Today’s news in brief – 18/09/24

Comptoir Group has seen its loss after tax widen to £1.7m in H1, despite reporting a revenue rise of 7.4% to £15.9m. Adjusted EBITDA loss before highlighted items also widened to £0.6m from £0.3m a year earlier. The group has attributed its mounting losses to its sustained restaurant opening programme. 

The rate of inflation remained steady at 2.2% in August, unchanged since July, yet is still above the Bank of England’s target of 2%. It follows downward contributions from hotels and restaurants, with costs in the segment falling to 4.4% in the month, down from 4.9% in the year to July, marking the lowest rate since July 2021.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games can promote Glasgow Hospitality on the world stage, says UKH Scotland. This comes after it was announced that Glasgow will host the event, as the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting due to cost concerns. Glasgow will be hosting the Commonwealth Games for the second time in just over a decade. 

UKH has claimed that new packaging rules will be a “double penalty” for the industry. It has stated that in many hospitality businesses, packaging deemed as household waste will actually never make it out of a venue and will be disposed of commercially. In response to these proposed rules, the UK has sent a letter to Steve Reed, the Defra Secretary of State.

Urban Pubs and Bars has opened The Wren Tavern, a tribute to Sir Christopher Wren. The London pub on Watling Street features a whiskey lounge and a speakeasy cocktail bar called 5cc in the basement. Meanwhile the downstairs speakeasy will serve up classic cocktails with a twist.