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Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
Inbound tourism sets records in 2017
New figures from VisitBritain show strong growth in inbound tourism to the UK from a mix of overseas visitor markets including China, Australia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), India and the US.
Underpinning a record year for inbound tourism, the UK saw double-digit growth in visits and spend last year from China. Visits were up 29% on 2016 to a record 337,000 and spending of £694 million, up 35%.
Records were also set for visits and spend from GCC and India. There were 562,000 visits from India, up 35% with visitors spending a record £454 million. There were a record 812,000 inbound visits from the GCC in 2017, up 5%, with spend up 55% to a record £2.2 billion.
Visits from the US, the UK’s most valuable market for tourism spend, grew 13% to 3.9 million in 2017, the highest since 2000. Visitors from the US spent a record £3.6 billion, up 9%.
There were 1.1 million visits from Australia in 2017, up 11%, with spending of £1.2 billion, up 13%.
Tourism Minister Michael Ellis said: “Britain’s tourism industry is booming. Last year was another record-breaker and we welcomed more people than ever from important markets including China, India and the Gulf states.
“We are working hard to sustain this excellent growth and encourage international visitors to travel around the UK, ensuring that more communities can benefit.”
VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates said: “Tourism is one of Britain’s most valuable export industries and the strong growth across many of our high-value markets demonstrates our continued ability to attract international visitors in a fiercely competitive global industry, and to deliver economic growth right across the country.
“This growth underscores the increasing importance of tourism as an industry that demonstrates Britain is an outward-facing nation, welcoming and engaging people from all over the world.”
Inbound tourism visits across the English regions, outside of London, reached a record 16.5 million, up 3% with spending equalling the previous record of £7.8 billion.
Brewhouse buy seaside site
Brewhouse & Kitchen have announced their latest brewpub site is in Southsea, Portsmouth.
Formerly the White Horse, the seaside acquisition will be the group’s 22nd venue since launching in 2011.
Kris Gumbrell and Simon Bunn, co-founders of Brewhouse & Kitchen said: “We are delighted to have acquired this excellent pub, one which is in an amazing location with a ‘to die for’ garden. We are very excited to bring Brewhouse & Kitchen to the community in Southsea, especially as this venue comes to us with a huge amount of untapped potential. We started our journey in 2013, a short distance away in central Portsmouth and have found the area to be very welcoming, so we are looking forward to introducing our brewery and fresh food offering in the autumn.”
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
Bean & Seed Crackers from Easy Bean
Somerset-based producer Easy Bean are launching their new Bean & Seed Cracker range.
Handmade using flours from British-grown pulses, the range is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and contains no added sugar.
The range has three flavours: Fava Bean & Poppy Seed, Green Pea & Chia Seed and Red Lentil & Poppy Seed. They are made with flours milled from pulses that provide a source of plant protein which is typically more than double the protein found in wholemeal wheat flour, according to the manufacturers.
They describe them as: “A tricolour of soft shades of red, green and white; these savoury crackers flake, snap and have a crunchy texture. The whole grain, earthy flavours with a hint of sweetness make them a good accompaniment to cheese, hummus and other dips.”
The new range is available from wholesalers or direct from sales@easybean.co.uk.
New Forest launch Party Push Up ice cream
New Forest Ice Cream has announced the launch of a refreshed Party Push Up – “colourful, fun, wrapped kids’ ice cream complete with coloured chocolate spheres.”
One of the most popular product’s in their Impulse Range, the Party Push Up has been given a complete redesign with more colourful packaging that matches the candy-filled handle.
Free from artificial colourings and flavourings, the Party Push Up comes frozen in individually wrapped 80ml portions and is available to purchase in cases of 24 units.
Christina Veal, Director at New Forest Ice Cream said: “Our new, improved recipe, featuring a wonderfully creamy base with even more delicious chocolate pieces is sure to be a big hit, while the vibrant new packaging design will help the Party Push Up stand out in a freezer or on a children’s menu.”
Salcombe Gin launch limited edition with Michael Caines
Salcombe Gin are launching the first in their Voyager series of limited edition gins. Limited to 1200 bottles, Arabella is a collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines.
Named after one of the Salcombe fruit schooners, Arabella is an “extraordinarily well-balanced gin” featuring traditional juniper, coriander seed, fresh citrus peel and warming spices.
Michael Caines said: “I chose to work with Salcombe Gin because, out of all the gins on the UK market, I believe that Salcombe Gin produce gins of exceptional quality. They share an understanding of how to layer complex flavours and aromas, creating the perfect gin to be enjoyed with a premium mixer, in classic cocktails or simply served on its own as a sipping gin. Salcombe Gin also shares my focus on utilising the finest local and regional produce.
“The stand out flavours of citrus complimented with the fresh savoury notes of lemon thyme makes my Salcombe Voyager Series gin ideal to drink before dinner, as well as paired with modern European cuisine which I favour. It’s best served over ice with a premium tonic water and garnished with a sprig of lemon thyme and a slice of green apple or in our summer cocktail ‘Appabella’ mixed with my Blanc de Blancs Champagne.”
“We have been privileged to work with Michael and his team at Lympstone Manor on our first Voyager Series release. Michael shares our passion and desire to take people’s senses on a journey and this exceptional gin does just that”, commented Angus Lugsdin, Salcombe Gin co-founder.
Arabella is presented in a white ceramic bottle featuring an embossed outline of the iconic gin pennant and a bespoke copper stopper and is priced at £65. It will be available online at salcombegin.com.
EQUIPMENT NEWS
Picardie carafe from Artis
Glass and tableware distributor Artis have added a new carafe to its Picardie glassware range.
The new piece has the ability to stack three different sizes of Picardie glasses in the neck, making it a space-saving choice for casual dining restaurants.
The carafe has a capacity of one litre with a list price of £5.50. The full range of Picardie glassware comprises 14 different styles and sizes and is made from Duralex tempered glass.
Artis has reduced the price on all Picardie glassware (excluding the new carafe) with a discount of 20% off list prices until 30th September.
Call 020 8391 5544 or go online at www.artis-uk.com to download the latest Artis catalogue.
APPOINTMENTS
Countrywide appoint new GMs
Tony Tijhuis has been appointed as the new general manager at Warbrook House Hotel in Hampshire. This follows the move of Steven Thorne-Farrar to East Sussex National Resort, as general manager.
Tony was previously general manager at Mercure Buford Bridge, Mercure Farnham and Castle Hotel, Windsor.
Darren Patt, managing director of Countrywide Hotels, said: “We are delighted to retain Steven’s skills within the Countrywide Hotel team and wish him well on his next challenge at East Sussex National. We are also pleased to welcome Tony into the family and look forward to supporting him within his new position at Warbrook House”.
PROPERTY NEWS
Somerset country house hotel for sale
Alfoxton Park Hotel and Estate located in the village of Holford, near Bridgwater in West Somerset, is on the market for £2 million with Christie & Co.
The Grade II listed former manor house sits within 51 acres and has a total of 17 guest bedrooms, dining room, commercial kitchens, library and still boasts many of its original 18th-century features.
The private estate grounds offer lawns, woodland, a deer park, swimming pool and tennis court. Located in the Quantock Hills with easy access to the Bristol and Exeter, the house was once home to poet William Wordsworth.
Richard Thomas, business agent at Christie & Co said: “It is always exciting when such a rare and historic property is introduced to the market and with its idyllic West Somerset location, we anticipate a high level of interest from a variety of parties across the leisure sector. Of course, there is also potential to convert the site into a residential dwelling, and as a blank canvas there are endless opportunities for a new owner to embark on.”
Cornish inn for sale after 66 years
The White Hart Inn, situated in the village of St Teath, Cornwall is for sale after being owned by the same family for 66 years. Agents Christie & Co are seeking offers of £945,000 for the freehold.
The traditional inn features two bars, dining room, pool tables and a large beer garden with children’s play area.
It has three sets of accommodation – a detached five-bedroom house to the rear and a one bedroom and four-bedroom apartment on the first floor of the pub.
Stephen Champion, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co’s Exeter office, comments: “This inn would suit a wide range of buyers from experienced operators to new business owners or those looking for a lifestyle change. There are some great opportunities to grow the business through further advertising as the business currently does not have its own website or by changing the current accommodation into a bed & breakfast letting rooms. Viewings are highly recommended to appreciate this well trading business.”
INDUSTRY EVENTS
July
Hampshire Food Festival
1st – 31st July 2018
Various locations across Hampshire
“Organised by Hampshire Fare, Hampshire is preparing to celebrate all things food and farming throughout July with over 60 tempting events taking place across the county.”
To take part and to find out more, please visit
https://www.hampshirefare.co.uk/news-events/hampshire-food-festival