Star Pubs & Bars reports 3.5% increase in like-for-like volumes across 1,100 pub estate: Star Pubs & Bars, the operator of 1,100 tenanted and leased pubs owned by Heineken, has reported a 3.5% increase in like-for-like volumes across the estate this year. The company has invested £18m in the estate with around £7.5m co-invested with multi-site operators in 28 transformational projects. Trading director Chris Jowsey told Propel that the company planned to increase capital expenditure in the coming year, with a target of investing £75m in the estate over a five-year period. Star Pubs & Bars is attracting a large number of multi-site operators keen to co-invest with the company. Average Ebitda per pub for Star Pubs & Bars is believed to be circa £90,000, which indicates the quality of estate is similar to Spirit’s leased estate of former managed pubs – 40% of the estate is in the south-east. Jowsey told Propel: “We have around 200 pubs occupied by multi–site operators and believe another 200 other pubs in the estate are suited to multi-site businesses given capex. The estate is out-performing the market driven by capital expenditure. Next year, we plan to increase our investment considerably and we take a flexible approach with multi-site operators.” One example is Peter Linacre’s New Pub Company, which will re-open The Blue Ball in Walton on the Hill, Surrey, its eighth Star Pubs & Bars site, next summer after a £500,000 investment – the pub has been closed for two years. Jowsey said: “The pub has had interest from a number of multiple operators who have decided it’s too small. We are going to change it quite radically by adding something like 60 covers.”

Visa – bars and restaurants were the strongest performers in October: A surge in consumers dining out led to hotels, bars and restaurants being the strongest performers in October with spending up 9.6% on the year, according to figures by Visa Europe. The new figures show that this year’s spending is on track for the strongest year since 2010. Paul Smith, senior economist at Markit, said: “As expected, October’s Visa Expenditure Index showed a bounce following September’s slight reduction in consumption, with spending up 1.5% on an annual basis and putting 2014 firmly back on track to be the best year for growth since 2010.”  Spending on food and drink and tobacco also rose by 4.4%. In contrast, spending at clothing and footwear retailers fell for the second straight month, by 2.5%, but at a slower rate than in September. 

Nutritionist condemns Hungry Horse’s 1,966-calorie burger: A nutritionist has condemned a burger on the menu at Greene King’s Hungry Horse chain containing 1,966 calories, 98% of a woman’s guideline daily amount. The Double Donut Burger, launched as part of a new Greene King Hungry Horse menu last month, comes with the tagline “So Wrong It’s Right” and includes two beefburgers topped with melted cheese, four smoked streaky bacon rashers and BBQ sauce served in two grilled, glazed ring donuts. Mel Wakeman, senior lecturer in applied physiology at Birmingham City University, said: “Hungry Horse obviously have no conscience, and no doubt both their wallet and the size of their customers will be getting fatter by the week!” Customers need to go online to access the menu’s nutritional information to discover that the burger contains 53g of saturated fat, well over double the 20g daily allowance for women and children, and 8.2g of salt. It is recommended that adults should have no more than 6g a day. Wakeman said: “This burger is literally a heart attack on a plate. This so-called family-friendly pub chain offers a huge range of highly processed food that is entirely unhealthy.” Steve Jebson, Greene King’s commercial director, said: “Our popular menu caters for a variety of tastes and appetites and includes everything from lower-calorie options such as our hot chicken and bacon salad at 393 calories, through to the indulgent occasional treat such as our new Double Donut Burger. All the nutritional information for our menu is available on our website and in our pubs, so that our customers are able to make informed decisions about what they choose to eat.”

 

Technomic predicts five key UK trends for 2015: The insights and research firm Technomic has outlined it five key predictions for the UK foodservice market moving in 2015. They are: alternative diets – the forthcoming allergen labelling requirements will drive significant changes at restaurants, causing operators to be more transparent about the ingredients they use. Technomic predicts an increase in gluten-free, peanut-free and dairy-free options on menus within the next year, as well as more attention to vegan/vegetarian and faith-based diets; regional cuisine – pride in regional cuisines is influencing restaurants across Great Britain thanks in part to the recent Scottish independence referendum. This is causing operators to use rustic preparations and classic dishes featuring local flavours and ingredients; going bold – consumers are look for more flavour on the menu, including smoky and spicy. UK consumers in particular are inspired by American regional Creole and Cajun cuisines. There is also an increased use of condiments, sauces, peppers, a bolder take on barbecue and more global influences from Asia and the US South; customer involvement – the National Customer Satisfaction Index's reported decline in satisfaction at restaurants has operators working to make consumers feel more involved and appreciated than ever before, Technomic says. Brands will leverage a variety of mediums, particularly social media, to obtain feedback on everything. Operators will also find new ways to cater to customers, such as making their online services more user-friendly; the unexpected – consumers' constant demand for innovation is resulting in some unexpected changes to operations and menus. Because of this, restaurants, including established brands such as KFC and Pizza Hut, are experimenting with ways to reach a larger audience, especially Millennials. These initiatives include technology advancements, new prototypes and menu innovations such as hybrid food and beer cocktails.

Damian Walsh becomes CPL Training non-executive chairman: CPL Training Group has named north-west entrepreneur Damian Walsh as its new non-executive chairman. He replaces former Unilever European supply chain director, John Taylor OBE, who retires from the role after seven years at the helm. Walsh is owner of Mondiale Media Holdings and CGA Strategy. He said: “I have watched CPL Training Group as it has grown from a business idea stemmed from an industry need, into the market leading training business that it is today. One of the most exciting aspects of the business for me is CPL’s ability to remain entrepreneurial and adapt to suit its customer’s needs, despite its huge growth and I look forward to harnessing that drive as it continues to develop over the coming years.” Daniel Davies, CPL Training Group’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Damian as non-executive chairman. As a north-west entrepreneur with a track-record of establishing and growing successful businesses, his extensive business knowledge and acumen make him the ideal candidate to lead CPL Training Group in the next stage of its development.”

Lidl named supermarket with best value on wine: Lidl has been named the best supermarket for wine after an 18-month study that sample more than 4,000 wines from stores across the country. The extensive study found that nearly two thirds of the wines available to Lidl customers represent value or extra value, while at more upmarket chains such as Marks and Spencer shoppers risk over-paying on 74% of bottles. The Wotwine app tasted 4,161 wines in all nine major British supermarkets (Asda, Aldi, the Co-op, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose) over an 18-month period to come up with the definitive results. The budget supermarket Aldi came a close second, with 64% of wines good value for customers, while third place went to Asda with 48%. Wine buyers should also beware of Morrisons and the Co-Op. Of the wine sold in Morrisons, 60% represents poor value, as did 59% at the Co-Op.

 

BBPA welcomes move to avoid double-charging on late night levy: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed moves by the government to tackle "double charging" for local businesses operating in Business Improvements Districts over the Late Night Levy in towns and cities where the new tax is introduced. The announcement came in the government’s review of BIDs published this weekend, where in a range of proposals, the Department for Communities and Local Government has said it will “amend guidance to local authorities to ensure they carefully consider exempting from the Late Night Levy, any eligible Business Improvement Districts that are already funding night-time economy measures, so high streets don’t pay twice.” The BBPA has also welcomed moved to ensure that local authorities work more closely with Business Improvement Districts, through encouraging them to participate more actively in the planning process. The association's chief executive, Brigid Simmonds, said: “It is great to see the government do more to recognise that voluntary local partnerships like BIDs really do work. While I don’t think that a new tax on local businesses, through the Late Night Levy, is the way forward for any town centre, this is a positive step to help ensure local businesses don’t pay twice. I hope local authorities take note of any new guidance.”

 

Industry veteran plans Home Counties estate of ten pubs: Industry veteran Phil Whitehouse has set up Whitehouse Inns, with a view to building an estate of ten Home Counties pubs by 2018. The company bought the freehold of the Polecat Inn in Prestwood, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire in May, and has spent £150,000 on refurbishing the interior and upstairs to provide more areas for dining. The refurbishment was undertaken by the award-winning pub, bar and hotel design company Concorde BGW. An unnamed second pub near Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is due to be added later this month. Whitehouse was a major shareholder and board member of Richardsons Inns, which were bought for £11m by SFI (Surrey Free Inns) in April 1997, where he also sat on the board. He was also vice-president of Spearmint Rhino Europe in 2001 and most recently sold a substantial stake in three table dancing clubs in Manchester and Derby. The privately owned Whitehouse Inns is looking to take on two freehold/leasehold pubs a year as part of a £5m expansion plan until 2018, with a focus on family dining, fine wines and premium beers, incorporated within quirky, "olde world" surroundings.

The Stable to open eighth site in Plymouth: The Stable, the craft cider and gourmet pizza restaurant brand founded by Richard and Nikki Cooper and 51% owned by Fuller’s, will open its eighth site in Plymouth. The brand will be taking residence in Sutton Harbour in the site that was formerly the Vauxhall Quay Bar. Work will begin on the site this month [November 2014] with an opening by Spring 2015, creating 30 jobs. Nikki Cooper said: “We’ve identified Plymouth as a city that has great potential for The Stable. There’s a lot of young, discerning students and professionals in the area and we think that we’ve got a great experience to bring to them. The Stable is a cathedral to cider and pizza offering over 80 varieties of the West Country tipple. Coupled with our famous pizzas, handmade from the finest local ingredients, and with our harbour-side location, it will be the perfect place to soak up The Stable’s relaxed atmosphere.”

 

Wetherspoon lines up bank premises for second Cork site: JD Wetherspoon is lining up a second location in Cork, in the former Bank of Ireland premises in Douglas, a suburb of the city with a population of 25,655. The company has sought planning permission to convert the former bank at East Douglas Street. Wetherspoon has already opened one pub in Dublin and is planning on opening its first pub in Cork on the site of the former Mangan’s nightclub and Newport Bar on Paul Street. The planned new venue on Paul Street will be called the Linen Weaver. In its plans for Douglas, Wetherspoon said it wants to infill the vehicle access route to the north of the building, which provides access to the rear car park. This will allow a larger bar and food area. Other changes include new toilets, a staff room, kitchen and storage. The plans also include a beer garden to the rear of the pub. Wetherspoon has said it plans to open up to 30 pubs across Ireland. A final planning decision is expected on the Douglas plans by 22 December.

 

Anglian Country Inns' coffee, bagels and shopping concept turnover almost doubling forecasts: The award-winning Anglian Country Inns, led by James Nye, is almost doubling sales forecasts at its grab-and-go coffee and bagel bar on the ground floor of its Hermitage Road Bar & Restaurant in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The company already operates a coffee bar at the site but added an extra 30 seats incorporating a retail shopping offer, Hermitage Road & Co, headed by Ellene Nye, selling interior accessories, furniture, homeware, lighting and gifts. Nye said: “It was an opportunity to extend our presence on the high street. It’s a hybrid hospitality and retail concept that showcases the design talent of Ellene – you can buy the chair you are sitting on, for example. It’s not scalable but we’re nearly double the taking we’d forecast after three weeks of trading.”

 

C&C Group dismisses Mitchells & Butler tie-up story: The drinks producer C&C Group, which owns the Magners cider and Tennents lager brands, has dismissed a story in the Sunday Times claiming it sees a tie-up with Mitchells & Butlers as a "dream deal". Jonathan Neilan, a spokesman for C&C, said in an email to Bloomberg News:"There is no basis for the story. It is pure speculation and is entirely without merit." 

Intertain sale saw 'considerable interest': The chairman of Intertain, David Myers has reported that the sale of the company, which has concluded with Jon Moulton's Better Capital acquiring the business for £20m, saw “considerable interest". Myers said: “In the summer we announced plans to seek new investment to support our investment and expansion plans. There was considerable interest from investors and Better Capital’s experience and resources represented the strongest option in terms of securing the future growth of the Intertain business.” With this transaction complete, Intertain now plans to continue its investment programme and actively pursue the acquisition of new venues. Chief executive John Leslie said: “We are delighted to be working with Better Capital, as it gives us the capacity to complete the investment programme and grow the business further. The work we have done on the evolution of the Walkabout brand over the last 18 months has delivered exceptional returns, and we’re very excited about the future growth potential of the business.”

 

Norwich’s Riverside complex reports revival as it switches from ‘late-night’ to family leisure: Norwich’s Riverside complex has reported a revival in its fortunes as it switches from a late-night destination spot to family leisure. Las Iguanas opened at the centre yesterday and there is now interest in re-opening the former Wonderland nightclub, operated by Stephen Thomas’s No Saints business until it closed in June. Robert Warner, creative director at LS Leisure, which runs the complex, said: “The nightclub is closed at the moment, and we have been spending all of our time looking at what it can be used for in the future. We have got a couple of really interesting offers on the table. If they do come off, we are looking at early next year for that. But it’s unlikely that it will remain a nightclub, although never say never. It’s a big space and could be turned into small units, with possibly an evening nightclub offer to maximise the space. We are almost fully let at Riverside at the moment and going into the future, Riverside’s got all the credentials to be East Anglia’s best entertainment destination. We are looking at about four million visitors to Riverside this year. Riverside has become more of a family destination, with the cinema and bowling, rather than a night-time offer. And there are lots of new restaurants that are opening, including Las Iguanas next week. Riverside has become a hot ticket.”

New Pub Company to open biggest pub this Friday: New Pub Company, led by Peter Linacre, will its eighth pub this Friday, The Telegraph on Putney Heath in South West London. The free-of-tie lease of the Telegraph has been acquired from Ross Sanders , to allow him to focus on his four-strong Lazy Cow boutique hotel and steakhouse group. With 250 covers inside and 300 outside it will become the group’s largest site. The pub is opposite Roehampton Cricket Club, close to Wimbledon Common and a short distance from Putney High Street. New Pub Co has also acquired the Blue Ball, in the affluent village of Walton on the Hill, Surrey, from Star Pubs & Bars. The pub, which stands on a large plot, has been closed for the past two years. New Pub Co is planning an extensive refurbishment to extend the dining area and overhaul the trade kitchen as well as a full internal and external redecoration. It is anticipated that the pub will reopen next summer. FMT based on current conditions is estimated at £750,000. Paul Tallantyre, director of pubs and bars at Davis Coffer Lyons, which advised on the two acquisitions, said: “Peter’s experience and understanding of the market enables him to spot an opportunity, whether it is a strong trading site like The Telegraph or a closed pub like the Blue Ball. These are both fantastic sites in excellent locations and we have no doubt that they will be the perfect addition to New Pub Company’s growing portfolio.”

Cozy Pubs completes deal to acquire Marco Pierre White's Angel in Lavenham: Cozy Pubs, led by Leanne Langman and Timothy Doyle, has completed the deal to acquire the Angel in Lavenham, Suffolk formerly operated by the chef-entrepreneur Marco Pierre White. Recent guests had taken to TripAdvisor, the review-based travel website, to describe their stays at the venue as “absolutely ghastly” and “awful”. Last year, White was forced to repaint the Angel twice, after his first attempt to give it a traditional “Suffolk pink” look was roundly condemned as “blancmange-like” and unsuitable for a Grade II listed property. Cozy Pubs has three other sites, all in Essex. Doyle said: “We want the Angel to become the focus of the village again, as it once was. We plan to be part of the community. We will be updating the rooms, which have been criticised by guests, as well as providing good food at reasonable prices.”

Itsu, Costa Coffee, Eat, Caffe Nero, Caffe Concerto and Chipotle found lacking on disabled access: The government is writing to a string of high street brands urging them to improve after a BBC London investigation revealed a "depressing" failure to accommodate disabled people. Two researchers, one blind, one a wheelchair-user, documented their daily travails with pinhole cameras. Some of the UK's top chains failed to provide ramps. The Equality Act obliges organisations to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. But researchers found unusable tables or ramps missing or broken at branches belonging to Itsu, Costa Coffee, Eat, Caffe Nero, Caffe Concerto and Chipotle.

Pizza Rossa secure first permanent site: The artisanal pizza-by-the-square-slice concept Pizza Rossa has secured premises at 168 London Wall in the City, which will be opening on Thursday 20 November. This is the first permanent venue for the company, which continues to run a long-term pop-up operation at Whittington Avenue, Leadenhall Market, in the City. Founder and chief executive Corrado Accardi said: "We are at the start of a very exciting time. This permanent opening marks the real roll-out for Pizza Rossa, as we have other venues already earmarked for 2015.”

Shaftesbury – Bocca di Lupo beat ‘strong competition’ to secure flagship Seven Dials site: The West End of London landlord Shaftesbury has revealed that the founders of Bocca di Lupo, Jacob Kenedy and Victor Hugo, beat strong competition to secure a new 4,000 sq ft restaurant, set across two floors, at the gateway to Seven Dials on Cambridge Circus in Covent Garden, London. The new concept, described by Kenedy as "boisterous, accessible, affordable and utterly delicious", has as its stated aim to make brilliant food inexpensive and to bring quality to a prominent high footfall corner. It will open next spring. Shaftesbury actively marketed the site as a flagship opportunity in a prime location in central London, and Bocca di Lupo fought off "significant" competition from a number of leading international restaurant brands for the site Charles Owen, Seven Dials portfolio manager at Shaftesbury, said: “Seven Dials’ reputation, combined with the growing momentum behind Crossrail and the benefits that will bring, meant demand for this site from high-quality operators was very strong. The concept from the founders of Bocca di Lupo stood out because of its originality and the way it complements the surrounding Seven Dials context. This is going to be a very exciting addition to Seven Dials and will bring something new to the area, adding to its reputation as London’s focal point for leading UK and international brands.” Kenedy, who will be chef/proprietor of Bocca di Lupo, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our brand. Shaftesbury have a reputation to be exacting, visionary landlords, and I look forward to working with their full support on a project that promises mutual benefit, enriching the offering and appeal of Seven Dials, and giving us access to a landmark site of unparalleled high profile. I cannot wait to open, as I am confident the public will have as much fondness and love for our new concept as I do.”

Greene King to re-open nine-bedroom premium boutique hotel and pub in south London next week: Greene King will open a premium boutique hotel and pub restaurant within its upmarket Metropolitan Pub Company division next week (Wednesday 19 November). The Tulse Hill Hotel, formerly the Tulse Hill Tavern, will be operated as a gastro pub, with a private dining room and nine bedrooms. The company say that the exterior of the pub, which was built in §1840 and closed in March this year, will retain much of the original architectural detail, including the original signage and copper lanterns, with the interior being given wooden parquet flooring, wooden panelling and a reclaimed 1920s bar. It will offer a "regularly changing seasonal menus, five rotating ales, 11 draught beers on tap, a simple and exciting cocktail list, and a robata grill and BBQ for the great British summer".

Brakspear to re-open refurbished managed pub this Friday: The pub operator Brakspear is reopening the Running Horses in Mickleham, Surrey, one of its four managed pubs, this Friday (14 November). The pub has been given a major refurbishment and a menu focusing on traditional British food using local and seasonal ingredients where possible, with dishes such as crisp roast pork belly with champ potato, braised hare with chestnuts, and fish pie with mustard mash. Brakspear's chief executive, Tom Davies, said: “We’re delighted with the new look and feel to the pub. The refurbishment has achieved exactly what we wanted, to upgrade the pub where it needed it, but without changing its unique character. We’ve invested a lot of money in the pub to improve the drinking and dining experience, but the traditional bar area, for example, looks almost unchanged.” The Running Horses was named as Surrey Dining Pub of the Year in the Good Pub Guide for 2013. It has five en-suite bedrooms which have also been refurbished in a "boutique hotel" style. Brakspear bought the Running Horses in 2012, bringing it into its managed estate in May this year when the lessee retired. Brakspear’s managed estate also includes: the Bull on Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames; the Porch House, Stow-on-the-Wold and the Chequers in Marlow.

 

Enterprise invests £250,000 to switch market position of Yorkshire pub and adds 'beach huts': Enterprise Inns has invested £250,000 in a pub in Ilkley, Yorkshire that now has heated "beach huts "outside. The company has also renamed the pub, formerly the Rose and Crown, calling it the Black Hat. It has switched from being a weekend nightclub venue to one that appeals to a broad range of customers, serving food and drink throughout the day. The three beach huts outside are for al fresco eating and drinking. A new general manager is among 20 new staff, including duty managers, bar staff and an Ilkley-based chef, hired to run the pub, in Church Street, which had been closed for six months. Enterprise's regional manager, Tracey Burley, said: “This reopening represents a major investment for Enterprise, creating a completely new offering for the people of Ilkley, and for which there’s been a real groundswell of support in the build-up. What we have now is a pub with a very modern feel to it, which offers something for everyone right through the day, and which fits perfectly with this lovely spa town."

Delice de France rebranded as Coup de Pates: Aryzta Food Solutions is to rebrand Delice de France as Coup de Pates,. Aryzta, the owner of both brands, is looking to target more UK chefs with an enhanced offering and sponsorship of the leading culinary competition Salon Culinaire. Coup de Pates has traditionally been positioned as a specialist sister brand to Delice de France. The two will now merge and rebrand as Coup de Pates, resulting in more exclusive products being made available to UK chefs alongside the existing Delice de France range, a process which has already begun with the unveiling last month of a brand new autumn/winter 2014-15 catalogue. 

 

Nando’s lines up New Malden opening: Nando’s is to open in New Malden, Surrey next month. The brand is to take over the former Dreams bed store site by the Fountain roundabout. The restaurant will be open from noon to around 11pm at night.

Hospitality Jobs UK signs up EasyJet, Chipotle, Bills and Hilton: Hospitality Jobs UK, which aims to offer a pan-leisure jobs board, has signed up four more UK leisure businesses, EasyJet, Chipotle, Hilton and Bills. Six months after its launch, the on-line advertising job board is now achieving more than 80,000 clicks a month and has a database of more than 17,000 candidates. Its head of operations, Marian Stredwick, said: “As a market focused, innovative advertising provider, the Jobs Board has been welcomed by all streams of hospitality. Our current advertisers include Giraffe, Marston’s, Champneys, Pizza Express, Greene King, Salisbury Pubs and CenterParcs, to name but a few. We are committed to offering a 'flexible campaign' approach, differing to that demonstrated by most traditional job boards.”

Starbucks bows to customer pressure in US and brings back eggnog latte: Starbucks has decided to bring back its eggnog latte in the United States after a huge outcry from customers when the company announced it was discontinuing the beverage. Eggnog latte, which the chain had been selling during the winter since 1986, was cut to "simplify" Starbucks' holiday menu, according to USA Today. “We made a mistake,” Starbucks spokeswoman Linda Mills said. “We are very sorry.” Mills said she expects the drink to be back in stores sometime during the week of 17 November. “It's a fairly complex product to bring back,” she said. “We have to be able to source the eggnog itself.” The chain is also putting gingerbread lattes back on the menus at Pacific Northwest, where they were cut.

Whitbread expands hub by Premier Inn pipeline with Edinburgh site: Interserve has landed a deal with Whitbread to build an £11.4m hub by Premier Inn hotel in the West End of Edinburgh. The contractor will develop and build the 150-bedroom hotel for Whitbread on a site in Torphichen Street, in Edinburgh’s financial district. Interserve has completed the purchase of the site and secured a forward-funding deal from Aberdeen Asset Management to fund the development on a turnkey basis for Premier Inn. It has submitted a detailed planning application and work is expected to start on site in summer 2015. Hub by Premier Inn is the compact city centre hotel format from the hotel chain. Interserve executive director Dougie Sutherland said: “This is another fantastic development scheme in Edinburgh and sits comfortably with the Haymarket site that we are already developing. The scheme also reflects the successful partnership we have built with Premier Inn and we are now developing two sites in Edinburgh and one in Newcastle for them.” Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants' senior acquisitions manager, Kevin Murray, said: “This is another outstanding deal for Whitbread – expanding the development pipeline for our new hub by Premier Inn format, ahead of its launch this November, and marking our third deal with Interserve.”

Italian sovereign wealth fund buys 23% of Rocco Forte Hotels: Sir Rocco Forte has sold 23% of his luxury hotels business to Italian investors in return for a £60m investment to double the size of its portfolio in five years. Rocco Forte Hotels will seek to add at least four properties in Italy as a result of the cash injection from the sovereign wealth fund Fondo Strategico Italiano. The fund will get 23% of the company. Projects in Venice, Milan, Naples and Sicily have been identified for expansion. Beyond Italy, the group, which currently owns or part-owns ten hotels, will add Jeddah in Saudi Arabia next summer and is also looking at Shanghai, New York, Paris and Madrid. Sir Rocco launched the hotel group with his sister Olga Polizzi in 1996. It includes the Hotel Savoy in Florence, Brown's in London and the Balmoral in Edinburgh.

 

Developer promises to re-build illegally demolished pub by April 2015: A developer has promised to rebuild a pub in Sydenham, South London it illegally demolished by April 2015. The developer, Pure Lake, is in the process of submitting a schedule of works with the intention of completing the rebuilding of the Greyhound in Kirkdale, Sydenham, by April next year. The Greyhound closed in 2007 and was knocked down in 2012 leaving just the front wall intact, despite it being in a conservation area with demolition banned without council consent. Lewisham Council prosecuted the company and Pure Lake was fined £5,000 with £13,000 in costs for unauthorised demolition last year.

Pizza Hut set for radical menu revamp in the US: Pizza Hut is to launch a radical menu shake-up in the United States, a revamped digital experience and a nationwide roll-out of skinny pizzas. The new menu includes ten new crusts, such as honey sriracha, and themed ones like "Get Curried Away", sauce additions such as garlic parmesan, and premium ingredients, including fresh spinach and cherry peppers harvested from the Peruvian highlands. The new menu launch is scheduled for 19 November. Carrie Walsh, Pizza Hut's chief marketing officer, said: "Today's consumer is always looking for new flavours." Pizza Hut found customers wanted more customisation and mash-ups of different flavours. They also expressed interest in lower-calorie pizza. A recent test of "skinny" versions proved successful enough that the brand has decided to expand them nationwide. Diners can choose to customise their pizzas with a skinny crust or order one of five new Pizza Hut skinny creations, which clock in at 250 calories or fewer per slice, and feature a thinner crust. Online, the company is making its digital portal more interactive and visual.

Larsson & Jennings to open flagship Seven Dials store with coffee bar: West End landlord Shaftesbury has announced that Larsson & Jennings, the Anglo-Swedish watch brand, is due to open its first UK flagship store at Seven Dials in late November – with a Swedish style coffee bar. Located on 53 Monmouth Street, the 497 sq ft store, will use raw materials and contemporary signage to create a classic but minimalist destination. Customers will also have the option to create their own bespoke watch on site in the LJX Custom area.