Solihull

Regional coverage of hospitality and foodservice activity across Solihull and its key areas including Shirley, Knowle, and the town centre. Tracks pubs, restaurant openings and closures, café launches, and venue refurbishments influenced by retail redevelopment, commuter patterns, and affluent residential growth. Also includes reporting on staffing dynamics, local licensing decisions, and business support initiatives shaping operational resilience. Designed for chefs, operators, pub managers, and catering professionals running venues across this dynamic West Midlands borough.

Sep- 2022 -

2 September

Restaurants

The Fulham Shore reports resilient trading despite disruption

The Fulham Shore has revealed its trading remains “resilient and running in line with management expectations” despite train disruption and the rise in the cost of living. As part of its recent AGM, the group said that during the current financial year ending March 2023, the group has opened nine…
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Jul- 2020 -

9 July

Coronavirus

Arrest over suspected furlough fraud

A West Midlands man has been arrested as part of an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation into a suspected £495,000 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) fraud. HMRC officers executed a search warrant yesterday (8 July 2020) in the Solihull area and arrested the 57-year-old. This is the first arrest…
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May- 2020 -

14 May

Cafes and Coffee Shops

M&S Cafés begin to reopen for takeaway

Marks and Spencer has revealed plans to reopen 49 café locations across the UK today (14 May). The local cafés will be opening for takeaway hot drinks only, and the chosen locations to open are all based on the café being located next to the in-store Foodhall – meaning customers…
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Oct- 2019 -

31 October

Restaurants

Jacques Restaurant announces new opening in Solihull

Jacques restaurant has announced a new opening in Solihull in March 2020. Chef Jacques Van Der Merwe and his team have purchased a venue situated in the town centre of Solihull, and claim it is “investing several million pounds creating a beautiful and illustrious new upmarket dining venue.” Van Der…
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Jul- 2019 -

29 July

Catering Companies

Wilson Vale wins £400,000 contract

Catering provider Wilson Vale has won a £400,000 contract to provide services to property investment firm IM Group. After a successful opening, the caterer will provide breakfast, lunch, coffee bar and “extensive hospitality” services at the new site. Some 14 caterers applied during the tender process, which is valued at…
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May- 2019 -

3 May

Pubs and Bars

Ei Group launches electric vehicle charging scheme

Pub company, Ei Group has announced it is installing electric vehicle charge points at its Pub Support Centre in Solihull and across its Ei Managed Operations business. The move comes as the group looks to reduce the carbon footprint of the wider business and in response to the increasing number…
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