All news

Competitive socialising venues growing at ‘unparalleled levels’

23-Nov-2023 By Hannah Currie

The competitive socialising sector has grown extensively in recent years, with a 38% uptick in venues since 2018.

Uncorked: James Snowdon

22-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The co-owner of Edinburgh’s The Palmerston on Hunan’s Michael Peng, Galicia and David Leclapart's L’Alchimiste 2009.

Relief for hospitality as rates relief extended, but operators left wanting by Autumn Statement

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Hospitality leaders have voiced frustration at the Chancellor’s failure to announce any additional support measures for the sector in his Autumn Statement, beyond those already in place.

Fash-grilled: Yahir Gonzalez

22-Nov-2023 By JamesMcAllister

The head chef at modern Mexican restaurant Zapote in Shoreditch on his dislike of truffle oil, a love of mole and Pokemon toasties.

Newt like it: Somerset property ranks number one on the Top 50 Boutique Hotels list

22-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Trendy Somerset venue The Newt has been named the best boutique hotel in the UK.

Victor Lugger: “There was way less interest in the business than I expected”

22-Nov-2023 By Stefan Chomka

Interest in Italian restaurant group Big Mamma fell short of expectations despite the company having a successful 10-year track record that has seen it open 23 restaurants in four countries, its co-founder has revealed.

Lessons from Wagamama: the power of design and the power of brand

22-Nov-2023 By Jon Blakeney

With its purchase of The Restaurant Group, US private equity giant Apollo has bought one of the UK's most inspirational casual dining brands.

Chancellor extends business rates discount for hospitality as he delivers Autumn Statement

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed that the business rates discount for hospitality businesses will be extended for a further year, with the multiplier for small premises also frozen.

'Macro pressures' force Neat Burger to halve its UK estate

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Neat Burger, the vegan fast food concept backed by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio, is to close half of its UK estate amid large-scale financial pressures.

Confidence in hospitality sector climbs again despite cost challenges and rates threat

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The optimism of Britain’s hospitality leaders has risen for the fourth quarter in a row, but they remain concerned about inflation in key inputs, and the challenge of business rates.

Pizza history: the original Franco Manca is relocating after 15 years

22-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The original Franco Manca pizzeria in London's Brixton Market is to close and relocate having finally outgrown its original location.

Sector pleads for support as leaders warn wage increase could be ‘death knell’ for many

22-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Industry leaders have warned an increase in the National Living Wage could be a ‘death knell’ for smaller hospitality businesses without targeted tax cuts in today’s (22 November) Autumn Statement.

Rosa’s Thai named Restaurant Group of the Year

22-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant groups Rosa’s Thai and Flat Iron were the big winners at the annual R200 Awards, which were held last night in London.

Chef Hira Thakur to oversee Nottingham’s Cleaver & Wake following the departure of Laurence Henry

22-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Hira Thakur is to lead the kitchen team at high-profile Nottingham restaurant Cleaver & Wake following the departure of Laurence Henry.

Birch’s Hertfordshire hotel closes suddenly - updated

21-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Birch’s Cheshunt hotel has closed suddenly following the company behind it being placed into administration.

Deliveroo riders are not employees, UK Supreme Court rules

21-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Deliveroo riders cannot be classed as ‘workers’ and cannot form unions, UK judges have ruled in a landmark decision.

Latest opening: Permit Room

21-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The team behind Dishoom is shaking things up with a cocktail-led spin-off in Brighton’s The Lanes.

Rudy’s Pizza to reach three London restaurants by end of the year

21-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Rudy’s Pizza will triple its presence in London next month with the opening of two new sites.

Delivery and takeaway sales grow for fifth consecutive month

21-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Delivery and takeaway sales at the country’s leading managed restaurant groups rose 5% year-on-year in October 2023, figures show.

Long read

Jamie Oliver: “This is a really important moment, and it means the world to me”

21-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The TV chef has assembled a team of familiar faces from his Barbecoa days to lead the opening of his highly anticipated return to London’s restaurant scene.

Subway set to introduce self-order kiosks into UK sites

20-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Subway is to introduce self-order kiosks into UK sites for the first time as it looks to enhance its digital experience.

Sophie Pascoe and Benito Martinez to open two Cardiff restaurants

20-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Cardiff restaurateurs Sophie Pascoe and Benito Martinez will open two restaurants at Lakeside’s Amber Vista development.

Tesco delists Cinnamon Kitchen retail range after a year

20-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Cinnamon Kitchen’s retail range has been axed by Tesco after little more than a year.

More details released for upcoming Mayfair restaurant Gaia

20-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

More details have been released for Gaia, the high-end Greek restaurant that is set to launch in Mayfair next month.

Which Wich makes another play for UK expansion

20-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

US-founded sandwich chain Which Wich is making another play for expansion across the UK through a newly launched sub-franchising model.

Phat Buns heads to Bayswater for debut London site

20-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Burger brand Phat Buns will open its first restaurant in the capital next month.

L’Enclume tops global restaurant ranking La Liste

20-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in The Lakes is one of seven restaurants to take the number one spot on La Liste’s Top 1,000 Restaurants.

Chris Boustead and Laura Christie to open Linden Stores 3.0 this month

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Restaurant, wine bar and shop Linden Stores will open in its third iteration later this month.

Crab shack LULA finds second Cornwall site

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Cornwall-based crab shack LULA will open a second venue next year having been forced to close its original restaurant earlier in the year.

The Lowdown: restaurant stars on reality TV

17-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

Food critic Grace Dent and maitre d' turned TV presenter Fred Sirieix are heading into the jungle for the latest series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Friday five: the week's top hospitality stories

17-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

This week's most read news stories include Jamie Oliver admitting the model of his now defunct Jamie's Italian chain was 'wrong from day one' and the impending closure of the Michelin-starred Pensons.

Latest opening: Paro

17-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Hitherto Brick Lane-based chef Niaz Caan has struck out on his own with an Indian restaurant in Covent Garden.

Natasha Sideris: “It's important to not come into a new market with arrogance”

17-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The South African restaurateur on bringing her eponymous Tashas brand to London and why it’s becoming harder to run restaurants in her home country.

Whyte Rushen launches crowdfund to support the opening of first permanent restaurant

17-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

The London-based chef known as Whyte Rushen has created a crowdfund to support the opening of his first permanent restaurant, which is set to launch next month in Hackney.

PizzaExpress joins Just Eat for Business

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

PizzaExpress has become the latest restaurant brand to join the Just Eat for Business platform.

Max Halley and Ethan Davids to open third pub

17-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Sandwich supremo Max Halley and publican Ethan Davids are opening their third pub together later this month.

Simon Rogan alumnus Tom Barnes to open Skof in Manchester next Spring

17-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Former Simon Rogan lieutenant and Roux Scholar Tom Barnes will open his debut solo restaurant next Spring.

Business leaders warn of 'disastrous’ consequences if business rates increase

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

A coalition of leading hospitality, retail and leisure organisations have written to the Chancellor urging him to freeze the business rates multiplier and extend existing reliefs for a further year at the upcoming Autumn Statement.

Pachamama Group to launch Effie in Bayswater

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The team behind London restaurant Pachamama, Chicama, and Zēphyr will open a new restaurant within the former Whiteleys shopping mall in Bayswater.

Uncorked: Eugenio Egorov

16-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The head sommelier at The Stafford London on Weingut Ignaz Niedrist, avoiding boring pairings and Argentine asado.

Roti King heads to Waterloo for third site

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Malaysian restaurant Roti King will open its third restaurant in the capital next month, in Waterloo.

Pensons to close citing ‘relentless inflationary pressure’

16-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Michelin-starred Worcestershire restaurant Pensons will close permanently this Christmas with its owner citing ‘relentless inflationary pressure’.

December train strikes set to ‘devastate’ hospitality trading

16-Nov-2023 By James McAllister

UKHospitality has warned that fresh train strikes planned for December by the Aslef union will ‘devastate trading’ for the sector and cost businesses up to £800m.

'Untraditionally British’ restaurant Treadwell to open at The Store in Oxford next spring

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

A new luxury hotel will open in Oxford next year that will be home to a restaurant, rooftop bar, and a coffee and cocktail venue.

Aldi to open pigs in blankets pop-up restaurant

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Aldi is opening a bottomless pigs in blankets restaurant in London this Christmas.

Zoilo chef Diego Jacquet launches Argentine-inspired pizza restaurant

16-Nov-2023 By Joe Lutrario

The Argentine chef behind Marylebone stalwart Zoilo has launched a pizza restaurant on Seymour Place.

Olive Tree Brasserie to open in Leeds

16-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Greek restaurant group Olive Tree Brasserie will open its fourth site this month, with the brand planning further expansion across the north.

The Gosling to open in Surrey this month

15-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

The duo behind The Swan in West Malling, Kent, will open The Gosling restaurant in Surrey later this month.

Aegean restaurant Sonya opens in Chelsea

15-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Turkish head chef Sercan Ugurlu and Bulgarian general manager Iskren Slavkov have opened Aegean restaurant Sonya in Chelsea.

The Halal Guys to open in north London

15-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

US-founded fast casual chain The Halal Guys will open a site in London’s Wood Green, bringing its estate in the capital back up to two sites.