22/08/2023 09:37:00
The inflation rate for restaurants and hotels rose slightly from 9.5% in June to 9.6% this month despite an overall drop in inflation, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The rise is driven by a larger than expected increase in wages in the hospitality sector as well as by accommodation services, which saw a 12.2% rise in the year to July, up from 11.3% in June, reports the Restaurant. Overall, inflation dropped to its lowest for 17 months in July due to a fall in energy prices and a slowdown in food price increases. ONS data shows consumer price inflation was 6.8% in July, down from 7.9% in June. The easing in the annual inflation rates in July 2023 reflected notable downward effects from food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Star Pubs & Bars is set to accelerate openings of its Just Add Talent (JAT) managed operator pubs business to 250 sites within three years. The Heineken-owned pub arm has recently reached the milestone of opening 150 pubs under the model, advised Morning Advertiser. The move to boost JAT numbers by 100 by 2026 will mean the model will make up about 12% of the company's 2,400 pub estate with the business's core number of pubs remaining in the leased and tenanted division. Star has opted to expand the managed business on the back of robust trading and the popularity of the JAT model among applicants for pubs.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched midscale conversion brand Garner, which is set to "expand globally" to over 500 hotels over the next decade. The Caterer reports that branded with the tagline 'easy going stays that get you on our way', Garner aims to deliver higher returns for owners in the midscale segment. The brand is set to offer a lower price point and conversion cost per key than IHG's other upper midscale brand, Holiday Inn Express, and will be ready to franchise in the US by early next month.
Dorset-based brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse (H&W) has announced a 175% rise in underlying profit before tax in its 2022 financial year ended 28 January 2023. The company which runs 180 pubs across the south of England and brews Badger beers, added trading since the year-end has been "very encouraging" despite a "heavily weather-affected July", reports Morning Advertiser.
Hospitality job vacancies could temporarily be filled by under-30s from a select list of countries coming to the UK under a short-term visa scheme, advises The Caterer. The deal would enable people aged between 18 and 30 to work and travel in Britain for two years without the additional requirements of sponsors or salary thresholds. The number of job vacancies in the hospitality industry has fallen by 37,000 over the past year as of May, although the sector continues to struggle with staff shortages.
Michel Roux Jr has announced that one of London's iconic restaurants, Le Gavroche is closing, advises Hot Dinners.