West Midlands
Regional coverage of foodservice and hospitality activity across the West Midlands, with reporting from key areas such as Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and Solihull. This section highlights restaurant and pub openings, catering contracts, local supplier news, and policy developments affecting operators throughout the region. Designed for chefs, business owners, and F&B leaders, the content offers insight into trading conditions, investment trends, and consumer behaviour shaping the Midlands market.
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Sep- 2020 -21 SeptemberCoronavirus
Fewer than 5% of new transmissions linked to restaurants, PHE finds
4.7% of new incidents of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) were linked to food outlets and restaurants in the period between 7 August and 13 September, according to the latest surveillance report from Public Health England (PHE). It comes despite health secretary Matt Hancock telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that…
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Jul- 2020 -9 JulyCoronavirus
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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Feb- 2020 -7 FebruaryRestaurants
Fire tears through Pranzo restaurant in Birmingham
A fire which broke out at the Pranzo restaurant on Warwick Road, Birmingham, yesterday morning (6 February) has been extinguished. According to West Midlands Fire Service, the fire, which was located on the first floor of the property, was “confirmed as out”, and firefighters carried out checks for hotspots throughout…
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Jan- 2020 -15 JanuaryRestaurants
Fire breaks out at African Village restaurant in Birmingham
A fire which broke out at the African Village restaurant in Perry Barr, Birmingham, yesterday afternoon has been extinguished. Some 40 firefighters from West Midlands Fire service were in attendance at the height of the blaze. The service said one man was rescued from the burning building “by ladder from…
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Jun- 2019 -26 JunePubs and Bars
LXi acquires 14 Greene King Pubs
Investment company LXi REIT has acquired 14 Greene Kings Pubs, as part of a £135m bulk investment. The 14 pubs are located in Cheshire, Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Newcastle and County Durham. Each property has been let to Greene King with 15-year unexpired and unbroken lease terms and annual rent…
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Apr- 2019 -26 AprilPubs and Bars
Ei Group invests £3m in West Midlands pubs
Ei Group, has announced it has invested more than £3m in refurbishing its pubs across the West Midlands. Refurbishment projects include a £115,000 investment in The Denbigh Arms in Monks Kirby, which has seen both its interior and exterior refurbished, including an extension of its seating area. Denbigh Arms publicans,…
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Jan- 2019 -22 JanuaryAwards & Events
The Dining Room and Pétrus among latest Rosette Award winners
The AA has announced its latest Rosette Award winners, recognising restaurants with the highest culinary offerings in the UK. Three restaurants have been awarded four AA Rosettes, while a further 16 have been awarded three AA Rosettes. Restaurants honoured with four AA Rosettes are Old Downton Lodge (Ludlow, Shropshire), Roganic…
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Sep- 2018 -11 SeptemberBusiness
Number of licensed F&B businesses drops by 3000 in a year
Britain has 3,116 fewer restaurants, pubs, bars and other licensed premises than 12 months ago, according to the latest Market Growth Monitor, from CGA and AlixPartners. The report showed there were 119,800 licensed sites across the country in June 2018 – a fall of 2.5% since June 2017. On average,…
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Jul- 2018 -13 JulyAwards & Events
Young chef to compete in semifinals for Chef Stagiaire Award
A young chef from Park Regis Birmingham is set to compete in the semifinals of this year’s Chef Stagiaire Award, gaining the opportunity to cook at one of Birmingham’s top Michelin-starred eateries. Misha Ellaway, 24, will serve her menu of hibiscus macaroon with a foie gras ganache, lamb faggots with…
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