Southampton
Focused reporting on foodservice and hospitality developments across Southampton, including the city centre, Ocean Village, Bedford Place, and Portswood. This section highlights restaurant and pub openings, student and cruise-driven trade, waterfront dining trends, and local operational challenges. Designed for chefs, venue managers, and F&B professionals, it delivers insight into how businesses in this key South Coast hub adapt to seasonal footfall, mixed demographics, and the wider regional economy.
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Jul- 2025 -4 JulyFeatures
Loungefest: the day hospitality pauses to party
Ragley Hall was responsible for hosting “the biggest bash in hospitality” – Loungefest 2025 – earlier this month. By mid-morning, coaches carrying Lounge’s whole staff had begun arriving from Durham, Southampton, West Wales, and nearly every town in between. For all of Loungers’ people to participate, nearly 300 venues –…
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May- 2025 -15 MayFood and Drink
SSP signs deal to upgrade Southampton Airport F&B offering
SSP Group, an operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has agreed a new partnership with Southampton Airport to transform the airport’s food and beverage offer. The deal also strengthens SSP’s partnership with AGS Group, which owns multiple UK airports including Southampton and Glasgow Airport where the…
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13 MayCafes and Coffee Shops
Jamie Oliver Cafe and Cookery School opens at Oxford Street site
The flagship Jamie Oliver Cookery School and Jamie Oliver Cafe have officially opened their doors to customers for the first time at John Lewis Oxford Street. Spanning over 4,600 sq ft on the third floor of the store, the space includes two Cookery School classrooms and a 50-seat Jamie Oliver…
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Jan- 2025 -16 JanuaryCatering Companies
Searcys adds Gray’s Inn to its London portfolio
Searcys, one of the UK’s oldest event caterers, has welcomed Gray’s Inn to its portfolio of London venues. The group will be providing its catering services as a partner at The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn from January 2025. Gray’s Inn has a rich history dating back to the 14th…
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Nov- 2024 -29 NovemberNews
Pizza Express launches new grab and go concept in Southampton
Pizza Express has announced the launch of its Pizza Express Pod, located at Tesco Extra in Southampton. Positioned outside Tesco Extra’s main entrance, the Pizza Express pod allows customers to order and collect when on the move, ordering their meal from an open kitchen and collection window. Tesco Clubcard members…
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5 NovemberRestaurants
KFC to hire 700 permanent staff ahead of Christmas
KFC has announced plans to recruit over 700 new permanent staff to join the UK and Ireland’s leading chicken brand ahead of Christmas. Open to anyone eligible to work in the UK and Ireland, KFC is offering both part-time and full-time permanent roles at restaurants across the country – from…
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Oct- 2024 -8 OctoberRestaurants
D&D London owners complete TGIF acquisition
TGI Fridays has been acquired by D&D London owners Breal Capital and Calveton UK through its acquisition vehicle Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group Limited for an undisclosed sum. The sale, which is based on 51 restaurants, should secure the future of more than 2,000 jobs across those restaurants. Breal Capital…
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Aug- 2024 -16 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief – 16/08/24
WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen – an new own-brand café format – as the retailer found that food-to-go and meal deals are one of the key reasons customers come into stores. The first Smith’s Kitchen officially opened yesterday (15 August) in Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton. UKH Scotland has urged Edinburgh…
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16 AugustRestaurants
Taco Bell UK extends closing hours at select locations
Taco Bell UK has launched Encore Hours, a new initiative that will see closing hours get extended at select locations to cater to concertgoers. With current restaurant options closing as early as 10pm, Taco Bell said music fans often “face the tough choice of missing their favourite artists’ encore or…
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16 AugustFood and Drink
WHSmith rolls out café format amid food-to-go popularity
WHSmith has launched Smith’s Kitchen, a new own-brand café format that will offer dine-in and takeaway options, outside of travel locations. Smith’s Kitchen is the latest major food and drink launch this year, as WHSmith aims to expand its offering for customers and partners. According to the retailer, the new…
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