Kent
Coverage explores hospitality and foodservice activity across this key South East region, including restaurant and pub openings, local supply partnerships, tourism-driven trade, and independent operator growth. Reporting provides insights for businesses navigating seasonal demand, commuter town dynamics, and rural-urban market opportunities in one of the UK’s most diverse regional economies.
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Jul- 2022 -20 JulyPubs and Bars
Shepherd Neame acquires Bournemouth bar Urban Reef
Shepherd Neame, an independent brewery and pub operator based in Faversham, has expanded its estate with the acquisition of Urban Reef, a bar and restaurant based in Bournemouth. Located next to the beach on Boscombe Promenade, Urban Reef opened in 2009 and is a two-storey venue comprising a bar, café,…
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Jun- 2022 -29 JunePubs and Bars
Shepherd Neame sales rise 13%
Shepherd Neame has revealed its retail sales grew 13% year-on-year for the six weeks ending 25 June 2022, compared with the same period last year when indoor trading was allowed again on 17 May 2021. Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer and owner and operator of 299 pubs in Kent…
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24 JuneRestaurants
Canteen Collective launches £400,000 investment round to aid expansion
Canteen Collective, a hospitality group with a focus on sustainability, has launched a £400,000 investment round to “help drive forward its ambitious growth plans”. The London-headquartered business, which is on target to turnover £2.5m this year, has said it is set to more than double its revenues by 2025 as…
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7 JuneCatering Companies
Q Catering appoints new MD
Q Catering has announced the appointment of Steve Clarke as its new managing director, with aims to drive the company to annual turnover of £20m by 2030. The Sittingbourne-based firm plans to increase its healthy ingredient options and plant-based ranges. It currently provides to over 830 businesses across the UK…
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Feb- 2022 -22 FebruaryPubs and Bars
Shepherd Neame appoints new pub MD
Shepherd Neame has appointed Jonathon Swaine as its new managing director of pubs. The brewery described Swaine as an “experienced, proven operator” in the hospitality and pub sector. Prior to the last three years as managing director of Retail at the Rank Group Plc, he has spent the majority of…
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Jan- 2022 -5 JanuaryFood and Drink
Burger King acquires 12 franchise restaurants
BKUK, the franchisee for Burger King in the UK, has agreed to acquire 12 new restaurants from existing franchise partners. The acquisition of all the BKUK restaurants operated by franchise companies, Kaykem Fast Foods Limited and Saxby, will increase the BKUK direct-owned portfolio to 172 restaurants. The acquisition will add…
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Oct- 2021 -28 OctoberFood and Drink
Stuart Gillies launches new restaurant and bar in Sevenoaks
Chef Stuart Gillies has announced the launch of a new restaurant and bar, Number Eight, set to launch January 2022 in Sevenoaks, Kent. Co-owned by Stuart and his wife Cecilia, Number Eight will be a family run business, occupying an “impressive” 16th Century corner site opening up onto a courtyard…
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May- 2021 -17 MayPubs and Bars
Shepherd Neame to recruit more than 300 new staff members
Shepherd Neame has revealed that it will be bolstering its team by recruiting more than 300 new members as it prepares to reopen its entire estate in the next few weeks. The Faversham-based brewer and pub company has a total of 312 pubs and hotels, of which 65 are managed…
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Apr- 2021 -26 AprilFeatures
Refugee to rising restaurant star
“I arrived in England on the back of a lorry,” says Sohail Ahmad as he reflects on his journey to the UK. His delivery may come across as blunt, but this is the best way the upcoming restaurateur and boxer can describe an experience that many adults would be unable…
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Nov- 2020 -26 NovemberCoronavirus
New Tier system announced
The Government has announced a new Tier system for when England leaves lockdown on 2 December, with only areas in Tier 1 allowed to revert back to the ‘rule of six’. Making the announcement to the House of Commons, health secretary Matt Hancock revealed that the new Tier 3 restrictions…
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