Coca-Cola Enterprises adopts radical new strategy on draught: Coca-Cola Enterprises has adopted a new policy on post-mix product – and will decline to install it from now onwards in on-trade premises where it is unsuited. The company has spent six months reviewing its strategy – and found that 75% of customers prefer to be served Coca-Cola from a Contour bottle. Coca-Cola has post-mix equipment in around 25,000 pubs where it will be maintained and serviced going forward. But the UK is an anomaly in European terms in the sense of having so much post-mix equipment, which can produce variable quality, used in on-premise. Coca-Cola believes that premises should be offering customers a quality soft drinks experience, which account for an average of 20% of outlet profits according to company figures. So now Coca-Cola has begun a determined push to limit the new installation of post-mix in favour of packaged products at a wide variety of on-premise outlets. Colm O’Dwyer, Coca-Cola out-of-home sales and development director, told Morning Briefing: “I don’t think we’ve had a clear strategy on where to put post-mix. We’ve now started off the New Year with a clear idea that packaged is the right offer and what the consumer wants in these outlets. We will sell the benefits of this hard – the purpose is to grow sales. Our post-mix sales grew at twice the rate of our competitors last year but packaged sales grew even faster.” However, Coca-Cola Enterprises has caused frustration for one customer who has been told the company will not provide post-mix draught product for a flagship new opening – only bottled. The customer, who has asked not to be named, told Morning Briefing: “I prefer Coca-Cola out of a bottle but we have space constraints. We were very surprised by what amounts to a new policy at Coca-Cola and the company is adamant. It’s simple though – if Coca-Cola don’t back down we’ll move to Pepsi. A policy of persuasion by Coca-Cola would have been preferable to coercion.” Dave Turner, external communications manager at Coca-Cola Enterprises GB, said: “In 2013, Coca-Cola Enterprises will be investing significantly in our Coca-Cola packaged range to drive rate of sale and deliver soft drinks category growth for on-premise customers. The best way to enjoy Coca-Cola is poured over ice and lemon into a branded Georgia Green glass and the Contour glass bottle is the format that consumers prefer. We will continue to support our draught customers in 2013 with perfect serve training on our Coke Pub & Bar website. The original glass bottle will feature heavily in Above The Line campaigns throughout 2013 to drive consumer demand and purchase intent in outlets. We have exciting plans to activate this important pack and will continue to offer the trade the tools and advice that will help them grow their sales of packaged Coca-Cola.”

Spending out-of-home doubled in the past ten years: The Payments Council have revealed that British consumers doubled their spending in restaurants, pubs and cafés over the last ten years, with consumers spending more on having fun in the last 12 months than on gas and electricity. Spending in restaurants and cafés soared by 102% over the ten-year period but pubs didn’t fare as well with just a 7% rise.

Gourmet coffee sales grow in the US: The National Coffee Association in the US has reported consumption of gourmet coffee grew from 37% of all cups in 2011 to nearly half (46%) in 2012. Said Eric Hirschhorn, Burger King’s vice president of global innovation: “Over the past several years the American coffee drinker has become more and more sophisticated, and the demand for delicious coffee is growing.” Each day, 65% of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee, a figure well ahead of soft drinks.

£250m new Center Parcs site on track to open spring 2014: The construction of Center Parcs’ new £250 million village in Bedfordshire is on schedule to open to guests in spring 2014. Martin Dalby, chief executive, Center Parcs UK, said: “Although we’ve been hit with snow, wind and rain over the last few months, the team has worked hard to ensure we’re on track to open to guests in spring 2014. It hasn’t come without its challenges but with just over a year to go, the village is really starting to take shape.” Woburn Forest will be Center Parcs’ fifth UK village and will comprise 625 forest lodges, a 75 bedroom hotel and spa with six associated spa suites and two leisure buildings including indoor sports facilities, a ‘subtropical swimming paradise’, restaurants and retail outlets.

Nick Giles becomes new AVLP secretary: Nick Giles, of Brownill Vickers, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the AVLP (Association of Valuers of Licensed Property). He said: “I have taken over this role from my predecessor Bob Whittle who has carried out an outstanding job over the last ten years and I have big boots to fill. The purpose of the Association, and its members, is to help all landlords, pub companies and brewers, with the property aspects of valuations, negotiations, sales and acquisitions, with a dedication towards a professional service and standards within this specialist field”.

New company Gregarious buys Antic sites out of administration: A new company, Gregarious, has bought 12 of the 14 Antic Limited leasehold sites that were placed in administration last month. Gregarious is led by Max Alderman, who also works for Antic London as its operation manager - and funding for the deal has been provided by investment fund Downing. The Gregarious venues will be run under the Antic London banner, which is the trading name for a collection of 24 other pubs that are held in a variety of legal vehicles. Antic founder Anthony Thomas is not linked to Gregarious, which was incorporated at Companies House five days ago on 15 February. Only two sites from the original Antic Limited estate have been handed back to their landlords, one of which was not open at the time of the administration. The pubs acquired by Gregarious are: White Hart, Stoke Newington, Jam Circus, Brockley, Pepper St Ontiod, Crossharbour, Balham Bowls Club, Balham, Royal Albert, Deptford, The Tiger Camberwell Green, The Wheatsheaf, Tooting, The Kings Head, Clapham, The Bohemia, North Finchley, Stapleton Tavern, Finchley Park, Battersea Mess, Battersea and The Acton Arms, Acton. Antic Limited was placed in administration with Chantrey Vellacott after problems paying sums due to HRMC. The administration did not affect the 24 pubs operated under the Antic London banner. A total of 11 freehold pubs in the group are co-owned with Downing with four other freehold acquisitions in the pipeline – the 11 sites are run through a variety of independent legal vehicles. A spokesman for the administrator said there had been significant interest in the pubs with more than 20 formal offers received. He added: “A lot of hard work has been done to get this sale over the line, and we’re delighted to complete a sale of 12 sites which includes the transfer of over 200 jobs. The pubs are very popular and since our appointment we received in excess of 20 formal offers. We’re pleased to have finalised a deal with the director of Gregarious and are confident the new owners are well placed to stabilise the leases at each of the pubs and make them a success again.”

Starbucks to move into second former Little Chef site: Starbucks is set to open at a second former Little Chef site – it is converting the former Little Chef restaurant on St Anne’s Drive, Worksop, just off the A57, opening in early March. The new site is located between the Shell petrol station and the Travelodge hotel. Starbucks is opening under a partnership with Euro Garages. Earlier this month, Starbucks opened its first UK site under franchise on the site of a former Little Chef restaurant in Liphook, Hampshire. The franchisee is 23.5 Degrees, which is planning to open eight sites in the area.

The Chinese Buffet opens sixth site: The Chinese Buffet has opened its sixth site – an 8,000 square foot restaurant in Halifax’s Broad Street Plaza. Forty new jobs have been created at the site, which has had a £1m fit-out. It is the first Chinese Buffet site in Yorkshire. Other sites are in Bolton, St Helens, Wakefield, Wigan and Preston. The most recent TripAdvisor review of the St Helens site states: “Stumbled upon this place by accident. We were pleasantly surprised and have since returned for a 2nd visit. This is probably the best Chinese buffet I’ve ever been to. There’s a huge choice of soups, starters and mains - plus nice surroundings.”

Marston’s to create 150 jobs in Wales this year: Midlands based brewer and retailer Marston’s is to create 150 jobs across Wales over the next 12 months. Pete Dalzell, managing director Marston’s Inns and Taverns, said the company had ramped up its expansion into Wales in recent years, building new larger pubs in carefully selected locations. A new site, The Starling Cloud opens in Aberystwyth later this year. “This journey started five years ago and we stepped this up three years ago,” he told Walesonline. “Return on capital employed is what our shareholders need and in Wales that is nearer 20% than 15%.” He mentioned the opening of the Cherry Laurel in Bridgend as a good example of the success of the company’s strategy. “We bought a pub called The Pied Piper,” said Dalzell. “We knocked it down and invested £1.8m in a (brand) new pub. We turned an old drinking pub doing £3,000 a week into one doing £20-30,000 a week when it opened before Christmas.” Dalzell said he believed that the desire for value was now something that had become engrained in the psyche of customers. “We believe that value will be there for ever,” he said. “Rather than sitting around boasting how much you paid for something people now boast about how little they paid.”

Campaign to block Costa in Bakewell is dropped after meeting with Costa operations director: A vociferous campaign to block a Costa Coffee opening in Bakewell, Derbyshire has been dropped after a meeting with the company in which it stated its non-negotiable intention to open. The anti-Costa campaign group launched in December 2012 after the coffee retailer was granted planning permission on appeal to open a 54-seater cafe in Kings Street, Bakewell. In the two months the campaign was running, almost 8,000 people signed a petition to stop Costa opening an outlet. But after a meeting with Jason Cotta, Costa Coffee operations director, on 15 February, campaigners decided they had reached ‘the end of the road’. Nigel Johns, anti-Costa spokesperson, said: “Despite us presenting detailed studies showing the damage the new outlet would cause Bakewell, Costa were unmoved and stated that they would press ahead regardless.”

Wildwood bags Greggs site in Peterborough: Wildwood has bagged a prime spot in Peterborough’s Cathedral Square. The brand, which serves grills, salads and freshly prepared pastas, is set to open a new outlet in the premises previously occupied by Greggs. The move, subject to planning permission, follows the recent opening of Carluccio’s on Cumbergate in the city.

Enterprise Inns lets Collingham pub to Tesco: Enterprise Inns has let part of its Old Star pub in Collingham to a new Tesco Express in a deal brokered by CBRE - The Old Star ceased trading 18 months ago. Tesco expects the 4,000 square foot outlet to create about 20 jobs and be open for business in early summer 2013. Sam Frankland, director of specialist markets at CBRE Leeds, said: “Tesco will provide local residents with an attractive local amenity to meet their needs and there is now the opportunity for another business to locate adjacent to the Tesco within the remaining space in the large, stone building.” Meanwhile, in Horsham, West Sussex, Tesco plans to convert another site owned by Enterprise, The Silver Wok on Brighton Road, into a convenience store.

Luminar begins charm offensive in Kingston: Nightclub company Luminar is to meet with people in Kingston opposed to the nightclub’s licence being reinstated. The venue had its licence revoked last year, following the fatal stabbing of Jamie Sanderson inside the club on 25 October. It remains open pending a appeal scheduled for Wimbledon Magistrates Court in May. A Luminar spokeswoman said: “We have invited residents to a meeting in order to work together to address any concerns and to ensure the club continues to provide a safe and secure environment.” The meeting will take place at the Richard Mayo Centre in Eden Street at 7pm tonight.

Orchid pub turns humble chip into menu hero for National Chip Week: Orchid Group’s Free House Dining pubs are taking the British love affair with chips to a whole new level during National Chip Week by showcasing the perfect chip and creating a sharing platter paying homage to the mighty spud. For the week-long celebration of the nation’s passion for potatoes, which runs from until 24 February, Free House Dining pubs have a special new dish on the menu that is dedicated to the love of the humble chip. ‘The Mountain of Chips’ features different takes on the traditional chip, by featuring potato wedges, curly fries and black pepper and onion potato dippers.

Entrepreneur to re-open Healing Manor: Leisure entrepreneur Mark Brennan is to re-open Healing Manor in Lincolnshire in stages, starting in August with its restaurant and bars as well as five bedroom suites. There is long-term vision for a spa and conference centre, with further bedrooms to be added down the line. Since Healing Manor closed in December 2009, Vietnamese illegal immigrants have been prosecuted after being caught cultivating a cannabis plantation there, with mortgage holder Royal Bank of Scotland repossessing the property just under a year ago. It was then put up for sale for £650,000. Previously, Brennan launched both The Art Bar and Sugar Sugar in Cleethorpes.

Chef launches training academy: Michelin-star chef Simon Radley has launched a training academy, the Simon Radley Kitchen Academy to nurture young talent and will offer ten apprenticeships to people aged between 16 and 24 every year. Apprentices will join his team at The Chester Grosvenor and provide food to the Michelin-star ‘Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor’ restaurant, Parisian bistro La Brasserie and meetings and events facilities. Radley said: “Winning a place in the Simon Radley Kitchen Academy is a chance to learn, earn and become one of the gifted chefs of the future. I’m looking for hard-working, self-disciplined and motivated wannabe chefs who are prepared to show me their talent and go the extra mile. Those chosen will be matched with a mentor from my experienced kitchen team learning every aspect of my kitchen. I’m looking forward to seeing how much culinary talent we have in Cheshire and the north west.” The new academy will launch with an open day at The Chester Grosvenor on 11 March.

Chef Richard Corrigan to open new Irish pub in Romford: Chef Richard Corrigan is to re-open Romford’s historic Lamb Inn, when it turns into an Irish pub next month – it will be renamed Mulligans. Businessman Richard Willis has taken over the lease of the pub and will turn it into a live music venue.

Tom Sellers to open debut restaurant next month: Chef Tom Sellars debut restaurant, Story, will open on London’s Tooley Street next month. Sellars has worked at Tom Keller’s French Laundry and Per Se, Tom Aikens and Noma. The menu is described as simple yet technical. 

St Austell sponsors Somerset County Cricket Club: Cornish brewer and retailer St Austell will become Somerset County Cricket Club’s title partner for the next three years from the start of this season. The deal will mean that the Tribute Ale logo will appear on the front of the LV=Championship shirt and across the back of the CB40 and FLt20 shirts for the 2013 season and beyond.

Kebabish Original opens site in Rotherham: Kebabish Original, the Asian food franchise with 60 sites in the UK after starting franchising in 2002, has opened its newest restaurant in Wellgate. The site has been opened by Rotherham businessman Manawar Hussain, owner of the Caprice clothing and furniture businesses. Kebabish Original claims to offer a unique way of grilling fresh Asian food.

Hydes invests £400,000 in landmark pub: North west brewer and retailer Hydes has invested £400,000 in its landmark Jolly Thresher pub near Lymm, Cheshire. The pub features a new restaurant area where diners can enjoy freshly prepared dishes. Managing director of Hydes Brewery Chris Hopkins said: “We are really pleased with the development of The Jolly Thresher. The site looks great with the decor delivering all the values of a traditional pub whilst still feeling fresh and contemporary.”

Creative Leisure adds 11th pub: Creative Leisure, the north-west multiple headed by Stephen Cowell, has added an 11th pub to the estate with the addition of The Witton Chimes, Northwich. “We took over the lease of the pub last week and we have been quite overwhelmed with the level of interest,” said Stephen Cowell, managing director of Creative Leisure. “We see the value of these types of pub in the community and that’s the way we want to move forward. We are going to look after it the way it should be and it will be run to a good standard.”

Fay Maschler delivers verdict on Balthazar in Covent Garden: London Evening Standard food critic Fay Maschler has delivered her verdict on Balthazar in Covent Garden, the London version of the New York eatery that opened on Monday. She said: “In the main course a standout was linguini fruits de mer with garlic confit, lemon and pointedly sharp piment d’espelette. Grilled whole gilt-head bream was a piece of magic, served head on but completely de-boned, removing at a stroke the argument some people have with fish. Grilled lamb T-bone (where we might say Barnsley chop) came with a nice mix of flageolets and merguez sausage. Le Bar à Huîtres and Les Grillades deliver items such as plateaux for £60/95 or côte de boeuf for two at £58, high stakes spent in an uncomplicated fashion. Want some quibbles? Frites are not yet pulling their weight, Brussels sprouts were overcooked and a lemon tart lacked essential asperity.”

Panera Bread ramps up marketing of its social conscience: Panera Bread, the most successful publicly quoted restaurant chain of the past decade, is to launch a marketing campaign with a budget estimated at $70 million, that stresses its social conscience. It carries the slogan: “Live consciously. Eat deliciously.” The campaign will include television and radio commercials, digital, print and outdoor adverts and a significant presence on social media like Facebook and Twitter. The estimated 13 million customers who belong to the My Panera loyalty scheme will get a preview. “The campaign is intended to convey that as a successful business, the people at Panera believe it’s important to participate in the community beyond pure business,” said Marshall Ross, agency Cramer-Krasselt’s chief creative officer. “Of course, Panera’s not the only people to care about these things, deliver these things but when people who like the company for the food hear about the kind of company it is, it changes how they feel. They like it even more, for more emotional, more potent, more loyalty-driving reasons.”

Restaurateur takes over Punch Taverns pub: Restaurateur Margaret Chamberland is to-reopen The Nag’s Head in Hulland Ward, Ashbourne after a £150,000 investment. Chamberlain and her partner Mark Dance have converted the former pool-room into a dining area and will be introducing new menus featuring home-made pub classics, a children’s menu and a light bites menu. Chamberlain, who previously ran the nearby Brackendale Restaurant before taking on the pub in November, said: “The pub looks amazing – I can’t believe the transformation.”

Strada sites join Menu Relief: Italian restaurant chain Strada is taking part in the first ever Menu Relief for Red Nose Day, where people can dine out at a Strada restaurant and donate money at the same time. A total of 67 Strada sites across the country are inviting guests to turn their bill red with a special Red Nose Day menu, with the restaurant making a donation to Comic Relief of at least 25p from every dish and drink ordered from the feature list. “It’s fantastic to be raising money for such a fun, worthy cause,” said Strada managing director Nick White.