Childhood incident turned Albert Roux from priesthood to fame as chef – For more hospitality stories, see what the weekend papers say
Childhood incident turned Albert Roux from priesthood to fame as chefRead the full article in the Daily Telegraph >>
Concierges at InterContinental hotels to be equipped with iPads Concierges at the InterContinental London Park Lane, New York Barclay, Buckhead Atlanta and Hong Kong hotels will be equipped with the new Apple iPads from next week to provide guests with local information. They will use the iPads to show guests maps, directions and videos for local attractions and allow them to book tickets at restaurants and theatres. The hotels will also be piloting state-of-the-art Google Maps technology and other enhancements on the iPads. - 2 April, Read the full article in The Times >>
Punch does not need new chairman, argues shareholder
Punch Taverns has been told by one of its largest shareholders that it should appoint an executive chairman rather than a new chief executive to replace Giles Thorley, who announced his resignation from the role last week. "Punch does not need a chief executive," said Andy Brough of Schroders, which has a 6.5% stake in the pubco. "They have two - one running the tenanted pubs, the other running the managed pubs. What they need is an executive chairman. Giles Thorley did not really have a job at the end. Why bring someone in to that role?" Divisional heads Roger Whiteside and Mike Tye have both been named as possible successors to Thorley. Punch, which is also interviewing outside candidates, is expected to announce its decision by early May. - 4 April, Read the full article in the Sunday Times >>
EasyJet boss raises £17m for EasyHotel in London
EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is believed to be poised to buy a property in Chelsea or Knightsbridge for his EasyHotel chain after raising £17m in the past six months through a series of transactions involving EasyJet share. Most recently he has placed one million EasyJet shares with Swiss bank UBS in exchange for £4.5m. Stelios raised a further £5m last month and £7.5m in September 2009. - 1 April, Read the full article in The Times >>
Scottish hotel operators urged to act with single voice
Scottish hotel operators should work together and speak with one voice rather than exhaust politicians' time with individual causes, according to the managing director of landmark hotel Crieff Hydro. Stephen Leckie urged hoteliers to back the Scottish Tourism Forum as their umbrella body. Leckie said it was an exciting time for tourism with the government acknowledging its major part in the growing economy and ripeness for development. "What we have to do with tourism is try to get one voice, like the National Farmers' Union has," said Leckie. "Too many small hotel, guest house and B&B owners try and shout about their own causes. I can understand why they do it but they sit and criticize VisitScotland for not bringing them business. But actually VisitScotland is there to bring tourists to Scotland and then it's up to the businesses to sort themselves out." - 4 April, Read the full article in Scotland on Sunday >>
Britain's remotest pub on the market A pub that can only be reached by an 18-mile trip over mountains or a seven-mile sea crossing has been put on the market with Knight Frank for more than £790,000. Despite its status as Britain's remotest mainland pub and the lack of road access, the Old Forge pub at Inverie, on the Knoydart Peninsula in the West Highlands, has a thriving business fueled by sailors and tourists from around the world. The price includes an award-winning waterside pub and restaurant, owners' accommodation and 10 boat moorings. The Old Forge, which has been under the same ownership for 20 years, was eulogized by Peter Irvine in the Scotland The Best guide as one of just three "bloody good pubs" in the country. - 3 April, Read the full article in the Scotsman >>
Edinburgh publicans demand change in Sunday opening times Dozens of publicans in Edinburgh are demanding a change in the licensing law to allow them to serve alcohol from 8am on Sundays in order to benefit from early sports events. Under the current legislation, alcohol cannot be sold on Sundays before 12.30pm. The council will announce its decision following a consultation period next month. - 3 April, Read the full articles on the in the Scotsman >> Soft drinks outsell spirits in pubs
Soft drinks are outselling spirits in pubs for the first time, according to market researcher Nielsen. It found that sales of non-alcoholic beverages rose by 3%, to £2.4b, in 2009 while spirit sales dropped by 5%. The change in fortunes has been attributed to the growth in pub meals. ‘After a very difficult 18 months we are seeing evidence that outlets which have refocussed their offer to target families and women are reaping the benefits," said Murrary Harri, sales director at drinks giant Britvic. Leading the surge in soft drink sales were cola and lemonade (where sales rose by 4%), flavoured carbonates (10% ahead) and squash (up 5%). - 4 April, Read the full article in the Mail on Sunday >>
Rhubarb sales feel the Delia effect
Waitrose has had to import German rhubarb treated with an agent called gibberellic acid because an advert by Delia Smith caused British supplies to run out. because British suppliers could not meet the surge in demand. Waitrose was selling enough rhubarb for 61,000 desserts in just four days, the amount it usually sells in 12 weeks. Much of Britain's rhubarb is grown in the Rhubarb Triangle of Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds but this season's crop was delayed by the cold weather. "I can't understand why Waitrose has publicised this rhubarb recipe at a time when it is difficult getting both forced and outdoors-grown rhubarb in the UK," said Janet Oldroyd of the Yorkshire Rhubarb Growers' Association. - 4 April, Read the full article in the Sunday Telegraph >>
By Angela Frewin
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