Latest News
| UKinbound scorns VisitBritain's 60% tourism growth figures |
| A VisitBritain-commissioned report which predicted that UK tourism revenue would grow by more than 60% by 2020 has been dismissed as "fantasy" by a leading trade body. The report suggested the total value of tourism to the UK could rise by more than 60% to £188b over the next decade. |
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| Mulholland calls for Home Office meeting over licensing changes |
| Greg Mulholland, chairman of the Save the Pub Group, has requested a meeting with the Home Office to discuss the Government's planned overhaul of licensing laws. The Lib Dem MP is concerned that proposed changes announced by Theresa May earlier this week will unfairly harm community pubs. |
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| One Group to run F&B at Hippodrome Casino |
| US restaurant chain The One Group is to enter the UK market next year to look after the food and beverage operation at the revamped Hippodrome Casino in London's Leicester Square. The Hippodrome relaunches in 2011 as a 24-hour operation featuring a casino, terrace, restaurant, multiple bars and a cabaret. |
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| Catering bosses question Olympic contract profits |
| "Ego and PR" are the only reasons to cater at the London 2012 Olympics, according to contract caterers who question the profitability of the games as the two-year countdown to the start of the Olympics begins. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games (Locog) began inviting caterers to bid. |
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| Merchant Inns report found 'simplistic' forecasts and 'weak' control |
| An extensive review of Merchant Inns for its bankers warned that its financial forecasts were "simplistic" and its financial control "weak", more than three months before it went into administration. The boutique pubs-with-rooms operator, owned by property magnate Sir John Ritblat, called in administrators Deloitte in October last year, following the sacking of its chairman, Robert Breare, in August. |
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| Carlson buys TGI Friday's UK from AAC |
| Carlson, a privately held global hospitality and travel company, has bought the remaining 60% stake in TGI Friday´s UK Holdings and plans to remodel and expand the casual restaurant chain over the next five years. The deal sees Carlson acquire TGI Friday´s from AAC Capital Partners for $50m (£32m). |
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| Eating-out report warns of long-term effect of recession |
| The UK eating-out market is starting to see green shoots of recovery, but while the amount spent on dining out of the home in 2010 is marginally up from last year the recession will have an enduring impact on consumer attitudes, according to new research in the Eating Out in the UK 2010 report. |
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| Barclay brothers sell 10% stake in IHG |
| Shares in the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) fell yesterday by 7.4% following the news that the Barclay brothers had sold their 10% stake in the company for around £335m. Ellerman Corporation, an investment company owned by David and Frederick Barclay, offloaded almost 30 million shares. |
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| Center Parcs to open more luxury accommodation |
| Luxury accommodation at Center Parcs in Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire is to be increased with the opening of three tree houses and five exclusive lodges, in 2011. The two-storey, four-bedroom tree houses at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire will each feature en-suite bathrooms and balconies to all bedrooms. |
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| Compass reports a fall in revenue in third quarter |
| Compass Group has seen a 2.1% year on year fall in organic revenue for the third quarter despite reporting a "slight acceleration" in new and retained business. The world's largest contract caterer blamed the fall on challenging economic conditions, which it says continue to impact like for like volumes in the UK business and industry sector in the nine months to June 2010. |
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