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-gb2006 Reed Business InformationThu, 29 Jul 2010 13:01:00 GMT60http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/29/334430/merchant-inns-report-found-simplistic-forecasts-and-weak-control.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/29/334430/merchant-inns-report-found-simplistic-forecasts-and-weak-control.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comAn extensive review of Merchant Inns for its bankers warned that its financial forecasts were "simplistic" and its financial control "weak", more than three months before it went into administration. The boutique pubs-with-rooms operator, owned by property magnate Sir John Ritblat, called in administrators Deloitte in October last year, following the sacking of its chairman, Robert Breare, in August.Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:01:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/29/334425/carlson-buys-tgi-fridays-uk-from-aac.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/29/334425/carlson-buys-tgi-fridays-uk-from-aac.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comCarlson, a privately held global hospitality and travel company, has bought the remaining 60% stake in TGI Friday’s UK Holdings and plans to remodel and expand the casual restaurant chain over the next five years. The deal sees Carlson acquire TGI Friday’s from AAC Capital Partners for $50m (£32m).Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:17:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/29/334423/eating-out-report-warns-of-long-term-effect-of-recession.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/29/334423/eating-out-report-warns-of-long-term-effect-of-recession.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe UK eating-out market is starting to see green shoots of recovery, but while the amount spent on dining out of the home in 2010 is marginally up from last year the recession will have an enduring impact on consumer attitudes, according to new research in the Eating Out in the UK 2010 report.Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:10:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334422/barclay-brothers-sell-10-stake-in-ihg.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334422/barclay-brothers-sell-10-stake-in-ihg.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comShares in the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) fell yesterday by 7.4% following the news that the Barclay brothers had sold their 10% stake in the company for around £335m. Ellerman Corporation, an investment company owned by David and Frederick Barclay, offloaded almost 30 million shares.Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:35:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334421/center-parcs-to-open-more-luxury-accommodation.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334421/center-parcs-to-open-more-luxury-accommodation.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comLuxury accommodation at Center Parcs in Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire is to be increased with the opening of three tree houses and five exclusive lodges, in 2011. The two-storey, four-bedroom tree houses at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire will each feature en-suite bathrooms and balconies to all bedrooms.Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:27:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334420/compass-reports-a-fall-in-revenue-in-third-quarter.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334420/compass-reports-a-fall-in-revenue-in-third-quarter.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comCompass Group has seen a 2.1% year on year fall in organic revenue for the third quarter despite reporting a "slight acceleration" in new and retained business. The world's largest contract caterer blamed the fall on challenging economic conditions, which it says continue to impact like for like volumes in the UK business and industry sector in the nine months to June 2010. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:20:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334419/streetsmart-charity-moves-into-hotels-with-sleepsmart.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334419/streetsmart-charity-moves-into-hotels-with-sleepsmart.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comRestaurant charity StreetSmart, which supports the homeless, is to branch out into the hotels sector, with the launch of a sister campaign entitled SleepSmart, Caterersearch can reveal. The new initiative, which will run throughout November and December, will build on the original fundraiser.Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:09:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334418/its-time-to-enter-the-2010-web-awards.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334418/its-time-to-enter-the-2010-web-awards.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comCaterersearch.com's Web Awards are now open for entries, and this year two new categories have been added. The awards recognise the people and organisations responsible for developing some of the most effective hospitality websites on the internet today.Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:04:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334417/orchid-to-refurbish-13-living-room-sites.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334417/orchid-to-refurbish-13-living-room-sites.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comOrchid is to revamp all 13 of its Living Room sites. The investment, which aims to give the outlets a 'lighter and brigher' feel, follows the brand's acquisition by the Orchid Group, as part of the takeover of Premium Bars and Restaurants at the end of 2009. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:30:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334416/be-at-one-opens-10th-site.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334416/be-at-one-opens-10th-site.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comLondon-based cocktail bar chain Be At One is set to open its 10th outlet this week. The new venue on Old Street in Shoreditch will be Be At One's largest, with capacity for 300 people. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334415/government-plans-licensing-law-shake-up.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/28/334415/government-plans-licensing-law-shake-up.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comLocal residents will be able to object to pubs even if they do not live in the immediate vicinity or if they believe they are having an adverse effect on public health. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:40:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334411/team-chosen-for-culinary-world-cup.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334411/team-chosen-for-culinary-world-cup.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe British Culinary Federation has announced the English National Culinary Team which will represent the country at the Culinary World Cup in November. The competition, which takes place from 20 to 24 November in Luxembourg, pits both individual chefs and teams from 25 countries against each other in hot and cold cooking challenges. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:36:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334412/pilgrim-inn-wins-fullers-hampshire-dish-of-the-year.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334412/pilgrim-inn-wins-fullers-hampshire-dish-of-the-year.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe Pilgrim Inn at Marchwood near Southampton has won Fuller's Hampshire Dish of the Year competition, held in conjunction with The Hampshire Food Festival. The aim of the competition was for Fuller's pub chefs to create a dish based on locally sourced ingredients that they would happily serve on their pub menu. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:35:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334410/glee-club-owner-takes-on-fourth-site.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334410/glee-club-owner-takes-on-fourth-site.htmfeedback@caterersearch.com Comedy and music venue group Comic Enterprises is to open its fourth Glee Club after it took on a former Jongleurs venue in Nottingham. Christie & Co re-let the Bar Risa/Jongleurs site to Comic Enterprises on behalf of BDO, the administrator for Regent Inns, which operated several Jongleurs clubs. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:35:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334409/ritz-conman-jailed-for-five-years.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334409/ritz-conman-jailed-for-five-years.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comAn unemployed conman who carried out an "elaborate and outrageous scam" to sell London's Ritz hotel (left) for £250m has been jailed for five years. Anthony Lee, a jobless lorry driver from Yorkshire, found victims interested in the iconic hotel in Piccadilly and duped them into handing over £1m, London's Southwark Crown Court heard. Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:57:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334408/nandos-loses-23m-in-36-weeks.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334408/nandos-loses-23m-in-36-weeks.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comChicken restaurant chain Nando's financial woes deepened after it made losses of £23m in the 36 weeks to February 2009, according to accounts filed with Companies House. Despite sales of £167m in that period, the UK arm of the South African restaurant group struggled as a result of rising raw ingredient prices... Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:48:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334407/restaurateur-fined-30000-after-mouse-is-found-swimming-in-sweet-and-sour.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334407/restaurateur-fined-30000-after-mouse-is-found-swimming-in-sweet-and-sour.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comA London Chinese restaurant has been fined £30,000 after health inspectors saw a mouse swimming in a portion of sweet and sour sauce that was about to be served to customers. The rodent was photographed as it jumped out of the bowl and ran along a pipe in the kitchen of the Kam Tong restaurant in Queensway, Bayswater, according to the London Evening Standard.Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:19:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334406/businesses-sought-for-new-series-of-the-hotel-inspector.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334406/businesses-sought-for-new-series-of-the-hotel-inspector.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe Hotel Inspector team, from the Channel 5 TV series hosted by Alex Polizzi, is currently looking for family-run or privately-owned hotels who feel they could benefit from straight-talking advice to appear on its next series. Hotel owners, guesthouse operators and bed and breakfast proprietors are being encouraged to apply for the opportunity.Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:59:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334405/vacherin-wins-two-deals-worth-1m-in-total.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334405/vacherin-wins-two-deals-worth-1m-in-total.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comLondon-based caterer Vacherin has won two new contracts with a combined turnover of more than £1m. The independent firm will provide catering services for events held at the Royal Society of Chemistry in Burlington House in London's West End as part of a three-year contract.Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:52:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334404/caterers-bid-for-10.4m-cisco-business.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334404/caterers-bid-for-10.4m-cisco-business.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comContract caterers have been invited to bid for $16.1m (£10.4m) of business with network equipment manufacturer Cisco Systems. The catering opportunities with Cisco are spread across four UK sites as well as Dublin, Galway, Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris.Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:23:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334403/rbs-to-sell-its-remaining-six-hilton-hotels.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/27/334403/rbs-to-sell-its-remaining-six-hilton-hotels.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is putting the six remaining Hilton Hotels it owns on the market, for a total asking price of £200m. The portfolio includes the Hilton Warwick, the Hilton Brighton Metropole, the Hilton St Anne's Manor in Bracknell, the Hilton Glasgow, the Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor and the Hilton Manchester Airport.Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:12:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334402/gucci-daughter-not-allowed-to-use-name-for-dubai-hotel.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334402/gucci-daughter-not-allowed-to-use-name-for-dubai-hotel.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe daughter of legendary fashion designer Paolo Gucci will not be allowed to launch a hotel group using the family name, an Italian court has ruled. Elisabetta Gucci had intended to open an 87-suite hotel in Dubai later this year under the EG Hotels and Resorts by Elisabetta Gucci brand. She plans to have up to 40 hotels around the world within 15 years.Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:44:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334401/restaurants-drop-out-of-calorie-count-scheme.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334401/restaurants-drop-out-of-calorie-count-scheme.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe majority of hospitality operators that took part in a Food Standards Agency (FSA) trial of labelling menus with calorie information have failed to commit...Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:31:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334400/marylebone-four-seasons-up-for-sale.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334400/marylebone-four-seasons-up-for-sale.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe 42-bedroom Four Seasons Hotel in Marylebone, London, has been put on the market for £9m. Situated on the edge of Regent's Park, the recently refurbished...Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:13:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334398/sodexo-wins-employers-forum-for-belief-award.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334398/sodexo-wins-employers-forum-for-belief-award.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comSodexo's diversity and inclusion programme has earned the caterer the best overall private sector organisation prize at the Employers Forum for Belief and...Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:56:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334396/michael-gray-becomes-hyatt-international-area-director.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334396/michael-gray-becomes-hyatt-international-area-director.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comMichael Gray, the general manager of the Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill, has been promoted to area director for Hyatt International for the UK. The new role, effective from 1 August, will see Gray overseeing operations for all of Hyatt's UK properties, including Andaz Livepool Street, London and Hyatt Regency Birmingham.Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:43:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334395/the-goose-in-britwell-salome-to-close-permanently.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334395/the-goose-in-britwell-salome-to-close-permanently.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comThe Michelin-starred Goose in Britwell Salome, Oxfordshire, is to close down for good from 1 August. Owner Paul Castle said he decided to close the eaterie because the economic climate made the business 'unfeasible'. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:08:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334394/lancashire-restaurants-caught-out-on-menu-claims.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334394/lancashire-restaurants-caught-out-on-menu-claims.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comPubs, cafés and restaurants in Lancashire have been caught making misleading claims about the description and provenance of their food. An investigation by trading standards officers found that 32 of the 41 randomly-selected premises they visited made claims that turned out to be misleading.Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:27:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334393/relais-chteaux-reports-sales-growth-of-29.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/26/334393/relais-chteaux-reports-sales-growth-of-29.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comRelais & Châteaux, the luxury hotel consortium, has reported a sales growth across its 480 global properties of 29%, totalling £59m. The figure includes sales...Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:14:00 GMThttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/23/334392/sleeperz-secures-7m-funding-to-expand-to-10-hotels.htmhttp://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/23/334392/sleeperz-secures-7m-funding-to-expand-to-10-hotels.htmfeedback@caterersearch.comBudget hotel company Sleeperz has secured a £7m investment to fund future growth in the UK, with a target of 10 hotels by 2015. The business opened...Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:24:00 GMT