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News is hard to keep track of in this day and age and we know your time is precious so we’ve compiled a list of the top hospitality stories you shouldn’t miss this month.
1. Rates rise bad for business
With new business rates set to come into effect at the beginning of April there’s still much discussion regarding the affect it will have on pubs and restaurants, especially those located on the high street. Some operators will face a hefty 42% increase in their rates, which has forced companies to take action. Brands including Pizza Express, Greene King, Wagamama and Slug & Lettuce have all written to Chancellor Philip Hammond asking him to rethink the plan. Small businesses will also be affected with 36% expected to see an increase from April first, many owners are considering closing down or selling their business due to the increase. Analysts have said intervention is unlikely to change the governments mind but that won’t stop people talking about the topic for the coming month.
2. What’s in store for Be at One
Founded in 1998 by three former TGI Friday’s bartenders, popular cocktail chain Be at One operates 31 bars across the UK with 17 of those in London. It was recently reported that owners of the brand are exploring a potential £60million sale. AlixPartners have been appointed to oversee the process which officially began in February with information sent out to respective banks and investors. The sale comes at an interesting time after the group reported record trading figures over the festive period, with total sales increasing by a huge 30% between 1st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Though Be at One has so far declined to comment staff, regulars and industry professionals will be interested in the future of the bars.
3. Wetherspoon pubs to display drink calories
This month JD Wetherspoon is becoming the first pub chain in the country to add calorie information for all drinks to its menus and website. The information will become available from the 8th of March across all 900 Wetherspoon pubs in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The demand for nutritional information has grown over recent years and Wethersoon chairman Tim Martin said he wanted to give customers as much information as possible so they can make informed decisions about the food and drink they enjoy. Consumers will soon be able to see that a pint of Stella has 227 calories while a Hardy’s chardonnay has 178 calories. Other pubs are expected to follow suit but they may just wait and see how the new calorie count affects sales before doing so.
4. Dabbous is closing its doors
Critically Acclaimed London restaurant Dabbous recently announced it would be closing this year as the team focus on a new project launching in late 2017 or early 2018. Dabbous opened in 2012 and quickly gained a reputation for great food, earning a Michelin star only eight months after opening. Bookings were being made a year in advance and the restaurant had to hire someone just to answer the phones. Currently bookings are being taken until June so make sure you don’t miss out on dining at this iconic restaurant. Co-owners Ollie Dabbous and Oskar Kinberg have said their next restaurant will have a completely different identity and is likely to have a separate bar and restaurant. In the meantime, we will be keeping our ears tuned for the opening details.
5. Thai restaurant chain opening in London
Set to open this month in London’s China Town is Thai restaurant chain Hot Pot. The international expansion of the brand is being pushed by a subsidiary of the Thai Factory Development group which acquired a 10% stake in the business late last year. Currently the brand operates 140 sites and hopes to expand across the UK and into Europe. Traditionally Hot Pot is an activity where family and friends get together to enjoy each others company so the first London site has been designed with that in mind. The venue will have loads of booths, seating from 4 to 10 people as well lots of large tables. Sneak peaks of the menu include a spicy Mala Sichian broth and the customary Tom Yum. So who’s joining us for dinner?
