Health chiefs criticised over nanny state alcohol guidelines: Health chiefs have been criticised over “nanny state” guidance that says one glass of wine raises the risk of cancer. New advice from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) cuts recommended drinking limits for men in line with those for women, and says that there is no safe level of alcohol at all. The official guidance says that if people do drink, the maximum amount they should consume is 14 units a week – a sharp reduction from the 21 unit previously set for men. This is the first time official guidance has suggested that even an occasional sherry or weekly pint could raise the risk of disease. It comes despite admissions in the report that the risks of drinking in line with recommended limits are comparable to those from “regular or routine activities, such as driving”. The new guidance says evidence that alcohol, such as red wine, is beneficial for health “is considered less strong than it was”. Health officials were accused of “nanny state” tactics and “scaremongering” the public – and for detailing advice which some might consider common-sense, such as not to take to drink before going up ladders. Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “Alcohol consumption has been falling for a decade. The change to the guidelines will turn hundreds of thousands of people into ‘hazardous drinkers’ overnight thereby reviving the moral panic about drinking in Britain and opening the door to yet more nanny state interventions. People deserve to get honest and accurate health advice from the Chief Medical Officer, not scaremongering.” CAMRA chief executive Tim Page said: “The best kind of health advice is that based on clear and undisputed evidence. We are uncertain whether there is sufficient agreement among experts to support these new guidelines. We will be consulting with our members and other consumers to find out their views on the guidance and will feedback their opinions to the Chief Medical Officer.”

 

Neil Griffiths to present at Propel Multi Club Conference: Neil Griffiths, chief strategy officer at Punch, is to present at the first Propel Multi Club Conference of 2016, which takes place at Congress Hall in London on Wednesday, 16 March. He will outline the company’s evolved strategy, involving as much as £300m of investment over five years, developing operator and trading agreements, expanding its fledgling concepts and brands, taking greater control of its retail offer and realising additional value from its property portfolio. Multi-site pub, restaurant and foodservice operators can claim up to two free places by emailing Adam Dickinson on adam.dickinson@propelinfo.com

 

Scotland sees growth of ‘dial a drink’ services: A growing number of Illegal alcohol delivery services linked to organised crime gangs are operating in Scotland, police have warned. The so-called “dial a drink” or “dial a booze” services are emerging throughout Scotland’s communities, especially in and around Glasgow. The illicit delivery groups openly advertise on websites and social media pages, providing price lists and contact numbers for potential customers. The people running the services will then deliver the alcohol to the public outside legal licensing hours at astronomical prices. Politicians have said Scotland has a “dial a drink epidemic emerging”, with others branding the issue “very worrying” and police now actively targeting the illicit businesses in undercover operations after it was highlighted as “an emerging issue” in a police report. Drinks including Buckfast, MD 20/20, cider, wine and spirits are advertised and sold for at least double the price they could be bought for in a supermarket. It is an offence in Scotland to deliver alcohol between midnight and 6am. Police have warned of the growing trend in groups delivering alcohol to the public through the night and officers in Glasgow have developed a plan to tackle the problem.

 

Plans submitted to convert Victorian railway arches into Brighton’s ‘most unusual restaurant’: Plans have been submitted to convert Victorian railway arches at Brighton station into a new restaurant. Network Rail has lodged an application with the city council to convert disused storage space in the goods yard. The authority wants to update Trafalgar Street Arches with a refurbishment mixing huge modern triple-glazing windows while retaining period pieces of its railway past. Network Rail said it hopes the regeneration project will help to transform the area between Trafalgar Street and Fleet Street into “an important and lively thoroughfare in the coming decades”. The site was last used last summer when it was home to a temporary market of 26 independent stallholders for six months while its last permanent tenant was St Martin’s Vintner wine shop. The arches were originally built in 1883 as an expansion of the goods yard for the station. Under the plans, architects are looking to open up the space to create what Network Rail has dubbed the “most unusual new restaurant in Brighton’s recent memory”. Other architecture features to be retained include a lift cab previously used to take goods up from the yards to the railway platform, which will be converted into a dining room. A Network Rail spokesman told The Argus: “The sweeping towering east side of Brighton station is one of the highlights of Brighton’s Victorian architecture. This project can help begin to lift the quality of this important thoroughfare.” A decision on the application is expected next month.

 

More than 1,000 venues sign up for PubAid quiz: More than 1,000 venues have signed up to take part in the world’s biggest pub quiz that aims to bring the industry together to raise money for good causes. The event on Sunday, 7 February is being organised by PubAid, which is dedicated to celebrating the great work done by UK pubs for charity, and supported by JustGiving. At 7.30pm that evening, quizzers will simultaneously answer the first in a series of questions with the aim to raise money for local causes and charities. More than 550 have already been nominated. So far, 1,016 venues have signed up to take part but pubs, clubs, bars and hotels wanting to join in can do so by registering by noon on Thursday, 4 February. There is no charge for venues to enter and they can choose the cause to raise money for. PubAid will supply the quiz but venues will need to appoint a quizmaster. To register, visit http://worldsbiggestquiz.pubaid.com/register

 

Londoners swapping trips to the pub for chessboxing and pottery, according to experience subscription site: Londoners are swapping trips to the pub for chessboxing and pottery as they seek increasingly weird and wonderful nights out, according to experience subscription site Wonderush. The start-up, which has applied the Netflix model and boasts 10,000 users just six months after launching, has compiled its list of top ten activities. While stand-up comedy remains a popular evening out, unusual pastimes such as African drumming, pole fitness, James Bond-style spy experiences and anti-gravity yoga are surprise hits with Wonderush customers as is chessboxing, which features a bout of boxing in between turns at a game of chess, combining physical exertion with a mental challenge. Founder Nelson Sivalingam told The Telegraph: “Our service encourages people to try things they would never usually do. It’s incredible how popular chessboxing has become. Another surprise hit has been pottery. We’re having to add more classes to meet demand.” Sivalingam credited the rise of social media, which encourages users to post images of their nights out, meals and experiences, for the surge in bookings for unusual classes. “People are also now spending less on material possessions and more on experiences,” he added. Users pay a monthly fee for access to unlimited events and Wonderush works with activity providers to list classes that have free spaces. The provider receives a nominal fee but benefits from the opportunity to win new customers. More than four million minutes of activities have been enjoyed to date through the service. Earlier this year, the start-up raised £500,000 from Fuel Ventures, the fund run by MyVoucherCodes founder Mark Pearson, to roll out across the UK in 2016.

 

West Cornwall Pasty Company reduces losses: The West Cornwall Pasty Company, which went into administration almost two years ago before being sold to a private equity fund backed by the former England footballer Danny Mills, has narrowed its losses in the year after being bought out of administration. The Truro-based firm reported a pre-tax loss of £195,000 on turnover of £12.5m in the year to the end of March 2015, according to accounts filed at Companies House. Ebitda stood at £551,000. This compared to pre-tax losses of more than £800,000 in the year before the company was sold in April 2014. The company said losses in 2015 were the result of exceptional one-off costs of £621,000 that will not be repeated this year. These costs included fees for the initial acquisition (£100,000), reorganisation costs (£226,000) and onerous lease provision (£260,000). West Cornwall Pasty Company, which still makes all its pasties in west Cornwall, has 33 retail units, two seasonal units and a substantial franchise agreement with Moto Hospitality. Its franchisee business saw revenue 20% up on forecasts. The company said Twickenham stadium is currently reviewing its catering arrangements over the next year and it is not guaranteed to have a presence. The firm has also launched its own-brand coffee range to encourage customers to spend more during each transaction. Enact, the new owners of West Cornwall Pasty Company, is a fund controlled by the private equity house Endless. It has a £1.6m cash balance and is debt-free. The company aims to expand its retail presence in transport hubs, sporting venues and in the leisure events market.

 

Marston’s lodges plans for 27-bedroom hotel by Bridlington pub: Marston’s has lodged plans to build a 27-bedroom hotel by its Lobster Pot pub in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. The company has applied to East Riding Council to build the hotel opposite the Lobster pub in Kingsgate, reports the Hull Daily Mail. The scheme forms part of Marston’s strategy to locate lodges alongside new-build pubs with chief executive Ralph Findlay previously telling Propel it will provide synergies and trading stability to sites. He said the co-location strategy adds about £3,000-a-week to takings at its pubs and the company plans to open five lodges in the coming year. In the planning statement for the Bridlington hotel, Marston’s said: “Development of the site will bring a new identity to a previously redundant land use providing a linked site development with the existing public house. Marston’s is a well-known nationwide provider of public houses and retail leisure uses with vast experience in this industry sector. In addition to the public houses and family restaurants it operates, Marston’s has a range of accommodation options. These include more traditional inns, which are generally found within existing public houses, along with a growing number of more contemporary lodges. The latter are normally found adjacent to an existing Marston’s pub/restaurant where the two uses complement and support each other. The lodges are a response to a growing demand for value-for-money accommodation in easily accessible locations.”

 

Star Pubs & Bars to invest £650,000 in two ‘ugly duckling’ 1970s estate pubs in Leeds: Star Pubs & Bars is set to give two estate pubs in Leeds dubbed “ugly ducklings” due to their 1970s architecture a new lease of life in a combined £650,000 investment. The company is ploughing £300,000 into a refurbishment of the Penny Fun in Moor Allerton with a £350,000 revamp planned at the Reresby Arms in Thrybergh, Rotherham. It comes on the back of similar schemes at The Leodis in Halton and The Highfield in Beverley, East Yorkshire. At the latter, licensee Paul Miller said trade at the pub, now called The Eager Beaver following the £350,000 refurbishment, has quadrupled with sales of food now accounting for 50% of turnover. Work will start on The Penny Fun this month and the pub will reopen in March, creating ten additional jobs. Star Pubs & Bars is working with operator Albion Partnerships, which also runs The Leodis, on the transformation of the pub, which is based in the Moor Allerton Centre. Food, teas and coffee will be introduced for the first time while the interior and exterior of the pub will be overhauled to give it a more upmarket feel. Star Pubs & Bars also plans to give the same treatment to the Reresby Arms and is looking for an entrepreneur to take on the lease. Star Pubs & Bars trading director Chris Jowsey told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “1970s estate pubs can be hidden gems. Whilst often unattractive, they are located in strong communities and have unrealised potential. They need investment to make them more attractive and to offer the quality customers want to ensure they are sustainable in the long term. Food and coffee are an increasingly important part of a pub’s appeal which we’re introducing to give people more reasons to visit these pubs.”

 

Good Life Group to open ninth The Diner in The Strand: The Good Life Group will open its ninth American-style restaurant in The Strand in London in March. The company, founded in 2005 by Marc Francis-Baum, Andreas Akerlund and Patric Franzen, is launching the 115-cover venue on the former New American Burger site as part of its ambitious expansion plans. The Diner Strand menu will boast innovative dishes inspired by popular fare from across the pond including buttermilk fried chicken and hotdogs as well as classic American cocktails and craft beers. Operations director Chris Todd said: “The success of 2015 across our existing sites has allowed us to take the next major step in The Diner’s development. With the vast footfall that’s associated with this iconic street, we’re excited by the huge potential to increase awareness of our offering.” The first The Diner was opened in Shoreditch and its other sites, all in London, include Camden, Dalston, Gloucester Road and Islington.

 

Greene King opens first ‘Local Hero’ pub in Scotland: A newly refurbished Edinburgh pub has become the first in Scotland to open under Greene King’s innovative Local Hero agreement. Run by multiple operator Niall Middletown, the Carters Tap (formerly Carters) on Morrison Street has become the first Belhaven leased pub north of the border to be adopted into the scheme, which champions local food and drink. Carters is a small, wet-led pub in the centre of Edinburgh and the change to Local Hero has given Middletown the freedom to use local microbreweries, moving the business in a new direction. Greene King Pub Partners, owners of Belhaven Pubs, recently celebrated launching 50 pubs operating in England under the agreement since it was created in 2011. The framework for the Local Hero agreement focuses on celebrating everything local, from microbreweries to the local farm shop. Pubs operating under the agreement are typically characterful with quirky features and are most often treated to a sympathetic refurbishment, with extra capacity for cask ale added at the bar and in the cellar. Middletown said: “For me, Local Hero was an opportunity to really embrace the best of Edinburgh’s brewing industry. We have so many great breweries that actually it was difficult to know where to start! We ended up launching with cask ale from brewers no more than three miles down the road from us, so we have really taken the ethos of the agreement to heart. The agreement lends itself to flexibility, and Greene King has recognised where I have needed to be even more flexible to make the business work. I am pleased to be running the first Scottish Local Hero, as I think it will really work here.” Clive Chesser, managing director for Greene King Pub Partners, said: “Taking Local Hero into Scotland was the natural next step for the agreement after it enjoyed so much success south of the border. It is a popular model because it works, particularly for smaller, wet-led pubs that could benefit from the unique selling point of using local suppliers and the flexibility that this provides. We are incredibly proud to have reached 50 pubs in just four years and look forward to even more of our licensees in both England and Scotland achieving business success using this agreement.”

Redchurch Brewery more than doubles £200,000 crowdfunding target: Redchurch Brewery, based in a double railway arch in Bethnal Green, has more than doubled its £200,000 fund-raising target on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube. The company, founded by lawyer turned brewer Gary Ward and television producer Tracey Cleland, is offering 9.09% equity and has so far seen 469 investors pledge £409,200 with 12 days remaining. The pitch states: “The Redchurch Brewery was established in August 2011 in a single railway arch in Bethnal Green, London. The idea for the brewery business was conceived by Gary Ward who was, at the time, practicing as a commercial property solicitor whilst brewing beer at home as a hobby. Quickly becoming fascinated and captivated by the flavour profiles and variety of styles available to buy from the new wave of craft breweries both from the United States and a number of craft/micro-breweries in the UK, Ward identified the nascent trend of the consumer expectation towards craft beer and the business possibilities that this sea-change presented and formulated a plan to open a craft brewery. The brewery was founded in August 2011 in conjunction with seed capital provided by initial investors.”

White Brasserie Company buys leasehold of Surrey pub: The leasehold interest in the Victoria public house in the commuter village of Oxshott, Surrey, has been sold in an off-market deal to the White Brasserie Company, led by Mark Derry, for an undisclosed sum. The Victoria is an iconic, long established business with the same tenant having been in occupation since 1977. Leisure property specialists Fleurets dealt with the sale of the lease. James Davies, of Fleurets, said: “Having been in occupation for approaching 40 years our client wanted the sale handled in a discreet and delicate manner out of respect to their loyal customers and staff. It is the only pub in the village located in a prominent central position directly in front of the Crown Estate, the areas most highly regarded private housing estate. White Brasserie Company intend to carry out a complete redevelopment in the spring and expect to be open as soon as possible in the summer of 2016.”

HVS – Demand for hotel assets likely to trigger private equity exit: Strong demand for hotel acquisitions prompting private equity investors to sell their assets ahead of the usual investment time-frame, continued consolidation amongst the branded hotel chains, and the impact of recent terrorist activities are the key issues facing the European hotel sector into 2016, according to global hotel consultancy HVS. Looking ahead, HVS London chairman Russell Kett expects demand for hotel acquisitions in Europe to continue as investors, particularly those in the US and Asia, continue to diversify their investments globally. “Some have already shown their desire to sell the hotels they have only recently acquired – well before the usual five to seven-year time normally sought,” he said. “The trend towards early checkout will continue as long as there is a queue of investors still seeking to acquire hotels and portfolios. The recent sale of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin by KSL Capital Partners to Singapore-based Frasers Hospitality after only two years is a good example. This activity fuels further interest in the sector, providing opportunities for other buyers to enter the market. It is also an indication that owners are starting to feel we are approaching the peak of the property cycle, although this could remain the case for some time, conceivably through 2016 and even 2017.” Property in London, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam is expected to be most in demand, but increasingly hotel investors will start to look at secondary and tertiary cities in order to diversify their investments. HVS expects to see consolidation in the hotel sector continue, while acquisitions and the restructuring, which will inevitably follow, will act as a catalyst to other groups as they seek to benefit from the economies of scale such transactions generate.

Innis & Gunn set to convert Dundee pub to Beer Kitchen brand: Brewer Innis & Gunn is set to convert a G1 Group site in Dundee to its Beer Kitchen brand. South Tay Superstore, on South Tay Street, is set to become The Beer Kitchen and carry branding from Innis & Gunn — the Edinburgh-based craft beer manufacturer — according to plans lodged with Dundee City Council. The bar is currently run by the G1 Group, which has more than 40 venues across the country. G1 Group was reported to have links to the opening of Innis & Gunn’s first Beer Kitchen venture in the Scottish capital earlier this year. South Tay Superstore was formerly known as The Social and Ketchup, before both closed down in July 2014 for a major revamp. It reopened under its new name last September, but still under the ownership of the Glasgow-based G1 Group.

 

Nidderdale Inns secures third site: Nidderdale Inns, led by Mark Arrol, is to open its third site. Arrol told Propel: “We’ve just taken on the lease of the Staveley Arms, in the village of North Stainley, between Ripon and Masham. The site, which once traded very successfully as a destination food pub and carvery, has been shut since September 2014. We plan to reopen at the end of February, following a refit, in time for the run up to Easter. We are looking to rebuild its local reputation for delivering great quality food, including the relaunch of the carvery. The location builds on our growing local reputation in this part of North Yorkshire and follows our acquisition of the Malt Shovel, Brearton, two years ago and the opening of Wilfrids in Ripon last October. We think the Staveley Arms will be a strong addition to our portfolio.”

 

Freehold of pub let to Mitchells & Butlers for sale for £1m: The freehold of pub let to Mitchells & Butlers in Lincolnshire, The Fox and Hound in Old Somerby, near Grantham, is for sale for £1m through agent James A Baker. Mitchells & Butlers pays a passing rent of £54,810 on a lease that expires in January 2036. There is an upward only rent review due on 4 February 2020.

 

Hotcha set to expand into Wales after submitting plans for Cardiff store: Hotcha, the Chinese takeaway franchise, is set to expand by opening its first store in Wales. The company, which has a number of outlets in south west England and signed a deal for ten stores in the north west in November, is looking to launch in Cardiff. It has submitted plans to the city council to open in a retail unit that sits alongside a block of 17 flats on the corner of Cowbridge Road East and Market Road in Canton, which replaced a former police station. According to documents submitted as part of the planning application, the restaurant would be open between 11am and 11pm, reports Wales Online. The application argued the development would make a contribution to the vitality of the area and said a Hotcha takeaway could generate a greater level of footfall than that associated with other nearby businesses, which include a dry cleaners and a funeral directors. The documents said: “The application proposal will bring into use a recently constructed commercial unit at a prominent roadside location within a designated district centre, thereby enhancing the character and appearance of the townscape. Furthermore, the proposal will facilitate the creation of jobs at an accessible in-centre location.”

 

Twisted Bars director to co-launch new bar and dining venture in Guiseley, plans ten-strong estate in Yorkshire: Two Yorkshire entrepreneurs have teamed up for a new bar and dining venture that they aim to grow to a ten-strong estate in the region. Twisted Bars director Adam Lewis has joined Paul Glendinning, a regional insurance group chief executive, to take over the lease on the 3,200 square foot former Cellar V cafe, bar and music venue premises in Guiseley. The duo has ploughed £250,000 into creating Everybodys All Day Social, which is due to open in the spring and create 30 jobs. The refurbishment will also see 1,150 square foot of previously unused outside space opened up for customer use, and the creation of a function room for private hire. The pair said they are already looking for venues for the next bar and plan ten similar venues in and around Yorkshire over the next seven years. Lewis, who has spent the past 20 years working in the hospitality industry and owns The Yard in Ilkley and in Malton, said: “Guiseley has been crying out for more quality bars and eateries, and our vision is to offer something for everyone. We’ll be opening for coffee and brunch in the morning, and serving food throughout the day and into the early evening. Sunday lunch will be a big deal for us, and we’ll be creating a tempting menu and friendly atmosphere that we hope will attract families, couples and people looking for a working lunch, as well as those heading out in the evening for drinks with friends or family.” Glendinning began his career in catering and, alongside forging a successful career in the family insurance business, has always had ambitions to open a bar.

 

Soho House opens Soho Farmhouse at Bicester Village: Soho House has opened Soho Farmhouse at Bicester Village shopping outlet in Oxfordshire. If offers an outdoor terrace for warmer days and two private dining spaces available for hire.

 

McDonald’s launches You Tube channel to connect with 16-to 24-year-olds: McDonald’s has launched a new YouTube channel aimed at boosting the brand’s engagement with the nation’s youth. Channel Us sits alongside the company’s more traditional TV, online and poster advertising, and is building a fun and engaging two-way relationship with 16-to 24-year-olds who are more likely to be online rather than watching linear TV. The channel, which has been described as “a ground-breaking moment for McDonald’s in the UK” is hosted by established British YouTube stars Oli White and Hazel Hayes. Each week the pair bring viewers a selection of new videos made by Channel Us followers as they respond to a series of challenges, which must be completed within a 72 hours deadline. Other recent challenges have included producing a theatre show and becoming a football coach. New challenges are posed each Friday and over the next year will cover topics popular with the channel’s key target demographic, including music, sport, comedy, science and travel.

 

Simon Rogan launches new dining experience at Claridges restaurant: Chef entrepreneur Simon Rogan has launched a new dining experience at his Fera restaurant at Claridges in Mayfair, London. Aulis functions as both a development kitchen and a private dining room with a six-seat kitchen counter. The menu, overseen by Rogan and Fera executive chef Dan Cox, takes its influences from seasonal produce, including the deliveries from Rogan’s own farm in the Lake District and carefully selected suppliers. These are dishes not previously served at Fera, cooked right in front of diners and explained at every stage. Rogan opened Fera at Claridges in 2014. His two-Michelin-starred restaurant L’Enclume in Cumbria, which opened in 2002, was named best in the UK in the Good Food Guide in 2015.

 

Inamo opens relocated St James’ restaurant in Covent Garden: London-based futuristic restaurant brand Inamo has opened its relocated St James’ restaurant in Covent Garden. The Oriental fusion brand, where guests order from illustrated menus projected onto their tables, has moved to Hanover Place because the original site is being redeveloped as part of a new shopping centre in Regent Street. The new restaurant, which offers pan-Asian food drawing inspiration from Japan, China, Korea and Thailand, is set over three floors and onyx and wood have been used to clad the walls. The basement Onyx Bar has its own sushi bar. Inamo also operates at Wardour Street, Soho.

 

Handmade Cake Company reports turnover and profit boost: Handmade Cake Company, which supplies handmade cakes to pub and restaurant companies as well as coffee shops across the UK, has reported sales have passed the £12m mark. The Handmade Cake Company, which has won 30 Great Taste Awards in the past 13 years, employs about 130 staff at its base in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The business was acquired in December 2014 by Européenne des Desserts. In its latest accounts at Companies House, it reported turnover of £12.2m for the year ended 31 March 2015. This was an increase of 19% from £10.2m a year earlier. Pre-tax profits grew to £2.46m from £1.72m. The Handmade Cake Company said in its annual report it started trading with a number of significant new customers during the year and did not cease trading with any major partners. It added that, since the year-end, it had acquired its bakery premises along with a second building to enable the business to double its capacity and extend the range of products it can make and store.

 

Wagamama to open third restaurant in Wales on Monday with Newport launch: Wagamama is opening its new site in Newport on Monday (11 January) – its third outlet in Wales. The company is launching the 120-seat restaurant at the Friars Walk shopping centre, creating 43 jobs. Global brand director Simon Cope told the South Wales Argus: “We are very pleased to be opening the doors to our new restaurant in Newport, where Wagamama will continue to reinforce positive eating by using fresh ingredients, served in atmospheric surroundings. It’s an exciting time for us and we look forward to hearing what our new and valued customers in Newport make of our arrival.” Wagamama, which opened its first restaurant in London’s Bloomsbury in 1992 and has two sites in Cardiff, now operates in 18 countries.

Award-winning restaurant in Brighton in talks over Bison Arms project: Award winning restaurant 64° is in talks to provide the food at the proposed Bison Arms in Brighton’s East Street. Michael Bremner, the chef and owner behind 64°, a Bib Gourmand restaurant in Meeting House Lane, confirmed he has been in discussions with Bison Beer over the plans. The duo behind Bison, the craft beer shop in East Street, want to revive the former Mariner pub as a craft beer pub and community hub.The plan has formed after it emerged the derelict site was being eyed by Burger King for a new restaurant site. It led Bison founders Nick Vardy and Jack Cregan to launch a crowdfunding campaign calling on beer and food lovers to invest and save the site. The crowdfunding campaign has already raised nearly £25,000, with £100,000 sought over all.

 

Dermot O’Leary closes Brighton restaurant: Television personality Dermot O’Leary’s has closed his Fishy Fishy restaurant in Brighton after seven years of trading. The closure of the venue follows nearly three years after the shut-down in 2013 of the Fishy Fishy restaurant in Poole. Staff were informed of the decision to close the Brighton restaurant on Monday this week, and about 12-15 people are thought to be out of work as a result, according to the Brighton Argus. O’Leary opened Fishy Fishy with James Ginzler and Paul Shovlin in Brighton seven years ago, and a Poole outpost followed. However, the Poole restaurant was the first to close, with Ginzler blaming a lack of customers, particularly in the low season. In a statement about the Brighton closure, O’Leary said: “After seven years Fishy Fishy is moving on from our 36 East Street location. We would like to thank all of our customers, staff and the good people of Brighton for their loyalty and support. Future plans are currently in discussion.”

 

New cinema and restaurant scheme set for Leeds: One of the largest developments in the works for Leeds is set to be home to a major cinema complex after approval was secured for changes to the allowed uses at the scheme. Scarborough Development Group has been working on plans for a £400m mixed-use expansion at Thorpe Park in east Leeds having received outline approval in September 2013. The 1.5 million square foot scheme, which is expected to create 10,000 permanent jobs and is being backed by China’s Hualing Industry and Trade Group, will incorporate 1.1 million square foot of offices, 176,000 square foot of leisure space and units for cafes, bars and restaurants alongside approximately 100,000 square foot for shops. Scarborough has now been granted conditional approval to add a cinema to the permitted uses within the extension. Construction of the cinema will be made possible by a reduction in the amount of floor space available for hotel use. A 12-screen format with 2,000 seats is envisaged to ensure the complex is big enough to interest the larger national operators. The cinema use had also been sought after commercial leisure agents advised that a clear demand for cinema provision exists and would act as a catalyst within the scheme to attract and retain food and drink operators and aid the retention of quality employers. In turn, this would allow Thorpe Park to widen the pot of potential occupiers and help with the overall delivery of the scheme, which significantly includes the strategically important Manston Lane Link Road.

 

Seafood Pub Company adds accommodation to Claughton site: Seafood Pub Company has added accommodation to its site in Claughton, Lancashire. It has built nine bedrooms at The Fenwick and the pub is the fourth in the seven-strong group to feature accommodation. The others are the Assheton Arms in Downham, the Derby Arms in Longridge, and the Barley Mow in Pendle. Managing director Joycelyn Neve told the Lancaster Guardian: “It’s been on the cards for a while and after careful consideration, planning and research, we’re sure that guests are going to love the new offering.” Meanwhile, The Fenwick’s general manager Tom Wilkinson has been shortlisted for front-of-house manager of the year at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards 2016. 

Itinerary unveiled for second Propel and Thinking Drinkers Craft Beer Retail Study Tour: The itinerary has been unveiled for the second Propel and Thinking Drinkers Craft Beer Retail Study Tour. The event, which this year focuses on south London, takes place on Thursday, 28 January and will visit seven of the capital’s leading craft beer retailers in an eight-hour period. It starts at the Four Thieves brewpub in Battersea, owned by Laine Pub Company. The tour will then visit hybrid craft beer and bottle shop We Brought Beer in Clapham Junction, which was founded by former BrewDog employee James Hickson, followed by the Craft Beer Co site in Clapham Manor Street. The next stop will be the Crown & Anchor in Brixton run by London Village Inns before heading to independently operated Stormbird in Camberwell Church Street, which was runner-up in the Timeout Love London Awards in 2015. The tour then continues to Late Knights Brewery’s micro-pub Beer Rebellion in Gypsy Hill and ends at Utobeer’s The Rake in Borough Market. The tour will again be led by Thinking Drinkers, award-winning beer writers Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, who will provide the latest craft beer facts and figures, market segmentation, analysis and spot up-and-coming trends. The day includes lunch and breakfast and travel between venues by coach. Tickets are £345 for Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) members and £395 for non-ALMR members. To book, email adam.dickinson@propelinfo.com

ALMR National Restaurant Association Study Tour to Chicago opens for bookings: The Propel and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) 2016 Chicago Study Tour is now open for bookings. The trip, sponsored by CPL Training and Sky, takes place between Thursday, 19 May and Monday, 23 May 2016. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) draws 58,000-plus industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries, seeking the newest innovations and up-to-the-minute information about trends and issues. The ALMR trip provides: insights from industry experts on the rise in fast-casual dining, social media, new and emerging brands, menu development, staff management and a host of other issues – with 70 free education sessions at the NRA show. It also involves two tours of Chicago’s hottest concepts and a market overview briefing sessions from US experts. Paul Charity, managing director of Propel Info, said: “The NRA show combined with our tour of Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to find fresh inspiration and understand the emerging trends shaping the fast-changing US market.” To get more information or to book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com