Sales down again for Frankie & Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group but share price rises August 31, 2018 Frankie & Benny's owner The Restaurant Group reported another slip in sales this morning, as this year's changeable weather deterred punters from eating out. But shares in the company were up 3.8 per cent in early trading as it flagged improved trading since the end of the first half of the year. The figures Like-for-like [...]
Consumers splash out on holidays and drinks as confidence warms up | City A.M. July 23, 2018 Consumers spent more on eating out and long holidays in the second quarter of this year, as confidence warmed up along with the weather. The shift from cold weather to a long hot summer boosted the amount of money spent on leisure activities by three per cent compared to last year, according to Deloitte’s latest [...]
Fiscal Phil brings MPs sunshine, but only if they back him on Brexit October 29, 2018 Philip Hammond is a man more comfortable poring over spreadsheets than performing stand-up. He prefers an abacus to a microphone and an audience. But at times like these, when the staff need a morale boost, even the most bookish company finance director must come down to the shop floor to remind the workers just what [...]
Greene King strikes £50m deal with Scottish Widows to cover pension liabilities September 17, 2018 Pub chain Greene King today announced it had struck a £50m deal with Scottish Widows to cover some of its pension liabilities. The company's first so called bulk annuity transfer will see Scottish Widows cover Greene King's responsibilities to pensioners in its final salary Spirit Pension Scheme. There may also be future moves to secure further annuities in [...]
Greene King strikes £50m deal with Scottish Widows to cover pension liabilities September 17, 2018 Pub chain Greene King today announced it had struck a £50m deal with Scottish Widows to cover some of its pension liabilities. The company's first so called bulk annuity transfer will see Scottish Widows cover Greene King's responsibilities to pensioners in its final salary Spirit Pension Scheme. There may also be future moves to secure further annuities in [...]
Tom Kerridge on why slow-cooked lamb shoulder is his favourite meal, the most annoying thing about being a restaurateur, and the time his chef overdosed on durian fruit November 28, 2018 Who are you and what do you do? I’m a bloke from Gloucester having a go at cooking with lots of other bits on the side. I run the two Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers, the one Michelin-starred The Coach, a butchers called The Butcher’s Tap, and the brand new Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the [...]
Slug and Lettuce owner toasts World Cup and Be At One acquisition after record quarter September 17, 2018 Slug and Lettuce owner Stonegate has reported a record a quarter due to the World Cup and said growth would continue after acquiring a portfolio of Be At One cocktail bars. The company, which also owns Walkabout and Yates said it sold 4.5m pints over the course the tournament, with a peak of 367,000 during [...]
Slug and Lettuce owner toasts World Cup and Be At One acquisition after record quarter September 17, 2018 Slug and Lettuce owner Stonegate has reported a record a quarter due to the World Cup and said growth would continue after acquiring a portfolio of Be At One cocktail bars. The company, which also owns Walkabout and Yates said it sold 4.5m pints over the course the tournament, with a peak of 367,000 during [...]
Thousands of stores fall off high street as retail woes worsen November 9, 2018 Fresh evidence of the retail woes facing Britain’s shopkeepers emerged this morning, with more than 2,500 stores vanishing from the high street over the first six months of this year. Some 14 stores have closed every day in the first half of 2018, as stiffer competition and higher costs make the retail struggle for survival [...]
How to Mix: Legendary explorer Francis Drake inspired this beery mojito at the London Edition’s Lobby Bar November 1, 2018 Beer has seeped into every crack and crevice of London’s food and drink scene. From beer pairings with tasting menus to beer-flavoured desserts, the amber stuff isn’t restricted to pints in the pub anymore. But the Lobby Bar at the London Edition Hotel on Berners Street has taken it one step further and popped some [...]