CLH News

Urban Pubs & Bars Announces Opening of a New Pub Made Famous by Charles Dickens London pub and dining group Urban Pubs & Bars has unveiled a new pub made famous by Charles Dickens in Nicholas Nickleby. The team at Urban Pubs & Bars welcomed the return of The Peacock to Islington High Street. A pub called The Peacock Inn stood on this site from 1564 until 1962 and today the pub returns to its original name. The pub has a rich history and was even mentioned in Charles Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby. After consultation with the local community in Angel it was decided that renaming was the perfect opportunity to update the business to the represent the best of modern British pubs. With the much anticipated opening of The Peacock guests will find premium dining menu, brunch on weekends and one of the best Sunday Roasts in London created in partnership with Award Winning Butchers HG Walter. A spokesperson said: "A pub called The Peacock Inn stood on this site from 1564 until 1962 and we have decided to return the pub to its original name. The pub has a rich history and was even mentioned in Charles Dickens’s Nicholas Nickleby. Over the last year we have been able to learn more about the local community in Angel and we thought the renaming was the perfect opportunity to update the business to the represent the best of modern British pubs". With the opening of The Peacock this takes Urban Pubs & Bars tally of London venues to 55 locations, in line with company expansion plans. This adds to the tally of UP&B sites opened this year which includes iconic Spitalfields pub The Gun from East London Pub Co and The Red Setter located in the vibrant Northcote Road community between Battersea and Clapham. The latter venue had undergone a £1m refurbishment and building programme. To celebrate the opening UP&B urged owners of Red Setter dogs and other dogs to join the launch to create a special image of the distinctive dogs standing proudly outside. Since the start of the current financial year, the business has successfully opened four new sites including The Red Setter, Victory at Waterloo Station, Railway in Putney and The Junction in Islington, with trading exceeding expectations. Read More:

The Licensed Trade Charity Appoints Its First Director Of Charity Operations The Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of Joby Mortimer as its first Director of Charity Operations. The senior hire – the first under the stewardship of CEO Chris Welham – will bolster both the revenue-generating arm of the LTC, as well as the charitable fundraising capabilities of the 230-year-old charity, which provides an extensive range of support services to workers across the licensed hospitality and drinks industry. Mortimer, a seasoned industry figure who has held senior roles at Brakes Group and Budweiser Budvar UK, will report directly to Welham and brings a wealth of commercial and industry experience to the role. Chris Welham, Licensed Trade Charity CEO, said: “This is a linchpin role which is absolutely central to our operations, our service delivery and frankly, as we continue to build on the vital work of the LTC, our future success. I couldn’t think of a better person to be joining us on this journey, as our first Director of Charity Operations. “Joby has extensive experience in our industry, an impressive track record of delivering commercial success and, most importantly, is an excellent and values-driven individual who cares passionately about our work. I‘ve absolutely no doubt he will be a huge asset to the LTC, helping us to deliver on our long-term goals, whilst also ensuring we continue to reach more individuals, who massively need and depend on our support services.” Commenting on the new role, Mortimer said: “After 28 years of working in the hospitality industry, the chance to work for a charity that does such amazing work, which is very close to my heart and which I have supported for a number of years, was too good an opportunity to pass up; I couldn’t think of a better role, and I am delighted to be joining the LTC. “The Licensed Trade Charity is a genuine purpose-led organisation full of amazing and dedicated people, delivering such an important resource for so many, so I am excited to have the chance to play a part in building on the fantastic work the charity has done over the past 230 years and continues to do today. Its work has never been more important, and I am looking forward to working with Chris and the extraordinary team to support even more people and to transform more lives. “The people working in the licenced hospitality sector continue to face increasing pressure and the work of the Licensed Trade Charity is vital in providing practical and financial support so that all of us in society benefit from having hospitality venues in our communities.” Read More:

UKHospitality Responds To London Assembly Inquiry Into The Night-Time Economy UKHospitality recently shared insight with the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee to encourage action to support London’s night-time economy Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “Hospitality and leisure businesses are central pillars of London’s late-night economy, with the hospitality sector being the city’s second largest employer with almost 600,000 employees – many of these working at night. “Following the effects of the pandemic, the Mayor and Night Czar have taken positive action to help London’s late-night economy recover; however, the sector remains in a precarious position. Businesses are continuing to contend with higher costs, fiscal and regulatory roadblocks and a decline in consumer confidence, which all present significant barriers to growth. “Licensing issues across certain London boroughs have held back the Mayor’s plans for a 24-hour London, with some of the capital’s most densely visited areas, such as Westminster, facing regressive policies that set stringent limits on late-night trading hours. This significantly curtails venues’ ability to match customer expectations compared to other UK and international cities. “Late-night operators have also reported increased crime outside their venues, with some businesses making significant investments in security to protect employees and guests, both in and outside their venues, which has taken a toll on costs, as well as affecting customer confidence and staff safety. “To help tackle these concerns, it’s crucial that the Greater London Authority prioritises aligning areas where restrictive operating environments exist with the shared vision for a 24-hour London, to help encourage the growth and development of London’s late-night industry. We also urge the GLA to enhance current work with police and businesses to address street crime in late-night hotspots, to protect London’s reputation as a first-class leisure destination.” Read More:

Warm End To August Lifts Drinks Sales Back Into Modest Growth On Premise drinks sales have edged back into year-on-year growth for just the second time in six weeks, CGA by NIQ’s latest Daily Drinks Tracker shows. The exclusive sales monitor indicates a 1% increase in average sales in managed venues in the seven days to Saturday (31 August) compared to the same week in 2023, partly driven by good weather over the Bank Holiday weekend. Sales on Bank Holiday Monday (26 August) rose 1% year-on-year, and trading spiked by 10% on Friday (30 August), as sunshine brought people out to beer gardens and terraces. However, sales dipped by 2% the next day, despite the ongoing Premier League matches. As is usually the case during warm weather, Long Alcoholic Drinks (LAD) categories felt the biggest benefit. Beer and cider sales rose by 4% and 5% respectively, but wine and soft drinks were both down by 1%. The spirits category continued a long run of negative numbers, finishing 6% behind the equivalent week last August. “Although year-on-year growth of 1% may seem modest, but after a gloomy summer it does at least raise hopes of a stronger autumn,” says Jonathan Jones, CGA by NIQ’s managing director, UK and Ireland. “While many consumers clearly remain hesitant about their spending, a brighter September might help to release some of the pent-up demand for outside drinking. Nevertheless, real-terms growth in total sales is likely to stay challenging until consumers’ confidence picks up.” Read More:

The Ivy Collection Set To Open New Restaurant In Bournemouth This Autumn Bournemouth is set to welcome a dazzling new addition to its dining scene, in November, as The Ivy Collection prepares to open its 42nd restaurant in the heart of the seaside town, bringing its signature blend of high-quality food, exceptional service, and an all-day dining experience that locals and visitors alike will cherish. Located by Bournemouth Square, just a stone’s throw from the town’s iconic golden sands, The Ivy Bournemouth Brasserie will offer something special every day of the week. From early morning breakfasts to late-night cocktails, the restaurant will provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for up to 208 guests. For those seeking a helping of British sun, The Ivy Bournemouth Brasserie also features new outside terrace for 50 guests, making it the perfect spot for everything from special occasions to festive events. The Ivy Bournemouth Brasserie will contribute to the local community by creating 120 jobs in Bournemouth’s hospitality sector. At the helm of this new venture will be General Manager Barnaby Harris-Reid, who brings expertise from The Ivy Chichester, and Head Chef Romuald Richomme. Laura Mills, Managing Director of The Ivy Collection, commented on the opening, “We’re excited to bring The Ivy experience to the stunning seaside town of Bournemouth. With it’s close-knit community and iconic coastal location, it makes for the perfect spot for our next restaurant. The team can’t wait to open the doors ahead of the festive season and delight Bournemouth residents with our unrivalled Ivy service and exceptional, seasonal dishes.” Read More:

Chelsea To Sell Millennium And Copthorne Hotels Photo: © Copyright Russell Trebor and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. The Premier League has approved the sale of two hotels by Chelsea football club to another company linked to the club's owners The sale ensures Chelsea avoid falling foul of the Premier League's spending rules. Company accounts in April showed that the Millennium and Copthorne hotels next to Stamford Bridge had been sold for £76.5million. The sale will allow Chelsea to reduce its losses from £166m to £89m and avoid sanctions activated by profit and sustainability rules. Premier League clubs are currently permitted maximum losses of £105m over a three-year period. The hotels changed hands from Chelsea FC Holdings Ltd to BlueCo 22 Properties Ltd, both companies under the control of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, and has been cleared because the deal has been deemed to be fair market value. In July Citadines-owner Ascott Limited announced plans to take management of the 232-bedroom hotels and rebrand the properties as its first Lyf hotel in the UK by the end of 2025. Ascott’s chief commercial officer said Lyf was chosen over its 13 other brands because of its “strong appeal with the younger demographic” and its “experience-driven” offering. The Lyf brand was created in 2016 and started in Singapore before expanding into Europe for the first time last year. It now operates in 21 cities and is aiming to reach 150 sites by 2030. Read More:

Elite Hotels Welcomes James Perry as New General Manager of The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, has welcomed James Perry as its new General Manager. With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Perry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Perry’s career began in 1994, after completing a degree in Political Science at the London Guildhall University. Although he hadn’t set out to pursue a career in hospitality, Perry took a part-time job in a local hotel alongside his studies, and quickly became engrossed in the industry. Following the completion of his degree, Perry moved into a permanent role within the hotel, gaining a broad range of experience across the various departments. In 2000, Perry took on his first hotel management role as Deputy General Manager of Eastwood Hall in Nottingham. He spent the following eight years working in hotels across the Midlands, in Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. Perry relocated to Kent in September 2008 to take on his first General Manager position at the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, before eventually joining Alexander Hotels in 2012, where he has spent the past 12 years working as General Manager of Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa. Commenting on the appointment, Elite Hotels’ Managing Director, Graeme Bateman, says: "It is my pleasure to welcome James to the Elite Hotels collection. With his extensive knowledge and experience, we are excited to see the innovative contributions he will bring to The Grand Hotel. As we remain dedicated to delivering exceptional service, we are confident that, under James’s leadership, The Grand Hotel will continue to excel. This appointment is particularly significant, representing the first change of General Manager at The Grand in over 30 years, a notable rarity in today’s hospitality industry.” Perry adds: “It’s a privilege to be taking on the role of General Manager at such a locally renowned hotel. I hope to continue the progress of my predecessor, building on the hotel’s excellent reputation and working alongside the team, to achieve our strategic goals and give guests the best possible experience.” Read More:

Zest Quest Asia Announces Financial Support Scheme For Colleges In 2025 Zest Quest Asia, the competition founded by Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala, and responsible for exposing many student chefs to the myriad cuisines of Asia, announces its Financial Support Scheme for teams entering the 2025 competition. Grants of £1,000 will be available on application to the competition organisers for up to six colleges fulfilling the criteria, to help with the costs associated with entering, up to £500 of which will come from the Worshipful Company of Cooks of London to assist with travel and subsistence. This is hoped to expand the number of smaller colleges able to enter, and those who may be based further away, to ensure the contest is as inclusive as possible. A firm fixture now on the UK’s culinary competition calendar, Zest Quest Asia was created in 2013, with the support of the Master Chefs of Great Britain, to lift the profile of Asian cuisine among budding chefs enrolled on full-time courses in catering colleges across the country. Cyrus Todiwala, founder, Zest Quest Asia, explains; “It is a sad fact that many of our hospitality colleges are closing and those that are still doing great work with student chefs to prepare them for a career in our industry sometimes struggle financially when it comes to extra-curricular training, like participation in competitions such as ours. We are extremely grateful to The Savoy Educational Trust, The Antonio Carluccio Foundation and the Worshipful Company of Cooks of London who have each approved applications from us to support college teams entering Zest Quest Asia in 2025 to help offset the associated costs of entering, such as travel, ingredients and other incidentals.” The competition, which is spread over two days, concludes with a live cook-off on the final day and the announcement of winners later in the evening at a gala dinner, held at the Hilton London Wembley. It has been hailed as one of the most rigorous on the student chef competition circuit and is highly valued by the lecturers and students who compete. Anthony Gascoigne, Course Team Leader Hospitality & Catering, North Hertfordshire College; “Zest Quest Asia has been a constant source of inspiration for our students. Single-handedly, the competition has engaged and enthused them, giving them access to learning and development opportunities in Asian cuisine. The competition has given the students a platform to express themselves in a cuisine not naturally embedded in the curriculum and has highlighted the diversity of cultures and cuisines. In all, it has brought colour and vibrancy to our students’ experiences and has raised aspirations across the college.” For more information on applying for the Financial Support Scheme, the competition rules for 2025 and how to submit entries, in the first instance please contact Cora Strachan at [email protected]. Read More: https://lnkd.in/e9WDn_zw

Chris Webb Mp Elected Chair Of Appg For Hospitality And Tourism The All-Party Parliamentary Group was reconstituted earlier this week with Chris Webb (Lab, Blackpool South) elected as its Chair and Damian Hinds (Con, East Hampshire) as Vice-Chair, at a well-attended meeting in Westminster. Also elected as Vice-Chairs of the group were Caroline Voaden (Lib Dem, South Devon) and Daniel Aldridge (Lab, Weston-super-Mare). The group acts as a vehicle for backbench Parliamentarians, from both the Houses of Commons and Lords, to influence the Government’s policy making on the key issues to hospitality and tourism, sectors which employ more than 3.5 million people and generate more than £140 billion in revenue annually. Chris Webb MP, Chair of the APPG for Hospitality and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted to be elected the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, sectors which are close to my heart and my constituency of Blackpool South. “They are the beating heart of coastal towns like Blackpool, supporting thousands of jobs, bringing in millions in revenue and helping to regenerate communities. “The cross-party support the group has reinforces this positive impact and demonstrate the commitment to the sector from across Parliament. “I’m looking forward to working with the APPG to champion causes critical to hospitality and tourism, and being one their loudest advocates in Parliament.” Read More:

Expanding Your Business Potential with Quality and Style Unable to take any more bookings because it’s too cold outside or raining? Turning customers away because you’ve run out of seats? As professionals in the world of Outdoor Coverings for commercial venues, Broadview know how important it is to keep your business operating whatever the weather. More clients are looking to enhance their outdoor dining spaces with a Pergola, Awning or Umbrella System that can accommodate all seasons. Broadview are as passionate about outdoor coverings as you are about maximising your business potential. Invite them to see your outdoor space, discuss the options available and turn your vision into a reality. Most importantly, they’ll show you how to achieve a fast return on your investment. With one of the largest ranges of outdoor living systems in the South, manufactured by the industry leading brand Brustor, every system from Broadview can be custom designed to fit your business. They offer both louvred roof pergola systems and garden awnings with rotating and retracting roofs which are powered by a Somfy motor and can be operated either by remote or app control as well as umbrella systems. Add extras such as LEDs, heating, Bluetooth speakers and sliding glass and you’ll get not just an Umbrella, Awning or Pergola, but a full outdoor room to use all year round. Broadview have over 55 years of experience in the industry - backed with a five year warranty, 5 star ‘Excellent’ Trust Pilot rating and an accredited ‘Somfy Expert’ status, so you can be sure that you’re in good hands from initial survey right through to the final installation. Talk to the experts for your free consultation and see how your business can benefit with an outdoor lifestyle solution. Call 01202 679012 or visit their website: buff.ly/3yNGPUJ Read More: