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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
£1 million fund to revive coastal heritage
Coastal heritage sites around the UK are set to receive a share of almost £1 million from the Coastal Revival Fund. By providing grants to fund repairs and restorations it hopes to bring economic growth to coastal communities.
23 projects have been awarded up to £50,000 each to restore community assets and landmarks to their former glory.
In the South West, these include Banky’s Pinwheel in Weston-super-Mare and a community project in a derelict smugglers’ inn in Cornwall.
A total of £50,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund has been awarded to North Somerset Council to refurbish and provide a permanent home for Banksy’s Pinwheel in Weston-super-Mare’s Italian Gardens in the town centre. The exhibit, which was donated by the graffiti artist following the globally successful ‘Dismaland’ exhibition in 2015, is set to provide a focal point to link the seafront and the town centre.
A long-term project to fully rebuild the derelict Old Ship Inn, in Cornwall, which was completely destroyed by fire in 2013 has also received £50,000. The Grade II pub which was once a key central point in the Cornish smuggling trade, and is said to have been visited by Admiral Lord Nelson. The project aims to create local jobs, provide low-cost rented housing and create a major new community space.
Coastal Communities Minister Jake Berry MP, said: “I’m proud to support these 23 magnificent projects from Ryde to Runcorn with investment from the government’s Coastal Revival Fund. Putting heritage at the heart of our coastal towns is an important way of attracting visitors and boosting our local economies.
“We’re determined to save these historic landmarks for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations while delivering on our promise to invest over a quarter of a billion pounds into the Great British Coast by 2020.”
The Coastal Revival Fund was introduced in 2015-16 to “help coastal areas bring at risk heritage and community assets back into economic use.”
Cornish dessert factory to close
Closure is planned for the Kensey Foods plant in Launceston, Cornwall, which would put 650 jobs at risk.
Staff are in formal consultation over the proposed closure of the site, planned for July, which makes a variety of premium desserts.
A spokesperson for owners UK food group, Samworth Brothers, said: ”Despite significant financial investment and the commitment and hard work of everyone, Kensey Foods has now been loss-making for the last six years. When combined, the investments and annual losses have added up to tens of millions of pounds, and this is not sustainable for any business.
“In addition, the age and capability of the plant and assets have reached a stage at which significant additional capital investment is required, which is not commercially viable. It is proposed this closure would take place by the end of July.
“We understand this announcement will be difficult for our colleagues at Kensey. We will be doing everything we can to support them through this consultation process. In the event of a closure it is hoped there will be opportunities for a good number of individuals to redeploy to our Callington bakery (The Cornwall Bakery) and there are also vacancies across our group in other locations. We would also work with the local job centre, employment agencies and local companies to help people find suitable new roles.”
Samworth Brothers own the Ginsters and SCI-MX brands and is a major private-label supplier in the UK.
South West retailers named in Shop of the Year 2019
The finalists for The Guild of Fine Food’s annual Shop of the Year awards have been announced and out of the 45 independent retailers named, six are from the South West.
They are Cheese on Coast, St Ives in the Specialist Cheese Shop category; Eversfield Organic, Tavistock, Trading Post Farm Shop, South Petherton and Walter Rose & Son Ltd, Devizes in Delicatessen & Grocer, and Darts Farm, Exeter and Newton Farm Foods, Bath in Farm Shop (farmer owned).
The panel of judges, which includes Edward Berry of The Flying Fork, Stuart Gates, former managing director at Fortnum & Mason and senior buyer at Harrods, award-winning retailer Tracey Colley and food writer, Patrick McGuigan, will score each aspect of the shops before agreeing on an overall category winner. The winners will be announced on Monday 11th March in a finale held at Fodder Farm Shop and Café in Harrogate following the Fine Food Show North.
South West hotel investment increases by 55%
Hotels in the South West attracted £620 million of investment in 2018, a 55% increase on 2017 volumes according to international real estate advisor Savills.
In terms of market share, the South West accounted for 10% of total UK hotel transactions says Savills. The market was predominantly driven by portfolio deals, which accounted for £366 million (59%) of the total invested in the region. Individual transaction volumes reached £254 million (41% of the total) with an average transaction size of £6 million.
Key deals in the region included the sale of the Premier Inn Custom House in Cardiff for £34 million and sale of the County Hotel in Bath which achieved a price per key of £165,000. The average price per key for hotels transacted in the South West was £106,000 notes Savills.
James Greenslade, associate in the hotels team at Savills Exeter, comments: “Last year was another extremely strong year for the South West hotel market, with a number of portfolio transactions helping transaction values to exceed 2017 volumes. Demand for the region’s hotels has been diverse with both strong domestic and overseas demand, underscoring the attractiveness of the sector and its strong underlying fundamentals despite some general economic uncertainty.”
EQUIPMENT NEWS
Twin pan gas fryer from Falcon
Falcon Foodservice are launching a new twin pan gas fryer as part of its market-leading Dominator Plus range.
They say the G3345 model “saves money, saves space and saves energy” with operators able to independently control pans to meet demand and diners’ dietary requirements
Shaune Hall, Falcon’s product development chef, comments, “The G3845 fryer offers high performance along with accurate, controlled cooking. It heats up quickly, the temperature controls are really precise and the twin pans give flexibility to your menu. It’s ideal for cooking all kinds of food, from fish and chips to portions of mushrooms or spring rolls. Importantly, it’s also easy to keep clean.”
Each pan holds 12.8 litres of oil and is powered by an 11.4kW burner, resulting in fast heat up and recovery times, with a total output of 34kg of chips per hour. Both models are supplied with fryplates, baskets and lid as standard.
List prices for the G3845 twin pan fryer start from £3,495. For more details visit www.falconfoodservice.com.
Countertop soft serve ice cream maker
Taylor UK has introduced the countertop 736 soft serve ice cream maker. By quickly freezing the ice cream and then holding it at a low temperature it’s ready to serve on demand.
Thanks to a heat treatment system providing a daily heating and cooling cycle, the machine can be used for up to two weeks before a complete disassembly and cleaning is required.
The two automatic programs on the 736 can produce either soft ice cream or sorbet, frozen desserts and fruit-based ice creams.
David Rees, Group Marketing Manager of HTG Trading Ltd, which owns Taylor UK, said: “High street outlets who have added soft serve desserts to their menu have found an increase in the average spend of customers and increased profit margins… By offering something different from their competitors they are getting more customers coming through their doors. Meanwhile, fine dining restaurants find soft serve ice cream ups the ante in the artistry of their presentation.”
For more information call Taylor UK on 0800 838 896, email sales@taylor-company.co.uk or visit www.taylor-company.co.uk
APPOINTMENTS
Burley Manor appoints new GM
Burley Manor in the New Forest has announced that Adam Wilson will be its new general manager.
He joins them from a two-year stint as GM of The Ivy Clifton Brasserie in Bristol. He has also worked at Danesfield House Hotel in Marlow, the HIX Mayfair, the OXO Tower in London and at the five-star Brown’s Hotel in London.
Wilson said: “I am excited to be joining such a forward-thinking restaurant and rooms as general manager, to continue building both the team, the ethos and Burley Manor’s reputation as a destination restaurant.
“Set to be a pivotal year for us all here, I’m really looking forward to leading such a passionate team and together making all areas of the guests experience even better whilst showcasing the best of the Mediterranean. We’ll be sharing more exciting news and plans soon – watch this space.”
New head chef for The Montagu Arms
Matthew Whitfield will take over the role of head chef at The Montagu Arms hotel from former colleague Matthew Tomkinson.
Previously working at the New Forest hotel’s restaurant as head pastry chef six years ago, Whitfield has just finished working at the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York. He has also had stints at The Yewtree under Marco Pierre-White, the Sea Grill in Belgium and as head chef at the Driftwood restaurant in Cornwall.
Whitfield said: “It is a dream to return to The Terrace. Matt has done an amazing job, and my goal is to build on all that he has achieved – I’d love to regain the restaurant’s Michelin star.”
Matthew Tomkinson spent 10 years as head chef of The Terrace. He joins the Kings Head in Whiteparish, Wiltshire as chef patron.
TRADE SHOW SPOTLIGHT – THE SOURCE
The Source of everything your food & drink business needs.
Looking for new suppliers and inspiring ideas? Have a serious interest in speciality foods, quality drinks, profitable catering and inspired hospitality? Then the Source trade show is the show for you. The South West’s biggest and best trade show for the food & drink sector takes place at Westpoint, Exeter on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th February, and is perfectly timed for buyers looking to get set for the season ahead. The size and scope of the show means there’s no need to spend valuable time attending other shows. It’s been growing steadily in recent years, with 96% of visitors in 2018 saying they’re happy to recommend the show to colleagues and intending to return in 2019. In fact, it’s grown 35% over the last two years alone!
Although the Source show is growing, Hale Events, the show organisers, are working hard to reduce its impact on the environment. They’re aiming for all their shows to be single-use plastic free and have introduced an innovative badging system for exhibitors and visitors that removes the need for any plastic wallets. Currently, environmental awareness and health-consciousness are shaping food and drink buying habits. Consumers’ tastes are constantly evolving, and the industry never stands still. That’s the reason so many visitors consider the Source a ‘must-attend’ show. Everything a food business could possibly want is all in one place with well over 200 exhibitors from a wide spectrum of sectors; from remarkable local products with fascinating provenance to innovative catering equipment, stylish furniture to the latest EPoS systems, this year’s kitchen design trends to the most advanced business services. You’ll also see more Taste of the West companies than at any other trade show!
Compare products, discover new suppliers, catch up with colleagues, clients and friends, be inspired by award-winning chefs & producers in the Demo Kitchen, and tap into the latest trends. Whether you are looking for that special ingredient to give your menu an intriguing twist, that unique artisan product to liven up your shop’s offering, or that new item of equipment that’ll take your kitchen to the next level, this must-attend show is a unique opportunity not to be missed.
For more information about the show, to book a stand, or register to attend, please call 01934 733433, follow @SourceFoodDrink or visit thesourcetradeshow.co.uk.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
February
Pub19
5th – 6th February
Olympia, London
“The show offers an invaluable opportunity to meet with suppliers, network with others to share ideas and inspiration.”
https://www.thepubshow.co.uk/
The Source Trade Show
6th – 7th February
Westpoint, Exeter
“The 2019 Source trade show provides the perfect mix of passionate producers, alongside the hottest hospitality and catering companies, and the freshest food service.”
https://thesourcetradeshow.co.uk/
The 2019 West Country Tourism Conference
6th – 7th February
Westpoint, Exeter
“The conference is designed for anyone & everyone working in the tourism industry. It will provide tourism businesses with the opportunity to listen to industry experts who will be offering advice on a diverse range of topics. The 2019 Conference will focus on ‘Excellence and The Future’ on the 6th Feb and ‘Marketing, Digital and PR’ on the 7th Feb.
http://www.westcountrytourismconference.org.uk/
South West Tourism Excellence Awards Ceremony
7th February
Aerospace Bristol
“The grand finale for the awards across the South West, attended by 400 of the region’s top quality tourism businesspeople.”
http://www.southwesttourismawards.org.uk/page/47/awards-celebration-dinner-7-feb.htm
Casual Dining 2019
27th – 28th February
ExCeL, London
“The definitive trade event for restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels and contract caterers.”
https://www.casualdiningshow.co.uk/
The Bed & Breakfast, Retail and Self-Catering Show
27th – 28th February
Avonmouth Old Boys RFC, Bristol. BS11 9NG
“The fifth Exhibition and Conference covering the Bed and Breakfast, Guest House, Inns, Small Independent Hotel, Independent Self Catering Owners and Owner Managed Hospitality businesses.”
https://www.thebedandbreakfastshow.com/bristol