Eat.Drink.Sleep - December 2019

eat.drink.sleep December 2019

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Industry News

Christmas Tree Wonderland to dazzle Bournemouth once again in 2019.

Following the extraordinary success of the inaugural Christmas Tree Wonderland Festival in 2018 , Bournemouth is again getting ready to stage a magical , mystical and memorable event from November 15th 2019 – January 2nd 2020.

There is just a week to go before the centre of town and beyond is lit up by the Christmas Tree Wonderland Trail made up of 100 diverse and dazzling trees, extraordinary illuminations and light installations which run from the seafront and the majestic Big Wheel, through the Victorian Lower Gardens to the bustling Alpine Market in The Square.

Bournemouth’s own Wonderland Tree stands 60ft tall with 30000 individually programmed lights and performs spellbinding musical light shows, enchanting everyone who comes to visit. Meanwhile stunning replicas of international Christmas Trees make a return to the trail, representing Moscow, St Petersburg, Warsaw, Bethlehem and Seattle.

New attractions for 2019 include cascading lights and a very special Santa’s sleigh at the new Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf at Pier Approach; a giant 7 metre golden reindeer outside Beales Department Store in the centre of town where Santa’s Grotto can be found; the crimson red ten-metre Tree of Light in the middle of the Trail and the enchanting , icicle filled Polar Walk, nestled above the uplit bandstand, watched over by Narnia-esque Polar Bears.

Away from the Gardens a gigantic beautiful Instagram perfect walk-through Bauble lights up the Triangle, while twinkling Gingerbread People can be found at the Lansdowne. There will be Festive Fireworks on December

19th from Bournemouth’s iconic pier while outdoor family activities and street entertainment will take place in the town centre every late afternoon and Saturdays until Christmas Eve. Meanwhile for added festive flourish there is the atmospheric outdoor SKATE rink with its Mogul Bar , hot chocolate and mulled wine at The Alpine Bar , endless Christmas shopping at the Festive Market and for that classic Panto experience, Aladdin at the iconic Pavilion Theatre.

For more information and visuals see below:https://christmastreewonderland.co.uk https://christmasinbournemouth.co.uk

Hotel Gotham to open in Glasgow Located at 5-7 Blythswood Square, the new 57-key hotel will be developed in partnership with construction company Marshall CDP and Bespoke Hotels.

Hotel Gotham Glasgow will join brands including Malmaison, Kimpton and Dakota, all of which are already operating in the surrounding area.

Additional Gotham hotels are expected to open in Bath, Birmingham, Brighton and London.

Chairman of Bespoke Hotels, Robin Sheppard, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this fantastic site in the heart of Glasgow city-centre. We believe Gotham is a perfect fit for both Glasgow and Blythswood Square, not solely in terms of the architectural grandeur and convenience of its location, but the abundant character and feistiness of the city.”

that the Hotel Gotham brand evokes. We have been keen to build on the success of Gotham in Manchester, and eager to further cement our relationship with Bespoke Hotels.”

Simon Marshall, group managing director at Marshall CDP, added: “The site at Blythswood Square is architecturally stunning and very much in keeping with the sense of grandeur

The Gotham brand first launched in Manchester four years ago, while a 191-room sister property called Hotel Brooklyn is set to open in the city of spring 2020.

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The Roux Family are delighted to open the Roux Scholarship 2020 for entries, inviting young chefs to test their fish filleting skills by submitting a recipe using hake, clams and leeks.

Chairman Alain Roux said: “This year, the competition is showcasing MSC certified hake, a beautiful, sustainably sourced fish local to our shores in the UK. It is similar in looks and habitat to cod, it’s more popular cousin, but has a milder flavour, softer texture and smaller flake. A surprisingly underrated fish, hake finds its perfect accompaniment in palourde clams, a particular favourite of mine along with deliciously delicate leeks. As usual, we are setting a deceptively simple task, using three ingredients whilst testing core skills to the limit. The key to success will depend on precise judgement to ensure a subtle balance of flavours whilst taking care not to overcook any element. I can’t wait to see what our ingenious competitors produce for us this year”.

looking forward to see what the chefs come up with. Clams and leeks are the perfect accompaniment but there is lots of scope for bold flavours with the sauce and the second garnish.”

Entrants must be in full-time employment as a chef in the United Kingdom and be aged 22 or above, but no older than 30 years of age on 1st February 2020. They have until midnight on Friday 31st January 2020 to submit a recipe to serve four people using: One whole fresh MSC labelled hake, gutted, weighing anywhere between 1.6kg – 1.8kg (maximum 2kg) and 600g live whole grooved carpet shell / palourde clams (ruditapes decussatus); together plated with two ‘simple’ or ‘composed’ garnishes/accompaniments. One of them must include leeks and the other to be a garnish/accompaniment of the applicant’s choice. One of these can be served separately if preferred. A sauce must accompany the dish.

Chairman Michel Roux Jr said: “Hake is such a delicate fish, it needs the utmost care and attention when cooking so I’m really

Full details of the competition, rules and the entry process are available on the website www.rouxscholarship.co.uk which entrants must read before entering.

Gunwharf Breakfast Blend Pyramid Teabags Drury launches a new blend designed specifically for the Takeaway trade Leading London-based coffee roaster and tea blender, The Drury Tea & Coffee Company, has launched an all-new Breakfast blend teabag that is ideally suited to takeaway establishments thanks to its quick brewing properties. Called Gunwharf Breakfast Blend, it is named after the Royal Arsenal development in Woolwich, where Drury has its manufacturing base.

Gunwharf Blend is available in catering packs of 100 with a list price of £16.20. It is also packed in bulk packs of 1000 priced at £107.

Says Drury Managing Director, Marco Olmi: “We are aware of the timing constraints that takeaway

businesses operate under and we wanted to create a tea blend that would infuse quickly, but at the same time deliver body and taste. It really does brew very fast without compromising on the depth of flavour.”

Gunwharf Breakfast Blend Gunwharf Breakfast Blend is the fifth Breakfast blend in the Company’s portfolio as well as being the strongest. The new blend is a mix of larger leaf and fine leaf teas to deliver strength with flavour. It comprises teas from Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Rwanda and is designed to brew in a 12oz takeaway cup in just 30-45 seconds (with some stirring). This makes it perfectly suited to the takeaway industry.

The pyramid shape of the teabag is crucial to the brewing process, as is the biodegradable teabag mesh. This material, together with the extra brew space afforded by the pyramid shape, means that the blender can use higher quality, larger leaf teas for better liquoring and a more satisfying taste.

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Entries open for The Roux Scholarship 2020

December 2019

Industry News

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Industry News

The doors to Manchester’s highly anticipated Hotel Brooklyn will open in February 2020…

Everyone can enjoy luxury this Christmas as 200 Degrees launches festive menu and gift range 200 Degrees Coffee has launched its new festive menu and product range in its UK shops, including a limited-edition Christmas coffee blend – The Roast of Christmas Present.

Indonesian Chickpea & Coconut and Spiced Parsnip & Honey.

Another new addition is a gluten-free vegan pastry in the form of a humble mince pie.

From the 4th of November, customers will be able to get an early flavour of Christmas with a range of spiced hot drinks, winter warming soups and festive gifts.

Gift vouchers can be purchased from coffee shops and online for products, SAGE brewing equipment and barista courses at the renowned barista schools in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Cardiff and Lincoln.

As part of the range, 200 Degrees has launched The Roast of Christmas Present - Fine Cup award winning beans with festive notes of lemon zest, chocolate and plum.

The Christmas coffee is an ideal gift for homebrewers or can be enjoyed in any of 200 Degrees’ 11 shops, where customers can also choose three roast options from 200 Degrees’ full range to make their own mix and match gift packs.

200 Degrees has also announced an exclusive spiced hot drinks range, made with a turmeric chai – which won Best New Product in 2018 by the Speciality Coffee Association.

The range includes warming home-made Autumn Spiced Syrups, to add a delicious little something to existing coffee favourites, and people can treat themselves to Spiced Orange Hot Chocolate, made using luxurious melted Belgian chocolate.

Also new for this year, the non-alcoholic Warm Spiced Apple Cider is the perfect substitute for mulled wine and is freshly prepared each day in shops. The healthy cider alternative has no added sugar and is made with fresh apple juice, with an option to be served cold if desired.

Twelve winter soups, nine of which are vegan, will be served at different times during the festive period and include

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Tom Vincent, co-founder at 200 Degrees, said: “This year we experimented with so many recipes to find our definitive 2019 festive range and we believe it’s our best yet, we’ve chosen ideas that really warmed our hearts.

“While the festive range will be the same across all of our shops, we’re also getting into the spirit by putting up unique Christmas decorations in each of our shops, including the new shop at East Midlands Designer Outlet that’s opening 14th November.

“Even if you’re exhausted from shopping, a festive spiced drink will definitely get you back into the Christmas spirit and we hope our customers enjoy our festive ideas and gift packs this season.”

From 25th December until the 1st January, opening hours will be different, with no shops open on Christmas Day. Most shops will be closed 25th, 26th December and 1st January, as well as shorter operating hours from 27th until 31st December (9am-5pm).

Shops at Nottingham Flying Horse Walk, Lincoln Sincil Street and Birmingham Lower Temple Street will be open as normal from 27th until 30th December, from 10am - 4pm on 26th December and 1st January, and 9.30am – 6pm on 31st December New Year’s Eve.

Taka Japanese restaurant will be opening at the former Providores and Tapa Room site in London’s Marylebone, which closed in July after 18 years.

Peter Gordon and Michael McGrath’s seminal the Providores and Tapa Room closed as the owners wished to pursue other, personal projects and “travel and relax after working our socks off for 18 years”.

Tom Richards, surveyor at Restaurant Property, which acted for Taka in securing the 3,000sq ft site on Marylebone High Street, said: “Taka is a fantastic contemporary Japanese restaurant currently based in

Shepherd’s Market in Mayfair. I am sure it will be an instant hit and an excellent addition to Marylebone High Street!”

The lease for the site runs until 2026.

Taka already has one site in Mayfair, which opened in 2017, and is planning to relaunch the space in April or May 2020. The restaurants are overseen by brother and sister Andrey and Anastasia Datsenko.

Taka offers Japanese dishes including tataki, tempura, sashimi platters and yakitori alongside cocktails using sake, Japanese whiskies and liqueurs.

Blenheim Palace Launches New Luxury Christmas Gift Boxes Blenheim Palace is launching two new Christmas Gift Boxes filled with locally-sourced products.

The Marlborough Christmas Box and the Blenheim Christmas Box feature a tempting selection of delicious seasonal products including; Churchill’s Reserve Port and Oxford Regatta Red Wine as well as locally sourced favourites such as Whisky Marmalade, Raspberry & Sloe Gin Jam and Cotswold Clotted Cream Fudge.

Judy Bendall, Head of Retail at Blenheim Palace, said: “We are excited to be launching these two Christmas Boxes for the festive season which feature items from local Oxfordshire artisans as well as our own fantastic range of Blenheim foods.”

“We have hand-selected the items to reflect the amazing choice available in our Gift Shop with something to appeal to every customer. The Marlborough Christmas Box and the Blenheim Christmas Box will make great gifts for family, friends, employees and corporate buyers.”

The dressed box hampers are available to pre-order from the Blenheim Palace Gift Shop

by calling 01993 810555 and can be collected from the East Courtyard Shop only. The Blenheim Box is £35 and the Marlborough Box is £48.

For corporate delegates looking for experiential gifts for employees and partners this year’s Christmas at Blenheim Palace will be the biggest ever festive-themed event to take place at the Oxfordshire World Heritage Site.

There’s the magical new indoor Alice in the Palace experience taking over the ornate State Rooms during the day, a traditional Christmas Market in the stunning surroundings of the Great Court taking visitors from day to night and the most ambitious Christmas Light Trail to date illuminating the ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped Parkland in the evening.

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Japanese restaurant to open at the Providores and Tapa Room site

December 2019

Industry News

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

When planning your festive menu consider the following six flavour profiles: Crisp and Clean: (blonde ale, Kölsch, Helles, Pilsner, Maibock) – pasta dishes, creamy risotto, salads or vegetables

December 2019

Hoppy & Bitter: (IPA, Imperial IPA, Amber ale, Barley Wine) – spicy food, curry, pizza, stilton, Christmas cake Malty & Sweet: ( Dubbel, Doppelbock, Dunkel, Scotch Ale) – roast chicken, roast turkey, pulled pork, duck, charcuterie, cheese, Christmas pudding Rich & Roasty: (Brown ale, Milk Stout, Porter, Schwarzebier, Irish Dry Stout, Imperial Stout) – ribs, burgers, meat casseroles, barbecue, spicy food, oysters, chocolate/coffee desserts, mince pies

Pair like a pro this Christmas with the Brewers Association Bob Pease, CEO/President of the Brewers Association the not-for-profit trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers, on the potential for American craft beer and food pairings this festive season The festive season attracts infrequent guests who tend to be less price sensitive than at other times of the year and more adventurous. Christmas presents an ideal opportunity to ‘wow’ them with creative American craft beer and food pairing ideas that offer an experience as well as a memorable dining out occasion.

can try more beers with their meal, especially if they are lighter styles.

Guests tend to be more experimental at festive times and this plays into the full flavour and irreproachable quality of American craft beer.

We also suggest using language and words that everyone will understand when talking about beer. Instead of describing an IPA as “hoppy and bitter” One of the biggest arguments from the try citrussy, herbal or floral, or for a hospitality industry is that beer cannot porter suggest “coffee, chocolate or compete with wine on pricing. In caramel”. When pairing beer with recent years, studies have proved that a food it shouldn’t be challenging or more diverse beer style list, that offers heavy on the palate. Lighter styles, more than the standard 3-5 styles, can in alcohol and body, are ideal for compete at the same level, if not better pairing with dessert and will leave than wine, on the average bill. Beer is the diner feeling refreshed, rather lower in alcohol than wine so guests than palate-fatigued and satiated.

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Fruity & Spicy: (Belgian Blonde Ale, Belgian-style Witbier, Hefeweizen, Saison, Tripel, Quadrupel) – shellfish, seafood, fish and chips, sushi Sour, Tart & Funky: (American Brett, American sour, Flanders Ale, Gose, Gueuze, Lambic) – sweet n’ sour stir fry, creamy desserts, cheesecake, crème brulee, trifle, Black Forest gateau, goat’s cheese The Brewers Association publishes a wealth of FREE educational resources to help you understand and appreciate American craft beer and pairing with food. The Beer and Food Course is perfect for training staff or educating yourself and can be downloaded, free of charge, here More information www.brewersassociation.org

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

Efficiency and Theatre Working Harmoniously

December 2019

From open-plan live kitchen experiences to immersive chef tables, hotels should consider re-inventing their dining offering whilst exploring the opportunities for kitchen efficiency. TAG Catering Equipment UK Ltd talks to Eat.Drink.Sleep about hotel kitchen design and how efficiency can work harmoniously with, not at the expense of, the theatrical environment.

“We’re finding an increasing number of hotel restaurants are needing to adapt their offering in order to attract diners, both from within the hotel and general public” commented Tyron StephensSmith, Creative & Project Director from the London based commercial kitchen designer.

“It’s now more critical than ever for hotels to offer something unique, to draw people in for a dining experience.”

TAG recently scooped the top Overall Winner accolade at the ceda Grand Prix Awards 2019 for a project at a 5-star Park Lane London hotel.

“The original kitchen was over 30 years old and the client wanted a modern, technological kitchen again providing longevity, reliability and flexibility” comments Tyron.

“Our design created a sense of theatre within the basement kitchen with unobstructed views from the private Chef’s Table room. This kitchen now has a restaurant aesthetic, with various focal points including multiple DeManincor ranges, Josper charcoal oven, pizza oven and bespoke marble pass, all helping to create an immersive experience.”

TAG also proposed the concept and benefits of siting the hotels Wine Room next door to the Chef’s Table, where you can easily move between both rooms via a connecting door, elevating the Chef’s Table experience. The installation includes a bespoke, temperaturecontrolled room with electronically reactive glass for added privacy.

“Now the hotel can provide discrete wine tastings as a standalone offering, further increasing revenue, as well as adding to the new immersive Chef’s Table experience.

Something that clientele would expect at this level of dining” added Tyron.

Despite the added aesthetics and pressure of the theatrical environment, the efficiency of the kitchen remains at the core of the design, true to TAG’s ethos.

“We carried out a detailed 18-month analysis which identified cyclical and fluctuating operational demands including the exclusive Chef’s Table menu, main restaurant, breakfast, in-room dining and banquet kitchens” comments Tyron.

“Based on this analysis, the finished layout has ergonomics at the heart of the workflow, with efficiencies designed to minimize labour cost and time. Areas can expand into adjacent areas when needed but shrink when not, maximizing the flexibility of the space. The improved ergonomics created the open kitchen and crucial aesthetics needed from the chef’s table.

pack which is remotely monitored for temperature data, energy usage and alerts for any faults. This system brings the refrigeration running costs down to an average of just 4 kW per hour for the entire kitchen. No compressors are in view which has allowed for a more efficient and aesthetically appealing kitchen, which is crucial for the openplan design. This is also quieter whilst running at a lower temperature.

As a result, the hotel has reported a reduction in energy bills of up to £75,000 per year, as well as further running costs with greater staff efficiencies and fluidity in the whole kitchen, by reducing chef footprint.

It’s clear that with intelligent design and application of new technologies, hotels are able to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs. All whilst providing a relevant, all-encompassing “This was all achieved, with help in part, customer experience with improved by switching to induction, the latest visual appeal, crucial to compete in this equipment technologies and rotating the uniquely challenging industry. main ranges by 90 degrees”. www.tagukltd.com The latest equipment technologies include a DeManincor refrigeration

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Luxurious Grantley Hall A stunning destination for rest and relaxation, Grantley Hall is a luxurious hotel boasting elite fitness and spa facilities, along with restaurants onsite, set within beautiful surroundings. The historical 17th-century Palladian manor house is positioned within beautiful parkland and manicured gardens in the heart of the Ripon countryside in Yorkshire.

For those guests taking advantage of the hotel’s beautiful accommodation or spa facilities, a timeless yet contemporary space will greet them, featuring natural surfaces, calming textures and the beauty of Havwoods’ wood flooring.

The Italian Collection from Havwoods was used in the interiors of this luxury hotel as the flooring needed to provide a classical luxury feel, with the essence of contemporary style.

Inspired by the intricate floors of Italy, The Italian Collection from Havwoods comprises of chevron, herringbone and plank style boards, available in a spectrum of shades. At Grantley Hall, the chevron boards of the Italian Collection were chosen and provided the perfect solution, especially when considering that the new flooring would need to work within existing floor levels in certain areas of the project. The superior quality look and feel proved an ideal choice within the Grade II listed interiors, as well as the brand new, modern interiors. The result was simply stunning.

When considering an exterior flooring surface, the designer specified a decking material that would be low maintenance, practical and complement the overall calming scheme. When it comes to wood surfaces and the outdoors, the two don’t

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mix well. Wood’s naturally hydroscopic composition means that the structure can warp when exposed to water and heat. Havwoods’ Trekker composite decking boards look, feel and are installed in the same way as natural wood, but they will not rot, splinter, warp or host algae growth, the latter of which means they are also highly anti-slip, even when wet. The Havwoods decking design therefore brings the natural appeal of wood to the spa’s terrace with the resilience of a composite surface. www.havwoods.com/uk/ info@havwoods.com

With the street food trend still booming, operators can serve Finest Super Fine Fries loaded with a topping, alongside a burger or other barbecued meat, as part of a sharing platter, or simply with a range of tasty sauces or dips.

Nic Townsend, trade marketer, Farm Frites UK & Ireland said, “Finest Super Fine Fries gives operators more options when designing menus where a skinny fry is the perfect partner. These thinly cut fries provide more plate coverage per serving, resulting in more portions per bag, and a greater use of profit and resource. They work for so many dishes allowing operators to store a ready supply of frequently used stock. Perfect for consumers who want thinner fries but with a big crunch.”

December 2019

Farm Frites has launched its thinnest fries yet giving food operators even more choice for winter dining and Christmas menus. At only 5mm thick, the Finest Super Fine Fries are made from high-quality potatoes, taste delicious and have a crunchy, crispy texture.

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

Finest Super Fine Fries for Festive menus

The Super Fine Fries are pre-cooked in 100% sunflower oil and join the Finest range that already includes 7mm, 10mm, Steakhouse and Round Cut. For further information contact Farm Frites on 01452 415845, visit www.farmfrites.com or email supportuk@farmfrites.com

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Hotel Indigo

December 2019

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

Indigo Leicester Square

1 Leicester Square

– a Jewel in Leicester Square’s crown.

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On arrival at the Hotel Indigo Leicester Square hotel, we were greeted at reception by the friendly and welcoming staff.

Located in the vibrant Leicester Square, the hotel was only a stone’s throw away from nearby shops, restaurants, theatre shows, bars and phenomenal live street acts, therefore only a short walk away from everything that is needed for an enjoyable weekend stay in the capital.

The hotel itself was well looked after, immaculately clean and had a welcoming atmosphere, as well as a modern décor. I particularly liked the 1920’s Great Gatsby theme, being a big fan of the novel and films, to see a hotel decorated similarly was an enjoyable experience and a lovely touch for the theme to be featured so well throughout the hotel.

All of the guest rooms have handy phones, hidden international plug sockets, bath robes, slippers, The White Company toiletries, waterfall showers and under floor heating in the bathrooms. TVs show over 138 international channels and 33 radio stations are available, providing all the luxuries that guests have come accustomed to and then more.

The executive double room offered a stay in complete comfort and as a result of being placed on the upper floor of the hotel provided unrivalled views of London’s skyline. The spacious room features a comfortable king size bed which means a pleasant night is almost guaranteed, a large mirror area with all needed amenities and a working desk suitable for business guests. The room exhibits luxurious aspects, especially the

spa-like bathroom with rain showers, flat screen TV and Nespresso machine. The room was completely sound proof so despite being so close, the Leicester Square nightlife wasn’t at all noticeable.

The bed was spacious and comfortable and you could embrace the magnificent view from where you lay. The bathroom was extremely clean and stocked with enough toiletries for a short stay. An added touch, was once we had entered the room we were contacted by reception to make sure the room was too our liking. This reassured us that if any problems were to occur during our stay that the staff would be available and willing to assist us.

Hotel Indigo Leicester Square has a rooftop bar and restaurant called LSQ Rooftop offering fine dining with a phenomenal view and I would highly recommend popping up for yourself.

We opted to sit on the balcony with a couple of cocktails overlooking the city and the breath-taking views and the cocktails certainly didn’t disappoint.

Overall the service level provided throughout the stay by the staff at Hotel Indigo is impeccable, check in is seamless and all staff exceed all expectations with their manner, politeness and punctuality. Hotel Indigo Leicester Square really does provide the ultimate hotel experience for guests throughout all aspects of your stay and is an immaculate jewel in London’s treasures and therefore should be on everyone’s must-stay hotel list.

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Classic Lodges Launch New Autumn Afternoon Tea Menu

Classic Lodges, the independent hotel group, has launched its new Autumn afternoon tea menu offering a modern twist on classic sandwich fillings, cakes and treats, alongside traditional teas and homemade scones.

Such was the popularity of the seasonal afternoon tea offering last year, the hotel group has decided to continue it.

Chefs from all 10 owned hotels meet three times a year to discuss and decide each seasonal menu.

The Autumn menu comprises a selection of freshly made to order finger sandwiches. Guests can choose from smoked ham and wholegrain mustard, mature cheddar with plum and apple

chutney, roast beef with creamed horseradish and rocket, hummus and roasted red pepper and lemon pepper chicken with garlic mayonnaise.

Alongside these, guests can enjoy a selection of delicious autumnal treats including carrot cake, treacle tart, banoffee fool and white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. Also, as a new addition to the seasonal menus, the Autumn launch will see a new savoury option added – a homemade scotch egg.

All of Classic Lodges afternoon tea menu options can be enjoyed with traditional teas and homemade scones with clotted cream and jam. And for those looking to add a bit of extra fizz and sparkle to the experience, alcoholic drink options are available including Lansons Champagne, prosecco and a selection of classic cocktails.

Richard Smith, Director of Marketing and Partnerships, says we believe in the great tradition of afternoon tea

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and believe it is made to be shared: “Our seasonal afternoon tea menus have been extremely popular since we introduced them last year. Everyone loves afternoon tea – so we decided to add a slightly different twist and reimagine a classic English afternoon treat.”

The Autumn afternoon tea menu is available now at all 10 owned Classic Lodges hotels until 30 November, vouchers can be booked directly through Classic Lodges new e-commerce site – classiclodges.co.uk/book/.

Imop XL The first of its kind, the i-mop solves floor cleaning challenges by combining the flexibility of a floor mop with the power and speed of industrial scrubber driers.

Faster and cleaner than traditional mopping and more flexible and agile than traditional large scrubber driers, the i-mop is suitable for most spaces. With no borders or boundaries, the i-mop has been tailor designed, not for cleaning, but for the cleaner.

FASTER. Revolutionary, flexible and powerful, the i-mop family is changing the way many industries think about and approach cleaning. Cleaning up to 70% faster than conventional wet mopping and up to 30% faster than conventional auto scrubbing, the i-mop is increasing productivity across the board. Its ability to get right to the edge and under obstacles means a virtual elimination of manual operations that are required to supplement conventional machine scrubbing.

CLEANER. The difference is easy to see. ATP testing confirms that i-mop’s twin counter-rotating brushes deep scrub for 90% cleaner surfaces compared to conventional mopping.

SAFER. Wet mopping with dirty water and slippery floors are a thing of the past. The i-mop’s advanced suction technology extracts virtually all of the cleaning solution and whatever liquid happens to be on the floor, leaving floors dry and safe to walk on almost immediately.

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

“Instead of my staff getting a mop and then spending an hour to do a job, by using an i-mop and spending only 10 minutes, they can use the time saved for something else.”

Pedro Ferreirra – Back of house manager Hilton Hotel London Metropole

Technical Specification With 3 sizes to choose from: i-mop Lite, XL and XXL, you can ensure you have best equipment for the job.

IMOP XL • • • • • • •

Practical performance: 1000 - 1300 m2 per hour Brush speed: 350 RPM Brush pressure: 22,5 kg Operation width: 46 cm Size machine (l x w x h): 50 x 38 x 120 cm Power source: 2 i-power 9 batteries Run time: 60 - 70 minutes

GREENER. A combination of powerful mechanical action and advanced solution recovery now make it possible to clean more thoroughly with a fraction of the water and chemical used by traditional cleaning methods. The i-mop reduces environmental impact by over 75%!

BETTER FOR EVERYONE. The i-mop makes life easier for the operator who is no longer an exhausted manual laborer, but rather a motivated and proud i-mop operator. But it also makes life easier for the building manager who can establish more efficient cleaning procedures, while the building occupants experience a cleaner and healthier environment.

our floors. We had some stains that we had been unable to remove but with the i-mop we were able to remove them all easily. My team were very excited to be using the new equipment as instead of taking over an hour to mop the floors with a traditional mop and bucket, it takes closer to ten minutes! This means the staff have all of that saved time for other tasks, so productivity has increased as well.”

Find more about how the i-mop can hange the way you think about cleaning at www.killis.co.uk

Making real lives better Pedro Ferreirra – Back of House Manager, Hilton Hotel London Metropole, speaks of his experience since implementing the i-mop XL: “Since implementing the i-mop we have seen the cleaning standards go up for

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Dometic introduces new noiseless minibar with A++ energy class Dometic adds two new models to its Classic Minbar Range, noiseless thermoelectric minibar portfolio.

New RH418NTE got an A++ energy consumption rating and RH418NTEG is featured with a stylish glass door. Products are now available on the market.

While performing in the total silence of 0db, the new Dometic RH418NTE achieves an A++ energy efficiency rating, setting a new benchmark in comfort, cooling performance and energy efficiency.

New Dometic RH418NTEG is featured with a stylish triple glazed and tempered glass door, matching the environment of guest rooms while earning an A+ rating, a unique achievement for a Glass Door model on Thermoelectric.

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Dometic Noiseless Thermoelectric Cooling Technology (NTE) ensures hotel guests’ comfort in total silence. The thermoelectric cooling unit also makes the outer dimensions of the minibar extremely compact.

Anton Lundqvist, Chief Technology Officer, Dometic says: “This is an example of how our sustainability agenda also creates better customer value: the improved energy efficiency can directly transfer to monetary savings during the operation of the product, thereby supporting the profitability of our customers. It is also a good example of how we work with cooling technologies in order to offer the most attractive product while still fulfilling the specific needs of customers.”

Both products feature an adjustable metal wire shelf with a recess for tall bottles for better use of the interior.

The Dometic RH418NTE and RH418NTEG are now available on the market.

For more information on Dometic, please visit: www.dometic.com.

The Rockwell is the perfect hideout in Trafalgar square. Located just a stone’s throw away from the square itself this beautifully decorated cocktail bar offers not only a wonderful crafted drinking experience but also a wide range of delicious dishes throughout the day and evening.

rich with ingredients which perfectly complemented each other. The mix of Cocoa butter embargo rum, lime juice and mango purée was exquisite. There are also a wide range of beer, wines and spirits available at the bar. With so many Inspired by the travels of Sir. Archibald mouth-watering options you will find Rockwell the floral interior is bursting yourself spoilt for choice. with colour throughout. You will be left speechless with the mesmerising Opting for the “bar food“ menu there artwork too. Rockwell is so bright and are so many wonderful dishes available and many of them are fit for sharing. The full of life. sliders are phenomenal and were very When choosing a cocktail you have much enjoyed on the evening however, so many fantastic options with my my personal favourite on the night was personal favourite of the evening being the Ceviche tacos and especially the the “TANGERINE CAPYBARA“ It was so Tuna with Soy sauce. Again you have so

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Escape the London bustle at the west ends most colourful cocktail bar. many options to choose from in regards to a dining experience at Rockwell.

Rockwell is a must visit when you are next in the capital. There is a very calm & relaxing ambiance set by the lovely staff to accompany the wonderful & imaginative interior design. This unique setting makes for an evening of laughter and fun. The word “ordinary” is left at the door when visiting the fantasy world of the Rockwell.

For more information visit https://rockwellsw1.com/ Rockwell can be located at 2 Spring Gardens, St. James’s, London SW1A 2TS

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eat.drink.sleep 2019 Annual Review

Top 10 Companies of the Year

Top 1 Comp 0 anies of

2019

We caught up with the founder of ROOMNET, Darren King, to find out what’s happening with hotel in-room TV in 2020.

There’s been lot of noise in the industry about what ROOMNET is doing with Apple to enhance the guest room entertainment experience. We decided to find out why they feel so passionately about what they do...

What does Apple TV do that you can’t do on hotel TVs? That’s a big question! It brings fully native support for the biggest names in streaming and gaming to hospitality, student accommodation and private healthcare, in glorious 4K HDR. Whilst others can offer optional Chromecast for screen casting, we deliver the full Apple App store experience to guests giving them access to everything they desire, leaving your mobile for what it should be used for. We also bring Apple’s exclusive content via TV Plus. And the new Apple Arcade service too. And yes, we can still deliver the local hotel IPTV channels too!

What issue does Apple TV address?

Guests are tired of hotel ‘SMART’ TV experiences that don’t match the intuitive and immersive experience that they enjoy at home. As more and more streaming services come online the expectations of guests will shift.

We want to allow guests to pick-up their favourite binge worthy box set, enjoy live premium sports events or find international content to make their hotel room feel like their living room.

Other than entertainment, what can the platform offer?

Maximising the use of rich, hi-resolution photography, video content and audio to better engage your guests with hotel information, services and experiences via the largest screen in the room.

Fully digital and simple to update, means a greener and more effective hotel directory too. You can even order room service, book your spa treatment and much more.

Overlaying a clean modern, easy to use hotel experience that’s also fully remotely managed onto the most flexible and dynamic consumer entertainment platform was our core mission.

Can guests using Android devices get the same experience?

Absolutely, all the services are available to anyone that can sign into their streaming media accounts. The mobile device does not play a role in using the system, The only difference is that an Android user will not be able to download their own apps onto the Apple TV. However, if they have an Apple ID (which they probably do), then they can easily take advantage of these features too!

How do hotels offer the widest range of on-demand content for guests of all nationalities?

Easy, make sure your TV platform has the largest and most quality focused App Store out there! Gaming, lifestyle, fitness, meditation, music, travel, podcasts and the best selection of 4K movies and TV shows on any platform. Apple’s tvOS is ready for tomorrows major content providers… today!

What does ‘Beyond Casting’ mean?

The vast majority of consumers enjoy on-demand content rather than linear (live) TV at home, but very few of them ‘Cast’ or ’Share’ this content to their main television screen from a mobile device.

Most will simply select their favourite SMART TV App and start watching.

No need to join a special WiFi network enter a long password or scan QR codes or worry if your favourite App supports casting… Just click and enjoy. Why should a hotel experience be any more complex than that?

Flexibility for the future?

Technology only ever moves forward, so providing typical TV solutions that can’t easily evolve with the changing tastes of consumers is not something ROOMNET have ever entertained. Luckily those very clever people at Apple make upgrading an Apple TV as simple and cost effective as updating your iPhone.

Every year this class leading entertainment platform takes another huge leap forward…. Did we mention upgrades are free?

My hotel TV isn’t SMART, will it work with Apple TV? Almost certainly, as long as it has an HDMI port, and a data socket nearby, we’re (almost always) good to go.

Do Apple and ROOMNET work closely together?

Very. As a certified Apple MPP (Mobility Partner Program) in the hospitality vertical we enjoy a unique and privileged partnership with both the Apple TV product teams and their dedicated hospitality sales, support, and engineering teams.

A hotel TV should still behave like an actual TV right?

Absolutely. Combining a wide selection of local, international, sports, news and hotel specific TV channels is the very core (pun intended) of our Apple TV solution.

Whether your TV content arrives via data cable or a trusty coax cable, we can seamlessly blend linear TV with the very best of today’s OTT (streaming) content, all wrapped up in your properties very own branding and backed up by our lovely 24/7/365 remote global support team.

Aside from a stellar entertainment experience, how can Apple TV actually add value to hoteliers?

Adding a fully featured yet modular hotel App was critical. Allowing hotels to only display and pay for features that are relevant at a ‘per property’ level adds flexibility and value. Spa bookings, table reservations, housekeeping and in-room dining requests are great if your property offers such services, but if you only have a handful of short videos to present to your guests, that should be an option too.

We’re delighted to see properties enjoying substantial in-room dining sales increases via the solution. Updates to your content require a few simple clicks via the web management portal, which also contains a full analytical dashboard making reviewing that data on the fly effortless.

‘The streaming wars’ sounds scary but what does it mean?

2020 will be a busy year for the content streaming giants. With new subscription services due from Apple, Disney, AT&T, & Comcast. More than 50 streaming television services have launched or will launch in the year ahead, according to Mobilocity analyst Gerry Purdy.

For consumers this will represent a larger choice of personalised content globally than ever before. Guests will expect to enjoy these services within their hotel rooms, we think most would prefer to enjoy this content on your lovely big screen, like they do at home, picking up their favourite shows and content where they left-off, with as little faff as possible.

With consumers happily subscribing to the plethora of streaming services now available, the question for the hospitality market is more likely to be centered around offering guests easy access to as many of these services as possible, whilst having the flexibility to adapt to any future trends and services. We’re ready for the streaming wars, are you?

How easy is it to install?

It’s super simple, we have spent a great deal of effort to make the process as frictionless as possible. We preconfigure the entire solution before being shipped.

All devices are enrolled on our mobile device management platform, allowing us to manage the devices from our operation centres. Our installation teams need just a few minutes in each room to install the Apple TV and connect the cables and we are good to go. If the client has an existing IPTV Set Top Box, we literally pull theirs out and install the Apple TV in its place.

What Is the future of hotel TV? The usage of hotel TV’s has dropped significantly, due to a lack of engaging content and poorly developed products.

We believe that ROOMNET are at the forefront of bringing value back to the TV by leveraging the power of the world’s largest technology and content providers, delivering a seamless home from home experience. We are excited by the potential to deliver to the needs of the worlds leading hotel and accommodation companies. This is the dawn of a new era in guest engagement and entertainment!

Apple makes complex technology simple.

ROOMNET makes TV extraordinary.

Let’s talk.

Request your free demo today at

roomnet.com take control.

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

p 10 10 ToTop f nies o Compa

Companies of 2019

December 2019

2019

With a packed line-up including Festive Football and the World Darts Championships, things are looking decidedly festive on Sky Sports this month Between 1 December to 2 January, Sky Sports will be showing 46 games in 33 days from the Premier League, EFL, SPFL and the two quarter final ties from the Carabao Cup. Premier League head-to-heads Over the course of Christmas and New Year, Sky Sports will be bringing customers a match from the top six, every weekend. There are 17 Premier League games in December with action every weekend, including Manchester City v Manchester United, Arsenal v Manchester City, Tottenham v Chelsea and Arsenal v Chelsea – and every Premier League team will be broadcast on Sky at least once.

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Sky Sports will be also be showing Man City's trip to Oxford United on Wednesday 18th December at 7.45pm; and Aston Villa's home clash with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals (the date of the fixture is still to be decided).

What a knock-out of a weekend!

It’s the big one on Saturday 7th December as Premier League champions City host rivals

Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium live on Saturday Night Football starting at 5.30pm. Then, the biggest fight of the year takes place with an expected ring walk time of 9pm. We head down to the desert where Anthony Joshua will be looking to win back his three heavyweight titles in Saudi Arabia when he takes on Andy Ruiz Jr for the second time.

Check out MySkySports.com for all the assets you’ll need to attract sports-loving fans into your premise and to promote well ahead of the action.

EFL clashes

December 2019

Sky Sports will be showing all 24 Sky Bet Championship clubs across the festive season. From the first weekend in December to 2 January, every single club in the Championship will feature, with 22 EFL games shown live on Sky Sports Football.

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Top 10 Companies of 2019

Ditch the turkey and get ready for a triple header of action on Boxing Day with Brentford v Swansea (3pm), Leeds v Preston (5.15pm), and Reading v QPR (7.30pm).

And it’s not just football…

There’s plenty of action throughout December with the final race of the 2019 Formula One season at the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; and the annual festive feast of darts at Alexandra Palace is once again coming to Sky Sports. Plus, the England Cricket team’s four match Test series against South Africa begins on Boxing Day; and if that’s not enough, Sky Sports is there to add some bounce to your Christmas day festivities with the NBA Christmas games.

My Sky Sports provides all the assets you need Sky customers should make sure they’ve registered with www.MySkySports.com to access a range of game-changing support tools including: • Customisable fixture posters to help customers promote the sports and fixtures they want to show, across multiple broadcasters, not just Sky Sports.

• Share ready-made marketing images across media like Twitter and Facebook, with one easy click.

• Plus loads to fixture planning information and top tips to help customers make their venue the home of sport.

• To make it even quicker and easier for customers to market the sports that matter to them, all these tools are located in one digital location, MySkySports.com.

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Top 10 Companies of 2019

S

ince being acquired by Groupe SEB in 2016, WMF Group’s professional B2B divisions have now been reorganised

and renamed to SEB Professional in May this year. As the company now has two brands in the UK (WMF and Schaerer), its name “SEB Professional UK” is in line with the Group’s global expansion strategy.

The first representation of SEB Professional UK was at the European Coffee Expo 2019 in May, where two new coffee machine innovations were released:

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Schaerer presented their new Hot & Cold technology which is more than just a summer option! Whilst many iced espressos will pour a regular espresso over ice cubes, leading to watered down espresso, the Schaerer system cools the espresso to 35 degrees before dispensing maintaining all the espressos taste profile. Mix this with the cold milk foam system and the syrup station offering four flavours on demand and your hot coffee menu just got a welcome boost to offer a new range to new customers, not to mention your espresso martini just got a whole lot better!

Top 10 Companies of 2019 Top 1

December 2019

2019

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The innovative “Fresh Filtered Coffee� technology enables users of the WMF coffee machines 1500S+ and 5000S+ to produce both, coffee specialities and fresh filtered coffee using a single machine. There is no

longer a need to invest in a filter coffee machine in addition to a bean to cup machine, which saves valuable space on counter adding value to your beverage offering and quality management of filter coffee.

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Top 10 Companies of 2019

2020 VISION - what’s

next for Beer Piper?

Beer Piper, the UK’s leading beer line cleaning company, has been leading the way with its trailblazing approach for 30 years.

2019 was no exception, as the firm switched its sights to the burgeoning craft ale market with a strategy that saw Beer Piper target millennials and younger brewers, who are revitalising the industry with their passion and drive for excellent beer.

Targeting the craft beer market Beer Piper’s Jeff Singer comments: “Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the number of UK pubs fell from 52,500 in 2001 to 38,815 in 2018. But, looking on the bright side, the number of craft beer taprooms have boosted the overall beer market recently, which saw growth of 2.6% in 2018 - the biggest increase for 45 years.

“In 2019, we made the decision to strategically target these younger brewers who are making craft beer with an educational approach.

“The passion and time that goes into making excellent craft beers, IPAs, pale ales and lagers can be ruined in seconds by a poorly maintained draught system - so we think it’s crucial that they take the time to learn about what can be seen as the slightly less sexier side of the brewing business!”

SEVEN BRO7HERS In 2019. Beer Piper partnered with Manchester brewing company, SEVEN BRO7HERS, which is gaining momentum in the craft beer market with a range of incredible products and two Beer Houses.

Jeff said: “Prior to installing Beer Piper technology, SEVEN BRO7HERS had been cleaning their lines by hand. After installing the systems, SEVEN BRO7HERS made considerable savings, both in money and waste, and are now installing Beer Piper technology in all of their outlets.”

2020 - BP4 system and mobile app launch “2020 will be the year of technology for Beer Piper” said Jeff. “We officially launch our BP4 system, which will set the precedent for the industry with its smart, cloud-based tech.

“This is something else that will appeal to the younger market and hopefully help to attract millennials and Gen Z to the pub trade.

“Generation Z are a mobile-first generation, and both Gen Z and millennials are completely comfortable with technology and its benefits. If technology exists to help with or solve a problem, they will use it. With this in mind, utilising mobile, wireless and cloud-based tech behind the bar can help put younger staff members at ease.

“The BP4’s mobile app will help landlords and bar managers deliver increased reportability and trackability, and help them to save money and waste. The interactive tech will also help to improve accountability, which in turn will make running the bar more efficient - something that is increasingly important for the industry as a whole.”

Education, education, education!

“One of the issues that we do come across within the industry is a lack of education regarding beer line cleaning, and which chemicals work

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Top 10 Companies of 2019 Top 1

December 2019

2019

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best. We have seen some horror stories over the years in which bar managers were using all kinds of cleaning products for their lines - including fairy liquid! “ We always recommend using Chemisphere products with our systems for the best results” continued Jeff.

Chemisphere has a trusted and longstanding reputation for innovation and quality throughout the licensed trade and hospitality industry. Its powerful yet environmentally-friendly newgeneration cleaning products are used by major breweries, pub groups and hotel chains across the globe.

“In 2020, we will continue to push the education message - not only around the cleaning products, but regarding hygiene standards and training for staff members.

It’s important that we take a holistic approach to excellence as an industry if we want to create longevity and attract and retain new customers.

“We are optimistic about 2020 and the decade ahead, and are confident of a bright future for Britain’s pub and bar scene as a result of the influx of microbreweries and craft beer bars. The industry has been injected with a new dose of creativity and passion, and you can be sure that Beer Piper will be on hand to assist these companies and breweries as they grow along with our burgeoning industry. It’s an exciting time.”

www.beerpiper.co.uk 27

Top 1 Comp 0 anies of

2019

December 2019

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Top 10 Companies of 2019

30 years a Market Leader -now the Market Innovator INDIGO AWNINGS, an established market leading company has been providing commercial grade outdoor shading solutions for more than 30 years.

During this time they have built up an impressive client base covering most of the major Hotel, Pub and Restaurant chains, breweries, schools, Golf Clubs as well as some Britain’s most iconic landmark sites such as Wembley Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground, York Racecourse along with a major contract as a key supplier to the London 2012 Olympics. This was followed by the supply of branded giant parasols across the UK for the 2015 Rugby World Cup of which we are rightly proud. Our client list also included National Trust and English Heritage properties plus many independent companies operating within the numerous leisure sectors.

Indigo’s Managing Director, Trevor Ruddle states that the market has been somewhat unsettled since the referendum and this highlights the need to maximise the return on investment (ROI) for each and every customer. Ruddle adds that this is where Indigo comes to the fore by supplying only the very best Commercial grade products, that can

28

be used for most of the year, some all year round with heating and lighting. Indigo can also offer a no deposit lease option to aid the R.O.I. This enhances cash flow (no deposit) and in the vast majority of cases generates a cash surplus from additional revenue generated versus the monthly repayments, so a win win for all concerned. He adds that the highest levels of customer service are at the heart of the company’s philosophy, It is not just about supplying the very best products available, it is equally important to provide market leading levels of service that are commensurate with them. This is achieved by constant staff training and monitoring.

The introduction of new product is also important and the team at Indigo are constantly researching the world leading manufacturers for innovative solutions to new problems facing it’s extensive client base. To that end, three new suppliers have been added this year with more in the pipeline for 2020, so plenty to look forward to.

Visit us at www.indigoawnings.co.uk

Our prices and service levels can not be beaten on a like for like basis

AWNI N GS - PA R A S OLS - S C R E E N I NG FIXED STR U C TU R E S Indig o Awn i n g s prov i d e t h e ve r y be s t sh adin g so lu t io n s ava ilable.

W i t h t h e la tes t G e r m an e n gin e e rin g at o u r fin ge r t ips, we can g uara n te e t h at ou r produ c t s are bu ilt to t h e h igh e s t spe c ifications.

Our f ra m e s c an be pow de r c o ate d in o n e o f 5 6 RAL c o lo u rs, wit h a h u g e ra n ge o f fabric s to c h o o se fro m.

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013 5 2 7 4 0 1 6 4 s ale s@in digoawnings . co.uk www.i nd i g oa wni ng s.c o . u k

HIT THE RIGHT NOTE THIS CHRISTMAS As each year passes, the festive season seems to arrive earlier and earlier. Whilst sitting in pub gardens in the late summer sunshine, hints of Christmas begin popping up inside, encouraging us to book parties and arrange family get togethers. A trip to the supermarket to pick up some steaks for the BBQ is now an obstacle course littered with tubs of chocolate, advent calendars and fairy lights!

Now, as anyone who has ever been in the Scouts knows, being prepared is key to any plan. Whilst some of us may recoil in horror at seasonal goods being displayed long before we have even had the chance to carve our pumpkins, many shoppers do like to stock up in advance and take advantage of the many early discounts that retailers offer.

PLAN AHEAD As a business owner, you can be prepared to strike the right chord this year by planning a balanced mix of in-store music. Music choices which not only reflect your brand and appeal to those early shoppers and last-minute-gifters alike, but that can also help your workforce to remain engaged throughout the season of goodwill!

When planning your Christmas music, it can be very tempting to press shuffle and let the likes of Mariah and Wham! do the rest.

However, you could spend a little extra time this year and think about the ambience and tone you want to set within your business.

Would your customers enjoy some relaxing festive jazz perhaps? Maybe some big band seasonal music would encourage that extra consumer spend? Your brand image and service could also help dictate your music choices over this period. A vintage and retro style boutique could help shoppers get in the mood to browse a little longer by playing some 50s inspired rock and roll versions of their Christmas favourites.

Serving up Italian coffee? Why not make your clientele feel swept away from the hustle and bustle of the high street with some beautiful festive opera?

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT Not every business is keen to have sleigh bells ringing throughout the festive season.

You could intersperse your festive music with some non-seasonal tracks. Playing your normal music with every 3rd or 4th song giving a nod to halls decked with holly and frosty snowmen, could be the answer.

When thinking about the music you plan to play, you should not only consider your customers, but also your workforce.

Constant repeats of the same Christmas themed music can cause your employees to become disengaged, so outside of business hours it could be beneficial to play non-seasonal music. Involve your team, ask for their feedback on the style of music they would prefer to listen to when setting up and closing for the day, some upbeat, feel good music could help to motivate your staff when energy is ebbing.

Playing music in your business at Christmas need not mean you have to stick to tradition.

You could dare to be different and choose not to play any seasonal music at all; sticking to your regular choices.

Whatever music you choose to play this festive season, remember to make sure you are correctly licensed to play music to your customers and employees. Contact PPL PRS today to arrange TheMusicLicence for your business, and we will have you rocking around the Christmas tree in no time.

0800 0868 798 pplprs.co.uk/themusiclicence

Top 1 Comp 0 anies of

2019

Putting the rock around your Christmas Tree

Discover how TheMusicLicence can turn your workplace into a winter wonderland.

0800 0868 798 Quote ‘Eat.Sleep.Drink’

pplprs.co.uk/themusiclicence

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Top 10 Companies of 2019

Spectacular Valchroma stars at new cultural ve Valchromat, the innovative and award-winning engineered fibreboard - which is available in the UK through James Latham has been extensively used in the interior fit-out of a spectacular new cultural venue in South London.

Created by the innovative cultural infrastructure developer, Really Local Group, Catford Mews in Lewisham, centers on providing a flexible community space for local residents and includes three cinema screens, a cafe and food market, a bar and a live performance area.

A focal point of the venue’s stunning interior is a high-impact, 12.5m long bar, featuring 80 individually machined, 1200mm vertical strips in bright Red Valchromat, which run across the front of its entire length. The bar, which also used Black Valchromat for the carcassing, was designed, manufactured and installed by Birmingham based, bespoke joinery company, Cre8ive Joinery (www.cre8ivjoinery.com) Cre8ive Joinery also used Valchromat to make the Integrated Panel Systems (IPS) for the toilet cubicles which saw the cubicle dividers and doors colourcoded; Red for male, Blue for female and Yellow for disabled. The panels were also treated with a clear Morrells lacquer to provide additional protection from moisture.

In total, more than 70 sheets of Valchromat were supplied to Cre8ive Joinery by James Latham’s Dudley branch and as a relatively new customer, Cre8ive Joinery Director, Phil Lewis was really impressed. “The team at James Latham are fantastic and they really know their stuff. They are extremely knowledgeable about their products and are always on hand to offer advice when needed. We have only been dealing with Lathams for a few months and I never realised the sheer breadth and range of both panel and timber products they offer.”

Ed Latham, Valchromat Product Manager, James Latham commented, “Its always fascinating to see the many and varied applications for the products we supply and the innovative ways in which they are used. Catford Mews is a fantastic project and one which allowed the team at Cre8ive to demonstrate perfectly the versatility and workability of this unique material. “

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Available in 10 striking and vibrant colours, Valchromat is completely unique, in that the colour runs throughout the entire board, enabling almost limitless decorative applications. Valchromat also boasts a number of time and cost saving features and benefits; It’s easy and quick to finish - no edging is required, and being moisture and UV resistant, non- toxic and load resistant, the applications are endless.

Plus, its extremely durable, scratches and marks on the finished product go largely unnoticed because the colour runs evenly throughout the board.

Plus, all the wood used is FSC® certified and is sourced from forest waste, residue from timber mills, pine and recycled pine.

Valchromat is available in the following board sizes; 2500mm x 1850mm/1250mm and in 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 19mm, 25mm and 30mm thicknesses.

For Valchromat samples and to find out more about this and James Latham stunning collection of surface solutions, or to find details of your local James Latham depot or showroom go to; www.lathamtimber.co.uk Alternatively, you can call Lathams on; 0116 257 3415 or e-mail; marketing@lathams.co.uk

December 2019

at bar venue

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Top 10 Companies of 2019

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info-uk@novellini.com www.novellini.co.uk www.iotti.com

Top 1 Comp 0 anies of

2019 YOUNG 2.0 2GS TOTAL BLACK

MINIMALISM AND CLEAN LINES With a whole host of exciting product features, such as showering height of 2000mm, through to the minimal matt black, matt white or polished chrome profiling giving the enclosure a sleek and luxurious look. Coupled with the rise and fall door mechanism and the versatility to be installed on a shower tray or tiled floor, the Young collection gives you a multitude of showering options and fantastic value for money. CombineDesigned this and with our solution.

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Get your event furniture hire all wrapped up with Europa this A/W19!

Fabulously fashionable and stylish kit delivered where you need it, when you need it. #HireHappy Call us today on 03454 303015 or visit us online at www.europainternational.com/eds

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Bringing peace to all business-kind

2019

It’s the most wonderful, and worrying, time of the year for businesses. So, here are ADT’s top tips to keep yours secure this festive period.

#1

Rethink your layout Christmas is prime time for thieves, so you may want to

• Check for camera blind spots • Move product displays away from entrances and exits

• Shift valuable stock out

rethink your layout.

#2

Rally people round

• Educate your staff on

People play an important part

• Tell trusted neighbours

in reducing theft, from your staff to neighbouring businesses.

#3

of customers’ reach

identifying suspicious activity when you’ll be closing

• Only give trusted staff access to stock and cash

Check your tech

• Test your security alarm

If you’ll be relying on a security

• Dust lenses and change

system during Christmas closure, now’s the time to check it.

and smoke detectors any batteries

• Get a monitored system so you don’t have to worry

ADT have been providing businesses with peace of mind for over a century - from ADT Smart Business, letting you check cameras and set your alarm remotely, to monitored systems that mean someone’s looking out for your livelihood 24/7/365.

If you’d like to talk to one of our experts about the benefits of an ADT security system call 0808

2911 561 or visit adt.co.uk/business-security today.

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Commercial Cleaning & Hygiene

Hotels, restaurants and cafes should consider offering single use towels for drying hands in washrooms in order to uphold the highest hygiene standards Upholding the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness is a key concern for every catering business. The health and safety of customers and staff is paramount and adverse incidents can also have a devastating impact on a business and its reputation.

Hand hygiene poses a particular challenge in the catering industry: some 80%1 of illnesses are transmitted by our hands and business owners need to set in place the very best systems and procedures in order to minimise the spread of bacteria and other disease-causing microbes (pathogens).

Effective hand washing and drying by all involved in food preparation and serving are the first line of defence in minimising food-borne infections. The whole washing and drying process should take at least 20 seconds2. The hygiene process must also be repeated on a regular basis particularly after handling meats and different food types, and of course after a visit to the washroom.

Paper products have always offered important hygiene advantages in a food environment: in both kitchens and food preparation areas and in serving and eating areas.

New research demonstrates that single use towels also offer the hygienic method of hand drying following hand washing in public washrooms in hospitals3. They dry hands effectively and also spread fewer bacteria than any other hand drying option – and significantly less than jet air dryers. This will prove reassuring to customers too. People need to feel confident that they are being offered the most hygienic method of hand drying in washrooms – regardless of whether they are in a large modern restaurant or a small local café.

Single use towels are already recommended in hospital washrooms In hospital washrooms – where upholding hygiene is paramount – experts are already advising the use of single use towels to optimise hygiene: German hospitals recommend single use towels be used for hand drying following hand washing in public washrooms due to their excellent hygiene properties; Meanwhile the French Society for Hospital Hygiene, SF2H, strongly discourages the use of electric hand dryers as the method of hand drying in hospital washrooms and recommends the use of paper towels as the effective way to dry hands and minimise the spread of infection following a visit to the washroom4.

1 Centres for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing. html 2 Centres for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizerfactsheet.pdf 3 https://europeantissue.com/blog/multisite-hospital-study-demonstrates-hand-drying-methodcan-affect-risk-of-bacterial-dissemination/ 4 https://sf2h.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/HY_XXVI_1_SF2H-1.pdf; https://www. cleanroomtechnology.com/news/article_page/New_research_on_hand_hygiene_in_healthcare_ settings/146702

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Laboratory and real-life studies demonstrate the superior hygiene properties of single use towels Experts around Europe have explored the implications of hand drying in minimising the spread of infection. There is significant evidence from both laboratory and real-life studies to demonstrate that paper towels offer superior hygiene to jet air dryers.

Expert microbiologists have carried out studies to measure the impact of different hand drying methods - including paper towels, roller towels, warm air dryers and jet air dryers – on the spread of pathogens and overall washroom hygiene. They found that electric dryers contaminate both the air and surfaces with bacteria and viruses. 5, 6, 7, 8.

The latest research project, undertaken in hospitals in France, Italy and the UK, provides real-world evidence that washrooms using jet air dryers have significantly higher bacterial contamination than those equipped with single 5 Microbiological comparison of hand drying methods: the potential for contamination of the environment, user and bystander. E.L. Best,1 P. Parnell,1 M.H. Wilcox 1,2 – Microbiology Department, Old Medical School, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust1 & University of Leeds,2 Leeds LS1 3EX, UK. Journal Hospital Infection 2014; 88:199-206.

6 “Comparison of different hand-drying methods: the potential for airborne microbe dispersal and contamination” Keith Redway (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, UK) and by E.L. Best (Microbiology Department, Old Medical School, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds UK). Journal Hospital Infection 2015; 89:215-217 7 Evaluation of the potential for virus dispersal during hand drying: a comparison of three methods P.T. Kimmitt and K.F. Redway. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Westminster, London, UK. Journal of Applied Microbiology 120, 478--486 © 2015 8 Pilot study to determine whether microbial contamination levels in hospital washrooms are associated with hand-drying method M.H. Wilcox E.L. Best, P. Parnell Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust & University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Journal of Hospital infection 2017; 97 200-2003.

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use towels for hand drying. Led by Professor Mark Wilcox of Leeds University and Leeds Hospital Authority, the study showed how antibiotic-resistant bacteria - including MRSA, enterobacteria and enterococci which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea - are found more often and in greater numbers in washrooms using jet air dryers, both on the floors and on the machines, than in washrooms using paper towels. It concludes that paper towels offer the hygienic way to dry hands and minimise the spread of bacteria following a visit to the washroom.

Study findings have important implications for hygiene in the catering sector Paper products are already widely used in the catering sector from kitchen roll and paper hand towels through to toilet tissue. Paper products are invaluable in kitchens and food preparation areas to wipe and dry hands and clean down surfaces; and they offer a convenient and sustainable solution for mopping up spills and cleaning tables in public areas.

Managers and procurement staff cannot be expected to be up-to-speed on the latest science and advice. They would benefit from the support of experts when taking decisions on the type of hand drying method to provide in washroom facilities, and also in training their staff in the very latest hand hygiene techniques.

Paper has long been recognised as offering a sustainable solution in the catering sector. As a renewable raw material, made from trees, paper stores CO2 and so helps to mitigate global warming and also contributes to the maintenance of forests. The latest science confirms that single use towels also present the most hygienic option for the catering sector and will minimise the spread of pathogens such as those that cause food poisoning.

For more information, click here.

The conclusions of this latest study demonstrate that paper products also have a role to play in promoting hygiene and minimising the risk of cross infection in washrooms and this has important implications for their use in catering settings.

The findings also highlight the need for advice and guidance to be more readily available to managers and decision makers in the catering trade. Bodies such as the European Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation offer guidance on hand washing9,10. In the light of the latest study findings, health authorities and those responsible for public health and hygiene across Europe and beyond will now need to consider whether they should issue specific guidelines for the catering industry on optimal hand washing and drying in washrooms.

9 https://ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/directory-guidance-prevention-and-control/corerequirements-healthcare-settings-0 10 https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44102/9789241597906_eng. pdf;jsessionid=FD7715CBD021D97F5AC936626955688B?sequence=1

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Fluffy towels in hamper bag

Bespoke laundry stays cool to go green A West London commercial outfit has introduced new sustainable working methods to deliver laundry with a clear conscience.

Tucked away in the heart of Isleworth, West London, is a gem of a laundry that really cares. Not only about the quality of service it delivers but about ensuring that its service is as sustainable as it can be.

Owned and managed by Rona Tait, TDS Laundry has been in business since 2006 when Rona took over a self-service launderette in Twickenham and began offering a laundry service to domestic customers. Not content to stop there, Rona looked to a laundry consultant for advice with plans to set up a small, commercial laundry service for boutique and ownermanaged hotels.

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Today, an all-female management team run this efficient, service-focused business, catering to a wide range of customers in the London and the home counties. Lucia Pekarova, Account Manager, started at the launderette with Rona in 2006 and Hayley Blackwell, Operations Manager, joined the team in 2010. Between the three of them, the laundry runs like clockwork with a real sense of camaraderie and teamwork.

From a small unit in Isleworth the laundry has grown to provide a bespoke service not only to privately-owned hotels but beauty spas, Formula 1 racing, rugby clubs and film companies. In 2014, TDS moved to its current 6000 sq. ft facility and now employs around 30 staff, 80% of which are female.

Very much aware of the environmental

Russell Pannell, Christeyns Technical Manager, explains further: “Ozone works best at cool temperatures which not only cuts down on energy use but also prolongs the life of the linen. As it does not require strong chemicals, there is no colour loss in dark fabrics and workwear either. The ozone expands the fibres to improve optical brightness and give the fabric a nicer feel. As there are no alkalis in our Speed O detergents, they are kinder to the soil.”

TDS offer a very high level of bespoke customer service. For example, specialist small linen napkins for a private members club are processed individually by hand. Rugby shirts are hand finished and folded, number up.

Huge white, black and green screens used in the film industry have to be carefully washed and dried and cannot be handled via a standard laundry process.

Rona, Lucia, Haley in the laundry

burden the industry puts on the planet, Rona’s most recent goal has been to make the laundry as sustainable as possible. “We all have to consider everything we do and how we do it, and to work in such a way as to meet what sustainable goals we can,” states Rona. “This is very important to me, to my business. By offering a more environmentally friendly service down the supply chain, my customers can be confident that they are using a sustainable supplier.”

Having heard about the use of ozone in washing machines, Rona researched the available options. She was looking for a solution that provided ozone and chemicals from the same supplier, a complete package that had already been tried and tested. Rona visited Petersfield Laundry in Hampshire who use Christeyns Speed O system and was so impressed she didn’t even feel the need to run trials in her own laundry.

In April 2019 her four machines were

set up to run with ozone. Due to the varied types of clients and the fact that TDS run an intelligent, hand-worked service, the machines were also preprogrammed with over 25 different wash options.

“Ozone is an easy fix when looking for a more sustainable wash option. The Speed O system was installed quickly and benefits were apparent from the word go,” explains Rona. “We now wash in cold water for most items, our wash times have reduced from 45 to 30 mins and we can process 80 loads per day instead of 70. In addition, our water and energy bills have reduced significantly.

My staff like the system and the linens and garments are just as pristine as before.”

When ozone gas is introduced into an environment with bacteria, mould or any other organic material, it oxidises these unwanted substances, leaving no chemical residue, only oxygen. The ozone also opens up the fibre structure

“Our customers and linen suppliers now look carefully at their supply chain and the practices they operate,” continues Rona. “I hope this move to Speed O will open up new business as we prove ourselves to be a sustainable supplier; customers want to hear about positive initiatives, they want a clear conscience. For a hotel property, sustainability helps them win business, as travellers become ‘greener’ and more environmentally aware.”

The laundry currently processes around 25,000 kilos of laundry per week and runs a fleet of four vans that pick up and deliver across the area.

Other sustainable practices in place include reducing single use plastic by placing clean linen directly into hamper bags.

Summing up, Rona says: “for me ozone helps us be more sustainable and improves our CSR. Our customers are using a supplier that is doing all it can for the environment whilst still maintaining the highest of standards and providing laundry that is not only clean and perfectly presented, but also kinder on our planet.”

www.tdscommercial.com www.christeyns.com 41

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making towels and other fabrics softer and fluffier.

Speed-O box

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Enhancing the venue experience

Scentaura and Scentaura BT diffusers are available in black or white.

Leading air-freshening innovator P-Wave® has launched a new fragrance diffuser range under its recently created PW-Aroma brand. Produced in partnership with manufacturer Carpex, the Scentaura range of fragrance diffusers are ergonomically designed, discrete and user friendly.

“Ideal for anyone looking to offer an up-market experience in their venue, the new PW-Aroma Scentaura fragrance diffuser range features advanced micro-diffusion technology, operates silently, and creates a perfect ambiance of subtle fragrance,” said P-Wave Sales and Marketing Manager Mark Wintle.

“The Scentaura and Scentaura BT units have three scent diffusion levels, delivering coverage up to 200m3. The standard Scentaura unit is controlled via a panel below the front cover, but the Scentaura BT adds bluetooth control and advanced programming via a smartphone or tablet.”

Scentaura and Scentaura BT fragrance diffusers use 50ml Aroma cartridges, which are effective for up to 90 days.

Completing the range is the Scentaura Max 1200, which has coverage of up to 1200m3 and is effective in large areas.

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“Scentaura delivers a choice of six well-researched and consumer-tested popular fragrances in easy to change aroma oil cartridges,” said Mark Wintle.

“No matter what the location or space, Scentaura will enhance the experience for everyone.”

Less plastic, more fragrance P-Wave® is also delivering a new angle on splash prevention and a major step forward in terms of urinal deodorising technology, with the launch of its new Slant6 urinal screen.

Slant6 has the highest ratio of fragrance load to plastic than any other urinal screen, and consistently outperforms all other 30-day screens.

Using up to 50% less plastic, and 100% recyclable, it is available in five fragrances – Honeysuckle; Ocean Mist; Mango; Spiced Apple; and Cotton Blossom.

Easy to install and fitting more urinals than any previous design from P-Wave®, Slant6’s unique angled bristle design delivers ‘Zero Splashback’. P-Wave® urinal screens are the only range in the UK to feature anti-splash technology on both sides – and this ‘anyway-up’ design ensures correct installation every time.

“Slant6 has the lowest plastic content of any premium competing urinal mat.

And while the product is designed with waste recycling in mind, it also includes an additive that ensures faster biodegradation, should it find its way to landfill,” said Mark Wintle. “Slant6 really is the most eco-friendly, highly fragranced urinal screen on the market, so from January 2020 it will replace our existing best-selling 1.5 urinal screen, helping our customers improve their environmental credentials.” www.p-wave.co.uk

A NEW ANGLE ON URINALS!

6 T N A L S IC T S A L P S S E L * % 0 S 5 N O E ER P T SCRE H U T O Y ITH TING N W A N E E N L P A B OM E H A E T & D R C E S A C C R N R S N AL O G THA A E O R L D F RY G URIN , A S BIO R L F DAY D L A E S R R W SE S 30 MO P KEE TROU

‘ZERO SPLASH’ SLANTED BRISTLE TECHNOLOGY 01444 220999 info@p-wave.co.uk p-wave.co.uk/product/slant-6/

@pwavehq

*Plastic comparison made using the following 30 day urinal screens: Eckos® Powerscreen (63g), Vectair® Wee Screen (42g) & P-Wave® Slant6 (34g)

InnuScience’s Connected Cleaning system gains admirers in hospitality sector Fast-growing InnuScience – which is building an enviable client list in the hospitality sector - believes it is the first cleaning product manufacturer in the UK to launch an Internet of Things (IoT) based product monitoring system.

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Commercial Cleaning & Hygiene

Its system – Connected Cleaning – works by monitoring product usage, which is then reported on a monthly basis against the budget per site. A key benefit of this system is to allow the proactive management of any deviations from budget that could potentially occur.

InnuScience, now an established global leader in commercial cleaning systems based on biotechnology, can achieve the upfront results of strong chemical products by using biological actives – fermentation extracts, enzymes and microbes – to create a residual cleaning action that boosts standards.

The industry leader prides itself on: • Performance: Connected Cleaning offers a superior performance on porous surfaces – such as natural stones, tile grout and safety flooring – as the actives penetrate the micro pores and extract the dirt.

• Competitive Pricing: The cost in use of Connected Cleaning can be from as little as two pence per litre. InnuScience’s products are competitively priced compared to conventional cleaning products, ruling out the need to spend big to go green, as has been the case in the past.

• Respecting the Planet: InnuScience insists on all of its products being environmentally-friendly with ultimate biodegradability of 99.99 per cent – according to OECD test 301 - being standard.

In addition to these stringent internal standards, all the company’s cleaning products are either Ecologo or Ecolabel certified.

• Safety: InnuScience’s cleaning products are not classified as hazardous – and in their diluted form they are not even classified, thus minimising any unwanted Health and Safety risks.

• Passionate Service: A National Support Team is on standby to offer a proactive approach by connecting cleaning, monitoring product usage and slashing costs.

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Connected Cleaning: Its cost in use can be from as little as two pence per litre.

A router integrated into InnuScience’s dispensing equipment communicates product usage data back to the company via Wi-Fi or 4G. InnuScience is then able to issue simple customer reports in a traffic light format, indicating if product usage is in line with budget. The sophisticated system can also flag up other metrics such as usage diagnostics and empty product warnings.

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December 2019

Dashboard Readout from Connected Cleaning.

This efficient procedure allows InnuScience to adopt a proactive approach and ensure that clients never run out of products. The dispenser can be accessed remotely to take corrective action where necessary.

Nick Winstone, UK Managing Director of InnuScience, said: “InnuScience is passionate about providing high performance, responsible products that leave lasting impressions, so that you can go green without compromising the quality of your cleaning. Our revolutionary biotechnology products offer superior performance and unrivalled value for money. They are also planet conscious and people friendly.

Nick Winstone, UK Managing Director of InnuScience.

“Technology has the ability to transform the way we clean and the way we control the budgets around cleaning product spend. By monitoring our customer spend on cleaning products we can ensure that savings are being delivered and that product usage is optimal per customer site.”

Mr Winstone added: “Perception in the cleaning industry is that to enhance product quality, and specifically, to ensure the greenest products possible, product costs will need to increase. This is a major challenge against an industry backdrop that is dominated by diminishing budgets and the need to reduce costs.

“We are also proud to be leading the way in sustainable packaging by having all of our packaging now in either recycled or bio-plastics. It’s easy to have one or two lines but to have moved everything across has been a real challenge that our team has risen to, resulting in us now leading the way in terms of sustainable products in and out of the bottle.

“We believe the future of sustainability is in showing a total commitment to recycling and being environmentally friendly. Currently we have pilot projects to look at how we can optimize closed loop recycling, as well as getting used bottles back to us for rebottling.

“There is a lot of hype and ‘green washing’ in the industry, in terms of what constitutes a ‘green’ or sustainable product – most of which is completely misleading. Quite simply, it comes down to what impact the product has on its people and the planet, and our stringent biodegradability benchmark, and strict Enviro Performance Standards underpin the green strength of our products, along with third party certifications from EU Ecolabel and N American Ecologo.”

InnuScience UK, based in Milton Keynes, is the youngest and fastest-growing of the top 15 manufacturers in the country supplying biotechnology-based cleaning products to the Facilities Management, Building, Hospitality and Care Sectors.

The InnuScience UK range of professional cleaning products cover the needs of the most prestigious public sectors, education, restaurants, hotels, stations, airports, healthcare and retail contracts, and include cleaners and degreasers, maintenance products, industrial cleaners, odour eliminators, laundry products and floor care.

Innuscience.com

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A sustainable approach to cleaning and maintenance When Michelin-star restaurant Alchemilla opened in August 2017 to critical acclaim, head chef and proprietor Alex Bond set out to do things differently with a clear focus on creating a sustainable operation strategy for his business.

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Speaking to suppliers, Alex requested a limit on unnecessary packaging such as cardboard boxes and plastic wrapping. Alchemilla’s stock is delivered in reusable plastic crates and the restaurant is also driving down its single-use plastic consumption by removing straws and other supplies from both front and back of house areas.

When looking at cleaning and maintenance, Alex was keen to find a system that would reduce the use of chemical products across the board.

“It makes very good business sense for a restaurant. Cleaning chemicals are one of the only products which come in through the back door, that can’t be sold out of the front door; there’s no profit to be made so it’s sensible that we try and reduce our usage where we can,” he explains.

Alex was introduced to Robert Scott’s Toucan Eco biocleaning system which has been developed to offer customers a product that significantly reduces the use of traditional cleaning chemicals, while also providing a costeffective and eco-friendly cleaning alternative by drastically reducing the plastic waste produced by chemical packaging.

The Toucan Eco system uses electrochemical activation (ECA) technology – the most eco-friendly disinfectant and cleaning alternative to synthetic chemicals currently on the market.

It has only two components – tap water and table salt. The components are activated using a form of electrolysis where

a small electrical current is applied to the solution using a specialised electrolysis cell. This produces hypochlorous acid – a powerful and safe disinfectant, and sodium hypochlorite solution – a gentle cleaning agent.

Together, they create a naturally occurring multi-surface disinfectant and cleaner that’s safe, non-toxic, non-allergenic and low cost.

Research has proven it’s highly effective against all types of bacteria, viruses, cysts, protozoa, algae and spores, eliminating all forms of microorganisms in water supplies, on work surfaces, fabrics and materials. The solution kills up to 99.999% of microorganisms, including pathogens, with a very fast contact time and virtually no regrowth.

The 3,500 sq ft, 60-cover, restaurant installed the Toucan Eco cleaning system in January 2018 and uses it to clean all areas of the front of house including table tops, glassware, windows and mirrors, fridges, furniture and restroom facilities.

In the kitchen, the system is used to clean benches and worktops, and while chemical de-greasers are still required on areas such as ovens, floors and the extraction canopy, Alex has seen an average total saving of £200 per month on the cost of chemical cleaning agents, as well as a huge saving on the volume of plastic waste.

For front of house areas, the product is applied with microfibre cloths, while centrefeed is used in the kitchens and food preparation areas where it must be disposable to comply with health and safety regulations.

Alex continued: “We had the confidence to try a new product and we were well aware of the benefits the Toucan Eco system offered. One of the best results we’ve seen is on our glassware, windows and any reflective surfaces as the finish is entirely streak-free and spotless. The approach of the cleaning system married with our intentions for the restaurant, so installing a more environmentally sound, cost-effective alternative made complete sense from the start.

“The staff have found the system easy to use and incredibly timesaving, which always helps at the end of a long shift. The results have exceeded our expectations and knowing we’re using considerably less chemical product and further reducing our plastic waste output is exactly what we set out to achieve,” Alex added.

Alchemilla installed the Toucan Eco Active system, which is ideal for small to medium-sized facilities. One single activation will produce 10 litres of disinfectant and cleaning solution equivalent of around 16 x 600ml spray bottles. The system includes a generator, 10 litre tank, brine salt dispenser, discharge tap and shelf.

Find out more CLICK HERE.

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Time to ‘clean up’ your corporate responsibility Keeping your premises clean is one of, if not the, top priority for a hotel, restaurant or café. A sanitary environment – that has been efficiently cleaned - will not only ensure customers and staff remain happy, but also healthy, protecting them from easily avoidable health hazards.

However, it seems many businesses are still using traditional harsh chemical products to perform everyday cleaning tasks. This is not only harmful to those exposed to them as well as the wider environment, but will cost the company money in the long run.

Emma Saunders, General Manager at world-leading research facility Genesis Biosciences, explains: “The use of unnecessary harsh chemicals is particularly pertinent in the cleaning and management of hotels and restaurants simply because people are not aware of the risks or think the alternatives are too expensive. Due to the negative environmental impacts and health implications for guests and workers, institutes have a duty to consider safer alternative cleaning solutions – such as biological solutions.

“Probiotic cleaning products are safe and sustainable and contain beneficial bacteria to breakdown any soiling on a surface, thus reducing the need for harmful chemical cleaning products.

The ‘good’ bacteria in biological products multiply in the application area degrading any dirt and can also compete with any nuisance bacteria present for available growth nutrients.

What’s more, unlike chemical cleaners, which offer short-term cleaning benefits, biological products contain live beneficial microorganisms that build a positive biofilm on the surface after application, continuing to remove soiling that even the strongest chemical products can’t touch, and preventing unwanted odours.

“The body of evidence linking traditional cleaning products to both environmental and health hazards continues to grow.

A recent large study commissioned by Asthma UK identified a link between professions such as facility cleaners – where the use of products with high concentrations of chemicals is common – and the development of asthma in adults.

It concluded that approximately one in six cases of adult onset asthma could be due to occupational exposures, providing Genesis Biosciences research laboratory in Cardiff

(L-R) Dr Phil Caunt and Dr Emma Saunders a clear case for extra care to be taken by employers of those working in jobs with high-risk exposure to hazard substances.

“Some contractors have yet to adopt an environmentally responsible biological cleaning process because they believe it to be more expensive.

While it is true that biological cleaners tend to be more expensive on a per litre basis due to higher raw material costs, they can provide a much larger return on investment in the long run.

Firstly, they reduce labour costs by continuing to clean after application so cleaning isn’t needed as frequently.

Secondly, their less abrasive nature means assets and infrastructure aren’t being corroded by chemicals and hence will not need replacing as they would with chemical cleaning.

Thirdly, and certainly not lastly, they protect staff and guests’ wellbeing.

Biological cleaners have been scientifically demonstrated to provide better control of harmful bacteria compared to disinfectant chemicals on four indicator micro-organisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species and Candida albicans.

“Taking all these factors into account, it is remarkable that there are still companies in the HoReCa industry that are risking employees’ and customers’ health by using harsh chemical cleaning solutions. I think with a little education, we could see a huge revolution in the hospitality sector very soon.”

For more information about switching to biological cleaners, visit genesisbiosciences.co.uk.

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Compostable solution ensures sustainable cleaning

While companies in the foodservice sector are increasingly realising the importance of adopting the right tools and practices to create sustainable products, improve resource efficiency and minimise their environmental impact, cleaning is one area often overlooked.

Traditional cleaning practices have numerous drawbacks, including high cost, low efficacy, remaining residues, adverse effects on food quality and a negative impact on the environment, and in effort to support the foodservice sector in becoming more sustainable, singleuse compostable and biodegradable wipes have been developed.

Product innovation Across the industry, tea towels are commonly used to wipe hands or surfaces. While suitable for drying, they have no cleaning properties and are not certified to be in contact with food. Additionally, tea towels are generally made from resourceintensive cotton – according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), it takes more than 20,000 litres of water to produce 1kg of cotton.

Converseley, Nonwoven wipes are versatile and suitable for a wide range of cleaning applications. However, they are traditionally made from nonrenewable synthetic fibres such as polyester and polypropylene, making waste management an issue.

With the aim of developing an innovative method to provide sustainable yet convenient cleaning options, Chicopee®, a brand of Berry Global, has reimagined nonwoven wipes – its J-Cloth® Biodegradable and Compostable wipes are Food Contact Clearance (FCC) approved, compostable and biodegradable, making it ideal for the foodservice sector.

December 2019

Hygiene is becoming increasingly critical in the foodservice industry, not only to ensure the safety and quality of food, but also to guarantee better resource and waste management.

Stein Bongers, Product Manager Wipes EMEIA at Berry Global, highlights the benefits of innovative and sustainable cleaning solutions.

What does that mean? Biodegradation is a naturally occurring breakdown of materials by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or other biological activity, while composting is a humandriven process in which biodegradation occurs under specific set conditions.

Compostable products, such as J-Cloth® Biodegradable and Compostable wipes, present several benefits – for instance, minimising the amount of waste sent to landfills and the materials used will not produce toxins as they deteriorate.

Compostable products also contribute significantly to environmentally friendly waste management as they are designed to be composted in an industrial composting facility together with food waste. Disposing of the wipes in the appropriate waste bin avoids littering and contributes to a sustainable circular economy.

What’s more, the product’s packaging is sustainable. The wipes come in a biodegradable and compostable polybag and are packed in a recyclable outer carton made from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified materials.

Reducing risks, raising reliability While re-usable cloths may appear more convenient, affordable and environmentally friendly than singleuse disposables, disposability is vital

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in the foodservice industry as it helps reduce cross-contamination risks – harmful substances and pathogens are commonly transferred from surface to surface via seemingly clean cloths.

In addition, these FCC approved single-use wipes – made from PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified natural biodegradable viscose fibres – provide consistent, predictable results. The risk of loss of effectiveness through structural breakdown or retention of contaminants as the result of ineffective laundering is thus eliminated.

By using innovative cleaning solutions that are designed to support sustainability and safety, companies in the foodservice industry can minimise their environmental impact and reduce contamination risks while satisfying increasingly stringent consumer and government demands.

For information about the Chicopee® J-Cloth® Biodegradable and Compostable, the only FCC certified biodegradable and compostable wipe, please visit: https://harrisonwipes.co.uk/products/chicopee-j-cloth-biodegradable

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Technology

Marston’s network was initially built to serve Marston’s pubs, bars, restaurants and breweries; with resilience, reliability and security at its core.

For over 10 years, Marston’s Telecoms has been at the forefront of the digital technology that makes hospitality easy.

From essential Broadband, EPOS, CCTV and advanced telephony with intelligent routing to growing essentials like digital signage and interactive Guest Wi-Fi networks with operator protecting internet filtering.

By using our technologies, you can be rest assured that every aspect of your digital operation is up to scratch.

How dependant are you on technology?

Since the introduction of chip and pin, hospitality businesses are finding that consumers are using cash less and electronic payments more, especially since the launch of digital wallets like Apple Pay. Some pubs don’t even accept cash at all; The Boot in Freston, for example, was one of the first UK pubs to become ‘card only’ late last year.

As consumer behaviour has changed, businesses now rely on their internet connections, not only for reliable transactions, but for customer Wi-Fi, stock orders, emails, marketing and more. We understand that, for pub owners and managers, it has become vital that internet connections are not only fast and reliable, but there are failovers in place, for the off-chance that the main network is disrupted.

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you get the right technology and hardware for your business. What’s more because we run our own UK wide network, we can offer businesslevel connectivity at an incredibly competitive price. Our contention rates are among the lowest in the industry, and our long-lasting relationship with Openreach together with tough PCI level compliance, ensures we have the infrastructure to run your internet services and keep your data safe too.

Marston’s Telecoms’ services have been designed with hospitality businesses in mind, having been designed for Marston’s own pubs and the system was so successful, it has been made available for the wider hospitality industry! Part of that service is our failover 4G network that ensures, even if your main internet connection is down, transactions can still be processed reliably, and your business doesn’t lose revenue or reputation for a network issue that wasn’t your fault.

Our pre-sales service team ensure that all areas of the operation are covered during the discovery phase and you can rest assured that our support team are available, if you ever experience any issues. Our solutions, having been tried and tested throughout Marston’s pub chain and only use the most innovative and up-to date technology, to ensure that your data is secure and your customers are happy, no matter what happens.

Our services aren’t a ‘one-size fits all’ solution though. Every business has different needs and Marston’s Telecoms holds a wealth of experience, helping

To find out more about partnering with Marston’s Telecoms, telephone 01902 283 300 or email sales@marstonstelecoms.com.

Great Technology ...Grown Out Of Beer.

Did you know that Marston’s can now provide all your telecommunications, connectivity and in-house hospitality technology needs?

Health Check Is your guest Wi-Fi working for you?

Could your phone system work smarter for you?

Is your broadband fast enough for both guests and your business?

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Is your till & payment setup really protecting you in today’s world?

If your broadband goes down, where does your business stand?

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Trusted experts in the hospitality industry Friendly UK based support

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beyond connectivity.

c bieblue

®

SINGLE DAY ALARM CLOCK BLUETOOTH® SPEAKER 220V POWER SOCKETS FASTCHARGE USB

Imagine a Hotel Room...

Imagine you enter a hotel room after a long day of meetings or perhaps a family outing, touring Paris with three kids, grandma and your spouse. Your Apple Watch says you walked twenty thousand steps, you are exhausted and all you want to do is lie down on the bed, plug in your cell, catch up with the news or post the pictures from your day of touring.

This scenario plays out at thousands of hotels around the world everyday. You need power - power to charge your phone, and all of your family member’s phones. Where do you plug in all of these devices? Hopefully, your hotel accommodations have considered the guest’s overwhelming need to charge up.

Hotel stakeholders - property owners, brands and management companies have begun to realize the importance of accessible power for everyone. Along with internet access, convenient charging is THE primary concern of hotel guests. They expect rooms to be fully provisioned with accessible outlets at the nightstand to easily charge their devices.

Now... Imagine you enter a hotel room and there are a few wall sockets, but because you are traveling internationally, your device is incompatible with the available outlets and even worse, you have forgotten your adapter.

You may call the front desk only to be frustrated because they don’t have any extra adapters.

CubieBlue® incorporates Bluetooth® speakers and allows guests to stream their personal music, delivering a pleasing and crisp audio experience. Featuring simple one touch pairing and personal control via guest’s own mobile device, CubieBlue® delivers a truly enhanced guest room listening experience.

Hotels guests travel to and from different parts of the globe. Some guest’s devices require either a UK (Type G) or EU (Schuko) socket. To solve this problem, Brandstand developed the innovative CubieBlueXB, based on the popular CubieBlue® Bluetooth® Alarm Clock. CubieBlueXB offers one of each type of socket - one UK and one EU. This clever solution satisfies guest’s power needs because odds are, European travelers will have one or the other plug type.

In order for hotels to ensure the best customer experience in terms of guest facing power and charging, Brandstand offers a line of alarm clocks for the UK, European and Middle East hospitality markets with a variety of power options including: surge protected, tamper resistant 220V, EU or UK outlets, USB-A ports and Qi wireless charging. Each product makes it easy to charge up multiple devices and offers additional power and charging at the nightstand

The success of CubieBlue is based on a clear user interface and an alarm clock that does not feel like an afterthought. The unique one knob design of CubieBlue®’s alarm clock is well thought out, simple to use and a device that hotel guest’s will actually use! Guests no longer ask the question: “How do I set the alarm?” Nor do they worry that the alarm will not wake them on time.

About Brandstand: Brandstand offers innovatively designed, user-friendly power and connectivity products for the hospitality industry.

www.brandstand.com 972.388.1450

®

HELLO

CubieBlue with UK & EU sockets.

GOODBYE power adapters!

Hotel Technologies The Science of Feeling at Home

December 2019

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Technology

HBN22 The iHome HBN22 Bluetooth clock radio is the ultimate hotel bedside amenity. Featuring a 2.1 Amp USB port for a rapid charge and a 1.0 Amp USB port, guests can charge two devices at once. They may stream their music wirelessly and with NFC technology, connecting to Bluetooth is a tap away. Set an alarm, listen to FM radio, and take phone calls all from this space-saving clock radio.

HiH33 The iHome HiH33 comes equipped with our patented triple display so guests can see the time from anywhere in the room. It features two 2.1 amp USB ports so guests can rapidly charge their mobile devices. Setting an alarm is easy and with the Single Day Alarm feature, guests won’t be disturbed by alarms previously set.

HT160 The iHome HT160 is a space-saving LCD alarm clock with a built-in 2.1 Amp USB port for rapid charging. Equipped with various alarm features including a Single Day Alarm which prevents alarms set from previous guests from going off.

For more information contact Chris Brunt at hotelorders@hoteltech.com, 888-74HOTEL, ext. 370

www.hoteltechnologies.com 56

STAY FULLY CHARGED WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED Introducing the HW4, a Qi wireless charging Bluetooth audio bedside stereo alarm clock with speakerphone.

With two high-powered USB ports and a wireless charging pad, guests can charge up to three devices at once.

Alarms are easy to set and the Single Day Alarm feature means they won’t be disturbed by the previous guests’ settings.

For more information, contact Chris Brunt at hotelorders@hoteltech.com, 888-74HOTEL, ext. 370 www.hoteltechnologies.com

DUAL

USB

PRE-SET

C HARGING

© Hotel Technologies, LLC. iHome is a registered trademark of SDI Technologies, Inc. iPhone, and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Technology

20 ways to fix your restaurant: how technology streamlines operations, saves money and thrills diners

By Luis De Souza, CEO of NFS Technology Group As a restaurateur, how do you feel about your business today? In these tough and competitive times, it’s common for owners and managers like you to have the uncomfortable feeling that things are not really quite as they should be within the operation.

So here, we’ve compiled 20 ways your business might be going all wrong – and we explore how technology can give you the kind of control that makes it all go right.

1.

I just don’t know where my profits are going

2.

My front to back of house workflow is terrible

With so many elements to control, from reservations to staffing to stock levels, it can be a near-impossible job to track the operation from end to end.

To provide a great customer experience it’s crucial that your customer-facing front of house team and your BOH staff communicate well.

The technology fix? A good restaurant management system that provides you or your managers with an end-to-end view of the business online, in real time, any time.

But there’s often a huge gulf between the two that creates missed orders, delays, frustration and angry diners.

Backed up by in-depth reports it allows you to keep track of what’s going on – and take action immediately if anything is going wrong.

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EPOS software helps by replacing paper with electronic orders sent direct from hand-held devices at tableside to the kitchen. No room for human error, and no delay in delivery.

As customers demand increasing levels of convenience, restaurants can’t afford to miss out.

An online reservations solution offers guests the opportunity to book tables 24/7, often using a popular app such as OpenTable.

4.

We sometimes doublebook diners

A paper reservations book can be imprecise.

Online booking via app cuts out human error so you can’t sell a table twice – and it saves staff time, too.

5.

Getting people seated takes ages

Restaurant management software provides graphical seating plans on a tablet or handheld device, and guest management functions enable your staff to give guests a wait time, preventing walk-outs.

6.

7.

Our service is slow… and We make too many mistakes with orders

Servers using EPOS software can use handheld devices including smartphones and tablets to take orders and send them straight to the kitchen, where it can link with kitchen automation. No room for human error.

8.

Table turn could be quicker

EPOS software boosts table turn in your restaurant by getting guests seated quicker, served quicker and taking their payments quicker.

9.

Your software will capture important details such as diner preferences for targeted email marketing.

Kitchen CUT makes it far easier to cost each dish precisely, and the restaurant management system collects data on what’s selling – it even advises on trends so your chef can respond.

Taking payment is a nightmare, particularly with large groups

Diners hate slow payment. But remember those EPOS handheld devices? Your servers can take payments on them too, splitting bills easily.

Technology can’t solve your recruitment problems, but it can provide reports that reveal exactly how many people you need on at any given time.

As a result, less food is thrown away.

like to try delivery 17. We’d but we’re not set up for it

not sure my staff are 12. I’m working effectively

Huge numbers of restaurants who were never able to offer home delivery now regard it as essential, using their EPOS system and services such as Deliveroo.

Making that happen can be as fundamental as using handheld devices to take orders and relay them straight to the kitchen.

struggling to get to 18. I’m grips with self-service

Or it can be as sophisticated as keeping track of individual performances, seeing who’s upselling and who needs extra training.

Self-service is a fast-food trend but it’s also making its way into casual dining where customers are happy to choose from a tablet menu integrated with your restaurant system.

think my staff are 13. Idefrauding me EPOS helps provide a fraud deterrent by tracking transactions in detail, and flagging up unusual behaviours.

wasting money 14. I’m on duplicating roles across my group Enterprise-level restaurant management technology hosted in the cloud cuts this out by providing head office access wherever your key managers are, online.

worried about 15. I’m allergens A huge concern for chefs designing menus.

The savviest are turning to allergen-busting software such as Kitchen CUT, which works with your EPOS system to track allergens right down to ingredient level.

I need kitchen 19. Do automation?

EPOS technology supports both self-service kiosks and tableside ordering, integrating seamlessly with kitchen automation systems where the order is split up and sent to the right preparation station – e.g. fries at the right time.

20. I need quick ROI The best EPOS software is available at a lowcost monthly rental, or as a cloud option that keeps hardware costs to a minimum and makes deployment swift.

The future is now Just two years ago, a Deloitte report said: “The restaurant of the future: Increasing use of digital technology is providing challenges and oppor tunities to casual dining operators, impacting the full customer journey as well as business operations.”

Since then, digital restaurant management technology has evolved rapidly, and now provides an unprecedented level of control for any restaurant business.

In other words, the restaurant of the future has already arrived. And with the help of technology, it’s all yours.

* See more informative articles at www.nfs-hospitality.com

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dishes 16. isCosting difficult

December 2019

3.

business 10. Repeat just isn’t there

often don’t have the 11. Iright number of staff Customers can’t make a reservation online

Technology

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Technology

Hotel Service as a System Behind every great hotel is a well-oiled machine of a thousand different parts, all working in perfect unison to deliver the best service possible to guests. Or perhaps that’s the goal for every hotelier? Perhaps you have the vision and commitment but you’re missing a few integral pieces that can take your hotel from good to truly great. If you want to improve your service and increase guest loyalty, keep reading… we have a few ideas.

Service is defined as “the action of helping or doing work for someone,” which is why service is the foundation of the hospitality industry. As a hotelier, the service you provide your guests extends into many different areas.

From personal service which provides a direct interaction between guests and hotels as well as material service, which is what is easily visible to your guests- cleaning, tidiness, correct signage and information. Service also extends to all systems behind the scenes, to help keep your hotel running smooth and efficiently for your guests..

System service can be attributed to areas such as keeping track of housekeeping, making sure they have cleaned the rooms properly and filled up the minibar, or that the restaurant is aware which guests have allergies, or that reception can easily find bookings. System service relies on many automatic and manual actions and greatly affects both personal and material service. When

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everything works together smoothly, it provides the optimal opportunity for employees to do their jobs even better.

Running a hotel is a big business with many moving parts, so internal communication is key in providing top-notch service.

Good service systems create a great flow in not only internal but external communication, which in turn provides a seamless and enjoyable experience for your guests. By choosing service systems that run optimally for your business, you are creating a strong foundation for your hotel, leading to increased loyalty and employee and guest satisfaction. If you’re curious to learn more about systems that can help improve your service, don’t hesitate to contact us.

December 2019

Hotels, meet Apps.

Apps, meet Hotels...

By James Bishop, Senior Director, Global Demand Partnerships at SiteMinder In the last few years we’ve moved from a mobile-first world to, in many cases, a mobile-only world, and consumer behaviours and expectations have shifted as a result. With six million applications (apps) now available to smartphone users globally, there is a sea of choice that we have seen naturally flow into the world of travel, where app usage is at an alltime high and money going into those companies creating the technology has increased 55% in the past 12 months alone.

From the discovery and booking phase, to day-of-travel support and in-destination activities, travellers are relying on their handheld devices to complete almost every travel transaction.

For hoteliers, the surge in app uptake has a number of implications, as while technology has delivered dramatic changes to the travel industry broadly, the traditional hotel business has been slower to adapt and surpassed by the agility of new technology companies that seek to support hoteliers.

For example, we know that guests are incentivised by pricing and packages, need transportation to and from their accommodation, and want a streamlined way to communicate with staff during their stay, however currently they often aren’t being delivered the same personalised experience they receive in other aspects of their journey.

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Technology

Cue the footage of a heavily jet-lagged hotel guest making the arduous voyage into the wilderness of the hallway to place a “busy” sign on their door to signify that they would not like their room cleaned.

Hotel businesses have been challenged to keep up with these trends and to know which technologies can help them to deliver the guest experiences they all want to create. Noticing this, SiteMinder has decided to help hotels out by creating the Hotel App Store; the first marketplace that allows accommodation providers of all sizes to easily discover, choose and connect applications to their preferred business systems for greater guest experiences and increased revenue opportunities.

From apps like Oaky that push out targeted upselling campaigns prior to a guest’s arrival, to Welcome Pickups for car transfers, Bookboost for increased guest engagement and TrustYou for reputation management, the Hotel App Store has made apps accessible to every hotel.

With seven out of ten leisure travellers and almost nine out of ten business travellers preferring smartphone apps to plan parts of a trip, our goal is to give the power back to hotels, so that they remain relevant to these customers and ensure they are tapping into the countless benefits that today’s smart and simple technology can offer throughout the entire guest journey.

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Technology

Square Serves Up A Dedicated Point of Sale for UK Restaurants A new solution that handles restaurant service complexities with speed and ease.

Payments provider Square has launched Square for Restaurants, an integrated point of sale (POS) solution dedicated to meeting the complex and exacting needs of restaurants.

Square for Restaurants is the newest addition to Square’s suite of tools, bringing simplicity and order to the daily rush of restaurants.

Square for Restaurants is Square’s most sophisticated industry-specific POS yet. It’s cloud-based, customisable and user friendly, allowing managers to focus less on logistics and more on customers. From integrated payments to customising menu items, the intuitive Square for Restaurants streamlines ordering, serving and payment.

“Square for Restaurants offers everything you need to run a fullservice restaurant at full speed and deliver high-quality service,” said Alyssa Henry, Seller Lead at Square. “Square has always been a great fit for smaller cafes and quick-service vendors but we haven’t always been able to meet the needs of larger restaurants. This product enables us to step up and serve more complex restaurants, offering the robust functionality that’s needed for large-scale and multi-location operators.”

Whether it’s a country pub or fine-dining in the city, Square for Restaurants ensures that managing front and back of house is no longer fragmented. Servers can communicate with chefs using the coursing feature to stay in sync even

when customers change their minds. Restaurant owners can also take advantage of built-in team management tools to track live sales, staff hours, tipping and more.

Mama Fuego, owned by mother and daughter duo Lynette and Cloe de la Vega, is one of several businesses that have been using Square for Restaurants through an early access programme.

“Getting started with Square for Restaurants has required minimal training which is invaluable to our business where we employ over 40 staff,” said Lynette de la Vega. “The software allows Cloe and I to carry out essential tasks such as customising menu elements, managing the team, and tracking payments seamlessly. Running the operations at Mama Fuego with Square for Restaurants makes the dayto-day easier.”

Square for Restaurants support restaurants end-to-end by integrating with Deliverect, an order aggregator platform that allows merchants to easily manage third party online food deliveries, including those from Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat, all from one place.

Built-from-scratch, Square for Restaurants allows for integrated payments making it accessible for new sellers to switch to Square. With simple pricing and no hidden fees, Square for Restaurants is £69 per month (including VAT) for an unlimited number of terminals per location.

To help sellers get started, Square for Restaurants is available for a 90-day free trial (other than payment processing fees).

Learn more about how you can get started with Square for Restaurants here.

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Technology

Hospitality specialist Airship receives £500k investment to fund growth.

Airship has received £500k investment to grow their CRM and Toggle SaaS platforms from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

Airship is well established in the UK hospitality market serving over 50 customers across 600 locations with a customer engagement and email marketing platform.

In the last year they transitioned from agency to SaaS solution, building out self-service features specifically designed to address the challenges and priorities of hospitality operators. In October 2018 they launched their second product, Toggle (usetoggle.com), a SaaS platform that significantly simplifies the process of selling and managing gift cards, experiences and other forms of pre-sold revenue.

industry with a product that makes selling gift cards and experiences simple; removing barriers for all sizes of operators to utilise this growing revenue channel.

Their clients include Leon, Turtle Bay, Revolution, Mission Mars, Wells and Co, The Alchemist and Street Feast amongst customers.

Airship will use the investment to employ a sales team, additional developers as well as expanding the customer success team.

The business is led by Dan Brookman who said “We are delighted with the investment from Mercia and are looking forward to building on the growth of the past year. Both platforms have enjoyed a surge in new customers and Toggle is being well received in the market. We are shaking up the

Will Schaffer Investment Manager said “We’re thrilled to support a company that is making accessible leading data management solutions and doing so in a format that delivers measurable value for any hospitality operator seeking to more intelligently connect with their customers.”

Toggle has had a fantastic reception and is live in over 350 locations generating over £50k a week for its customers. The sale of experiences rather than traditional gifts is on the rise, with people looking to do something shared. Toggle offers a stored value mechanism rather than single use, so the customer can part redeem balances and soon will be able to top-up their cards.”

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In our increasingly digital age, we are all held fast in the grip of technology - whether we like it or not. Our every move is tracked, from the groceries we buy to the TV we watch. One of the few remaining places where we can escape for a while and enjoy personal, human-centred service is the hospitality sector.

Yet hospitality is facing a perfect storm. First there’s austerity, high rents and hikes in business rates.

Then there’s the rise of tech-based companies – accommodation-sharing sites such as Airbnb, delivery apps such as Deliveroo and subscription recipe box services such as Gousto. Finally, there’s reduced footfall in town and city centres caused by the decline in retail.

What works In some areas food and drink is being used to seed regeneration. In Altrincham, in northwest England, the town centre’s market house has been transformed into a communal dining hall of independent kitchens, bars, restaurants and coffee shops. This led to a sharp increase in footfall, a reduction in vacancy rates and lured brands such as JD Sports and Nando’s into the town’s shopping area.

However, this success will be tough to repeat in other areas. As journalist Tony Naylor wrote in an article on the town’s transformation, ‘Craft markets are great but where does your nana go to buy a washing line?’

There is one key thing we can replicate from Altrincham’s success though: community spirit. The joy and purpose that come from meaningful human contact.

To create an atmosphere similar to that found in Altrincham, you may not be able to change where your business is situated – what happens on the outside.

But you can change what happens on the inside. You can recreate that feeling of being in the heart of a community by providing stellar customer service. Which in turn generates a loyal customer following.

What doesn’t work The Oxford Dictionary definition of hospitality is: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

To succeed in the hospitality industry you need what only people can bring to customer service – human connection, understanding, empathy, cultural recognition, humour, warmth and intuition.

Technology can - and should - support and enable people to provide the best service possible. It should not act as a substitute and replace people in entirety.

However, right now we’re going too far down the technology route and are in danger of tipping the balance even further. For example, earlier this year I tried to have a meal in a restaurant at a major UK airport that relied on a skeleton staff and expected customers to order and collect their food themselves. Needless to say I ate elsewhere and when I returned to the airport recently the restaurant had closed.

And only last night I sat in awkward silence while a waiter struggled to place my simple order of one beer and one risotto using a tablet. I saw them repeat this struggle at another table immediately after. It would have been so much quicker and more comfortable for me and their other customers if the waiter had used a pencil and paper to take our orders and had recorded them electronically later, away from the table.

How to stand out Automating some of what you do will allow your staff more time to give your customers great service – to connect with them and generate customer loyalty. So yes, automate what you can to improve efficiency but not to the extent that you lose the human touch. Use technology to support your customer-facing staff, not replace them.

Rely too much on technology and the balance shifts one way – fast and efficient but with no soul or warmth.

And make sure your team is skilled enough to give your customers great service. Today, more than 120 million workers worldwide need training in skills such as communication, team work and critical thinking. If you make sure you have a well-trained, highly skilled, customer-focussed team, it’s likely you’ll be doing better than your competitors.

Use too little technology and, while you’ll undoubtedly have a human focus, the balance swings to inefficient with less value to your business as whole.

Because genuine human connection will set your service apart and win you loyal customers. So keep technology behind the scenes and people out in front.

To do this requires the perfect balance of technology and human contact. Which is more difficult to achieve than it sounds.

December 2019

To win - and keep - customer loyalty, you need to strike the perfect balance of technology and humanity

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Technology

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Technology

How an employee app can help onboard seasonal staff Dr. Cristian Grossmann, CEO and Co-Founder of Beekeeper, looks at how retailers can better manage the tricky task of temporary staff during the busiest period of the year with technology.

It’s no secret that November through January are crucial months in hospitality, with the sudden influx of seasonal parties and events. Hotels will need to take on a good amount of temporary staff to cover this busy period to handle the additional demand, but when a hotel’s team suddenly balloons, it can create chaos with onboarding and making sure that everyone has the information they need at their fingerprints.

Getting everyone on board at once One of the biggest challenges for hoteliers during the holiday season is onboarding all of these new, seasonal team members in a short period of time. It’s easy to forget that even though the new staff members are temporary, managers will still need to invest time and resources getting them up to speed.

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This starts with streamline basic onboarding and training information such as where to clock in, where to store personal belongings, handing out uniforms, where to park, and where shift schedules can be accessed. And this is all before they’ve been trained on the till or shown where the inventory is kept.

Is technology the answer?

Many hotels will invest heavily in technology that aids ecommerce, or multichannel customer experience; however, many hospitality businesses are neglecting to effectively use these channels for their staff. This is where a solid digital communications platform can make all the difference.

For the majority of hospitality staff, they’re out on the floor helping customers, handling money, and

managing inventory, so they don’t always have access to traditional desktop communication tools.

Offering your hotel employees a communication platform that can be accessed via a mobile app is a real game changer for their onboarding process. All employees, both permanent and seasonal, can access the training materials and information they need, right from their mobile device.

When it comes to onboarding new staff, an employee communications app can be incredibly valuable. There is no longer a need to go through traditional,

Technology

December 2019

Beyond onboarding. What now?:

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in-person onboarding, as it can be very time consuming. Instead new hires can access their training resources directly in the app. If they’re still unsure, they can ask a question, either in a direct message or an open thread, and receive a swift response from their manager.

Digital communication platforms can also extend beyond providing new hire information. They can also provide employees with health and safety guidelines, customer complaint procedures, and training guides.

These platforms can also host shift schedules in a more accessible format.

During the chaotic festive season, communicating shift information to employees can be labour intensive and inefficient when using traditional channels of internal communication such as notice boards. Hosting shift schedules directly in the app means that frontline employees can view them instantly, in or out of the workplace and flag any issues by sending a direct message to management.

It’s not just guests that need to feel welcome: Welcoming seasonal team members and getting them properly trained is now easier than ever with mobile technology.

It’s important for companies to make seasonal staff feel like they’re part of the team and happy in the workplace.

A communications app also offers workers the ability to chat with each other and share success stories, learnings, and updates. These streams help build a sense of company culture and make new hires quickly feel like they’re part of the team.

So, I would urge hoteliers to investigate how an internal communications platforms can benefit their organisations. You will no doubt discover that these tools aren’t just for seasonal use. They can actually benefit your business for life.

Dr. Cristian Grossmann is CEO and Co-Founder of Beekeeper. Beekeeper (https://www.beekeeper.io/en) is an internal communications platform that helps hotels streamline their operations and connect with their frontline employees.

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Fri-Jado paints a greener picture Foodservice and food retailing equipment manufacturer, Fri-Jado, has used the relocation of its head office and production facility as an opportunity to establish premises, which lead the way in sustainable business practice. The company has moved to Oud Gastel in the south west Netherlands, some 25 miles south of Rotterdam, where it has set new standards in environmentally responsible manufacturing. The new building has been certified as “very good” under the BREEAM standard, which is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for infrastructure and building projects.

The new, purpose designed facility incorporates state-of-the-art technology and automated features to deliver manufacturing and office environments, which are comfortable for staff, whilst having a minimal carbon footprint and ultra-low energy consumption. The building’s roof features 6,500 solar panels, generating enough electricity to serve the needs of 400 - 500 households per year.

The climate control system (heating and cooling) is powered exclusively by electricity, in keeping with Dutch energy policy, and is driven by three latest generation heat pumps for energy efficiency. The building is protected

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Fri-Jado UK’s Director of National Accounts, Gary Thacker, claims that the investment made at the company’s new headquarters highlights its holistic approach to by the highest levels of insulation to sustainability: further reduce energy consumption.

Both the interior and exterior of the “For over a decade, Fri-Jado has been leading plant benefit from energy efficient LED the way in the design and manufacture of lighting, which is sensor controlled to environmentally sensitive kitchen equipment. avoid lights being left on unnecessarily. The design of our chilled counters features a unique OmniCold refrigeration system, which The theme of sustainability has been together with low velocity air circulation, carried through to the company’s helps to reduce energy consumption to some manufacturing processes, with all 43% below the ECA Energy Efficiency Index operations except the powder coating threshold. We have also developed heated line being powered by electricity, rather merchandisers, which feature an innovative than gas. Fri-Jado has also invested in and patented hot blanket holding system, new machine tool technology to further air curtain technology and hot air recycling, reduce its impact on the environment. which deliver energy savings of some It has replaced two, notoriously power 20%. In addition, these features combined thirsty, laser cutting machines with with precise humidity control, ensure that new models, which consume up to 60% food is maintained at perfect quality and less energy than the previous models. appearance, over extended periods, reducing The company has also addressed the the amount of merchandise that may be price issue of the planet’s precious resources discounted or thrown away, due to product in the manufacture of foodservice deterioration.” equipment, ensuring that 99% of the raw materials used will be recyclable at the end of the product’s serviceable life.

Fri-Jado’s commitment to sustainability is far reaching; it has introduced hybrid company cars and will continue with its policy away from petrol and diesel powered vehicles for the future replacement of its existing fleet. FriJado has provided a free charging point for electric cars at its premises, as an incentive to employees to adopt greener transport.

He added: “The issues of energy efficiency and food waste remain high on the agendas of grocery retailers and foodservice operators. Public opinion and the activity of climate change lobby groups will increase pressure on OEMs and suppliers to make further progress in delivering more environmentally sensitive equipment. Whilst many manufacturers are merely paying lip service to green initiatives, Fri-Jado has demonstrated a root and branch approach to sustainability.”

The HOW TO Guide highlights the benefits of providing sustainable table water from increased profit margins, enhanced presentation, through to releasing significant storage space and time saving on logistics.

MAKING WATER EASY...

Download FREE HOW TO SERVE SUSTAINABLE TABLE WATER GUIDE

You’ll find suggestions to help you get started, information on the different freshly purified water systems available as well as help on the types of bottles to serve your water in to give your customers a premium water experience.

EauVation knows only too well how important the margin from water sales is to many outlets’ bottom-line and that one significant potential barrier to change is the perceived loss of margin. Speaking on behalf of EauVation, Marketing Manager, Adam Lenton says: “It is important to stress to restaurateurs and hoteliers that if you charge for water now, you can still charge - and usually make more margin too…. However, some establishments prefer to offer complementary water. There is no right or wrong, but here is a solution which removes impurities and chemical taste from tap water and gives the consumer a much better water solution – secure in the knowledge that water is being served responsibly with no water waste, water miles, single use plastic or carbon density.

“We hope the Guide will prove a useful reference point to those who are considering positive change but may not be sure how to go about making that change”.

Would you like to find out more? Book a FREE site survey now. Just give us a call on 01908 359088 or email sales@eauvation.co.uk.

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

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Water innovator, EauVation, has launched a quick and easy guide to show you just how straightforward it can be to make a positive change - as well as sharing some tips on how you can make more profit from water. The EauVation’ HOW TO provide Sustainable Table Water Guide is absolutely FREE and shares insights and advice gained over many years’ of experience.

Click here to download your FREE GUIDE.

December 2019

It couldn’t be easier to offer customers delicious, freshly purified, chilled, still or sparkling water and it’s a great time to tap into the growing trend for sustainable table water (if you haven’t already done so).

TREAT YOUR GUE

Visit our website and discover the finest range of bedding money can buy.

range of superb duvets, bedspreads, towelling, bathrobes, slippers, table lin

Our prices are always competitive so if you’re in the business of hospitalit as a trade customer to enjoy discounts and updates.

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Sleepeezee provides hoteliers with quality at every level

December 2019

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

Contract Beds & Bedding

International hospitality bed manufacturer and Royal Warrant holder, Sleepeezee, has been crafting bespoke mattresses and beds for some of the finest hotels and resorts around the world for over 90 years..

With a clear understanding of both the bed and the hospitality industry, Sleepeezee’s collection is designed to guarantee a great night’s sleep, whether it’s for a hotel guest or a customer in their own home.

Providing quality at every level, Sleepeezee’s Hotel Edwardian mattress has been designed specifically for the hospitality sector.

Featuring 2000 individual pocket springs, this mattress offers supreme levels of comfort and is ideal for hoteliers looking to provide their guests with a more natural sleep solution.

Generous layers of natural fillings, including British wool blended with luxurious silk and cotton, offer important temperature regulation qualities that are key to a good night’s sleep.

These natural ingredients not only trap air to provide the sleeper with insulation during colder weather, but wool is able to wick away moisture to help keep the body cool during the hotter months.

The fillings also work to actively minimise pressure

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points on the body, helping to alleviate tension and provide uncompromising support and comfort.

In addition to improving sleep, the Hotel Edwardian is also available in a zip and link solution, allowing you to cater for different sleep tensions and single occupancy easily.

Having held a Royal Warrant since 1963, Sleepeezee supplies expertly crafted beds and mattresses to some of the finest homes, palaces and hotels around the world.

Every product is made in the Sleepeezee factory in Rochester, Kent by a team of 300 expert craftspeople who diligently check every detail for consistency and quality.

It is through this dedication, innovation and market leading mattress design, that Sleepeezee has grown into one of the most well-known bed manufacturers in the world.

The company also takes great pride in its sustainable approach to business and is the first bed manufacturer to receive the Planet accreditation. This accolade recognises Sleepeezee’s commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing, ensuring that all beds are recyclable at the end of their life – giving both guests and hoteliers complete peace of mind.

For more information on Sleepeezee, please visit www.sleepeezee.com/contract.

The Natural Cotton Company

December 2019

Website: www.naturalcottoncompany.com

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP

Contract Beds & Bedding

What we do

Why Natural Cotton?

Specialising in exclusively certified organic and Fairtrade cotton, the Natural Cotton Company is a values driven company that delivers luxury bed linen and towels which generate a positive benefit to the people affected by them - and the planet.

Cotton, the most abundant natural fibre supporting livelihoods of over 350 million people, has several serious environmental and social challenges related it.

The company is a “slow� pioneer, creating classic, timeless authentic sustainable luxury. The company offers bespoke products for a variety of requirements – such as customised designs and logos.

The entire production chain is monitored from beginning to end. The Natural Cotton Company is one of the first companies of its kind and sells to a global market of luxury hotels, spas and yachts.

These include the over-use of pesticides and fertilizers, the rising costs of production and volatile market prices. Fairtrade and GOTS certified cotton promotes biodiversity and farmers are paid at or above the living wage and a premium, which provides health and education programmes.

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Contract Beds & Bedding

Our eccentricity is further expressed by one of our mottos; MAKE HEALTH - NOT WAR..

All of our healthy, sustainable, handmade products are made with love and expertise on the great North Yorkshire Moors.

RAZZAMATAZZ - MAKE HEALTH - NOT WAR. Perfect Pillow Ltd & it’s brand Razzmatazz disseminates an energetic concoction of hippy chic, funky originality and serenity, unique to any other natural health brand. The brightness of the product range & boldness of the brand statements contrasts greatly with the calming nature of the products.

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When creating products, we consider the impact our actions have on our precious planet and our fellow inhabitants. This, and being aware of the stressful life we in the West have created for ourselves, has led us to conclude that relaxation, PERFECT SLEEP and pampering time is imperative for our well-being.

Our founder, Tony, first came across a Buckwheat Pillow whilst on a business trip to Tokyo in 1996 and after realising how much better he felt spending just one night sleeping on a Buckwheat Pillow, Tony returned home and began making himself a version (to help him after being struck down by the debilitating illness, M.E). After testing his Buckwheat Pillow on himself, Tony began re-inventing the design for the western market. The design that Tony settled on can

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Contract Beds & Bedding

be quickly and easily adjusted in any way, high or low, soft or firm, all the user has to do is remove some of the little buckwheat husks through the handy zip, then they can achieve their own unique sleep nirvana.

He soon realised the health and environmental benefits of sleeping on a Buckwheat Pillow. Unlike memory foam products, (that should come with a WARNING) which are made from 100% toxic chemicals, then contaminated with more toxic chemicals to make them fire resistant, such as a chemical called Chlorinated Tris, which was banned from use in children’s pyjamas in the 1970’s for causing adverse effects on health, but somehow Chlorinated Tris is still allowed to be used in mattress production to this day! Our Buckwheat Pillows are completely natural, bio-degradable, sustainable

and the cheeky little Buckwheat Husks have the incredible ability of being able to extinguish flames, completely naturally, meaning that our Buckwheat Pillows passed all Fire Safety Regulations without needing any toxic flame retardants.

As well as literally poisoning us in our sleep as we breathe in these noxious chemicals, did you know that toxic memory foam products will take 1000+ years to degrade in landfill? All the time leeching these toxins into the land, where our food grows, seeping into the rivers, where the fish we eat swim.

Scarily, these toxic, poisonous chemicals are now a firm feature in our food chain. Not the case with our natural Buckwheat Pillows and Mattresses though! Our natural alternatives contain no nasty chemicals (not even any herbicides or pesticides are used when growing the buckwheat we use) so you can sleep safely, uncontaminated by toxins. Also, because of the Organic

Buckwheat Husk filling, our Pillows and mattresses are Bio-Degradable, so when your Buckwheat Pillow/Mattress has reached the end of its long, (reports of 20 years!) happy life and you decide to replace it with a brand new shiny one, you can sleep safe in the knowledge that your beloved pillow or mattress will happily return to nature.

Sleeping on natural products has almost endless health benefits, many of our customers report, not only is their neck and back pain gone because of the support that our Buckwheat Pillows provide, but also that they are waking up feeling fresh with no congestion. All because they are choosing not to sleep on a toxic chemical cocktail of memory foam and other synthetic materials.

Not only the best Pillow in the world, but the best value too! 20 years perfect sleep for as little as £22.95. www.PerfectPillow.co.uk

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Interior Design & Décor

Bespoke & antique billiards Whether it’s a full-size Snooker table, Pool table or dual-purpose dining or conference table, a billiards table is a great addition to any contemporary or classic home, hotel, restaurant or bar. As well as being a focal point for social entertainment, a well-designed, hand-crafted and truly bespoke piece of furniture is a statement of beauty. The craftsmen at Sir William Bentley Billiards’ workshop, in Marten, England, have designed and made some of the world’s most beautiful bespoke billiard tables; working with private clients, Interior Designers, Hoteliers & Property Developers to create unique items that are designed specifically for the space they are made for.

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Chosen by Design Using only the finest wood, metal, slate and cloth, their focus is on producing work of the highest quality, and further enhancing a reputation for attention to detail, earned through more than forty years of Antique billiards restoration, renovation, reproduction and bespoke table-making. As a result of their craftsmanship and design, this reputation has grown to make them the choice of designers worldwide.

Their tables are as likely to be found in a Luxury hotel in the far East, or a boutique Bar in Dubai, as they are in a private Alpine Chalet or a Mayfair basement.

Games rooms, or multifunction social spaces seem to be increasingly popular in contemporary domestic design, and Snooker & Pool tables have long been a staple piece within

many hospitality venues. In these commercial environments, leasing them is just as common, however, with the growing popularity of unique interior design, a basic indistinctive billiards table isn’t enough. In recent years, therefore, the company has increasingly been asked to provide their Antique and bespoke tables on a rental, lease, or sale or return basis.

In the world of Property development in particular, the option to furnish a luxury property with a statement

Pool table, with little or no capital outlay can be a compelling one.

Hoteliers looking to make the best use of their space, can transform a conference room or function hall into to a luxury games room or billiardroom with a Snooker or Pool-dining table, perhaps even with the option for Table tennis. The ability to specify or design something that is perfectly suited to the space, and to then rent it on a monthly basis, means that, what would typically be a luxury purchase becomes an operational expense.

To complement their beautiful tables, Sir William Bentley Billiards also offer a wide-range of matching accessories, including cue-racks, scoreboards and ball-boxes as well as table-football tables, dart-board cabinets, panelling or storage units. The family run business is based in the beautiful countryside of the Wiltshire, Berkshire borders in the tiny village of Marten.

Their showrooms have an ‘Aladdin’scave’ feeling, housing a number of unique and historic full-size, and smaller, antique tables, alongside a variety of stunning, contemporary and classic fixed-height Snooker, Pool and dual-purpose dining tables – most of which were made by hand in the adjacent workshops.

Many other antique tables are available, restored-to-order, from a large stock; and their craftsmen are always hard at work on something contemporary too. Visitors are encouraged to appreciate the craftsmanship for themselves and are warmly welcomed, 7 days a week, by appointment. To find out more call +44 (0) 1264 731 210 or visit www.billiards.co.uk.

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“Leasing a bespoke Snooker or Pool table can be a great interior design statement, attracting new business and making flexible use of space, without the significant capital outlay usually associated with such a high quality piece” - Simon Le Bon (Owner)

December 2019

Interior Design & Décor

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Interior Design & Décor

RPW Design unveils The Mayfair Collection at InterContinental London Park Lane RPW Design is delighted to announce The Mayfair Collection, the luxurious new guestrooms and suites at the InterContinental London Park Lane. Affirming the hotel’s position in the luxury market, the £22 million refurbishment by RPW addresses the increasing demand for suite style accommodation in the capital with a reduction in the number of guestrooms and the creation of larger room types. Due for completion in Spring 2020, the new guestrooms and suites have been developed to reflect the timeless elegance of the InterContinental, creating the next generation of guestrooms that capture the harmonious existence of nature and cosmopolitan life.

The multimillion pound refurbishment has been impeccably designed by RPW to offer the highest standard of luxury accommodation in London. Combining natural tones, sumptuous textures and modern amenities, the collection takes inspiration from its unparalleled location overlooking the Royal Parks in the heart of London.

With a brief to accomplish a significant upgrade and luxurious feel for the new guestrooms incorporating materials and finishes that connect the interior of the hotel with its location, RPW set about creating rooms with a residential look and feel, commensurate to the hotel’s location in the heart of Mayfair and its competitive position in the 5* London market.

Situated at the intersection of two of the Royal Parks, Hyde Park and Green Park, the design developed by RPW for the interiors represents the connection of London’s bustling city life with the tranquillity and contact with nature which the parks offer. The concept was to create an interior which demonstrates that city life does not mean “concrete jungle”, but can harmoniously coexist with nature, giving its inhabitants the best of both: cosmopolitanism and individuality, sociability and privacy, excitement and serenity, sophistication and simplicity.

The surrounding parks were the main inspiration behind the design of The Mayfair Collection guestrooms. Subtle references are seen in small details and interesting artworks, such as the embroidery pattern of the Plane tree, symbol of London’s parks on the headboard; a carpet design inspired by the veins of leaves at autumn time, bedside tables with bronze handles in the shape of a leaf and a metallic resin sculpture developed for the bathroom mirror which represents a tree trunk. The rooms embody a comfortable, neutral luxury with minimal pattern combined with brighter, accent colours

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that appear in artwork, cushions and accessories.

An abundance of naturally luxurious materials, such as soft leathers, stone, wool, walnut timbers and marble, have been combined with elegant design details to further cement the rooms’ connection to the natural world, resulting in an elegant, understated and relaxing environment.

At the heart of RPW’s unique approach for the development of the new guestroom concept was to distil comfort and luxury to its essentials so that they could appeal and be personalised to a wide range of hotel guests. The challenge was to find the right balance between individuality and versatility of the space, as the guest should be able to quickly feel at home. Hence the importance of focusing on simple and intuitive design that should fit like a comfortable cashmere jumper.

Throughout the process, RPW adhered to the principle that good design should never be underestimated and that the final purpose of a space should always be at the forefront of a designer’s thought process. By developing a simple yet versatile space, RPW has created an effortless backdrop which can be easily tailored to a vast range of needs. With these basic rules at the centre of the design process, innovation was achieved by focusing on the golden rules of the past.

The Mayfair Collections’ sophisticated design is complemented by modern amenities, TV, Nespresso machines, walk in showers and baths, presenting an exceptional array of rooms with the modern, well-travelled guest in mind. Many of the rooms will be interconnecting allowing for multiple set-ups tailored to suit the needs of the guest.

RPW Managing Director Ariane Steinbeck, comments: “It has been a great pleasure to continue the renovation of the InterContinental London Park Lane following the successful refurbishment of The Capital Suite last year. The Mayfair Collection reflects RPW’s philosophy; crafting meaningful design that enhances the guest experience through the creation of modern luxurious rooms and suites.”

Lava Candles boasts a number of fantastic collections to date such as;

The three part Perfect Stone Collection. Enjoy the fresh and fruity notes of apple, orange and raspberry For thousands of years, candles have been an important part with the radiance of Arabian Glow, or of our lives. As Lava’s tagline would suggest “Experience a appreciate the playful combination of amber, musk and vanilla from royal essence, create an exquisite atmosphere.” and there is no Mineral Of Essence, or even feel the denying Lava have gone above and beyond to do just that. energy of earl grey intertwined with jasmine and orange with Pebble Established in 2016, Lava was born from the passion and Sands. Currently available separately in sizes; Large - £211.00, vision of an Emirati born artisanal designer. Handcrafted Mini - £49.00, Square - £80.00 or Rectangle - £84.00. For more and perfected in the heart of Ajman, United Arab Emirates. information visit Lava Moments.

To achieve distinctive detail and quality each and every The three part Signature candle is carved and hand painted to perfection. Inspired Collection. For a fragrance by natural elements of Earth and the exquisite beauty of the deserts and seas surrounding the United Arab Emirates. of vivid character, as the flower of its namesake Lava continues to develop outstanding fragrances and would suggest Oud Rose luxurious hand-made candles of the highest form. Each eye-catching candle created with love, care and a complete is the definition of love.

Meanwhile Oud Wood understanding of this age-old craft. offers a bold, complex, earthy alternative thanks to its smooth woody scent. Or for something to evoke strong reactions enjoy the warm nature of Oud Amber. Currently available for £67.00 each, with the Marble Candle Holder for £96.00 each, as 3 Piece Gift Set (Oud Rose, Oud Amber & Oud Wood) £216.00 or 4 Piece Gift Set (Oud Rose, Oud Amber, Oud Wood & Marbel Candle Holder) £244.00. For more information visit Lava Moments.

Not only are Lava Candles known for their stunning artistic designs and attention to detail. Lava use nothing but the best to achieve the most complex yet nostalgic fragrance profiles that each candle captivates. Offering a fantastic selection of natural ingredients such as the likes of; Eucalyptus, Black Pepper, and Pink Pepper. As well as fragrance of; Floral, Citrus, Aromatic, Aquatic and Woody notes. Each conscientious selection helps to bestow unforgettable moments with Lava Candles!

There is no denying the royal essence of Lava Candles, creating a luxurious, relaxing yet inviting atmosphere in your home with Lava Candles, designed to add that opulent finishing touch to your living space, whatever the décor.

Enjoy that comforting warm glow of a Lava Candle on a crisp winters evening for a true slice of relaxation.

The two part Amani Collection. Amani, meaning ‘wishes’ in Arabic, be plunged into cloud-like comfort, allow the world to melt away. Relish the fresh floral heart of jasmine, amber and citrus, cocooned in the richness of cedar with Whimsical Wish. Or savour notes of bergamot and citrus nestled in a vanilla sweetness with Desire. Currently available as a Pillar £62.00 or Mini Cube £27.00. For more information visit Lava Moments.

Find out more about Lava Candles fantastic luxury candle collections by visiting Lava Moments.

For Sales Enquires Please Contact Gemma at; gemma@lavamoments.com

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Emirati Born Bespoke Candles From Lava Candles

December 2019

Interior Design & Décor

EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

Allergy Menu App 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

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.

Key Benefits to Restaurants • Meet regulations for allergy information in one simple step.

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

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

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

You can either find the restaurant’s menu by their unique allergy menu code on their menu or website, or you can find restaurants in your location on a map.

• Handy email reminders to check your menu.

It’s then very simply to filter the menu by the list of standard allergens, or click the vegan or vegetarian option.

• Keep your customers safe from harm.

The menu then displays showing only the items that you can eat, making a simple and easy to understand menu.

How it Works for the restaurant 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

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• Stop front of house staff making mistakes

How it will make a difference It’s so hard to ensure accurate communication between customer and the person preparing the food and Allergy Menu helps to reduce this risk. When failures happen in the communication, it cause have serious side effects for the customer and can even kill them. Taking steps to reduce this risk is essential to all food establishments.

illegal logging and wildfires caused by man-made interference. This is coupled with the devastating effects on the local wildlife, with animals at danger from both poachers and losing their natural habitat - the area we are supporting is home to 10% of the world’s wild orangutans.

“This pledge is one of the most significant we’ve received to date.

We’re grateful to the Christmas Tree World team for their support and we’re looking forward to working together to further protect the biodiversity of Borneo.”

The Borneo Nature Foundation is a not-for-profit conservation and research organisation, who works to protect some of the most important areas of tropical rainforest and to safeguard the wildlife, environment and indigenous culture on Borneo.

Christmas Tree World is one of the UK’s premium artificial Christmas tree e-tailers, supplying trees from 18inches to 40ft, providing unique and realistic decorations to provide a truly magical Christmas for all the family.

The business has pledged ‘a tree for every customer’ in a partnership which will see a new tree planted in the Borneo rainforest for every order placed on their market leading Website, www.christmastreeworld.co.uk.

For more information, please visit www.christmastreeworld.co.uk/borneo

The partnership will help protect some of the most important and damaged areas of tropical rainforest in the world, safeguarding its wildlife, environment and indigenous culture, whilst contributing towards the fight against climate change.

Christmas Tree World will pay for a seedling to be planted in Borneo for every order placed on their website, it is expected that up to 25,000 trees will be planted by Christmas Tree World in 2019 alone, which could see an area of over 50 hectares reforested.

Stephen Evans, Owner of Christmas Tree World comments: “The Borneo Nature Foundation was a natural choice when searching for a charity partner. Climate change is the most important issue globally in this day and age, and with our background in traditional horticulture, we have a real affinity with what the charity are working to achieve. We particularly like the way BNF encourages local communities in Borneo to grow the trees from seed collected in the rainforest”.

“As well as the financial pledge we’re pleased to commit, we’ll be working closely with the BNF to assist with the reforestation process where we can, helping to upscale the process and make the largest impact possible.”

Susan M. Cheyne BSc (Hons) PhD CBiol CSci MRSB FRGS FLS, co-director at the Borneo Nature Foundation added: “In just four short decades, Borneo has lost over 50% of its tropical rainforest coverage, due to industrial scale deforestation,

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EAT. DRINK. SLEEP December 2019

THE UK’s leading supplier of artificial Christmas trees - Christmas Tree World, has joined forces with Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) in a bid to help save the rainforest.

eat.drink.sleep

Business Directory

Flexfurn Ltd.

PoolDek

www.flexfurn.com info.uk@flexfurn.com +44 (0) 1242 524777

www.pooldek.co.uk info@pooldek.co.uk +44 (0)1509 611 021

SUPERPROOF Thomas Ridley Foodservice www.thomasridley.co.uk info@thomasridley.co.uk +44 (0) 1359 270536

www.superproof.co.uk scott.friday@superproof.co.uk +44 (0) 808 133 2330

Envy Spirits

La Fée

www.oneenvy.com hello@oneenvy.com +44 (0) 1992 511445

www.lafee.com contact@lafee.com +44 (0) 1992 511445

Stage Systems www.stagesystems.co.uk info@stagesystems.co.uk +44 (0)1509 611 021

Stakrak Limited www.stakrak.co.uk sales@stakrak.co.uk +44 (0) 1293 538822

Lightspeed Restaurant www.lightspeedhq.co.uk/pos/restaurant/ lightspeedhq.info.uk@lightspeedhq.com

+44 (0) 20 3695 9599

Ena Shaw Contract

Europa International

Liquidline

www.enashawcontract.co.uk contract@enashaw.co.uk +44 (0) 1744 851515

www.europainternational.com contact@europainternational.com

www.liquidline.co.uk mail@liquidline.co.uk +44 (0) 800 8499110

Marco Beverage Systems www.marcobeveragesystems.com

info@marco.ie 00 353 1 295 2674

Adactus

+44 (0) 20 8676 0062

Barry Callebaut Beverage www.barrycallebautvending.co.uk beverages_uk@barry-callebaut.com +44 (0) 1244 370500

WMF United Kingdom

www.adactus.co.uk sales@adactus.co.uk +44 (0) 1844 269090

www.wmf-coffeemachines.com/en_uk

Agua Fabrics

Audrey Gaffney Associates

www.aguafabrics.com info@aguafabrics.com +44 (0)20 8205 0050

Sky Sports www.business.sky.com sb2b@sky.uk +44 (0) 84442 411 411

sales@wmf.uk.com +44 (0) 1895 816100

enomatic www.enomatic.co.uk sales@enomatic.co.uk +44 (0)1603 76846 Opt. 2

Just Artificial – Plants, Trees & Flowers www.justartificial.co.uk sales@justartificial.co.uk +44 (0) 1524 858888

equipline

www.audrey.ie info@audrey.ie +353 (0) 46 906 4190

www.equipline.co.uk info@equipline.co.uk +44 (0) 1895 272236

Hughes Trade

NFS Technology

www.hughestrade.co.uk sales@hughestrade.co.uk +44 (0) 345 877 8989

www.nfs-hospitality.com info@nfstechgroup.com +44 (0) 800 731 8451

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Coming Soon Next Month’s Features – January 2020 Please send your latest news and press releases to our editor

• Contract Lighting • EPOS

Jeremy@eat-drink-sleep.com

• Fabrics & Linens • Uniforms & Workwear To see our full 2020 features list please click here

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