Humble Grape to debut first technology-driven and ‘curated’ wine bar site this week: Humble Grape, the wine and events company founded in 2009 by James Dawson, is to open its first curated and technology driven wine bar and shop this … view

Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker shows UK consumers taking cautious approach to holidays: British consumers are foregoing overseas holidays in preference to a ‘staycation’ as they continue to monitor their spending cautiously, accord … view

EC confirms that alcohol policy is national matter as EU intervention ruled out: The European Commission has issued a clear statement that public health and alcohol policy is a matter for national governments, ruling out harmonisation of … view

Debenhams reports Patisserie Valerie and Chi Kitchen concession trial: Debenhams is trialling Patisserie Valerie and Chi Kitchen concessions within its department stores as part of moves to optimise space and enhance its appeal to shopper … view

Report shows ‘night time economy’ continues growth despite increased regulations: A new report shows the “night time economy” is continuing to grow – generating revenues of £66bn a year in 2012, nearly 6% of the UK’s GDP – … view

Carluccio’s reports Ebitda up 5.9% in most recent year: Carluccio’s, the restaurant group with operations in the UK, Ireland, US, Middle East and Turkey, has reported turnover increased by 8.8% to £128.3m (2013 53 weeks: £118.0m) fo … view

SSP set to expand street food concept at UK railway stations following Euston launch: SSP Group is looking to expand street food to other railway stations in the UK following the launch of a new street food concept in Euston. Network Rail … view

Douglas Jack – Enterprise’s new strategy could see shares double in value over five years: Numis Securities leisure analyst Douglas Jack has issued a ‘Buy’ note on Enterprise Inns shares, with a target price of 160p, after conclud … view

Government must act to eradicate business rates inequality: The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has renewed its call for an overhaul of the business rates system and urged the government to implement a fairer, more respo … view

Charnwood Pub Company comes on the market: Charnwood Pub Company is to sell seven public houses within its estate and has instructed agent Matthew Phillips Surveyors to offer the properties to the market. The combined asking price is £4. … view

Living Ventures signs £6m deal to open two sites and training academy in Liverpool: Liverpool City Council has signed a deal with Living Ventures which will see world class restaurants and bars opening at the Cunard Building on the Pier … view

Host of foodservice entrepreneurs launch London Union to create flagship food market and 15 local food markets: A host of senior sector executives have formed London Union as a new parent company to highly successful Street Feast, aiming … view

McMullen reports 22% pre-tax profit rise: Hertford-based brewer and retailer McMullen has reported a 22% increase in pre-tax profit to £9.2m for the 52 weeks to 27 September, 2014. Turnover increased 7.38% to £72,483,000. Like-for-like … view

Whitbread’s new ceo to arrive early: Whitbread’s next chief executive Alison Brittain is to arrive early – she will now be joining Whitbread as chief executive designate on 28 September. She will start as chief executive on 7 Decemb … view

Analyst: Restaurant Group could double in size to 1,000 sites: Numis Securities analyst Douglas Jack has reported that The Restaurant Group, for which he has a 860p price target and a buy recommendation, could double the size of its estat … view

Luke Johnson buys 18.5% Eclectic stake, becomes chairman: Premium bar and nightclub operator Eclectic Bar Group has reported Luke Johnson is to become executive chairman and is buying three million new shares in the company. The move come … view

Michelin-starred brothers plan first gastro-pub: Michelin-starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin have bought one of the oldest pubs in Essex to convert to their first gastro-pub. The brothers, who come from Brentwood, Essex, have exchanged c … view

Timothy Taylor double profits after managed rationalisation: Keighley brewer and retailer Timothy Taylor, which famously brews Madonna’s favorite cask ale, Landlord, has reported profit almost doubled in the year to 30 September 2014 af … view

O’ My Buns plans rapid rollout after launching first European site in Leicester: Europe’s first branch of O’ My Buns, which has sites in a number of countries, has opened in Leicester. O’ My Buns specialises in cob-like buns that … view

Simon French – pub and restaurant companies entering period of above average growth: Cenkos leisure analyst Simon French has argued this morning, in a 30 page research note, that pub and restaurant companies are entering a period of ab … view

Coffer Peach – pub and restaurant like-for-like sales rose 2.1% in May: Eating and drinking-out was up in May, with leading managed pub and restaurant groups seeing collective like-for-likes sales grow by 2.1% against the same month las … view

Pubs missing out on coffee market but “real opportunity” to improve sales, survey reveals: Pubs are missing out on the UK’s coffee market but there is a real opportunity to improve sales, a survey has revealed. Research by guest ex … view

Carluccio’s – we’ve made six adaptations for the US market: Carluccio’s chief executive in the US Cory Waldron has reported the company made six adaptations for the US market prior to its debut in Alexandria, Washington DC, last w … view

McDonald’s reports global LfLs down 0.3% in May: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-like sales decreased 0.3% in May. Like-for-like sales were down 2.3% in the US, up 2.3% in Europe and down 3.2% in Asia, the Middle East and Afri … view

British beer sales continue to grow but support still needed: Beer sales are continuing to grow year-on-year, with sales at the end of Quarter One of this year rising 1.5% over the past 12 months, according to the latest ‘Beer Barometer … view

Hony Capital issues extra £55m PizzaExpress bonds to buy Hong Kong franchisee, strong performance since buy-out: PizzaExpress owner Hony Capital is issuing an extra £55m of bonds to allow the early acquisition of its Hong Kong-based fra … view

JW Lees reports record turnover of £64m: At the company’s annual conference today, north west brewer and retailer JW Lees reported record turnover of £64m for the financial year ending 31st March 2015, up by 2% from £62.8m in the pre … view

Fuller’s reports Ebitda up 8%: Fuller’s has reported sales rose 12% to £321.5m in the year to 28 March with profit before tax up 7% to £36.4m. Ebitda rose 8% to £58.5m. Managed like for-likes were up 6.3% in the year. Eight new pub … view

Giggling Squid acquires third Surrey site and first inside the M25: Thai brand Giggling Squid has acquired a third Surrey site – and its first inside the M25. The company, which opened in Reigate in July 2013 and will welcome customer … view

Beds & Bars set for £7m investment to add 250 beds to London estate: Beds & Bars, the pan-European hostel provider led by Keith Knowles, has won planning consent to add just over 250 beds to its London estate. The company has also negoti … view

Mentoring programme launched to develop pub industry’s female talent: A mentoring programme has been started to recognise and develop female talent in the pub industry and help address the gender imbalance at senior level. Athena, which … view

Keith Knowles becomes chairman of Yummy Pub Company, donates salary to Team Margot initiative: Keith Knowles, chief executive of pan-European hostel and bar company Beds and Bars is to join the board at Yummy Pub Co as chairman. Working a … view

Charterhouse private equity owners seek fresh investment: Charterhouse Leisure, which trades as Coal Grill & Bar, operating ten high-volume casual dining restaurants in Basingstoke, Bristol, Bristol Waterside, Exeter, Meadowhall, Milton K … view

Hummus Bros hits crowdfunding target: Hummus Bros, the London-based hummus restaurant chain, has hit its crowdfunding target of £250,000 in return for 4.35% of its equity through the Seedrs crowdfunding platform, with 36 days of the camp … view