ALMR honours the best of late-night sector: The best in the late-night hospitality sector were honoured last night (Tuesday, 11 October) as the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ (ALMR) Late Night Awards were dispensed at the third annual Dusk ’til Dawn ceremony. More than 280 delegates representing the UK’s night-time economy gathered at London’s Cafe de Paris for the event, held in association with Propel. Awards were dispensed across six categories recognising the vitality and diversity of late-night hospitality, while a special Icon Award was presented to Deltic Group chief executive Peter Marks for his outstanding contribution to the UK’s late-night hospitality sector. Revolution Bars Group took home the award for best late-night food offer (in association with CPL Training), while Inception Group was crowned best late-night drinks winner (in association with Molson Coors). Best late-night entertainment (in association with Orderella) went to Tokyo Industries. The best service and team development accolade (in association with Zonal) was scooped by Stonegate, best marketing and promotion (in association with Jack Daniels) was awarded to Novus Leisure. The best late-night venue accolade (in association with Wireless Social) was won by Mission Mars’ Albert’s Schloss concept. ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The amazing variety on show across the winners underlines what a fantastically strong and innovative sector this is. Late-night venues have faced obstacles to growth in recent years but pubs, bars and nightclubs, as exemplified by this year’s winners, are dynamic and popular and continue to push forward trends across our high streets. Congratulations to all the winners for the great work they have done ensuring the UK’s night-time economy remains as vital as ever. Particular congratulations must also go to Peter Marks, who has been a tireless champion of late-night bars and nightclubs and who is a deserving recipient of the ALMR Icon Award.”

Confidence ‘fragile’ in UK food and drink industry following Brexit – new survey finds: Confidence has become fragile in the UK’s food and drink manufacturing industry, according to a survey of Food and Drink Federation (FDF) members published today (Wednesday, 12 October), with more than two-thirds of respondents less confident about the business environment following the Brexit vote. Following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, a majority of food and drink companies responding to FDF’s survey reported a rise in ingredient prices and a fall in product margins – largely the result of a weakened pound – and concerns for the future raised by EU staff. More than two-thirds (69.5%) of respondents are less confident about the UK business environment, with only one in ten (11.2%) more confident. FDF is calling for an industrial strategy partnership with the government to support development of the sector. FDF director general Ian Wright said: “Food and drink industry confidence is low. Slower revenue growth, coupled with prolonged business uncertainty, is affecting the industry’s ability to invest. The assurances we heard from government last week must be underpinned by credible plans for restoring confidence and negotiating a workable future relationship with the EU. Working with government through an industrial strategy partnership, we believe we can counterbalance uncertainty arising from the EU exit process and secure world-class status for the sector.” The survey coincides with quarterly figures from UK retailers showing food sales at their highest level since 2013, suggesting a disparity between business and consumer confidence levels.