Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II 2023 review: Best of British May 9, 2023 Tim Pitt drives the Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, a valedictory salute to the V12 engine before the British brand goes electric.
Burger chain Five Guys eyes accelerated expansion after seeing opportunity in pandemic November 15, 2021 “We’re just really early days still,” explains Five Guys’ UK CEO John Eckbert. The US-founded burger chain expects to ramp up its UK expansion plans after the pandemic has opened up real estate opportunities – but dark kitchens would only ever be “temporary.” Alongside Carphone Warehouse founder Sir Charles Dunstone, Eckbert was responsible for launching [...]
Pubs lament ‘dreadfully disappointing December’ but toast rebounding January sales January 13, 2022 Pubs and restaurants were knocked back by low trade over the Christmas period, although rebounding sales in recent days have offered a ray of hope for the beleaguered sector. Sales in pubs, restaurants and bars were down 60 per cent on Christmas Day on pre-Covid levels, according to data from UKHospitality and CGA. Transactions were [...]
‘Are you crazy?’: London restaurateur on opening two eateries during the pandemic June 23, 2021 When the pandemic hit, London-based restauranteur Sanjay Anand, owner of catering and restaurant business Madhu’s, found himself feeling restless, with more time on his hands than he had had in decades. Pre-pandemic Madhu’s, which specialises in luxury Indian food, was predominantly a catering business, and when Covid restrictions were put in place last March around [...]
Restaurants banned from taking staff tips under new legislation September 24, 2021 Pub and restaurant workers will be entitled to all of their tips under fresh government plans, impacting 2m employees. The government set out new legislation that would overhaul tipping practices on Friday, in a show of support for workers after their sector was hit hard by the pandemic. Employers will be banned from withholding tips [...]
Coffee Wars: Inside the race to become London’s number one chain June 1, 2024 Coffee has played a vital role in reviving Brits for centuries. Despite feeling like a relatively new phenomenon, the first record of a coffee house in England dates back to 1652 and was said to be opened by a Turkish Man named Jacob in Oxfordshire.
Travel and tourism vacancies threaten UK economic recovery August 1, 2022 The UK’s economic recovery is being threatened by significant vacancies in the travel and tourism sector. According to a report published today by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 128,000 industry jobs go unfulfilled in Britain, with one in 14 jobs remaining vacant. Figures revealed that the UK’s hotel industry was the worst hit [...]
Clucky escape: Nando’s avoids £300m debt default May 30, 2021 Lenders have given Nando’s some breathing space to avoid it defaulting on a £300m debt pile after being hit hard by pandemic-led restrictions. Banks including NatWest, Barclays and Santander have agreed to waive the testing of loan covenants in May, the Telegraph first reported, a move that helped Nando’s avoid defaulting. Covid restrictions have seen [...]
Mayor ‘ready’ to work with Westminster Council to maintain al fresco ‘lifeline’ for hospitality businesses August 27, 2021 Sadiq Khan has said he is “ready” to work with Westminster Council and local residents to maintain traffic-free roads in Soho. Cars have been barred from much of the capital’s oldest entertainment hub since the end of the first Covid-19 lockdown, with bars and restaurants setting up on the pedestrianised streets. But Westminster City Council [...]
Burger chain Wendy’s to launch ‘ghost kitchens’ in UK August 11, 2021 U.S. burger chain Wendy’s has announced plans for 700 delivery kitchens including in locations across the UK. The company announced a development commitment by REEF to launch 700 ‘ghost kitchens’ over the next five years across the U.S., Canada and UK. The delivery kitchen concept will target consumers keen to maintain at-home leisure habits beyond [...]