Welcome to Rise & Shine
If you have any news about your business you’d like to see here, including trading updates and appointments, please contact our News Editor, Carolyn Moss, at news@breadandbutter.media or call her on 01305 575155. Follow us on Twitter @BreadButterNews for updates.
Robin Alway
Group Editor
INDUSTRY NEWS
£250m project to redevelop Sandbanks hotels unveiled
An outline planning application to redevelop three hotels on Dorset’s Sandbanks peninsula has been submitted by current owners, FJB Hotels.
The plans would see the buildings on three sites demolished and replaced by a new hotel, holiday apartments and flats in a development that’s been described as being like “Miami beach”.
The new five-star hotel would be a 175-bedroom building on the site of the Victorian Sandbanks Hotel. At the other end of the peninsula, the Haven Hotel marking the entrance to Poole Harbour would be replaced by 196 flats and a restaurant. While the Harbour Heights Hotel in Haven Road would make way for 40 hotel apartments.
Managing director John Butterworth told the BBC: “The engineers tell us the structures of the buildings are coming to the end of their commercial life… The main problem is, to build this new hotel is going to cost an awful lot of money – the engineers estimate it could be up to £80m – so we have to raise the money through the flats to build the new hotel. If we can’t get the residential side then there isn’t the finance there to build a new hotel.”
The Borough of Poole is considering the application.
Foodservice price inflation rises
Food and non-alcoholic beverage price inflation rose to 6.0% for March 2017, with all categories seeing price rises year-on-year, according to data from Prestige Purchasing and CGA Strategy.
One of the main factors powering the rise according to the supply chain consultants was a sharp increase in fish prices –19.9% higher than this time last year. This increase is thought to be down to lower US salmon stocks, ongoing issues with sea lice adding to farming costs, poor catches of cod, as well as the weaker pound and increased price of oil.
Another area seeing a significant increase is Sugar/confectionery. Prices across the EU have risen by around 11% since March last year. Increases can also be seen in Bread & Cereals and Meat & Poultry.
Prices for vegetables are higher this month according to Prestige but “but should come down further as domestic produce starts to come into season, reducing reliance on imports”.
They conclude that: “Taken together, it seems that the UK is beginning to feel more of the weight of Brexit on its shoulders, and all this before a single negotiation has been started, let alone concluded.”
Bristol to get steampunk bar
A new steampunk-themed cocktail bar is set to open in the centre of Bristol. Council officials have approved a planning application for a change of use for the former Cooperative bank in St Stephens Street in the city.
Called The Clockwork Rose, the new bar will take its inspiration from the science fiction genre that incorporates Victorian steam-powered technology and fashion including corsets and top hats. According to the plans, the bar will cater to “a sophisticated clientele” and focus on premium cocktails and locally sourced craft beer and cider”. It will join other established cocktail bars in the Old City area of Bristol including Hyde and Co. and The Milk Thistle.
Seed Fund start-up shortlist announced
An annual competition to find the food and drink stars of tomorrow has announced its shortlist of 24 start-ups for 2017, including seven from the South West, after receiving a record number of entries. The Seed Fund, set up by a branding and marketing consultancy, will now select 12 companies to join a business development programme over the summer
South West businesses in the running include; Ebb Tides from Sidmouth, which harvests seaweed from the Devon coast; Bristol’s New Kings Coffee, with its single origin coffee bags; Outdoorfood from Dorset, producers of dehydrated meals; Elspeth’s Kitchen from Bath, creators of free-from treats; Dorset’s Oompf Energy, makers of 100% natural energy bars and balls; Happy Butter ghee from Totnes and Yossi Foods from Bristol, with its middle eastern falafels, pastes and spreads.
The 24 companies on the shortlist will now pitch to a panel of judges for one of the 12 places in The Seed Fund Academy. This will run over the summer supported by mentors including Guy Tullberg from Tracklements, top baker Tom Herbert, Renée Elliott from Planet Organic and John and Tortie Farrand from the Guild of Fine Food.
An eventual winner will be announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards in September and will receive a further year of support worth over £100,000.
HGEM’s new app puts results in operator’s hands
Guest experience management company HGEM have launched a new app to give data and results to managers while they are on the move.
Users are able to get the detail of visit reports, including photography, in a format designed for mobile. Performance is displayed with visual charts and filters, and customers can see where they rank in simple league tables.
Steven Pike, managing director of HGEM said: “The launch of the HGEM app sees us put valuable data in the palm of our clients’ hands. We see this as just the start of a whole new way of engaging managers in monitoring and improving the guest experience without taking them away from the action.”
To find out more visit www.hgem.com.
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Cornish producer puts its cider in cans
Fullers-owned Cornish Orchards have introduced 33cl cans for three of its drinks: Gold Cider, Blush Cider and Alcoholic Ginger Beer.
Andy Atkinson, managing director of Cornish Orchards, said: “These new eye-catching cans are a perfect addition to our range. They are easily recyclable and very light to carry, making them great for festivals, barbeques and picnics. Cans offer real benefits for our trade customers too as they chill down quicker than glass and take up less space. But more importantly than all that, they taste delicious.”
Conker’s cold brew
Dorset distillery Conker Spirit are following their Dorset Dry gin with one of the UK’s first Cold Brew Coffee Liqueurs. They say it’s in response to overly sweet coffee ‘flavoured’ products and instead packs in a proper espresso flavour using beans from Dorset’s Beanpress Coffee Co. Apparently, the cold brewing extracts more fruity chocolate notes resulting in a drink that’s dark, rich and delicious with no need for additives or flavourings. Go to www.conkerspirit.co.uk for more details. Conker’s Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur has an RRP of £30.
Discover Peach & Mint chocolate bar
Exmoor-based Discover Confectionary have come up with the unusual pairing of mint flavoured chocolate with peach pieces for their new chocolate bar.
As with all their range, it’s sweetened with stevia rather than sugar and is also gluten and palm oil free. Other flavours include salted popcorn and peanuts, blueberry and vanilla and rose petal and lavender.
For more details go to http://discoverchocolatebars.com/
APPOINTMENTS
New head chef for Homeward Park Hotel
The 21-bedroom hotel near Bath has appointed Scott Galloway to its 2 AA Rosette restaurant. He has previously worked in Michael Caines’ ABode, the Royal Crescent Hotel and Lower Slaughter Manor.
Speaking of his appointment, Scott Galloway said: “I am very excited to be joining Homewood Park’s team and bring my culinary experience to the kitchen. Having started my career in cooking at 22 years old and travelling all over the UK, I’m delighted to be coming into the Bath foodie scene as it’s such an exciting time and going from strength to strength.”
Homewood Park is part of the Longleat Hotels portfolio and has held its 2 AA Rosette for ten years.
PROPERTY
Classic Cotswolds hotel changes hands
The Dial House Hotel in Bourton-on-the-Water has been acquired by the Barons Eden Group. The 15-bedroom Grade II listed hotel was built in 1698 and was on the market at £1.95m.
Peter Brunt, hotels director at deal brokers Colliers International, said: “It was a very confidential sale but generated an awful lot of interest as Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the top three most visited towns in the Cotswolds.
It is hard to imagine a nicer hotel in a better position for year-round profitable trade. In addition to the wonderful honey-walled house, there is an acre of gardens offering further scope for sympathetic development.”
Director Adrian Pearson from buyers Barons Eden said: “While we operate in different parts of the hospitality and leisure industry our basic concept is high-quality service in distinctive surroundings.
“They don’t get much more distinctive than The Dial House – situated in a lovely Cotswolds town in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a great opportunity with strong footfall and from the company point of view it has many facets.”
Barons Eden are expected to continue to run The Dial House as a boutique hotel with the option of further investment through a refurbishment later.
SHOW SPOTLIGHT
The Food & Drink Trade Show opens tomorrow!
The Food & Drink Trade Show takes place this week on Wednesday 3rd & Thursday 4th May at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, from 10am–5pm each day. The show serves up a unique mix of inspirational speciality food and drink and, with a wide range of exhibitors from near and far, there’s going to be a lot for you to see, touch, taste, and test. From cider to coffee, meat to menus, soft drinks to sweet cakes, packaging to photography, pies to preserves, tea to training, water to wine – the list goes on and on! Did you know there are even some exhibitors coming all the way from China to showcase their regional Sichuan specialities?
This show is a great opportunity for you to get your hands on something new – whether it’s new products for your shop, new ingredients for your menu, or new equipment for your kitchen. Many new products are launching at the show, such as the Salted Chocolate Liqueur from Hay Wines, the new range of Handmade Classic cakes from Truly Treats, the new chilled drinks dispenser from Janes Beverages, and the new tea blends from Hoogly Tea. There are also seven Newcomers – new companies that have never before exhibited at a trade show. Meet Hamptons Sweet Cakes, Hussh, Macneil’s Smokehouse, Nana Lily’s, Risbury Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oils, Rose Cottage Drinks and When in Rome and discover their products for the very first time!
The Food & Drink Trade Show also features a Demo Kitchen hosted by celebrity chef Felice Tocchini, who will be joined by Andy Link, Chef Patron of The Riverside Pub at Aymestry, Matt Slocombe, Chef Proprietor of The Crown Inn at Woolhope, and Yvette Farrell, Principal of Harts Barn Cookery School. Take full advantage of their culinary expertise and knowledge, learn from the best, and add new ideas to your menus to please your discerning customers.
With all this on the menu, and exclusive show offers to take advantage of as well, can you afford not to be there? For more information about the show, to book a last-minute stand, or register to attend, please call 01934 733433, visit www.thefoodanddrinktradeshow.co.uk, or follow @lovefinefood.
EVENTS
May
The Food & Drink Trade Show
3rd – 4th May
Three Counties Showground, Malvern
“A unique blend of inspirational speciality food & drink products, from a wide range of exhibitors; from the small and regional, to those who trade throughout the UK and internationally.”
http://thefoodanddrinktradeshow.co.uk/
Gin Festival Bournemouth 2017
5th – 7th May
Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
“We’ll be serving up over 100 different gins (including many new and exclusive gins) plus, new brands, cocktails and masterclasses from industry experts!”
http://www.bic.co.uk/whats-on/gin-festival-bournemouth-2017/
The Devon County Show
18th – 20th May
Westpoint, Exeter
“The best of food, farming and entertainment. The Food & Drink Pavilion will be even bigger – and top chef Michael Caines will be cooking up some incredible dishes in our cookery demonstration theatre.”
http://www.devoncountyshow.co.uk/
Taste of the South
19th – 21st May
Poole Park, Dorset
“Taste of the South is a brand new festival in association with Poole Maritime Festival. A celebration of all things local from the South of England, it will include food, drink, produce, art, culture and entertainment. There will be exhibitions, tastings, samplings and demonstrations, to give visitors a taste of the South.”
Please contact info@tastesouth.co.uk to enquire about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities.
http://www.tastesouth.events/
Tourism Management Institute Hot Topic 2017
19th May
Sheffield Hallam University
“The focus this year will be on Innovation in Rural Tourism – local food and drink, specialist events and characterful stays, with experts from the public and private sector sharing best practice.”
Early bird rates (to 2 May) for TMI members are £95, for members of Tourism Society, consultants Network, British Destinations, RTPI, HTF and ATCM £125 and non-members are £135, all plus VAT. Online booking is available via www.tmi.org.uk.
http://www.tmi.org.uk/event/13/tmi-hot-topic-2017.htm
The London Wine Fair
22nd – 24th May
Olympia, London
“The London Wine Fair is the largest event of its kind in the UK drinks industry, and one of the world’s leading wine trade events. 15,000 wine professionals will journey to London to be immersed in the world of wine, to sample across the continents and take part in the many tastings and masterclasses.”
https://www.londonwinefair.com/
Caffé Culture Show 2017
23rd – 24th May
Olympia, London
“The nation’s leading gathering place for the café and coffee community, continuing to bring together all those who have a passion for pushing the industry forward.”
http://www.caffecultureshow.com/
River Cottage Spring Food Fair
27th – 29th May, 2017
River Cottage HQ
“The Fair is a real family occasion packed full of activities and family fun – from chef demos, artisan food stalls, kids’ workshops, talks and live music, to garden and foraging tours from River Cottage foraging guru John Wright.”
https://www.rivercottage.net/dining-and-events/spring-food-fair
June
Flavour Fest
2nd – 4th June
City Centre Piazza, Plymouth
“The South West’s largest food and drink festival will see the Piazza transformed, with stalls brimming with local delicacies, live music and a marquee bar. With more than 100 traders showcasing the best regional produce – as well as cookery demonstrations from talented local and celebrity chefs – organisers are hoping to yet again attract more than 100,000 food lovers.”
http://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/flavour-fest-p1988533
Commercial Kitchen
6th – 7th June
NEC, Birmingham
“Commercial Kitchen is the definitive event for equipment buyers, specifiers and decision makers from across all sectors of the foodservice industry who are looking for the best equipment, services and accessories for their kitchen.”
http://www.commercialkitchenshow.co.uk/
Royal Cornwall Show
8th – 10th June
Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
“The county’s biggest annual event and is brim-full of exhibits and activities which offer so much in the way of entertainment, competition, information, shopping and all that’s best in food and farming.”
http://royalcornwallshow.org/
Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival
9th – 11th June, 2017
Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham
“See your favourite celebrity chefs live on stage, joined by local chefs from leading hotels and restaurants showcasing local and regional food with inspiring demonstrations. Enjoy International wine tastings, food talks and entertainment for the whole family.”
http://garden-events.com/
Bournemouth Food & Drink Festival 2017
16th – 25th June
The Square, Bournemouth
“The Bournemouth Food & Drink Festival is 10 whole days of delight for foodies. Enjoy good food, amazing cooking skills and fabulous entertainment!” Includes: Street Food Festival, Farmers & Producers Market and Demo Kitchens.
http://bournemouth.co.uk/event/bournemouth-food-drink-festival-2017/
Bournemouth Vegan Fair
17th – 18th June
Bournemouth International Centre
“A weekend of indulgence, inspiration and information – with over 90 diverse stalls full of tempting treats, a wide range of talks, and plenty of delicious food.”
http://www.dorsetveganevents.co.uk/bournemouthveganfair.html
Bournemouth Business Expo 2017
22nd June, 10am-4pm
Bournemouth International Centre
“Bournemouth’s largest business show for all businesses who are looking to grow and prosper. Keynote speakers, seminars, speed networking and over 70 exhibitors.”
http://www.b2bexpos.co.uk/bournemouth.html
July
Hampshire Food Festival 2017
1st – 31st July, 2017
Various locations in Hampshire
“The Hampshire Food Festival is an opportunity to show people what is grown and made in the county and offer unique experiences. From walking with buffalo to distillery tours or watching demos from top local chefs, the festival offers something for all tastes.”
http://www.hampshirefare.co.uk/food-festival/