06/06/2023 08:30:00
Proper Pubs, the community wet-led operator division of Admiral Taverns, invested over £1m into upgrading its community pubs in May. The group, which has more than 170 venues across England, Scotland and Wales, has invested the funds into four pubs in Middlesbrough, Harlow, Preston and Wigan. Pub & Bars reports an active investment programme is a core part of the group's strategy, ensuring pubs can evolve within their communities and offer customers an active social hub.
Whitbread is understood to be exploring the potential sale of part of its £700m pub and restaurant arm in order to focus its efforts on its Premier Inn hotel chain. According to The Telegraph, the group has hired advisers to explore options for the division, which houses the Beefeater, Bar + Block and Brewers Fayre chains. Sources have said that discussions are at a preliminary stage and may not result in the business being sold, and they insisted that only a 'small part' of Whitbread's pub and restaurant business was being considered for possible disposal, reports the Restaurant.
Optimism among leaders of Britain's top hospitality groups has risen since the start of 2023, according to a recent survey. The Business Confidence Survey, led by research and insight company CGA by NIQ inventory management firm Fourth, found that 54% of leaders felt optimistic about prospects for their business over the next 12 months. The Caterer advises that this represents an increase of seven percentage points from the January survey, and is more than double the number who feel pessimistic. Of those taking part in the survey, 52% were in CEO or managing director positions, 25% at chair or board level, and 23% in other senior management roles.
Cotswold Pub Group, Lionhearth, the new group behind The Chequers in Churchill and The Swan in Ascott-under-Wychwood, has announced a pipeline of new openings for 2023. The plans see the group double its capacity for dining and rooms over the next 12 months with the launch of two new pubs, alongside new rooms and self-catering cottages in the region, reports Hospitality & Catering News. Lionhearth, will continue to honour its community-first philosophy by creating welcoming spaces where locals and guests can enjoy top quality food, fine wine and feel at home with friends.
Operators have spoken out about the pressure calorie labelling laws, which came into force a year ago, have packed on struggling staff and company finances. Anglian Country Inns managing director James Nye estimated the whole process of adding calorie counts on menus to cost the pub company around £50,000. The calorie labelling regulations, which came into force on 6 April 2022, imposed a real challenge for operators, with many having to design menus and redevelop dishes. Morning Advertiser advises the energy content must be displayed in kilocalories (kcal), reference the size of the portion to which the calorie information relates and display the statement 'adults need around 2,000 kcal a day'.
A Wes Anderson diner is coming to 180 Strand. Hot Dinners reports that the pop-up will be featuring original sets, props, costumes and artwork.