Post-Budget fallout looms over UK insolvency reprieve

Hospitality endures sluggish October growth despite licensed premises rise

The UK’s leading hospitality groups achieved overall year-on-year sales growth of just 0.6% in October 2024, despite an increase in new openings recorded last month.

Hospitality in resurgence after 'easing financial pressure' buoys consumer confidence

A new survey by Lumina Intelligence has revealed promising signs of a modest recovery in the UK on-trade, with both consumer spend and frequency of visits rising in October 2024.

UK government increases number of alcohol licenses despite post-budget concerns

The UK’s ailing hospitality sector is showing modest signs of recovery, with the number of licensed premises increasing for a second successive quarter and 661 net new openings in the third quarter of 2024.

Zum Barbarossa

Launching this month, Zum Barbarossa is Soho’s newest speakeasy, offering an intimate underground cocktail experience. The drinks menu is the centrepiece, with expertly crafted cocktails such as the Spicy Rose Paloma, Hot Honey Highball and Tommy’s Spicy Mezcalita. Other highlights include the Banana & Pineapple Daiquiri and the rich Zespresso Martini. Each drink has been designed by top mixologists to provide bold and exciting flavours, while the refined small plates, including caviar and dressed oysters, complement the drinks offering. In this atmospheric basement venue, the focus is squarely on delivering an exceptional cocktail experience.

Dramatic wage inflation heightens post-Budget blues

New data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that average weekly earnings in the food and accommodation sector continue to spiral, exacerbating the financial woes of hospitality businesses nationwide.

Cahoots Postal Office

Opened in October, Cahoots Postal Office in Borough Yards takes visitors on a 1940s-themed cocktail journey in an old-fashioned post office setting. Signature drinks – such as Par Avion featuring Grey Goose vodka, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered made with Bombay Sapphire gin – are served through a unique pneumatic tube system that delivers cocktails directly to tables. The playful, interactive experience is aimed at cocktail enthusiasts seeking an immersive and theatrical venue in one of London’s historic locations.

Vagabond Wines appoints new MD

Vagabond Wines has appointed Christobell Giles as its new MD, signalling a new era for the wine bar business after it was rescued by Majestic out of administration earlier this year.

Hospitality ramps up range rationalisation in response to growing costs

Nearly a quarter of hospitality operators have changed the routes-to-market of their drinks ranges and more business are seeking to reduce their delivery partners than increase them, leaving drinks brands at risk of being de-listed, new research has revealed.

The Coal Shed

Now open in its new home on North Street, The Coal Shed Brighton continues to bring London-level gastronomy to its Sussex counterpart as part of a much-needed revamp of the city’s downtown shopping district. Considerable work has gone into relocating and upscaling the Brighton restaurant, which is part of the same group behind The Salt Room and Burnt Orange. In its newest guise, the restaurant boasts an expansion to The Coal Shed’s signature over-fire beef cooking offer, while guests are greeted at the door with a dedicated cocktail bar. For the first time, the bar will be open seven days a week from noon till late.

Monin unveils top consumer drink trends expected for 2025

A UK syrup brand has conducted a series of illuminating consumer surveys, visiting over 200 hospitality venues across the UK market and cross-referencing its findings against third party industry data.

Sommelier Wine Awards 2025 now open for entries

The Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) is once again open for entries for its 2025 round of judging.

Budget review: A ‘horrific’ state of affairs for the trade

An outcry has erupted from the trade following yesterday’s Autumn Budget, which led to disappointment on many fronts, including a measly 1p off draught beer, further rises to duty for wine and a lowered rate of business rates relief which has been described a kick in the teeth to businesses.

Calling the Budget

Long-time spirits industry commentator and MD of Mangrove Global, Nick Gillett, speaks out ahead of the new Labour government’s Autumn Statement, arguing that ‘the best hospitality can hope for is to be left well alone’.

Pubs and hospitality warn of job cuts if rates relief ends

A survey of pubs, breweries and hospitality businesses has revealed that jobs and investment plans would be threatened if business rates relief expires in April, causing bills to quadruple.

Modest start to autumn for hospitality as groups’ sales rise

Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded modest year-on-year sales growth in September, continuing a trend of like-for-like growth that has been in situ since the beginning of the year.

Drop in hospitality insolvencies ahead of Budget masks ongoing difficulties

New government data indicates a slight reprieve for the hospitality sector, as accommodation and food service insolvencies fell 16% month-on-month in August 2024. 

Hospitality sector lobbies government ahead of Autumn Budget

Hospitality leaders have sent an open letter to the Chancellor, imploring Rachel Reeves to “fix business rates and prevent bills quadrupling for high streets across the country”.

Indie retailers warn against new employee rights as Starmer vows to ‘rip up the rulebook’ on bureaucracy

The government’s proposed ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation’ could stifle job creation in independent shops and place further financial pressures on already struggling retailers, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has warned.

Café François

Last month saw the opening of Café François, a modern-day French canteen in Borough Yards from the team behind Maison François. Drawing together influence from Paris’ classic cafés, the contemporary delis of California and stylish bistros of Montreal, founder François O’Neill has created a menu that pays homage to affordable French classics while also embracing the global influences that have shaped French cookery outside France. On the drinks side, a short, inventive wine list leads the charge, curated by wine director Daniel Illsley, with a strong message of sustainability throughout its playful selection of cool and original bottles. A considered cocktail list is also available, focusing on the classics.