Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker – Generation Y driving broadening of Brits’ wining and dining horizons: Brits are eating and drinking out at a wider range of venues than two years ago with the trend driven by young consumers, the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker revealed today (Wednesday, 27 January). Almost one in three respondents said they visited a wider range of places, with those aged 18 to 34 more likely to try somewhere new. More than half of 18-24-year-olds and more than a third of 25-34-year-olds have expanded their dining repertoire, while fewer than a quarter of respondents aged 35 and over indicated they had broadened their dining horizons during the period. The tracker also focused on eating and drinking out at night and revealed pubs are the most popular location for an evening meal, with four in ten claiming this to be their venue of choice, ahead of restaurants. It found the younger generations also eat out more frequently. Fiona Gunn, Greene King group marketing director, said: “In spite of the economic pressures faced by today’s Generation Y, they are the most likely of any group to report that they are going out for meals in the evening, compared with a couple of years ago. It was again this age bracket that proved they’re broadening their horizons fastest as the majority of them are experimenting with a wider range of places when eating and drinking out.” In December, the average British household spent £220 on out-of-home leisure, a 5% year-on-year increase. The largest increases in leisure spend were reported by family households, 8% year-on-year, compared with 3% growth for families without children.

 

‘Vile’ Gourmet Burger Kitchen adverts attracted more people than they alienated, survey reveals: Gourmet Burger Kitchen adverts, which the company pulled from London Underground last week after a social media backlash, have attracted more people than they alienated, a new survey has revealed. The company was threatened with a boycott after its adverts made light of vegetarianism. However, market researcher OnePulse surveyed 1,500 UK adults and found more people were willing to eat there as a result of the campaign, which some dubbed as “vile”. Of the respondents, 12% were vegetarian and all were asked their opinions on the campaign, which ran three adverts, one featuring a cow with the caption: “They eat grass so you don’t have to.” When asked what they thought of the slogans, more than a quarter of vegetarian respondents said they were “unnecessary”, less than a quarter said they were “rude” and more than a fifth dubbed them “offensive”. About a tenth said the ads were “light-hearted”, “clever” or “funny”. More than half of the meat-eating respondents said the slots were “light-hearted” or “funny”, with only 23% branding them “unnecessary” and 11% “offensive”. On the whole, 73% of those polled said the campaign would have no effect on them eating at Gourmet Burger Kitchen, 14% said they were more likely and 13% said they were less likely.

 

Harry Ramsden’s to launch new ‘assisted service’ concept: Fish and chip brand Harry Ramsden’s is to launch a new “assisted service” concept. Following a significant investment, the first “hybrid” model will be unveiled at its Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet restaurant in Ellesmere Port on Saturday, 13 February. Harry Ramsden’s said it will have a new style of service to enhance the proposition and reflect a higher touch of service from the quick-service model but short of a full-service restaurant. The venue will be the first in the estate to offer customers “assisted service” allowing them to order at the counter and have their meal served to the table. To accommodate the new concept, Harry Ramsden’s has redesigned the space to improve the ambiance and convenience for customers. Visually, while remaining true to its heritage, visitors to Cheshire Oaks will also be the first to view the latest interiors, which will combine a sea of blues with the classic features that remain an integral part of the repositioned brand. Chief executive Joe Teixeira told the Chester Chronicle: “Our existing formats continue to trade exceptionally well across the country and are attracting an ever increasing customer base. As a result, our customer profile has broadened significantly as we continue to invest in improving the Harry’s experience for the new generation of Harry’s customer. The introduction of this model opens up Harry’s appeal even further and I expect this will be the first of many such outlets in the brand’s estate.” This week, Harry Ramsden’s parent company Boparan Restaurant Holdings announced it is to open 300 new sites in the UK and Ireland in the next five years in a major expansion programme. 

 

Flypay, Deliveroo, Crowdcube, Grind & Co and Farmdrop named in inaugural Bloomberg Business Innovators list: Flypay, the state-of-the-art mobile technology for the hospitality industry, and Deliveroo, the start-up that delivers high quality local restaurant meals to customers’ doors, have been named in the inaugural Bloomberg Business Innovators list. The 50-strong list, which recognises breakthrough businesses disrupting the way people live, work and think in the UK, also includes crowdfunding platform Crowdcube, London coffee bar Grind & Co, and Farmdrop, the online platform that allows local food producers to sell direct to restaurants and other customers. An expert judging panel convened by Bloomberg, comprising leaders of finance, technology, social enterprise and fast growth sectors, judged a comprehensive collection of 100 of the UK’s most disruptive companies that was whittled down to 50. Flypay chief executive Tom Weaver said: “2015 was a phenomenal year for Flypay, which has seen us secure investment from Time Out and work with Apple and Visa Collab Europe on a pipeline of innovative propositions for operators in the hospitality industry. The year ahead is looking to be just as exciting with the launch of our new CRM solution, codenamed Reach. Reach brings an operator’s customer closer, providing real time feedback on customer sentiment.” 

 

Last-minute restaurant deals app Wriggle returns to crowdfunding platform Seedrs to raise £350,000 for scalable UK launch: Last-minute restaurant deals app Wriggle has returned to crowdfunding platform Seedrs as it seeks to raise £350,000 to prepare its technology for a scalable launch across the UK. The company, which was launched in Bristol in 2014 by Rob Hall, acts as a restaurant discovery tool and offers users same-day discounts to fill excess capacity. It is offering an 18.92% equity stake in return for the investment of £350,003 and so far 61 investors have pledged £108,125 with 59 days remaining. The pitch states: “Wriggle is monetising a huge and largely untapped market within the restaurant, bar and cafe sector – with a revolutionary approach to efficiency and discounting – by repackaging empty tables and surplus stock from quality businesses as exciting, time-sensitive opportunities for thousands of potential local customers. It’s simple – local businesses reduce the price of their products to reach Wriggle customers, who make cut-price last-moment purchases over Wriggle in a couple of taps. These customers are provided with location and time-relevant offers from businesses tailored to their preferences – through a variety of channels. Having proved our market with 440 local businesses signed up across Bristol and London (with Brighton launching in February), and 35,000 downloads, this investment is about preparing our technology for scalable growth, and turning our user-figures into revenue. The opportunity is for Wriggle to be the comprehensive platform for local businesses to fill capacity, market themselves and get bums on seats.” Wriggle previously crowdfunded on Seedrs in 2014 when it raised £160,000 from 200 investors.

 

Camden approves Late Night Levy: Camden has become the latest local authority to approve a Late Night Levy. Graeme Cushion, partner at Poppleston Allen, said: “Despite submissions from operators and also the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), the introduction of a Late Night Levy was approved by the full committee of Camden Council. The decision will result in an additional cost to those operators whose premises operate beyond midnight within the borough, despite the fact that many of them are involved in other voluntary partnerships such as Business Improvement Districts (BID). Members of BID will only benefit from a 30% reduction in the amount of levy payable. We understand that the available period for the making of applications for minor variations to reduce hours to midnight to avoid the levy will commence almost immediately but full details will follow in due course following the publication of the committee’s decision.” ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “This is obviously a very disappointing move by Camden Council who chose to disregard the concerns of hardworking businesses in their area and who spoke movingly at the meeting at the impact this would have on their teams, their customers and their communities. We are grateful for the support of Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors who rejected the imposition of another tax on local businesses proposed by Labour.”

 

Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz made $20.1m in 2015: Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz’s total compensation was valued at $20.1m for 2015, down from $21.5m a year earlier, MarketWatch has reported. Starbucks said in its proxy filing Schultz and other top executives earned awards above their targets in the executive management bonus plan because of the company’s strong performance. For the year ended 27 September 2015, Starbucks posted a 35% increase in earnings per share, as revenue rose 17% to $19.16bn. Last week, Starbucks said investments in mobile technology and strong sales of Christmas merchandise helped it post better than expected first quarter earnings. However, its outlook for the current quarter disappointed investors. Schultz’s non-equity incentive plan compensation rose to $4m from $2.9m. His base salary remained at $1.5m. The other major compensation components were $7.5m of stock awards and $6.9m of option awards.

 

Digital platform Pet-Fi offers dog-friendly pubs and restaurants access to high spend pets market: A website and online community has been launched that offers dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in the UK a chance to engage with dog-loving consumers. Pet-Fi comprises a website and smartphone app, which will launch in the second quarter of 2016. Pet-Fi founder Jennifer Stevens said the platform solved a problem consumers had of easily finding venues they could go to with their pets, while being able to book and buy online via Pet-Fi – a “commercial ecosystem in which brands can grow”. Stevens said Pet-Fi would work with national digital media partners to share their most compelling content and drive awareness of the platform. She added: “The online pet market is a highly fragmented space and we saw an opportunity to offer the discerning pet owner something new. With an extremely engaged and high spending audience, the platform also provides a really interesting opportunity for luxury brands wanting to reach these consumers and grow their businesses.” The UK market for pet products and services is worth more than £4.6bn a year.

 

Caffe Nero faces court hearing over hygiene regulation charges: Caffe Nero faces a court hearing after a woman had surgery to remove a piece of wire from her throat after she ate a panino at a branch. The company is charged with four counts of contravening or failing to comply with hygiene regulations in the Putney High Street branch. The piece of wire was later surgically removed from Katerine Willans’ throat. Caffe Nero denies all charges and will face trial at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 March. 

 

Fuel Juice Bars reaches 30-store milestone with two new sites, reports strong first quarter and Christmas sales: Fuel Juice Bars, the smoothie and juice bar concept backed by Kings Park Capital, has announced two more openings to take its estate to 30. The company said it has now secured sites at Intu Watford and Liverpool ONE having recently launched stores at Grand Central in Birmingham and Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Fuel Juice Bars has reported strong first quarter sales for the period ending December 2015, where like-for-like sales were 5.5% up on the previous year. Sales for the four-week Christmas trading period were up 5.2% on the previous year. Chris Sullivan, chief executive of Fuel Juice Bars, said: “To grow our store numbers from 11 to 30 in three years is a real success story. To maintain like-for-like sales growth for a fourth consecutive year at the same time is a truly outstanding achievement for all those involved in Fuel Juice Bars. We continue to expand our presence throughout the UK, trading in all the major cities such as London, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and Liverpool. We are also becoming a major force in provincial shopping centres. Operating from Inverness to Plymouth and all points between, we are now a truly national brand.”

 

Timberyard opens Soho site with First Merchant support: Timberyard, the award-winning concept that combines a high quality coffee offer with a workspace for self-employed professionals, has opened a site in Soho after securing finance from First Merchant, the independent boutique finance house that lent £5m to the sector in 2015. Alan Turner, chairman of Timberyard, said: “At a relatively early stage of business looking to open a third venue, sourcing capital to cover fit-out costs was proving to be a forlorn task until we were introduced to First Merchant. An initial meeting laid out very clearly the process that we’d need to follow to secure the capital we needed. First Merchant quickly understood our requirements and worked with us to get over the line. The process was simple and efficient and we received the capital in the prescribed timeframe with the minimum of fuss despite our business model being somewhat dissimilar to norms. We will definitely look to work with First Merchant again as we plan for further expansion.” The Timberyard website states: “Timberyard is a dynamic, independent creative workspace fused with speciality tea and coffee. A challenge to the traditional coffee shop, we are a new and exciting environment that aims to provide products and services that are conductive to the evolving needs of life in London. We encourage creative people to come together for a variety of reasons and provide a place in which they are comfortable to stay as long as they like.” First Merchant is exhibiting at stand 116, Pub16 at Olympia on 9 and 10 February.

 

Chris Hopkins joins Mitchells & Butlers as commercial director: Chris Hopkins has joined Mitchells & Butlers as commercial director, joining from Grosvenor Casinos where he worked as commercial director for five years. He previously worked as commercial director for Arriva, Whitbread and Scottish & Newcastle Retail. Mitchells & Butlers chief executive Phil Urban was previously managing director at Grosvenor Casinos.

 

Le Bistrot Pierre reports turnover increase, Adam Fowle steps down: Le Bistrot Pierre has reported turnover rose 17% to £16,560,000 in the year to June 2015. Profit before tax was £580,000 compared to £690,000 in the previous accounting period, which covered 18 months. The period saw an investment of £2.2m in fixed assets, mainly by reinvesting profits supplemented by bank facilities. Adam Fowle, the former Mitchells & Butlers chief executive who now heads Tesco Family Dining, stepped down as director in December 2015 to be replaced by Ronald Moss on the board.

 

Ralph Findlay – Wainwright’s has become our biggest cask brand: Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay has reported Wainwright’s, acquired as part of the Thwaites beer division purchase, has become the company’s biggest cask brand. Findlay said the brand had been boosted by wider distribution through the Marston’s estate and 3,000 free trade accounts. He added: “I expected it to perform well – I didn’t expect it would be quite as successful as it has ben been.” Findlay also reported very little disruption to customers despite its Jennings brewery flooding for the second time in six years this month – the brewery began brewing again last Friday. “The team has done a fantastic job in reopening the brewery,” he added. 

 

JD Wetherspoon lodges plans to open pub in Newport Pagnell: JD Wetherspoon has submitted plans to open a pub in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire (population: 15,118). The company has lodged an application with Milton Keynes Council to refurbish the former fine dining restaurant Robinsons, which closed in May last year, and an adjoining building in Silver Street. It also wants to add a small extension and a beer garden. The pub would open from 7am-12.30am Sunday to Wednesday and until 1.30am from Thursday to Saturday, which has led to concerns from some residents. JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon told One MK: “We will await the outcome of the planning application. Wetherspoon strives to be responsible within the community. We won’t comment on specific matters before the application is heard, however, we are always willing to address the concerns of residents.”

 

Whitby-based fish and chip shop group Fusco’s set to open third site in town: Whitby-based fish and chip shop group Fusco’s is set to open its third site in the North Yorkshire town. The family-run business is investing £500,000 launching express-style takeaway the Fish Box to complement its restaurants Quayside and the Royal Fisheries and food truck The Whitby Fish & Chips Company. The new site in Robin Hood’s Bay was formerly home to Candy’s Cafe but is now being refurbished with Fish Box opening in March, creating five jobs. Adrian Fusco, who runs the business with mum Carol, brothers Stuart and Raymond and sister Maria, told The Business Desk: “Fish Box is a new express-style fish and chip shop with takeaway seating indoors and outdoors. It has proved very popular in Whitby, particularly with families and dog walkers, so we decided to look for another site and the cafe in Robin Hood’s Bay is perfect.” York-based Langleys Solicitors advised on the acquisition.

 

Fine Leisure to open third Dexters Alehouse site in Brigg, further expansion in pipeline: East Midlands-based bar and restaurant company Fine Leisure is to open its third family-style gastro-pub Dexters Alehouse in Brigg and has further expansion in the pipeline. The company is converting the Black Bull pub and restaurant in Wrawby Street in the centre of the town, which has been closed since last June, reports the Scunthorpe Telegraph. Fine Leisure operates Dexters outlets in Cleethorpes and Lincoln and is planning further sites in Hull and Louth. The company also runs The Restaurant and Big Jax Grill, both in Humberston, Harveys Bar and Relish, both in Cleethorpes, and The Settlement in Caistor. It is also taking over the running of the Fox and Coney in South Cave, which is owned by Enterprise Inns, next month following a refurbishment.

 

Teesside-based healthy eatery Nosh starts expanding with second site in Stockton, plans further branches: Teesside-based healthy eatery Nosh has started expanding by opening its second site and its owners are planning further branches. The concept was launched in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, last March by Shari Jahangiry, a chef with over 30 years’ experience in the UK and overseas including working with Michelin-starred chefs such as Raymond Blanc, and his son Jason. Now it has opened its second outlet, which will operate as a takeaway, in Church Road, Stockton. Jason Jahangiry told Gazette Live: “We chose Stockton as the location for our second branch because we knew there was a demand there – we were doing a lot of deliveries from our Middlesbrough premises to Stockton. The menu is exactly the same, the only difference is that this branch is just a takeaway – we knew that this would be used as more of a lunch place by the surrounding businesses rather than a sit in restaurant.” Jason Jahangiry said there are plans to open more branches and a central kitchen has also been created at the Stockton site to keep the quality of food the same across all its outlets.

 

McDonald’s to open more than 60 restaurants in Russia this year, investment rise of $105m: McDonald’s will open more than 60 restaurants in Russia this year and invest $113m in opening and refurbishing its venues. In 2015, the company opened 59 restaurants with an investment of $8bn. Khamzat Khasbulatov, chief executive of McDonald’s Russia, said: “The eating out industry has been stagnating since the beginning of 2015 but we have seen significant growth of our market share as we continued expansion.” McDonald’s picked up customers from rivals as it deferred price rises when a slump in the rouble and Moscow’s ban on many Western foodstuffs inflated the cost of supplies, Khasbulatov told Reuters. McDonald’s has 543 restaurants in Russia and, during the past 26 years, has increased its share of local suppliers to 85%. Khasbulatov said the aim was to eventually source all supplies locally, helping smooth out the impact of currency swings and import restrictions. He said: “The development of local supply has played a big role in supporting our profitability. But it’s important to localise not only food processing but also production.” At group level, McDonald’s this week reported global like-for-likes rose 5% in the quarter to 31 December 2015, as the expansion of all-day breakfasts proved a hit with diners in the US and demand continued to recover in China.

 

Administrators called in at Masterchef finalists’ Cardiff-based-takeaway business Hokkei: Administrators have been called in at Cardiff-based takeaway Hokkei, which was formed by MasterChef finalists Larkin Cen and Dale Williams. The duo, who reached the final of the BBC1 show in 2013, set up the business in Crwys Road in November 2014. They promised “authentic and delicious flavours, using ethically sourced, high quality ingredients” ahead of its opening but now administrators CVR Global have been appointed, reports Wales Online. The business has not reopened since the Christmas break having been expected to do so on Saturday, 2 January. A meeting of creditors has been called, which will take place on Monday, 1 February at the Hilton hotel in Newport. At that meeting it will be determined what, if any assets, can be recouped and distributed back to creditors. A letter to staff from the administrator said liquidation proceedings have commenced. Staff are yet to receive their final wages. Cen is the sole director of the company after Williams resigned his post in August. A second director Alan Heycock resigned on December 29. Last year, Cen and Williams used crowdfunding platform Seedrs to raise money for new premises in different sites across Cardiff. They raised £319,580, including a £100,000 contribution from Go Compare founder Hayley Parsons. The details listed on the Seedrs site said Hokkei was “trading strongly” with a turnover of £150,000 in its first three months but those who invested are unlikely to ever recoup their money.

Amber Taverns to open eighth Hogarths site as part of major expansion in Wales: Amber Taverns, which will open its seventh Hogarths gin palace in Leicester this week, will open another venue in Newport city centre as part of major expansion plans in Wales. The Newport venue will open on the site of Linekers bar in High Street at the end of April. Amber Taverns bought the building outright for an undisclosed sum. The building has a 3,455 square foot ground-floor space, plus three upper floors and a basement. The Hogarths venue will employ up to four full-time and 20 part-time staff. Gary Roberts, Amber Taverns operations director, told the South Wales Argus: “We have a strategic plan to open around 12 outlets in South Wales. This is number two. We see Newport as a developing city with lots of potential.” The company’s other Hogarths gin palace in Wales is at Swansea. Newport’s Hogarths will not serve food but will offer occasional live entertainment. Children will not be allowed. Amber Taverns opened its first Hogarths in Bolton in October 2014 and also has sites in Ilkeston, Preston, South Shields and Wakefield.

 

Thai Leisure Group to open seventh Thaikhun site in Leicester: Thai Leisure Group is set to open its seventh Thaikhun site at the Highcross shopping centre in Leicester. The company will open the venue on the site of all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant The Real China, which is closing due to low diner numbers, reports the Leicester Mercury. Highcross owner Hammerson has been given permission by the city council to rebuild the front of the restaurant. It will improve views into the restaurant from Shires Lane and St Peter’s Square by removing the small front windows on the upper floor and creating one big window covering both the ground and first floors so people can see in. Planning documents sent to the council as part of the application said: “Real China has suffered from poor trading and will shortly vacate the unit. Hammerson has secured a new lease with the Thai Leisure Group, who will trade under the Thaikhun fascia at the site.” Thai Leisure Group launched Thaikhun in Manchester in May 2014 and has since opened five more restaurants around the country. The Real China was among the first eateries in the shopping centre when it first opened in September 2008.

 

Cornwall’s Bystro at the Bank expands with second opening in six months: Six months after opening in St Austell, restaurant and bar Bystro at the Bank is opening a second Cornish venue. Bystro at the Lamb & Flag is due to open in Redruth on Thursday, 10 March on the site of a former fish and chip cafe. Ben Stevens, managing director of Bystro at the Bank, said: “It’s been a great six months and I can’t believe the reception we’ve had from the locals in St Austell. What I really love about St Austell is that it’s a good, hard-working town with people who want to do something different. So the obvious choice for our second location was going to be somewhere similar. I grew up in Redruth and am really excited to be opening a restaurant there. This year we will open as a small, traditional restaurant with live music, but we have further plans for the future to make the space even more accessible.”

 

Douglas Jack issues ‘Buy’ note on Marston’s shares after trading update: Numis Securities leisure analyst Douglas Jack has issued a ‘Buy’ note on Marston’s sales, with an 185p price target, in the wake of its 16-week trading update. He said: “In quarter one, (16-week period to 23 January), managed like-for-like sales rose by 3.0%, following strong trading in late December. This is ahead of expectations and the Coffer Peach Business Tracker (+1.0%). We are holding our forecasts, and, following recent weakness, we are upgrading our recommendation to ‘Buy’ from ‘Add’. The dividend yield is now 5%. Destination & Premium (D&P) like-for-like sales grew by 3.0% in quarter one, (food 2.5%; wet 3.4%; and accommodation even higher). Trading was particularly strong during the two weeks to 2 January when like-for-like sales were up 4.9%, aided by strong Christmas Day bookings. This strong performance helped Ebit margins to rise in quarter one. Four new-builds opened (with one lodge) in quarter one, with seven new builds (including three lodges) due to open in H1. We forecast 20 new-builds and five lodges opening over the full year, including two sites for Revere. In Taverns, managed and franchised pubs grew like-for-like sales by 2.7% in quarter one, including a 5.0% increase during the two weeks to 2 January, driven by strong trading in franchise pubs, which should eventually account for all the Taverns estate. Leased estate like-for-like profits rose by 3% in quarter one, with both drink volumes and rents in growth. Brewing own-brewed ale volumes were up 21% in quarter one, boosted by the successful Thwaites’ acquisition, without which we estimate like-for-like volumes would have been up by circa 5%. We are holding our 2016E profit before tax forecast (£99.0m; consensus £98.6m), which is based on assumptions of: 2.0% like-for-like sales growth and flat margins in D&P; 2.5% like-for-like sales growth in Taverns; 2.5% like-for-like profit growth in Leased; and 2% like-for-like growth in own-brewed ale volumes. Our forecasts factor in the cost of National Living Wage, but have assumed no offsetting efficiency gains or trading benefit. As half two 2015’s 15% increase in profit before tax indicated, Marston’s is generating strong organic growth. 16 weeks into 2016E, the company is trading ahead of expectations, and is on track to generate surplus cash flow despite strong expansion and paying a dividend that yields 5%.”

 

London’s first luxury chocolate, nut and coffee boutique opens: Choconut, a family-owned boutique and cafe specialising in luxury chocolate products, coffee and nuts has opened in Great Portland Street, London. The 600 square foot venue also has an on-site chocolatier service, led by Xavier Parcerisa, former head pastry chef at The Goring. Choconut creates chocolate recipes on-site to make plain and filled bars, bonbons, liqueur-filled truffles and assorted chocolates, as well as children’s options. Pre-packaged gifts are available, including assortment deluxe boxes and hampers. Choconut can also create handmade chocolates to order and customers can select ingredients and watch the chocolatiers at work. The barista team will serve Fairtrade coffee with a rotation of seasonal blends, plus speciality teas to drink-in or take away. Choconut will also offer nuts from some of the most established growers in the world, with a coating service available. Choconut’s line includes organic products as well as a large range of gluten-free options, alongside kosher and halal offers. The venue will open from 7.30am to 7pm daily (9.30am to 5pm at weekends).

 

Catering firm to launch restaurant and bar concept in Southsea next week: Catering firm Executive Hospitality Solutions is to launch a restaurant and wine bar concept in Southsea, Hampshire, next Thursday (4 February). The company is opening Monty’s in Castle Road, which will serve UK dishes with an international twist. The menu will change each month and be based on seasonal produce sourced locally. Drinks on offer will include craft beers and gins. Executive head chef Tom Lefevre told Team Locals: “We are passionate about the changing seasons and fresh foods that are in tune with the land. Traditionally, the best cuisine for any region was based on local produce that is available at a particular time of year. Our own traditions of cooking followed the cycles of the year, recognising that the freshest produce makes the best ingredients and for this reason a truly seasonal cuisine is our goal at Monty’s.”

 

Coca-Cola cuts more sugar from Life brand: Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has reduced the sugar content of Coca-Cola Life further so it will contain 45% less sugar and fewer calories than regular (full sugar) colas. The new recipe, which will be available in stores from April, replaces the first version of Coca-Cola Life, which was launched in the UK in September 2014 and is now worth £35m in sales. The new Coca-Cola Life recipe will contain a higher mix of stevia plant extract, with a 330ml can containing 19 grams of sugar and 76 calories. Leendert den Hollander, CCE general manager, said: “We think (Coca-Cola Life) will continue to appeal to consumers who are looking to reduce their sugar and calorie intake but do not want to switch to a sugar-free cola. Investing in reformulation is just one of the actions we are taking to help people reduce their sugar and calorie intake, alongside offering smaller pack sizes, putting colour-coded nutrition labels on the front of all our bottles and cans and increasing the marketing investment in our no-sugar colas.” 

 

Online beer distributor EeBriaTrade passes 50% mark in £250,000 crowdfunding drive: Online beer distributor EeBriaTrade has passed the 50% mark in its £249,992 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Seedrs. The company, which launched in June and whose customers include BrewDog and Innis & Gunn, is offering a 7.69% equity stake as it looks to expand and acquire new beer customers. So far 160 investors have pledged £249,992 with 17 days remaining. The pitch states: “EeBriaTrade takes a revolutionary marketplace approach to the huge business-to-business beer distribution industry (worth £16.9bn in the UK, £141bn in Europe and £66bn in the US). Our model enables breweries to sell directly to pubs, cutting out national and regional distributors entirely, with even large breweries seeing us as a valuable new approach to an industry in need of change. In the time that EeBriaTrade has been live, we’ve become a major cause for concern for incumbent distributors and we’re looking for investment to rapidly grow this opportunity and to cement our position in the industry.”

 

Pukka Pies sales near £50m mark: Sales have edged closer to the £50m mark at Pukka Pies after the company enjoyed a fourth consecutive year of revenue growth, newly filed accounts have revealed. Pukka Pies started life as Trevor Storer’s Handmade Pie Company in 1963 and now makes more than 60 million pies per year. In the year to 25 May 2015, the company turned over £46.5m, up from £43.9m for the previous period. However, operating profit dipped slightly to £4.1m from £4.4m and pre-tax profit slipped to £4.3m from £4.4m. Director Andrew Storer said the results were “satisfactory” and provide a “strong platform” for sustained growth within the food manufacturing industry. The statement added directors expect the business to grow further over the coming years as it continues with its drive to build brand awareness. As a result of its performance, Pukka Pies shareholders were paid a £2m dividend, the same as 2014.

 

Full speaker programme for Propel Multi Club Conference on 16 March unveiled: The full speaker programme for the Propel Multi Club Conference on Wednesday, 16 March at Congress Hall, London, has been unveiled. Multi-site pub, restaurant and foodservice operators can book up to two free places by emailing Adam Dickinson on adam.dickinson@propelinfo.com. The conference series is the best attended in the sector. Speakers are: Nicola Knight, analyst at insights firm Horizons, investigates the key trends in the UK foodservice market, including major menu trends, growth areas and discounting – and looks ahead to the key trends of 2016 and beyond. Adrian Blair, chief operating officer for Just Eat, provides an overview of the company’s role in the takeaway market, current key trends and future potential for operators to develop revenue. Steve Kenee, partner at investment firm Downing, talks about the firm’s long term investment partnership with Antic London, developing an estate of more than 30 London pubs, the businesses USPs, the risks and rewards of operating near the leading edge of urban regeneration and the development of non-licenced premises. David Singleton, vice-president of hospitality for Al Tayer Group, provides an overview of the foodservice landscape in the United Arab Emirates, the brands that are winning, the potential for UK brands and his company’s approach to growing sales. Punch Taverns chief strategy director Neil Griffiths outlines 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. Simon King, managing director of Burger & Lobster, talks about the progress of Burger & Lobster in London and elsewhere, the unique thinking and philosophy behind the brand, sourcing quality ingredients, recruiting and training staff, evolving the offer, expanding outside of London and international prospects. Phil Sermon, managing director of Vapiano, talks about progress in the UK as well as the company’s fresh approach to recruitment, training and development of its people and interaction with its guests. David Mooney, co-founder of New Moon Pub Company, arguably the UK’s most versatile food pub operator, talks about the company’s approach at country and city pubs, its Beef and Pudding concept, New York-influenced The Bronx brand, its pizza concept Casa Matta, evolution and future plans. Roberto Morretti, chief operating officer of Bill’s, talks to Elliotts managing director James Hacon about the brand’s USPs, trading all-day, developing a retail dimension and staying true to the brand founder’s vision. Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey, co-founders of London Union, set out their progress in creating neighbourhood food markets based on experiential food discovery, crowdfunding, their plans to create the world’s greatest food market and the development of 12 London neighbourhood markets.

 

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