Nearly three quarters (73%) of UK businesses have taken steps to improve service as the result of an online review, according to a survey of over 100,000 respondents by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site. The findings come as TripAdvisor unveiled a new Guide to Writing Helpful Reviews, with useful review-writing tips for consumers based on a survey of over 100,000 … [Read more...]
Borough Council calls for reduction in VAT for pubs
Rushmoor Borough Council has called on the Government to “level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets by reducing the VAT pubs pay on food and drink to that paid by supermarkets.” If Local Authorities add their voice to that of the hospitality sector, the pressure for change will certainly increase substantially. Members of Rushmoor Borough Council voted in favour … [Read more...]
Pie makers prepare entries for the British Pie Awards 2015
With less than a month to enter the British Pie Awards, producers from across the country have been entering their pastry creations in the hopes of winning a renowned pie award. Entries have been coming in from Scotland, Devon, Wales, Kent and the Midlands to name but a few. This year there has even been an entry from a company in the Netherlands, as the awards build their … [Read more...]
Drink delight – hospitality toasts the Chancellor
George Osborne’s Budget announcements of a further one penny cut in beer duty, two per cent cuts for cider and whisky, and duty frozen for wine has delighted much of the hospitality sector – lead by brewers pubs and beer drinkers. Whilst celebrating the actions on duty, many also pointed to the positive effect of scrapping NI contributions for apprentices (see Keith Knowles, … [Read more...]
Coffee supply and demand: the need for better extraction
It is now well-publicised that problems of coffee supply may soon impact the market: demand continues to go up, but supply is down - more people are drinking coffee, but fewer people are growing it. In response to this challenging situation, H&C News turned to Alessandro Bonuzzi, Head of Coffee and Training at Artisan Coffee Shops and Coffee School in West London, to … [Read more...]