News

Council denies claims it led charge to ban smoking in pub gardens

18-Apr-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Claims that London councillors are considering a ban on smoking in beer gardens to “extend alfresco dining areas” have been denied by the council at the centre of the controversy.

Pub slams ‘unscrupulous untruths’ in TripAdvisor review

18-Apr-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

A pub has slammed one customer’s review on TripAdvisor, which criticised its staff, toilets and interior design, calling their comments ‘unscrupulous untruths’.

Fire devastates Thwaites pub after £1m transformation

13-Apr-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

A Thwaites food pub and microbrewery in Hoghton, Lancashire, has been devastated by a fire that tore through the building just months after a £1m refurbishment.

Innis & Gunn launches largest Beer Kitchen

12-Apr-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Scottish brewer and pub operator Innis & Gunn has launched its fourth and largest Beer Kitchen concept in Glasgow’s West End, with its own onsite microbrewery.

Brits go gaga for US barbecue

12-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Pub gardens are perfect for barbecues. But barbecue cooking is more complex than slapping some flaccid meat on a smouldering grill.

Food allergen guide for pubs launched

11-Apr-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Allergy UK has released a guide to support caterers and help them reduce risks for allergic customers.

Old chicken and a bloody, greasy fridge land pub with £7,000 bill

10-Apr-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

A Hertfordshire licensee has been ordered to pay more than £7,000 after it was found serving chicken breasts two days out-of-date to customers.

Licensee blasts customer who ‘kicked pub dog before demanding £500’ to remove bad TripAdvisor review

07-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

A licensee has told of his horror after claiming a customer was “rude to his staff, kicked the pub’s young dog and then asked for £500 to remove a negative TripAdvisor review”.

‘Schnitzel & Spritz’ duo to reopen much-loved pub saved from development

06-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

An iconic north London pub saved from development by campaigning locals is to reopen as a gastropub next month.

Woodall’s launches salami snacks

05-Apr-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Charcuterie company Woodall’s has launched three new snacking salami products to help operators tempt customers with sharing platters and canapés.

'Mouldy' food and pests land pub with one-star hygiene rating

05-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

A Kent pub was slapped with a one-star food-hygiene rating after environmental health inspectors uncovered a slew of food-hygiene offences.

Fuller's food chief promoted to director

04-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

London brewer and pubco Fuller's has promoted its head of food to divisional director.

Top 50 Gastropubs

Why local is best for UK’s top gastropub

04-Apr-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Chef-patron of North Yorkshire’s Star Inn Harome Andrew Pern does not use local “for local sake” in his venues, but because little else measures up to the produce available on his doorstep.

Unique Hospitality to open new steak and seafood concept

03-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

Unique Hospitality Management, which operates Epic and Heroic pub groups, will open the Wheatsheaf Pub & Grill in Bow Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, on 27 April, following a £120,000 investment.

Foie gras abuse prompts publicans to create a support group

03-Apr-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Two licensees have vowed to set up a support group for the hospitality trade after animal rights activists posted thousands of fake reviews and “abuse” on their Facebook page because the pub serves foie gras.

‘Lickable’ menus, hippo petting zoos and job-stealing dogs: the best April Fools gags

03-Apr-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

From some questionable menu innovation by Flaming Grill to horseplay from Robinson’s Brewery, it’s clear the pub trade was feeling silly this weekend. Here’s our round up of the best April Fools gags from across the sector.

Top 50 Gastropubs

New rooms and fourth site for Star Inn Harome

03-Apr-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Top UK gastropub the Star Inn is set to expand its original site in Harome, North Yorkshire, while a fourth site in the local seaside town of Whitby will open soon.

Foodservice price inflation ‘particularly unwelcome for pubs’ says CGA

31-Mar-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Foodservice price inflation rose again in February – to 3.7% – with further rises likely in the next few months, something that will be “particularly unwelcome in the pub sector”, the latest data has shown.

BrewDog targets 20% food sales

31-Mar-2017 By Mel Flaherty, MCA

BrewDog bars' managing director David McDowall will aim to achieve 20% food sales across the pubco's and brewer's estate.

Some of the 'best' TripAdvisor responses from pubs

30-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

TripAdvisor has come under fire many times from the hospitality industry and operators have previously blamed the review site for staff resignations, sleepless nights and police intervention. Here we look at some of the responses pubs have given to irate...

The Big Interview

Bidfood sets sights on growing pub customers

28-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs will be a bigger focus for Bidfood (formerly Bidvest Foodservice) in the coming years, according to chief executive Andrew Selley and sales and marketing director Andy Kemp, who agree the trade is primed to grow its dry sales to new heights.

Mitchells & Butlers launches new steak brand

23-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Mitchells & Butlers has unveiled its latest brand called Son of Steak, in Nottingham, this week (20 March).

Michelin-starred Harwood Arms alumni to open Oxfordshire gastropub

22-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

David Holliday and Alex Sergeant both made their names managing Michelin-starred London pub the Harwood Arms before teaming up for their new venture, the Bottle & Glass, Oxfordshire, which opens next month.

Top tips: stay squeaky clean to avoid fines

22-Mar-2017 By Poppleston Allen

Legal experts Poppleston Allen reveal top tips on steering clear of food hygiene fines.

Tom Kerridge launches pork scratching range

21-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Tom Kerridge and RayGray Snacks launched a new range of pork scratchings at this year’s international food & drink event (IFE) on Monday 20 March.

Pubs charged for food hygiene re-inspections

20-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs could be made to pay for requested re-inspections of their businesses under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced.

Michelin Guide pub chef's bid to help boost recruitment

20-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The chef of a Michelin Guide-listed pub in Nottingham joined catering students from a local college to cook a gourmet meal to inspire them to consider a career in pub food.

Food-led pubs have grown despite trade decline

20-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The number of branded food pubs have continued to grow despite evidence showing a small decline in the number of licensed premises.

Young's closes Burger Shack & Bar site

20-Mar-2017 By James Wallin, MCA

Young’s has closed its standalone Burger Shack & Bar in Wimbledon after just under a year of trading, MCA has learnt.

JD Wetherspoon to slash 7.5% off food and drink at 900+ pubs

16-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

JD Wetherspoon (JDW) chairman Tim Martin will hack 7.5% off all food and drink prices for one day across his 900+ pub estate later this year to demonstrate the effect a VAT cut could have on the hospitality industry.

Food safety controls to be ramped up by local authorities

16-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Food safeguards and allergen protection for consumers will be moved up a gear by local authorities, and will be core to delivering a better system of control to ensure a higher level of confidence in UK food.

Pub ordered to pay £7k for hygiene failings

10-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Queen’s Head in Enfield, north London, has been ordered to pay £7,510 in fines and costs after being prosecuted for hygiene failings by Enfield Council.

Chefs’ Choice Awards 2017 winners revealed

10-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Hundreds of foodservice suppliers battled it out to have their products named the best at the inaugural Chefs’ Choice Awards in London earlier this week.

Top food pub slapped with one-star food hygiene rating

09-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

A Michelin-starred gastropub has been given one of the lowest possible ratings for food hygiene.

AHDB launches revamped quality scheme

09-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

The Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) has launched a revamped quality standard mark (QSM) scheme alongside a new team of ambassadors.

Truscott Arms in Maida Vale to reopen after £5m sale

07-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

London gastropub the Truscott Arms will open its doors again after being bought by a capital investment firm for £5m.

How to tackle food and drink fraud in pubs

07-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Consumer confidence and health can be seriously hit if a pub is the victim of food and drink fraud, according to an audit, tax and advisory firm which has published a report outlining the seven steps to avoid the issue.

Younger diners don’t want to eat in ‘stuffy’ restaurants

07-Mar-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Pubs are in the best position to cater for younger consumers who do not want to eat in “stuffy” restaurants, according to Bidfood’s group sales and marketing director Andy Kemp.

British Pie Week: operators and suppliers come together to celebrate pies

06-Mar-2017 By Nikkie Sutton

Pub companies and foodservice operators are this week celebrating British Pie Week (Monday 6 to Sunday 12 March).

Woman dies of food poisoning after eating at Cornwall pub

01-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

A grandmother died from food poisoning after eating incorrectly prepared roast lamb at a Cornwall pub, a court has heard.

Chef wins £36k in 'shocking' dismissal case against London sports bar

01-Mar-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

A head chef who was dismissed for blowing the whistle on his workplace’s use of dangerous and faulty kitchen equipment has been awarded a payout of more than £36,000.

Ex-Potting Shed and Rectory couple set up Welsh food pub

27-Feb-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

The couple behind famous Cotswolds pub and boutique hotel the Potting Shed and the Rectory have set about transforming a Welsh village pub into a food destination.

Mounting costs pose real threat to on-trade growth

23-Feb-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Increasing food and drink prices, as well as business rates revaluations, pose immediate threats to on-trade growth this year, new research shows.

Chefs' Choice awards finalists announced

22-Feb-2017 By Daniel Woolfson

The finalists have been announced for the upcoming Chefs' Choice awards, which celebrate the highest quality products available from foodservice suppliers.