02/08/2022
The alcohol off sales easement introduced during the pandemic has been extended by a further year until September 2023, advises Big Hospitality. The easement, which had been due to lapse on 30th September 2022, allows hospitality businesses to sell alcohol as part of takeaway and delivery orders; as well as serve it in pavement and other outdoor areas where relevant. Sector trade bodies had been pushing for the Home Office to extend the legislation, with UKHospitality calling it a move that will 'help hundreds of businesses struggling to survive'.
Businesses must prepare for a difficult period as fresh food inflation soared to 8% in July 2022, the fastest rate of increase since April 2012, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Having risen from 6.2% in June, July's inflation was above the 12- and 6- month average price growth rates of 2.9% and 4.8% respectively reports Morning Advertiser.
Pub & Bar report that premium pub and hotel operator Fuller, Smith & Turner have officially added two new sites to its estate. The George & Dragon at Westerham is the group's latest addition to its Bel & The Dragon brand, while The Queen's Arms at Heathrow Terminal Two, the Queen's terminal, stands as Fuller's first landside pub.
Transport for London (TfL) announced last week that all Night Tube services will be fully restored, after they were suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic. The news has been welcomed by representatives of London's night-time economy, who consider the service to be fundamental to the sector's long-term viability, reports Big Hospitality.
Procurement company Regency Purchasing Group, which sources products for nearly 4,000 businesses across the UK, has said a number of its members were anticipating a huge rise in their bills and warned that some hospitality businesses are planning to close when their utility contracts are up for renewal later in the year. Operators have called for a cap on commercial energy bills, with one pub owner telling The Caterer they may have to close after seeing a 500% price rise.
Nightcap the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of bars, has announced a new opening in Bristol for its Tonight Josephine brand. Hospitality & Catering News report that the latest opening is the fourth site for the Group in Bristol, following recent openings for The Cocktail Club and Blame Gloria. The venue is the largest Tonight Josephine site to date with a capacity of 450 with an additional outside terraced area.
The Searcys Champagne bar at St Pancras is getting a big overhaul. The prime fixture of St Pancras is undergoing a redesign and while this is taking place they have launched a pop-up Champagne terrace nearby reports Hot Dinners.