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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Aug- 2018 -2 August
Mitchells and Butlers reports 0.4% sales increase as food businesses take a hit
Pub, bar and restaurant operator Mitchells and Butlers has reported a like-for-like total sales increase of 0.4% in its year-to-date financial results, as its food-led businesses experienced a poor performance. Like-for-like sales for the 11-week period grew by 0.9% with the group saying it had “very strong performances” in its…
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2 August
Blind Tiger Inns undertakes £75,000 investment with Star Pubs and Bars
North west community pub operator Bind Tiger Inns is taking over the lease of The Rose and Crown in Chorley and undertaking a £75,000 investment with Star Pubs and Bars. The pub will be Blind Tiger Inns’ 13th site and it already has a reputation for live music, cask ale…
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1 August
Nirvana Brewery launches two new low alcohol and vegan beers
Nirvana Brewery, the UK-based brewery dedicated to low and alcohol-free craft beers, has launched two new no alcohol and vegan beverages. The company launched Ananda Buchabeer, which is a combination of Nirvana’s signature Tantra Pale Ale and Kombucha. It also released Zen and Berries, made in collaboration with the London…
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1 August
Ed Baines’ ‘Randell and Aubin’ restaurant for sale
TV chef Ed Baines’ ‘Randell and Aubin’ restaurant in Manchester has been listed for sale with a lease price of £80,000 per year. The seafood restaurant was opened in late 2017 in an attempt to replicate the success of Randell and Aubin’s Soho branch which has been a staple of…
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1 August
Food operators hit by 75% heatwave vegetable price hike
Food operators face a price increase of up to 75% for high quality root vegetables, due to the recent heatwave and drought. Purchasing company Beacon has reported that vegetables have been shrinking in size and reducing in quantity, resulting in the price hike. Insight from Beacon supplier Ribble Farm has…
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1 August
Wetherspoon’s to cut all prices by 7.5% for ‘Tax Equality Day’
Wetherspoons has announced it is to cut all of its prices by 7.5% on Wednesday 20 September as part of ‘Tax Equality Day’. The day aims to highlight the benefits of reducing VAT in the hospitality industry. Pubs are currently charged 20% VAT, compared with supermarkets which benefit from zero-rate…
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Jul- 2018 -31 July
McDonald’s to trial brewed ‘barista coffee’
McDonald’s is to trial ‘barista coffee’ in two of its London restaurants with a view to rolling it out nationally. The branches in St Paul’s and Oxford Street will employ baristas who will brew coffee as opposed to using a machine as McDonald’s currently does. McDonald’s has previously been scathing…
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31 July
Late-night customers account for 83% of British foodservice growth
British people visit food or beverage outlets 257 million times between midnight and 7am every year, according to new figures. The data, released by market research firm, The NPD Group, for the year ending May 2018 suggested that the growing demand for late-night and early morning food and beverages consumed…
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31 July
Star Pubs and Bars doubles outdoor investment
Star Pubs and Bars has announced that it is investing £6m this year in revamping the exteriors of its pubs to enhance their kerb appeal and increase external covers. The investment is double that of 2017 and is expected to benefit 260 pubs. Over 60% of the funds are being…
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31 July
Samuel Smith Brewery fined for not providing pension details
One of Yorkshire’s oldest breweries, Samuel Smith and its chairman Humphrey Smith, has been fined £27,990 for failing to hand over information to The Pensions Regulator (TPR). TPR asked for information about Samuel Smith Old Brewery’s financial position in 2015 to determine whether the brewery was earning enough to support…
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