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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Aug- 2022 -31 AugustPeople
Down Hall appoints new executive chef
Down Hall Hotel, Spa and Estate in Essex has announced the appointment of Robert Pearce as the venue’s new executive chef. In his new role, Pearce will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s entire culinary operations, including the modern British restaurant, Garden Room, and the brand new Fox Bar. With…
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Jul- 2022 -29 JulyBusiness
Shepherd Neame acquires three Essex pubs
Independent brewer and pub operator, Shepherd Neame, has continued the expansion of its estate with the acquisition of three Essex pubs on a freehold basis. The acquisitions include The Bellhouse in Leigh-on-Sea, The Exchange in Southend-on-Sea and The Hamlet Court in Westcliff-on-Sea. All three properties were previously part of the…
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May- 2022 -12 MayFood and Drink
Popeyes doubles up in Essex with new Romford restaurant
Popeyes UK is opening its second restaurant in Essex with the new Romford site set to open on Saturday 11 June 2022, seating up to 72 guests. The Romford restaurant marks the brand’s third site in the country, following the announcement of a Chelmsford location and the launch of its…
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Apr- 2022 -4 AprilRestaurants
Popeyes opens first standalone UK site
Popeyes UK, the master franchise for the United Kingdom, is set to open its first standalone, sit-down restaurant in the UK in Chelmsford, shortly following its Westfield Stratford opening. Menu items already available at the Stratford restaurant will be offered at the standalone site, including Popeyes’ 12-hour marinated chicken and…
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Sep- 2021 -7 SeptemberPeople
Tom Kerridge Group confirms three head chef appointments
The Tom Kerridge Group has announced a slew of head chef appointments in various sites across the UK. First, it has appointed Tom De Keyser as the new head chef of The Hand and Flowers in Marlow, the UK’s only two-Michelin starred pub. Prior to the appointment, De Keyser was…
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Mar- 2021 -26 MarchCafes and Coffee Shops
23.5 Degrees opens 80th Starbucks site
Starbucks’ first UK franchised business partner, 23.5 Degrees, has announced it will open its 80th store today, 26 March in King’s Lynn, Norfolk. The opening is part of an “ambitious expansion programme” for 23.5 Degrees, which has a “strong pipeline” of approved stores and plans to reach 300 stores by…
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Dec- 2020 -16 DecemberNews
Restaurants face increased food wastage in Tier 3
The new tiered restrictions in London, Essex and Hertfordshire could see millions of pounds worth of food and drinks get thrown away, according to The Guardian. Kate Nicholls, chief executive for UKHospitality, told the paper that as with previous short-notice lockdowns, the new tiered restrictions will cause a “glut of…
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15 DecemberCoronavirus
Tier 3 restrictions will see 1,250 pubs close, BBPA says
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has said that the government’s decision to put parts of London and the South East into Tier 3 restrictions will force 1,250 pubs to close. It follows an announcement by UK health secretary Matt Hancock which stated that as of Wednesday (16 December),…
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15 DecemberNews
Tier 3 will cause rise in business failures, UKH warns
UKHospitality has warned businesses will be pushed towards failure and more jobs will be put at risk as a result of the government’s announcement to move London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire into Tier 3 this week. The trade body said that the government’s tier system places an “unfair,…
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Oct- 2020 -19 OctoberCoronavirus
Wales announces ‘firebreak’ lockdown
The Welsh government has announced a two-week “firebreak” national lockdown, which will force business closures across the country from 23 October at 6pm until Monday 9 November. According to BBC News, first minister Mark Drakeford said the “time-limited firebreak” will be “a short, sharp, shock to turn back the clock,…
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