The Fairtrade Foundation is in the middle of Fairtrade Fortnight (24 February – 9 March) as well as its major new Make Bananas Fair campaign, whilst Fairtrade sales continue to grow - 14 per cent during 2013 - demonstrating continuing public and business support for Fairtrade goods. Michael Gidney, Chief Executive of the Fairtrade Foundation says: “It’s 20 years since the … [Read more...]
Jump in restaurants going out of business
The number of restaurant businesses going out of business in the UK jumped from 170 in Q3 2013 to 182* in the last quarter of 2013, according to Wilkins Kennedy LLP, the Top 25 accountancy firm. Figures show that restaurant insolvencies also jumped by 9% on the same period last year when there were 167 insolvencies in the three months running up to New Year’s Eve. Increase … [Read more...]
Andrew Scott and Restaurant 56 open in Faringdon
Restaurant 56 opened its doors mid-February 2014 in the picturesque market town of Faringdon, Oxfordshire. The new restaurant offers an elegant and diverse modern British menu using many locally sourced ingredients. Andrew Scott is the new Executive Head Chef joining Restaurant 56 having gained his first Michelin star in the 2014 guide at The Curlew Restaurant in East Sussex. … [Read more...]
Losses rise for Strada and Café Rouge owner Tragus
The Guardian reports that Tragus, owner of the Cafe Rouge, Strada and Bella Italia chains, has reported pre-tax losses of £36m despite overall sales revenues being slightly up. Owned by Blackstone, Tragus has debts of £325 million and, despite utilising discount vouchers to drive traffic and revenues, its losses have almost doubled year on year. Tragus made a pre-tax loss … [Read more...]
Dum Dum’s Donutterie sells out 5000 Doughnuts in 5 hours
Doughnut lovers gathered outside Dum Dum Doughnuts on Monday 24 February ahead of the brand’s hotly anticipated Box Park launch. As doors opened at 8am, they scrambled to get their hands on a Dum Dum Doughnut before sell-out: 5000 Dum Dum's flying off the counter. Demand for the British artisan brand, set to rival Dominique Ansel’s New York Cronut Craze, has not been exclusive … [Read more...]