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.
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Jul- 2018 -4 July
BRC calls for two-year freeze on business rates
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has asked the government to consider freezing business rates for two years to ease the pressure on retailers. By proposing a two-year freeze on increases, the BRC said it would give time for the government and industry to develop a proposal for an updated taxation…
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3 July
Restaurant CVAs rise by 143% over six months
New research has found the number of restaurants entering a company voluntary agreement (CVA) has increased by 143% over the last six months compared with the previous period. Data analysed by law firm Linklaters shows that there were 12 CVAs in the first quarter of this year. This compares to…
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3 July
Pret A Manger launches new apprenticeship scheme
Pret A Manger has announced the launch of a new apprenticeship programme, offering candidates the opportunity to complete a fully funded undergraduate degree in Business Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. The chain claims that within four years of starting the apprenticeships, the students could be running their own Pret shop…
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3 July
‘Large restaurant chain’ using ‘too small’ pint glasses
An unnamed large restaurant chain has been found to have been serving pints in glasses that were “too small” following an investigation by Birmingham City Council. The restaurant was ordered to make a nationwide recall of the glasses after a large number were seized by investigators from Birmingham City Council…
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3 July
Fine and Country Inns launches second star site
Dining firm Fine and Country Inns has launched its eighth venue in its estate The Masons Arms in Thorpe Hesley, South Yorkshire after a £430,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs and Bars. The new pub, which is the second with Star Pubs and Bars, aims to specialise in meeting local demand…
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3 July
Personal information of job applicants leaked in Costa Coffee data breach
The parent company of Costa Coffee, Whitbread, has been the subject of a data breach which has seen personal information of job candidates exposed. A cyber attack was carried out on Whitbread’s recruitment agency, PageUp, potentially leaving data including home address, email address, telephone number, maiden name, date of birth,…
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3 July
FRC launches investigation into KPMG’s last Conviviality audit
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into the most recent audit by KPMG of the financial statements of Conviviality. The FRC is investigating the audit of the now defunct off-licence retailer that covered the 52 weeks ending 30 April 2017. The investigation will be conducted under the…
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3 July
UK’s top 100 restaurant groups’ debts increase by 19% in a year
The UK’s top 100 restaurant groups grew their collective debt pile by 19% in the last year, from £1.65bn to £1.96bn, according to new analysis. Accountancy group UHY Hacker Young says many restaurant chains are still increasing their borrowing in order to acquire and fit out new sites, even as…
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3 July
Hotel du Vin creates new gin suites with Slingsby Gin
Slingsby Gin and UK hotel chain Hotel du Vin have partnered to create a series of suites inspired by Slingsby’s gin and the 24 botanicals used to create it. The ‘Slingsby Ginspiration Suites’ aim to offer guests a one-of-a-kind hotel experience, with each element of the room – from the…
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3 July
Suffolk pub let to award-winning restaurateur
The Queens Head in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk has been let to local award-winning restaurateur, Ben Hutton, who currently operates Ben’s Restaurant, just four doors down from The Queens Head. Hutton’s food offering will focus on ‘Food to Fork’, ensuring that the meat is sourced locally from free range Suffolk…
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