Essex
Regional coverage of foodservice and hospitality activity across one of the UK’s most dynamic counties, highlighting restaurant and pub openings, catering growth, local supply chains, and tourism-driven trade. With a focus on key areas such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend, Brentwood, and the wider commuter belt, this section delivers insight for operators managing sites in high-footfall town centres, coastal locations, and rural hospitality venues navigating both opportunity and competition.
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Dec- 2023 -15 DecemberNews
Today’s news in brief – 15/12/23
Some 61% of hospitality leaders plan to adopt new tech solutions in the coming year, CGA and Fourth have found. The study highlighted staff scheduling as a top benefit, recognized by 55% of leaders, followed by payroll and onboarding support. This investment is seen to enhance productivity (81%) and boost…
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15 DecemberPubs and Bars
McManus Pub Company sells four pubs to Valiant Pub Co
McManus Pub Company has announced that it has sold four pubs in Northampton to Valiant Pub Co. The properties sold include The Lord Byron, The Fox and Hounds, The Golden Horse and The Foundrymans Arms. McManus has taken this decision to “reduce its liabilities and establish more solid foundations for…
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Jun- 2023 -23 JuneRestaurants
Wingstop UK to open new Chelmsford branch
Wingstop UK will be opening the doors to its first restaurant in Chelmsford at Grey’s Brewery Yard on Monday 26 June, marking the group’s 34th site in the UK. The new branch will be Wingstop’s second in Essex and adding to its over 2,000 branches globally. The restaurant will be…
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8 JuneCatering Companies
Former HCI president Paul Foulger dies age 85
Paul Foulger, former president of the Institute of Hospitality and former head of catering and employee services at Sainsbury has died at 85. Foulger joined the Hotel and Catering Institute (HCI) back in 1953, 18 years before the HCI merged with the Institutional Management Association (IMA) to form the HCIMA,…
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May- 2023 -16 MayRestaurants
Wingstop to open first site in Wales
Wingstop has announced the launch of its first site in Wales, at Brewery Quarter, Cardiff, on 29 May, making this Wingstop’s 33rd site in the UK and creating 66 new jobs with the opening. The new restaurant has also partnered with local DJ’s and up-and-coming artists offering them the platform…
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12 MayFood and Drink
Badiani Gelato to open branches in Essex and Brighton
Gelato brand Badiani has announced it is expanding with new openings in Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex this May and Duke Street, Brighton, in June. The new Essex branch will be the chain’s first location outside of London and will officially open on Friday 26 May, while the Brighton site will…
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Nov- 2022 -10 NovemberFeatures
Andy Lambert: ‘the perfect local restaurant’
Can you tell us a little bit about your career leading up to becoming head chef at the Bistro Union? I’ve been cooking professionally since I was 21, but if you’d asked me what I wanted to be when I was a young boy, I’d have said a chef. I…
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Sep- 2022 -26 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Scratch Consultancy expands lease with Star Pubs and Bars
Business consultancy company, Scratch Consultancy, has taken the lease on its second site with Star Pub and Bars, The Compasses in Chelmsford, with aspirations to build an estate of five pubs across Essex and North Kent with the pub and bar operator. The two companies will undertake a joint £250k…
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7 SeptemberFeatures
Pubs and the unsustainable rise in costs
It is estimated that seven in 10 pubs believe they will not survive the rising cost of living and increasing energy bills, according to the Morning Advertiser. A further 8% of pubs said they had an increase in utility costs of more than 500% and 65% had an increase of…
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5 SeptemberPubs and Bars
Wagamama and Turtle Bay sign 15-year leases at The Brewery
Restaurant brands Wagamama and Turtle Bay have secured lettings at The Brewery in Romford, Essex, through a recently-acquired prime supermarket anchored, retail warehouse and leisure scheme by Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (SCREF). Wagamama will move into a 3,478 sq ft unit in the shopping centre on a 15-year…
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