Welcome to Rise & Shine
If you have any news about your business you’d like to see here, including recruitment, 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
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
Pub and restaurants take April dip
Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw sales slip in April. The latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker saw like-for-like sales down 1.2% nationally against April 2017.
The effect of an earlier Easter is thought to have outweighed a boost from sunshine late in the month.
“Easter, which is always a busy time for the eating and drinking out market, last year fell in mid-April, while this time it straddled March and April. This will certainly have had an effect on sales comparisons, and looks like to have outweighed the boost to trade that the hot-spell at the end of the month will have brought to the pub sector, in particular,” said Karl Chessell, Business Unit Director of Food & Retail at CGA, the business insight consultancy that produces the Tracker, in partnership with Coffer Group and RSM.
“The only good news is that April trading was much better than the disastrous, snow-hit trading seen in March when sector like-for-like sales tumbled 3.1%,” added Chessell. “The overall feeling is that we are in an essentially flat market.”
David Coffer, Chairman of The Coffer Group said: “The results reflect the general feeling of political and economic uncertainty translating into a stay at home mentality. We believe, however, the recent change in the weather and the ‘royal wedding feel good factor’ will lift the mood nationally and hopefully lead to a stronger summer.”
“We also feel the ‘let’s bash restaurants syndrome’ expressed constantly in the media is unhelpful on the basis that ‘nobody wants a loser’. This view is definitely being overcooked, despite reflecting the casualties in groups who have over-expanded. Nevertheless, we are finding demand for restaurants and licensed premises to be as strong as ever with an increasing number of concepts, designs looking for sites. This adjustment was long overdue and historically such a change has led to an enriched sector with ever more sophisticated and imaginative offers and operators.”
Underlying like-for-like growth for the 39 companies in the Tracker cohort, which represents both large and small groups, was running at just 0.4% for the 12 months to the end of April.
Cornish brewery supplies new London food halls
Cornish brewery Harbour Brewing Co. will be supplying two of its products to Market Hall Fulham, a major new community hub dedicated to homegrown food and drink, due to open this month.
Market Hall’s first site will open in May 2018 in the former entrance hall of the Edwardian Underground station in Fulham Broadway, London. Featuring nine kitchens, a deli, a coffee shop, bar, and a large communal dining area for more than 200 people, it aims to “redefine the British concept of food halls by turning unloved public spaces with special architectural or historic interest, public again.”
Harbour will be supplying two draft beers, Daymer Extra Pale Ale, and Market Helles, a lager created for Market Halls.
Harbour Brewing managing director Eddie Lofthouse said: “We bought into the Market Halls concept as soon as we heard about it. It’s a style of eating and drinking that hasn’t been seen on this scale in the UK for some time, and it’s a great opportunity to get a wide variety of quality producers in front of customers in a special environment.”
Bestival cans plastic
The promoters for Dorset-based festivals Bestival and Camp Bestival have announced that all onsite bars at their events will stock CanO Water canned water in place of plastic water bottles.
Josie and Rob da Bank’s decision to replace single-use plastic water bottles with a canned alternative comes in the wake of The Final Straw campaign banning plastic straws from their festival portfolio, and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) Drastic on Plastic initiative, which has seen over 60 festivals pledge to eradicate single-use plastics from their events by 2021.
Commenting on the decision, Bestival and Camp Bestival curator Rob da Bank said: “We’re very serious about reducing the plastic waste at our festivals, which we know is a problem that needs solving. We’ve already launched The Final Straw and joined the Drastic on Plastic campaign, so getting rid of plastic water bottles and using CanO Water’s 100% recyclable cans on our bars is a big step ahead in our mission. We’d love for all the traders on site to be plastic free right now but we’re also realistic that can’t happen overnight. Our goal is 2021 but we’re going to do as much as we can before that date and bringing in CanO Water is an important step that we’re pleased we can make this year.”
CanO Water co-founder Ariel Booker commented: “We’re excited to work with Bestival this summer to significantly reduce plastic waste and help the festival take steps to become even more eco-friendly. Replacing plastic bottles with our infinitely recyclable cans is a big win for the environment, but a bold move from Bestival which other festivals should take notice of.”
The Bestival promoters will extend that policy to include removing all single-use plastics before 2021. In the interim, they are urging all independent onsite traders to act swiftly on single-use plastics to help reduce the events’ overall environmental impact.
Arkell’s secures pub site in new housing project
Wiltshire brewery Arkell’s has announced its first new-build pub site for fifteen years after buying land at Tadpole Garden Village in North Swindon from developer Crest Nicholson.
The pub will be one of a range of amenities for the new site which is one of Swindon’s major housing projects, where 1,855 homes will be built on the old Tadpole Farm site.
Brewery director George Arkell, said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build a pub for the community. We’ve been rooted in Swindon for 175 years, and it’s great to be able to make this announcement in our special anniversary year.
“Tadpole Garden Village is an enormous project and our new pub will not only offer residents a place to socialise but will also provide the community with a vital hub for local activities.”
Arkell’s has appointed Clark & Maslin architects to design the new pub and hope to be able to submit ideas to Swindon Council planners later this year. The brewery hopes to commence building on site in early 2019 with a view to opening the pub at the end of next year.
National Trust buys North Devon inn
The Hunter’s Inn in Exmoor has been acquired by the National Trust for £1.2 million.
The 10-bedroom property will be managed by Bespoke Hotels, following the Trust purchase of the freehold from local businessman David Orton, who bought the business 12 years go for around £895,000.
The Trust will add the pub, thought to have been serving visitors since 1823, to the 2,000 acres of land they own in Exmoor.
Rob Joules, National Trust General Manager for North Devon, said: “People love this valley and wildlife thrives here. Hunter’s Inn will enable us to make people’s time here even more special, and do even more to support the wildlife and habitats that are seeing huge declines elsewhere.”
Former owner David Orton said: “I’m delighted that the National Trust is taking over as guardians, I know they will look after the inn and it will continue to be the heart of the magical Heddon valley, somewhere I’ll always call home.”
Services for Tourism celebrates 10 years with award and new director
Services for Tourism Ltd is celebrating its 10th birthday with a national award and the appointment of a new director.
Nell Barrington will join the company as a director and shareholder and lead on the tourism awards in the South East and Somerset.
The company was formed by Robin Barker in 2008 on his departure from the former regional tourism board, South West Tourism. In the 10 years since launch, Services for Tourism has developed the tourism awards, attracting over 750 entries across Southern England in 2017, with linked schemes in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Bristol, Bath & Somerset, alongside the regional awards for the South West and South East.
The company recently won the Bronze award in the category of Best Regional Awards at the 2018 AwardsAwards.
Robin Barker said: “The last ten years have been the most enjoyable and productive of my working life. It has been great to see a concept turn into reality and success, but most importantly the feedback we’ve received from hundreds of businesses tells us that we’ve made a difference to people’s lives and business success. That, for me and for Nell, is the top motivator and I’m delighted to welcome Nell to be an official part of the team.”
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Black Tor launch historic beer
The Dartmoor-based Black Tor Brewery are launching a cask ale to celebrate Sir Walter Raleigh and the 400th anniversary of his death.
Raleigh 400 is a 4.4% ABV malty amber ale “with a pleasant hoppy aroma and hint of Seville oranges with a nod to one of the ingredients discovered by Sir Walter.” It will be launched at the Sir Walter Raleigh pub in East Budleigh on Friday 25th May.
Head brewer Jonathon Crump said, “being approached by local historian Michael Downes of The Fairlynch Museum in Budleigh Salterton, to brew a special beer to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh’s death was a huge honour and opportunity I could not turn down.”
Made for Drink salami chips
Made for Drink, a range of artisanal snacks inspired by drinking cultures from across the world, are launching their third product – Mangalitza Salami Chips.
Made from rare breed Mangalitza pig sourced with help from epicurean producer Unearthed, these Hungarian cured meat snacks pair “perfectly with a chilled, fruity pilsner.”
They will join the Berkshire businesses’ Duck Fritons and Chorizo Thins on the shelves of retailers including Daylesford Organic, selected Waitrose, Sharps Brewery and Naked Wines.
For further information go to madefordrink.com
Doom Bar now in cans and mini kegs
Sharp’s Brewery are launching Doom Bar, the UK’s No.1 cask and Premium Bottled Ale brand, in mini keg and can formats for the UK off-trade.
The Cornwall-based brewery say they are responding to trends in the UK beer industry, where the mini keg category is experiencing a huge rise in popularity, growing 79% in volume growth year-on-year and the premium can category which has seen an 8% volume increase year-on-year.
James Nicholls, Senior Brand Manager at Sharp’s Brewery said: “Doom Bar continues to experience phenomenal growth and in 2017, we sold a pint of the ale every 2 seconds in the UK. We’re really proud of its success and wanted to give our loyal Doom Bar fans even more ways to enjoy their favourite beer.
“We are constantly innovating to respond to new trends and meet growing consumer demand to provide our customers with as much choice as possible. With nearly 9 pints in every mini keg, the mini keg and cans are ideal for the summer months and enjoying a BBQ on the beach with friends and family.”
The new can and mini keg are the first products to feature Sharp’s new visual identity, which will be rolled out across the entire Sharp’s 500ml bottled portfolio. Doom Bar can multi-packs will use cardboard packaging, a first for Sharp’s Brewery.
Jack Oughtred, Ale and Stout Buyer at Tesco said: “We know that Doom Bar has great reach in its current bottle format, however, we also know that many of our shoppers exclusively buy into the can format. This, therefore, allows what is already a strong brand to appeal to a new shopper base and drive incremental sales as a result.
“As a retailer, we at Tesco are fully supportive of Molson Coors using cardboard packaging for this launch as a way of reducing the amount of first use plastic coming into our stores. This also undoubtedly adds to the premium look and feel of the product and is a first with this particular subgroup of products.”
EQUIPMENT
Artis launch decanters for different grapes
The foodservice supplier Artis has launched a matching pair of wine decanters, Homme & Femme from Royal Leerdam that are hand-crafted to “optimally develop the notes and tastes of different types of wines.”
Decanter Homme is designed to “allow powerful, spicy and complex wines to interact with oxygen. The distinctive shape allows room for the oxygen to circulate and is suitable for both red and white grape varieties.”
Decanter Femme has a tapered design to keep the “wine’s aromas compact and its acidity fresh and non-alcoholic.”
Each decanter has a list price of £21.49 and are featured in the 2018 Artis catalogue. Call 020 8391 5544 for a copy or go online at www.artis-uk.com to download.
Cold foam jar for summer coffee trend
Coffee shop suppliers Beyond the Bean are importing a new cold foam jar created by global giants Blendtec.
Cold foam is a low-fat alternative to cream that, according to Beyond the Bean, is a “perfect accompaniment” to trendy cold brew and nitro brew coffee as well as other drinks. Blendtec’s new product solves the problem of producing cold foam in under 20 seconds with their jar that turns 150ml of cold skimmed milk into “silky smooth, mousse-like thick foam in just 18 seconds.”
For more information call Beyond the bean on 0117 953 3522 or visit their website www.beyondthebean.com
INDUSTRY EVENTS
May
Instagram & iPhone photography workshops
14th/15th May 2018
Appleton’s at the Vineyard, Trevibban Mill. Padstow
“Lead by art director and designer Matt Inwood and hosted by Barefoot Media, the workshops are ideal for those working in the food & drink and hospitality industry who are interested in using Instagram more effectively, especially as a business tool to self-promote.”
For more information and to book –
Workshop one
Monday 14th May – 9:30-3pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/instagram-iphone-photography-workshop-mon-14th-may-tickets-44140871535
Workshop two
Tuesday 15th May – 9:30-3pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/instagram-iphone-photography-workshop-tues-15th-may-tickets-44146031970
Tourism Awards Workshop
16th May 2018
Larkbeare Grange, Exeter. Devon
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-larkbeare-grange-near-exeter-revised-time-tickets-44307399625
The Business Show 2018
16th – 17th May 2018
ExCeL, London
“The exhibition for anyone starting or growing a business, with 250 seminars and 170 masterclasses. Keynote speakers include Simon Woodroffe OBE, the creator of YO! Sushi and Steven Smith, Founder of Poundland.”
http://www.gbbs.co.uk/
Tourism Management Institute Hot Topic conference
18th May 2018
Anglia Ruskins University, Cambridge
“The Hot Topic theme this year will be on the challenge of funding destination management and destination activity – at national and local level. There will be presentations from destinations who are following diverse but successful models of sustainable core funding, with the opportunity to learn from such practice.”
To view the programme, find out more information & to book, please visit –
https://www.tmi.org.uk/event/15/tmi-hot-topic.htm
London Wine Fair
21st – 23rd May 2018
Olympia, London
“Featuring over 14,000 wines from 40 countries, innovative tastings, critical masterclasses and a host of brand new features for 2018, London Wine Fair is an unmissable destination for anyone in the industry.”
https://www.londonwinefair.com/
Tourism Awards Workshop
23rd May 2018
Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype, Bridport. Dorset
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-martins-bar-restaurant-at-highlands-end-holiday-park-dorset-tickets-44829471155
Tourism Awards Workshop
24th May 2018
Brean Leisure Park, Brean. Somerset
“Join us at this Awards workshop where we will be sharing experiences and advice on what makes an excellent, award-winning business, with tips and ideas on how to be the best in the forthcoming tourism awards.”
For more information and to book, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tourism-awards-workshop-hru-brean-leisure-brean-somerset-tickets-45356196605