Eating and drinking out spend sees double-digit increases in November as Britain bounces back from Paris terror attacks: Eating and drinking out spend in November saw double-digit year-on-year increases as Britain bounced back from last year’s terrorist attacks in Paris, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker. The average British household spent £206 on out-of-home leisure activities, which represented a £17 (9%) rise year-on-year. There was a year-on-year increase of £6 (16%) in spending on drinking out and a £7 (10%) rise in eating out. The short-term changes in spending are small, with eating and drinking out seeing decreased spending month-on-month of £5 (5%) and £2 (4%) respectively. Such reductions in spending are customary in the run-up to Christmas, although this year’s fall is lower than in 2015, which saw a £17 (8%) fall in total leisure spending. This is the third consecutive year that month-on-month spending decreased from November to October. Month-on-month, eating out’s share of spend mix remains stable at 40%, while drinking out has increased its share by 1% (to 22%) at the expense of other leisure activities. Year-on-year, the increases across eating out, drinking out and other leisure activities are likely to be driven by steady increases in leisure spending across 2016 in tandem with the poor performance of leisure in November 2015 after the Paris terror attacks. Increases in year-on-year spending are most pronounced in households without children, where there has been a £9 (12%) rise. There is also strong growth across Britain – London and the south east has seen increases of £8 (9%), slightly ahead of the rest of the UK, which was £7 (10%). Year-on-year, increases in drinking out spend was found in London and south east households, where it rose by £9 (22%), closely followed by an £8 (20%) increase among households without children. For the first time since April, other leisure saw both year-on-year and month-on-month rises in spending. The report also showed many Britons are keen to try an alternative to the traditional roast turkey and mulled wine this Christmas. Almost half of respondents said yuletide was a good time to try a different dish and more than a third a different drink. Young people are most willing to embrace change, with more than half of under-24s saying Christmas was an ideal opportunity to try a new tipple or different food. The over-55s are the most rooted in their traditions – although happy to experiment with new foods, they are less open to the idea of new drinks. Women are more enthusiastic to embrace change than their male counterparts, with more than half intending to try a new meal and more than a third a new drink this Christmas. Greene King CRM, digital and insights director Kenny Skelton said: “People save up all year for Christmas and see it as a great occasion to push the boat out and try something a bit different. Roast turkey with all the trimmings is still beloved by punters at Christmas but now customers are more adventurous and expect greater choice and new options on their Christmas menus.”

Itinerary unveiled for third Craft Beer Retail Study Tour: The itinerary has been unveiled for the third Propel and Thinking Drinkers Craft Beer Retail Study Tour. The event, which this year focuses on east London, takes place on Thursday, 26 January and will visit six of London’s leading craft beer retailers and a cider specialist during the seven-hour tour. It starts at Urban Pubs and Bars’ ping-pong concept Bat and Ball at Westfield Stratford. The tour will then visit Tap East in Stratford, the brewpub operated by Mike Hill and Richard Dinwoodie, the duo previously behind Utobeer. The next stop will be Mason & Company, a specialist craft beer bar and deli at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The tour will then head to brewery and pizza venue Crate Brewery and fresh tank beer venue Howling Hops, both based at Queen’s Yard. It will continue to artisan pizza and cider brand The Stable, which is 76% owned by Fuller’s, in Whitechapel before finishing at Dinerama in Great Eastern Street, the street food craft beer concept run by Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey. 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 and analysis, and spot up-and-coming trends. The day includes travel between venues by coach. Tickets are £345 plus VAT for Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) members and £395 plus VAT for non-ALMR members. Email anne.steele@propelinfo.com to book or for more details.

Host of companies sign up for Advanced Marketing and Insights Masterclass: A host of companies have signed up for the Advanced Marketing and Insights Masterclass. They include Whitbread, PizzaExpress, Bourne Leisure, Frederic Robinson, ASK Italian, Dirty Martini, FrogPubs, Eclectic Bars, Enterprise inns, Star Pubs and Bars, Le Bistrot Pierre, Thai Leisure Group, My Lahore, Living Ventures, Beds and Bars, Black and White Hospitality, City Pub Company, The New World Trading Company, Greene King, Marston’s, Be At One, PizzaExpress, Mitchells & Butlers, Oakman Inns, Young’s, Coaching Inn Group, TRG Concessions, Cambscuisine, Electric Star Pubs, Coal Grill & Bar, Signature Pub Company, Epic Pub Company, Parkdean Resorts, Namco UK and True North Brew Company. The line-up for the Advanced Marketing and Insights Masterclass, in which Propel is partnering with leading sector public relations and marketing expert James Hacon, has been previously revealed. Hacon will share industry-leading marketing campaigns and activity from some of the biggest and best brands across the globe and share tips on how to capture ideas and apply this innovation to a brand. He will also share his strategy and direction for marketing at Thai Leisure Group and will reveal how the company has refined and defined the Chaophraya and Thaikhun brands, developed the proposition, and delivered a research-based, award-winning marketing campaign. Charles Banks, of The Food People, will dive into the hot new concepts, foods and products in the international market to see what eating trends are shaping the industry, how the traditional business model is evolving, and how millennials are changing the models and concepts of the future. There will be a guided group session sharing best practice, seeking advice and sharing stories. Oliver Taylor, senior insight manager at Elliotts, will share the latest insight on how consumers are making decisions on where to go to drink or dine out, what inspires them, how they plan their evening and how they prefer to book. Cote marketing director Andrew Gallagher will reveal what’s at the top of his marketing agenda and what he thinks will have an impact on this during 2017. Helen Baptist, senior vice-president of Fishbowl USA, will show how data can be leveraged to understand and better target customers to drive revenue, and share top tips on data-driven wins. She will also share real-life case studies from leading-edge, fast-growing US concepts, including Blaze Pizza, Average Joe’s and Jamba Juice. There will be also be a panel discussion led by Hacon with Maxwell’s marketing manager Anthony Knight, G1 Group marketing director Lyn MacDonald, and Drake & Morgan marketing and sales director Pooja Sharma Jones about where they see success, their plans for the future, and other topics discussed throughout the day. The event takes place on Thursday, 12 January at One Moorgate Place in London. Tickets are priced at £295 plus VAT for Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) members and £345 plus VAT for non-ALMR members and are available by emailing Anne Steele on anne.steele@propelinfo.com

Plenty of opportunities for operators in 2017 amid challenges of Brexit and rising costs, new report reveals: New openings growth, technology and the night tube will provide plenty of opportunities for operators in 2017 amid the challenges of Brexit and rising costs, according to the second Future Shock report. The report, produced by CGA Peach and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), showed operating costs now account for an average of nearly half (47.7%) of turnover for businesses in the sector, with rising property and staff costs an increasing challenge for many. Another staffing issue has arisen from Brexit and the resulting uncertainty of the future of EU migrants, who account for close to half (46%) of the workforce in hospitality and tourism. But the Future report also demonstrated how technology, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in particular, has become integral to the planning of nights out and can be harnessed by operators to increase their profile and sales. Another opportunity comes from the introduction of the night tube in London, with CGA Peach data indicating there are more than 3,000 licensed premises within 500m of stations on the lines that now operate around the clock on Fridays and Saturdays. The report also revealed the number of food-led licensed venues in Britain has increased by 13.5% in the five years to September 2016, compared with a 12.4% drop in the number of drink-led venues. Nearly half (46%) of British consumers said they now eat out at least weekly. A third (33%) said they drink out at least weekly. Three in five (60%) said they trust online reviews, rising to 71% of 18 to 24-year-olds – an indication of the huge importance of platforms such as TripAdvisor and social media. Half (52%) of British consumers think the government’s planned sugar tax on soft drinks is a positive change but only a fifth (19%) are likely to reduce their sugar consumption as a result. CGA Peach business unit director Jamie Campbell said: “It has not been an easy ride for operators in the eating and drinking out markets in 2016, and CGA Peach’s research shows that any growth is hard won in an intrinsically flat market. And with the seismic shock of Brexit yet to play out in full, and property and staff costs still rising, conditions aren’t likely to get much better in 2017.” However, he added: “As Future Shock shows, there are still plenty of growth opportunities for the leading brands over the coming year. By good use of technology, smart marketing and giving consumers the food, drinks and experiences they want – plus, crucially, some support from government over industry issues – operators can look forward to 2017 with optimism.” ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls added: “The National Living Wage, business rates reform, Brexit – there are a lot of issues that eating and drinking out operators will need to stay on top of as we enter 2017, and the ALMR will be campaigning loudly and proudly for the sector within government. This latest Future Shock report provides important intelligence for that work, and presents a one-stop-shop for information for everyone interested in the sector. It is a balanced and honest health check – a digest of some of the challenges we all face but also of the many reasons we have to be proud of our creative and economically important work.”

Cut in VAT as well as less private equity investment and more consolidation in store for sector in 2017, predicts RSM: A cut in VAT, less private equity investment and more consolidation, and the homogenisation of prime rental areas are in store for the leisure and hospitality industry in 2017, according to audit, tax and consultancy firm RSM. Head of leisure and hospitality Paul Newman said a cut in VAT was on the cards as consumer confidence stutters in early 2017 and the government is forced to undertake fiscal stimulus to generate short term demand. He added while private equity has enjoyed a successful run in the sector over the past decade, there was increased scepticism of underlying market growth in the UK and operators’ ability to retain margin. However, Newman believed US private equity or corporates would seize on the opportunity created by recent fall in the pound to increase investment into the UK food and drink sector. He added with rent levels being pushed to record levels, independent operators and smaller groups would be squeezed out to off pitch sites with lower footfall and homogenisation of brands in prime areas. Newman also predicted a renaissance of seasonal menus with operators doing so in order to benefit from lower input costs of various ingredients throughout the year to interest customers and maximise margins. With a need for operators to drive loyalty, increased visits and use of their assets throughout all hours of the trading day, Newman predicted the widespread return of discounting – but not as we know it. He expects social media-driven ‘flash’ events to generate excitement and footfall at certain times of day, or geo-targeting to focus on those customers within walking distance. He also said operators would fight back against delivery companies by setting up options of their own as they seek to engender brand loyalty in their customer base. With cost pressures continuing to rise and competition intensifying, he believed banks might force some disposals of groups that can no longer support the level of debt raised over recent years.

Springboard Charity to hold hospitality industry’s first pantomime: The Springboard Charity is set to hold the hospitality industry’s first pantomime. Springderella, an adaptation of Cinderella, will be performed in partnership with independent hospitality company Green & Fortune at its Kings Place venue in King’s Cross on 19 and 20 January. Some of the hospitality sector’s leading lights will appear in the show, which will be followed by a post-panto party. The Springboard Charity is pioneering the project to raise funds to help young people achieve their potential and support people into employment within the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors. Chris Penn, who came up with the idea and who will appear in the show, said: “I think a pantomime is the perfect way to show a fun and fresh new side of the industry’s leaders as a backdrop to bringing together like-minded humans in support of an honourable cause.” The Springboard Charity chief executive Anne Pierce added: “We were overwhelmed with the support from industry and the number of people who have a penchant for dressing up! Tickets are bound to sell fast to see Chris Penn, Peter Hancock, Jonathan Raggett, Andrew McKenzie, Bob Silk, Anne Britton, Charlotte Horler, Gary King, Josh Light and David Cowdery in drag, as well as some surprise cameo roles.” To sponsor the event or get involved, email Geoffreyr@springboarduk.org.uk or for tickets visit kingsplace.co.uk/Springderella

Filmore & Union appoints finance director as company gears up for expansion in 2017: Healthy eating cafe and restaurant company Filmore & Union is gearing up for expansion in 2017 with the appointment of Mike Kendall-Smith as finance director. The ten-strong company is set to add five sites next year and has brought in the former Philpotts finance director to strengthen its senior team. Kendall-Smith joined sandwich business Philpotts as commercial and financial director in 2007 and was instrumental in its growth from 13 to 21 sites, with a combined turnover of £10.4m. Filmore & Union forecasts turnover of £7.8m across its ten sites, which is projected to rise to £12.5m once it reaches 15 outlets. Founder Adele Ashley said: “The appointment of industry expert Mike Kendall-Smith to such a relatively young brand goes to prove the support and traction we have behind us. Mike is an instrumental addition to the senior team, which is gearing up for an impressive roll-out plan. Bring on 2017.” Filmore & Union, which raised nearly £1m on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube in 2015, expects to reach 30 sites, with projected turnover in excess of £25m, in its five-year forecast and targets an ambitious exit multiple. Filmore & Union opened its first site in York in March 2012 and has since invested heavily in growth infrastructure, such as a central production unit. It recently became coeliac-accredited across the group after committing to 100% gluten-free produce and practices.

200 Degrees secures fifth site, in Leicester: Nottingham-based coffee roaster and retailer 200 Degrees has secured its fifth site, in Leicester. The company, founded by Rob Darby and Tom Vincent in 2012, will open the outlet in Market Street on the site of the former Lumbers Jewellers. 200 Degrees is advertising for staff including a general manager to run the venue, reports The Business Desk. The company recently opened its fourth coffee shop, in Leeds, to add to its existing two in Nottingham and one in Birmingham. Earlier this year, Darby said the company was looking to grow regionally.

Gusto to start expansion into East Midlands early next year with £1m opening: Gusto, the Italian restaurant brand operated by Living Ventures, will open its first site in the East Midlands in February. The 4,300 square foot restaurant and bar in West Bridgford, near Nottingham, is on the site of the former Monkey Tree bar, which closed in February this year. Living Ventures, which is backed by Palatine Private Equity, has invested more than £1m in the venue, creating 60 jobs. The refurbishment will see the building transformed, complete with an outside terrace. The opening is part of an ambitious expansion that will see Gusto grow from its current 16 sites to a target portfolio of 26 in the next four to five years. Gusto managing director Sue Crimes told The Wire: “This is a very exciting time for Gusto – we are delighted to be opening in the scenic town of West Bridgford. Our restaurant ethos meets with the demographics of the town and surrounding areas, appealing to a variety of clientele. The stylish restaurant will be packed with aspirational touches and beautiful decor, a place where you can feel welcome and special. We’re counting down the days to the launch in February and can’t wait for people to experience our fantastic food and dining experience.” Gusto was created in 2007 when Living Ventures rebranded the Est Est Est restaurant chain.

Wagamama signs deal to open restaurant at new Edinburgh development: Wagamama has signed a deal to open a restaurant at the new St Andrew Square development in Edinburgh. The company will begin fitting out the site in the new year, with the venue expected to open by the summer. Wagamama will join Dishoom and Drake & Morgan, which have both just opened their first outlets outside London, and Spanish restaurant group Ibérica, which is due to open its restaurant in June. David Stewart, fund manager of joint developer Standard Life Investments, told the Edinburgh Evening News: “London restaurants have a growing appetite for Edinburgh city centre and these openings demonstrate the strong appeal of St Andrew Square. The development is set to become the prime location for some of the best dining experiences in the city and we welcome Wagamama to the square.” Standard Life Investments and joint venture partners Peveril Securities started work on the 185,000 square foot development in 2014. The main works were completed in November, with fit-out work ongoing until summer 2017, to create a mixed-use scheme with 110,000 square feet of office space, plus 75,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and apartments.

Wasabi opens Camden outlet on former EAT site: London-based sushi and bento business Wasabi has opened a site in Camden. The company has opened the outlet in High Street at a former EAT site. Wasabi opened its first site in 2003 on London’s Embankment and now operates 42 outlets across London, seven outside the capital, and two in New York. In October, the company secured a package worth £25m from HSBC to help fund its expansion plans in the UK and US. The funding primarily consists of a £20m, three-year revolving credit facility that will be used to fund the roll-out of 20 sites. In addition, HSBC has provided £4m of asset finance to develop Wasabi’s 65,000 square foot warehouse, which houses the new central processing unit.

Bone Daddies to open two new sites at start of 2017: Japanese ramen bar concept Bone Daddies is to continue expansion by opening two new sites at the start of 2017. The company, founded by Ross Shonhan, will launch restaurants in James Street, Marylebone, and within the Nova complex in Victoria. Both venues will feature Bone Daddies’ popular ramen in addition to new signature dishes unique to each site. Bone Daddies currently has four sites – all in London – in Bermondsey, Kensington, Old Street and Soho. Shonhan also operates Asian fusion restaurant Shackfuyu in Soho and Japanese pub concept Flesh & Buns in Covent Garden.

Tasty to open Wildwood site in Hinckley: Tasty is set to continue expansion of its Wildwood brand by opening a restaurant in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The company is looking to open the site, which would feature a cinema, at The Crescent development, next to cafe brand Loungers. It has applied to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for a premises licence to sell alcohol, play music and show films. Wildwood would be the seventh restaurant at the council-owned complex, which is home to brands such as Prezzo, while gourmet burger restaurant company Meatcure is due to arrive next year, reports the Hinckley Times. Wildwood operates 53 sites across the UK, with further openings due in York and Edinburgh, which will be the first site for the brand in Scotland. Last month, Tasty raised £9m to fund Wildwood expansion after making a conditional placing of 6,210,000 new ordinary shares at a price of 145 pence per share.

Michelin-starred chef teams up with Brighton restaurateur to relaunch Redroaster brand: Michelin-starred chef Matt Gillan has teamed up with Brighton restaurateur Mike Palmer to launch a £1m venture. Palmer is rapidly expanding his business and recently launched a second Lucky Beach Cafe in Brighton, with a separate new-build restaurant and bar on track for a July opening. He acquired Redroaster, which operates a coffee house and roastery in the Kemp Town area of the city, earlier this year. Palmer and Gillan will relaunch the St James’s Street venue in February as a cafe that turns into a high-end dining offer in the evening. The cafe will open from 7am to 4pm, with the menu delivering “home comforts with style”. In the evening, the venue will turn into Pike & Pine, with two dining options – a main dining room with a small plate, a la carte menu alongside six and eight-course tasting menus, and an eight-metre marble dining counter offering ten or more dishes in Gillan’s signature style. Coffee will remain at the heart of the business, with the organic roastery supplying six single-origin coffees and signature blends. The roastery will be relaunched fully at the London Coffee Festival in the spring. Gillan, who has also won four AA rosettes and the BBC’s Great British Menu contest, won his Michelin star at The Pass restaurant at South Lodge Hotel in West Sussex. Palmer also operates restaurant consultancy Lost In Catering.

Caprice Holdings to open The Ivy in Soho in February: Caprice Holdings, owned by Richard Caring, will open an Ivy brasserie site in Soho in February. The company is opening the 200-cover restaurant and bar in Broadwick Street on Tuesday, 7 February – its ninth site in the capital. The venue will consist of a cafe-lounge area, dining bar, main restaurant and private dining room for up to 50, reports The Handbook. Features will include an onyx bar, pendant lighting, marble floor tiles, polished parquet panel flooring and burnt orange leather banquettes. All its UK outlets are in the capital apart from Ivy Clifton Brasserie in Bristol, while it has been given the go-ahead for a brasserie in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. It has secured two sites in Surrey – in Cobham and Guildford – as well as Richmond in south west London.

DHP Family to overhaul Islington music venue the Garage with new all-day bar: Live music operator DHP Family, which owns venues including Rock City in Nottingham and Oslo in Hackney, is planning to transform another renowned music venue, the Garage in Islington, north London. DHP Family, which recently bought the venue along with the Borderline in Soho, will create an all-day bar at the Garage called the General Store, which will be a coffee bar by day and craft beer and cocktail bar in the evening. The name is a reference to filling stations in small-town America, and the decor will feature reclaimed gas pumps, large beer fridges, and cocktails served from items you’d find in a store, such as cereal boxes and soup tins. There will also be a new venue upstairs – Thousand Island – that will host breaking acts. Immersive club events organiser Precinct Presents will take over promotions at the venue, starting with “Lost In Tokyo”, featuring a “dystopian Japanese-style street scene with neon-lit izakayas”. The new-look Garage and General Store will open in February.

Bukhara opens British-Asian restaurant and banqueting hall in Manchester, third UK site: Bukhara has opened a 600-capacity banqueting hall and 200-cover British-Asian restaurant in Manchester. The restaurant is Bukhara’s third site in the UK and is housed alongside the banqueting hall in Old Cheetham Town Hall following a nine-month refit. The restaurant has a no-alcohol policy and dedicated prayer area, and offers an a la carte menu with additions such as burgers and steaks. Bukhara’s banquet hall will host events and corporate meetings. Bukhara’s Farouk Patel told Asian Image: “Manchester is renowned throughout the UK for its cultural vibrancy so it was only fitting our expansion was in the heart of this iconic city. We deliver a cuisine that reflects the best our British-Asian culture has to offer. Bukhara Banqueting is a continuum in our journey. I am confident Bukhara Banqueting will have guests talking about their event for years.” Bukhara’s other restaurants are in Samlesbury, near Preston, and Liverpool.

Mowgli opens second Liverpool site: Indian street food restaurant Mowgli has opened its second site in Liverpool and third in total. Barrister turned restaurateur and food writer Nisha Katona, who opened the first Mowgli in Bold Street in October 2014, has launched Mowgli Street Food in Water Street in the city centre. The building was constructed in the 1860s and an elaborate east doorway added in 1883 for the Manchester and Liverpool District Bank. Restoration work has revealed beautiful mouldings and cornices that were hidden behind modern panels. Mowgli’s other restaurant opened a year ago in Manchester’s Corn Exchange, while there are additional plans for a venue in Leeds. Mowgli’s menu is built around the idea of “chat”, small plates with big flavours. In June, the Bold Street site was voted the best new restaurant opening in the city during the past five years by readers of the Liverpool Echo.

High-end restaurant and social enterprise backed by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall opens in Devon: High-end restaurant and social enterprise Market Street has opened in Newton Abbot, Devon, with the backing of celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Following a successful pilot scheme last year, the Young Devon charity is working with Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage to train young chefs in the art of cooking high-quality food. The restaurant in Market Street will run year-long apprenticeships and ten-week traineeships in chef and front-of-house positions, with young people supported in their first steps towards a career in hospitality by an experienced chef and general manager. Market Street general manager Alison Jarrett told the Mid-Devon Advertiser: “I joined Young Devon so I could give something back to the young people of my community. I have lots of ideas to make Market Street a special place to dine.” Young Devon chief executive Tim Tod added: ‘We’re very excited to be offering seasonal and locally sourced menus in the town while, at the same time, giving valuable training to more than 30 young people each year.”

Self-funded startup Apres Food Co to launch ‘healthy comfort food’ concept in Clerkenwell: Self-funded startup Apres Food Co is set to launch a “healthy comfort food” concept of the same name in Clerkenwell, London, next month. Dishes at the restaurant in St John Street will be gluten and sugar-free, but with a home-cooked flavour. There will be takeaway options during lunch, with main dishes including sweet potato hash, lamb curry and fritter muffins, chicken risotto, and meatballs with a selection of freshly made, vegetable-rich sauces. Despite the lack of gluten and sugar, there will also be a daily changing selection of baked goods such as banana bread, brownies and bakewell tart, as well as smoothies, Hot Dinners reports. The venue will only open in the day to begin with but will open three nights a week for supper clubs later in the year, with the evenings based around nutritional education.

Cote to open £1m restaurant in Worcester next month: French brasserie Cote will open a £1m restaurant in Worcester next month. The company is converting the former Edwards Bar and Kitchen in High Street, creating 50 jobs. The 160-cover venue will open on Monday, 9 January. Cote chief executive Alex Scrimgeour told the Worcester News: “We are thrilled to be opening right in the centre of Worcester and we look forward to bringing our friendly, professional service and great-value food to this thriving town. It’s a wonderful way for Cote to begin 2017.”

New ‘best of British’ concept Plot to launch in Tooting: New concept Plot, which will offer the “best of British food”, will launch in Tooting Broadway Market on Wednesday, 11 January. The concept is the brainchild of cousins Mark Kimber, co-founder of restaurant publication Food Edited, and Harry Smith. The kitchen will be headed by Giles Elstob, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. The menu of small plates will change with the seasons, with winter dishes likely to include chicken and smoked ham hock terrine with cider and honey mustard, roast cod with curried tartar sauce and scraps, and braised beef cheek with pickled cabbage and onions. Suppliers will be sourced from as locally as possible, including olives from Kent, beets from Dorset, and meat and fish from Tooting high street. There will be a healthy selection of British craft beers and cocktails, plus wine from vineyards such as Nyetimber in West Sussex, Hot Dinners reports.

Burgers, mussels and cocktails concept The Hashery opens in Cardiff city centre: The Hashery, a new concept specialising in mussels, burgers and all-day two-for-one cocktails, has launched in Cardiff city centre at a former Bella Italia site. Priding itself on locally sourced produce, The Hashery’s breakfast menu includes classics such as eggs benedict and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, while the signature Hashery omelette is served with Lyonnais potatoes and a choice of topping. The main menu features homemade burgers, Cubano sandwiches, and Hashery mussels, while cocktails include The Hashery’s own concoctions such as Pirate Juice, Electric Tea and Filthy Wizard, Wales Online reports. The restaurant, which features artwork by local artists alongside old comics on the walls, is open daily from 9am to midnight and until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Leon unveils new ‘fast and free’ January menu: Natural fast food brand Leon will unveil a new selection of free-from dishes next month, inspired by its upcoming cookbook Fast & Free. The company will launch the additions to its menu on Tuesday, 3 January, showcasing a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free dishes. They include dairy-free cashew milk and ruby berry porridge and gluten-free chicken noodle soup. There will also be a recipe directly from its new cookbook, nine days before it hits the shelves – a sweet potato and okra stew created by chef Jane Baxter. Leon will also welcome back old favourites such as Thai green chicken curry hot box, kale and peanut salad, and the Leon power smoothie, this time made with a berry compote of “wonky fruit”, making use of excess produce and helping to combat food waste. Leon co-founder and chief executive John Vincent said: “We have always looked to make it easier for people to eat well. If we have done our job right, we will have created a very safe, but very fun playground for you. Somewhere you can play without concern, and do so with a skip in your step.”

Derbyshire-based bar operator gets go-ahead to open second site, in Leeds: Derbyshire-based bar operator and mixologist Manachain Monaghan has been given the go-ahead to open his second site, this time in Leeds. Monaghan has been granted permission by the city council to convert the 1,700 square foot basement of a grade II-listed building in South Place. After attempts to secure an occupier for the former business use of the site, a change of use allowing restaurants and cafes to operate from the venue was secured. In response to the number of high-end restaurants already in the area, a further change of use to the site has now been obtained with Monaghan taking on the premises, reports Insider Media. Monaghan also operates Monk Cocktail Bar in Buxton.

Easyhotel secures Sheffield site: Easyhotel, the owner, developer, operator and franchisor of “super budget” branded hotels, has secured a site in Sheffield. The company is set to open a 131-bedroom hotel in High Street on the site of the former Primark department store, which is being developed into a mixed-use property. Easyhotel has acquired the lease for part of the ground and first floors and all of the second and third floors of the building. Subject to planning consent, the hotel is expected to open in 2018. The total cost of the purchase and conversion of the building will be about £6m. Easyhotel chief executive Guy Parsons said: “We are delighted to be investing in Sheffield, a key northern powerhouse city which has received significant inward investment. Attracting nine million visitors per year, the dynamics of the city make it an attractive location for a new Easyhotel. I am pleased we have delivered our first investment as set out in our development strategy announced in September, which we remain on track to deliver.”