The ALMR, the leading voice for licensed retail hospitality, has welcomed the Government’s decision to accept the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations in determining the new rate of National Minimum Wage, rather than the previously discussed real terms increase to £7. The Government has approved a rise in the adult rate of National Minimum Wage from £6.31 to £6.50 per hour. … [Read more...]
Geronimo Inns to support LCFCGA and its farms and gardens
Geronimo Inns is pleased to announce a year-long partnership with the London City Farms and Community Gardens Association (LCFCGA). Geronimo Inns will be supporting the LCFCGA through sponsorship of the City Harvest event in September 2014 as well as donating proceeds from monthly Tasty Tuesday events held at various pubs to the charity. At group level Geronimo Inns’ staff … [Read more...]
From Pelican to Red Lemon
The Pelican in Notting Hill is now under new ownership after DCL - the leisure specialists - sold the remainder of a 20 year free of tie lease from April 2012 to private operator Alli Kyle for an undisclosed sum. The vendor - Gareth Lloyd-Jones - is the former CEO of Gourmet Holdings and former owner of dining pub group Bel & The Dragon. He continues to operate two … [Read more...]
Growth in organic sales for the first time in four years
The Soil Association’s annual Organic Market Report today reveals that the organic sector has seen growth of 2.8% in 2013: the first time the organic market has seen annual growth since 2008, and reflecting growing public demand. Organic sales are growing slightly ahead of the overall grocery sales for 2013, which finished the year at around +2.1%. The 2014 Organic Market … [Read more...]
SIBA: new chairman, new structure
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has named Guy Sheppard of Exe Valley Brewery as its new chairman, succeeding Keith Bott (both pictured above, Guy Sheppard on left). At its AGM in Sheffield, members also voted for a change in SIBA’s structure which will merge the management of the trade association and the commercial arm, until now run as a separate entity. The new … [Read more...]