Issue 19 - HospitaliTech Magazine

Issue 19 Get Your Venue Ready for 4K TV and the 2026 World Cup with FOURKAY

Sing-Along with Singa: TVC Powers Molly MCs’ Private Karaoke Rooms

Keeping Christmas Profits and Productivity on Track

Pages 6-7

Pages 18-19

Page 24-25

www.hospitalitechmag.co.uk

Residential, Commercial and Hotel Automation Solutions

info@zennio.co.uk 100 Avebury Boulevard, SPACES. MK9 1FH zennio.com

Contents 4

Industry News

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Hospitality AI Platforms

20 Apps 24 Editor’s Choice 30 Recommended Companies

To feature in an upcoming issue or to discuss advertising opportunities please contact a member of the HospitaliTech team; Publication Manager James Freeman - 01227 314 524 james@hospitalitechmag.co.uk Editorial Assistant Katie Jane - 01227 314 524 katie@hospitalitechmag.co.uk Graphic Designer Daisy Shingles - 01227 314 524 design@hospitalitechmag.co.uk

Unlocking Big Entertainment Value with HQ.FM’s Quiz & Bingo Software In a world where entertainment costs can quickly spiral out of control, HQ.FM’s Quiz and Bingo Software stands out as a smart, cost-effective solution for pubs, clubs, and community venues looking to draw in crowds and keep them engaged; all under one budget-friendly subscription

For a low weekly cost of only £20, subscribers get access to a fullfeatured entertainment platform that combines both quiz nights and bingo sessions; two of the most crowd-pleasing formats in one simple subscription. Rather than juggling multiple services or paying individual licensing fees for different games, HQ.FM offers an all-in-one solution that streamlines event planning and maximises value.

What really sets this software apart is its dual-offering entertainment.

Hosts can run a high-quality quiz night one evening and a fun, lively bingo game the next—all using the same intuitive system. That variety

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alone means you’re getting two types of events for the price of one, giving customers more reasons to come back, night after night.

It’s not just entertainment; it’s a tool to build community and create consistent foot traffic.

Even more compelling is the time-saving benefit of HQ.FM’s professionally written quiz content.

Each week, subscribers receive TWO brand-new quizzes, carefully crafted to be fun, challenging, and current.

This eliminates the hours spent researching and writing questions, allowing venues to focus on hosting and promoting the event. When you factor in the saved labour and creative time, the subscription virtually pays for itself.

Add to that the easy-to-use interface, engaging visuals, and mobile/tablet compatibility, and it’s clear that HQ.FM is designed with real-world venues and real audiences in mind. The flexibility to customise and control the pace of the games makes it suitable for both seasoned hosts and newcomers.

Industry News

With entertainment budgets under more scrutiny than ever, HQ.FM offers a rare combination of affordability, quality, and versatility.

Whether you’re a small bar wanting to spice up weeknights or a large venue looking to streamline your entertainment lineup, the return on investment is undeniable.

For one low weekly fee, you’re not just getting software; you’re unlocking a year-round strategy for driving engagement and increasing revenue.

HQ.FM isn’t just a platform—it’s your entertainment partner.

Contact HQ.FM today to schedule a demo and see how their platform can elevate your venue’s entertainment game.

Find us at: www.hashtagquiz.co.uk Contact Simon at 07941 322339 or ops@hashtaghosts.co.uk

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Get Your Venue Ready for 4K TV and the 2026 World Cup with FOURKAY With hundreds of satisfied customers across the UK hospitality sector, FOURKAY has become a trusted name in professional AV distribution for pubs, bars, and venues that demand reliable performance night after night

Featured Products • • •

• • Whether you’re running a packed sports bar, a hotel lounge, or a members’ club, our HDMI and 4K distribution equipment delivers quality, value, and rock-solid support when it matters most.

We understand hospitality.

Equipment must work flawlessly every day and night, support calls often come after 6 pm, and budgets can be tight. That’s why FOURKAY offers weekend and evening technical assistance, no-frills pricing, and products chosen for longterm reliability. Our kit is relied on in venues as diverse as sports bars, football stadiums, crown courts, e-gaming venues, and theatres throughout the UK. Never heard of us? We don’t spend money on glossy showrooms or flashy boxes. Instead, FOURKAY focuses on solid, professional-grade AV hardware at honest prices. By cutting unnecessary costs, we keep prices competitive without compromising on reliability.

• •

• • • •

• • • • •

FOURKAY Mini 4K 4×4 HDMI over Ethernet Matrix Switch £395 +vat Route any of four sources to any of four displays with full Infra Red pass back and smartphone app control.

Perfect for small pubs and clubs.

FOURKAY 4K HDMI 1×8 Splitter Extender Kit £359 +vat Send one SkyQ box to up to eight TVs over Cat6 cables.

Range of up to 70 metres with Infra Red pass back.

Ideal for multi-screen bars.

FOURKAY 4K HDMI Wallplate Transmitter £130 +vat A neat wall-mounted HDMI input for presentations or guest devices; plug and play with our HDBaseT receivers.

FOURKAY 4K HDBaseT 8x8 Matrix Switch with 150m range £1739 +vat Rack mounted matrix switch for venues with TVs installed over a large area.

Smartphone controls.

Suits slightly larger venues

We ship daily from our London warehouse, with next-day UK and even same-day delivery options.

For buying or technical advice, call our UK office on 0207 175 5144 anytime — you’ll speak directly with someone who will be quick to understand your setup and requirements.

Warranty and returns details are all available on our website, where you will also be able to see reviews of our customer service and product support from hundreds of satisfied customers Use the discount code PUBAV10 at checkout for online orders, or mention it to us when placing orders by phone, and get 10% off your entire order throughout December and January. Get your AV match fit for 2026!”

FOURKAY® — Professional AV Distribution for Hospitality.

Quality. Reliability. Support you can count on.

Order directly from: www.fourkay.net or via our Amazon listings.

As more customers seek venues that show sports in 4K and as the 2026 World Cup approaches, now is the time to upgrade your screens and distribution systems. From a single HDMI wallplate to link a presentation laptop to your screens, to a 72-output HDMI Matrix Switch routing multiple HD or UHD sources around your venue, FOURKAY has you covered.

WWW.FOURKAY.NET 6

Industry News

Call us for buying advice and technical support!

0207 175 5144 Email sales@fourkay.net

£395 +vat • • •

Mini 4x4 4K Matrix Perfect for smaller clubs and bars Up to 8 Tv’s

£359 +vat • •

£1739 +vat

1x8 HDMI Spli Distribute 1 S nter Extender Kit ky Box to 8 TV Passback ’s with IR

0m atrix with 15

HDMI M High End 4K range d venues For mid size

• •

£130 +vat • • • •

up to 36 TV ’s Configurable range 4K with 150m

HDMI Wallpla Neat Solution te Input presentation for laptops

10% discount code for online orders throughout December and January!

Use code PUBAV10

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Focus Group Transforms Hotel WiFi into a Powerful Data Capture and Marketing Tool UK’s leading provider of essential technology launches Focus WiFi Intelligence powering hotel WiFi to enable data capture, drive guest engagement and secure loyalty for enhanced booking strategies

Focus Group, one of the UK’s leading independent providers of essential business technology and connectivity solutions, launches Focus WiFi Intelligence - a new digital engagement platform under its specialist division, Focus on Hospitality.

Focus WiFi Intelligence has been designed to help hospitality businesses enhance guest experiences, improve loyalty, and support direct bookings by transforming their existing WiFi system into a powerful marketing and data tool.

In today’s competitive hospitality landscape, understanding the

guest journey is key to driving both satisfaction and profitability.

This newly launched solution from Focus Group enables hotels to offer branded, seamless WiFi login experiences while capturing GDPR-compliant guest data. With the ability to integrate into CRM, PMS and marketing systems, the platform bridges the gap between on-site experiences and digital outreach, helping hoteliers unify guest profiles and personalise every interaction.

Focus WiFi Intelligence already offers powerful integrations with leading hospitality CRM platforms including Revinate, Klaviyo and HubSpot, Mailchimp with more integrations under development which will also further expand functionality.

By embedding guest data collection and loyalty into everyday infrastructure, this innovation empowers hotels to deliver standout experiences while increasing commercial value, all

from a tool that’s simple to deploy, easy to manage and built for the modern hotel environment. Hotels can leverage insightful guest information to further enhance their service offerings and guest experience with the real-time data capture including email, WiFi access frequency and duration - which can be understood at portfolio or multiproperty level. Within its secure cloud infrastructure, Focus WiFi Intelligence, provides customisable branding, guest segmentation tools for loyalty campaigns and upsell promotions, and comprehensive analytics offering insights into guest behaviour and engagement.

Alessandra Leoni, Head of Hospitality at Focus Group, commented: “We understand that hotel operators need more than just fast WiFi. They need data, insights and guest engagement tools that align with commercial goals. Focus WiFi Intelligence is designed to do exactly that, turning every guest login into a meaningful touchpoint that builds loyalty, supports personalisation and ultimately drives direct bookings.”

The launch is a clear demonstration of Focus Group’s ongoing investment in hospitality technology, adding to a portfolio that already includes voice, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, IoT and IT management, all underpinned by deep hospitality sector knowledge.

Focus WiFi Intelligence is now available to all Focus Group hospitality clients and works across existing WiFi and connectivity solutions provided by Focus Group.

To learn more about how Focus on Hospitality can support your business, contact: hospitality@focusgroup.co.uk or visit: www.focusgroup.co.uk

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Industry News

Education Food Supplier Fuels Growth with £1m+ Technology Investment Strategy Delivered by leading tech and innovation provider Emerge Digital

Green Gourmet, a leading food supplier to the education sector, has unveiled a significant strategic technology investment plan aimed at doubling its turnover over the next three years, following more than three years of tech enabled growth across the organisation.

Working alongside long-term technology partner Emerge Digital, since 2022 the company has invested over £1m in technology advancements, which has helped deliver 36m meals to education centres in the last 12 months alone.

Over the same period its turnover has grown by more than 10% as the business looks to double its output to more than 1.5m meals a week over the next three years.

Following the creation of Green Gourmet’s Digital Business Strategy, Emerge Digital is now leading on projects including cyber security improvements, achieving Cyber Essentials certification, the introduction of business intelligence tool ‘Power BI’ for more agile data reporting, as well as deploying Microsoft Copilot to every member of its team, supported by on-site training from the tech partner. This builds on previous work completed

by Emerge Digital, including a SharePoint restructure in 2024.

have been able to put this mission into action.”

Over the last year Green Gourmet has increased its spend on technology from 0.95% to more than 2% of annual turnover. The company is now spending £20k on technology per head, with plans for this to increase alongside its new innovation projects.

The investment also reflects Green Gourmet’s people-led mission. As a certified B Corp, the company is committed to ensuring its digital infrastructure supports its sustainability goals, including energy-efficient hardware and responsible vendor selection. Robin added: “We have committed to work to a triple bottom line principle where we consider people, profit, and planet in every decision that we make.”

Tom Henson, Managing Director at Emerge Digital, said: “From automation to cyber protection, everything we’ve implemented has had a clear purpose; to remove friction, empower staff, and help

Green Gourmet scale efficiently.

We are living in an era of AI-driven growth, and for companies slow off the mark to start their innovation journey it can be easy to fall behind.

Green Gourmet is a company that understands the benefits of being innovative and is using tech to drive growth across the business.”

The company’s goal is to double revenue by 2028 through technology implementations. The contract with Emerge Digital will include critical projects including the implementation of Green Gourmet’s Data Strategy, which will enable automation, integration and AI; empowering decision making across the business.

Robin added: “We’re growing, but our values haven’t changed. We still believe in being fun, agile, and ensuring we can deliver sectorleading services and high-quality meals to students across the UK.” To find out more, please visit: www.greengourmet.co.uk AND www.emerge.digital

Robin Bussey, CFO at Green Gourmet, said: “There is a steep learning curve when it comes to IT strategy, so it was essential we found a technology partner that understands our business model and how we are looking to grow.

Our mission is to deliver more meals to education centres across the UK, while keeping our headcount and overheads at a sustainable level.

Technology is allowing us to do this and through Emerge Digital, we

Industry News

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Lamington Group Launches New AI Reception to Support Challenges Facing the Hospitality Sector A new all-in-one, automated reception has been created to help relieve challenges facing the hospitality sector with promises to increase efficiency, support time-poor staff, and deliver a seamless experience for guests

The industry’s challenges have sparked growing interest in automated solutions, with AI technology being explored as a way to reduce repetitive tasks, provide guests with greater control, and allow staff to focus on high-value interactions.

valuable hours for staff in the industry. Key features include tailored language and formality to offer consistent tone and branding, multi-property scalability, reporting and analytics, 24/7 automation, PMS/ booking integrations, and the escalation of complex queries to a hotel’s human team.

DreamDesk has already successfully been integrated and is supporting a number of hotels’ challenges including room2 hometels and Lamington Apartments with plans to roll out its services into 50 hotels by the end of the year.

Developed specifically for hotels, B&Bs, serviced apartments, and hostels, the premise of DreamDesk, recently launched in partnership with Lamington Group, is to support hospitality teams and address the pain points faced by the industry, by enabling breathing room to focus on the more rewarding and impactful elements of service.

Despite being labour intensive, the hospitality industry is facing a chronic staff shortage. According to UKHospitality, there are around 132,000 vacancies across the sector, 48% above pre-pandemic levels.

Properties operated by leaner staff models, such as serviced apartments or aparthotels, are particularly vulnerable, often struggling to maintain a 24-hour reception.

Co-founded by Vieri Balbonia and Robert Godwin (CEO of Lamington Group), both with extensive experience in hospitality, DreamDesk transforms guest communications across voice, chatbot, email, and WhatsApp, automating up to 90% of routine tasks so staff can focus on guests.

Promising to reduce front desk workloads by 60%, DreamDesk’s sole aim is to help claw back

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Hospitality AI Platforms

Vieri Balboni, Co-Founder of DreamDesk, said, “We know firsthand how demanding this sector can be and just how much time and effort goes into running a successful hospitality business.

Time is always of the essence, staffing costs are notoriously high and guests’ expectations are rising as they expect the very best service each and every time. This is where DreamDesk comes in”.

“Let your staff be physically present and shine out front whilst DreamDesk handles the equally important background

noise. We know that operators are still naturally concerned about deploying automated assistants and front desks, however, our case studies show how AI-powered solutions can reliably centre human interactions and relationships.

By removing time-consuming and unrewarding routine tasks, hospitality professionals can concentrate on the personal touches that shape the guest experience.”

Lauren Hyde, Reservation Manager at room2 hometels, who have implemented DreamDesk into their guest experience, commented, “Using DreamDesk has enhanced our guest journey and improved efficiency within our Reservations team. The setup was straightforward, and integration was seamless”.

To find out more about how DreamDesk is helping support the industry, its pricing models, and to join its partner programme, book a demo today, visit: www.dreamdeskai.com

Hospitality AI Platforms

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Hotel Operator Launches AI Toolkit Broadening Information Access for Guests and Staff New suite of technology solutions offers added means to seek guidance and support

Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has launched a trio of artificial intelligence (AI) agents to address changes in how people source information. The new toolkit, which complements the Group’s existing channels, gives guests the flexibility to make enquiries either digitally or directly with hotel staff, who in turn gain broader access to training materials and commercial insights.

“Personal and intuitive guest care, strong colleague development, and informed commercial decisionmaking have always been central to how we operate,” Langham Hospitality Group CEO Bob van den Oord said. “These new tools extend that approach by allowing us to respond to the shift in how people access information, whether they’re guests planning a stay, frontline team members sharpening their skills, or marketing executives exploring emerging travel trends.”

The new AI agents are being phased in throughout the Group’s hotel portfolio, which includes 31 properties across four continents and brands – The Langham Hotels and Resorts, Cordis Hotels and Resorts, Eaton Workshop, and Ying’nFlo. The agents include: Experience Agent: A multilingual interface that enables guests to ask questions through textbased channels – including email,

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WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram – while still having the option to speak directly with hotel staff at any time. The agent responds in over 50 languages and is designed to help guests access practical information quickly and conveniently. Over time, the agent will be able to recognise intent, suggest service options and direct enquiries to the right teams.

Future capabilities also include voice conversations and an expanded role as an AI concierge that anticipates guests’ needs and helps them plan their stays, arrange services and receive timely updates before, during and after their journeys.

Knowledge Agent: A practical support tool that offers instant answers to employee questions, helping colleagues learn, troubleshoot and perform their roles with confidence. From housekeeping standards to brand signatures and operating procedures, the agent serves as an always-on reference that reduces time spent searching for information and that supports more consistent delivery across departments. As it advances, the agent will be able to walk teams through tasks step-bystep, highlight standards in real time, flag compliance gaps, and proactively provide guidance based on role, location or time of day – offering a personalised pathway to learning that ensures knowledge is not just retained, but continually strengthened.

Insight Agent: A real-time analytics tool that reviews booking patterns, demand signals and

guest behaviour in aggregate to identify opportunities with greater precision. By surfacing actionable recommendations on timing, pricing and audiences, the agent helps commercial teams craft more relevant offers and launch campaigns at the moments they’re most likely to convert. Future iterations of the agent will forecast demand shifts, suggest package concepts based on browsing behaviour, alert teams to emerging travel trends and even create personalised offers for specific guest segments – effectively becoming a proactive commercial partner that drives both innovation and revenue potential.

The AI toolkit is the latest in a long lineage of forward-thinking innovations introduced at LHG’s hotels, some dating back to the launch of its flagship property, The Langham, London, in 1865. As Europe’s first Grand Hotel, it was the only establishment of its kind to embrace offerings such as electric lighting, hydraulic lifts, and hot and cold running water – advancements that redefined guest journeys at the time. Today, that same pioneering mindset guides the company’s approach to a broad range of new technologies, including intelligent heating and cooling, smart checkin solutions, and top-of-the-line property management systems, all designed with the same enduring purpose: to enrich the guest experience.

To find out more, visit our website: www.langhamhospitalitygroup.com

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Agentic AI for Hotels: Mews Outlines the Future of Intelligent Hospitality New Mews report explores how intelligent agents will reshape hotel operations, guest experiences, and business performance

Mews, the leading operating system for hospitality and shared spaces, has launched a new report exploring how intelligent agents will reshape hotel operations.

Hospitality is entering a new stage of digital maturity, driven by agentic AI. According to the new report, Agentic AI for Hotels: The Mews Vision for AI in Hospitality, the shift from assistive to autonomous intelligence will redefine how hotels operate, learn, and deliver experiences in the decade ahead.

Building on the connected ecosystem that Mews has been developing for more than a decade – and accelerated by the recent acquisition of DataChat, a leading generative AI analytics company – agentic AI will enable a new level of coordination across revenue,

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Hospitality AI Platforms

operations, and guest experience.

Importantly, this doesn’t mean a future run entirely by bots. Hoteliers will remain in control, deciding what to automate and to what extent, while intelligent systems take on more orchestration over time. The path to full automation will be gradual, allowing teams to adopt AI at their own pace and ensuring that the human touch remains central to hospitality.

Unlike earlier generations of automation or chatbots, agentic AI connects multiple hotel systems to reason, plan, and act autonomously, collaborating with staff and other agents to achieve specific business outcomes. Rather than waiting for prompts, these systems proactively coordinate across operations, revenue, and guest services to predict needs, reallocate resources, and personalize experiences in real time.

“For years, hospitality has wrestled with the tension between technology and human connection,” said Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews.

“Agentic AI bridges that divide.

It’s about freeing humans from repetitive work so they can focus on what truly defines our industry: hospitality itself. We’ve always talked about “user disengagement” - the idea that we want hoteliers to spend more time with guests and less time with screens and reports. This next phase of intelligence introduces digital coworkers that collaborate across systems and departments, turning technology into an active partner in daily operations.”

Why now, and why it matters The report highlights a convergence of factors making this transformation inevitable: advances in large language models, the growing operational complexity of modern hotel ecosystems, and the emergence of open, connected platforms. While many hospitality systems remain siloed, Mews’ open API architecture provides the interoperability and data flow required for agentic AI to succeed. By connecting every layer of hotel operations, Mews creates the foundation where intelligent agents can reason, act, and collaborate across systems

•

housekeeping schedules, and coordinate maintenance before issues arise.

Guest agents act as digital concierges, proactively curating personalized experiences and turning potential complaints into moments of delight.

Agentic AI isn’t about replacing human service but scaling it, giving teams more time to focus on guests.

“True hospitality will always be human,” said Matt Welle, CEO of Mews. “The role of AI is to make that humanity more visible, to give staff the time, clarity, and confidence to deliver their best work.”

As the report notes, the industry’s shift toward agentic AI is already accelerating. Building on recent advancements in conversational intelligence and semantic modeling, including the integration of DataChat’s technology and expertise, Mews is fast-tracking the development of autonomous and semi-autonomous agents across revenue, operations and guest experience. Together, these advances mark a decisive step toward an AI-first operating system

in real time. While 92% of travel organizations have experimented with generative AI, most remain limited to static assistants or singleuse automations.

for hospitality, where intelligent agents learn continuously and make hotels more efficient, adaptive, and human-centric.

Agentic AI represents the next phase: where intelligent agents act as digital coworkers, orchestrating workflows across fragmented systems to deliver measurable impact on efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction.

Find out more: www.mews.com

To function effectively, these agents require a semantic layer: a unified data model that gives AI the contextual understanding it needs to make accurate, trustworthy decisions. Without it, hotel technology remains fragmented and reactive.

A glimpse into the agentic future Soon, AI agents will operate seamlessly behind the scenes: •

•

Revenue agents continuously optimize rates and distribution based on live demand and market data.

Operations agents anticipate staffing needs, manage

Hospitality AI Platforms

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HOW MUSIC CAN INFLUENCE CUSTOMER BEHAVIOUR The Power of Music Two-thirds (66%) of UK adults admit that the type of music played in shops or businesses (such as cafes or salons) influences what they buy and their habits – with 27% saying “definitely” and 39% answering with “probably”.

Our study* of over 2,000 UK adults further revealed the music genres customers believe business owners should play to persuade them to spend, spend, spend — with pop a prevailing favourite.

When shoppers were asked to rank genres, pop came out on top. Over a third (35%) of customers said that they feel be more inclined to buy extravagant clothes and accessories, like a designer pair of trainers if pop plays.

Pop also reigns supreme at the UK’s supermarkets (43%) particularly among the 45-59 age bracket (48%). But food shops could also experiment with reggae — which tempts 16% to fill their trolleys — and hip-hop (15%) to encourage shoppers to spend on tasty treats.

Pop has persuasive powers in salons, too; 37% of people say this genre tempts them to try a new hairstyle. That said, moody rock anthems (19%) and soul melodies (18%) are also likely to leave customers feeling brave at in the hairdresser’s chair. Over-60s sway towards a new style if classical tracks play — more so than other age groups (18%).

Restaurant owners, take note — classical music is more likely to get diners in the mood to order expensive items on the menu, appealing to nearly a third (31%) of people. Soul (22%) and jazz (21%) are also popular, depending on the ambience you’re aiming for. Meanwhile, 40% of adults said that they are more likely to indulge in an extra treat if pop music plays in a pub or café.

Crucially, over half of UK adults (53%) dislike dining in silence, particularly the younger generation (56%). The primary put-off is the lack of atmosphere (61%) while 32% claim the experience isn’t as fun without background beats. After all, nearly two-thirds (63%) admit that different types of music affect their mood in different ways.

This may account for why over two-thirds (67%) of customers admit to LEAVING a venue after realising no songs were playing. This scenario is most common in pubs — where one in five (20%) revellers have chosen the door over a drink after a silent reception — closely followed by bars and cafes. Evidently, a soundtrack to sipping, snacking and socialising is essential.

Ultimately, the senses play a pivotal role in creating a positive experience for customers in shops and businesses like restaurants or salons. When asked to rank stimulants from 1-5, ‘music’ was a priority for a fifth (21%) — second only to ‘colours’ (41%) but surpassing ‘fragrance’ and ‘lighting’.

0800 0720 808 (8am-6pm, Mon-Thurs & 8am-3pm, Fri)

pplprs.co.uk 16

*Survey performed to 2101 respondents September 2021 by Perspectus Global

d

e

67%

of customers admit to leaving a venue after realising no songs were playing*

66%

of UK adults say the type of music a shop or business plays influences what they buy*

Sing-Along with Singa: TVC Powers Molly MCs’ Private Karaoke Rooms TVC Technology Solutions Completes a Bespoke MultiRoom Karaoke AV Installation at Molly MCs, Isabella Street

Bolton-based TVC Technology Solutions has announced the successful completion of a purposebuilt audio-visual installation at Molly MCs, a late-night venue in the heart of London’s iconic Isabella Street. This project strengthens TVC’s growing reputation as the go-to AV integrator for innovative, entertainment-driven hospitality spaces across the UK. “Molly MCs had a clear vision,” says Elliot Shepherd, Technical Sales & Projects Coordinator at TVC Technology Solutions. “They wanted a premium, seamless karaoke experience across multiple private rooms, each one looking and sounding fantastic, simple for staff to manage, and robust enough to perform flawlessly night after night.”

Following a detailed review of the site layout and operational requirements, TVC’s design team produced a tailored AV plan to serve Molly MCs’ bespoke karaoke spaces.

Each private room was equipped with its own large-format Mitchell & Brown CU Series 4K Ultra HD WebOS Smart TV, ranging from 43 to 50 inches depending on room size. These displays deliver vivid, ultra-high-definition karaoke graphics with smooth motion and vibrant colours, ensuring every track looks as good as it sounds.

For audio, TVC specified and installed premium Audac BASO10 bass reflex cabinets in every room, compact yet powerful speakers capable of delivering balanced, fullbodied sound. Carefully positioned and tuned, the system provides warm, impactful bass alongside crystal-clear mids and highs, ensuring karaoke vocals remain crisp and intelligible at all times.

Control and content delivery were designed with equal care. In each

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private room, a 10.9-inch Apple iPad securely mounted in a Bouncepad wall enclosure, serves as the intuitive control hub. Guests and employees can easily browse and select tracks via the integrated Singa Karaoke platform, adjust volume, and manage playback without any technical complexity. A discreet Audac WP210 wall controller offers quick manual source switching and volume adjustment for added convenience.

To complete the experience, every room features a Quad Handheld radio wireless microphone system, providing performers with the freedom to move, interact, and bring the party to life, all backed by a the Singa Karaoke track library

that keeps the music fresh and the performances flowing.

“The Molly MCs team were thrilled with the result,” adds Elliot. “We delivered a consistent, premium karaoke experience across all their private rooms, an installation that looks professional, works beautifully, and will keep guests coming back for more. It’s another great example of TVC bringing together design, technology, and user experience to power the next generation of hospitality entertainment.”

For more information, images, interviews, or comments on AV integration for the hospitality industry, contact us: www.tvc.uk.com

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Lolly Unveils Personalised Allergen & Smart Filtering Feature to Enhance Safety, Health and Sustainability Industry-first tool combines allergen management with calorie and carbon footprint filtering

Lolly, the hospitality software house, is set to launch its new Personalised Allergen Profile & Smart Filtering feature, designed to give customers greater confidence and control when ordering food and drink, while helping operators meet compliance and improve the customer journey.

The feature builds on Lolly’s existing allergen management tools but goes much further. Customers can now set their allergens and dietary preferences once, or update them anytime, and let the system do the rest. Menus are then automatically tailored to highlight safe choices and preferences, with clear alerts if an unsuitable product is added to the basket.

Integrated across the full Lolly ecosystem, from apps and web

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ordering to PoS, self-serve kiosks, kitchen screens, barista devices and HQ tools, the enhanced filtering carries preferences through every stage of service. With built-in cashier reminders and prep team prompts, it supports smoother operations while giving customers added confidence.

Beyond allergens, the feature introduces new filtering capabilities unique to the hospitality sector: • Calorie awareness – customers can set calorie thresholds to guide their choices.

• Environmental impact – items can be highlighted by CO₂e footprint, supporting sustainabilityconscious diners.

• Custom tags – such as “spicy” or “cuisine type,” enabling faster and more relevant menu navigation.

Peter Moore, CEO at Lolly, said: “Allergen safety will always be a priority, but we saw a much wider opportunity to empower

Apps

customers with the information they care about, from nutrition to sustainability. Personalised Allergen Profiles & Smart Filtering is our way of combining these elements into a single, easy-to-use feature that works across the full Lolly platform.”

As the latest addition to Lolly’s portfolio of digital solutions, Personalised Allergen Profile & Smart Filtering delivers safer choices and seamless service while supporting compliance with Natasha’s Law. By bringing together allergen safety, calorie and carbon transparency, and audit reporting in one tool, the launch marks another step in Lolly’s drive to set new standards for innovation in hospitality technology.

To find out more, visit our website: www.itslolly.com

Tired of room service trolleys lingering in the corridors?

If you want to banish smelly, dirty plates from your hotel’s corridors, get a tried and tested solution. There’s one that’s super user-friendly, gives a choice of notification methods and has, by far, the coolest choice of collection buttons.

It’s Dinggly.

Dinggly buttons (Dingglies) connect directly to your WiFi or a cellular network so there’s never a range issue. A tablet programs and tracks buttons from the Room Service/IRD office, whilst staff on-the-move can get calls on their phones or the inclusive Dinggly wrist pager.

All Dingglies are special, but some are extra special. Our flexible designs cater for a wide range of budgets and aesthetics. All are rechargeable.

And if the budget is tight, we’ve QR tiles instead of buttons. So there’s no excuse for lingering whiffs!

Try Dinggly, risk free! Contact us here and we’ll set you up to give Dinggly a go.

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www.dinggly.com

Longbow Venues Launches ‘My Longbow’ App - Among the First MultiVenue Loyalty Apps in the Peak District Members earn points on food and drink, enjoy birthday bubbles, monthly treats and exclusive venue offers across Derbyshire

Longbow Venues has launched My Longbow, an all-in-one guest app with an integrated, points-based loyalty programme, My Loyalty among the first app-led schemes spanning multiple independent venues in the Peak District rewarding guests for food and drink across The Maynard (Grindleford), The Peacock at Rowsley, The George (Hathersage), The Ashford Arms and The Peacock at Owler Bar. From 8 September 2025, guests who sign up will receive a £10 welcome credit applied 24 hours after activation and valid on food for one month.

Members earn 3 points for every £1 spent on food and drink, and receive £10 extra credit for every 500 points. New members also unlock a complimentary bottle of Durello when ordering two main meals in their seven-day birthday window either side of their birthday.

Rob Hattersley, Founder and CEO of Longbow Venues, said: “Our guests are incredibly loyal, and this is our way of saying thank you.

My Longbow brings all our venues, seasonal treats and surprises together in one place. It will be the backbone of how we look after regulars and welcome new faces, with rewards that feel personal and generous throughout the year.”

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Stephen Atkinson, Operations Director, added:

the app puts everything in your pocket so you never miss a perk.”

“Because it is app-first, we can keep it fresh. You will see rotating perks, partner highlights and timely boosts, from English Wine Week celebrations to January pick-meups. We will keep listening and refining so members see real, ongoing value.”

Alongside the sign-up benefits, members can access a rolling calendar of treats and venuespecific offers, launching from next week: one free hot drink each month, a buy five takeaway coffees, get the sixth free stamp card, and 20% off the lunch menu at The Peacock at Rowsley, Monday to Thursday. Additional limited-time rewards and seasonal surprises will be announced in-app.

Andy Shiel-Redfern, who led the concept and build, said: “ My Longbow started with a simple idea: make every visit feel valued.

We have designed the programme to be clear, consistent and generous.

Points are easy to understand, rewards are simple to redeem, and

How it works •

Join: Download My Longbow from the Apple App Store and register in under a minute.

Guests without smartphones can pick up a complimentary physical loyalty card in venue.

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Earn: Present your digital membership at payment to collect points on food and drink. If you forget your QR code, email an itemised receipt within 28 days to myloyalty@ longbowvenues.com to have points added.

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Redeem: Rewards and offers show in the app with clear expiry dates and any simple conditions, such as “with two main meals”.

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Stay informed: Invitations and specials are shared via the app and email. Members can earn

points and receive rewards without marketing consent, although opting in ensures you hear about all benefits and updates.

Terms and conditions: My Loyalty rewards food and drink spend only. Accommodation, gift cards, weddings, events and experiences are excluded. One card can be used per table, and some high-demand dates are excluded unless specified, including New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Points and monetary value typically expire 12 months after they are accrued, except where a specific offer states otherwise, for example the £10

Apps

welcome credit is valid for one month.

Members can earn and redeem in participating Longbow Venues, including The Maynard, The Peacock at Rowsley, The George at Hathersage, The Ashford Arms, and The Peacock at Owler Bar. Accrual and usage are based on food and drink in the bars and restaurants from the standard menus.

Search “My Longbow” in the Apple App Store or visit longbowvenues. com/loyalty to register and claim your £10 welcome credit.

For more about Longbow Venues, including app T&C’s please visit: www.longbowvenues.com

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Keeping Christmas Profits and Productivity on Track The festive season is a prime opportunity for the hospitality sector to drive revenue; and pubs, bars, restaurants and coffee shops typically thrive during this time of year

However, can the same be said for front of house (FOH) and back of house (BOH) teams, who are responsible for driving operations forward? Their aim is to provide guests an experience that brings them back for more. But for many, this isn’t always the case, as many operators are unable to manage the influx of orders and footfall productively. In many situations, there is a failure to effectively connect FOH and BOH teams.

This is often, in part, down to many teams using manual pen and paper processes to take orders and execute them.

But, it’s not just the process of taking orders that causes problems to arise. During the final hurdle at the POS, or the end of an evening meal or drink, receipt printing problems or failures often present issues for hospitality businesses.

These various kinds of issues can completely erode the guest

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experience. Stuart Colverd, Head of Sales POS Northern Europe, BIXOLON explains.

The festive season pressure cooker A lot can go wrong behind the scenes in hospitality, that guests are generally unaware of.

Although festive footfall to venues is welcomed by operators, an increase in visits (or online orders), puts pressure on FOH teams to meet customer expectations and serve guests’ needs. And, in the case of many fast-food chains, pubs or coffee shops, can the waiting staff, bartenders and baristas take the orders quickly and accurately enough in order to execute and fulfil them for customers efficiently and productively?

In many cases, paper-based processes are used to take orders during counter-based POS situations. For example, an order is taken and written down on a piece of paper. This is often passed down the process chain to the kitchen or BOH team to execute. Often, the hand writing on paper notes is illegible and the paper used is not of a high-enough quality to withstand the challenges of many hospitality environments. The result: order slips

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that are illegible and damaged, with the end result being orders that do not get fulfilled accurately – they risk going missing, or are just completely wrong.

Worse, yet, what if allergen information is poorly communicated with kitchens? The outcome could be fatal in some cases. Miscommunication and poor operational process is the enemy of productivity, damaging customer experience and eroding peak season revenues. An effective more modern approach involves introducing the use of lineless labelling. Labels can be printed without a backing on them, that convey all the necessary order information from customers, including allergens. These can be passed onto kitchens to use to prepare orders; they can be stuck to coffee cups or take away packaging, for instance. What is more, labelling technologies can be integrated into ordering systems, table management systems and support POS systems effectively.

Receipts and kiosks can support loyalty When the time comes for guests and consumers to pay for their fast-food, drink, coffee or sit-down

meal it is a legal requirement to provide them with a receipt for their purchase.

During this part of the guest experience process, it is important for receipt printers to be able to print receipts without errors, and fast. Ideally printers should be able to facilitate printing marketing offers too; as these can drive the next loyal purchase or reservation; but the key point here is that these printers function consistently and do not breakdown. Especially over the festive period. Therefore, these pieces of equipment must be prepared for the Christmas season.

They must also be able to withstand long working hours. This means not overheating and enabling till rolls to be changed fast. Moreover, they must integrate effectively with POS. Conclusion As restaurants head into the festive season, the focus naturally falls on menus, staffing issues and customer experience. But, behind the scenes, it’s the clarity of communication between front and back of house that determines how well everything comes together.

Effective labelling and printing are silent enablers of success. They help staff perform confidently.

They support accuracy during busy periods, and they ensure customers receive exactly what they ordered. They also extend the dining experience beyond the table.

Through printed receipts, offers, and loyalty prompts, repeat business from guests is encouraged.

During a season that often has high expectations, reliable label and receipt printing solutions can keep operators’ teams coordinated, connected and on track to meet both the revenue expectations of the business, along with the personal expectations of guests.

Visit our website: www.bixoloneu.com

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Smarter Tech, Stronger Margins: Hospitality’s Post-Budget Reality By: Matthew Prosser, Senior Director at Agilysys

The UK’s hospitality sector entered this year’s Autumn Budget with a clear need for stability. After months of rising operational costs, labour shortages and tightening consumer spending, operators across the UK were looking for signals that the government recognised the strain on an industry that contributes billions to the economy and serves as a vital employer in communities nationwide.

The Budget delivers some relief.

The government’s plan to introduce “permanently lower tax rates” for more than 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties is an important step toward restoring confidence. As businesses gear up to tackle increased national minimum wage bills, operators across hotels, pubs and restaurants will seek to stabilise their finances while continuing to invest in their teams, their systems and the experiences they deliver.

But the picture is not uniformly positive. The unresolved proposal to introduce a tourist tax across the UK presents a real risk, as the burden ought to fall most heavily on domestic travellers. For hotels in regions that rely heavily on local tourism, even modest overnight fees could deter bookings, narrowing margins further for businesses, especially at a time when the Budget offers no offsetting relief through lower VAT or National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

This risk comes at a time when the divide between tech-enabled properties and legacy-driven operations is starker than ever.

Hotels that rely on manual processes or siloed systems are already operating with less agility, less visibility and greater labour intensity. Any external shock in the form of rising costs, tax changes or fluctuating demand hits them harder. That’s why the Budget’s financial breathing room must be matched with strategic digital

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investment. Modern hospitality technology systems are essential infrastructure for resilience, efficiency and revenue growth.

When deployed thoughtfully, people-first technology can ease the exact pressures the sector is struggling with.

Automation and integrated platforms reduce the administrative load on overstretched teams whether that’s managing inventory, coordinating housekeeping, processing orders or handling payments. Real-time insights further help operators forecast demand more accurately and manage busy periods without burning out staff. Simultaneously, unified data ecosystems enable the kind of personalisation guests increasingly expect in the form of targeted offers, seamless interactions and experiences that feel curated rather than generic.

Importantly, technology is not about replacing the human touch that defines hospitality, but an enabler. By removing friction from operations and giving employees better tools, systems free teams to focus on what they do best - connecting with guests, anticipating needs and delivering the warmth and care that keep guests coming back for more.

In an environment where domestic tourism could be sensitive to new taxes, loyalty becomes even more valuable. Returning guests are consistently more profitable, more forgiving of rising prices and more likely to recommend a property to others. Technology that supports personalised and memorable stays directly strengthens this loyalty loop.

The Autumn Budget has given operators a window of opportunity: a chance to stabilise, plan ahead and lay the foundations for longterm competitiveness. The venues leaning into innovative and guestcentred technology are already

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standing out as employers and service providers of choice.

In a challenging period for hospitality, this combination of financial relief and purposeful digital transformation offers a path forward rooted in resilience, exceptional service and sustainable growth.

Find out more, at: www.agilysys.com

Shake Shack Launches Autonomous Delivery in Chicago Chicagoans have a new way to get their Shake Shack favorites delivered

Shake Shack is debuting Coco Robotics’s autonomous robot deliveries at two Chicago locations, with plans to bring the service to additional sites citywide.

This collaboration between Shake Shack, Coco, and Uber Eats aims to enhance the guest experience while growing Coco’s presence across major U.S. cities.

Shack is able to fulfill more orders, especially during peak hours, improving delivery timing and ensuring a consistent, seamless experience for guests. Coco’s robots operate on sidewalks and in hightraffic urban areas, safely navigating to customers’ designated pickup locations - no extra steps, tips, or fees required.

“Shake Shack has redefined what a fine casual experience looks like, and we’re proud to help extend that same level of care to their

delivery orders,” said Melissa Fahs, Chief Commercial Officer at Coco Robotics. “By integrating Coco’s autonomous delivery technology into Shake Shack’s operations with Uber Eats in Chicago, we’re supporting their mission to bring great food and hospitality to more guests - efficiently, sustainably, and with the same care that defines every Shack experience.”

Learn more at: www.shakeshack.com AND www.cocodelivery.com

“At Shake Shack, we’re always looking for new ways to meet our guests where they are, and this partnership gives us another convenient option to bring the Shack experience to them, especially during the colder months,” said Steph So, Chief Growth Officer at Shake Shack.

“We’re excited to see how this technology can make things easier and more fun for both our guests and our team. The robots are intuitive, easy to work with, and bring a little extra joy to delivery.”

A Direct Integration Coco’s robots integrate directly into Shake Shack’s existing Uber Eats ordering system, eliminating manual entry or extra steps for instore teams. Orders move directly from the kitchen to the curb, where a Coco robot completes the final leg of the journey, delivering it directly to the customer.

“Coco has been a leader in autonomous delivery innovation for years, empowering merchants to offer customers fast, reliable, and consistent service,” said Megan Jensen, Head of Autonomous Delivery Operations at Uber Eats.

“We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership with Coco and deliver the next generation of efficient deliveries to Shake Shack customers in Chicago through Uber Eats.”

By partnering with Coco, Shake

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SIHOT Consolidates Digital Guest Journey with EasyConnect Hotel management system simplifies guest communications at each touch point of the hotel’s digital experience

SIHOT, one of the leading hotel management systems, has launched EasyConnect, a fully integrated smart platform to make the digital guest journey seamless.

Addressing the need to simplify the management of digital guest touchpoints, EasyConnect brings together the different products within the guest journey where hoteliers can manage guest communications and track all guest engagement in the PMS. EasyConnect provides an access point to adapt guest communication for multiple channels such as email and SMS, and in future Whatsapp, to keep engagement consistent, yet personalized for guests.

As part of the development, SIHOT has implemented a number of consumer-ready features and security controls including; simple authentication to assist in deduplicating data by consolidating guest profiles with social logins via Google and Apple; tailored communications with HTML template designs and personalized upsell opportunities; and reservation confirmations integrated into mobile wallets for seamless property access and check in experiences.

Full tracking gives hotels greater visibility of each guest’s engagement at each touchpoint to analyze the guest lifecycle from

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booking to post-stay feedback.

EasyConnect can also manage and administrate multiple properties to ensure brand consistency.

Carsten Wernet, Chief Executive of SIHOT said, “Our goal is to give hoteliers transparency of the digital guest journey - to understand what works for each customer and tailor the experience accordingly. The seamless networking of all SIHOT systems involved in the entire digital guest journey centralizes the management of communications and data. Not only is this improving work flows for hotel staff, but it’s offering valuable insights on guest behaviour which can feed back into the overall commercial and operational strategy of the hotel.”

Further developments are on the roadmap including integrations with Whatsapp and additional communications channels, as well as mobile keys in smartphone wallets.

Earlier this year, SIHOT published “Making it through the digital jungle” – a comprehensive guide to digital transformation to support hoteliers with digital developments to redefine and elevate the guest experience.

For more information, contact SIHOT or visit: www.sihot.com

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