News

The latest industry news 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.

Mar- 2020 -

11 March

Bank of England cuts interest rates to help combat coronavirus impact

The Bank of England has cut UK interest rates back down to the lowest level in history to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy. The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, announced the 50 basis point (0.5 percentage point) reduction, from 0.75% to…
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11 March

Shepherd Neame welcomes ‘strong’ performance as profits hit £8m

Shepherd Neame has announced that underlying operating profit increased by 1.1% to £8m in its half-year results. In the 26 weeks ended 28 December 2019, turnover also rose by 3.3% to £79m, while underlying profit before tax was up 4.8% to £6.2m. Its 69 managed sites achieved a “solid” performance,…
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11 March

Heavenly Desserts opens first London site in Stratford

“Luxury” dessert dining brand, Heavenly Desserts, has announced the opening of its new Stratford site, situated at the International Quarter London (IQL). The new site will be Heavenly Desserts first-ever London location, and will deliver its range of sweet treats, which include Belgian waffles and luxury cheesecakes. The restaurant will…
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10 March

20 Stories appoints Mike Jennings as executive head chef

Michelin-trained Chef, Mike Jennings, has been announced as the new executive head chef at Manchester’s 20 Stories restaurant. The restaurant said Jennings will bring a different take on the “iconic” 20 Stories menu introducing his Grilled Mackerel and Beetroot Salad, Whole Dover Sole with Brown Shrimp Butter and Burnt Lemon,…
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10 March

Domino’s Pizza appoints Matt Shattock as director and chairman

Domino’s Pizza has announced the appointment of Matt Shattock as director and chairman, with effect from 16 March. Shattock will also be a member of the remuneration committee and chairman of the nomination committee. He currently holds the position of non-executive chairman of spirits company, Beam Suntory, which he has…
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10 March

Priory Inns North West takes on tenth site

Priory Inns North West announced it has taken on its tenth site, The Big Lock in Middlewich, alongside Star Pubs and Bars. The Warrington-based operator will now undertake a joint £480k refurbishment of the site with the pub company. It marks the third joint investment between both groups. The move,…
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10 March

UKHospitality calls for business support to deal with coronavirus threat

Hospitality businesses need “immediate and wide-ranging support” to deal with the threat of the coronavirus, UKHospitality has said. The body, which represents 700 businesses, has written to the prime minister highlighting the impact of COVID-19 “already being felt by businesses around the country”. UKHospitality said hotel occupancy has fallen 15%,…
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9 March

Michelin-starred operator Atul Kochhar to open new Marlow site

Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar has acquired the Villa D’este restaurant in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The restaurant has been owned and operated by Fabio Terrinoni since the mid 80s, and he has taken the decision to sell the business to focus on his other restaurant in Henley-on-Thames. Kochhar reportedly plans to follow…
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9 March

Confidence at restaurants and pubs hit by coronavirus and new immigration rules

Confidence among the bosses of Britain’s pub and restaurant groups has been “fractured” by the double whammy of coronavirus and the Government’s new immigration policy, according to a new poll by the CGA. A snap survey of close to 100 bosses, from small entrepreneurial operations up to the big corporates,…
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9 March

The Old Coastguard hotel reopens restaurant following fire

West Cornwall-based The Old Coastguard hotel has announced the reopening of its restaurant and bar, following a blaze in June last year. The restaurant and bar will be open from Friday 20 March with drinks for locals from 3pm – 5pm and dinner from 6pm in the restaurant. Amid the…
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