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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Sep- 2025 -2 September
Heston Blumenthal calls for more gov action to save British pubs
Chef Heston Blumenthal has urged government and licensees to act to halt the closure of pubs across the UK, warning that the “Great British pub” is under threat from rising costs and changing social habits. More than one pub a day closed in the first half of 2025, according to…
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2 September
Market Place launches first loyalty scheme across all traders
Market Place Food Hall has launched its first loyalty programme enabling customers to earn and redeem rewards across all of its traders on a single card. The scheme, called MP Munch, began in April at Market Place St Paul’s and has signed up more than 10,000 members in its first…
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2 September
Vacant licensed venue in Helensburgh sold to Amber Taverns
Christie and Co has announced the sale of a vacant licensed property in Helensburgh to pub company Amber Taverns, for an undisclosed amount. Located on James Street in the town centre, the property previously operated as a successful bar and restaurant, formerly known as ‘The Loggie Baird’ until its closure…
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2 September
Contract caterers’ sales rise 8% in Q2
Contract caterers saw sales and outlets “sharply” rise by 8% in the second quarter of 2025, according the latest Contract Catering Tracker from CGA by NIQ, Bidfood and UKHospitality. This continued a “long run of growth” in every quarter since mid-2021, when caterers began to recover from the pandemic. After…
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2 September
Thomas Franks boss joins AHA advisory board
Frank Bothwell, founder and chief executive of catering firm Thomas Franks, has joined the advisory board of the Accessible Hospitality Alliance (AHA). The appointment follows Bothwell’s participation in the inaugural AHA Forum earlier this year and discussions with co-founders Robin Sheppard and Denis Sheehan. Thomas Franks employs more than 3,000…
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1 September
Hospitality like-for-like sales remain flat in July
Britain’s top pub, bar and restaurant groups continued to see sales flatline over summer with a fractional year-on-year drop of 0.1% in like-for-like sales in July, according to the latest data from CGA. It comes after level sales in June and a drop of 1.0% in May meaning sales have…
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1 September
Domino’s UK launches £20m share buyback
Domino’s UK has launched a £20m share buy-back programme, as the group reaffirmed its full-year forecast and said it was “confident” in the group’s prospects. The pizza chain said the move will enable it to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase shares in “meaningful size” at their current share…
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1 September
Dave’s Hot Chicken to open 180 restaurants across Europe
Dave’s Hot Chicken has agreed a deal with Azzurri Group to roll out 180 restaurants in 10 countries across Europe. Dave’s Hot Chicken was founded in Los Angeles in 2017 by Arman Oganesyan, chef Dave Kopushyan and brothers Tommy and Gary Rubenyan. It began as a parking lot pop-up before…
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1 September
Moto Hospitality appoints new chief operating officer
Moto Hospitality has appointed Noel Collett as its new chief operating officer, effective 29 September 2025. Collett has more than 30 years’ experience in retail and hospitality. He was previously chief operating officer for the UK and Ireland at SSP Group, the transport hub food and beverage operator, and earlier…
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Aug- 2025 -29 August
Former WH Smith exec delays Greggs role amid accounting error
The former finance chief of WH Smith has delayed joining the Greggs board following news of an accounting error and investigation into an overstatement of WH Smith’s finances. According to Greggs, he has requested his appointment as a non-executive director be delayed until the investigation is completed. Moorhead, who stepped…
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