BII partners with Propel to launch industry-wide training awards: The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has partnered with Propel to launch the industry’s premier awards night for training achievement in the pub and restaurant sector. Entries are now open for the National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs) with the ceremony taking place on Monday, 21 November at Café de Paris in central London. The NITAs recognise those companies and individuals that really care about their employees, helping them to achieve improvements in training and standards. The categories are as follows: licensee trainer of the year; professional independent trainer of the year; training company of the year; best development programme (leased and tenanted companies), best managed company for training (less than 30 outlets), and best managed company for training (more than 30 outlets). To enter, candidates go to www.bii.org and select NITAs, register their details, and pick their category or categories. The deadline for entries is Friday, 16 September. Candidates can enter more than one category for consideration. Each category will have a judging panel consisting of an industry expert, a senior person from the BII and the sponsor to judge who has best showcased knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for their respective category. Judging visits to those successful in progressing to the finalist stage in each category will happen during October, with the winner announced at the ceremony in November. In addition, The Franca Knowles Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Sky, the lead partner for the event), will be chosen by a panel led by Keith Knowles, chief executive and founder of Beds and Bars. This award will identify and recognise an individual working within the on-licensed retail sector who leads by example and demonstrates training and people are at the core of what they do. This is an industry recognition award rather than a category open for entries, and is in memory of the late Franca Knowles, Keith Knowles’ wife, who herself was a multiple winner of NITA awards and was passionate about people and training. BII chief executive Mike Clist said: “The NITAs were originally launched in 1991 in order to recognise the best in training excellence and innovation and we’re delighted to relaunch the awards to a new generation in the industry. Training our workforce is vital to the sector and we encourage licensees to invest in supporting and educating their team. The more you invest the more you get back from your workforce, while also encouraging staff retention and satisfaction.” David Rey, managing director of Sky Business, added: “These awards will help to demonstrate the value and importance of training, particularly to those who are new to the industry and keen to explore the career development opportunities it offers.” Current category sponsors include Sky, Star Pubs & Bars, Admiral Taverns and CPL Training, and there are still categories available for those keen to support the awards. 

 

Chris Muller Multi-site Management Masterclass open for bookings: Propel will host Professor Chris Muller, the leading thinker, teacher and author on multi-site foodservice management in the US, at its next Multi-site Management Masterclass. It takes place on Friday, 30 September at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Leading UK businesses such as Mitchells & Butlers and TGI Friday’s have sent staff to be taught by Professor Muller at Boston University’s School of Hospitality – now Professor Muller is returning to the UK to lead this bespoke day. His interactive seminar will include contributions from Sticks ‘n’ Sushi UK managing director Andreas Karlsson and Eric Partaker, co-founder and brand evangelist at Chilango. The event will provide valuable insights for founders and area managers of small and medium-sized multi-site companies and area managers of large companies. The sessions will include developing multi-unit leaders, leading a team through a strategic growth plan, and a discussion on the importance that transition plays in the practice of management and leadership. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) members and £345 plus VAT for non-ALMR members. To book tickets, email Anne Steele at anne.steele@propelinfo.com

Propel and ALMR launch Las Vegas study tour: Propel and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) are heading to Las Vegas for their next study tour, which has opened for bookings. The visit takes place between Saturday, 25 March and Tuesday, 28 March 2017. After five hugely successful trips to Chicago, Propel and the ALMR have decided to check out Las Vegas. The trip provides two food study tours, where delegates can explore the hottest concepts in Vegas, as well as two early-evening bar tours led by James Hacon. The trip also includes three nights’ stay at the MGM Grand Hotel, two hosted dinners, and the chance for delegates to explore Vegas at their own leisure. Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable insight into the trends and concepts that are shaping Vegas and leading the way in the US market, which will no doubt provide fresh ideas and inspiration for delegates.” For more information or to book, email Jo Charity at jo.charity@propelinfo.com or call 01444 810304.

London hotel market sees sixth consecutive quarter of decline: Hotel occupancy in London showed its sixth consecutive quarter of year-on-year decline with Brexit poised to subdue the sector further, according to the latest Hotel Bulletin: second quarter 2016, published by HVS, AlixPartners and AM:PM. Hotel occupancy in the capital, in common with other major European cities, continued to be affected by increased global terrorist activity. London has also seen a decline in the number of US tourists travelling because of the presidential election. The impact has been a 2% decline in London’s revpar compared with the second quarter of 2015 and average room rates failing to increase for the second consecutive quarter. “Whilst this is significant in the short term, London is, and will remain, a huge magnet for inbound tourism so the longer term future of the capital’s hotel sector is still positive, even when taking account the new hotels in the pipeline and the potential impact of the Brexit implementation causing economic wobbles,” said HVS chairman Russell Kett. Across the UK the picture was more varied, although with overall demand sluggish, average revpar growth only reached 2%. This is seen as further evidence the sector may be approaching the top of the property cycle in some locations. Performance of hotels across the 12 UK cities reviewed varied significantly in the second quarter. Birmingham was top with revpar growth of 16%, while hotels in the Roman city of Bath saw revpar up 11% year-on-year on the back of a boost in international tourists. In contrast, Newcastle recorded another quarter of revpar decline, down 4%, as the combined effects of a 10% increase in hotel supply over the past 12 months and strong comparators last year came into play. Aberdeen saw revpar decline 24% year-on-year as hotel occupancy continued to suffer from the city’s exposure to the oil and gas industry. If predictions that oil prices will continue to fall were correct, this would further suppress demand for the city’s hotels, the bulletin said.

 

Central London prime retail property proves Brexit safe haven with investment reaching £1bn in first half of 2016: Investors acquired £1bn of central London prime retail property in the first half of the year, with the market proving a safe haven before and after the vote to leave the EU, according to agents CBRE. This total dwarfs the first half average of £700m seen in recent years. Total investment for 2016 is set to swell significantly in August, with a further £450m worth of deals set to complete this month. The market’s reputation as a secure long-term investment has also been bolstered by a third successive quarter of prime yields at record lows. Investors continue to regard prime central London retail as being relatively protected from the macroeconomic headwinds that have caused nervousness in other markets, CBRE said. London shops have proved particularly attractive to overseas investors, who represented 60% of volumes in the first half of the year. These investors are benefiting from recent falls in sterling, while also taking reassurance from the boost sterling depreciation will have on spending from overseas visitors. Performance has also been enhanced by the high quality of assets available, with CBRE advising on recent deals including the sale of 169 New Bond Street for £65m – at a record £18,800 per square foot, the highest capital value per square foot paid for any UK retail asset to date. Phil Cann, head of UK retail at CBRE, said: “London shops have been seen by many as the ultimate safe haven investment, with buyers bucking the ‘wait and see’ trend we have seen in other sectors. The strong first half investment volumes are even more remarkable when considered against the backdrop of uncertainty created by the EU referendum and what is normally a typically slower first half. The rationale for investing in UK real estate has naturally been questioned in the light of the decision to leave the EU, but the fact is the UK retail market is underpinned by strong fundamentals – a mature e-commerce model, a sophisticated logistics network, and diversity in retail locations, and London remains a powerhouse at its heart.”

Boris Johnson tops CAMRA most trusted politician to run a pub poll: Boris Johnson would be the most trusted politician to run a local pub, a new poll by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed. The former Mayor of London and now foreign secretary would be most trusted to pull pints and lend a sympathetic ear across the bar, according to figures released at CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival, running all this week at Olympia London. More than one in five (22%) of those surveyed by YouGov on behalf of CAMRA said they’d trust Johnson to run their local pub. Outgoing UKIP leader Nigel Farage was second with 17%, while one in ten said they would trust the new prime minister Theresa May. With the referendum still fresh in drinkers’ memories, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn topped the poll among remain voters, while Johnson and Farage would be most trusted to run a bar by those who voted to leave. CAMRA chairman Colin Valentine said: “While the poll is a bit of fun, it shows that in many cases running a pub requires a lot of the skills of a good politician. You need to be able to listen, to be diplomatic and be able to talk to a huge range of people and understand what they need.”

 

Tasty Burger challenges Chipotle’s Tasty Made concept and logo citing trademark violations: US company Tasty Burger is challenging Chipotle Mexican Grill’s decision to name its new burger concept Tasty Made, citing trademark violations. Tasty Burger, which was founded in 2010 by David DuBois and Phil Audino of The Franklin Restaurant Group, operates six sites in Boston and Washington DC, which serve made-to-order burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and chicken nuggets, as well as beer, wine and shakes. Chipotle confirmed last month it plans to launch a new burger concept in Lancaster, Ohio, called Tasty Made, featuring a simple menu of burgers, shakes and fries using sustainable ingredients and beef raised without hormones or antibiotics. DuBois argued Chipotle’s Tasty Made logo is “unmistakably similar” in colour, shape and design to that of Tasty Burger. He added the company holds trademark registrations for the name Tasty Burger in the US, as well as 26 of 27 member countries within the European Union, and at least 11 other countries, including Canada, Japan and Saudi Arabia. In the US, the trademark registration filing is dated June 2012. He told Nation’s Restaurant News: “This has caused a great deal of confusion among our customers and consumers in general, because Tasty Burger has no association or affiliation with Chipotle.” Chipotle communications director Chris Arnold said the company plans to move forward with the Tasty Made name, saying it strongly believes it is on solid footing. Arnold contends the US Patent and Trademark Office refused to register a trademark for Tasty Burger because it is merely descriptive and not enforceable. “Beyond that, we believe there is sufficient difference between the names and logo marks so as not to cause consumer confusion, and we believe both brands can co-exist,” Arnold said.

Lancaster Brewery owner reports profit rise, limits production to avoid progressive beer duty penalty: C2 Investment, which owns Lancaster Brewery, has posted pre-tax profits of £472,000 for the year to 31 January 2016, up by 32% on a year earlier. Operating profits climbed by 60% to £659,000 over the same period. Sales increased by 5% to £5.75m. C2 Investment also owns The Brewhouse and Tap in Lancaster, The Sun Hotel in Lancaster, The Duke of Edinburgh hotel, bar and restaurant in Barrow-in-Furness, The Mill pub in Ulverston, and The Palatine pub in Morecambe, which is tenanted. The brewery’s beers include top seller Lancaster Blonde, Lancaster Amber, Lancaster Red and Lancaster Black. Phil Simpson, director, co-founder and majority shareholder of C2 Investment, said the company had to limit production to ensure it was not liable for a higher tax rate through the UK’s progressive beer duty system. He told Business Insider: “Our biggest cost is duty. Because we’re a micro-brewery we pay half the duty of the big breweries. This year we’ve kept below the threshold where the duty shoots up. It’s a bonkers system. That’s been a big influence on our profits this year.” He added: “We’ve got a bit of cash in the bank so we may buy a few more pubs. We’ve toyed with buying a pub in Manchester and Liverpool but we may have missed the boat on that because everyone’s buying there now. We were offered pubs in Liverpool two or three years ago but we didn’t go for it. And we’ve looked in Manchester but everything’s freehold. Cumbria’s an area we might look at, especially Kendal or Penrith. We might also not buy any more pubs, however, we’re not just going to grow for vanity’s sake.”

 

Daniel Thwaites reveals multimillion-pound plans for newly acquired Beverley hotel, set to convert to Inns of Character brand: North west brewer and retailer Daniel Thwaites has revealed multimillion-pound plans to transform a former hotel in Beverley, East Yorkshire, into a coaching inn. The company bought the 18th century Beverley Arms Hotel after it shut in February and is set to convert it to its Inns of Character brand. The new venue will have 38 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar. A key feature is the demolition of the 1960s rear extension, which would be replaced by a new 38-bedroom extension – a reduction on the 54 bedrooms at the existing building. Thwaites chief executive Rick Bailey told the Hull Daily Mail: “We know the building is well loved by the community from the feedback we have had since purchasing the site, and we wanted to make sure what we planned was just right for the area and sensitive to its grade II-listed status. We’re really pleased with how it’s coming together. We love The Beverley Arms, it’s a fantastic building with so much potential and we are looking forward to turning it into the best coaching inn in the area.” The Beverley Arms will be part of the Inns of Character portfolio, a group of historic coaching inns that Daniel Thwaites has been steadily building. The acquisition of The Beverley Arms follows the relaunch of The Judge’s Lodging in York, which reopened as one of the group’s Inns of Character following a £2.5m refurbishment.

Starbucks changes marketing emphasis for launch of Teavana: Starbucks has changed its marketing strategy for the launch of its Teavana range in the UK, increasing its outdoor advertising spend instead of leading with digital. It invested in large format digital sites and bus wraps to create a “high impact, visual launch”. “When we launched the campaign back in July we wanted to make sure we were driving awareness and getting the product name out there and people in store,” Starbucks digital manager Jamie McQuary told The Drum. “So we went big in out-of-home and digital display.” The next move was to line up the Teavana product with lifestyle content, offering Grazia readers a free Starbucks Teavana iced tea as part of its summer partnership with the magazine. It marks a change in strategy for Starbucks, which takes a digital-first approach to much of its marketing. The chain unveiled an official emoji keyboard comprising 28 Starbucks-specific icons for coffee lovers to share in April, while mobile ordering and digital loyalty offerings are both major drivers of Starbucks’ growth, as announced in its first quarter of 2016 earnings, and provide the opportunity to upsell and market to consumers in-app. There is potential to launch standalone Teavana stores in the UK “if the brand gets as big as it is in the States”, added McQuary.

 

Mitchells & Butlers to open first Miller & Carter site in East Midlands: Mitchells & Butlers is to open its first Miller & Carter steakhouse restaurant in the East Midlands. The company will close its Red Lion Inn pub in Rothley, Leicestershire, a former Orchid site that operated as a Great British Carvery, on Saturday (13 August) for refurbishment ahead of reopening as Miller & Carter at the end of September, creating 50 additional jobs. The pub in Loughborough Road will be transformed into the new restaurant, which will have capacity for more than 180 diners and a large bar area. It will feature booth seating and modern artwork in place of the current English pub style. Christian Fox, retail business manager at Miller & Carter, told the Leicester Mercury: “Bringing a new Miller & Carter to Leicestershire is extremely exciting for the brand and we’re pleased to be able to grow the team further. We are always on the lookout for opportunities to expand our portfolio. Following the success of our steakhouses across the West Midlands, we can’t wait to bring Miller & Carter to the East Midlands and serve the best quality steaks we are renowned for.” Miller & Carter has more than 40 sites in the UK.

 

JD Wetherspoon to open delayed £3m hotel upgrade at Grimsby site in November after ceiling issues resolved: JD Wetherspoon will open its delayed £3m hotel upgrade of the Yarborough Hotel in Grimsby in November after work was halted earlier this year because of problems with its Victorian ballroom ceiling. The company is converting the first, second, and third floors above the Bethlehem Street venue into 36 bedrooms. It was forced to stop work in January after discovering issues with the ceiling and since the 19th century building is listed, any alterations had to be approved by Historic England (formerly English Heritage). Those issues have now been resolved and construction has restarted. However, the site will close at the start of October while the final works are carried out before reopening on Thursday, 3 November. Spokesman Eddie Gershon told the Grimsby Telegraph: “We are delighted that work has resumed on the new hotel at the Yarborough Hotel in Grimsby. Various issues involving ourselves, Historic England and the local council have been resolved. We have been committed to opening the hotel alongside our pub and believe that it will be a great asset, not only to Wetherspoon, but to Grimsby itself.” The 36 bedrooms were originally due to open by the end of February.

 

The Snug to open ninth site this month, located in Aylesbury: The Snug, the south of England bar group, is launching it ninth site in Aylesbury on Thursday, 18 August – the bar will be arriving in Market Square, directly opposite the Odeon cinema. A full internal makeover of the location has taken place with new seating areas, an outside seating area and a unique Snug design, which is both “current and cosy”. In a Snug first, pizzas will be featuring on the new menu in Aylesbury. With a pizza oven on site, freshly prepared, oven baked pizzas will be a new addition to the offering at The Snug. Live music will also be a feature at The Snug in Aylesbury with evenings showcasing local and national talent. Giles Fry, owner of The Snug, said: “We are excited to be opening the new Aylesbury Snug this summer and look forward to giving everyone a Snug welcome in what we hope will soon become a firm favourite with residents and visitors to Aylesbury alike.”

William Hill rejects £3.6bn takeover offer from The Rank Group and 888 Holdings: Bookmaker Wiliam Hill has rejected a £3.6bn takeover offer from The Rank Group and 888 Holdings. The offer, which valued William Hill at 364p per share, was at a 16% premium of its 314p share price on 22 July, the last trading date prior to the announcement of a possible offer by the consortium, and an 11% premium of its 327p share price on Monday (8 August). The offer from Rank and 888 proposed creating an all-share merger between the two smaller companies to form a new group called BidCo, which would also offer to acquire William Hill for cash and newly issued shares in BidCo. William Hill chairman Gareth Davis said: “This conditional proposal substantially undervalues William Hill, is highly opportunistic and does not reflect the inherent value of the business. It is a very complex three-way combination at a low premium involving substantial risk for William Hill shareholders: execution risk, integration risk and risks of materially increased leverage. The group has a strong team to deliver against our strategy to grow our digital and international businesses so we strongly advise that shareholders take no action.”

 

Franco Manca and Thaikhun sign for Southampton scheme: Pizza brand Franco Manca, which is owned by Fulham Shore, and Thai Leisure Group brand Thaikhun have signed deals to open restaurants at WestQuay Watermark – Hammerson’s £85m dining and leisure development in Southampton. Franco Manca will open a 130 square metre venue on the scheme’s lower promenade. It will be the brand’s debut in Southampton and only its third restaurant outside of London. Meanwhile, Thaikhun will also be making its first move into the city with a 290 square metre restaurant on the upper promenade. It will be an open kitchen-style restaurant, adorned with artefacts from the street markets of Thailand. The two brands will join other restaurants including Cabana, Five Guys and Red Dog Saloon at the 17,000 square metre scheme. Thai Leisure Group managing director Ian Leigh said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Thaikhun to the coastal city of Southampton. Parts of our street food menu are inspired by the coastal areas of Thailand so we are looking forward to bringing something fresh and different to the city.” Franco Manca founder Giuseppe Mascoli added: “We are delighted to be working with Hammerson and to be opening in Southampton, an already great city, that will be further enhanced by this development – making it a natural choice for our third opening outside of London.” Sarah Fox, head of restaurants and leisure at Hammerson, said: “It is great news that WestQuay Watermark is set to welcome Franco Manca and Thaikhun to Southampton. They are great additions to the restaurants already secured and further strengthen the scheme’s appeal as the south coast’s leading leisure, dining and retail destination.”

 

Specialist pasta restaurant opens first site outside Italy, in Shoreditch: Specialist pasta restaurant and shop Savurè has opened its first site outside of Italy, in Shoreditch, east London. The Turin-based concept has launched the restaurant in Paul Street following the success of its Pastificio con Cucina shop. The open-plan restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows, sharing tables, booths and a patio for al fresco dining. Artisanal Italian products are displayed in whitewashed wooden cabinets in the restaurant and marble worktops showcase daily pastas for guests to choose from. At the heart of Savurè is the Il Pastificio – the “pasta lab” that showcases the chefs kneading, rolling and cutting the pasta, all prepared that day on the premises, offering more than 200 different combinations to choose from, using authentic Italian recipes and traditional methods. Customers are able to create their own combination or simply follow tradition. Meanwhile, the Savurè shop serves fresh pastas, sauces, wines and artisanal Italian products for those who want to recreate the experience at home.

 

Naples-based pizza restaurant to open first UK site next month: Naples-based pizzeria L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is to open its first UK site next month, in Stoke Newington, north west London. The family-run restaurant, which first opened in 1870, has secured a site in Church Street, reports Hot Dinners. Marco Condurro, the son of L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele director Michele Condurro, is heading to London to oversee the launch. Pizzas on the menu will include the traditional margherita and marinara as well as two specials that will be rotated from time to time. There will also be a range of Italian wines and beers.

 

Bengali pop-up restaurant Calcutta Street opens first permanent site: Bengali pop-up restaurant Calcutta Street has opened its first permanent site, in Fitzrovia, London. Shrimoyee Chakraborty has launched the venue in Tottenham Street. The ground floor has a no-reservations restaurant with a central bar. Meanwhile, downstairs is a bookable dining room, which seats 20 people around communal tables. The menu includes Doi Phuchka – crispy, tangy semolina balls with potato, black chickpeas, tamarind and yogurt filling – and Malai Curry – jumbo prawns cooked in a coconut and mustard sauce. There is also classic Bengali drinks on offer, including shorbot cocktails and natural wines. 

 

East Sussex-based brewery Harvey’s reveals plans to sell its beers throughout UK as it rebrands range: East Sussex-based brewery Harvey’s is planning to sell its beers throughout the UK as it looks to take advantage of the boom in the industry. Historically it has only sold beer to customers within a 60-mile radius of the brewery in Lewes, but a surge in interest from consumers has prompted it to offer its beers further afield. The plan to increase its sales area comes as the brewery rebrands its beer range. Spokesman Bob Trimm said: “We’ve got two centuries expertise in brewing and we’re well known by our loyal customers and discerning drinkers for being the original Sussex brewer – making the finest quality beers. But we’ve also got plenty to offer a new generation of drinkers and we think our new visual branding will make it easier for them – and those who already love our beers – to find us on the bar.” The new designs portray Harvey’s as both modern and traditional and will be used on all its beers, point of sale material and glassware available to the trade.

 

The Stable granted alcohol licence for proposed Kingston site: Artisan pizza and cider brand The Stable, which is 76% owned by Fuller’s, has been granted an alcohol licence for its proposed restaurant in Kingston, Surrey. The company has been given the go-ahead by Kingston Council to sell alcohol at the site from 11am to 11pm every day, reports the Kingston Guardian. It is now expected to submit a planning application to open the venue in the town’s historic Market House building later this year. The landmark property in Market Place currently hosts several craft sellers and a tea room with the council collecting £30,000 to £45,000 a year in rent. However, a brochure distributed last year showed the authority hopes for £150,000 a year in rent by moving in an established retailer. The Stable was founded by Richard and Nikki Cooper and Richard’s brother Andy in Bridport in 2009. It opened its 15th site, in nearby Kew Bridge, last month.

 

Gourmet Burger Kitchen submits plans to open restaurant in Newbury: Gourmet Burger Kitchen has submitted plans to open a restaurant in Newbury, Berkshire. The company has applied to West Berkshire Council to convert the former Hoggit & Hoof restaurant in Market Place into its latest venue, reports the Newbury Weekly News. It is proposing to alter the layout of the building to provide a “flexible and more efficient organised restaurant”, including two new sash windows and a single entrance door. Gourmet Burger Kitchen, which was founded in 2001, in Battersea, south London, opened its 75th site this week, in Staines, Surrey.

 

Worthing-based bar and restaurant operator set to open second site in Chichester, eyes third venue: Worthing-based bar and restaurant operator Igor Beaulieu is set to start expanding his Rocking Horse concept by opening a second site, in Chichester. Beaulieu, who launched the concept two years ago, has applied to Chichester District Council to open the new venue in Southgate on the former site of the Knife and Fork restaurant. Subject to approval, Beaulieu aims to open the new outlet by the end of year. He is also planning further expansion and said he is eyeing a third site – “somewhere between Tunbridge Wells in the east and Portsmouth to the west”. He told the Chichester Observer: “The Chichester site will be identical to Worthing. The success of the Worthing bar was unbelievable. I think the Chichester bar will be even better and attract even more customers during weekdays than we do at Worthing.”

 

South Marston Hotel and Leisure Club enters administration: More than 40 jobs have been lost after a hotel and leisure club in Swindon entered administration. South Marston Hotel and Leisure Club has now ceased trading, with 43 staff made redundant due to the impact of “historic and other losses”. Sam Talby, Mark Phillips and Julie Swan of PCR Insolvency in Bristol were appointed as joint administrators of Nightingale Hotel and Leisure Club, trading as South Marston Hotel and Leisure Club, on 1 August 2016. The administrators are now seeking a buyer for the company’s assets. Talby said: “At this stage we are assessing the cash and asset value but think it unlikely that monies already paid in advance for rooms and functions in the hotel and for leisure centre memberships will be refunded. Sadly we have had to inform all those with future bookings that the company will not be able to honour their bookings. We would ask that any parties interested in the company’s disposable assets to contact us.” South Marston Hotel and Leisure Club has 60 bedrooms as well as a health and beauty spa, gym and swimming pool.

 

Heineken set to double production of Red Stripe brewery in Jamaica: Heineken is planning to double production at its Red Stripe brewery in Jamaica as it prepares to return the beer’s production to the country. The $16m expansion, expected to be finished by the end of the year, will add half a million hectolitres to capacity at the Kingston site. The new capacity will equal about ten million cases, up from five million cases, Heineken said. The decision follows Heineken’s announcement that it wants to return Red Stripe production to Jamaica “by the end of this year” in the wake of its acquisition from Diageo. Under Diageo’s ownership, some Red Stripe production was moved to North America.

C&C Group rolls out Pabst Blue Ribbon: Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) beer is being rolled out by C&C Group across the UK and Ireland from this month. C&C Group has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of PBR in the UK and Ireland as part of a wider distribution agreement with Pabst Brewing Company. Paul Condron, C&C marketing director, said: “PBR is an American classic – but it’s never felt more current than now. Bringing a taste of the States to the UK and Ireland is exciting, particularly when it’s a brand that’s so iconic and individualistic. From a business perspective, there’s a choice of formats for customers, and the benefit of some very different and engaging marketing that’s yielded such great results in Pabst’s home country.” The introduction of PBR builds on the launches by C&C Group of Menabrea, the superior Italian lager from Italy’s oldest brewery in Piedmont, and Heverlee, a premium Belgian beer brewed in association with the Abbey of Premontre in Leuven.

 

ETM Group’s first rooftop bar to be among three new openings this year: Tom and Ed Martin, of privately-owned ETM Group, have announced the acquisition of a further three sites scheduled to open in the next six months – to include a City rooftop restaurant and terrace bar and a large pub split over two floors with added barbershop and brow and lashes concessions. The first new opening, Burdock, is due to happen in September at the new Royal London House hotel in Finsbury Square. With interiors designed by Tonik, the all-day 2,000 square foot bar will feature four overhanging tank beers with rotating guest craft ales and seat up to 100 covers for breakfast, lunch and dinner, bar food and cocktails. The second opening this autumn, Aviary, will also be at the new hotel but will this time see the launch of the group’s first rooftop location. The 6,000 square foot rooftop restaurant and bar designed by Russell Sage Studio is on the building’s tenth floor and will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It boasts a 2,000 square foot south-facing terrace overlooking fabulous views of the City’s skyline. Two of the hotel’s ninth floor suites, each with its own terrace, will also be available for ETM Group’s use as private events spaces for 30 to 40 guests. The third site, Greenwood, will be ETM Group’s 18th opening since the company was set up in 2000. Due to open at Nova in Victoria towards the end of the year, the large pub will have “something for everyone under one roof; from breakfast through to pre/post-theatre dining and dinner, seven days a week”. Nova is part of a £2bn development pipeline for Victoria and will bring 18 new eateries to SW1, creating London’s newest food quarter. The 11,000 square foot pub and restaurant, also designed by Russell Sage Studio, will be split over two floors. As well as a large central bar and plenty of seating, the spacious ground floor will also include a brow and lashes bar and barbershop as well as an 80-cover outdoor seating area. Upstairs will be a bar with five screens, two of which will be mega screens, showing all competitive domestic and international sport throughout the day and night, plus an American eight ball pool table and ping pong table. Tom Martin said: “We are delighted to be bringing our pubs, bars and restaurants to two more central London locations and at such interesting developments. Our first rooftop venture is very exciting and being selected to be part of all that is happening at Nova, Victoria is a privilege. We can’t wait to get these sites open and welcome many of our regular customers alongside plenty of new faces.”

 

New ‘pod lodge’ accommodation concept launches in response to rise in ‘staycations’: A new “pod lodge” accommodation concept has been launched aimed at providing UK holidaymakers accessible and affordable places to stay. The Hideout House Company has launched Superglamp, which consists of innovative “pod lodges” or “tiny houses”, as the number of people taking “staycations” continues to rise. The pods can be customised and can be easily moved and installed. Each lodge is its own self-contained unit and includes a shower room and toilet, a kitchenette and dinette, and is able to sleep up to four people. The pod lodges come with varying options of adding an extended deck area with sunken hot tub, hammock, reclaimed drinks table with built-in icebox, and other features. Hideout House Company founder and director Simon Fearnehough said: “We have noticed a real gap in the market for something as pioneering as Superglamp, which has been reflected in the rise of Britons holidaying in the UK. The buoyant hospitality industry can capitalise on this by offering quirky and unique on-site accommodation. The feedback to date on Superglamp has been really positive and our pods have been fully booked over the summer at select holiday and camping parks. We are confident that the concept will appeal to other venues including country pubs, golf clubs, hotels, or bed and breakfast offerings.” For the second year running, the number of Britons taking a short break within the UK continues to increase – 73% are currently intending to take a short break in 2016 and 27% find a UK holiday more appealing than in 2015. Brexit, fears of overseas terrorism and the weak pound are also key drivers in fuelling an interest in “staycation” breaks.

 

Full speaker schedule for Bar and Nightclub Conference revealed: The full speaker schedule for this year’s Bar and Nightclub Conference, organised by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and Propel, has been revealed. It takes place on Tuesday, 11 October at Bafta, Piccadilly, and follows the successful launch of the event last year. ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls will provide an update on political and regulatory developments. Phil Tate, chief executive of CGA Strategy, which has retailer specialist CGA Peach as a division, will reveal details of new research of usage, areas of growth, food and drink trends, and evolution within the UK bar and nightclub market. Toby Smith, chief executive of bar, nightclub and restaurant operator Novus Leisure, will talk about how the company is meeting the needs of customers in London’s evolving bar and nightclub scene, including offer evolution and social media developments. Luke Johnson, sector investor and executive chairman of Brighton Pier Company and investor in Grand Union Group, will speak about his career in the late-night sector starting at Oxford University, set out his reasons for investing in the sector, evolving the offer at the company, and his perspective on the future for the bar and nightclub sector. Serial sector entrepreneur Roy Ellis will talk about the launch of the ground-breaking Albert’s Schloss concept in Manchester a year ago, its USPs, versatility, first-year performance and roll-out potential – and set out the scope of the involvement of his Mission Mars business in Manchester’s late-night scene. Jimmy Bernstein will talk about his 14-strong US bar and live music concept Howl at the Moon. Bernstein was the keynote speaker at this year’s Bar and Nightclub Convention in Las Vegas. Howl at the Moon has sites in key US cities, including Chicago, New York and Orlando, Florida – the company has also licensed the concept to Norwegian Cruise Line, which operates it on four ships. John Leslie, chief executive of Intertain, will talk about evolving the Walkabout brand and opening new sites, working with new comedy partner Comedy Loft, the regulatory regime, its new Birmingham concept 6 on Broad Street, and the company’s relationship with backer Better Capital. Leading licensing barrister Philip Kolvin QC will provide a personal perspective on the key legal issues and developments bar and nightclub operators face in the current climate. There will also be a panel hosted by Nicholls with Alan Miller, chairman of the Night Time Industries Association, Mick McDonnell, national co-ordinator of Best Bar None, Paddy Whur, of Woods Whur, Peter Marks, chief executive of Deltic Group, and Richard Stringer, chief executive of Kornicis, about the challenges, opportunities and threats to the bar and nightclub sector. Tickets are priced at £95 for operators who are ALMR members and £145 for non-ALMR members. Supplier tickets are £145 for ALMR supplier members and £195 for suppliers who are not ALMR members. Tickets can be booked by emailing Jo Charity at jo.charity@propelinfo.com