Orderella partners with PayPal for Six Nations: Orderella, the cashless app that helps customers beat queues by allowing them to both order and pay by mobile device, has teamed up with PayPal to offer an exclusive £6 off select orders during the Six Nations championship, starting this Saturday (14 February). Customers will receive £6 off their first food and drinks order when paying via PayPal, followed by £6 off their third order, too, when visiting venues which use Orderella (view the full list HERE). Customers can take advantage of the offer by downloading the free app Orderella (available on iOS and Android) for the Six Nations and linking it up to their PayPal account to save £6 on their first, and third order until Saturday 21 March 2015.

Bill’s set for five new openings by Easter: Bill’s Restaurants is set have opened five new restaurants in 2015 by Easter. The company doubled in size in 2014, moving from 26 to 52 restaurants. It opened in the Highcross Shopping Centre Leicester on 2 February, and both Maidstone and Peterborough on Monday 9 February The company is also opening in Cardiff Bay on 16 March across two floors in the historic Pilotage Building, reputably one of the oldest buildings in Cardiff Bay, and in Glasgow on 30 March, its first site north of the border.
 
BrewDog eyes £5m expansion plan: BrewDog is planning a multi-million pound deal to expand its brewery on the site of an Aberdeenshire recycling centre. Under the craft beer firm's £5m plans to build a new warehouse, the household waste and recycling centre at Balmacassie, near Ellon, would be relocated to a new area in the industrial estate. The deal would see BrewDog, whose brewery is next to the current recycling centre, cover any costs incurred by the council in relocating the facilities. The adjacent recycling bulking plant, which was only completed in July last year, may also be relocated. The £5m warehouse plans come after news that BrewDog will expand its brewery to include a new brew house and tank farm, which it is hoped will be fully installed and operational by the start of 2016. Around 150 new jobs could be created by the expansion. Should the plans be approved by planners, Aberdeenshire Council would relocate the facilities without impacting on recycling services in the area before handing over the site to the company in January 2016. BrewDog said its projection was that construction of the warehouse would then begin at the start of 2016 to complement the new facilities.
 
Titchwell Manor chef to open fish and chip restaurant: Eric Snaith, chef patron at the award-winning Titchwell Manor in Norfolk, will open a standalone fish and chips restaurant, Eric’s Fish & Chips, this April. The 1,496 sq ft restaurant, at Drove Orchard outside Thornham in north Norfolk, will cater to 80 covers in a combination of dining room and outdoor terrace. Snaith said the new restaurant's menu "harks back to the traditional British fish and chip restaurants of the past with a modern European influence on the menu, carried over from Snaith’s three-AA rosette restaurant. Mains, all under £10, will include mackerel with buttermilk, beetroot and sorrel; and halloumi and spinach arancini. Children’s portions will include chips with cod, haddock, scampi or battered Dingley Dell sausage.
 
Tokyo-based 'British fish and chip shop' operators looks to global launch: The team behind Japan 's first British fish and chip shop are looking to build their venture into a potentially global brand. Malin's, started by two Japanese, Ryuhei Takizawa and Shingo Kanaoya, and a Briton, Dan Chuter opened in July 2014 in Roppongi, an upmarket city-centre area of Tokyo. The trio imported a Scottish chef with 12 years experience as a fryer to train Japanese chefs on-site. Mushy peas, curry sauce and British malt vinegar are all on the menu and the fish fried is cod, albeit Hokkaido cod. They have private funding for as many as five shops, and the current plan is to have a total of three or four operating by the end of the year, Chuter said. Takizawa has received interest in bringing the shops to South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, though for now efforts are going in to fully establishing the Tokyo business first, he said. “But we want to be a global brand; maybe one day, bring Malin's back to London again.” The company is the first Japanese operator in the National Federation of Fish Fryers, the UK industry body; Takizawa is the first Japanese citizen to train with the federation at its headquarters; and, it is believed, Malin's is the first to acquire a Japanese visa for a specialist fryer. Tokyo consumers prefer to either eat in the shop or as they walk, prompting Malin's to build space for 12 seats at a "bar" in the compact space. Future shops may do the same, or could work as a restaurant, depending on location and clientele, Chuter said. Takizawa estimates 30% of Malin's customers are foreign/ex-pats, with 70% local Japanese. Of this 70%, he reckons 20% are familiar with the dish through British family, partners, and so on. “There's a strong interest in fish and chips in Japan,” he said. “For tourists who go to London, it's one of the things you have to do, eat fish and chips.”
 
Oakman site wins two stars for sustainability: The Beech House in St Albans, Hertfordshire, part of the award-winning Oakman Inns & Restaurants, has been awarded two stars in this year's  Sustainable Restaurant Association ratings, published today. The restaurant underwent a vigorous and independent examination by the SRA across the 14 focus areas within the association's three pillars of sustainability, society, sourcing and environment. Key areas which contributed towards the rating in the "sourcing" category included the restaurant’s commitment to ethical purchasing, from pasture-raised cattle and free-range eggs to seasonal purchasing of fruit, vegetables and seafood. Mark Linehan, managing director of the SRA, said: “The Beech House a fantastic example of a pub that fully appreciates its responsibility to operate sustainably and see it not as a hindrance to profitability but a key driver, recognising increasing consumer demand. What’s even more pleasing is that, as part of the Oakman Inns family, they understand that this is a journey and they are clearly committed to improving year on year.” Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive of Oakman Inns, said: “I am very proud of my team. While this year has seen our group expand by almost 50%, the Oakman team has never taken their eye of the sustainability ball. Not wishing to rest on our laurels, we are now working towards achieving three stars next year.”

Inn Britain secures fourth site, former Orchid venue owned by Charles Wells: Inn Britain has secured its fourth site, the Plough and Dragon, at Leverstock Green, near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, a former Orchid Pub Company previously serving Thai food, which is owned by Charles Wells. Inn Britain, operates three other pubs all offering carvery and traditional pub food. Manager Emma Massingham said: “Pretty much all our food is made from scratch. All our desserts are the sort of desserts that your nan used to make, big portions and good value for money". The pub will re-open on the evening of Wednesday, 25 February. Inn Britain’s other pubs are in Bletchley, Leighton Buzzard and Welwyn Garden City.
 
Giggling Squid – we’re still on track to open in Bristol and Salisbury in March: The Thai restaurant brand Giggling Squid has confirmed it is still on track to open in both Bristol and Salisbury in March despite reports that the company shifted its fit-out team to Salisbury, bringing forward its opening. Company founder Andy Laurillard told Propel: “Work is still ongoing in Bristol. I shifted most of the team to Salisbury, but not all. The reason was, we discovered a right mess under the kitchen floor, and after talking to former staff of the Strada I decided to bring in local contractors to dig up the sewer and reform it. That put the kitchen fit-out back four weeks, so we weren't in such a hurry to complete the front-of-house work – hence shifting to Salisbury. Both restaurants will be open in March.”
 
Boutique hotel with Indian restaurant planned for Northampton: Plans for a new 13-bed hotel and Indian restaurant in Northampton’s Cultural Quarter are due to be approved next week. Guildhall Pension Scheme is bidding to convert two vacant Edwardian buildings at 13 and 15 Guildhall Road into a hotel and restaurant with a "small-scale retail element". Northampton Council is expected to approve plans for what will be called the Guild Hotel and Restaurant at next week’s planning committee. A design statement by HDA Architecture, submitted to the council, said: “The Guild Hotel and Restaurant will offer a great dining experience of traditional Indian cuisine in relaxed surroundings and comfortable letting rooms with en-suite facilities.”

Gordon Ramsay's Versailles site retains two Michelin stars: Gordon Ramsay au Trianon in Versailles, France, which opened in March 2008 has maintained its two-star rating in the Michelin Guide for the seventh year running. Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, in the Parc de Versailles, is modelled on Gordon Ramsay’s three Michelin-starred restaurant in Royal Hospital Road in West London. The restaurant, which serves French food,  has only ten tables "to ensure the highest quality dining experience". Stuart Gillies, managing director of Gordon Ramsay Group, said: “We are thrilled to have retained our two stars. It is great that the dedication, skill and consistent hard work of our team there continues to be recognised.” The Gordon Ramsay Group has seven Michelin stars among its 13 restaurants in London  and 12 globally.
 
Restaurant Group and Byron plan Derby Intu openings: The Restaurant Group is planning a second new opening for its emerging brand Joe’s Kitchen and Coffeehouse, this time at the Intu shopping centre in Derby. Last month, Propel reported the company is also planning a new Joe’s at the Trentham Estate leisure destination in Derby. Joe’s Kitchen and the upmarket burger chain Byron will open on level two of the shopping centre. The restaurants are being fitted out next to the food court. The 10,000 sq ft space is behind where the Sega machines used to be and the recently closed Diffusion store. Up to 100 jobs will be created. Intu Derby's general manager, Dan Murphy, said: “What we’ve found recently is people are more prepared to spend time here and go to a restaurant. We’re looking to capitalise on that.” As well as evening meals, Joe’s Kitchen will be open for brunch, lunch, coffee and tea, snacks and desserts.

Angela Malik flops in Crowdcube push to expand Modern Asian Deli: The entrepreneur Angela Malik, who launched a fund-raising push on Crowdcube to raise £350,000 to expand her Modern Asian Deli concept in return for 18.9% of the equity a month ago, has flopped, raising just over £2,000 from eight investors, 1% of her target. Funds of £350,000 to £500,000 are being sought to support the opening of the next location(s), recruit a chief operating officer and provide working capital for the business. The total investment in the business is £832,000 to date.

Firemen save Greene King pub with thatched roof: Speedy work by firemen has saved a Greene King pub with a thatched roof from being destroyed. More than 30 firefighters were called to the Fox Inn, Denchworth, near Wantage, Oxfordshire on Saturday after reports of a chimney fire. The blaze spread to the thatched roof of the pub and five fire crews were called in. Firemen from Wantage, Abingdon and Oxford stripped away thatch and made a fire break to stop the blaze spreading. Incident commander Mike Adcock said: “This quick action saved 99% of the thatch roof with approximate 20 square metres of thatch removed by crews. We are really pleased our swift actions saved this vital and wonderful village pub.”

Turtle Bay puts potential recruits through limbo dancing and jingle-writing exercises: Potential staff at Cheltenham’s new Turtle Bay restaurant, which is opening in March, are undergoing interviews today (Wednesday) at the Queens Mercure Hotel in Cheltenham that include several creative exercises, including dancing the limbo, creating a picture collage and writing their own jingle for the restaurant. More than 1,000 people have applied for the 60 jobs being created. Director Stephen Entwistle said: “Our staff are the face of our business, so for us it is essential we find team members who will fit in and excel in the Turtle Bay atmosphere. We try to provide our diners with a dynamic, fun and exciting restaurant experience and we are looking for staff who can deliver just that. We purposefully employ an eclectic range of people as we want our staff to stand out from the crowd.” The 6,000 sq ft restaurant on the corner of Pittville Street and Albion Street will open on 27 March.

Stonegate Pub Company launches new drinks menu at Popworld: Stonegate Pub Company has launches a new drink menu at its Popworld nightclub brand. The new range includes cosmopolitans and Disaronno sours, and Absolut Flaskas – double measures of Absolut vodka, shaken with real fruit jam and topped with Schweppes lemonade. Tom Patrick, marketing manager for Popworld, said: “We have some fantastic new vessels, so our poptails can now be enjoyed in sharing partini glasses or a pophat!. Friday 13th no longer needs to be unlucky as customers on the Popworld email database can treat themselves to a buy one, get one free Root 56, a new poptail on the menu, made with Jagermeister and ginger beer and topped with cucumber slices and a lime wedge.”
 
Aldi drops drive-through coffee shop plan after protests: Plans for a drive-through coffee shop in Buckshaw Village, Lancashire submitted by the supermarket chain Aldi have been dropped after community protests. A new commercial unit which was “likely” to be a drive-through coffee shop was planned for Ordnance Road, alongside a new Aldi supermarket and community centre. But after concerns were raised by businesses and the community at a public consultation event, the designs have been amended. A spokesman for Aldi said: “We are committed to consultation, and it was made clear by residents at the exhibition that a drive-through coffee shop would not be welcomed. We have therefore decided to drop this particular idea.” Alison Holme, who runs the Cowshed restaurant on Barnes Wallis Way in Buckshaw Village, and a mobile coffee counter called, Coffee Cow, and who fought the proposal for the drive-through, said: “We are delighted the plans submitted by Aldi and Primrose Holdings will no longer involve a drive-through coffee shop. We’d like to thank Aldi for taking the time to meet us to listen to our concerns."
 
Inception Group secures Covent Garden site: Inception Group has secured the former Angel & Crown public house on St Martin’s Lane, in Covent Garden, Central London through the property agent Davis Coffer Lyons. The grade 2 listed, three-storey former pub, which is owned by the property company Shaftesbury, will reopen as Fogg’s Tavern, and the company hopes to build on the success of its sister venue Mr Fogg’s in Mayfair, Central London. Kate Taylor, associate director at Davis Coffer Lyons, said: “We’ve seen a surge of interest from operators in Covent Garden, as it continues to thrive as a destination for eating, drinking, shopping and entertainment. This, coupled with the scarcity of A4 opportunities of this nature, gave rise to an almost unprecedented level of interest in the Angel & Crown. Fogg’s Tavern was felt to be the perfect complement to its Theatreland location and an exciting addition to St Martin’s Lane.” Charlie Gilkes, Inception Group's founder, said: “Inception Group are thrilled to have secured this site against so much competition. We are very excited about bringing our Mr Fogg’s brand to this prime part of central London."
 
TCG pledges support for British Heart Foundation with £100,000 fund-raising target: The managed pub and bar operator TCG has selected the British Heart Foundation as its nominated charity for the next 18 months, setting a fundraising target of £100,000. The partnership with the British Heart Foundation was launched on "Wear it Beat it" day, 6 February, one of the charity’s biggest fundraising campaigns of the year. Teams in TCG’s pubs, bars and head office supported the day by wearing red, turning their site red, or running red-themed activities such as quizzes and raffles. As 6 February also saw the Wales-England rugby match in Cardiff, TCG's chief operating officer, and lifelong England rugby supporter, Nigel Wright, kicked off the fundraising by donning a red Brain’s Welsh rugby shirt in return for donations to the British Heart Foundation. His sacrifice has raised close to £200, while the shirt, signed by the Welsh team, was raffled in Henry’s Café Bar in Cardiff, helping towards the £450 collected on the night. Wright said: “Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer and the British Heart Foundation’s mission to ‘fight for every heartbeat’ is one that will resonate with team members and customers in all our pubs and bars. ‘Wear it Beat it’ was a great opportunity to kick off our fundraising drive and I’m delighted with the response by so many of our sites who ‘did something red’ to raise money. We came to the end of a fundraising partnership with Cancer Research UK last autumn, after collecting more than £110,000."

Mourne Seafood Bar expands original site, plans bedrooms: One of Northern Ireland's best-known seafood restaurants, Mourne Seafood Bar in Dundrum, Co Down, has grown its restaurant to meet increasing demand, adding space for an extra 40 covers. Mourne Seafood opened in the coastal village in 2005, and has since followed with sister venues in Belfast and Dublin. Owner Bob McCoubrey said: "The expansion will allow us to deal with busier times, and provide more room for those who want to come in and just have a snack and drink." The addition of bedrooms is planned. "It's an idea which we are looking at adding, with around six rooms in the future," McCoubrey said.