVER)

CLH News

Pubs Code Adjudicator’s Tied Tenants Survey Shines A Light On Pub Co And Tenant Relationships 4

CLH News

June/July 2023

PCA ISSUES FINDINGS FROM ANNUAL SURVEY, WITH MARSTON’S COMING OUT AS THE TOP PERFORMER ACROSS THE BOARD

percentage points on last year), but tenancy type could be driving this as tenants with a tied lease agreement recorded just 26% satisfaction, followed by tied tenancy (40%), and other types of agreement (51%).

The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) has issued the results from this year’s edition of its Annual Tied Tenants Survey, shining a light on tenant sentiment towards, as well as their relationships with, the UK’s top six pub companies: Admiral, Greene King, Marston’s, Punch, Star, and Stonegate.

Turning to the CCOs, just one in four tenants know who their CCO is. Of those who can name them, 56% are satisfied with the information and advice provided to them about the Pubs Code (+4 percentage points on last year), and 51% are confident in how their CCO handles matters related to the Pubs Code (+7 percentage points on last year).

The PCA’s largest ever survey canvassed the opinions of a record 1,206 tied pub tenants, with individual conversations gauging their thoughts and opinions on a variety of key areas relating to the transparency obligations imposed by the Pubs Code, including overall satisfaction with their pub company, happiness with their type of tenancy agreement, their relationship with their Business Development Manager and Code Compliance Officer, and sentiment on the information provided to them.

Commenting on the survey findings, Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code Adjudicator, said: “It’s encouraging to see overall tenant satisfaction is in line with last year’s survey, despite the increasingly challenging and demanding market conditions that continue to plague the industry. There is, of course, some way to go to improving this figure from 62%, with some individual pub companies having more work to do than others, but we’re confident that, with the PCA’s support, they will be able to increase this figure.

The survey indicates that 62% of tenants are happy with the current relationship they have with their pub company – a figure that is unchanged from last year’s survey. The areas where tenants feel pub companies are performing best include fair and transparent treatment of tenants (with four in five tenants saying their BDM is fair with them in discussions), providing quick response times to concerns and issues raised, and the provision of information.

The data reveals that tenants at Marston’s have the highest overall satisfaction rates at 85%, a +12 percentage point increase on last year. This is followed by Greene King (75%, +8 year-on-year), Admiral (75%, -5 YOY), Punch (60%, +13 YOY), Star (55%, -5 YOY), and Stonegate (50%, -9 YOY).

When focusing on tenant satisfaction with their tenancy agreement, 62% of respondents are currently satisfied, while 19% are actively unsatisfied.

Typically, tenants with a tied lease agreement are least satisfied (56%), while tied tenancies, franchises and other similar types of agreements are leaving tenants more satisfied (67%). Tenants at Marston’s have the highest levels of satisfaction with their agreement (79%).

A clear majority of new tenants feel they are being set up for success by their pub companies. The data indicates that 86% of respondents

whose tenancies started in the last two years found the information they received from their pub company to be useful, while 64% of new tenants found the sustainable business plan useful.

94% of Marston’s tenants and 92% of Greene King tenants were satisfied with the information and materials provided to them at the start of their tenancies, suggesting that the better prepared tenants are from the outset, the higher the likelihood that they will be satisfied with their tenancies in the longer term.

Tenants were also asked a series of questions about their Business Development Manager (BDM) and Code Compliance Officer (CCO) and 81% of all surveyed tenants think their BDM is fair and reasonable (+5 percentage points on last year), with Greene King showing the highest increase from 77% satisfaction in 2022, to 88% this year, just below Marston’s at 92%. Star, Punch and Stonegate all performed better in this area than last year, with Star up to 83% from 75% and Punch up to 78% from 72%.

Stonegate was at 73% compared to 71% last year. Furthermore, 55% claimed they provide the requisite level of business planning support (-1 percentage point on last year), with Marston’s (81%), Admiral (67%) and Greene King (67%) all scoring above average; however only 37% of tenants are happy with the way they manage repairs and dilapidations (-2

“While it’s certainly a positive that such a high proportion of tenants are aware of the Pubs Code, at 84%, it is more concerning that only 54% are aware of the PCA and the support we’re able to provide. The fact that only 37% of tenants are happy when it comes to repairs and dilapidations at their pub is a core area of concern that needs to be analysed and improved upon, and is an example of something the PCA can help tenants with.

“It’s clear from the survey findings that the tenants who are best prepared and made aware of their Pubs Code rights from the outset, are the ones that ultimately experience greater levels of satisfaction throughout their tenancies. At the end of the day, compliance with the Code in a meaningful way is good for business, and we exist to ensure that tenants are happy so that they can run the most successful pubs possible for them and their pub company.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with the six largest pub companies, as well as their tenants, to help develop and enhance fair relationships across the board and ensure that all parties have got as much support and the requisite information they need to perform at the peak of their abilities.”

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Legionella Risk Assessments Legionnaires disease can cause serious illness and even death, it was named after the 1st major recorded outbreak at a conference/gathering in the United States.

The bacteria are present in all water and become an issue when the right conditions for them to proliferate exist. These are; an ideal temperature and some stagnation, the perfect temperature is mid to high 30 degrees C. Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 recommends that an initial Legionella risk assessment is carried out and then a suitable water management scheme is put in place and followed. This will include monitoring of outlets and water tanks and may include regular water sampling and disinfections. The Legionella risk assessment needs to be carried out to BS8580 by a competent, i.e. trained, person.

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pate without treatment. The more serious illness can involve hospitalisation including ICU and even death.

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The most common sources are from showers or other equipment, such as cooling towers, that produce an aerosol. Stagnation is also a major factor in increasing the risk, to mitigate this any low use/seldom used outlets should be run off weekly. Temperature monitoring is also advisable, both of these actions MUST be recorded.

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Trade Associations Call for Action on Energy Costs Trade associations representing high-street businesses including pubs, breweries, hairdressers, local shops and other small businesses have today written to the Chair of the newly formed Energy Security Committee to plead for urgent action to save them from the energy crisis.

In a joint letter to Angus MacNeil MP, Chair of the newly formed cross-party Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, organisations including the British Beer and Pub Association, The Association of Convenience Stores, National Hair & Beauty Federation and the Federation of Small Businesses have outlined the “unprecedented cost pressures arising from nondomestic energy supply”, urging the group to convene an urgent inquiry into supplier behaviour and save small businesses across the country from ruin.

Together, the organisations represent businesses supporting millions of jobs across the country and have each raised the alarm about the extreme burden placed on them by rocketing energy costs in the past year.

Now, the groups have joined together to warn of the potential huge losses that will be felt in communities

June/July 2023

CLH News

and on highstreets across the country if nothing is done to protect businesses from high costs and poor practice by suppliers.

In a joint statement a representative for the organisations said: “Business owners across the country are feeling powerless at the hands of energy suppliers. They have seen energy bills rise exponentially in the past year and despite heading into warmer months this pain is set to continue. Some businesses had little or no choice but to lock into extremely costly contracts at the height of the energy crisis and will and many will be paying over the odds for the next 12 months and beyond.

“These local businesses are well-loved assets, central pillars in their neighbourhoods, and if it weren’t for energy bills wiping out their profits would be running successfully thanks to the ongoing custom and support of their communities.

“We are urging the Committee to use its powers to recognise this crisis as a real tangible threat to the existence of businesses across the country and convene an urgent inquiry into the conduct of suppliers.”

‘New Approach’ Needed to Business Rates Lack of action to address an outdated and costly business rates system is holding businesses back, UKHospitality Scotland has said.

Responding to the Ministerial Statement on nondomestic rates, UKHospitality Scotland Executive Director Leon Thompson said: “The current system of business rates is holding our businesses back, with the punitive rates they pay preventing investment. It’s clear a new approach is needed if we are to achieve the Barclay Review’s aim of a business rates system that supports and encourages long-term investment.

“We’re hearing from hospitality businesses that their rateable values have increased by up to 50%, which makes the report from the Chief Statistician today, that rateable values are decreasing, surprising. The report does not reflect the reality on the ground, as felt by many of our businesses.

“Instead, increased business rates are reducing the

ability of businesses to invest, stifling economic growth and the creation of new jobs. Additionally, businesses are spending thousands of pounds and precious hours on appeals, in an effort to reduce poorly calculated bills.

“The divergence in business rates north and south of the border sees our members pay higher rates here in Scotland than comparable businesses in England.

Today’s news that the Scottish Government will not deliver on its manifesto commitment to reduce the Higher Property Rate, bringing it into line with England, is a further illustration of the extra costs hospitality businesses face here.

“The New Deal for Business Group and details of a sub-group to look at non-domestic rates is welcome news. There is much to do to improve the system and UKHospitality Scotland looks forward to engaging with the Business Group and the sub-group on this issue.”

Read all the latest news from the licensed industry at

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Is Cash Still King?

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CLH News

June/July 2023

Nicky Severn from Loomis UK (www.loomis.co.uk) discusses the importance of cash in today’s society and how those in the hospitality sector can best manage this invaluable payment tool.

For a while now, experts have been predicting the death of cash and as contactless cards, mobile payment platforms and other digital payment options proliferate, the need to carry cash has, for many, reduced. And yet, we must be aware of the dangers of sleepwalking into a cashless sociecty.

Cash is still incredibly important. It provides inclusivity and accessibility for many.

For example, there are many people who are less comfortable with technology and who are reluctant to launch their full payment ability into digital ’cyber space’.

There are those who live in rural communities with poor digital connection and there are those with challenging financial situations, who may not be able or willing to have a bank account. According to Bank of England there are still over 1 million people inthe UK who are ’unbanked’ leaving them totally reliant on cash. What’s more, in the light of the recent cost of living crisis, there’s whole new swathe of people who have found that cash is the best way to budget effectively in challenging times. Paying digitially can often mean we are tempted to spend above and beyond our preferred limits – with cash you can’t go over budget and that’s why ideas such as ’envelope cash stuffing’ have become a social media phenomena!

method of payment and many others who like to use it combination with digital transactions.

For those in the hospitality industry therefore, refusing to accept cash could prove to be extremely damaging. In the vast majority of scenarios, providng customers with the flexibility and payment choice is the optimal solution – in fact many people consider and expect the right to choose how they pay as a basic human right.

Alongside the importance of providing customer choice, there is another reason why the acceptance of cash remains important. Imagine the scenario - a cyber attack, natural disasters or other significant events that knock out internet connections, digital banking and payment systems. If there were no physical alternative to digital payment, the whole payment eco-system would be left high and dry!

It is for a combination of the reasons above that the UK government is keeping a close eye on protecting cash and an independent Access to Cash Review was established in 2018. While not advocating “a view on the merits of a cashless society”, the Review highlighted the risks to millions of people of such a situation and called on Government, regulators and financial services to work together to keep cash viable for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 Budget, the UK Government made a commitment to legislating to protect access to cash and there have been a number other measures taken and action groups established to do so.

The dangers of leaning too far into the cashless arena have already been demonstrated. Take Norway for instance, it is on the verge of being a cashless society but now the Norwegian government is applying the brakes, with proposals planned to force businesses to accept cash. Why? Not everyone is comfortable with digital solutions and there have been issues with payment systems going down in recent years. One such event happened the day before Norway's constitution day in 2022 and caused chaos for consumers stocking up on champagne, beer and food for the big day. Consumers were forced to use cash where possible or miss out and the government said the experience “showed us that the ability to pay with cash must be preserved.”

So all that being said, what is the role of Loomis in helping to keep cash alive?

Importantly too, we should remember that there are individuals who are reluctant to spend digitially due to their preference for privacy. Some do not like the possiblity of ’big brother’ traking our spending habits and the potential control this gives card companies over our daily lives.

In an environment where bank branches are closing at a steady rate, Loomis is proud to provide an alternative way for transactional businesses in sectors such as hospitaity to deal with the cash coming into their businesses.

From smart safes and cash collection, to cash processing services and coin and note delivery, Loomis UK supports businesses throughout the UK by providing safe, secure and effective solutions to cash management. Here at Loomis, we firmly believe that it’s still vital to keep the cash flowing and we are proud to help businessses do so.

With all these factors in mind, it is obvious that there are many people for whom cash is their preferreed

For further information please visit www.loomis.co.uk

The British Street Food Awards in Association with Majisign The British Street Food Awards were founded back in 2009 by Food Mutiny, the events company started by award-winning food journalist and broadcaster Richard Johnson. British Street Food Awards.

The British Street Food Awards are all about recognising the best of the new food heroes who are selling food on our streets through a great series of live events in the summer. Taking place all over the UK and Europe, visitors will be able to sample the very best from the street food finalists whilst they cook to win your vote and the vote of the expert judging panel made up of Michelin-star Chefs and Food Writers.

Majisign Ltd are delighted to once again be making the trophies to celebrate the street food winners of the

Make The Most Of Your Outdoor Spaces

In the ever-evolving hospitality industry, creating unforgettable guest experiences is paramount. One way to achieve this is by incorporating high-quality outdoor furniture that not only complements the aesthetics of your establishment but also provides numerous benefits to your guests. Hotel Buyer, a leading supplier of hospitality products, offers a wide range of outdoor furniture options that can elevate your hotel’s outdoor spaces to new heights.

Hotel Buyer’s outdoor furniture selection features ergonomically designed chairs, sofas, loungers, and tables that provide optimal comfort without compromising on style. With a variety of contemporary and timeless designs, Hotel Buyer’s furniture seamlessly blends with any outdoor setting, whether it’s a rooftop terrace, poolside area,

2023 British Street Food Awards. We create wooden A Boards, condiment holders and menu holders primarily for the hospitality industry and, working closely with the founder, Richard Johnson, we are proud to be a part of championing the world’s new food heroes and the Michelin stars of tomorrow.”

The 2023 British Street Food Awards are underway so visit them to taste the best in UK street food and vote to send your favourites to the final of the British Street Food Awards in August.

The finalists who win the grand finals in London, they can go to the final of the European Street Food Awards in September. Visit www.majisign.co.uk or garden oasis. Crafted from premium materials such as teak, aluminium, and synthetic rattan, commercial products are designed to withstand UK weather conditions.

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Hotel Buyer’s outdoor furniture collection offers a range of benefits for hospitality businesses seeking to enhance their outdoor spaces. The combination of durability, comfort, style, versatility, and customization ensures that your hotel’s outdoor areas become captivating and welcoming spaces for guests to enjoy. By investing in Hotel Buyer’s outdoor furniture, you not only elevate your establishment’s aesthetics but also provide memorable experiences that differentiate your hotel from the competition. https://www.hotel-buyer-store.co.uk/garden-and-outdoor-furniture_1

Business Confidence Rising What can a TROLLEY do for you?

In Hospitality Despite Inflationary Pressures June/July 2023

CLH News

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BOOST YOUR SALES ENHANCE YOUR SERVICE

New survey from CGA by NIQ and Fourth reveals upswing in optimism but concerns about profitability and cash reserves Optimism among leaders of Britain’s top hospitality groups has risen since the start of 2023, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from CGA by NIQ and Fourth.

The quarterly poll shows more than half (54%) of leaders feel optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months—a healthy increase of seven percentage points from the January survey, and well over double the number (22%) who feel pessimistic.

The proportion of leaders feeling confident about the eating and drinking out market in general has risen even more sharply quarter-on-quarter—by ten percentage points to 40%.

Leaders remain more optimistic than the independent market, where confidence in general (23%) and their own business (33%) are lower, influenced by lower profits and higher rates of closure seen in the latest Hospitality Market Monitor.

However, all figures remain below the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Business

Confidence Survey reveals the ongoing impacts of inflation on hospitality. A quarter (25%) of leaders say their business operated at a loss in the first quarter of 2023, while 32% say their profitability has been below last year’s levels.

There are also signs that some businesses weakened by COVID-19 remain at risk. More than a quarter (28%) of leaders say they now have less than three months’ worth of cash reserves, and one in seven (14%) says their business is at risk of failure in the next 12 months—a figure that is unchanged from the January survey.

Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA, said: “These figures highlight the impressive resilience of pubs, bars, and restaurants despite the enormous challenges of COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. All our research shows consumers remain eager to eat and drink out when they can, and business leaders are rightly confident about the longterm outlook for hospitality. Nevertheless, the relentless rise in bills for businesses and consumers alike leaves many firms and jobs extremely vulnerable. Until inflation finally eases conditions will remain very difficult, and hospitality deserves targeted government support to mitigate costs.”

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Soft Drinks Sales Surge in First Quarter of 2023 CGA by NIQ’s data shows it has been a very strong start to 2023 for the soft drinks category. Sales surged past the £1bn mark to reach £1,007m in the first quarter—up by an inflation-beating 12% year-onyear.

Soft drinks now have a 15.5% share of total On Premise drinks sales by value, having grown their share by 1.7 percentage points over the last 12 months. This is faster growth than any other category, and a lot of it has come at the expense of spirits, which has lost 2.4 percentage points of share. It reflects many consumers’ growing interest in health and alcohol moderation, and indicates that ‘Dry January’ has been an effective launchpad for soft

drinks this year.

“Soft drinks have been a real bright spot in a challenging first quarter for the On Premise,” said Matt Meek, CGA senior client manager. “Interest in moderation and value have combined to pull more consumers into the category, and we’ve seen some excellent NPD, innovations and activations in early 2023. But with inflation piling pressure on both businesses’ costs and consumers’ spending, there will be intense competition for sales over the spring and summer. Keeping up to speed with trends and responding with the right strategies in ranging, pricing, serve and more will be crucial in the battle for soft drinks share.”

Freephone: 0800 917 7943 e: sales@euroservice-uk.com

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June/July 2023

Add Chefs to Shortage Occupation List, Sector Leaders Urge Hospitality trade bodies have repeated calls for the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to add chefs to the shortage occupation list (SoL) to make it easier for businesses to recruit from abroad, meaning that if accepted, chefs who are coming from overseas, will be given dispensations within the immigration rules including lower salary thresholds and reduced visa application fees.

Currently, if an occupation is on the Shortage Occupation List employers do not have to meet the full salary threshold that other jobs on the Skilled Worker visa must meet.

UKHospitality said there is currently a 10% shortage of head chefs and up to 21% for production chefs and highlighted that the sector had chef shortages ranging from 10% for head chefs, up to 21% for production chefs.

Sector leaders have also requested that hospitality supervisors, which includes housekeepers and receptionists, and sommeliers are reclassified in order for them to be eligible for the skilled visa route. 20% of members have vacancies for hospitality supervisors and there are estimated to be up to 600 vacancies for sommeliers.

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “As we have continued to highlight, we need to have a prag-

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matic and sensible approach to immigration and that simply isn’t the case now.

“While the sector continues to invest significantly in growing its own talent, there needs to be changes to our immigration system to enable businesses to fill essential skills gaps.

“The Shortage Occupation List is a critical part of that and adding chefs to the list is a simple move that can have enormous benefits. In our evidence submitted to the MAC, we highlighted how a quarter of members told us they would restrict their trading hours if this level of chef vacancies continued. This is likely to be on top of cutbacks many businesses have already been forced to make.

“It’s not just chefs. Critical roles like supervisors, executive housekeepers and multi-lingual receptionists are all in high demand from the sector but they are just unable to be filled. A reclassification of these important roles to make them eligible for the skilled visa route would provide a massive boost.

“I’d urge the MAC to recognise the value hospitality can bring to the economy, when it’s operating at full strength, and grant our requests to help alleviate the devastating shortages that continue to plague our sector.”

Brewery Insolvencies Rise as Operational Costs Increase Soaring operational costs and a greater competition between brands have seen the number of UK breweries becoming insolvent more than triple in the past year, with smaller brewers worst affected, according to data released by tax and audit firm Mazars.

Using Insolvency Service data, the company said the number of insolvencies rose to 45 in the year to March 31, 2023, up from 15 in the previous year. Paul Maloney, associate director at Mazars, said the insolvencies are largely of smaller craft breweries who have “suffered from an oversaturated market and from rising overheads”.

Mr Maloney said: “Craft breweries have been struggling for some time, but rising prices have brought their financial challenges to a head. Craft brewers often offer ‘premium’ beers, but consumers are turn-

ing to cheaper alternatives. As such, discount brands produced by large international brewers and supermarkets’ own brands are increasingly becoming a choice for consumers.

“The craft beer market has grown enormously over the past decade. The cost of living crisis means that many of these brewers are struggling to carve out a niche in a shrinking market. Some of them will not make it.

Smaller breweries also often suffer from limited routes to market, lack proper distribution channels to consumers, and are dependent on taprooms and supplies to local bottle shops. Those restrictions limited the turnover of many craft breweries, meaning they were unable to break even.

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June/July 2023

Tackling the Pressures That Face Hospitality Workers

By Chris Gamm, CEO at the Springboard Charity (https://springboard.uk.net/) Hospitality is an exciting and dynamic career, packed with progression and opportunity. It is a passion that allows people to thrive socially and professionally. However, as with any career, we frequently fail to prioritise our well-being both inside and outside of the workplace. A recent study found that 23.8% of employees in the hospitality industry experience mental health problems . This is frequently associated with working in a highstress environment, unpredictable schedules, and lengthy periods on your feet.

Furthermore, the cost-of-living crisis has had a profound impact on individuals working in the hospitality industry, exacerbating the challenges they face in their daily lives with financial stress and pressure to make ends meet. Of course, addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including initiatives to improve wages and the provision of accessible benefits, which may not be a quick fix. However, there are small steps that hospitality workers can take to improve their overall wellbeing.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP In the world of hospitality, the demands are relentless, often stretching our working hours into the depths of the night. Without proper rejuvenation and sufficient sleep, this can be exhausting and take its toll on the individual.

The hospitality industry thrives on people who can effortlessly multitask, think on their feet, and radiate an upbeat personality while engaging with customers and ensuring a positive experience for them. However, to embody these qualities and safeguard our mental health and overall wellbeing, there is one essential requirement: a good night’s sleep.

To ensure you are following a healthy sleeping routine, we must strive for consistency. It is important to follow a regular sleep schedule that allows your body to rest. In addition, try to incorporate activities that do not consist of digital devices. Instead, try to read a book or have a soothing hot bath to settle before bed. Following this rou-

tine will ensure you awaken ready to conquer the day, embodying the very best versions of ourselves both within and beyond the confines of work.

LEAN ON OTHERS One of the main benefits of hospitality is the social aspect of the role. Working outside of the regular 9-5 hours can lead to strong bonds with your co-workers, fostering a healthy and supportive work environment. As a result, it is critical to lean into your peers and speak up if you are stressed or depressed. Connecting with others can help us feel more at home and reduce feelings of loneliness. Talking to someone you trust is a great way to get rid of any negative feelings you are having.

It is critical to put this into practice outside of the workplace. Volunteering is an excellent way to meet new people. Giving your time to help others can provide you with a sense of purpose, allow you to meet new people, and boost your self-esteem. Alternatively, if you have a hobby or a passion, joining a class or group is a fantastic way to meet people who share your interests.

INVEST IN YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH Taking care of your personal health can make you feel physically and mentally better. This includes eating a nutritious diet. Working irregular hours may result in unhealthy eating habits; however, it is critical to find time to eat three balanced meals per day. This is critical for your energy levels and can negatively impact your work performance. Hospitality can require a lot of running around on your feet, so it is critical to fuel yourself properly.

Even though hospitality is an active role that requires constant movement, it is equally important to maintain this physical activity outside of the workplace. This could be as simple as going for a walk to connect with nature.

Spending time in nature can help you improve your mood and reduce stress and anger.

Hospitality, like any career, has its challenges. It requires resilience and determination. Having this can open the job to a long-standing career, full of exciting opportunities. It gives us the opportunity to meet new people every day and build on vital skills. To ensure you are getting the most out of yourself, it is crucial to nurture your mental health and take the time to ensure you are recuperating.

Independent Hotels In The UK Well-Positioned Heading Into Summer Season

Despite ongoing global macroeconomic uncertainty, independent hotels in the UK have posted strong levels of recovery thus far in 2023, out-pacing 2022 performance indicators. This is according to the latest data from hotel management tech solution RoomRaccoon which monitored key performance metrics from over 2000 rooms in boutique hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses across the region.

Hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR), the standard metric for measuring top-line performance, averaged £53 between the months of January and April this year, a measurement 23% higher than the same time in 2022.

Furthermore, the long weekend at the start of May saw RevPAR peak at £124 on Saturday, 29 April – the highest volume recorded by hotel management software company, RoomRaccoon since it launched its UK division in 2019.

This jump in RevPAR performance is driven by an increase in both occupancy and average daily rate. According

to RoomRaccoon’s data, hotel occupancy recorded between January and April increased from 39% in 2022 to 43% in 2023, while ADR grew from £110 in 2022 to £123 in 2023.

Commenting on the data, the Market Head of RoomRaccoon UK, Ed Kerr says: “Although inflation and rising operating costs have had a substantial impact on industry rates, the rise in ADR is also indicative of hotels capitalising on sustained travel demand in 2023.”

Ed cautions that with higher room rates come increased guest expectations. “To provide that extra touch of hospitality, hoteliers can leverage customer data in their PMS to identify patterns, preferences, and trends, and create a more tailored experience for guests. This will help avoid a drop in guest satisfaction due to increased costs.”

Admiral Taverns Raises £85,000 for Mental Health Charity Admiral Taverns community pub group, which owns nearly 1,500 pubs across the UK, has raised an incredible £85,000 for its charity partner, Chasing the Stigma – a charity dedicated to normalising the subject of mental health and ensuring everyone can find essential support when they need it most.

Last month Admiral employees, family and friends embarked on a 34-mile hike across Cheshire’s famous Sandstone Trail raising over £50,000 for the walk alone.

Starting in Frodsham, the route took participants through Cheshire – home to the Admiral Taverns Headquarters – ending in Whitchurch at the Shropshire border. In total, the team walked more than 1,100 miles, totaling over 2.5 million steps.

To round off the day, a celebratory barbeque was held at one of Admiral’s community pubs, The Watergate in Whitchurch.

All proceeds from the the charity walk will be donated to Chasing the Stigma,

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enabling it to continue its impressive charity work and ensure that its Hub of Hope app – the nation’s go-to mental health services signposting tool – remains free.

Chasing the Stigma also aims to create an environment of understanding through its Ambassador of Hope training. This has been developed so that organisations can commit to embedding positive mental health actions via training, activities, online resources and direct communication and support with the charity team.

Jake Mills, Founder & CEO at Chasing the Stigma, commented: “On behalf of the whole team at Chasing the Stigma, I would like to thank Admiral Taverns and their family and friends for raising a fantastic £85,000 for us. We are completely astonished by this and feel exceptionally touched by everyone’s efforts. The conversation around mental health is more important than ever and with this donation we will be able to continue the work we do and supporting those who need it the most.”

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Sheppy’s Launches Apple’ing New Cider In Time For Summer All of the flavour and none of the cider-effects, introducing Sheppy’s new Low Alcohol Cider with Raspberry. Landing just in time for the warmer weather and peak cider season, the world-renowned Somerset cider brand has captured summer in a bottle with the launch of its new low alcohol cider.

Available exclusively from Sheppy’s webshop in 500ml bottles, RSP £21.50 for 12 bottles, it’s perfect for those looking to enjoy the flavours of cider without the alcohol.

Crafted on the Sheppy’s Cider Farm to have the same flavour profile as Sheppy’s classic ciders, the new low alcohol variant is made using a carefully selected blend of Somerset’s finest traditional and dessert cider apples and pure raspberry juice, but has an ABV of just 0.5%. The deliciously refreshing drink combines the crisp, fruity taste of apples with the sweet, tangy flavour of raspberries to deliver an exquisite

option for those looking for a low-alcohol drink without compromising on taste.

Furthermore, as with all ciders with fruit in its range, Sheppy’s makes a point of using pure fruit juice to avoid an overly sweet taste and there isn’t an artificial flavour in sight. Plus, the new thirst quencher is naturally gluten-free and vegan friendly too.

As one of the oldest cider makers in the world, Sheppy’s knows a thing or two about crafting the perfect blend using traditional cider-making techniques and the new Low Alcohol Cider with Raspberry is sure to make for a ‘berry’ good start to British summer time.

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Tsunami of Appeals Proves Business Rates System Just Isn’t Working Says Colliers Latest business rates appeal figures announced this week reveal that the business rates system and in particular, CCA, the “new” Check Challenge Appeal Business Rates Appeals System, clearly isn’t working, according to rating experts at Colliers- as businesses rushed to register their appeals as the 2017 Rating list came to an end. Many of those appealing were in the retail and hospitality sectors.

According to government statistics 845,670 Checks (the first part of the appeal process) were registered over the six years of the 2017 list (1st April 2017 to 31st March 2023) with 132,690 or 16% of these registered in the last quarter (Jan 1st to March 31st 2023) of the list alone- as businesses rushed to beat the deadline. This was nearly seven times as many checks registered in the previous quarter, when 19,660 were registered.

As a result, 97,610 Checks were outstanding by 31st March 2023, up from 10,610 the previous quarter.

According to John Webber Head of Business Rates at Colliers these high figures illustrate the extent to which businesses are unhappy with their business rates bills and are prepared to negotiate the complex CCA (Check Challenge Appeal) system to challenge them. Webber points out that resolving these appeals will need a deluge of time and resource spent by the VOA. “ Such high numbers show that the system isn’t working and that CCA has not been the answer the VOA claimed it would be. “says Webber. “CCA was

June/July 2023

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brought in to stem the number of appeals made and to process them quickly. Yet appeal figures are now averaging over 140,000 a year and are as high as ever.

Businesses still remain bogged down trying to get them resolved.

According to government figures there were 1.085 million appeals registered in the seven years of the 2010 list. CCA was brought in in April 2017 to stem the demand and make appeals easier, but the system was so cumbersome and complex that many businesses got frustrated and bogged down that they gave up going through the new appeal system.

“Appeal figures fell in the early days not because CCA was working, as the VOA claimed, “says Webber, “but because many businesses could not face the trauma of trying to negotiate the system and appeal their business rates. As the latest figures show, with similar numbers of appeals against the 2017 list as that of 2010, the discontent with business rates bills has not gone away.”

Webber points out the current 2017 figures would be even worse if many businesses had not been given the two-year business rates holidays they received during the Covid period and the government had not “outlawed” the millions of appeals registered as an MCC (material change of circumstance) due to the pandemic’s impact on business.

He concludes, “The VOA keeps trying to frustrate ratepayers in appealing their rating assessments, but even with the hurdles in place businesses are continuing to challenge their assessments in vast numbers.

The suggestion that CCA is working has been blown out of the water with these statistics! The burden of business rates is too high and the lack of transparency about how their bills are arrived at is the root cause of this shocking number of people appealing their assessments.”

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June/July 2023

Foodservice Price Inflation Jumps Back Above 20% in April Price increases had begun to slow in the first quarter of this year, and inflation dipped below 20% in March for the first time since mid-2022. However, the rebound in April underlines the severe cost pressures facing businesses throughout the foodservice sector at the moment.

The rise was driven by pressure in the vegetables, fish and sugar, jams & syrups categories, each of which saw prices increase by between 3% and 4% monthon-month. Potatoes, in which the UK is more than 90% self-sufficient, suffered a particularly sharp increase during April, in the wake of rising production costs, labour shortages, lower storage crops and significant short-supply in many parts of Europe. This supply/demand imbalance looks set to continue for much of the rest of 2023.

More optimistically, conditions within three major upstream influencers on the price of food—oil, exchange rates and commodity markets—are now relatively benign compared to the volatility of 2022.

The cost of Brent Crude oil has eased from $87 per barrel at the beginning of April to below $80 at the

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end of the month, with more falls expected during May, while sterling has remained stable. Inflation in categories that had been affected by high inflation since the start of the war in Ukraine, including oil & fats and dairy, continues to be subdued.

Prestige Purchasing CEO Shaun Allen said: “In spite of these April increases we expect to see inflation ease slowly over the course of 2023 as commodity pricing and prior year impacts kick in. The major question that remains is the speed of that decline as energy, labour costs and climate change remain significant constraints on progress with inflation reduction.”

James Ashurst, client director at CGA by NIQ, said: “After welcome signs respite over the first quarter of the year, it was disappointing to see inflation surge above 20% again in April. On top of soaring costs in other key inputs and the impact of the cost of living crisis on consumers, it leaves hospitality businesses facing some seismic challenges. The long-term outlook for this sector remains good, but trading remains exceptionally difficult.”

Warm Weather and Cider Drive More Drinks Sales Growth

Drinks sales were in year-on-year growth for a fifth successive time last week, thanks to warm weather and surging cider sales.

CGA by NIQ’s latest Drinks Recovery Tracker shows trading at Britain’s managed pubs and bars in the week to last Saturday (27 May) finished 2% ahead of the same week in 2022—down slightly from 5% in the previous week but completing a solid May for operators and suppliers.

Last week was bookended by an 8% dip in sales on both Sunday (21 May) and Saturday (27 May). But all five weekdays were in growth, and trading peaked at +20% and +21% on Monday and Wednesday (22 and 24 May) on the back of high temperatures that lured people out to drink in pub and bar gardens and ter-

races.

Category-wise, the Drinks Recovery Tracker showed strong growth for cider (up 22%), which always benefits from warmer weather. Beer (up 5%) and soft drinks (+3%) recorded solid growth, but wine (up 0.2%) and spirits (down 11%) were weaker.

“A fifth consecutive week of year-on-year growth is another encouraging sign for the On Premise as we move into the key summer months, says Jonathan Jones, CGA’s managing director, UK and Ireland.

“Nevertheless, operators continue to face strong headwinds of high inflation, increased cost-of-living and rail strikes in June, so whilst there is opportunity in the market, challenges remain as well.”

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June/July 2023

How Restaurants Can Fight Inflation and Boost Customer Loyalty

By Zhong Xu, CEO and Co-Founder, Deliverect (www.deliverect.com) “Today, inflation is a reality that the restaurant and hospitality sector has no choice but to contend with as prices continue to surge in the UK. There’s no doubt the rising cost of food is proving an additional challenge for heavily stretched restaurateurs: while they need to emphasize efficiency measures such as reducing more food waste and tighter menu management, they also need to stay creative to ensure customers have the best possible experience.

Consequently, it can be challenging for restaurants to encourage customers to continue visiting their establishments given increasing hesitancy for additional expenditures such as dining out or ordering food online. Now more than ever, building and retaining customer loyalty is critical to thrive and grow - here’s how to do so whilst keeping an eye on costs.

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IS KING A recent survey found that 40% people in the UK get up to three food deliveries a week today despite the recent rise in inflation. While people are getting more takeaways and deliveries, they are also being more selective. A whopping 68% of people said quality ingredients are more important now than before the rise of inflation. What’s more, convenience is a major deciding factor for consumers selecting a restaurant for takeaway and delivery. 69% claim how close a restaurant is and how fast their food can get to them is now more important than ever.

This means a focus on offering high-quality, value-driven experiences can be a valuable way of differentiating restaurants from the competition. This can include sourcing ingredients locally or from artisanal producers, offering unique menu items that can't be found elsewhere, or providing excellent customer service. By offering experiences that stand out from the competition, restaurants can keep customers coming back for their own brand of “special sauce”, building a loyal customer base in the process.

In addition to offering promotions and high-quality experiences, restaurants can also encourage customers by investing in their online presence. This includes having a professional-looking website, an active social media presence, and positive online reviews. With more and more people turning to the internet to find information about local businesses, a strong online presence can be a powerful tool for attracting new customers and driving repeat business.

IMPROVE YOUR TECH OFFERING According to the same research, more than a third of customers didn’t order from a restaurant again after they

Bacchus Wines PLDC Bacchus Wines PLDC Ltd. is an independent UK-based wine merchant offering joyful and affordable wines to the UK hospitality industry. The collection is small yet perfectly hand-picked by the founders. The wines are selected on merit and never dictated by trends and showcase family-run vineyards that have been producing quality wine for decades. Bacchus Wines offers top-quality, award-winning, beautiful wines at prices that venues can appreciate. As well as managing all imports and customs, their consultancy can provide wine tastings, advice on food pairing and significant discounts for businesses that sign up for trade accounts.

So, what are the benefits of working with a small wine merchant?

Unlike bigger wine merchants, Bacchus Wines have simplified the wine

had a bad delivery experience. To boot, 19% of those same people told their friends or family not to buy from the restaurant either. Avoiding these experiences and customer attrition as a result requires streamlining restaurant operations to ensure orders are fed smoothly from online platforms such as Deliveroo and Just Eat straight into the kitchen, and then back out again.

One way that UK restaurants in the UK can do so is by using a cloud-based platform that integrates with their point-of-sale (POS) system and popular delivery platforms. With this type of technological integration, restaurants can manage their online ordering, delivery, and takeout operations from one central location, saving time and reducing errors.

One valuable tactic to boost customer retention lies in regular, real-time menu updates. This helps to endear restaurants to customers by allowing them to make informed decisions about what to order online and avoids disappointment if an item becomes unavailable due to supply issues or rising costs. Syncing menus on apps and websites using menu optimisation makes it easier to make changes. Some food delivery management platforms also offer the ability to temporarily limit the availability of certain items, which helps manage customer expectations if the item they want is not currently available.

FLEXIBILITY AND SPECIAL OFFERS Another way to encourage customer loyalty is to offer flexible ordering and payment options. With the rise of food delivery services, many customers now expect to be able to order and pay for their meals online or through an app. Since the pandemic, many restaurants have also branched out into owning their own delivery channels which helps them to own more of their customer experience, which can help differentiate their offerings versus the competition. Ultimately, offering purchases through multiple channels can help restaurants diversify their revenue streams to drive new sales, whilst customers will appreciate the optionality and convenience.

Promotions and discounts are also a time-honored way of driving customer traffic too. This can include things like loyalty programs, where customers earn rewards for their repeat business, or limited-time offers on popular menu items. These promotions can be especially effective when paired with targeted marketing efforts, such as email campaigns or social media ads, to reach specific customer segments.

There are many ways that restaurants can encourage customers in the current inflationary period in the UK. By offering promotions and discounts, providing high-quality, value-driven experiences, offering flexible ordering and payment options, investing in their online presence, and building a sense of community, restaurants can attract and retain customers even in times of economic uncertainty. By using a cloud-based platform to streamline their online ordering and delivery operations, restaurants can also save time and reduce errors, helping them to better serve their customers and grow their business.”

selling business for hospitality venues. Bacchus Wines PLDC is a boutique wine merchant but selects their wines carefully. They work with wine estates who they know personally. They also choose wines that are not faddy, they specifically pick wines based on decades in the hospitality industry, so they know what drinkers and diners will enjoy. Their range constantly evolves, and they are not tied to a particular vineyard. Adding new choice vintages and limited editions, they're convinced your customers will enjoy their wine offer.

What else can Bacchus Wines PLDC offer hospitality venues?

As well as their personal approach to selling wine, they offer the following services: • Great prices • Wine tastings

• Significant discounts • Online accounts • Handling of all shipping & logistics from vineyards • Decades of experience in hospitality • Help with food & wine pairing • Sourcing rare wines • The option to buy smaller quantities If your customers enjoy top-quality wine and Champagne with provenance from winemakers who respect the terroir and the environment, get in touch.

Visit their website if you're after good prices with solid markup potential. And if you want to book a wine tasting to discover just how good their wine range is, Bacchus Wines want to hear from you!

Find out more here - https://bacchuspldc.com/ Or call us on 0845 500 1040.

Up to £5,000 Fines for Operators Who Breach Tipping Laws Following years of campaigning by trade unions and hospitality workers, a new tipping law was passed last month that will ensure service charges go directly to the employees who receive them.

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which received Royal Assent in May, will come into effect in 2024 and is expected to put £200 million back into the pockets of workers each year. The new law seeks to address the long-standing issue of employers deducting service charges from tips and gratuities, leaving workers with less than customers may believe they are receiving.

Under the new legislation, businesses will be forbidden from withholding any part of the tips, gratuities, or service charges paid by customers, and must ensure that the full amount goes directly to the workers who provided the service.

Gill McAteer, Director of Employment Law at Citation For years, there has been concern about practice of some employers of withholding tips or service charges paid by customers to recognise great service and hard work. The increase in card payments is thought to have compounded this issue, but last month Parliament finally passed new laws which will bring this practice to an end. In a move which the government claims will see over 2 million workers boost their income by £200 million a year, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 will implement 2 objectives, firstly to require employers to pay over to workers all tips which are

either paid to them directly or over which they have control, without any deductions. Secondly, they will be required to put in place a fair system for distributing tips between workers and to have a written policy clearly setting out these arrangements. Employers will be required to make their tips distribution policy available to all workers (not just their employees) and they will be required to keep records of all tips received and distributed for a period of at least 3 years. Workers will have the right to request these records and when such a request is received, employers will have to respond within 4 weeks.

The government will also be publishing a Code of Practice which will spell out for employers the principles of fairness and transparency which they should bear in mind when deciding on their tip distribution system.

Penalties for employers who do not comply with the new rules will include orders to compensate workers for the financial loss attributable to the breach up to £5000 (this could also include people who have not made a claim). However, workers will need to wait a little longer to see the benefit of these new rights because although the Act came into law in early May, the government has not yet confirmed the date it will come into force, nor have they published the regulations which will set out in more details how these rules will be applied. It is expected that the new rules will are likely to come into force next April.

£2 Bus Fare Extension Good News for Pubs Speaking after the Department for Transport announced an extension to the capped £2 single journey bus fare in England until the end of October, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona commented: “£2 bus fares have helped to make getting to and from the pub more affordable. At a time when the beer and pub trade needs as much support as it can get, the decision to extend the cheap fares scheme until the end of October is undoubtedly good news.

“Our local pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider producers are vital parts of community life up and down the country. That’s why CAMRA’s Summer of Pub campaign is encouraging as many people as possible to head down to their local this summer to enjoy the community spirit that only a pint of real ale or

cider down the pub can bring.

“We hope that the extended £2 bus fare scheme will help more people to support their locals over the next few months in an affordable and environmentally friendly way.”

With bus patronage still at around 85 to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, there are a number of ongoing challenges for bus operators.

The government’s existing £60 million investment to cap single bus fares has already shown early signs of increased bus use, with an independent survey of 1,000 people from passenger watchdog Transport Focus showing that 7% of people say that they are using the bus more.

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Navigating Customer Expectations: How to Optimise Brand Reputation and Drive Growth 16

CLH News

June/July 2023

By Tracey Pankhurst, Senior CX Strategist, Reputation (www.reputation.com)

Since the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had to contend with closures, staff shortages, job losses, and the cost-of-living crisis, while evolving with rapid digital transformation and changing customer expectations.

At Reputation, we partnered with CGA, an insight and research consultancy, to survey 2,300 consumers across Britain, France and Germany, and understand sentiment towards the industry. Here, we look at some key findings and share insight on how hospitality operators can better manage their online brand reputation, understand feedback and drive business growth.

BUDGET-CONSCIOUS INDULGENCE The survey found consumers remain eager to visit restaurants, pubs and bars and continue to turn to digital channels to help decide where to go.

But with the cost-of-living crisis impacting spending and frequency, consumer expectations are rising, with almost one in four wanting greater value for their pennies compared to a year ago.

This makes every step in the customer journey a make-or-break moment for operators. And as digital channels continue to grow in significance, there is no tool more crucial for developing a successful business than obtaining customer feedback at every single touch point.

COVERING THE ESSENTIALS When researching venues, the study shows that consumers consider practical information – such as menus, opening hours and prices – to be the most vital factor in influencing their decision-making. As such, businesses must ensure this information is easily accessible and presented clearly on their websites, social media, Google, and other platform presences. In fact, some research shows that Google’s knowledge portal gets almost 10x more traffic than a businesses corporate website*.

Shouting about deals and discounts is important too, as nearly a quarter of Brits are on the hunt for offers when planning a visit – a trend we

expect to see more of as the cost-of-living crisis mounts – with a third more likely to leave a review after a good deal or discount.

Getting these fundamentals wrong can lead to prospective guests turning away, negative reviews and harm to the brand. Further supporting this are the third of Brits who expressed frustration at being unable to find the basic details they want from a venue’s online presence – highlighting the importance of providing up-to-date, consistent information across all digital channels.

THE WORD AROUND TOWN The survey also points to the importance of review and rating platforms, with TripAdvisor remaining Britain's most popular platform for pre-visit reviews, and Google the preferred choice for ratings.

With review platforms a major battleground for brand reputation and consumers increasingly relying on them to make dining decisions, it's crucial for businesses to actively monitor good and bad feedback across all platforms and respond promptly and professionally.

TURNING LEMONS INTO LEMONADE Nevertheless, analysis indicates that more than one in five Google reviews is left without any kind of interaction. This is where many operators are missing an opportunity. Acknowledging a positive review is a good way to build repeat customers, but it’s the interaction a business has with negative reviews that can really turn things around. Engaging with negative feedback shows customers that an establishment values their experience. It also presents a chance to repair the damage, as almost half of Brits say they would return to a venue if their negative feedback was addressed appropriately.

Similarly, with consumer expectations on the rise, businesses can use the feedback to identify and address areas for improvement in the guest experience. This can include everything from the quality of the food and service to venue hygiene, giving businesses the insight to continuously improve guest satisfaction and drive repeat customers.

All this information can be a lot to juggle, let alone harness. Particularly in today's environment where it’s imperative for pubs, bars, and restaurants to offer multiple communication channels, – including social media platforms, messaging applications and text messaging – as customers expect conven-

Do You Need a FAST, Easy-Fit Washroom Upgrade?

RapidFit by Rearo is an instant solution for washroom surfaces. Designed to accommodate time-constrained commercial washroom projects, Rearo’s ‘off-the-shelf’ RapidFit range is the perfect, fast solution for projects requiring toilet cubicles or vanity units.

Washroom design plays a vital role in the overall appearance of your company branding and can have a lasting impression on visitors – that’s why Rearo offers a dedicated core range of nine high-pressure laminate décors within the commercial washrooms range.

The RapidFit finishes were hand selected by the Rearo design team, with colours and textures chosen to ensure compliance with The Equality Act and future-proofed for a minimum of three years. The colour choices take into consideration the needs of people with disabilities, including visual impairment, by ensuring neighbouring expanses of colour, such as walls and doors, are distinguishable by using contrasting colours. Particularly popular within the

ience and accessibility in their interactions.

Here, collating voice of the customer (VoC) data into a single platform provides businesses with a one-stop shop for understanding how guests feel about them in real time. By adopting a comprehensive digital touchpoint management system, operators can make feedback work harder for their business, enhancing customer engagement and overall operational efficiency.

The cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on consumers’ discretionary spending. Our research shows Brits’ love of pubs, bars and restaurants is undiminished, but operators will have to stay laser-focused on consumer habits and priorities to get guests through the door. This means understanding the consumer, their digital journey and acting fast on feedback.

The full study is available here and contains insight into the three big stages of digital customer engagement with a brand – before, during and after their visits – as well as recommendations and top tips.

10 TIPS FOR BUILDING DIGITAL BRAND REPUTATION 1. Encourage reviews to increase volume and improve visibility on key platforms.

2. Make reviews quick, easy, and rewarding to boost response rates.

3. Be responsive to all reviews, especially negative ones, within hours.

4. Analyse social media to understand and improve brand reputation.

5. Act on feedback to improve operations, particularly around hygiene, food, and service.

6. Involve staff to gather feedback and improve operations while motivating and retaining talent.

7. Optimise for social media by delivering "Instagrammable" food and decor that guests can share.

8. Emphasise value by making guests feel they are getting a good return for their money.

9. Nail the basics on websites by making essential practicalities easily accessible.

10. Check the tech regularly to solve glitches before they irritate users. *Sourced by Reputation.

hospitality sector, RapidFit washrooms are ideal for pubs restaurants and hotels.

RapidFit toilet cubicles, vanities, and IPS are available in either an MR MFC or Compact Grade Core.

Supported by a five-year manufacturer guarantee, MR MFC is ideal for light to mediumtraffic spaces. For higher traffic areas requiring a little added durability, choose the RapidFit Impact range. Completely water resistant, this solid-grade laminate core is ideal for humid and wet environments and backed by a comprehensive ten-year guarantee.

Cubicles are supplied as a flat pack, ready for a quick and easy installation and all RapidFit components are available to buy individually to offer a variety of installation possibilities. Matching IPS can be made to order in only 3-4 weeks.

Ask your fitter/joinery/plumbing contractor or architect to get in touch for free sample packs and design and specification assistance. Or, order your RapidFit washroom now.

0141 440 0800 commercial@rearo.co.uk www.rearocommercial.co.uk See the advert on page 15.

Introducing the UK’s Best Organic Coffee in Convenient Coffee Pods

It takes much work to keep delivering value and an exceptional experience in the world of hospitality. As well as quality, guests want convenience.

Increasingly, many want provenance and ethical values. Good coffee is a simple way to give the right first impression.

However, serve coffee that’s been awarded the UK’s Best Organic Coffee*, and you’re onto a winner!

Owens Coffees Gara coffee pods stand out for several reasons. The pods feature one of Owens Coffee’s popular house blends: Gara. This specialty-grade coffee is certified organic. Organically grown coffee is produced without nasty chemicals, precious water supplies are recycled, and it prevents deforestation. Just for starters!

At the beginning of 2020, 41% of people agreed that buying organic items was good for sustainability. By July (prompted by the pandemic), this increased to 50%.

Eateries spending more than 15% on organic produce are eligible to apply for Soil Association Certification: a USP that can increase footfall and create loyalty from conscious customers.

Gara is also Fairtrade certified, which means fair prices are paid to farmers and

farm workers. A Fairtrade Premium is paid on top of this supporting training, business development, assistance for reducing climate change and its impact, and community projects.

A staggering 29,000 coffee pods end up in landfill every month. Owens’ pods are made from 100% aluminium. Aluminium can be easily (and infinitely) recycled and reused – alongside domestic cans, for example - instead of more pods contributing to landfill.

Crafted from arabica specialty-grade coffee beans and medium-roasted, Gara promises a well-balanced, smooth taste to delight coffee aficionados. Guests can indulge in a guilt-free cup, knowing it's both ethically sourced and exceptional.

Note: pods are compatible with Nespresso® original coffee machines, widely used in the hospitality industry.

*Gara was voted the UK’s Best Organic Coffee at the Soil Association’s BOOM Awards 2019. No other coffee has had this title since those awards at the time of publishing.

Owens Coffee www.owenscoffee.com Email: info@owenscoffee.com Telephone: 01752 897124

Retention In Hospitality: Building An Attractive and Engaging Work Environment 18

CLH News

June/July 2023

Ben Gabbitas, Talent and Resourcing Director at Valor Hospitality (www.valorhospitality.com) explores how hospitality providers can attract the best candidates, and retain them. studying, and even allow for shorter weeks.

Educational pathways such as apprenticeships and T levels are offered by many hospitality businesses and give the opportunity to develop and build a career whilst working. These coupled with internal development programmes can see quick progression from entry level roles to management positions.

The opportunity for a rewarding and fruitful career is plenty, with entry level roles starting at £22k and rising to £60-80k plus for a general manager, so it’s crucial to make the opportunities for progression and earning potential clear to candidates.

Working in hospitality doesn’t just mean working in the traditional roles of in restaurants or kitchens, whilst these roles are critical to the operation there are also opportunities in central functions like marketing, sales, finance, or HR.

THE CARE GENE The hospitality industry is coming out of a difficult period, with Brexit and a global pandemic having led to staff shortages and a loss of key skills across the industry. This has forced businesses to dig deep to recover.

Having the right recruitment and retention strategy in place is crucial.

Employers in hospitality can reap the benefits of a people first approach, with improved productivity and overall job satisfaction leading to increased retention and an attractive work environment.

EMBRACE THE POSITIVES Whilst hospitality can get a bad rep, it’s important to shout about the positives of the industry when it comes to attracting candidates. The flexible hours, for example, mean a great work-life balance – gone are the days of working 100-hour weeks. This can work around family commitments or

Having a jampacked CV filled with experience and qualifications shouldn’t be the priority for jobs in hospitality, instead it’s important to look for people who fit the culture of your business. Seek candidates that show the right attitude. A key thing to look for is ‘the care gene’. Will they smile and say “good morning” to a guest? Will they catch the eye of a customer at a busy bar and let them know they’re next?

nication and employee engagement. It can be as simple as ensuring that a staff member has the right uniform and knows where the canteen is on their first day. If you can keep an employee for 90 days, they’re 50% more likely to stay on in their job.

To encourage retention within the crucial first three months, it’s also important to show an honest picture of the job at recruitment stage. This could be showing the interviewee a room a guest has left or getting them to observe a busy breakfast shift. As with any job, it comes with its challenges, so employers should avoid selling the dream at interview stage.

UPPING RETENTION RATES Improving retention is a process that must be constantly assessed. If someone leaves in their probationary period, hold an exit interview with them, find out where the gaps are and take action to make it better. When new team members start, take it back to basics – make them feel welcomed by finding out how they take their tea, or their favourite chocolate bar – these things will make them feel valued. Ensure that they have an open forum on their first week to air any issues, assign them a buddy to shadow on shift and get to know them on a human level. This will help them engage with the business in those first crucial 90 days, creating a culture of belonging which makes for a low churn rate in retention.

THE FIRST 90 DAYS

Prioritising people is the best way to increase those all-important retention rates in hospitality. Assess what the first 90 days look like for a new starter, make sure they have opportunities for one-to-one time with a manager to discuss concerns, ensure they understand what the job entails upfront and take stock of this on a regular basis. If someone does want to leave their role, hold an exit interview, and look at areas to improve next time.

It’s estimated that around 30% of hospitality workers leave in the first 90 days because the job isn’t what they expected, or they didn’t have the right training for the role. The best way to combat this is through clear commu-

With such a huge part of the UK’s workforce being employed in hospitality, there is a responsibility for employers to work with their employees to make it a rewarding career path that consistently attracts the best talent.

These small traits are things that you can’t train but looking for them at interview stage will ensure a successful working relationship later down the line.

Ready To Work Together On Food Waste?

The UK government aims to stop food waste to landfill by 2030.

In China, menus now note the weight and content of a dish to stop overordering.

In the US, $370 billion in clean energy solutions is pledged by the Biden-Harris administration, which allows hospitals and universities to fund food-waste-to-energy recycling technology.

Dishwashing manufacturer Meiko is at the forefront of rapidly developing food waste recycling technologies across Europe. Food waste naturally comes back to dishwash areas and exciting changes are coming to suit large-scale caterers like hospitals and small-volume food waste producers such as high street restaurants, cafes and takeaways.

Anaerobic digestion will be at the heart of future solutions because it is self-funding and generates clean energy and fertilizer.

Small-scale waste producers could benefit from collaboration. Shared local recy-

Summer Ready with Alliance Online As temperatures soar and our summer begins, we Brits start to more readily look for opportunities to eat out and enjoy a weekend staycation. As a result, the hospitality industry sees an influx in business so needs to be ready for the summer season. At Alliance Online we have a wide selection of essential products for restaurants and hotels across the nation for this summer.

POLYCARBONATE IS IN Polycarbonate glassware ranges are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons.

Not only do they have brilliant impact resistance, but also have chip, mark, and shatter resistance too. Utopia’s Lucent Polycarbonate Glassware features a wide range of with the look of stunning glassware with the practicality of polycarbonate. The super stylish Lucent Eden Cocktail Glasses are ultra clear, safe, and durable whilst the stunning Gatsby range boasts a cut glass effect to give its vintage look and feel. The exquisite Diamond stemware collection replicates the look of refined stemmed glassware with the versatility of polycarbonate.

BONNA CROCKERY

cling by high street cafes and restaurants could see farms and growers buying the fertilizer while local homes and businesses use the energy.

Big waste producers, such as hospitals, universities and food manufacturers will have on-site recycling systems that capture, process and store food waste before sending it for processing to generate energy.

The future is wide open for the rapidly developing AD technology, which is experimenting with mixing different waste streams to generate even more power than each stream separately.

One thing is sure, caterers and food waste processing plants will help power the nation in future.

PAUL ANDERSON, MD, MEIKO UK Meiko manufactures the MEIKO GREEN BioMaster® waste recycling system, which converts frying oil, coffee grounds, fats, peelings, plate waste, flower stalks etc., into fuel for anaerobic digestion.

BioMaster comes in small, medium and large-scale solutions. It's very hygienic, easy to use, fits into countertops or works as a stand-alone unit. And it is easy to share!

See the advert on page 9 or visit https://www.meiko-uk.co.uk/en/products/food-waste-systems

The first thing to note when it comes to carefully selecting the appropriate crockery for a commercial establishment should always be practicality. Another aspect that is of paramount importance in the decision is suitability, think of a bar or restaurant like a jigsaw where each piece needs to be perfect to ultimately create the ideal atmosphere and customer satisfaction. The impressive thing about the new Bonna range is that both requirements are met effortlessly, each product range of Bonna delivers something unique that sets it apart from the others. Whether it be sentimentality, joy, peace or any other feelings, there is a Bonna range catered towards your demographic.

LATEST FRONT OF HOUSE Discover the latest products that can reinvigorate passion in your commercial establishment or introduce a new atmosphere and ambience to proceedings. Here at Alliance Online, we have worked with industry-leading brands to provide a peerless and comprehensive range of products for the last 25 years. Each product has been carefully selected to meet industry standards of the professional hospitality industry. In our time of operations Alliance have become a market-leading supplier of crockery, cutlery, napkins, glassware, signage, bar and restaurant supplies. For a digital copy of our Front of House brochure simply navigate to our site www.allianceonline.co.uk and within the Trade section select Digital Brochures and you will find it in our digital catalogue’s library.

See the advert on page 12 for further details.

New Award Winning Technology Can Save You 35% To 55% On Cooking Oil in Deep Fryers If you own a restaurant or a kitchen with a deep fryer, then you might be surprised at how much you spend every year on cooking oil. Have you ever calculated this direct cost? If you haven’t, then you should, because Canadian Company, Eco Friendly Chef Corp. is helping thousands of professional kitchen operators to dramatically cut their oil costs in half.

A new innovative product called OiLChef is revolutionizing the food industry. The award-winning OiLChef device is one of the most sophisticated technologies available in the world for deep fryers today. It is not a filter or a chemical, but rather a device which is simply installed in your deep fryer in less than 10 seconds!

Putting the OiLChef in your fryer will give you a competitive edge and attract more consumer dollars. Your fried food items will absorb less oil and therefore will contain fewer calories. Good for the consumer, good for the bottom line.

Reduce carbon footprint: It will minimize your environmental impact through a reduction in energy and oil consumption.

Faster service: Food cooks quicker.

Reduce food waste: Food is crispier and holds its shape and texture for longer. Great for food delivery.

Zero flavour transfer: It prevents flavour transfer between different foods being cooked in the same oil.

Kitchen smoke and frying odours: It reduces the smoke and odours of frying in your kitchen/restaurant. Creating a more pleasant working and dining experience and minimizes the workload on your air filtering systems and maintenance.

Health & safety: It reduces the smoke point of your oil, and thereby lowers the risk of a deep fryer fire. Also, staff interaction with changing the fryer oil is cut down by at least half, reducing risk of accidental burns and oil spillage.

Reduce operating costs: It gives you the opportunity to cut down or move away from costly monthly additives required to improve oil quality. Fewer people hours are required each month for fryer changes.

For further information visit www.oilchef.co.uk Contact Louis Farry by phone or email: louis.farry@oilchef.com or Tel. 07448419664

MONE Y GUAR BACK ANTEE .

3 YE A WARR R ANTY .

New Award Winning Technology can SAVE YOU 35% TO 55% ON COOKING OIL in deep fryers.

REDUCING COSTS Increasing Margins

We strongly believe in cutting costs without compromising quality.

We look forward to the day that all food industries will join our Eco Friendly quest.

Until then we will provide eco friendly solutions that will help them all to reduce their carbon footprint.

Why spend all that money on oil, energy and labour when you can dramatically reduce these costs today?

www.oilchef.co.uk

Contact Louis Farry by phone or email: louis.farry@oilchef.com Tel. 07448 419664

Inclusive Policies In Hospitality Demanded

By Customers, New Survey Shows 20

CLH News

June/July 2023

A new survey by UKHospitality and CGA by NIQ shows that almost twothirds of customers think a venue’s equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policy is important.

“Whether it’s UKHospitality’s EDI committee, the Hospitality Wellbeing and Development Promise, or our guide to recruiting over 50s, there is a huge amount happening in this space for us to shout about.

The overwhelming majority of consumers responding to the survey were clear that they felt EDI policies were important to them (64%) but only a third said they see venues advertise their work on EDI and accessibility.

“I’m delighted to dedicate this latest edition of Future Shock to EDI and showcase the work the sector is doing to be as equitable, diverse and inclusive as possible.”

Three in 10 people said they would be more likely to visit a venue if it promoted its EDI policies, demonstrating a significant opportunity for hospitality businesses to showcase their work.

CGA’s Director of Hospitality Operators and Food, EMEA, Karl Chessell said: “By any measure, the first quarter of 2023 has been challenging.

Nevertheless, there are some encouraging signs as we look ahead to the rest of 2023. Most importantly of all, CGA’s research consistently proves the public’s appetite for the special experiences that only hospitality can provide.

UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Hospitality has always been a people-first business and has a tradition of being one of the most inclusive sectors in the world.

“I know day-to-day there remains a huge amount taking place to ensure that remains the case and that we continue to enhance our equity, diversity and inclusion credentials.

“These new statistics show that this work is clearly valued by the public and is actually a significant factor in where they choose to visit. It’s encouraging that customers want to see and understand the work we’re doing and is a clear indication to businesses to bring this work to the forefront of their activities.

“While some consumers are being forced to tighten their purse strings at the moment, visitation levels have not yet been significantly affected—and we can be confident they will rise again when people feel more cash in their pockets.

“Hospitality is a resourceful and resilient industry with a bright long-term future despite the current challenges.

It is also a very responsible sector and committed to improvements on big ethical issues like sustainability and diversity.”

Marmalade Trust Is Heineken UK’s New Official Charity

HEINEKEN UK has announced that Marmalade Trust is its new official charity partner. Marmalade Trust is one of the UK’s leading loneliness charities dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness and helping people to make more social connections.

To coincide with Loneliness Awareness Week, HEINEKEN UK commissioned research1 reveals that almost half (46%) of adult Brits experience feelings of loneliness at least once a week.

Almost the same number of Brits (45%) will conceal their loneliness by fibbing to friends about what they did at the weekend. Instead of fun-filled time with friends, they are too embarrassed or ashamed to say they spent the weekend alone.

Further to this, Brits are quite comfortable telling lies about their fake weekend social plans with friends: 40% saying they’d been to the pub, 36% claiming they’d been into town, and 34% saying they’d gone shopping with company.

Despite the prevalence of loneliness in communities, Brits are in fact longing for more moments of social interaction. 45% of Brits say they would like to go on more nights out but that they don’t get many invites.

What Can a TROLLEY Do for You? Trolleys can be an invaluable way of increasing spending per head. This could be through offering a cocktail, champagne by the glass, a cheese course at the table or even tempting your customers with delicious desserts.

VISUAL APPEAL IS EVERYTHING! Many customers feedback that their trolley pays for itself very quickly and they are often searching for a different type of trolley to add to their collection.

WHY NOT INTRODUCE A COCKTAIL TROLLEY?

The new partnership between HEINEKEN UK and Marmalade Trust will see them work together on a number of initiatives, including introducing loneliness awareness staff training within both organisations and raising awareness of the charity and its work through the Star Pubs & Bars estate and the wider hospitality industry, which is well placed to support social connections.

Those Star pubs wanting to get behind the charity will have access to free point-of-sale kits including double sided beer mats, conversation starter topics, and an easy-to-use fundraising QR code that customers can scan to donate directly to Marmalade Trust.

Lawson Mountstevens, Managing Director of Star Pubs & Bars at HEINEKEN UK, says: “Most of us experience loneliness at some point in our lives, but the study shows almost half of us experience it on a weekly if not daily basis. While it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s something that we need to talk about and address. Social connections are key to helping people who are experiencing feelings of loneliness. Pubs are at the heart of communities. They are places where we can meet family and friends, make new connections, laugh, share problems, and build bonds with people over a cider or beer. Partnering with Marmalade Trust is a natural fit for us – we’re going to work together with them to build a more connected world.”

Restaurants, pubs, hotels, conference centres, and coffee shops are sure to find a model to suit their décor. Euroservice trolleys range from very traditional designs to more contemporary models.

ANY TROLLEY, ANY SIZE, ANY COLOUR! The use of a trolley will not only enhance your service but alleviate all too frequent staff shortages to ensure a swift and elegant service.

Trolleys are invaluable to good service and with a choice of style and colours to suit your environment, you are sure to find the right trolley for you.

Contact our friendly sales team today and find out how much a trolley can do for you!

Freephone: 0800 917 7943 e: sales@euroservice-uk.com, visit www.euroservice-uk.com or see the advert on page 7.

Food Waste Dryer Slashes Hospitality Food Waste Costs Hospitality costs are up all over the place with utilities, fuel, food, staff and product costs all contributing to the inflationary pressures. In addition, new legislation will add further cost pressures. The Environment Act 2021 bans food waste going into general waste and down the drain in disposal units, so you’ll need separate, additional wheelie bins. So where can you cut costs and increase profits without cutting service and putting off customers?

One answer is in waste disposal and in particular food waste disposal. If you can reduce your food waste wheelie bins your bills will go down.

The Eco-Smart Food Waste Dryer is taking the country by storm, saving catering and hospitality owners around 80% in food waste disposal costs. Hotels, restaurants and hospitals have all taken advantage of the easyto-use technology which has been in the UK for over ten years now. The concept is very simple: you load the

food waste throughout the day and turn it on at night when it’s full. The machine extracts the water from food waste, (typically about 80% of the weight) overnight, leaving a dry powder, only 20% of it’s former weight and volume, a fraction of the original wet food waste. Simple and effective.

Seven models from 20kg to 350kg daily capacity take all types of food waste so even small premises can benefit. It is a ‘plug and play’ solution: you just need a power socket and a nearby sink drain for the extracted water to drain off. “The new legislation will add costs. This machine will reduce your costs. It’s also a hygienic solution which ends the headaches from vermin and pests of food waste in bins and compactors.” said David Boyd from Eco-Smart.

For more information and a brochure go to www.foodwastedryer.co.uk or call 01522 692888

Vanity Group Introduces Floating Non Refillable Bottles - In-Room Amenities That Float Above The Rest VANITY GROUP, industry experts in guest cosmetics and products, launches its Floating Non Refillable dispenser solution – the newest fashion-forward, ultra hygienic floating display for hotel bathrooms across the globe.

Renowned as being hospitality’s house of beauty, VANITY GROUP’s Floating Bottles are their latest innovation offering a concealed bracket that is flawlessly secured to the wall displaying chic hair and body care. Designed for Housekeeping to replace with ease, the non-refillable floating solution is tamper proof, super hygienic and avoids the risk of cross contamination, has a discrete fill line, and requires minimal upkeep – saving on operational costs.

With sustainability at its core, the bottles are created using OceanBound Material, made from plastic waste that is at risk of ending up in oceans which is collected and recycled into reusable pellets and manufactured into the packaging.

VANITY GROUP Founder & CEO Paul Tsalikis said: “We believe innovation and sustainability should harmo-

niously co-exist. Our Floating Non Refillable Bottles are design-led, guaranteed tamper proof, eco-friendly, and are one of the most hygienic solutions in-market today.

He continued: “Around the globe our hotel partners have shared staff shortages - especially within Housekeeping departments - are causing operational strain. Our Floating Non Refillable Bottles are a solution to this, allowing Housekeeping teams to safely replace empty bottles within a matter of seconds.”

Created for VANITY GROUP’s esteemed portfolio of over 40+ progressive brands including KARL LAGERFELD, Jo Loves by Jo Malone CBE, KEVIN.MURPHY, TEMPLESPA and Carner Barcelona, each luxurious formulation is Vegan Trademarked by The Vegan Society and certified by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program.

Hoteliers looking to provide an elevated hotel experience can do so with VANITY GROUP’s Floating Non Refillable Bottles. For in-room amenities that float above the rest request samples via info@vanitygroup.com or vanitygroup.com/en/contact. See the advert on page 13.

22

CLH News

June/July 2023

Products and Services

Hospitality Uniform Trends for 2023 Hospitality is ever evolving, with uniform design playing a crucial role in creating a memorable guest experience. Here at Simon Jersey we cover a wide range of professions, be it bar and restaurants, hoteliers, housekeeping or front-of-house, so are always at the forefront of the latest uniform trends. Here we share just some of trends we’ve seen our customers adopting over recent months.

visually appealing ambience. In turn, they also contribute to a positive guest experience by enhancing mood and establishing a welcoming atmosphere.

The hospitality industry has been actively pursuing sustainable practices, and uniform styles are no exception. A growing number of establishments are opting for eco-friendly uniform options that reduce their environmental footprint.

Colours play a significant role in setting the tone and creating a cohesive brand image for hotels and restaurants. We are seeing the industry is embracing shades of blue, green, purple, and earthy tones.

Above all, these colourways evoke a sense of calm and relaxation that softens the mood, creating a

Above all, hospitality firms need to trust suppliers that practice the standards of product longevity. By choosing high-quality sustainable uniforms, establishments can: reduce water and energy consumption, decrease waste, and minimise the use of harmful chemicals.

3. LIGHTWEIGHT UNIFORM

2. SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GARMENT LIFE CYCLE

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOUR

consumer plastic.

Simon Jersey believes in building a supply chain ethos, from the sourcing of raw materials to its supply of customers. We call it “respecting the garment life cycle.”

We strive to source products built on the back of recycled materials, like recycled polyester from post-

In the pursuit of comfort and flexibility, lightweight materials have gained immense popularity in the hospitality industry. Traditional heavy fabrics have been replaced by innovative textiles of lighter weight. For instance, recycled cotton and polyester blends, microfiber, and moisture-wicking fabrics.

These materials offer breathability, durability, and ease of movement, ensuring that employees can perform their duties comfortably throughout the day. Moreover, lightweight uniforms contribute to a more professional appearance, enabling staff members to exude confidence while delivering exceptional service.

For more information on our range of hospitality uniforms and services please contact our friendly team on sales@simonjersey.com or 0344 499 4414.

See the advert on the facing page for details.

Forward Vending and Catering Jamu Wild Water

Have you tapped into your sometimes over looked profit maker…..COFFEE…Yep you read that correctly and with costs to produce a cup of coffee starting from as little as 27p per cup per cup depending on your choice of coffee and equipment, from pods to give you a consistent top class drink every time without the need to train staff to barista standard or to beans freshly ground to the desired strength making the humble cup of coffee a winner as far as profit goes.

Sold as a rich Espresso ,whipped into a delicious frothy cappuccino, latte or a velvety smooth irish coffee. A great Coffee menu is winner with your customers every time, enhances your customer

satisfaction , gives the opportunity to create custom for different times of the day for instance a good coffee menu lends itself to cake and coffee mornings and retails anywhere between £1.75 to £3.50 per cup. The opportunity from expanding your coffee menu is endless.

Forward Vending and Catering Limited have over 50 years experience in helping pubs and restaurants create a system just right for each site and are ready to help you find the best coffee solution for you so start your profits coming in NOW!!!

Call us on 0800 44 44 43 or email BILL@FORWARDVENDORS.CO.UK See the advert on page 3 for details.

Is It Time For Some Fresh Promotions?

The start of the year is always a good time to reflect on what you did last year and what worked best for you in terms of both bringing in the footfall and ultimately profits.

Planning your promotions throughout the year is always good practice with any business and for our market sector we have to focus on events around the year and of course seasonal activity such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. HFE Signs have a range of pre-designed Pub Banners which are great to

give some ideas.

There is no better way to advertise your promotions than Printed Banners from HFE Signs – with great deals such as Three 8x3ft Printed Banners for just £108 delivered, you can’t go wrong!

Furthermore, if you order printed banners by 11am they are delivered next working day and if that isn’t good enough, the design is free too.

For more information on Printed Banners, check out www.hfe-signs.co.uk today or see the advert on page 5!

Luquel - Revolutionising the World of Water In the UK we are lucky that the water boards ensure that the water supply into our businesses is healthy to drink. To do that they often have to add chlorine to kill bacterial growth in the pipes. Whilst it does protect us, it can also impact both the taste of our water, and the taste of the food we cook in the water. The taste impact is so huge that many businesses are now purchasing hot taps and dispensers to remove the chlorine taste. That’s a great step forward, but caterers and restaurants can go further.

There are other water dispensers on the market, such as the LUQEL water dispenser. Rather than just using an active carbon filter, this system uses a reverse osmosis filter as well, which removes impurities at a more micro level. The filtration system removes the chlorine through its sediment and carbon filter, but then it also removes smaller bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, medical residues, hormones and micro and nano-plastics, through its RO fil-

Jamu Wild Water is on a mission to rewild hydration from the inside-out. The Devon based natural soft drink brand takes inspiration from natures larder and aims to reinvigorate menus and grocery shelves with healthy sparkling drink options.

Their sparkling water range features three delicious flavours – Lemon, Blood Orange, and Raspberry. Each flavour comes bursting with British-grown botanicals and prebiotic fibre to actively support gut-health.

Tahi Grant-Sturgis, Co-ounder of Jamu Wild Water says: “where Jamu differs from other gut-loving beverages such as kombucha and kefir, is that it isn’t fermented, as a result we find a wider following among young

people and consumers that find fermented drinks more challenging”.

The subtle sweetness and flavour profile that the new range offers, suggests it will work just as conveniently as a low calorie mixer, offering a refreshing and clean alternative to complement botanical and crafted spirits.

Jamu Wild Water prides itself in its zero policy, that is - zero sugar, artificial additives, preservatives and plastics. The company is committed to making healthy and sustainable products that give back to nature through their 10% of profits pledge, which supports rewilding projects and serves to enrich the lives of young people through nature-led experiences.

Balancing flavour, wellness benefits, and it’s strong nature-led mission, Jamu is set to bring a premium offering to the ever-increasing healthy and eco-conscious consumer.

Visit www.jamuwildwater.co.uk or see page 2.

The Future in Pub Entertainment Is Here Right Now Keeping the customer entertainment offering fresh and appealing is critical for licensees in of 2023, as we move in to the next generation of the Metaverse, AI and NFT worlds of technology!!! So is Our touch screen entertainment system, The Entertainer Lite is changing the way licensees manage their entertainment, providing the ability to plan captivating events calendars and increase revenue. The system is crammed with music, videos, karaoke, bingo, race nights, quizzes, games and advertising features now featuring the ability to Request music by your phone.

• Online Advertising “you can be anywhere in the world

“send to your venue.

• Karaoke/Music Requesting via the App. • Interactive Quizzing.

The Entertainer lite means licensees take total control of their entertainment rather than paying third parties to provide music, entertainment, discos, quiz nights, casino nights, etc.

How much I here you say!!

You won’t believe the price, call us about the Future Now and find out.

01572 771 363 www.mediatheme.com See the advert on page 9.

ter. As we are seeing on many B2B platforms plastics in water is a trending issue that is not going away. It’s not just about the issues of the plastic on our environment, but also about the issue of the micro particles in our bodies.

Unlike other RO filtration systems, the LUQEL system then microdoses natural mineral salts back into the water creating 30 mineralised waters. The water temperature range can be changed from 4 to 95 o C and the carbonation can also be amended between still, low, medium and high carbonation. Offering a business high quality, great tasting water that they can be sure is cleaned to the highest quality. A mineralised water system that can deliver 30 different tastes, without the need for purchasing, storing and recycling of bottles or cans.

A healthy mineralised water for both our bodies and our businesses. www.luqel-water.com or sales.uk@luqel-water.com or see the advert on the back cover.

Mixologist's Garden: The Rising Sensation Among UK Bartenders Mixologist's Garden, a revolutionary concept in the world of garnishes for professionals, is rapidly gaining popularity among bartenders across the United Kingdom. With its innovative freeze-dried technology, Mixologist's Garden has emerged as the go-to resource for bartenders seeking to create unique and extraordinary drink experiences.

The Mixologist's Garden garnishes come in various Berries and Citrus to complement a wide range of cocktails and drinks. The brand's products are all-natural, vegan-friendly, gluten-free and without any preservatives ensuring that everyone enjoys them, while freeze-drying technology offers months of ambient shelf-life for bars.

The response from bartenders has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising Mixologist's Garden for its commitment to quality and sustainability.

"Our mission is to empower bartenders to create the Perfect Serve and

delight their customers," said Stuart Findlater, business director of Mixologist's Garden. "We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm and passion that UK bartenders have embraced our concept with. It's incredible witnessing how our carefully curated selection transforms cocktail menus nationwide."

Mixologist's Garden partnered with the most modern freeze-drying producers to achieve the highest quality. "We focus on quality at every stage of the process to deliver freeze-dried fruit suitable for delivering Perfect Serves."

Consumer research conducted in 2021 showed that over 80% of consumers prefer bars that pay special attention to making the Perfect Serve, whereas, in reality, only 42% of bars have any berries.

For more information about Mixologist's Garden, please visit www.mixologistsgarden.com or contact the brand directly at hi@perfectyourserve.info see the advert on page 15.

Food Safety

June/July 2023

CLH News

25

Allergy Insights: The Implications for Food Business

By Rob Easton, Head of Environmental Health at Shield Safety (www.shieldsafety.co.uk)

Research published by Dr Hazel Gowland unveiled prosecutions for food allergen incidents increased almost ten-fold over a period of six years, with peanut being the most common allergen involved, followed by milk and egg. Further to the significant increase and with public consciousness of allergens at an all-time high, Rob Easton, Head of Environmental Health at Shield Safety and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, shares an insight into the latest trends in food allergy incidents and the implications for food businesses.

Further research conducted by Shield Safety echoed Dr Gowland’s findings. Senior Safety Consultant Vicky Wood, recently led a team of Environmental Health Practitioners in reviewing over 2000 allergen incidents over a four-year period. The research discovered that the most common cause of allergen incidents was peanut (23%), followed closely by gluten (20%) and then milk (13%). An explanation for the higher rate of prosecution for peanut incidents could be the more severe immediate symptoms reported by allergic consumers to peanuts compared with gluten. Of the 2,000 incidents reviewed, there were only 4 cases of sulphites, 3 of celery, and 1 of lupin.

To consider how we are able to manage allergens more in a business, it’s

important to look at the food value chain – the process in which a company adds value to raw materials to produce products eventually sold to customers, from dish design to delivery of the food. As part of the research, a number of ‘hotspots’ have been recognised throughout that journey, sharing a strong overview of the primary reasons for the allergen incidents in the business and enabling controls specific to that area to be put into place.

ALLERGEN IDENTIFICATION Whilst there is still the critical need to identify and communicate the deliberate inclusion of the fourteen regulated allergens, research indicates that peanut, milk and nut allergens are more likely to cause severe symptoms and lead to legal actions. Businesses may wish to focus on these allergens when designing dishes and menus, considering how the ingredients containing the allergen are avoided or substituted, and therefore eliminating the hazard early in the food journey.

COMMUNICATION Communication is key. Researched revealed that with 10% of cases explored, the communication of the allergen taken from the front of house, was not passed to the kitchen. We are also seeing that the wrong food is delivered to the customer.

EPOS systems can be exceptionally useful in communicating allergens but, it’s also important to back this up with personal interaction. The clear marking and segregation of food on pass also needs to be considered. Are you ensuring that the dish not containing allergens is separate, marked and clear? Following that, then making sure that this is communicated to the consumer upon delivery, whether that’s in a restaurant or a takeaway.

Incorrect information contained in the matrix used to communicate allergens is also a primary reason. To address that as a food business, look to implement one source of the truth; by having one point of data entry and one point of communication to the customer, the opportunity for human error is then eradicated. To strengthen that further, there is great value in having an independent review of the matrix, allowing any errors that have possibly occurred to be picked up. It may be that someone hasn’t appreciated that there’s a particular ingredient within a dish, so the reassurance of an independent review of the information will leave you confident that what is going to the consumer is correct.

An increased prevalence of vegan products is also presenting a challenge, representing a risk to consumers who are highly sensitive to milk and eggs.

Many customers will order a vegan product with the assumption that is free from milk and eggs; whilst the product may not include milk and egg as an intended ingredient, the necessary segregation may not be in place and therefore trace amounts of the allergen may be present in the food and at a level that can cause a reaction. It is important for food businesses to be aware that customers are using vegan claims as a method of avoiding food with allergens and consider if they can reduce the risk to zero for crosscontamination or how the risk is communicated to the customer.

toring needs. The probes feature an external probe for measuring core simulant temperatures, providing accurate insights into both air and core temperature conditions. This innovative feature ensures precise monitoring of food products, leaving no room for compromise.

For food-specific temperature checks, Logicall offers their Bluetooth food probe. This portable and user-friendly device enables quick and easy temperature measurements during the cooking process. Simply insert the probe into the food product, and the temperature data is instantly relayed to a tablet or compatible device. This seamless integration of Bluetooth technology streamlines food temperature monitoring, making it faster, more efficient, and enjoyable.

Monitoring temperature is only part of the equation. Logicall’s system offers a range of alert options to address temperature breaches promptly.

Instant alerts through text messages, emails, or audible wall-mounted alarms ensure swift action to prevent food spoilage. This proactive approach saves stock, reduces waste, and upholds food safety standards with confidence.

With Logicall’s solutions, reliable wireless communication is made possible through LoRaWAN technology. Effortlessly monitor temperature conditions in diverse locations, from expansive storage facilities to distant distribution centers. This extended range capability ensures comprehensive temperature monitoring across your entire operation.

In conclusion, Logicall’s innovative temperature monitoring solutions bring precision, convenience, and efficiency to the food safety industry. LoRaWAN temperature probes provide real-time insights, extended battery life, and versatile monitoring capabilities. The Bluetooth food probe simplifies foodspecific temperature checks, making them faster and more efficient. With instant alerts and reliable wireless communication, businesses can confidently safeguard their products, minimize waste, and uphold food safety standards. Let Logicall be your partner in achieving excellence in temperature monitoring and taking your food safety practices to new heights.

Visit www.logicallmonitoring.co.uk or see the advert below for further details.

Elevating Food Safety with Innovative Temperature Monitoring Solutions Logicall is revolutionizing temperature monitoring with their advanced LoRaWAN technology, ensuring precision, longevity, and convenience. Their state-of-the-art temperature probes are designed for cold storage units, offering real-time insights, extended battery life, and versatile monitoring capabilities.

Equipped with LoRaWAN technology, Logicall’s temperature probes capture readings every 5 minutes, allowing for continuous monitoring of fridges, freezers, and cold rooms. With a remarkable battery life of 6-8 years, these probes provide long-lasting performance, reducing replacements and maximizing cost savings.

Logicall’s temperature probes are versatile and adaptable to diverse moni-

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CLH News

June/July 2023

Food Safety

AllergyMenu - Food Allergy Software, Menu and App for Restaurants

Many of us now limit the types of food we eat, for some it’s simply because it will kill them, for others, it’s for health or moral reasons. However, it’s become a complex task to eat out these days, ensuring the food you have ordered is what you can eat. Some restaurants provide different menus, but simply don’t cater for the complexity, such as they may provide a gluten free menu, but not a gluten free & dairy free menu combined. Some

restaurants provide complex matrixes, but nothing which is user friendly or easy to understand and the majority provide nothing at all, and rely on front of house staff communicating correctly the information, which is very prone to mistakes.

Our simple but affective app provides the chef the ability to keep a live updated menu with allergy information held within it. Customers simply login to the app and view the menu filtered to only show those dishes that are safe for them to eat.

This app significantly reduces the risk of incorrect communication between customers & staff, especially when mistakes can be so easily made, and these mistakes can cost lives.

Up to “20% of the population experience some reactions to foods” (The British Dietetic Association) so it’s no longer a minority issue, eating out should always be enjoyable ii should also always be safe.

HOW IT WORKS FOR THE CUSTOMER You can either find the restaurant’s menu by their unique allergy menu code on their menu or website, or

Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd Temperature control is critical to ensuring a high quality and safe product is delivered to the consumer’s plate. This is enabled by the constant harvesting and monitoring of data through wireless data loggers. These are IoT-enabled devices which can provide catering facilities with the information they need to act immediately should any unforeseen issues arise when it comes to food temperatures.

They transmit data via the cloud which is stored locally on PCs and other devices.

The data is passed through a Wi-Fi router to a computer, regardless of where the user is based. It stays locally on a hard drive so the user can access real, live temperature monitoring data wherever they are. This ensures checks are completed correctly, issues are identified, and corrective actions are taken to reduce spoilage.

Wireless data loggers are ideally suited to applications

where there are challenges in collecting real-time and recorded data, making them ideal tools for the likes of large retailers and catering enterprises which rely on industrial refrigeration units.

Overfilling refrigerators and cool rooms with produce reduces the air flow and leads to hot spots, where bacteria can flourish even if you think you have the right temperature set on the dial. To combat this, caterers should keep an inventory of how much their stock needs to be refrigerated and use this technology to back temperature recordings every few hours so that it never goes above critical limits.

Companies that can invest in the speed of their operation will reap rewards in a climate which is seeing growing costs to employ people. Technology allows organisations to react faster to situations because of instant access to accurate data. www.etiltd.com

you can find restaurants in your location on a map.

KEY BENEFITS TO RESTAURANTS

It’s then very simply to filter the menu by the list of standard allergens, or click the vegan or vegetarian option. The menu then displays showing only the items that you can eat, making a simple and easy to understand menu.

• Meet regulations for allergy information in one simple step.

HOW IT WORKS FOR THE RESTAURANT

• Ensure your menu allergens are always accurate and up to date.

• Improve your customer experience for allergy sufferers, vegans and veggies.

There is an easy account area, where the menu and dish information can be maintained via computer or mobile phone. The allergies are assigned to each dish and it can be updated whenever it’s needed. An email is also sent out once a month to ensure the allergy information is checked and the menu confirmed that it is still up to date. The company logo can also be uploaded to ensure the menu follows the restaurants brand.

• No need to re-print menus if you change ingredients.

Caroline Benjamin Director of Food Allergy Aware is organising their 3rd Mock Trial Food Allergy Prosecution Event which takes place on Tuesday 26th September 2023.

Previous attendees of The Mock Trial have stated that The Mock Trial Food Allergy Prosecution was the best Food Safety Training Event I have attended!

Everyone involved in a food business operation has a legal responsibility to ensure that the products they supply are correctly described and safe to consume. The costs of getting it wrong are high. Failure to control risks in food safety can result in a criminal prosecution, regardless of whether any harm has been caused.

The expert Legal Team from Blake Morgan LLP and Six Pump Court Chambers will present the case for Prosecution and the case for The Defence. The Judge will preside over the Court and will make his decision based on evidence presented.

The delegates will assist the Judge in deciding the sentence by completing the exercise and applying the guidelines for sentencing which came into force in February 2016. You will have the opportunity to be part of the jury (in breakout groups) which will ultimately play a significant role in the final sentencing of the defendant.

During the Morning Sessions, attendees will listen to a variety of interesting speakers. Dr Belinda StuartMoonlight who was the expert witness in the Celia

Marsh Pret a Manger case will explain the key findings from this case. We will also hear from representatives from The Food Standards Agency and Wakefield Council.

Other speakers include Iain Ferris from The University of Birmingham, who will discuss food laws and improvement notices.

Cressida Langlands from The Free From Awards will highlight the businesses who work hard to offer Free From products. Ruth Holroyd-What Allergy Blogger presents her own witness statement when she had a severe reaction eating out in a pub restaurant.

Sterling Crew, The President of the Institute of Food Science and Technology will host the event and make sure that everything runs smoothly.

There will also be an opportunity for all delegates to network and make new connections.

What past attendees have stated: “I thought the event was excellent, FATC took an important but extremely challenging concept and alongside Blake Morgan, executed it superbly. The result was an incredibly informative and compelling conference” Tom Treverton Director F2F Early Booking is advised https://foodallergyaware.co.uk/events Early Bird & discounted group rates for 5 or more available please contact Caroline Benjamin for further details admin@fatc.co.uk, or call 07732 637292.

• Handy email reminders to check your menu.

• Stop front of house staff making mistakes • Keep your customers safe from harm. hello@allergymenu.uk www.allergymenu.uk See the advert on the previous page for details.

Mock Trial Food Allergy Prosecution Event

For all your ingredient needs…

Just add Nim’s

With 20+ Industry awards under our belt, there isn’t much we don’t know about producing delicious, nutrient packed ingredients and garnishes.

Whether you want them sliced, diced or powdered; from ginger to sea buckthorn to watermelon – we’ll make it happen.

• Made in Kent, UK • AA Grade BRC, M&S and Pret approved • 100% allergen free • No added sugar. Minimally processed • Vegan certified • 12+ months’ shelf life • Stock item or bespoke to suit your needs

Website: nimsfruitcrisps.com Email: aidried@nimsfruitcrisps.com Phone: 01795424238

Chef's Buyer's Guide

June/July 2023

CLH News

29

Cambridge Regional College and Award-Winning Pasta Chef Otello In May, La Pastaia and NOWAH arranged for award-winning pasta chef Otello to visit student chefs at the Cambridge Regional College culinary department. Otello showed the students how easy it was to make a variety of fresh pastas, using a La Pastaia machine, before letting them make their own pasta; which they quickly turned into delicious dishes using simple fresh ingredients.

Otello went on to explain he normally prepares and serves 100+ portions of fresh pasta on a busy evening, and that these types of machines make it possible for small kitchens to cope with such volumes, if they are organised.

Graham Taylor, Head of Culinary Arts Management Team at the college, joined the young chefs in the pasta making process, while

reiterating the importance for all chefs to continuously develop new skills, be up-to-date with culinary trends, and strive for healthy and sustainable menus.

NOWAH were delighted to support the student chefs and staff at Cambridge Regional College, and will continue to do so in the future, by engaging talented professionals and providing student chefs with opportunities to familiarise themselves with equipment they’ll encounter in their professional careers.

See the advert on this page for further information or visit https://nowah.co.uk/la-pastaia-products

® Lamb Weston’s REALLY Crunchy Fries Achieve ‘Approved New PEPPADEW Bites - The Ultimate Product’ Status from The Craft Guild of Chefs Lamb Weston’s exciting, innovative REALLY Crispy Fries have received the ‘Approved Product’ accolade, winning top marks with a rare A grade across all three varieties.

All the chefs were extremely impressed with the quality, flavour and crunchiness, scoring REALLY Crunchy Fries top marks for feeling indulgent.

A panel of highly regarded industry chefs, appointed by the Craft Guild, rigorously tested the products to determine suitability, quality and product excellence.

“They were right up there, I could not say that there was a better fry on the market at present.”

Lamb Weston created REALLY Crunchy Fries to satisfy demand for unique sensory dining experiences and sustainably-minded quality ingredients.

These ground-breaking coated fries promise unbeatable long-lasting crunch sensation, staying hot in excess of 30 minutes, setting new benchmarks for takeaway and home delivery channels.

Research and sales date across 10 years show diners love the look, taste and heat-holding benefits of coated fries, perceiving a rough or uneven outer texture as more artisanal/hand-crafted. Lamb Weston combined this insight with data from chefs and guests that revealed the most important attributes in choosing a high-quality frozen fry are real potato taste, high level of crispiness and long-lasting crunchiness.*

“Savoury, rich flavour.”

“Best fry I have had that fries and bakes.. the longlasting crispness is very unique, adds a great dimension to the fry.”

Lamb Weston’s UK Marketing Manager, Pete Evans, says: “We set out to create the crunchiest fry ever, and with REALLY Crunchy Fries we’ve cracked it! This is a new, exciting product, uniquely different in appearance and mouthfeel, offering an unbeatable fry experience for diners and an unbeatable product solution for forward-thinking foodservice operators.”

REALLY Crunchy Fries are available in 9x9mm skinon, and 6x6mm and 9x9mm skin-off options. *Windsor Edge Research, QSR and CDR operators, 2021

Visit www.lambweston.eu or see the advert on the facing page.

Bite to Pep Up Menus & Profits

PEPPADEW® - the UK’s No. 1 pepper brandi - launches new PEPPADEW® Bites exclusively for foodservice.

With 9/10 consumers looking to indulge when eating outii and 87% of consumers saying they’d order the new bitesiii, PEPPADEW®’s latest innovation is set to take menus by storm. Made in the UK, these delicious new bites balance the sweet, tangy flavour of their signature whole Piquanté Pepper, with a smooth soft cheese filling, coated in a crisp, pankostyle crumb.

100% vegetarian, they meet the demand for tasty flexitarian options, as consumers continue to move away from meativ. Extremely versatile, they’re perfect for starters, sides, tapas, bar bites, or as an addition to sharing-platters. Conveniently frozen, they can be ready in 3-4 minutes, making them the quick and simple way to pep up your menu.

Crucially, these delicious bites can also drive margin, as over 50% of consumers would pay more for PEP-

PADEW® Bites than jalapeño poppersii, and each 5kg case offers a £200 return. Their frozen format, 18month shelf life and versatility help minimise waste, providing a sustainable and cost-effective choice.

Speaking of the PEPPADEW® innovation, Lukasz Lubasinski, Commercial Director, PEPPACO Ltd. said: “Now more than ever every part of your menu needs to taste great, work hard and most importantly drive spend and margin. PEPPADEW® Bites is an exciting, flexible and premium new product that works across a range of eating and drinking occasions as well as major trendsvi - from indulgence and meatfree to sustainability.”

PEPPADEW® Bites are available through leading wholesalers including Bidfood, KFF and Eden Farms.

Visit www.peppadewfoodservice.co.uk for more information.

For 60 years, La Pastaia has manufactured the best electric fresh pastamaking machines in the world. The machines are simple to use, robust and reliable. To show just how easy it is for anyone to make fresh pasta using La Pastaia machines, we demonstrated a machine to 16-year-old students, and then asked them to make and serve (starting with raw ingredients) 11 different pasta dishes in under 30 minutes.

Check our website, Instagram and YouTube Channel to see for yourself.

Full training and pasta recipe book provided with each NOWAH La Pastaia

www.peppadewfoodservice.co.uk

01772 305161 | sales@nowah.co.uk | www.nowah.co.uk

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CLH News

Chef's Buyer's Guide

June/July 2023

Chef’s Special Crispy Coated – For A Crunchier Crunch Potato grower and manufacturer Farm Frites has launched Chef’s Special Crispy Coated – a range to satisfy the demand for crispy, coated, tasty fries with greater heat retention.

As part of the Farm Frites Chef’s Special concept, offering market driven solutions for operators, the Crispy Coated range has been developed to help operators serve consistently crispy fries that stay hotter, longer. The range is available in a range of cut sizes and also premium length - all with the perfect crunch. Chef’s Special Crispy coated also features a 10mm skin on for more rustic menus or for more variety with a classic cut size.

The Chef’s Special EXTRA product offers the same benefits with even

Ariela’s Gelato Gelato is more than just icecream – it’s a pure taste of Italy.

A truly artisan treat, Ariela’s Gelato is the perfect way to indulge in an authentic dessert that is as delicious as it is decadent.

Made with only the finest ingredients, our Gelato is never loaded with artificial additives and preservatives. Instead, we make sure that you are receiving the healthiest, most natural Gelato in keeping with Italian tradition. And unlike mass-produced icecream, artisan Gelato is carefully crafted from the heart.

When you forget tradition, you lose taste; and without the artisan, you lose the art. But with Ariela’s Gelato, you experience – and can taste – a true labour of love.

Ariela’s Gelato was born out of a desire to recreate a world that was taken for granted back in Italy. For founder and owner Ariela Cesana, after moving to London, it was impossible to get a true taste of home:

extra crunch from a visible coating.

tion on the environment.

Chef’s Special Crispy coated has a gluten free coating which creates the perfect crunch while supporting menus with special dietary requirements.

Local testing has shown that Farm Frites Chef’s Special Crispy coated performing better in crispiness & heat retention against market competitors*

The range is pre-fried in 100 percent sunflower oil.

The range has been developed following a multi-million Euro factory investment by Farm Frites to install a state of the art production line using the newest technology and incorporating some innovation solutions to product quality and consistency as well as featuring sustainability led processes to reduce the impact of the opera-

“I was so frustrated when I couldn’t find a Gelato in London like the one I grew up with – so I decided to just make it myself!” And since 2006, Ariela has been on a journey to bring the luxurious taste of Italy to the UK. Made in small batches using only the purest, highest-quality ingredients, our Gelato uses the same traditional processes that can only be found in an authentic Italian Gelateria for a truly artisan, lovingly crafted, authentic Italian Gelato.

What really sets Ariela’s Gelato apart is the artistry and expertise that can only come from true experience and passion. The base of our Gelato is pasteurised, poured into batch freezers, churned, then extracted and decorated by hand, one by one, flavour by flavour.

Care goes into everything we do to make sure you and our customers receive the truest Gelato experience, and when it comes to creating our range, we’ve been passionate about pursuing perfection. Each flavour is a carefully crafted blend of natural ingredients that have been painstakingly tried and tested to ensure you get flavour, not flavourings.

For further information see the advert on this page.

The range is well suited to casual, fast casual and take-away menus as well as being ideal for delivery where products need to stay tasting their best longer.

We invite operators to ‘Let Their Bite Decide’ and contact us to sample Chef’s Special Crispy Coated for themselves. *Local Market testing with suppliers carried out with comparable product.

For further information about the Chef’s Special Crispy coated range, contact Farm Frites UK & Ireland on 01452 415845, visit our new UK website www.farmfrites.co.uk

Celebrate Summer in Style with LittlePod

Summer is upon us and here at LittlePod we’re looking forward to celebrating picnic season in style!

Proud winners of the 2023 King’s Award for Enterprise (Sustainable Development), we’re on a mission to spread the word about REAL vanilla and its importance to the planet, whilst livening up hampers across the land.

Be it a picnic in the park, lunch on the lawn or a back garden barbecue, LittlePod products will make your al fresco creations – both sweet and savoury – shine like the summer sun.

LittlePod’s responsibly-sourced products are great

for the kitchen and the planet alike and in choosing to keep it REAL, you’re making a difference to the farming communities in the Equatorial regions and, much further afield, to the wider world.

Did you know that the precious vanilla orchid replenishes the soil in which it grows? In choosing to purchase REAL vanilla, you can help to preserve biodiversity in the rainforest regions, protecting the fragile ecosystems that are so important to us all.

LittlePod makes it simple to make a difference, so please join our Campaign for Real Vanilla and create something special this summer! Look us up online at www.littlepod.co.uk and follow @little_pod on Instagram.

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Sustainable Resources

Why Hotels Should Be Offering EV Charging As people look to make more sustainable choices to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the planet, the number of EV drivers on the road is growing rapidly. There are currently over 780,000 fully electric cars on the road in the UK, as well as 500,000 plug-in hybrids (https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/ev-market/). With the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles set to be banned in 2030, this number is only going to continue increasing – now is a crucial time for hotels to start offering guests accessible and convenient EV charging.

Hotels can expect to welcome a wider clientele when they provide EV charging, as drivers often choose their destination based on the availability of charging. The ability for users to seamlessly integrate charging into their stay greatly enhances the overall guest experience, as it removes any concerns surrounding range anxiety – guests are able to enjoy their visit whilst they charge up and leave with a full battery. This in turn helps build relationships between hotels and guests as it demonstrates the commitment to providing a convenient and comfortable stay.

Offering this amenity also boosts occupancy rates and provides additional revenue generating opportunities through use of the chargers.

EV charging facilities are not only crucial to improving guest experience, but also show a commitment to a more sustainable future. Adding chargers to the network supports the transition to a cleaner, greener way of transport. The benefits of this sustainable initiative don’t end there – providing EV charging helps to differentiate hotels from competition, attracting guests who prioritise sustainability that are looking for a place to stay that aligns with their values.

EVC recently entered an exclusive partnership agreement with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts to roll out bespoke EV charging solutions across their portfolio of sites on a fullyfunded basis, covering the cost of installation and ongoing maintenance of the chargers. This collaboration puts the hotels’ guests and the planet first, providing a seamless charging experience.

Now is the perfect time for hotels to prepare for the EV revolution – avoid the rush in the future and contact EVC now for a bespoke charging solution.

See www.evc.co.uk or the advert on the facing page for details.

Riso Gallo – High Quality Rice, Produced Efficiently, Sustainably And With Great Care To Protect Our Natural Environment Established in 1856, Riso Gallo is the oldest Risotto rice producer in Italy and has been delivering premium rice to consumers around the world for over six generations.

Excitingly, Riso Gallo is also now the first International rice brand to produce rice from sustainable agriculture, making their premium best-selling risotto rice fully sustainable from field to fork!

All of the Riso Gallo premium rice varieties are produced from sustainable agriculture, as certified by the international “Farm Sustainability Assessment”. Their high quality Carnaroli and Arborio grains are grown just a short distance from the company's headquarters in the Pavia area, and cutting edge technology works in harmony with a skilled workforce to build a modern, robust agricultural model which respects both nature and the farming community itself to create a wonderful natural balance.

Riso Gallo take great pride in collaborating with farms that respect their workers’ rights, and guarantees fair and stable prices to assist their farming suppliers with planning, which are agreed and confirmed before sowing begins.

Sustainability and a commitment to plastic that is suitable for recycling are key to Riso Gallo’s production, and they have uniquely created their own Circular Economy within rice production, collaborating with various innovative start-ups to give useful new life to by-products from the rice mill. See the QR code for more information on these exciting new developments.

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

The excellence of the products and the high quality standards of the Riso Gallo supply chain are guaranteed and endorsed by BRC, IFS certifications and the Sustainable Rice Platform scheme, which leads to total reassurance for consumers who are certain they are buying 100% Italian rice which can be tracked throughout its entire supply chain, from cultivation to packing.

Visit www.risogallo.co.uk or see the advert on this page for details.

Sustainability In the Carpet and Textile Flooring Sector Following significant growth in its membership network, Carpet Recycling UK (CRUK) is seeking further engagement from the construction, facilities management and flooring sectors to reduce textile flooring waste such as broadloom carpets, carpet tiles, event carpets and underlay.

comes. Our members are making great strides with many developing products with recycling in mind, from single polymer ranges to ones made with recycled content.”

The not-for-profit association is now working with 80% of the UK’s carpet and textile flooring manufacturers and distributors, which puts it in a stronger position to represent the sector when it comes to discussions on favourable policy outcomes.

David Healey: Finance Director of CRUK member Saint Flooring, implemented waste material recycling throughout the company’s nationwide sites in 2019. He says that membership of Carpet Recycling UK is contributing to its sustainability goals and helped achieve annual savings of up to £170,000 annually on disposal costs by reusing and recycling their waste materials.

Adnan Zeb-Khan: CRUK Scheme Manager says, “Moving forward, companies will need to demonstrate reductions in the use of new resources, design products with recycling in mind, including methods of identification of material make-up and consideration of reverse logistics for take-back schemes to support reuse and recycling out-

CRUK is the only organisation representing the carpet and textile flooring sector in the UK, which is helping to industry to reduce waste, divert waste from landfill and become more sustainable. Please visit www.carpetrecyclinguk.com for more information.

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Outdoor Leisure Sunny Days = Great Business We’ve waited a long time for summer 2023 to start.

Make the most of pent-up demand for pub gardens and outdoor hospitality. Create a profitable outdoor space!

OUTDOOR DRINKING Is your venue all set for long summer afternoons and evenings with customers enjoying a drink or two? Do you have different areas for drinking versus dining? Outdoor bar height tables and stools can add capacity easily without taking up much more space. Optimise walls with bar height shelves and stools seated to them if space is tight. If your venue is more traditional, add some old barrels for drinkers to stand to.

OUTDOOR LOUNGING Outdoor lounge furniture encourages a longer dwell time, higher spend and a more premium experience.

Does your outdoor space allow for outdoor lounge furniture? Choose lightweight outdoor sofas and armchairs with weatherproof cushions for a flexible lounge seating set up.

SHELTER & SHADE

Sun or rain, we never know what the British summer time will bring. Ensure you have plenty of parasol umbrellas for shade and don’t let rain stop play with weatherproof shelter provisions.

With so many outdoor shelter options available, it is easier than you think to incorporate outdoor shelter to OUTDOOR DINING your garden areas.

If you’re catering outdoors this summer, do you have Contact Woodberry Outdoor Furniture suppliers enough of the right furniture to suit your customers and Woodberry are long-time experts in supplying outdoor the food you serve. Can you add more tables, chairs, furniture to the hospitality trade. We offer a wide range benches or picnic tables to your outdoor space? of hardwearing furniture, shelters and parasols to help Lightweight tables and chairs are ideal for flexibility, being our clients maximise their outdoor spaces. Call our movable to accommodate different size groups. If you are friendly team on 01926 889922 or visit the Woodberry tight on space, you could line walls or fences with bench website www.woodberry.co.uk seating and put pedestal tables to form dining sets.

A Special Offer from Fenton Timber

Fenton Timber was established in the late 1990’s by Jim Miller who sadly passed in 2007, since then the business has continued under the management of Alex Spencer, with Ade Tate overseeing manufacture… who were both staff members from the early days of the business.

Fenton’s USP is delivering fully assembled, weather treated “ready to use” Picnic Benches/Tables and associated Garden Furniture to the License Trade, Schools and the Leisure Industry… all year round.

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The benefits of purchasing from Fenton Timber is not just the fact we deliver all of our own goods, with our own transport and staff… but that we also guarantee our goods and operate all year round. It might sound strange selling garden furniture during the winter!

Aside from customers whom might have outdoor functions, barbecues, summer fairs, live music etc.. there are also unfortunate times whereby customers have been flooded and suffered losses, and we are there to assist getting them back up on their feet.

As readers of the Caterer & Licensee – you can also take advantage of our current offer – 10% off RRP on Supreme and Octagonal Tables (Ends 7th July '23)… so call us free on 0800 085 6447.

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THE SOMERSET GRILL COMPANY – Making Wood-Fired Cooking Easy The trend for wood-fired cooking in restaurants and caterers gathers apace, led by some prominent chefs, and embraced by a consumer more comfortable cooking, eating and entertaining outside.

The Somerset Grill Company has taken the principles of the Argentinian WoodFired Asado, and created two Grills which overcome the main challenges of cooking with fire – easy temperature control, and simple fire and fuel management.

Simply add logs to the integral Ember maker at the rear, for a constant flow of cook-ready embers from 40 minutes after lighting – and continuously as long as you add more logs. No more running out of temperature at the critical moment, it is high output, with quick cook times and big grill area for fast turnaround.

To control cook temperature, simply wind the Grill surface up and down using the axle wheel – so you can sear at 350C at it’s lowest and warm or simmer at 50C higher up. And with our larger Grande double, you get twin Grill surfaces operating height independently for

multiple cooking areas. The unique V-grills prevent flare ups in-cook, and collect all fat and juice for re-basting or later use.

Think steaks, slow roasts, smash burgers, fish, stews.

Made in the UK by us, the Grills offer high output opportunities for outdoor hospitality spaces, pop up events, and caterers.

All off grid, wood-powered only. Choose between free-standing models with integral woodstore stand and wheels to move around, or build in to your outdoor kitchen set-up, with gunmetal steel or pre-rusted corten finish. All parts in contact with food are food-grade stainless steel, you can add in griddles, rotisserie, prep tables and meat hooks for slow cooks too.

East to Light. Easy to Fuel. Easy to Use. Easy to Clean.

And from just £1,080 + VAT inc delivery for our Asado to build in, they are great value too.

To discuss how we may be able to help you create extra outdoor revenue, or be different, email martin@somersetgrill.com, phone 07881 520888 or find out more on www.somersetgrill.com

Monster Mesh is a leading events and construction branding company, specialising in supplying large format printed products.

We specialise in large format full colour and dye sublimation printing for weather resistance, strength and durability. Our top-quality products match the service you should expect, and we supply direct to brand owners, event management, construction, and signage companies.

We can provide a range of custom designed and printed products for HERAS fence covers, PVC and ACM Hoarding panels, PVC and mesh banners, and large scale scaffold wraps. We have been in operation for 4 years now, continually growing year on year thanks to both new and return clients.

At Monster Mesh we agree that your brand needs to

generate the right impact. Getting an eye-catching design is the most important when displaying your banner amongst others, so at Monster Mesh we offer a complete in-house design service. Most of the time this is a free service where our team of designers will take your logo and a brief sample of text to create your individual design. Throughout our years of experience in large format design, we have learnt several ways to produce the impression you desire.

The majority of our products include free delivery and typical lead times are just 7 working days, with some products available through our 5-day express service.

To find out more, please visit www.monster-mesh.co.uk.

Monster Mesh

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Outdoor Leisure

Enjoy the Sunshine with 10% Off Our Creating Unique And Inspiring Outdoor Environments Maintenance Free Outdoor Furniture!

With warmer weather starting to appear what better way for your customers to enjoy the sunshine than sitting outside and relaxing.

TDP’s furniture, made from recycled UK plastic waste, will be ready and waiting, as it doesn’t have to be stored away for the winter or be treated for the new season.

Our range of furniture includes picnic tables, dining sets, benches and chairs as well as planters and children’s furniture. All products benefit from a 20-year warranty and very low maintenance, with no annual staining or treatments required. It will not rot or splinter, is very stable and extremely durable, lasting for decades in even the busiest of areas.

TDP has been supplying environmentally friendly products to the industry for over 30 years. We are the choice supplier for those who want outdoor furniture that lasts and to date we have saved over 4,000 tonnes of recycled plastic waste from landfill. By producing our furniture from recycled plastic rather than

Cinders ‘Classic’ Barbecue The Cinders ‘Classic’ barbecue has exceeded customers’ expectations for decades, due to its unique, patented design. It easily cooks 1000 burgers in one session but being a true workhorse is not its only selling point. Robust, reliable and low-maintenance are just three adjectives to describe a barbecue whose repair costs are typically non-existent over long periods, generating a healthy ROI for many years.

The Cinders ‘Classic’ comes as a six-foot long double grill (TG160), or a half-sized single grill (SG80), with both running on LPG and offering incredible food output for the price of the energy used. The user-friendly grills are easy-to-light and powerful, getting up to temperature in around five minutes, to quickly feed a queue or facilitate an impromptu pop-up barbecue if great weather arrives.

Cinders’ production values are impressive - not only

wood, we have saved over 10,000 trees from being felled.

We manufacture all our furniture in Derbyshire.

Everything is handcrafted and as such you can order your furniture in custom colourways, and we can include branding, establishment names, table numbers and other key information as either engravings or plaques. Our furniture is longer-lasting and easier to maintain than their wooden alternatives, meaning you buy them once and they will last a lifetime for your business.

From your first contact with us, to taking delivery, we want the whole experience to be both enjoyable and stress free. We’re here to help so please do visit our website www.tdp.co.uk, give us a call on 01629 820011 or drop us an email at info@tdp.co.uk To take advantage of our 10% discount off RRP please give us a call and quote CATERER!

offering a warranty for commercial use, unlike cheap imported barbecues, but also built to ISO 9001:2015 standards.

The barbecues have internal self-cleaning too, removing the odious chore of post-barbecue clean-down.

The grill merely needs to be left running for a few minutes to burn off residue, which is then brushed away or ejected. Once cool, the Classic can be folded down and easily stored away.

To discover more call 01524 262900 or www.cindersbarbecues.co.uk

We are the UK’s leading manufacturer and suppliers of innovative commercial furniture and structures for the alfresco, hospitality and leisure industries. If your business is looking to improve your outdoor dining experience, we have a range of shade & shelter, furniture, heating & lighting, and flooring & decking solutions to improve your outdoor environment.

Our elegant structures are manufactured using high quality materials, made to virtually any size. Options include remote control, retractable, louvered or glass roofs and multiple features including heat and light.

These solutions assure all-weather trading and offer a great return on investment. Combined with our extensive furniture options, our design and bespoke build capabilities allow us to create something unique for your space and style.

SURVEY & DESIGN We work directly with you or your designated designers and architects to ensure all your objectives are met.

Following a site survey, our specialist in-house design team will generate drawings for you to visualise your ideas.

UK MANUFACTURE & BESPOKE BUILD

Our UK factory is equipped with the latest technology and able to create truly unique products especially for you. We manufacture to specific site requirements and integrate colours, logos, designs and materials to attain the desired outcome.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & INSTALLATION Your account manager will liaise with you to ensure a smooth process from enquiry to handover. We will deliver and install, leaving you a clear site ready for immediate trading. Our internal delivery and installation teams carry out all jobs with care and attention to detail.

Tel: 01189 230 300 | sales@aelsolutions.com | aelsolutions.com

SBI Ltd Are A Family Business You Can Rely On At SBI Ltd, we’re a well-established, family-run business, based in Kent. Since 1998, we have been serving trade & private customers’ homes, schools, hospitals, hotels & pubs, delivering a great service for over two decades.

Our friendly and professional teams are located across the UK and ready to supply & install any of the following:

• Made-to-measure awnings, victorian & contemporary verandas, glass verandas, glass rooms & canopies • Carports, vertical screens, manual, electric or solar-powered security shutters & roller garage doors • Conservatory sail blinds, louvred roof pergolas, aluminium fencing and more.

Our professional advisors and installers at SBI will be more than happy to help you create the perfect solu-

tion for your shade and shelter requirements. We offer a full contract installation service to private and trade customers who are not equipped or do not have sufficient time to carry out installations.

If you’re looking for branding or personalisation, we’ve got you covered. Our popular vinyl graphics or traditional handpainted signwriting are especially useful for businesses and trade customers, schools and colleges.

In addition to serving homeowners and domestic customers, our contracts division supports hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, schools, colleges, universities, government buildings, hospitals and other organisations.

Call Now: 0800 074 2721 or visit www.sbiproducts.co.uk

It’s a Wrap

It’s likely one of the first actions your customers take on being served food, isn’t to pick up their cutlery but to grab their phone instead. With diners continuing to share their food experiences across social media, creating the wow factor has never been more important.

But are you making the most of this influential advertising opportunity? Serving your dishes alongside custom printed greaseproof paper elevates your presentation but, more crucially, it guarantees customer images are branded with your logo. Not only do you ensure your skills are credited to your business, you utilise existing customers to upsell your products to their social media network.

Presentation matters for take-out customers too, with the unboxing event now considered a fundamental part of the buying experience. Adding intentionally customised touchpoints, such as branded greaseproof paper, improves both the look and feel of products, and helps create a sense of anticipation and value. In fact,

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June/July 2023

CLH News

consumers repeatedly tell us that the use of branded greaseproof encourages them to rate a venue as more professional, longer established and raises their expectations of the food they’ll eat. Most importantly it encourages an experience that consumers want to repeat and can’t wait to share with their friends.

If you’re looking ahead to a summer filled with outdoor food events, then you’ll know that standing out from the competition is vital. Serving your brand alongside your food is an obvious advertising opportunity when customers eat on-the-go, and it’s an ideal way of increasing footfall.

Branded greaseproof sheets are an affordable way to spice up your existing plain packaging and provide a new and convenient way to wrap and serve your items.

At it’s a Wrap we believe adding branding to your food shouldn’t be difficult and it’s our passion to help businesses of all sizes to “brand like the big guys” with our custom printed greaseproof paper. That’s why we continue to offer certified, compostable products with low minimum orders, and deliver them in the fastest, standard lead times. We also offer our free in-house design service – simply send us your logo and we’ll do the rest! www.printedgreaseproof.com itsawrap@jrpress.co.uk

Make First Impressions Count with Major Plants First Impressions Count! Major Plants Limited specializes in providing cost effective, visually striking, hanging baskets rental and maintenance services.

In business over 10 years our company grown through word of mouth via our satisfied and expanding customer base.

We know that busy businesses have enough work to do without trying to remember whether the flowers have been watered, fed, or tidied up. Calling in the experts like Major Plants Limited means that you can get on with your business while

we ensure that outside, your plant arrangements and presentation never let you down.

Whether you are seeking an alternative quotation to compare with an existing supplier or are looking at external flower arrangements for the first time our flexible agreement and personal service will give you a piece of mind reliable support for your business.

Please get in touch!

0800 111 4014 info@majorplants.co.uk

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Outdoor Leisure

The Perks of Listing a Wallflower

Lanchester Wines has launched its latest range of wine in cans. The new Wallflower range of 187ml Spanish wines is presented in a funky, fresh format - perfect for on-the-go occasions or as an alternative to glass.

Unlike its namesake, this Wallflower will most certainly be in the midst of the celebrations as it has been designed to enjoyed at festivals, events, travel retail or on-trade as a single serve. The range comprises easy drinking red, white and rose wines; the fruity red is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, the zesty white is Airen and Macabeo while the rose is a fruity Garnacha Rosado.

Bold, vibrant colours have been used to depict the different wines in the range, with colours creating cognitive connections to the colour of the wine inside.

All Wallflower wines are suitable for vegetarians and

vegans.

Mark Roberts: “Whether displayed on a shelf, back bar or marquee, these brightly coloured cans stand out from the crowd. Cans are an uncomplicated packaging solution which are lightweight, easy to stack and infinitely recyclable. Cans can be chilled quickly and are hermetically sealed to ensure the wine stays fresher for longer.”

The Wallflower cans were filled at Greencroft Bottling’s wine canning line, which was the first wine canning line in the UK. Greencroft Bottling is predominantly powered by clean renewable energy generated by Lanchester Wines’ on-site wind turbines. Lanchester Wines and its sister business, Greencroft Bottling, are pioneers in sustainable energy, having installed its first wind turbine back in 2011. www.lanchesterwines.co.uk/wallflower

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

Outdoor Space You Cannot Use Because Of The Weather Has No Value "Nearly 2 years on, it was the best decision we ever made to buy 3 White Pavilion Gazebos at The Grantham Arms.

"They have paid for themselves many, many times over. I dread to think of the business we would have missed out on if we had not made the investment."

Susie, Proprietor: Grantham Arms, Boroughbridge: The Bay Tree, Swillington, York : The Black Horse, Kirby Fleetham : Fox & Hounds, Langthorpe WHITE PAVILION HOSPITALITY GAZEBOS : 01653 695 285 www.whitepaviliongazebos.co.uk

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Blue Seal have noticed over the last few years a definite increase in demand for electric equipment. This expansion is predominantly for new site install, where the site has the power supply for 3phase and the operator is looking to future proof the kitchen and incorporate a full electric line up, including high efficiency induction hobs etc. This complete electric specification also avoids the complication & cost of expensive gas regulation canopies and interlock systems.

Electric equipment is also generally easier and cheaper to Install, routinely maintain, as well as having a longer life span in some cases. This encourages the large chain restaurants to invest in high efficiency, low carbon sites.

There has not, however been any downturn for demand on gas equipment in general, especially twin tank gas

By David Chesshire, National Accounts Manager, Blue Seal (www.blue-seal.co.uk)

fryer units, chargrills, ranges and griddles.

The running cost of gas is on the increase, however it is still cheaper running cost than electric & there are a huge quantity of commercial kitchen sites in the UK that do not have the 3phase power supply to run a high performance electric cook suite. A more common general application, is a balanced mix of high efficiency induction equipment and gas equipment such as char grills/ solid fuel grills/ high efficiency gas fryers, which give the operator a unique equipment performance or finish and flavour to food items.

With most manufacturers investing their R&D into high efficiency technology & solutions, to replace gas equipment, long term there is no doubt that electric powered appliances are the future.

Why LP Group Mixers Are A Top Choice for Artisan Bakers

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LP Group mixers are trusted across the globe to deliver high-quality, assured dough production. The Italian machinery supplier has harnessed decades of engineering and manufacturing experience to create industryleading models that produce excellent dough results for bakers. Its latest lines of fixed bowl solutions are ideal for artisan use, such as at small restaurants and bakeries, with an array of different sizes suited to dough handling production from 40kg to 250kg.

“LP Group produces fantastic mixers for consistent, high-quality artisan baking using specialist doughs,” says Steve Merritt, managing director of EPP, exclusive distributor of LP Group mixers in the UK and Ireland. “We’re pleased to offer its comprehensive range of high quality, robust mixers, which are perfect for small bakers and Italian pizzerias. The ability to produce at a smaller scale (whilst maintaining consistency) affords additional flexibility. Bakers can even make batches of just half a dozen loaves or a handful of pizza bases – ideal for smaller requirements, or to use as experimenting and testing,

all with less wastage.”

All LP Group fixed bowl spiral mixers feature a tough steel construction and reinforced motors, built for many years of use. Its intuitive models have been designed for low maintenance and easy dough extraction, and they can be extensively customised to suit individual requirements. The mixers are capable of handling many types of dough, but are especially suited to artisan dough mixtures with hydration greater than 55% with European flour.

Its Star Mixer line – designed for 40kg or 60kg dough capacity – features an easy-to-use control panel with double scale electromechanical timer (which can be upgraded to an optional electronic control panel with bypass selector), and models can even be colour customised – ideal for reinforcing company branding, from kitchen to table.

Meanwhile, the VIS line is designed for dough capacities from 60kg to 250kg.

LP Group mixers are available in the UK and Ireland from bakery equipment specialist EPP. For more information, visit www.eppltd.co.uk

Cooking Suites

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

www.blue-seal.co.uk

Catering Equipment & Kitchen Fit-Out

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

Williams Helps You Look Good and Save Energy With the release of the latest versions of its Gem Multideck range, Williams Refrigeration is highlighting the advances it has made in the energy efficiency of its products, as well as the range of customisation options that allow operators to create their perfect display.

Williams Multidecks are designed to maximise available display area and performance while delivering cost savings through energy efficient operation.

The Gem range can be customised to suit a huge range of applications. Customisation options include LED strip lights, inset within the ticket holders, which enhance the display while using little energy and generating minimal heat. There are also night blinds, security shutters, front doors, either sliding or hinged, rear loading doors for easy restocking of goods, impulse snack selection baskets for added merchandising potential, food tray slides, glass shelves and mirrored panels, all of which mean they can be specified exactly to the customers requirements. Furthermore, there’s also the option of remote refrigeration, and the ability to multiplex units.

Improving energy efficiency has become one of the most important factors in choosing new refrigeration equipment recently, with rising energy costs and the need to increase environmental sustainability bringing this issue into sharp focus for many businesses. The

new models are TUV certified, fully EcoDesign- and MEPS-compliant, and use a combination of re-engineered airflow features, heat exchangers and green refrigerant to produce Williams’ most energy efficient Multidecks to date.

The latest open fronted Gem Multidecks include features designed to maintain the interior thermal envelope, thanks to a curtain of cold air drawing down over the front of the unit. This includes a newly developed honeycomb profile for the top air discharge system that helps to keep the cold air directed within the display, and redesigned bottom air inlets which improve the temperature stability of the lower shelves.

Natural hydrocarbon refrigerant reduces energy consumption thanks to its excellent thermodynamic properties, with low GWP (Global Warming Potential) and zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential). The Multideck’s operating temperature range is from -1°C to +7°C, making it suited to a wide choice of chilled food display.

Williams Refrigeration offers a comprehensive range of commercial refrigeration including gastronorm cabinets and counters, specialist bakery equipment, coldrooms, multidecks and blast chillers.

To learn more about Williams extensive product range visit www.williams-refrigeration.co.uk

• 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

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The New DrainMinor C (Combi Oven Pump) Temperature Rises Increase Risks In The Summer Season There are significant advantages offered by the New DrainMajor C (Combi Oven Pump) manufactured by Pump Technology Ltd. The pump features a tank with its clear side window was the large, triangular, low-level float attached to the pump by a rigid arm, external to the pump casing.

Because of the design of this float system the unit can cope with an exceptional quantity of grease, fat and food particles before the reliable start/stop operation of the pump is affected.

The triangular low-level float also means that inlet heights can be just 70mm from base to centreline, giving the appropriate inlet requirement for wall or central island Combi Ovens.

The build quality of the submersible wastewater pump was also a discussion point, with the mechanical shaft seal arrangement between pump impeller and motor winding generally agreed as an advantage over a common lip seal/diaphragm arrangement, especially considering the hot wastewater temperatures and potential grease which these units have to handle.

It can be connected to multiple ovens or oven and sink combinations. Also, multiple inlet connections can be cut onsite directly into the rigid Polyethylene tank without the need to manifold inlets outside of the tank and then feed into it via a single inlet. This means that the installation footprint is just the size of the compact tank and potential leaks from knocked manifold piping and joints are eliminated.

It looks like the New DrainMinor C is a real winner!

Electrolux Professional Has Unveiled Southern Contracts, Based in Dorset, as Their Top Performing UK Distributor Across Last Year This award is for the company with the highest national sales of their professional laundry products.

Adam Elphinstone, MD of Southern Contracts, said: “This is the 25th year we’ve won this award and consequently cherish a long and special relationship with Electrolux Professional and are always proud to work with their products for both provision, installation and servicing. The installations have been carried out across all our sectors; marine, care and hospitality. Some have been incredibly complex but all have been extremely satisfying.”

Mark Rogers, Regional Business Manager for Electrolux Professional, added: “We’ve had a special relationship with Southern Contracts for over 30 years, and during that time they have regularly confirmed themselves as our highest performing partner

for laundry in the UK. We count them as a first-class partner.

“I personally have worked with them over 6 years and can always trust them to select the best solution and provide exemplary after-care for all our customers, whatever their sector.

“With their in depth understanding of our products, gleaned over the decades of our relationship, they continue to preserve the firstclass friendly care of a family run business for both their remote and local customers.”

For more information about products and services on offer, contact Southern Contracts’ expert team of technical staff to provide guidance and advice through every aspect of your purchase and ongoing commitment to service, please telephone 03301 222888 or visit www.southerncontracts.co.uk

With soaring temperatures in the UK, now is a time that many restaurant owners fear.

THE RISK Kitchen extraction systems should be compliant with the TR19® Grease specification. Elevated ambient temperature tends to increase the working temperature of extraction ducts making it much more likely that any uncontrolled grease accumulation inside an extraction system could catch alight.

Surprisingly, only a small amount of grease in the extraction system – as little as half the thickness of a standard business card – can be enough.

This significant increase in risk can be a huge worry to those responsible for kitchen extraction systems.

Managing Director of Swiftclean, Gary Nicholls, adds: “The maintenance manager for our largest customer mentioned that prior to him using Swiftclean’s services they always experienced fires in ducts during hot periods, it was always a worry whenever the temperatures soared”.

As the temperature increases during summer, it's important to ensure that your building is compliant with regulations. Does your building have a kitchen extract system?

We’ve been around for over 40 years and have been instrumental in the development of the industry specification, TR19® Grease, which helps to keep you, your staff and your visitors safe.

If you are concerned about the risk of fire from a greasy kitchen extract duct, please do get in touch with our technical sales consultancy team, for a FREE quotation/technical advice – Nationwide.

Call us on 0800 243 471. Or email us at info@swiftclean.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 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@mk-hire.co.uk or call us on 0345 812 0800, or visit our website: www.mk-hire.co.uk

The Ultimate BS EN 1825 Compliant Grease Recovery • Over 40,000 Units Sold.

• Separates down to below 35 parts per million.

• Eliminates need for enzymes or chemicals.

• Constructed of 3mm 304 Grade Stainless Steel.

• 10 Year Construction Warranty.

• Manufactured in UK and Ireland.

• Sizes from 0.5 Litres Per Second through 8.5 Litres Per Second.

Buy with confidence of performance and the back up of The Approved Fatstrippa Contractor Network.

www.fatstrippa.co.uk

For further information contact Fatstrippa Sales 0207 207 7713 sales@fatstrippa.co.uk

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CLH News

Catering Equipment & Kitchen Fit-Out

June/July 2023

EAIS - The Ideal Solution

EAIS is a leading Manufacturer and Supplier of storage and transportation products supplied both to the Foodservice and Healthcare industries. Proud to be based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk we are renowned for our innovation and ability to offer solutions which not only meet the customer’s demands, but their expectations as well. Whether you are looking for food storage shelving, racking systems, trolleys and fabrication, or maybe its healthcare shelving and medical trolleys or even bespoke

design products. With the combination of our ability to hold vast stocks of our key product lines, combined with our hugely experienced and award winning customer service it has made EAIS the number one choice within the Industry.

Fatstrippa has been at the forefront of Fats, Oils and Greases (FOG’s) Management for the Catering and Food Manufacturing Industries since the 1990’s when it introduced its patented Fatstrippa Range of nonmechanical Grease Recovery Units. These units achieved FOG recovery rates of well below 35 ppm eliminating the need for secondary treatment with costly enzymes or chemicals.

Designed by Chief Marine Engineer, Allan Owen, in

close cooperation with Water Authorities, Environmental Agencies and Restauranteurs the Fatstrippa quickly established itself as a market leader in performance, requiring little maintenance and a reputation for robustness. Manufactured from 304 Grade 3mm Stainless steel many of the units installed over 20 years ago are still giving peak performance to this day.

For further information contact info@fatstrippa.co.uk or see the advert on the previous page.

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

They have strong relationships with all leading kitchen equipment suppliers, and they offer a kitchen design service to help you build your ideal kitchen.

Why not put us to the test and let EAIS become your Ideal Solution? Contact our sales department on either 01553 765205 or sales@eais.co

Fatstrippa Grease Recovery

Caterquip Ventilation – For All Your Commercial Catering Ventilation Needs

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

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.

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

Hospitality Technology WACR EPOS Solution Providers WACR cash register specialises in touch screens and cash register tills sales and hires. We are also able to undertake repairs and servicing for business throughout Avon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, South Wales, Berkshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire. We have 40 years experience of in supplying and maintaining EPOS systems and Touch screen systems to pubs, clubs, restaurants, and retail scanning.

Our reputation has been built on high-quality customer service and product reliability. We offer a very reliable backup service for our customers. We offer a contract and support contract for most makes of cash registers and touch screens.

SOFTWARE Our EPoS software is designed with the end user in mind. Its intuitive, flexible, and easy to use with a customisable interface and functionality. It also has a fast database management design and reliable market-lead-

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ing EPoS software.

HARDWARE We have a range of fantastic hardware solutions for you to take your company to the next level. Simple, secure, and powerful. Take control of your business with our award-winning EPOS systems.

A revolutionary POS system Stay organised, save time and grow your business with a powerful and reliable solution at your fingertips.

A REVOLUTIONARY POS SYSTEM For Hospitality, retail, and bars stay organised, save time and grow your business with a powerful and reliable solution at your fingertip.

Access your business insight from anywhere.

Realtime reporting on staff, customers, sales, margin, and stock retention.

Let customers pay with Dojo link.

Flexible layouts and interactive floor plan.

Phone: 0800 328 3492 Contact us at: sales@wacr.co.uk

3R (EPOS) Solutions 3R is a leading provider of Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) solutions, offering both integrated countertop and wireless payment solutions, as well as Mobile Top-Up services. With competitive rates and durable, secure hardware, 3R’s signature EPOS software, CES Touch, is a game-changer for businesses seeking to optimize their day-to-day operations and streamline their financial reporting.

June/July 2023

Another essential feature of CES Touch is its full Stock control functionality, which enables businesses to manage their inventory effectively. This feature ensures that businesses can maintain optimal stock levels, avoid overstocking or understocking, and keep track of their stock movements accurately.

In addition to these features, CES Touch offers intensive operator management and in-depth financial reporting, which is vital for businesses seeking to manage their staff and financial performance effectively. With full cloud business analytics, CES Touch also

provides businesses with real-time insights into their sales, inventory, and customer behaviour, enabling them to make data-driven decisions to optimize their operations.

CES Touch also links directly to a wide range of Symbol Groups, including Londis, Booker, Premier, Budgens, Shop Local, Best-one, and NISA, allowing businesses to take advantage of automated promotions and price changes. This feature is particularly useful for businesses looking to offer competitive pricing and promotions while maintaining profitability.

At the heart of 3R’s offering is their commitment to excellent customer service, providing 24/7 support, 365 days a year. Whether you’re a small business owner or a large retailer, 3R’s EPOS solutions and CES Touch software are sure to provide you with the tools you need to succeed.

See the advert below for details.

Systems from £1300 + vat PRICE INCLUDES: 4 Screen 4 Printer 4 Drawer 4 myepos

4 Access your business insight from anywhere.

4 Realtime reporting on staff, customers, sales, margin, and stock retention.

4 Let customers pay with Dojo link.

4 Flexible layouts and interactive floor plan.

Get In Touch: 0800 328 3492

sales@wacr.co.uk www.wacr.co.uk

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Hospitality Technology

MCR Systems MCR Systems has over 40 years of experience in providing hospitality, catering and leisure organisations with enterprise management solutions that directly improve the efficiency of their business operations. We do this by combining high-quality software and

cutting-edge EPOS technology.

MCR Systems T: 0116 299 7000 E: enquiries@mcr-systems.co.uk www.mcr-systems.co.uk See the advert on the following page.

No More Trips To The Bank - And Your Cash Taken Care of with Loomis First of all, the team at Loomis just want to acknowledge the great news that pub and bar takings were up by 26.7% over the coronation weekend. Fantastic news, a much needed boost for the sector - and probably a lot more cash to reconcile, secure and bank!

Indeed, for everyone in the CLH sector, be that hoteliers, pubs, bars and restaurants, takeaways or cafes, managing cash safely and efficiently is an important issue which can divert valuable personnel time and attention away from delivering the best possible standard of service and product to customers.

So, if someone told you no more cash counting and reconciling, reduced shrinkage and no more trips to the bank, how would that sound? Pretty good we hope!

Loomis has a comprehensive range of cash management solutions which are perfect for busy and dynamic environments - there is a menu of options to choose from but right now the most popular choice of businesses in the retail sector is a Loomis smart safe package - including an ‘intelligent safe’ which will validate notes, count and reconcile cash, trigger automatic secure collections and provide valuable manage-

ment cash flow information - a true end to end solution.

Particularly popular is the Loomis SafePoint Compact, recently launched and exceptionally well received at the National Convenience Show in May. Measuring just 610 x 200 x 460mm (HxWxD), Safepoint Compact fits easily into most busy environments and offers low-cost weekly terms which include service and maintenance.

With certain packages and banking partners Loomis is also able to offer ‘Same Day Value’, with takings credited to the bank account on the same day.

There are also other Loomis options available to help cash management run more smoothly, including cash collection and coin and note delivery. Yet again, mo more trips to the bank!

With Loomis taking care of your cash, you can focus your attention exactly where you want it to be - on retaining customers, attracting new ones - and developing a successful business.

Contact us today on 0845 309 6419 for more information and get your business’s cash flowing more freely.

Boost Your Efficiencies During The Summer Rush In the midst of the busy summer period, operators need to raise their tech game to ensure customer experience and operational efficiency are slicker than ever.

Call Systems Technology (CST) specialise in innovative communication technology and software solutions that transform and enhance the hospitality industry – for both customers and operators.

Helping to deliver a truly first-class service whilst subtly elevating the experience to stand out from competitors.

Paging systems, specifically designed with the hospitality industry in mind, allow staff to remain readily available without being constantly visible. This allows teams to communicate effectively while still allowing the establishment to operate at its best.

Here are our top tips to make sure your summer is a sizzler:

1) Instead of getting customers to wait in a long, tedious queue, create an invisible one instead. Utilising customer paging solutions gives diners the freedom to wait where they wish – such as the bar - while reducing congestion.

2) Simple but effective, WaiterCall instantly connects front and

back-of-house for the slickest service. Instant communication eliminates the need to run back and forth from the kitchen pass, leaving more time to upsell drinks and maintain high levels of customer service.

3) With many operators currently short-staffed, call buttons allow customers to instantly gain a team member's attention when needed, making it easier to order additional food and drink or request to pay the bill.

4) Two-way radios provide instant communication between managers and kitchen staff.

Meaning table turns are increased, incidents are dealt with immediately, and the overall guest experience is enhanced.

No guessing or time wasted – just clear communication.

Keeping on top of the latest technology not only relieves stress for staff during busy periods but also helps improve simple operations, keeping customers happy and most importantly, loyal.

For more information on CST: www.call-systems.com solutions@call-systems.com 020 8381 1338

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June/July 2023

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Hospitality Technology

Little Hotelier’s Local Booking Insights Can data be your friend? We think so. After all, using data has kind of always been part of running a small property.

It might have previously come from things like manual market research, or by speaking with that friendly local ‘competitor’, while today, online solutions can crunch the numbers and provide usable insights in real-time.

But what data points do you actually need to know, and how can they be used?

Analysing our UK properties, we’ve pulled together some findings we’re sharing for the very first time — creating a simple (short and snappy) report that highlights both the latest trends among the country’s small properties, and the easy ways you can bring data and technology into day-to-day life at your property.

After you’ve finished reading it, you’ll have an understanding of:

• The channels bringing in the most revenue for UK’s 1-20 room properties • How room rates are changing, and the tools you need to price your rooms with clarity • The changes happening in booking lead time, and the opportunity this provides to drive more revenue • The current split between guests arriving from within the UK and abroad.

Our aim is to provide you with access to the tools and info you need, so that you can make smarter decisions more easily.

Head here to get your copy of Little Hotelier’s Local Booking Insights: tiny.cc/LocalBookingInsights

Castra Solutions - Wired and Wireless Solutions At Castra Solutions, we understand the importance of reliable and high-speed WiFi for businesses of all sizes. Our WiFi solutions are designed to provide seamless connectivity and exceptional performance, ensuring that your employees and customers can stay connected at all times.

In the hospitality industry, having a reliable and high-speed WiFi network is essential to meet the needs of guests who expect seamless connectivity during their stay. With the rise of mobile devices and the growing importance of online reviews, hoteliers cannot afford to overlook the importance of providing a top-notch WiFi experience.

One of the biggest challenges in hotel WiFi is providing coverage throughout the entire property, from guest rooms to public areas. This requires careful planning and optimization of the network, including access point placement, signal strength, and interference management. By working with Castra Solutions, hotels can

ensure that their WiFi network is designed to meet the unique needs of their property and guests.

In addition to providing reliable WiFi, hotels can also use their network to enhance the guest experience and generate revenue. For example, hotels can offer premium WiFi services for guests who require faster speeds or more bandwidth or provide access to streaming services and other entertainment options.

In conclusion, providing a reliable and high-speed WiFi network is essential for hotels looking to meet the needs of their guests and stay competitive in today's digital world. By working with a Castra Solutions and taking steps to optimize and secure their network, hotels can provide a seamless and enjoyable WiFi experience that enhances the guest experience.

Call us today on 0300 124 5005 or visit www.castrasolutions.co.uk

June/July 2023

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Design & Refit Additional Ranges as ILF Continue to Expand It's Not Time To Sit Down Yet 50

CLH News

June/July 2023

www.ilfchairs.com email terry.kirk@ilfchairs.com

With the ever-growing success of the ILF Chairs website, 2023 has seen an increase in their stock chairs to 8 ranges available in different Faux and Velvet upholstery and selection of frame colours, plus an 8 colour stock range of Egger laminated 25mm table tops in a selection of sizes. A full range of table bases in metal and stainless steel are also kept in stock. In addition, a new range called Boutique, elegant seating with frames in Ash, Walnut and Beech and offering a full selection of stain finishes and fabrics.

Their new online website offers both indoor and outdoor seating and table solutions.

Divided into Contemporary seating, Boutique, Barstools, Lounge Seating, Period Seating, Outdoor seating and tables plus Indoor Dining & Coffee height tables, offering a great selection of products to view at

your leisure. Also included now is an extensive range of stock seating, barstools, table bases and table tops.

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.

Also included is a link to priced chairs and table bases plus a selection of priced made to order seating in a selection of Faux Leather upholstery colours and wood frame colours.

These products can also be supplied to customer specification, just ask for details.

Enquiries can be sent to them directly from the website and they will reply within 24 hours. They 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.

Well at the end of a busy night it is, and for your hard-working customers it's essential that they have something welcoming, comfy, and attractive to rest their weary bones.

Investing in new seating for your premises during unclear financial times can be a tough decision, but with small new bars, restaurants, cafes, and fast food establishments opening all the time, and with new trends appearing, it might be exactly what you need to either attract a new crowd or keep existing customers. We can either work with you to come up with designs for your seating or take ideas from your interior designer and build your dreams efficiently, effectively, and on time within budget.

Drakes have been providing bars, pubs, restaurants,

cafes, clubs, and hotels with high-quality furniture for decades. We employ over 15 joiners, upholsterers, polishers and designers who are capable of installing fixed seating and bespoke joinery, full refurbishments, or simply making bespoke stools for the front of the bar. 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!

A Glass Act - Enomatic Wine Dispense and Preservation Enomatic is the world leader in wine dispense and preservation.

certified).

Studies show that wine-by-the-glass sales increase turnover and are more profitable than bottle sales. enomatic was created to offer a more premium wines by glass offering thus creating a more profitable business models for restaurants, bars and wine merchants.

PORTION CONTROL

enomatic’s quality control provides customers with confidence that wines are always fresh and served at their optimum temperatures. With patented preservation technology and automatic self-cleaning of the pouring spout, our systems ensure the highest hygiene and superb wine quality.

FUNCTIONALITY

REDUCING WASTE It is a simple fact that wine that is not consumed oxidizes in the bottle and is wasted, creating unnecessary costs and profit loss for a wine business. enomatic was designed to eliminate waste, reduce overheads and maximize profits.

WINE PRESERVATION Using state-of-the-art inert gas preservation, enomatic prevents wine from being altered by oxygen and protects its organoleptic integrity (taste, aroma, body, and colour) for up to 21 days or more (tested and

Staff over-pouring results in reduced profit margins. enomatic’s precise automatic portion control prevents inventory shrinkage, over pouring, and ensures accurate measures time after time. enomatic's advanced electronics and automation increases the speed of service.

By simply pressing a button, you can select and serve any wine desired. Your staff’s time is costly; that’s why enomatic was also designed to make their time more efficient - no more wasting time re-corking or vacuuming bottles after each use.

Software functionality allows you to track not only all the wines in your system, but also the use of the system by customers. You can even limit the amount a customer can consume for any given period of time. With card operated systems, enomatic is a virtual sales person and responsible bartender all wrapped up in one! sales@enodirect.co.uk www.enodirect.co.uk Tel. +44 (0)1603 768046

Ace has been Manufacturing Contract furniture for the Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Leisure industry for over 30 years. The company has grown from a small family business to a large national manufacturer.

Based centrally in Northamptonshire ACE has built up a team of fully skilled frame makers, polishers, sewing machinists, upholsterers, and assemblers.

From enquiry to completion ACE is the number 1 company for the job. They ensure their own sales team deal with your enquiry promptly and professionally, offering free site visits and expert advice to guarantee the right product is chosen for the job.

Healey and Lord

A huge range of frame and Upholstery finishes are available to choose from to ensure your venue really does look ACE! Managing their own inhouse delivery and installation the team ensure your product is delivered to site on time and with care.

CLASSIC COLLECTION

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MODERN COLLECTION

ACE manufacture all types of furniture for your venue from stools, chairs, tables, sofas, banquet seating and even outdoor furniture. They can manufacture in both metal and wood and have an extensive catalogue available to showcase their standard range.

Having the skills ‘in house’ allow ACE to be a preferred supplier for any bespoke requirements you have, so from a simple idea the team at Ace can design and build to your specific needs.

To discuss your furniture requirements further please don’t hesitate to get in touch with ACE Furniture on 01536 203244, email sales@acefurniture.uk.com We regularly work with design and hospitality professionals to specify good value, durable washroom schemes for high profile venues.

Healey and Lord Limited specialise in the supply of high quality sanitaryware to commercial and hospitality projects around the world.

We also offer a range of high-quality design focused disabled toilet and washroom equipment to suit all projects. We have an extensive range of less able products designed to complement modern and traditional schemes perfectly.

Our commercial product ranges are available to suit both modern and classically styled schemes. We have a full range of toilets, wash basins, urinals, taps and accessories in a variety of finishes. All products are available from stock and are made in the UK or western Europe.

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 and the Hurlingham Club.

We have an extensive range of no-touch washroom products including toilets, taps, accessories and urinal controls that are available in a range of finishes to complement any scheme.

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.

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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Second to None World leader in wine dispense and preservation

SALUT, Manchester

Ace Furniture

Design & Refit

June/July 2023

sales@enodirect.co.uk www.enodirect.co.uk Tel. +44 (0)1603 768046 @EnoDirectUK

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CLH News

June/July 2023

Design and Refit Adveco Gas To Electric Decarbonisation Hotels and restaurants intending to replace existing gas-fired domestic hot water (DHW) systems with more sustainable electric technologies as part of a decarbonisation strategy should invest in data gathering first recommends hot water specialist Adveco.

Live Metering is a simple to install, non-invasive onsite service provided by Adveco that generates consistent six minute data 24 hours per day from existing hot water systems to accurately understand actual usage, including critical peak demands and their profile shape. Adveco’s specialist engineers will visit to fit the meter and assess the property. The data will then be processed, and a report generated with design recommendations for a replacement system that meets the exact needs of

the building.

New designs by Adveco will show carbon reduction and outline new operational costs. Accurate to the actual demands of the property, Live Metered designs avoid excess capital costs associated with oversizing and ensures operation within the limits of the existing electrical supply of the building.

Businesses which opt to purchase the recommended replacement system from Adveco will receive a 50% refund on the cost of implementing the initial Live Metering service.

Talk to Adveco about booking Live Metering at your property. https://adveco.co/products/live-metering/

Improve Those Customer Reviews Castelan Commercial Services are now the ‘go to’ Company for Bath Tub Restoration work. They cover the whole of the UK and use modern day innovative techniques to achieve results not seen before within the Hospitality Industry that will extend the life of your fixed assets.

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The issues that draw the guest’s attention and cause negative feedback (via reviews and online websites such as Trip Adviser) are: • Peeling or dirty Bath Tubs/Shower Trays, • Moldy Silicone/Grout • Dirty Carpets/Upholstery These areas are what draws the guest’s eye when they arrive in the bedroom and experience where they will be living for the duration of their stay. Hoteliers, for many years, have struggled to maintain these - especially the Bath Tub anti slip area which gets soiled or goes a very dark colour which looks unsightly and that, along with enamel chips and rust, catches the eye of the guest.

Hoteliers then turned to restoration companies to rectify the issue and were, for many years, advised to repaint the bath tubs. However this brings its own issues - such as peeling and the yellowing of the paint. It worked, but was a temporary solution, as often the paint starts to peel off making the bath tub look awful. Castelan do not paint any baths, as, in reality, this is masking over the problem and not actually resolving the problem beneath.

But with new found technology, Castelan can strip off that paint and, in most cases, restore that bath to above 85%-95% improvement (we all know if you are looking for 100% improvement that means buying a new bath tub) but our job as a Restoration Asset Management Provider is to keep the fixed asset in situ for as long as possible and extend the life of that asset to perhaps two, three or four times the original capex expectation and this is what Castelan can do - SO NO MORE PEELING TUBS. Email: commercial@castelangroup.com M 07787 847 353

Design and Refit

June/July 2023

CLH News

Battling Staff Shortages?

Here’s How A Service Lift May Help

By Mark Chapman, General Manager, Stannah Microlifts Staff shortages have been a challenge for British hospitality businesses, with data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing a 56% increase in staff shortages in the accommodation and food service sector compared to pre-pandemic levels.

To tackle this issue, businesses have had to turn to technology to ensure they can operate efficiently with fewer staff members. One option that can be easily implemented is the addition of service lifts to business premises. These lifts can move items like food, beverages, laundry, and luggage more efficiently between floors, reducing the manual time and effort required for tasks. This can help businesses run smoothly even with smaller teams, preventing waiting times from becoming unacceptable for customers.

Service lifts like the Microlift or Trolley lift can also reduce the risk of injury for staff and improve staff wellbeing by reducing physical strain, making the workplace more inclusive for those with disabilities or mobility

Mayfair Furniture Mayfair Furniture will be celebrating 11 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

issues.

Many business owners may be under the impression that a service lift is expensive and disruptive to install, but this is often not the case at all.

Microlifts from Stannah are compact, structure-supported and quick and easy to install.

These reliable and hard-wearing products are designed for operation 24/7, 365 days a year, supported by regular service visits from our expert local engineers.

So even when staff shortages bite, great service can still be provided to your customers - without the heavy lifting. With a durable and reliable Stannah lift sharing the load, your staff will be well-protected every day and able to do more than ever before.

As manual handling is such a risky business, Stannah has compiled a comprehensive Manual Handling Guide detailing how business owners can reduce the risks of staff injury and prevent further shortages due to injury.

For more information visit: resources.stannahlifts.co.uk/manual-handling 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 refurbishment 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

Create A Retro Cool Space with Stylish Seating

If you’re looking to update your café, bar, hotel or restaurant’s chairs with comfortable yet chic vintageinspired seating that’s built to last, look no further than Trent Furniture’s stylish and cost-effective range.

Available in goes-with-anything tan or fossil suede upholstery, our Cologne Chair makes a retro style statement while its supportive back and arm rests make it perfect for unwinding with a drink at the end of the day. It can be supplied with its strong black steel legs attached for a nominal charge, but if it ordered separately, it’s a simple process to screw them in.

Alternatively, the Stockholm Armchair makes a for a showstopping feature in your lobby or waiting area.

Upholstered in a versatile golden tan suede finish with stitching detail, it pairs perfectly with the Stockholm Two Seater to create an atmosphere of understated luxury.

Carrying on the theme to your bar area, the

Dusseldorf Hairpin Stool exudes retro industrial cool with its sturdy statement legs and comfortable padded seat in tan suede upholstery.

To add extra interest, why not pair any of these seating options with the Bauhaus-inspired Munich Retro Chair, which is available in tan or fossil, or the vintage industrial good looks of the Bavaria Chair which features detailed stitching in golden tan?

Whichever combination of seating you choose to create your own unique space, you can rest assured your stylish new chairs will last for years to come. All options are made using high density PU foam for comfort and durability and crib 5 fabric to meet UK standards for contract grade furniture. These chairs also feature the heavy-duty steel legs and frames that are necessary for a hospitality setting.

To find out more about Trent Furniture’s great range of stylish and durable range of retro-inspired contemporary seating, please call us on 0116 2989 927 or fill in our contact form at www.trentfurniture.co.uk

CardsSafe - 20 Years in the Hospitality & Leisure Industries

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CardsSafe Ltd. has worked in the leisure and hospitality industry for more than twenty years.

From pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants to golf courses, caterers and sports grounds, the CardsSafe system continues to be successfully utilised in all types of customer-facing venues.

The CardsSafe system is specifically designed to securely retain customer credit, debit and ID cards while the cardholder runs a tab. As a result, it makes it easier for venues to manage their customers' bills, allowing staff to up-sell and build better customer relationships.

Over 5000 venues now utilise the system. For example, the London Golf Club, one of the UK's most prestigious golf centres, first installed the CardsSafe system in 2008, adding additional units in 2014 and again in 2020. At the club, CardsSafe is used by the catering staff as they also serve golfers with food and drinks on the course.

Grant Rumbelow, Food and Beverage Operations Manager, explained, "CardsSafe has been a welcome

addition to the London Golf Club. We utilise the system in our Golf Shop and Spike Bar and on-course with our Drinks Buggy. With CardsSafe, we can safely store customers' cards whilst they enjoy their round of golf."

CardsSafe has protected business and customer assets for over twenty years, acting as a proven and genuine deterrent for walkouts, dine & dash and chargebacks. In addition, CardsSafe is cost-effective and pays for itself. Each ten-drawer unit hire comes with excellent customer service, free replacement keys, and additional units that can be added at any time.

Hospitality and leisure venues across the UK have trusted and benefitted from CardsSafe for twenty years. So the question is, can you afford not to have CardsSafe as a part of your business?

For more information, please visit www.cardssafe.com Or contact the sales team on 0845 500 1040

Property and Professional

10 Upcoming Hospitality Trends

The hospitality industry has been hit hard by the events of the past three years. But for those who weathered the storm, there are opportunities ahead. How can SMEs capitalise on the trends set to shape their sector over the coming year?

have had to demonstrate remarkable resilience and agility. These attributes will stand them in good stead to take advantage of new trends shaping the industry – and the consumer landscape that underpins it - when the recovery comes.

There are many subtle trends that will undoubtedly impact owners and operators dependent on their market and offering, but the following are likely to shape businesses across the broad hospitality industry in 2023.

1. BLENDED WORKSPACE/ LEISURE SPACE

FIVE KEY TRENDS LIKELY TO SHAPE HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES 1. Remote working will increase the demand for blended leisure and business space.

2. Reduced consumer spending will force businesses to consider their price point and messaging 3. Locally sourced products will have a more important role on menus 4. Increased visitor numbers and a strong US dollar will benefit providers with a tourist-friendly offering 5. Technology will help operators struggling with staffing shortages It is hard to think of a sector more impacted by the challenges of the past few years than hospitality. Almost overnight, the pandemic closed the entire idea of travel and eating out and - just as that was ending - spiralling inflation and reduced consumer spending have dealt many firms a hammer blow.

According to the Hospitality Market Monitor from AlixPartners and CGA by Nielsen IQ, the sector now has 13,037 fewer sites than it did before venues were first closed through lockdown three years ago.

Hospitality recorded a drop of 4,809 premises across the whole of 2022 with more than three quarters shutting their doors in the second half of the year.

Nearly nine in 10 of these businesses were independents as small businesses weakened by the impact of Covid were forced to close. The Market Monitor said many closures last year were the result of spiralling costs, whilst fragile consumer confidence, industrial disputes and labour shortages have also made it a challenging start to 2023 for many SME operators.

Over the course of the past three years, those UK SMEs that have survived

The rise of hybrid working arrangements and the increase of ‘digital nomads’ is a COVID-created trend that seems here to stay. Many hospitality venues can capitalise on this shift by enhancing their offering to cater for local home-workers or business travellers. Ensuring you have good wifi, charging points, quiet spaces and quality coffee will help capitalise on demand from this segment.

2. COST-CONSCIOUSNESS The cost-of-living crisis has undoubtedly tightened available consumer spend for eating out and weekends away. According to a report by Forbes Advisor, 83% of UK consumers have reduced restaurant spend in response to rising domestic costs.

Hospitality operators will need to ensure that for customers who will be looking for a good deal, that their offering delivers. This doesn’t necessarily mean a race to the bottom, however. It just means that your business needs to communicate what makes it worth the spend.

3. EVOLVING MENU DEMANDS Each year, The Unilever Food Solutions Future Menu Trends Report canvasses the opinion of 250 professional chefs working in over 70 different countries, to determine the trends it feels will shape the food and beverage industry. For 2023, it predicts that vegetables will become an increasingly major part of menu design. It predicts their “promotion from side-dish to main event” in response to increasing numbers of vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian diners looking for well-crafted plant-based foods.

67% of its operator panel also predict that sourcing local ingredients that help to reduce the carbon footprint of restaurant dishes is a trend that consumers are increasingly looking for.

4. INCREASED INTERNATIONAL TOURISM

Why Use a Answer: Specialist Hospitality Consultant? because we can help your business to succeed.

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.

PROFITABILITY & OPERATIONS 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 maximising the

June/July 2023

CLH News

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VisitBritain are forecasting 35.1 million inbound visits in 2023 (86% of the 2019 level and 18% higher than in 2022) and £29.5 billion spend (104% of the 2019 level and 14% higher than in 2022). If the latter figure is achieved, it would be a record for the value of inbound spend in the UK in nominal terms.

The dollar strength against the pound translated into 380,000 US-based visitors arriving in the UK in the last quarter of 2022 (a 6% increase on Q4 2019 levels). Businesses that can advertise to – and cater for - a return to higher levels of tourism from both the US and Europe are likely to fare well.

But hospitality owners also need to consider increases in middle-class affluence in markets such as China, South East Asia, Nigeria and India and how that might shape guest and dining preferences.

5. SOLVING PROBLEMS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY Like many other sectors of the UK economy, hospitality has been badly impacted by recent labour shortages. To overcome these staffing issues, more hotel and restaurant operators will adopt digital tools such as QR menus, cloud kitchens, web-based booking and guest service apps. This also helps meet a shift in consumer behaviours as digitally savvy Gen Zs and millennials actively digital interactions with mobile ordering and automated kiosks, for example. Restaurants may also explore and less labour-reliant concepts, such as smaller restaurants and open kitchens where chefs can double up as service staff.

The turbulence of the past three years have hit most UK businesses hard, but with economic recovery expected later this year, there are new opportunities to evolve and prosper.

Adapting your business to meet these opportunities will likely require some investment. If your business does not have the necessary means to fund this today, you may need to consider external finance.

At Capify we offer a range of business loans to help support small businesses throughout their growth journey. Check to see if you’re eligible for one of our loans by visiting www.capify.co.uk. Or, if you’d prefer to talk to a member of our team, we’d be happy to guide you through the process. Give us a call today on 0330 822 4906 or see the advert on page 17.

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.

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.

T H E W E S T C O U N T RY S P E C I A L I S T S

• Impressive Detached Tudor Style Property in Fabulous Location • Long Established, Well Appointed Licenced Restaurant with Outside Seating • Commercial kitchen with Prep Area and Wash Up Room • Exceptional Self-Contained 4 Double Bed Accommodation • Private Parking for 4 Cars and Outbuildings

MINEHEAD, SOMERSET

PRICE: £600,000

W! NE

PRICE: £65,000

FREEHOLD

REF: 4265

PAIGNTON, DEVON

• Recently Refurbished Licenced Café/Bistro/Bar • Fabulous Location on Paignton’s Torbay Road • Internal Seating for 58, Bar Servery & Commercial Kitchen • Beer Garden Seating 15 & Covered Seating to Front for 12 • Self-Contained One Bedroom Flat (Currently Let) & Garage

LEASEHOLD

REF: 4624

• 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 & Well Presented Five Bedroom Private Accommodation

KINGSTEIGNTON, DEVON

PRICE: OIEO £350,000 + VAT FREEHOLD

W! NE

PRICE: £150,000

REF: 4420

• Award Winning Café Situated in a Unique Location • Stunning Character Property Arranged Over Two Internal Sections • Outside Seating with Sunny Aspect & Over 200 Covers • Very Well Known & Established Business with a Substantial Turnover & Particularly Strong Bottom Line Profit • A Fabulous Business with Further Growth Potential

CONFIDENTIAL SOUTH DEVON

LEASEHOLD

REF: 4639

W E! NE IC PR

PRICE: £139,950

W! NE

PRICE: £49,950

W! NE

PRICE: £375,000

W! NE

PRICE: £1,500,000

• A Stylish & Totally Refurbished Multi Faceted Business • Coffee Bar/Café, Members Cocktail Lounge, Club & Bar • Situated in this Stunning Affluent Estuary Town • 4 Superior En-Suite Boutique Letting Rooms • Outside Bar & Terrace with 180 Degree Sea Views Over 2 Elevated Levels

SALCOMBE, DEVON

LEASEHOLD

REF: 4489

• Long Standing Café Business; Genuine Retirement Sale • Low Establishment Costs with Potential to Extend Trading Hours & Menu • Trade Area Comfortably Seating 43 Internally, 12 ‘Al Fresco’ • Well Equipped Commercial Kitchen & Service Counter • Ideal Owner/Operator Lifestyle Business

TORQUAY, DEVON

LEASEHOLD

REF: 4618

• Beach Site at the Stunning Beacon Cove in Torquay, Devon • Full Planning Consent for 5 Residential Beach Huts and Kiosk • Unique Opportunity to Develop this Stunning Project in this Idyllic Location • Valuable Planning Consent with Potential to Build a Very Successful Holiday Rental Revenue • Additional Food & Drink Kiosk Revenue

TORQUAY, DEVON

FREEHOLD

TAVISTOCK, DEVON

SOMERSET TOWN

DARTMOUTH, DEVON

Unique Deli & Retail Business

Landmark Inn With 16 Letting Rooms

Impressive Waterside Restaurant

Being Sold Fully Fitted & Equipped

Bar & Restaurant 82+, Kitchens

Extremely Profitable Business

Prime Town Centre Position

Owner’s Apartment, Car Park

Restaurant 32+, Catering Kitchens

Easily Manageable Business

Free Of Tie Leasehold Opportunity

2/3 Bed Family Sized Apartment

Tremendous Potential

Impressive & Profitable Business

Town Centre With Stunning Views

LH £19,500

2148

LH £75,000

4829

LH £125,000

2158

SOUTH HAMS, DEVON

CORNWALL VILLAGE

DEVON VILLAGE

Tea Room/Restaurant/Takeaway

Freehold Pub Investment

Impressive Character Village Inn

Profits In Excess Of £100,000

Detached Village Inn

Bar/ Restaurant Areas 94+, Garden 88+

Trading Daytime Only Hours

Rental Income £18,000 pa

Spacious 4 Bed Owners Accommodation

Spacious 4/5 Bed Owners Flat

Lease With 11 Years Unexpired

Recently Extended and Refurbished

Outstanding Business Opportunity

Attention Of Investors

LH £125,000

2143

FH £195,000

Most Impressive Business & Home

4836

FH £399,950

4838

REF: 4609

• Stunning Coastal Pub and Beach Situated in Beautiful Heybrook Bay • Unique Opportunity to Purchase Very Successful Business with its Own Beach • Stunning Interior Design and South Facing Outside Terraces, with 180 Degree Sea Views.

• Two Fully Refurbished Owner’s/Letting Apartments with Elevated Sea Views • Fully Refurbished One Bed Staff/Manager’s Flat & Large Car Park Situated Over Two Areas

SOUTH HAMS, DEVON

FREEHOLD

REF: 4656

DARTMOOR, DEVON

SOMERSET COUNTRY VILLAGE

DEVON COUNTRY VILLAGE Profitable Inn With Letting Rooms

Village Store & Tea Gardens

Destination Country Pub & Restaurant

Spacious 4 Bedroom Family Home

Bar/Restaurant Areas 66+, Garden 60+

Bar Areas (32+), Dining Room (43)

Easy Lifestyle Hours

2 Bedroom Owners Accommodation

4 E/S Letting Rooms, 3 Bed Owners

Gardens With Stables & Garage

Landmark Trading Position

Gardens (50+) and Parking (50+)

Potential To Develop Business

Profitable Business With Potential

Sought After Devon Village

DUCHY LH: £325,000

2149

FH £349,950

THINKING OF SELLING? CALL FOR A FREE VALUATION

4794

FH £445,000

4758

01392 201262 www.stonesmith.co.uk