News
The News section on Catering Today delivers the latest updates and developments across the UK hospitality and catering industry. Covering restaurants, pubs, quick service brands, and catering groups, it reports on company announcements, market performance, government policy, and sector-wide trends. With a focus on commercial and operational impact, Catering Today’s news coverage keeps hospitality professionals informed of the events and decisions shaping business conditions and strategic opportunities across the sector.
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May- 2024 -10 May
Pubs sales up 16.8% in wake of bank holiday weekend
Transactions at pubs, bars and clubs reached a 2024-high on Saturday 4 May, as the sunny weather and bank holiday weekend encouraged Brits to make a trip to their local area, according to Barclays Consumer Spend data. Transactions were up 16.8% in comparison to the previous Saturday, and 2.5x as…
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10 May
Greggs opens 2,500th shop in five-year growth plan
Greggs has announced the opening of its 2,500th shop, hitting a “significant” milestone in its estate expansion strategy. This comes as, in 2021, the group launched its five-year growth plan, which outlined its ambition to reach over 3,000 shops across the UK in the long-term. For the rest of 2024…
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9 May
Today’s news in brief – 09/05/24
Brewdog co-founder and CEO James Watt will step down after 17 years in charge. He informed the board of his decision last year and will be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, James Arrow. He will still own 21% of the company and will hold the newly created title…
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9 May
Brewdog CEO steps down
Brewdog co-founder and CEO James Watt has announced that he is set to step down after 17 years in charge. He informed the board of his decision last year and will be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer James Arrow. He will still own 21% of the company and…
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9 May
Pubs granted extended hours for Euros
The government has announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open till 1am should either England or Scotland make the semi finals of this summer’s European Championship. The decision will only cover venues in England and Wales as Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own licensing laws. Home Secretary…
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9 May
Piccolino restaurant to open in Marlow
Italian restaurant Piccolino has announced that it is opening a new location in Marlow this month. Opening on 20 May, guests will be greeted by Italian chic interiors and Piccolino’s exclusive menu. Run by privately owned restaurant group, Individual Restaurants, the new Piccolino will seat up to 160 guests in…
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9 May
Metropolis to open new site in Vauxhall
Metropolis London, a brand-new multi-faceted food and entertainment space, is set to open its doors in Vauxhall at Albert Embankment’s Railway Arches at the end of May. The 8,000 sq ft venue across two arches features a line-up of 11 local street-food vendors alongside a standalone bar and live events…
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9 May
Chopstix opens latest Welcome Break site
Chopstix has opened its latest site at Welcome Break Woodall Southbound Services on the M1, as it continues to invest in roadside locations. This opening marks its fourth site with the motorway service area (MSA) operator in the past six months. The new Welcome Break location is also the 17th…
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8 May
Today’s news in brief – 08/05/24
JD Wetherspoon expects top-line of profit guidance as like-for-like sales rose by 5.2% in Q1, with year-to-date sales rising 8.3% despite this year’s bank holiday (6 May) being a week later. The company had opened two pubs and either sold or surrendered to the landlord a total of 18 “smaller…
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8 May
Hospitality closures slow in Q1
Closures in Britain’s hospitality sector slowed from eight sites a day in 2023 to four a day in the first quarter of 2024, according to data from CGA. The sector saw a 0.4% decline in total numbers between the start of January and the end of March, the third smallest…
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