http://www.caterersearch.comLatest hospitality news from CatererSearch. CatererSearch has all the latest hospitality news from the hotel, restaurant, pub, bar and contract catering sectors.en-gb2011 Reed Business InformationMon, 13 Feb 2012 00:10:00 GMT60http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/13/342287/restaurant-insolvencies-jumped-in-2011.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/13/342287/restaurant-insolvencies-jumped-in-2011.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comRestaurant insolvencies jumped by nearly a third in the last quarter of 2011, with nearly 200 companies going bust, research has found. The number of restaurants going out of business during the last three months of 2001 went up by 31% to 194, compared with 148 the year before.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:10:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342286/almr-calls-for-government-to-increase-apprenticeship-funding.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342286/almr-calls-for-government-to-increase-apprenticeship-funding.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comAt the moment 16 to 18-year-olds are eligible for full funding, while 19 to 24-year-olds get half of their training paid for. The ALMR is calling for full funding for all young people. ALMR strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls said: "Our industry greatly values apprentices...Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:01:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342285/marcus-wareing-oversees-food-and-beverage-of-new-24m-birmingham-hotel.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342285/marcus-wareing-oversees-food-and-beverage-of-new-24m-birmingham-hotel.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comMarcus Wareing is consulting on the food and beverage operation at the new £24m, 174-bedroom Hotel La Tour, which is set to open in Birmingham next month. Wareing is devising the menus and assisting in the recruitment of the 12-strong brigade for the 80-seat Aalto restaurant, bar and coffee shop.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:16:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342284/chefs-cyrus-todiwala-gareth-johns-and-john-feeney-to-run-masterclasses-for-pace-conference.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342284/chefs-cyrus-todiwala-gareth-johns-and-john-feeney-to-run-masterclasses-for-pace-conference.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comCyrus Todiwala, Gareth Johns and John Feeney have been confirmed as masterclass presenters at the forthcoming Professional Association for Catering Education (PACE) conference in Blackpool, next month. The three chefs will appear at the culinary and front-of-house demonstration theatres at the 2012 PACE Conference and Exhibition.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:51:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342282/jw-marriott-marquis-dubai-set-to-be-worlds-tallest-dedicated-hotel.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342282/jw-marriott-marquis-dubai-set-to-be-worlds-tallest-dedicated-hotel.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe 1,606-bedroom JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, which opens later this year, is laying claim to being the tallest dedicated hotel building in the world. At 355m, it will overtake the 333m Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:22:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342281/skye-gyngell-leaves-petersham-nurseries.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342281/skye-gyngell-leaves-petersham-nurseries.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comMichelin-starred Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond, Surrey, has has confirmed that head chef Skye Gyngell has left the restaurant after eight years. The restaurant and garden centre, which opened in 2004, has appointed Australian chef Greg Malouf as Gyngell's successor...Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:17:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342280/britannia-buys-leeds-hotel-out-of-administration.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342280/britannia-buys-leeds-hotel-out-of-administration.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comBritannia Hotels has purchased the 103-bedroom Ramada Hotel Leeds North out of administration for an undisclosed sum. It will be renamed as the Britannia Leeds hotel and become be the 38th hotel to be added to the privately owned portfolio of hotels, run by Alex Langsam.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:56:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342279/roy-ackerman-appointed-chairman-of-the-wine-guild-of-the-united-kingdom.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342279/roy-ackerman-appointed-chairman-of-the-wine-guild-of-the-united-kingdom.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comRestaurant consultant and hospitality industry veteran Roy Ackerman has been appointed chairman of the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom. The Wine Guild's purpose is to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of the fruit of the vine and to support the wine producers of the UK.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:50:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342275/thousands-of-school-leavers-chase-travelodge-apprenticeship-places.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342275/thousands-of-school-leavers-chase-travelodge-apprenticeship-places.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comTravelodge has announced that it has received a record number of applications for JuMP, its junior management apprenticeship programme, as university applications plummet. The budget hotel group said it had received more than 3,000 CVs for its 45 apprentice positions, equating to 66 school-leavers going after every position.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:33:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342277/bha-lobbies-government-to-include-hotels-in-enterprise-investment-scheme.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342277/bha-lobbies-government-to-include-hotels-in-enterprise-investment-scheme.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe British Hospitality Association (BHA) is urging the Government to allow hotels to benefit from the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's failure to include hotels in the scheme in his autumn statement...Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:33:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342278/death-of-kevin-boyle-leads-to-fundraising-for-mental-health.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342278/death-of-kevin-boyle-leads-to-fundraising-for-mental-health.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe high-profile death of a former Jamie Oliver chef has prompted a renewed effort to combat the stigma surrounding depression within the restaurant and catering industry. Dave Ahern, head chef at Ben's Canteen in south London, is to stage a charity dinner...Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:33:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342274/mari-vanna-russian-restaurant-to-open-in-knightsbridge.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342274/mari-vanna-russian-restaurant-to-open-in-knightsbridge.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comNew Russian restaurant Mari Vanna has announced it will open in London's Knightsbridge at the start of next month. Serving a menu of 'babushka cooking' - traditional homely fare - the Russian dishes will be served with influences from Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan and with a contemporary presentation...Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:55:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342243/battle-with-tripadvisor-won-but-the-war-goes-on.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342243/battle-with-tripadvisor-won-but-the-war-goes-on.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe results of the Advertising Standards Agency's (ASA) adjudication on whether TripAdvisor's advertising slogans such as the now defunct "reviews you can trust" were misleading are finally here, and the online reviews site has ended up with a bit of a bloody nose.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:55:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342238/why-the-bha-resigned-from-the-vat-club.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342238/why-the-bha-resigned-from-the-vat-club.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe BHA has resigned from the VAT Club to concentrate on the industry's official VAT initiative. Chief executive Ufi Ibrahim explains why Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:50:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342273/bridge-end-inn-becomes-first-welsh-winner-of-camras-national-pub-of-the-year-award.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/10/342273/bridge-end-inn-becomes-first-welsh-winner-of-camras-national-pub-of-the-year-award.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comA small Welsh community pub has become the first-ever establishment from the country to win the Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) National Pub of the Year award. The Bridge End Inn, Ruabon, only reopened, having been revived by its current owners, in March 2009.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:05:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342270/ampersand-launches-very-hungry-caterpillar-healthy-eating-range-for-children.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342270/ampersand-launches-very-hungry-caterpillar-healthy-eating-range-for-children.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comIconic venues caterer Ampersand has today launched a new children's healthy eating range at Hampton Court Palace under the iconic the Very Hungry Caterpillar (VHC) brand. The range, which will be rolled out to all three Historic Royal Palaces that are catered for by Ampersand, will feature...Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:14:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342271/record-number-of-holiday-visits-to-uk-during-2011.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342271/record-number-of-holiday-visits-to-uk-during-2011.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comA record number of holiday visitors - spending a record amount of money - came to the UK in 2011, according to figures released today by VisitBritain. Overseas visitor numbers increased 3%, year-on-year, to 30.6 million last year... Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:14:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342272/stafford-launch-100000-package-to-celebrate-centenary.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342272/stafford-launch-100000-package-to-celebrate-centenary.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comAn eye-watering £100,000 is the price tag that has been put on a VIP package to celebrate the centenary of the Stafford London by Kempinski hotel. The five-star, 105-bedroom hotel in St James's Place is describing the three-night package as the "ultimate VIP experience". Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:14:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342269/in-this-weeks-caterer-and-hotelkeeper-magazine.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342269/in-this-weeks-caterer-and-hotelkeeper-magazine.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comProfessional Partners: How the couples who've started their own businesses get the work-life balance right. The Caterer and Hotelkeeper Interview: Choice Hotels Europe chief executive Duncan Berry on why reducing the group's number of hotels was so importantThu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342268/dd-london-appoints-timothy-allen-as-head-chef-of-launceston-place.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342268/dd-london-appoints-timothy-allen-as-head-chef-of-launceston-place.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comD&D London has appointed Timothy Allen as head chef at Launceston Place following the departure of Tristan Welch who left the restaurant last month. Allen joins the Kensington restaurant from the two-Michelin-starred Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds...Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:15:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342266/benugo-founder-hugo-warner-to-open-market-caf-in-londons-broadway-market.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342266/benugo-founder-hugo-warner-to-open-market-caf-in-londons-broadway-market.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comHugo Warner, founder of café-to-restaurant operator Benugo, is to open his first solo venture after leaving the company in 2010. Market Café, which will open in Broadway Market in east London in March, will recreate the spirit of the classic Italian "Formica" café of the 1950s.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:20:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342265/leon-restaurant-to-open-at-kings-cross-station.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342265/leon-restaurant-to-open-at-kings-cross-station.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe Autogrill Group, together with its subsidiary HMSHost, has entered a new relationship with Leon Restaurants, to launch a branch of Leon at the redeveloped King's Cross station in London. Set to open in mid-March, the partnership marks the entry of Autogrill Group and HMSHost...Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:06:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342263/royal-leamington-spas-restaurant-23-to-reopen-in-new-premises-on-holly-walk.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342263/royal-leamington-spas-restaurant-23-to-reopen-in-new-premises-on-holly-walk.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comRestaurant 23 in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, is set to reopen this month following its relocation to new premises. Currently located on Dormer Place, the restaurant will close on 11 February and reopen in its new location on Holly Walk, Hamilton Terrace, with a soft launch on 22 February.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342260/robert-walker-is-new-enterprise-inns-chairman.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342260/robert-walker-is-new-enterprise-inns-chairman.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comEnterprise Inns has appointed Robert Walker to succeed Hubert Reid as its chairman. Walker will join the board as a non-executive director and chairman designate today and will assume the role of chairman on 31 March...Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:53:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342259/coffee-shop-chain-st-ali-rebrands.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/09/342259/coffee-shop-chain-st-ali-rebrands.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe owner and operating company of coffee shop chain St Ali has rebranded as part of its strategy to consolidate its operations within the UK. Formerly known as Long Black, the company will now be known as Workshop Trading...Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:50:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342254/hoteliers-in-york-fight-proposed-tourist-tax.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342254/hoteliers-in-york-fight-proposed-tourist-tax.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comHoteliers in York are fighting a proposed tourist tax which they say could have "detrimental implications" for the city's businesses and economy. Labour-controlled York City Council is considering a proposal by the York Fairness Commission to levy a £1 per head per night contribution on all visitors to the historic city.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:29:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342253/host-strengthens-senior-management-team.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342253/host-strengthens-senior-management-team.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comHost Contract Management has strengthened its national sales and operations functions with several new appointments to its senior management team. Alan McDonald joins the independent caterer as regional director for Scotland from Elior where he was operations director for Scotland. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:23:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342252/ex-marco-pierre-white-pub-the-yew-tree-inn-on-the-market.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342252/ex-marco-pierre-white-pub-the-yew-tree-inn-on-the-market.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comA Berkshire pub at the centre of a legal dispute between Marco Pierre White and its former business partners has been put up for sale. The owners, businessmen Andrew Parton and Peter Featherman, are looking for offers in excess of £1.65m for the freehold of the Yew Tree Inn in Highclere, near Newbury.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:06:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342251/john-scanlon-is-new-hotel-manager-for-londons-dorchester-hotel.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342251/john-scanlon-is-new-hotel-manager-for-londons-dorchester-hotel.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comJohn Scanlon has been appointed to the newly created position of hotel manager at London's Dorchester hotel. Scanlon, who takes up his new role on 1 March, is currently director of revenue for the hotel's parent company, the Dorchester Collection, where he has been since 2008.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:31:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342248/entrepreneur-luke-johnson-slams-discount-culture.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2012/02/08/342248/entrepreneur-luke-johnson-slams-discount-culture.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comSerial entrepreneur Luke Johnson has slammed the discount culture that remains prevalent on the high street, branding Groupon as a way to attract 'hit and run' customers. The Risk Capital Partners chairman, and former chair of Channel 4 and PizzaExpress...Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:12:00 GMT