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
Carluccio’s enter CVA, 34 sites threatened with closure
Italian restaurant group Carluccio’s has announced its intention to pursue a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA), including the possible closure of 34 sites.
The group’s other 69 sites will not be affected. If the CVA is approved by creditors at the end of May, there will be a £10m investment programme in its remaining sites by majority shareholder Landmark Group.
Carluccio’s follows Jamie’s Italian, Byron and Prezzo among others, as a victim of a downturn in casual dining which has seen groups undertake CVAs and close restaurants.
CEO Mark Jones, who joined the business in January, said: “Carluccio’s remains a very strong brand known for high-quality food. Independent research shows it is extremely well regarded by the British public in the premium Italian dining space.
“However, the business is not immune from well-documented pressures sweeping through the casual dining sector and indeed much of the wider UK high street, including retail.
“Regrettably, this is the only course of action available and if approved, will safeguard the future of the group, protecting this strong core business. It is therefore in the best interests of the company, its people, its creditors and its customers.”
Accountancy firm KPMG will oversee the restructuring of the business. Will Wright, restructuring partner at KPMG said: “Carluccio’s is a well-established and much-loved part of the UK high street. But like many other businesses in the casual dining sector, in recent times the company has been adversely impacted by a combination of well-documented pressures including a gradual decline in consumer spending and increasing competition, coupled with the rising costs of labour, raw materials, rent and business rates.”
Lympstone Manor gets five stars
Lympstone Manor, the luxury hotel in Devon that opened last year, has been awarded a five-star rating by the AA.
Founder and chef Michael Caines said: “We are so proud to have received a five star AA rating at Lympstone Manor. Since opening the hotel in April last year the team has continued to work hard to offer every guest a fantastic experience so it’s great to see our offering reflected by this prestigious accolade. This is a huge achievement for us and we’re honoured to now hold five AA stars”.
Stroud Brewery invests in £1.2m brewery
Organic beer producer Stroud Brewery are planning to move into a new purpose-built brewery by autumn 2018.
The new building will cost £1.2m and provide additional brewing capacity, storage facilities, larger offices and a new taproom with canal-side views. Designed by Austin Design Works, it is located in a commercial area of Stroud.
Managing Director, Greg Pilley said: “The new brewery will allow us to ensure we retain and enhance our quality reputation but also to develop a range of new beers. One of our USPs we are recognised for is our ethos of sustainability and producing a nationally recognised range of organic beers. When we first started talking about this project we wanted to ensure this was at the core of the build and accommodate an ecologically designed brewery giving us a strong identity, a visitor destination and a vibrant community space. We are also going to launch a crowdfunding campaign next month where we hope to raise £250K. This will also give customers further opportunities to invest in the brewery’s sustainable practices such as rainwater capture and solar photovoltaic panels.”
Teapigs get first plastic-free trust mark
The world’s first plastic-free trust mark has been awarded to teapigs for their teabags.
Unlike 96% of the UK’s teabags, their ‘tea temples’ are plastic-free. Made from corn-starch they are biodegradable and will break down within 12 weeks in a food waste collection.
The trust mark has been launched by environmental campaign group A Plastic Planet for food and drink products that are packaged without plastic.
Trust mark-accredited packaging will include materials such as carton board, wood pulp, glass, metal and certified-compostable biomaterials.
A Plastic Planet co-founder Sian Sutherland said: “Now we all know the damage our addiction to plastic has caused, we want to do the right thing and buy plastic-free. But it is harder than you think and a clear no-nonsense label is much needed.
“Our Trust Mark cuts through the confusion of symbols and labels and tells you just one thing – this packaging is plastic-free and therefore guilt-free. Finally, shoppers can be part of the solution, not the problem.”
Bath Ales open new brewery
Bath Ales officially opened their new state-of-the-art brew house on 15th May.
Hare Brewery, in Warmley between Bristol and Bath, doubles the West Country brewer’s previous brewing capacity and will allow them to produce close to 14.5m pints a year and brew a wider variety of beer styles.
Darren James, senior brewer, said: “Extra capacity means more beer for Bath Ales’ drinkers including our flagship ale Gem. And we’ve already started brewing a wider range of beer styles on the new equipment including Sulis, our first lager.
James Staughton, chief executive, St Austell Brewery (Bath Ales’ parent company) said: “We’re delighted to be up and running, brewing beer and welcoming visitors to Hare Brewery. As the south west’s most sophisticated and technologically advanced brewhouse, it’s a project that we’re immensely proud of.
“Today’s official opening marks the culmination of two year’s hard work since we acquired Bath Ales in July 2016. I’m thrilled that we’re all here today to celebrate the next chapter in the storybook that is Bath Ales and the coming together of two South West businesses with shared values.”
Family butcher gets pink burgers approved
An Eastleigh, Hampshire-based butchers have gained approval to supply caterers with burgers that can be served pink.
With the support of Simply Safer, a local food safety expert, Smith’s Family Butcher was one of the first four butchers in the country to attain this approval. When burgers are made any bacteria on the outside of the meat, gets mixed into the burger. Usually, the only way to kill this harmful bacteria is by cooking the meat through thoroughly. However, by making burgers of this approved quality, restaurants can serve customers medium-rare burgers.
In order to gain full approval to supply these burgers, Smith’s have moved into a new production area that is maintained to a sufficiently high standard.
Simply Safer founder Ruth Baker, an ex- Environmental Health Officer, said: “Supporting businesses to achieve safe outcomes and comply to the law is far more rewarding than punishing businesses when they get things wrong. With council cuts, it is difficult for local councils to find the time to support business in this way.”
To find out more about Simply Safer, visit www.simply-safer.co.uk
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Beyond the Bean invest in syrup rebrand
Café bar supplier Beyond the Bean are investing £100k in their Sweetbird brand.
After 18 months of development, they have unveiled a new look for their range of syrups, smoothies, purees and frappés, including those previously under the Zuma brand.
Sales and Marketing Director Gary McGann said: “Through detailed research and speaking to both customers and end users, we have achieved our goal in creating a well-crafted, well thought out brand to benefit everyone, from store managers ordering the new look to customers enjoying the finished drinks. We are also highlighting the fact we are an independent British brand, and proudly from the wonderful city of Bristol. This was shown to be very important to consumers interested the provenance of their purchases.”
For more information, the rebranded website is at https://sweetbird.com/
Drury’s hot drinks for hotels
London coffee roaster and tea blender, The Drury Tea & Coffee Company, have a launched a new hot drinks selection aimed at hotel bedrooms, conference suits and bar service.
The system uses pyramid teabags, ground coffee bags and an all-in-one hot chocolate mix.
The teabags come in eight different teas and infusions. The coffee bags come in two blends and are brewed as if they were a tea bag. The hot chocolate uses Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa. All three products come in Art Deco themed packaging and can be displayed in Drury branded wooden trays.
For more information go to www.drurycoffee.com or call 020 7740 1100.
EQUIPMENT
Mobile handwash for street food and festivals
Burco have introduced a mobile range of a gas boiler and portable hand wash – that is aimed at alfresco caterers at events and festivals this summer.
The mobile range features standard and deluxe gas boiler models, both powered by portable LPG gas for added flexibility when using at outdoor events.
The Burco Handwash has a 10-litre capacity that allows for over 85 washes and large wheels for good mobility. Designed to reduce the spread of germs, it has a foot operated infrared system to stop the transfer of bacteria by touch.
For further information visit www.gdhv.com or call 0344 879 3587.
APPOINTMENTS
Chewton Glen appoints new general manager
Chewton Glen have announced the appointment of Andrew Cook as its new general manager.
He joins the five-star, 70-bedroom hotel in New Milton, Hampshire from a luxury resort in Tanzania.
He worked at the Diamonds La Gemma Dell ‘Est and Diamonds Star of The East luxury resorts in Zanzibar and will replace Mark Bevan, who is moving to Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa in Warminster, Wiltshire.
Also joining Chewton Glen is Adam Dyke, who will be operations director from mid-July, replacing Ed Fitzpatrick who moves to sister property, the Lygon Arms in Worcestershire.
Cotswold hotel welcomes back their new GM
Colin Heaney is returning to be the general manager at Charingworth Manor some 22 years after he originally worked at the Cotswold hotel.
He was the general manager of the 26-bedroom property near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire from 1994 to 1996 when it was owned by English Rose Hotels. Heaney will now replace Michael Eastick who is retiring from his role at the hotel, now operated by Classic Lodges.
He joins them from a role at Peter de Savary’s hotel operations and has also spent two years at Lygon Arms in Broadway, eight years at the Bear Hotel in Hungerford and eight years as general manager of Wyck Hill House in Stow on the Wold.
PROPERTY
Torquay hotel on market for £1.1m
The Babbacombe Bay Hotel in Torquay includes ten ensuite letting rooms, a roof terrace and a ground floor café and is on the market with Colliers International for £1,100,000.
Recently refurbished by the owners, it was originally opened in 1846 and is situated on Babbacombe Down Road and overlooks the beaches of Oddicombe and Babbacombe.
According to the Colliers International’s Ed Jefferson, the hotel’s trading profit showed net sales of £633,466 for the year ended April 2017, and that there was scope to expand the business in a number of ways, including opening the café for longer hours.
“The property is operated as a lifestyle business and we believe owner-operators able to take a more hands-on approach could improve profitability levels,” he said.
PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Become Legally Compliant with Style
Clear labelling doesn’t just help customers discover food and drink they want to buy, it’s the law to show proper product data. Councils are also starting to enforce new food hygiene regulations which mean tags can only be used again if they are washable.
The solution is to use attractive plastic slate board-style cards you can print yourself, with a special printer from Infocus ID, which has the UK’s largest range of card printers and accessories. These food tags comply with current labelling regulations (showing origin, price, unit of measurement, barcodes, ingredients, allergens, etc.) and are very easy to clean and keep hygienic.
Full starter packages including the printer, cards and software are available from Infocus ID from just £299 refurbished and £499 new (prices ex-Vat).
Infocus are an award-winning family-run business based in Lincolnshire and serving the UK and rest of the world. In fact, they are Europe’s largest supplier of refurbished plastic ID card printers and accessories. They are backed by all major manufacturers.
They say: “All customers, small or large, are given the best possible support available in our industry. We offer a free technical hand-holding service for remote software training and printer setup – we are the only company to offer this! We encourage potential customers to call us with their requirements, however bespoke, so we can tailor a solution.” Call 01724 277777 or email: sales@infocusid.co.uk. For more information visit infocusid.co.uk.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
May
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/
European Coffee Expo 2018
22nd – 23rd May 2018
Olympia, London
“The definitive exhibition event for the professional service of coffee, tea, soft drinks and other non-alcoholic products. Present your customers with the best possible range of soft beverage products and serve them to maximise customer satisfaction whilst making a good profit!
http://www.europeancoffeeexpo.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
The British Cheese Awards
30th May – 2nd June 2018
Royal Bath & West Show, Shepton Mallet. Somerset
Attracting cheesemakers from across the UK and Ireland, Judging will take place on Wednesday 30 May, followed by the Awards dinner in the evening.
http://www.britishcheeseawards.com/