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Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
New multi-million-pound leisure facility for Newquay hotel
Luxury hotel and self-catering cottage village The Headland in Newquay is planning to open a multi-million-pound leisure complex in spring 2020. The Aqua Club will contain five pools, a sun terrace with sea views and a new restaurant named The Deck.
Three pools will be created inside The Aqua Club – a 25-metre training pool, a hydrotherapy pool, and a children’s pool for families staying at The Headland. Outside, a heated infinity pool will offer Atlantic views while a further ‘vitality pool’ will come complete with a water feature.
The Deck café and restaurant area will be situated between the indoor and outdoor areas.
John Armstrong, owner of The Headland, said: “The Aqua Club will bring top-of-the-range facilities to our guests. As our accommodation provision has grown, existing facilities are in high demand, particularly the spa and restaurants during high season. The Aqua Club will take The Headland into the next decade and beyond, providing the luxury experience that the destination has become well-known for.”
Lilly Lewarne Architects from Truro designed the building. Mark Duston, senior associate at the firm said: “Mr and Mrs Armstrong wanted a facility that would ‘wow’ their guests. Our challenge was to produce an exciting contemporary building that neither competes with the iconic Headland Hotel nor visually disrupts its beautiful surroundings.
“We have worked collaboratively with other top-class specialist pool and interior designers on the project to produce something really exceptional for the hotel and are very proud of what we have all achieved.
“Half of the building’s volume is underground with the equivalent of 3.5 Olympic sized swimming pools having been excavated during the groundworks stage. By the time The Aqua Club is finished, more than 400 tonnes of Cornish stone will have been used in its construction, and the roof will be planted with indigenous coastal plants and allowed to be colonised by the local flora, naturalising it into the landscape.”
UK’s first tourism sector deal announced
The Prime Minister announced the UK’s first ever tourism sector deal on 28th June which will prepare the country for an extra 9 million visits with a commitment to build 130,000 new hotel rooms by 2025.
The deal will support the creation of an additional 10,000 apprenticeships for people building their careers in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
A new Tourism Data Hub will also be created to show the latest trends and spending to help businesses to target overseas visitors.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “As one of the most visited countries in the world, the UK is a world leader in international tourism and it is crucial that we remain globally competitive to meet growing demands.
“That’s why today I am pleased to announce the UK’s first ever tourism sector deal, ensuring that we continue to innovate, boost connectivity and economic productivity, expand career pathways and breakdown barriers for visitors with disabilities.
“This deal recognises the important role tourism plays and will continue to play, in showcasing what our great country has to offer.”
British Tourist Authority chair Steve Ridgway said: “This sector deal is a game-changer for tourism, one of the UK’s most valuable export industries, spelling a step-change in how we underpin the success of tourism for a generation, moving it to the top table as a leading industry for the UK Government’s future economic planning.
“And it is a game-changer for the economy, growing the value of the industry and employment in tourism, fixing issues from skills and productivity to extending the season year-round, building stronger tourism destinations up and down the country and developing world-class experiences for domestic and international visitors.
“Tourism is one of the most fiercely competitive global industries and this deal ensures we can continue to compete internationally as a top destination for visitors, driving major economic growth across the whole of the UK.”
Other commitments in the Tourism Sector Deal include:
- More than 130,000 new hotel rooms are set to be built across the UK, with 75% being built outside of London.
- £250,000 to improve broadband connectivity in conference centres across the UK for business visitors.
- A pilot of up to five new Tourism Zones to drive visitor numbers across the country. Zones will receive Government support for growing their local visitor economy, through initiatives like targeted support for product and promotion development, mentoring support to businesses and digital skills training.
- 10,000 employees in the sector to benefit from new mentorship schemes.
- A new government strategy to grow the number of business events and conferences, helping to drive off-season visitors.
New food allergy packaging law
A new law will require food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged foods, Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced on the 25th June.
The legislation follows the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, the teenager who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette. Under current laws, food prepared on the premises in which it is sold is not required to display allergen information in writing, meaning allergy sufferers sometimes lack confidence buying food out.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse have been an inspiration in their drive to protect food allergy sufferers and deliver Natasha’s Law.
These changes will make food labels clear and consistent and give the country’s two million food allergy sufferers confidence in making safe food choices.”
Chair of the Food Standards Agency Heather Hancock said: “We want the UK to become the best place in the world for people living with food hypersensitivities. The impact of food allergy and intolerance on quality of life can be as great or even greater than almost all other foodborne diseases. Whilst it’s impossible to eliminate the risks entirely, we believe this change will mean better protection for allergic consumers.
The reforms cover labelling requirements for foods that are prepared and packed on the same premises from which they are sold – such as a packaged sandwich or salad made by staff earlier in the day and placed on a shelf for purchase.
Currently, these foods are not required to carry labels, and if asked by a consumer allergen information must be given in person by the food business.”
Cotswold Taste partners with Taste of the West
Food and drink quality marque Cotswold Taste have agreed on a partnership deal with regional food group Taste of the West.
The arrangement will mean services provided by Taste of the West Ltd including promotion, events and business support can now be accessed on payment of a joint membership fee to Cotswold Taste and Taste of the West. Additionally, insurance advice will be provided by Taste of the West’s own insurance provider, Taste of the West Insurance Services (TOTWIS) and delivered by Taste of the West partner – WPS insurance brokers.
Nick Waloff, executive chair of Cotswold Taste, said: “This is an exciting and important addition to the range of services we offer to our members and business partners.
“I’m very pleased that Taste of the West has agreed to partner with us. They certainly bring a great deal of experience – and opportunities – to the table.”
John Sheaves, Chief Executive of Taste of the West Ltd, said: “I am delighted to be partnering with Cotswold Taste. Taste of the West covers a large geographical area of the country – the six counties of the greater South West region, so it makes sense to partner with Cotswold Taste and use their support to deliver our brand and extensive business advice to the Cotswold area.”
Historic Devon pub reopens after 5 years
A 1000-year-old pub in East Devon, The Yarcombe Inn, is to reopen after a local couple stepped in to buy it. The pub, situated in the village of Yarcombe, has been closed for nearly five years despite efforts by villagers to take it on as a community venture.
Originally a 9th-century monastery, the thatched former coaching inn was later owned by Sir Francis Drake, along with the rest of Yarcombe.
New owners Simon and Celine Peniston-Bird are adding the pub to their small local portfolio of mainly residential properties. They said: “We had never seen the pub open and passing it daily we felt it was sad to see it permanently closed… On our first visit, our overwhelming feeling was that it was a truly lovely building, steeped in history with a great warm atmosphere in the bar.
“We knew that some work was needed and areas like the kitchen needed updating but we left that meeting feeling very positive!”
The pub will be run by tenants Luke and Anie Davis-Keogh who have moved from Loughborough where Luke was a pub manager.
“We are planning a soft opening this summer, building up our range as custom grows,” said Luke.
“I have a real passion for local ales and Anie is looking at expanding into coffee mornings and possibly mother and toddler groups. We can’t wait to get the Yarcombe Inn back on the map!”
Sheppy’s Cider announce national listings
Somerset cidermaker Sheppy’s have announced their 200 Special Edition and Original Cloudy Cider will be available nationally from Waitrose.
David Sheppy, master of cider, commented: “We are delighted to see two well-loved ciders from the range going on the shelves in Waitrose & Partners as the summer season gets into full swing. I am passionate about preserving my family’s six generations of cider craftsmanship, which is at the heart of everything Sheppy’s does and which set us apart from others. Each cider has its own taste profile – we want more people to enjoy experimenting with food and cider pairings!”
The 200 Special Edition was launched in 2016 to mark Sheppy’s 200th year and was awarded a gold medal at the International Cider Awards 2019.
FOOD AND DRINK NEWS
Salcombe’s new Mediterranean-inspired gin
Salcombe Distilling Co. are launching Rosé Sainte Marie, a new Mediterranean-inspired gin for the summer.
Available from early July, this dry rosé gin is named after the ‘Sainte Marie’ lighthouse which marks the Southern entrance to the Old Port of Marseille, from where 19th century Salcombe Fruit Schooners would load citrus fruits and herbs bound for England’s ports.
The new gin is described by the producers as being “reminiscent of a balmy summer’s evening sat outside on the terrace of your favourite restaurant, watching the world go by. Fragrant notes of fresh lemon peel and Provence herbs are complemented by the natural sweetness of red fruit and the distinctive perfume of white flowers and orange blossom carried on a sea breeze. Lavender and lemon verbena, along with a hint of white pepper, add subtle finesse. On the palate it has fullness and intensity whilst remaining smooth with an endearing and lingering softness to finish.”
Angus Lugsdin, co-founder of Salcombe Distilling Co, comments: “We’re extremely excited to launch this exceptional gin, our second commercial release, exactly three years after the launch of ‘Start Point’. With so many overly sweet and synthetically coloured gins in the market, we set out to elevate the category by creating a dry pink gin with no added sugar, a nod to the crisp and dry rosé wines from Provence. The recipe draws inspiration from the heritage and trading routes of the Salcombe Fruit Schooners and the citrus fruits and herbs they carried back to England.”
Salcombe Gin ‘Rosé Sainte Marie’ (41.4% ABV) is priced at £40 per 70cl bottle and is available online at salcombegin.com and at selected independent retailers nationwide.
Elderflower Chilli Jelly returns
South Devon Chilli Farm has relaunched its Elderflower Chilli Jelly, following popular demand from customers.
Created using apples, elderflowers, lemon juice, sugar and chillies grown on their farm in Devon, the naturally set jelly is “inspired by summer fragrances” and aimed at “today’s consumers who are seeking interesting flavour combinations.”
Kaz Lobendhan, trade director, said: “With the start of summer truly upon us, demand for this unique jelly has soared, so we could not resist bringing it back… Presented in a bigger jar with a fresh new look, we feel this will represent even better value and will become a favourite for al fresco lunches, picnics and cheeseboards. Now made with more elderflowers per jar, and a superior jelly wobble, it’s better than ever”.
South Devon Chilli Farm Elderflower Chilli Jelly has an RRP of £3.90 (trade price: £2.54 per 250g unit).
For further information, contact sales@sdcf.co.ukor call 01548 550782.
Twinings’ teas for the hospitality industry
Twinings are launching two new teas developed exclusively for the hospitality industry. The Full English and All Day Decaf teas are loose-leaf pyramid tea blends that they have created “to meet the needs of consumers in the out of home market.”
Jacqui Chapman, shopper marketing manager at Twinings Foodservice said: “Energy management throughout the day is a key consumer need and tea is a beverage which is able to deliver this due to both its refreshing and ‘pick me up’ role and also because of its ability to aid relaxation. We also know that consumers won’t compromise on taste, especially in the out of home market and with this in mind, our two new blends release strong, well rounded and full-bodied flavours which consumers demand. The All Day blend is decaffeinated and this tea style continues to grow in popularity as caffeine conscious consumers want a refreshing drink with the same full-bodied taste.”
The two blends have a heavier bag weight at 3g, designed for a teapot rather than a cup of water. The plastic-free and biodegradable bags use large leaf tea to retain an “intensity of flavour resulting in a bold drink without bitterness.”
Twinings cite the Allegra Tea Out of Home Report 2017 findings that “43% of consumers…would pay more if a premium quality tea were offered and 22% of consumers preferring loose leaf tea or loose leaf pyramids.” They say their two new blends “help foodservice operators to overcome the hurdle of charging more for tea by delivering a truly unique tea experience.”
For further information, contact Twinings Food Service on 01264 313444 or visit www.twinings.co.uk/food-service.
Wadworth’s new look on the Horizon
Independent brewer Wadworth are giving their golden cask ale Horizon a new look this summer. It has been relaunched in both cask original ale, chilled dispense cask and bottles with new branding inspired by the founder of the brewery Henry Wadworth and his first hot air balloon flight.
CEO for Wadworth, Chris Welham said, “This is about celebrating the true adventurous spirit of our founder with a chilled and lightly hopped beer. The new branding portrays west country mischief and the witty and engaging character of the people who love real golden ale. The Horizon brand will appeal to those who already drink cask ale but also to those that go beyond and want to experiment away from their favourite drinks with a fresh golden ale that can be served chilled”.
Horizon cask beer can now be served chilled at the point of dispensing at 8°C via a new chilled tap. For more information visit: www.wadworth.co.uk.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
July
Hampshire Food Festival
1st – 31st July 2019
Locations across Hampshire
“Organised by local food group Hampshire Fare, the festival celebrates food and drink grown, reared and made in the county with over 100 events showcasing local ingredients and products.”
https://www.hampshirefare.co.uk/
Real Italian Wine & Food Trade Event
9th July 2019
11am – 6pm
Chelsea Football Club, London
“The Real Italian Wine & Food offers trade professionals an excellent opportunity to establish direct contact with selected producers and traders.”
http://www.therealitalianwine.co.uk/