Food and Drink

The latest news and updates on food, from the business journalists at Catering Today. We bring you the latest on what’s happening in the restaurants, bars and catering industry, with exclusive stories, analysis, best practice and industry comment.

Feb- 2025 -

21 February

Wine up and spirits down in flat fortnight for drinks sales

Drinks sales in the UK’s managed venues were level year-on-year for the seven days ended 1 February, according to data from CGA. However, drinks sales did see growth of 2% on both Friday 31 January and Saturday 1 February. This coincided with the start of the Six Nations rugby tournament…
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20 February

SimpsInns reopens Loans Inn after £200k refurb

SimpsInns, has reopened the doors to its restaurant and bar at The Loans Inn following a £200,000 makeover. An interior upgrade of the restaurant and bar has seen the venue transformed with mood lighting, muted plaid wallcoverings, statement artworks and mismatched furniture. Extensive works have also been completed to the…
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19 February

Roadchef to welcome new F&B brands at Folkestone Services

Roadchef has announced that a number of new brands, including McDonalds, Costa and WH Smith, will be arriving at Folkestone Services on the M20. The new on-site venues will be open 24/7 to offer round-the-clock access to food, drinks and shopping for travelers. Costa has benefited from additional upgrades such…
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18 February

D2 acquires Almost Famous

D2, the team behind Liverpool’s PINS Social Club, has announced that it has acquired burger restaurant Almost Famous. The group has acquired both the Manchester Northern Quarter and Liverpool sites, due to reopen Friday 21 and Monday 24 February respectively, and the Almost Famous branding. The deal has been led…
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13 February

Chopstix appoints Savills as advisors amid ‘significant’ expansion plans

Chopstix has appointed Savills as the sole advisory agent as it looks to significantly increase its existing 150-strong store portfolio. Following strategic investment in the brand from QSRP in October 2024, Chopstix has set out to accelerate growth across the UK and Europe. The brand plans to focus on high-traffic,…
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12 February

Market Halls Paddington to open in March

Market Halls has announced that it is set to launch its latest venture in Paddington on 3 March 2025. Spanning 11,000 square feet, Market Halls Paddington will feature eight food traders, two bars, an outdoor terrace, and communal seating for up to 355 guests inside and 130 outside. Ahead of…
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12 February

Northern hospitality outperforms south in 2024, NRB finds

The north of England has recorded a modest growth of 0.1% in licensed hospitality venues, while the south experienced a slight decrease of -0.2% in 2024, according to the latest data from Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) and CGA by NielsenIQ. Having tracked a wide range of pubs, bars, restaurants…
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7 February

Claridge’s Bakery names executive baker ahead of summer opening

Claridge’s Bakery has announced that chef and baker, Richard Hart, has been appointed executive baker and creative director ahead of its official opening later this summer. Located on Brook’s Mews, Mayfair, Claridge’s Bakery will launch with a British-focused menu of classics including bloomers and granary loaves, as well as jam…
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7 February

Foodservice prices rise 1% in December as inflation concerns mount

Foodservice prices rose by 1% from November to December – the highest monthly jump since June 2024 – raising fears of renewed price pressures for the UK’s hospitality sector. While year-on-year inflation dropped to 1.9% in the final month of 2024, the latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing…
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5 February

Nightcap acquires Brighton’s i360 Tower and hospitality venue

Nightcap has announced the acquisition of Brighton’s i360 Tower, following a decision by Brighton and Hove City Council to release the debt in support of the landmark’s future under the hospitality operator’s management. This means that the acquisition has been completed free of debt and any historic liabilities, allowing a…
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