Drake & Morgan launches Facebook booking app: London-based bar and restaurant group Drake & Morgan has launched its very own Facebook booking app to make bookings seamless with customers’ online social networking. Helping to create an integrated, one-stop experience for customers – from updating a status and uploading a photo to booking a table and sharing a reservation with friends – Drake & Morgan has installed the app on each of its individual venue pages. For customers, this means a responsive reservations system with tables that can be booked quickly and easily in real-time via computer or mobile device. For Drake & Morgan, the app allows the group to track all reservations from Facebook, communicate with each customer on a personable level and increase its reach when bookings are shared on their walls. The app has been designed by London-based Aardvark and uses its Nudge CRM platform. Lisa Yearwood, head of marketing at Drake & Morgan, said: “This is just the beginning for us. The next stage is to reward customers with personalised offers and more via the app, and to give them further insight into the growing Drake & Morgan family.”

Social media guru to present at first Propel conference of 2014: Karen Fewell, who founded Digital Blonde, a digital consultancy specialising in the hospitality, foodservice and food sector, will examine how you turn social media conversations into footfall and a higher spend at the first Propel Multi Club Conference of 2014. The event will be held on Thursday 13 March at the Lancaster London Hotel, Lancaster Gate, central London. Multi site pub, restaurant and foodservice companies can claim up to two free places each. E-mail jo.charity@propelinfo.com to reserve places.

Sale of cheap alcohol to be banned in England and Wales: The government is to ban the sale of the cheapest alcohol in England and Wales, the Home Office has announced. Ministers hope the move, which will come into force on 6 April, will stop the worst instances of deep discounting, which has resulted in cans of lager being sold more cheaply than water in supermarkets. An official impact assessment says that the ban on sales of alcohol at below cost, defined as duty plus VAT, will mean an ordinary 440ml can of beer or lager cannot be sold below 50p. The new “floor price” for a bottle of wine will be £2.24; a bottle of vodka or other spirits will cost a minimum of £10.16. Low-strength beers that have an alcoholic content of 1.2% or less will be exempt from the policy, as will duty-free sales on ships, aircraft and in airports.

Luke Johnson – minimum wage rise is maximum idiocy: Sector investor Luke Johnson has criticised moves to increase the minimum wage in his Financial Times column under the headline “Minimum wage rise is maximum idiocy”. He stated: “When wages at the bottom rise, they push up through the entire system because employees want to keep differentials. Sharp wage increases lead to inflation. This all pushes up costs for companies, without higher sales or profits. Since returns must fall, these actions discourage investment. Through the downturn I invested to develop companies and help to create jobs. A large increase in the minimum wage in the UK would immediately freeze our hiring plans and cast doubt on future investments.”

ResDiary launches verifiable reviews portal: ResDiary, the UK provider of web-based restaurant booking systems, has introduced a customer-facing portal which will provide genuine, verifiable reviews and ratings of UK and international restaurants. The new system is seen as an alternative to established systems such as TripAdvisor, which has suffered from a series of integrity issues resulting from either malicious or unrealistically favourable reviews posted by anonymous interested parties. Book.ResDiary http://book.resdiary.com/, is aligned with the ResDiary reservations portal and creates an information source based on the data provided by the customer at the time of booking. The company stated: “It is being welcomed by restaurateurs who see it as a valuable and free review website. It also allows for each customer to be contacted by email after his or her restaurant experience and offered the opportunity not only to grade the venue in a star system but to offer their appreciation or criticism. With reviews on other sites, there is no guarantee if the reviewer is genuine. There have been documented cases of restaurant or hotel owners submitting fictitious, and uniformly favourable, reviews of their own premises, and of rivals attempting to ruin competitors’ reputations with malign postings.”

Begbies Traynor reports 10% drop in insolvencies in 2013: Insolvency expert Begbies Traynor has reported a 10% drop in insolvencies in 2013 compared to the year before. In 2013 the firm handled more than 1,000 new cases, including 807 liquidations and 133 company administrations, the most common types of formal insolvency procedure within the UK. Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor Group, said: “2013 was another difficult year for the insolvency profession, with our own research estimating that overall volumes fell by approximately 10% from 2012 levels. However, I am pleased to report that we have maintained our market leading position, handling the largest share of corporate insolvency appointments.”

ALMR gives mixed reception to LGA proposal to reform licensing system: The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has given the Local Government Association’s proposals for a full reform of the current licensing system a mixed reception. ALMR strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls said: “We welcome the recognition from the LGA that there is a need to rebalance the licensing regime – not just for alcohol, but also other permissions – to ensure that it supports a vibrant and dynamic sector and that the controls to limit risk are proportionate and fair. Over recent years that balance has been out of kilter and the needs of business have been overlooked as a result. We particularly welcome the proposals for a new economic licensing objective and alignment of planning and licensing. These are in line with our own recommendations to the Minister and we look forward to working with the LGA to deliver them at a national level but also, more importantly, in the sea-change required in attitudes and approach by licensing committees up and down the country. A licence for life, electronic payment and a one-stop shop for applications will significantly reduce red tape and costs, freeing up the sector to deliver greater investment in jobs and growth in the heart of local communities. We are concerned, however, that proposals for a health and social objective and increased fee levels could defeat the object of making licensing ‘open for business’. We mustn’t lose focus on the primary objective of the licensing regime, which is to control the sale of alcohol and the immediate risks arising from it. It is not a panacea for all societal ills.”

WHO criticises UK over fast food self-regulation: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has criticised the UK government for relying on companies to regulate the health of the meals they serve. The criticism is detailed in a report from the WHO, put together by Queens University Belfast and the University of Texas. In 2010, the UK introduced a number of ‘responsibility deals’ in which fast food companies took responsibility for helping to improve public health. One of the authors of the WHO report, Professor de Vogli, stated: “Big corporations have a mission to maximise profit. If we hope and expect that profit-driven businesses will safeguard public health, it is pure illusion.”

Russell Norman turns his attention to a gastro-pub: BBC Two’s The Restaurant Man, featuring Russell Norman, will feature the fortunes of The Bell gastro-pub in Selsley, Gloucestershire this evening. The programme’s pre-briefing states: “Alarm bells ring when farmer Dave (Excell), trying to run several businesses as well as his farm, and Debbie (Long), who has a high-powered job in management, think they can run the pub in their ‘spare’ time. Their ambitious ‘farm-to-plate’ concept and expensive venison steaks could price the locals off the menu – and that’s if they can turn out any food whatsoever with a major building schedule to manage.” Excell owns The Really Wild Meat Company. His farm now supplies much of the meat and produce that is used at The Bell and is on sale in the farm shop.

London politician calls for further protection for pubs: A London politician has called on London mayor Boris Johnson to do even more to protect pubs despite the role pubs play in communities being recognised for the first in the Mayor’s latest London plan. Boris Johnson’s plan calls on councils to do all they can to maintain and enhance pubs to avoid seeing them close down. Steve O’Connell, who has written a report called Keeping Local that is credited with influencing the Mayor, said: “The fact that pubs are mentioned for the first time in the London plan is an important milestone, following my recent report, Keeping Local. I would especially like to see a requirement for robust market testing for empty pub sites before any redevelopment can be considered. This means a potential developer would have to prove that they’ve marketed the site to prospective landlords for a reasonable amount of time, before planning permission can be considered for a new development such as housing. I would also like to see other strict criteria such as the need to demonstrate the pub has been vacant for at least two years, ensuring the character of the street scene is not detrimentally affected, and ensuring significant features of historic value are retained.”

East London Liquor Company to partner Barworks in distillery at former Fat Cat site: East London Liquor Company has acquired the former Fat Cat Café site in London’s Grove Road, E3 – and is planning a distillery on the site in partnership with bar operator Barworks. Stewart Harkness, of agent Christie + Co’s London office, said: “The new lessees and the former Fat Cat Cafe unit form a perfect union as the property is ripe for the creative, ambitious and innovative approach and attitude adopted by the Barworks family. The business will re-open with what I believe to be a unique addition – the new occupiers are looking to create the first ever distillery within the bar, adding a quite dynamic feature to further enhance the interest and excitement this latest venture will undoubtedly attract.” Barworks produced turnover of £8.45m in the year to 30 June 2013, although Hoxton Bar and Kitchen was sold 15 weeks short of the year-end – turnover was £7.96m the year before. Pre-tax profit was £1.81m, up from £434,000 the year before. Interim dividends amounted to £683,000.

AngelBerry raises target £150,000 to open 95 sites: The frozen yoghurt brand AngelBerry, looking to raise £150,000 through the crowd-funding website Crowdcube in return for 9% of its equity, has hit its target having attracted 83 investors. Launched in December 2011, AngelBerry is an internationally trading frozen yogurt chain, based in the UK and founded by James Taylor and Ryan Pasco. The company has grown from two stores in 2012 to six stores in 2013, two company-owned and operated in the UK and four franchised in Mauritius and is planning to open a further 95 stores over the next three years.

Young’s to re-open first Guildford pub on 20 February: London pub retailer Young’s will re-open its first pub in Guildford on 20 February. Previously owned by Heartstone Inns. The Weyside, formerly known as The Boatman, is situated just outside Guildford High Street and benefits from a riverside location. The pub is undergoing an extensive redevelopment project with £300,000 being spent on interior design. It will offer a ‘quality dining experience with a menu dedicated to seasonal British ingredients, served alongside a range of craft and premium beers as well as cask ales’. The refurbished space will feature a large open plan bar, a conservatory dining room and an alfresco dining and drinking terrace. Operations director for Young’s Steve Gallagher said: “We are thrilled to be opening our first Young’s pub in Guildford and believe The Weyside’s premium food offering and exciting riverside location will make it a popular drinking and dining destination for both local and wider Surrey residents.”

Zero Carbon Food seeks investment through crowd-funding: Zero Carbon Food, the company backed by chef Michel Roux Jr that plans to utilise redundant underground spaces in London, producing leafy greens, herbs and micro greens using LED lights and hydroponics, producing fresh ingredients with a minimal carbon footprint, is looking to raise £300,000 through crowd-funding website Crowdcube in return for 10% of its equity. So far, 82 investors have pledged £43,960. Would-be investors have raised questions over how the company can be valued at £3m. The company stated: “Year Three profit before interest and tax of £652,000 gives a p/e ratio of 4.6, which we feel is totally realistic and gives good value for shareholders. In terms of assets we have a signed 25-year lease for the tunnel with TFL. This provides considerable asset value for the business although not transferable into shareholder value.”

Bath Ales updates Graze Bar and Chophouse concept at original Bristol site: Independent brewer and retailer Bath Ales has unveiled a fresh look for its Graze Bar and Chophouse concept in central Bristol. First opened in November 2009, the restaurant was the original of the successful Graze concept – with namesake venues subsequently opened by Bath Ales in Cirencester and Bath. Robin Couling, managing director of Bath Ales, said: “We launched Graze Bristol four years ago to cater for people who enjoy quality food and drink in a contemporary setting. Since we first opened the doors we’ve launched two more Graze restaurants, most recently our flagship venue in Bath. It is important to us that we continue to invest to support and extend the success we have seen with a quality proposition like Graze. The refurbishment is intended to update the Bristol location as we’ve refined the concept since it first launched.” Designed by local business Simple Simon, changes include a complete overhaul of the kitchen and improved seating areas. New bar stools are located by the kitchen to provide additional seating, whilst comfortable banquette seating still dominates. Alice Bowyer, executive chef at Bath Ales, added: “We’ve updated the kitchen to make it more efficient and functional. The whole Graze concept is based around top quality British meat and this means having the best kitchen equipment as well as sourcing the finest ingredients.” At the heart of the kitchen is the Josper oven. The menu has recently been refreshed to include delicacies such as duck hearts on toast with dates and port sauce and smoked haddock kedgeree, cockles, poached egg.

Nando’s send Manchester United player £50 voucher for second date: Nando’s have offered to pay for a ‘second date’ for Manchester United’s £30,000-a-week footballer Adnan Januzaj. The footballer recently spent £18 on a meal out for his date at Nando’s in Manchester city centre, according to The Sun newspaper. Now Nando’s has sent him a £50 voucher to help him along the way with a second date.

Daily Star – One Direction to open coffee shop chain: Boy band One Direction are set to launch their own cafe chain. The group plans a string of coffee shops filled with band memorabilia, with the first branch opening in Shibuya, Japan as early as this month. A source told The Daily Star: “The cafes will be very child friendly for younger fans and they’re sure to be stocked up with lots of One Direction merchandise. It could become one of the group’s biggest money-spinners if it takes off. Everything linked to One Direction equates to success at the moment.”

Robin Young quits Mitchells & Butlers: Robin Young has resigned as operations director at Mitchells & Butlers with effect from close of business on Friday 31 January. His resignation will be viewed as another surprising high-level departure since Christmas when the company suffered four unexpected senior resignations, with two of the four joining the burgeoning foodservice division at Tesco. M&B stated: “The time was right for a change in operations leadership now that our transformation plans are well underway. As a result Robin Young, operations director, stepped down at the end of January. Susan Martindale has assumed responsibility for operations, in addition to her full time role as Group HR Director, whilst we conduct a rigorous process to select a replacement for Robin.” Chief executive Alistair Darby said: “I would like to thank Robin for his significant contribution to M&B. His infectious enthusiasm, great sense of humour and people-focus have been much appreciated. We wish Robin every success as he returns to his own consultancy business, as planned.” Young joined the company in 2011 prior to which he worked for the government as chief operating officer at the nationalised arm of Bradford & Bingley. He has also worked at Ford, Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, GlaxoSmithKline, HBOS and Citigroup in a variety of functions. Young also spent time assigned to the charity HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) where he worked on projects in Bosnia, Africa and Russia.

Pubs ‘N’ Bar London freehold sells for well in excess of £1m asking price: The Hampton Court Palace hotel site in Southwark has been sold by agent Christie + Co, on behalf of administrative receivers, for well in excess of its £1m asking price. It is located in one of London’s most dynamic boroughs, with current developments valued at around £4 billion. The regeneration of Elephant and Castle will include the creation of a new pedestrianised town centre, market square, 5,000 new and replacement homes, up to 450,000 square feet of retail space, an integrated public transport hub, and five green spaces. Ten offers for Hampton Court palace were received before the process went to best and final offers. Stewart Harkness, of Christie + Co’s London office, said: “(We) received well in excess of the asking price of £1,000,000, proving that the right property in the right location will always attract serious interest regardless of the economic climate.” 

Marston’s pours cold water on Taunton nightclub plan: Midlands-based Marston’s has poured cold water on speculation in Taunton that it is to sub-let its closed Que Pasa site to a nightclub operator. There were suggestions that a new venue called L8 would open after a Facebook page was launched to “get Taunton back on the nightlife scene”. Work was hoped to start last October before being put back to January and now Marston’s says there are ‘no immediate plans’ for the venue.

Enterprise Inns defends rent rise at Derbyshire pub: Enterprise Inns has defended a 42% rent rise at a Derbyshire pub just named the best in Derbyshire. The company’s comments come as 100 villagers attended a public meeting at the Weston Centre, in Tamworth Street, Duffield, to find out more about the dispute between Pattenmakers Arms tenant Claire Muldoon and Enterprise Inns. The lease is up for renewal in early April and the company is increasing the rent from £16,470 to £23,450, a rise of 42%. Enterprise Inns said: “Mrs Muldoon’s five-year lease will shortly expire and, as was agreed with the landlady at the start of her tenancy, the pub is now available for offers in the open market, including from Mrs Muldoon. The terms on offer to Mrs Muldoon reflect current market conditions and include significantly greater barrelage discounts than were previously available.”

Yum Brands forecasts better 2014: Yum Brands struck an upbeat tone for 2014 even after the fast food group reported a 5% drop in fourth-quarter earnings with food safety concerns still hitting its China division. The company said like-for-like sales in China dropped 4%, while they dipped 2% in the US. David Novak, chief executive, called 2013 a “challenging year” for the company behind the Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell brands. However, he reaffirmed a previous forecast of double-digit earnings growth, sending shares up 4.22%, to $68.95, in after-hours trading in New York. The news comes days after Shanghai began a three-month ban on live poultry sales and as Hong Kong launched a three-week ban on Chinese poultry and killed 20,000 birds after mainland Chinese imports tested positive for bird flu. Jonathan Blum, chief public affairs officer, said the company was “not seeing any impact nationally on our sales in China” from the fresh reports of avian flu.

Costa opens second site in Barnstaple, Devon: A second Costa coffee shop is set to open its doors in Barnstaple, Devon, today (population: 20,724). The national chain has set up a second branch in the town at the former Calor Gas showroom in Station Road. The site now includes a 20-space car park and has 62 internal and 20 external seats. The opening will create ten jobs.

‘Last non-food pub’ faces closure: A pub the local parish council wants to see stay open because it is the last one in the village not to sell food could be turned into a four-bedroom house after Punch Taverns failed to find a buyer in more than two years. The freehold of The Sportsman’s Arms in the village of Wing, Buckinghamshire, was put on the market by Punch in November 2011 through Fleurets for £250,000. But although Punch dropped the price by £75,000 over the course of its first year on the market, the pub only attracted one offer, from a developer looking to turn it into residential property. Aylesbury Vale Council has now approved a planning application by Punch to turn the pub into a four-bedroom house and build a separate bungalow in the existing pub car park, although Wing parish councillors had objected to the application because The Sportsman’s Arms is the village’s last remaining traditional pub not to serve food.

Well-known Glasgow restaurant to close after 50 years: One of Glasgow’s best-known restaurants is to close next month to make way for a branch of the Halifax bank. Dino Ferrari, known as Dino’s, in Sauchiehall Street will shut its doors on Sunday, 16 March. The Italian restaurant has been a favourite of city centre diners for more than 50 years. Dino’s in its original form was opened by Swiss-Italian Francis Ferrari at 10 Sauchiehall Street in the 1960s, before Dino Baldi opened his restaurant in Buchanan Street in 1966. Soon after, he also acquired Ferrari’s restaurant and Dino Ferrari was born, with the business eventually moving to 35-41 Sauchiehall Street where it has been based for more than 30 years.

Krispy Kreme attracts 2,375 entries in doughnut competition: Krispy Kreme has reported that 2,375 customers took part in its Doughnuttery competition in December in which they were asked to pose for a picture with a Krispy Kreme doughnut and send it in. University of Bath student Charlotte Hannah, 20, won a year’s supply of Krispy Kreme doughnuts after entering the photo competition. She will now receive a box of 12 doughnuts every week for the rest of the year. More than 20% of entrants chose to pose with the chain’s Original Glazed doughnut.

Black Sheep launches first ‘scaled up’ seasonal brew: The Yorkshire brewer Black Sheep has launched the first beer developed within its microbrewery and scaled up to the larger brewhouse for full UK distribution. The beer, Bighorn, 4.5% abv and named after a breed of American sheep, used a combination of British and American hops, and will be available through February and March. Jo Theakston, sales and marketing director at Black Sheep, said: “We are very proud of Bighorn, as it is very different to anything else among our flock of beers, yet is still brewed using the traditional methods and Yorkshire Square fermenters we employ throughout the Black Sheep range here at Masham. This is the first time we have scaled up a beer from the microbrewery to the main brewhouse, as Bighorn is the first beer from an exciting seasonal calendar for 2014.” Limited runs of a number of other brews have already come out of the microbrewery.

Premier Inn and restaurants planned for Llandudno development: Planning permission is being sought to create a 63-bedroom Premier Inn hotel, with three restaurants underneath, on the site of the listed but derelict Tudno Castle Hotel in Llandudno, Wales. Andrew Duncan, director of Opus North, said: “The once-proud Tudno Castle Hotel has fallen into disrepair and has not been occupied for several years. The hotel’s listed facade, however, remains extremely impressive and will form an integral part of our development.” Edward Hillier, managing director of the landowner, Mostyn Estates, said: “There has been considerable interest in the restaurants from restaurant providers who are very interested in opening in the town.” Nick Johnston of Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, said: “We currently have two hotels in the Llandudno area which are both trading exceptionally well. We are keen for another site in the centre of town and are in discussions with Opus and Mostyn Estates on the regeneration of the Tudno site. Premier Inn hotels work exceptionally well in traditional seaside holiday destinations.” The Tudno Castle Hotel has been boarded up since 2006. The planned restaurants, ranging from 3,000 sq ft to 4,500 sq ft, would be on the ground and lower ground floors.

Inventive Leisure reports successful re-finance: Inventive Leisure, the Revolution vodka bar operator, has reported the successful re-financing of its bank facilities, following continued strong trading in December and the roll-out of its Evolution programme for the Revolution brand in 2013. The business is now looking to further extend its estate by securing new bars for its Revolucion De Cuba and Revolution brands in London and regional cities. The announcement follows the news in November that Inventive Leisure had extended its investment in its Revolution bars from £7m to £10m until May 2014, as part of its Evolution programme. Following the high-end transformation at the evolved sites, sales are currently up by around 20%. Mark McQuater, chief executive of Inventive Leisure, said: “We are delighted to have successfully re-financed our bank facilities following continued growth across the Revolucion De Cuba and Revolution brands. We enter 2014 in a very strong trading position and look forward to continued innovation and growth.”

BrewDog launches ‘protest beer’ against Russian anti-gay laws: The Scottish brewer BrewDog has launched a beer called Hello My Name Is Vladimir, which carries a picture of the Russian president on the front, as a protest against legislation introduced by Putin outlawing “homosexual propaganda”. James Watt, BrewDog’s co-founder, said: “We sincerely hope that when Vladimir Putin is tired from a busy day riding horses with his top off, grappling with burly men on the judo mat or fishing in his Speedos, he reclines on a velvet chaise longue and has one of his handsome helpers wet his whistle with a glass of Hello My Name is Vladimir. As Hello My Name is Vladimir is clearly marked ‘not for gays’, we should bypass the legislation introduced by Putin outlawing supposed ‘homosexual propaganda’, so Vlad shouldn’t have an issue with it. He might even invite us to ride bareback with him in the Siberian mountains.” BrewDog has sent the president a case of the limited edition beer, which is available for £2.89 a bottle in all BrewDog bars. Half the profits from the beer’s sale will be donated directly to charities that represent the oppressed around the world, the company said.

Marston’s to re-open flagship Pitcher & Piano after £400,000 investment: Marston’s is to re-open its iconic Pitcher & Piano in Nottingham’s Lace Market on Thursday after a £400,000 refurbishment. The venue, located in a former church, has seen its bar re-located to a central island position. The Nottingham investment is the third major investment in the Pitcher & Piano estate following Tunbridge Wells and the opening of a new site, a former Que Pasa, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire last August. Colin Sadler, who oversees Marston’s premium segment Revere Pub Company and Pitcher & Piano, said: “Nottingham is a flagship site that has traded very well for many years. It now looks amazing.” Design at the refurbished Pitcher & Piano, Nottingham is by Concorde BGW. Sadler reported that Marston’s is now looking at new Pitcher & Piano sites and there is a review underway of the existing Marston’s estate for sites that would suit conversion to the Revere model.

Craft Beer Social Club to take Bitcoin: The Craft Beer Social Club, the pop-up East London bar, will be accepting both Bitcoin and Paypal in payment at its next five-week session, which begins on Thursday, 6 February, and runs Thursday to Saturday until Saturday, 8 March at 87 Leonard Street, just off Great Eastern Street, in Shoreditch, East London. To celebrate the launch of PayPal and Bitcoin as purchase methods, the Craft Beer Club is offering a limited number of beers at just £2 each, for 330ml and 500ml bottles and draught pints, pre-purchased on the clubs Bitcoin and PayPal page. The bar will have a weekly changing menu of beers including rare, one-off and collaboration brews from all over the UK. Justina Cruickshank, the founder of the Craft Beer Social Club, said the decision to start taking Bitcoin and PayPal as payment methods was a natural one for an organisation based in the area of London known as Tech City: “I’ve been working in Shoreditch for years and we even helped launch the Tech City Beer Fest last year, so it seems more odd to not participate in exciting tech developments when doing a Pop-up in the middle of Europe’s largest tech cluster.”