Access Group acquires CPL Learning
The Access Group has acquired learning and development partner for the hospitality and retail sectors, CPL Learning, to strengthen its customer proposition.
CPL Learning will be incorporated into the Access Group’s hospitality division, which partners with more than 1,500 customers in the UK, to deliver cost savings, improve productivity and give them the freedom to focus on guest experience.
The addition of CPL to Access’ management suite is the latest in a series of solutions that provide a fully integrated technology service for multiple operators within the hospitality and retail sectors.
Discussing the deal, Henry Seddon, managing director of Access, commented: “The acquisition of CPL Learning reinforces Access Hospitality’s position as the UK’s number one provider of software solutions for hospitality and leisure businesses.”
Inn Collection Group recruiting for 200 roles
North east-based pub operator the Inn Collection Group is creating 200 full and part time positions across its expanding portfolio of inns in Northumberland, the Lake District, Yorkshire, Wearside and County Durham.
The group, which already employs more than 500 people, has appointed Cath Bellhouse in the newly formed recruitment manager role to lead the hiring process.
Positions ranging from front-of-house to kitchen and housekeeping are being offered as part of the group’s INNtelligent recruitment drive.
“We are delighted to be in a position where we can open up such a great number of permanent jobs across our sites,” Inn Collection Group managing director Sean Donkin said.
“The hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, so it’s fantastic to be shouting about good news in the sector with the news that we are creating 200 jobs.
“This is an exciting and timely opportunity for people to join a vibrant and growing company like The Inn Collection Group as we continue to expand and bring in further outstanding sites into our portfolio,” he continued. “We’re a company that genuinely buys into its staff and recognises they are at the heart of our success and invests in them accordingly.
“There’s a myth that working in hospitality means long, unsociable hours and low rates of pay. We believe in flexibility with wide-ranging, pivotal career opportunities and overturning the one-size fits all approach.
“We have team members who work day shifts to fit with family commitments whereas other people prefer the buzz and energy of weekend or evening hours. It’s all about working together to find the best solutions for everyone.”
Forest Green Rovers sign a three-year partnership with BrewDog
Independent craft brewer and bar operator BrewDog has penned a deal to become English Football League side Forest Green Rovers’ official drinks partner.
The vegan, carbon neutral, side – currently sixth in League Two – announced the deal with carbon negative beer maker BrewDog on Wednesday 21 April.
Initial commitments will see BrewDog plant 10 trees for every Forest Green goal scored, while the club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, will see its popular Green Man bar transformed by BrewDog.
“It’s fab to welcome BrewDog as the club’s latest progressive, climate friendly partner,” Dale Vince, chairman at Forest Green Rovers, said. “I’m looking forward to working with the guys and drinking some beer together.
“Together, we’ll spread the message that while we all need to make changes to save the planet, that doesn’t have to stop us doing the things we love, like watching football and drinking beer.”
BrewDog, which was recently named Best Sustainable Pub Company at the 2021 Publican Awards, has also set out plans to own and further reduce its carbon emissions through its Lost Forest and Buy One Get One Tree initiatives.
“At BrewDog we’re not only committed to changing the world of beer but putting purpose and the planet first,” co-founder, James Watt, added. “The last year has been like no other and now is the time for businesses, across all sectors, to show togetherness and endorse change.
"We will continue to push forward with our commitment to sustainability, and we’re excited to do this in partnership with the fantastic Forest Green Rovers, who continually look to drive change within the football community and further afield.”
Unemployment figures ‘show fragility of sector’
The latest jobs data highlights how fragile the hospitality sector is alongside the importance it has to the country’s economic recovery off the back of the pandemic, according to one trade body.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found 80% of those who have lost their jobs since the pandemic started are under 35 and that, between December 2020 and February 2021, the number of people in paid employment fell by 56,000.
In the 12 months to March 2021, the total number of paid employees decreased by 813,000.
The hospitality sector was the worst hit industry with 355,000 fewer workers than the previous year – accounting for almost half (43%) of the national total.
Furthermore, the ONS said the number of job vacancies in January to March 2021 dropped by almost a quarter (22.7%) versus the year prior with the arts, entertainment and recreation, and accommodation and food service sectors continuing to be the worst affected.
Hospitality must tackle late notice shift notice, says Bizimply
Pub, bar and restaurant operators are being urged to give their staff more advance notice of working hours after research by the Living Wage Foundation found that almost two-fifths (37%) of full or part-time workers are given less than a week's notice of shifts patterns.
"There has to be enough flexibility built into a rota to deal with last minute changes in demand,” Bizimply CEO Conor Shaw said. “However, the reality is that in too many cases, the main reason that staff get late notice of shifts and working hours is because managers are busy, and they will always feel their time is better spent front of house, rather than stuck in the office drawing up rotas.
"In addition, despite the number of jobs lost over the past year, there is always competition for the best hospitality employees.
“Employers who allow their staff to plan ahead by giving them proper notice of their hours and shift patterns will be in a better position to recruit and retain."
The Living Wage Foundation also suggests that lower-paid workers are disproportionately affected, with 55% having less than a week's notice of work schedules, and 15% having less than 24 hours' notice.
Purity Brewing Company appoints new managing director
Warwickshire-based Purity Brewing Company has announced the appointment of Andy Maddock as its new managing director.
Maddock appointment comes after Purity lost co-founder James Minkin to pancreatic cancer in June 2020.
Maddock’s most recent senior roles include stints as European agile transformation director and trading director national groups and festivals with Heineken UK following two years as managing director of Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh.
“I’m really very excited about Andy joining us in the critical stage of our journey,” Purity founder Paul Halsey said of the appointment. “He will massively upweight our focus on sales and marketing and more importantly enable myself to share more responsibility within my role.”
Purity enjoys a longstanding partnership with the Ricoh Arena – home to Wasps Rugby Club – with Halsey himselfa passionate rugby fan and ex-player.
“With Andy’s background in professional sport, a former Wasps Rugby and Rosslyn Park Rugby player, I think he will fit into the team really well,” Halsey added.
Maddock added: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Purity Brewing Company.
“Paul and Jim have built a brilliant and successful business over the past 17 years and I cannot wait to start to bring my experience to the team.
“The past 12 months has been difficult for whole of the hospitality industry. I am hugely excited to be joining the team at this important time not only for the Purity Brewing business but the sector as a whole, as we come out of lockdown in the UK.”
Ten Entertainment Group appoints new chairman
As reported by The Morning Advertiser’s (MA) sister title MCA Insight, Ten Entertainment Group has appointed Adam Bellamy as non-executive chairman – replacing current chairman, Nick Basing, after six years in the role.
Basing had been on course to step down in September but as a result of Bellamy’s existing experience within the group he has decided to step down at the company’s AGM on 5 May.
Bellamy is currently senior independent director and has served on the group’s board since 2018 as audit committee chair and more recently as remuneration committee chair. He is also a non-executive director at Loungers.
At the forthcoming AGM, Julie Sneddon will also be appointed as senior independent director and chair of the remuneration committee.
“I am really pleased that Adam is taking on the chair, he knows the business and has worked well on the board these last three years,” Basing said.
“The business is in safe hands and I wish everyone at Ten good wishes and every success for the future.”
San Miguel launches on-trade programme to support reopening pubs
Distributed by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, San Miguel has unveiled a new draught fount and tap handle alongside a new lens and a range of point-of-sale material to support pubs as they reopen after England’s third national lockdown.
In addition, 1.2m new premium branded chalice glasses will be launched to help make long-awaited draught pints more memorable.
The beer maker is also introducing portable bars for on-trade customers to use in outdoor areas and terraces.
“The past 12 months have been challenging for pubs, so we’re hoping that our on-trade programme with complimentary upgraded POS will help generate much needed business for them in the short and long term,” Phoebe Small, brand marketing manager for San Miguel, commented.
“Refreshing the brand across every touchpoint is a huge undertaking and shows our commitment to support our customers.”
Global Bartending Talent Agency launches two new initiatives
Global Bartending Talent Agency has announced the launch of two new initiatives for the hospitality industry – the Global Bartending Marketplace and Helping Hospitality – as sites begin to emerge from England’s third national lockdown.
Launched on 16 April, Global Bartending Marketplace offers a one stop shop for consumers to purchase bottled cocktails, bar equipment and books from on-trade outlets. The platform aims to help bartenders and venues raise revenue from bottled cocktail sales and bar and bartender owned merchandise.
What’s more, the Helping Hospitality initiative will host to a series of insightful and uplifting videos from industry leaders aimed at anyone in the industry affected by Covid-19.
Videos include tips on how to manage the effects of the pandemic and rebuild businesses and inspirational ideas to generate further revenue.
“After an extremely difficult year we would like to shine a light on the difficulties that the hospitality industry has had to face throughout the pandemic,” Global Bartending founder Dan Dove said of the launches.
