Brakspear, the Henley-based tenanted pub operator, has bought its first pubs for six years, acquiring two freehold sites in Middlesex from Enterprise Inns. The move reflects Brakspear’s ambition to enhance its pub portfolio with strategic purchases: further acquisitions are likely later this year. The pubs are located in Englefield Green and Sunbury, falling within … [Read more...]
The Leon bond invites customers to invest
Leon Restaurants has thrived since first opening in London’s Carnaby Street back in July 2004 – there are now 13 outlets. However, the drive to expand continues, often at the request of customers demanding new restaurants. Now Leon has adopted the idea of inviting its customers to invest in, and benefit from, the growth of the business by launching its own Leon … [Read more...]
Smoking result as smoking ban increases pub visits
Five years on from the introduction of the smoking ban in the UK, 22.4% of Brits say they visit the pub more frequently than they did prior to the introduction of the ban. This news comes from customer intelligence company Market Force Information, who surveyed 4,817 UK customers about how they feel today about socialising in pubs. When the ban was introduced in 2007, the … [Read more...]
Restaurant of the Week, North Road, Clerkenwell
This week's Restaurant of the Week is North Road, Clerkenwell, London and courtesy of Great British Chefs North Road with its refined Scandinavian design and gastronomy is riding the crest of a wave of all things Nordic. Headed up by talented Head Chef Christoffer Hruskova, the restaurant duly won a Michelin star in 2011, accruing acclaim for its use of local ingredients … [Read more...]
McDonald’s training people back into work
A Training partnership has served up new careers for fifteen previously unemployed people across County Durham. The group has found work with McDonald’s in Hartlepool and Bishop Auckland after the restaurant chain joined forces with Working Links, Darlington College and Jobcentre Plus. McDonald’s’ franchise owner Mark Nuttall and Business Manager Bev Williamson decided to … [Read more...]