StreetSmart have announced their latest fundraising total of £610,000 collected from 580 participating restaurants and hotels in November and December 2013. Meanwhile, a new report states homelessness has increased for three consecutive years, due in part to housing shortages and changes to the benefit system. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Crisis also found … [Read more...]
Palcohol: liquor arrives in powder form
The US Government apparently took the makers of Palcohol – a powder version of vodka, rum and four cocktails – by susprise when it announced that it had approved the products for sale. By this autumn, therefore, it will be legal to sell seven flavours of Palcohol in the USA. It’s not yet known when or if Palcohol will be available in the UK or Europe, though it’s a fair bet … [Read more...]
Starbucks thrives globally, but UK picture less clear
Starbucks recorded global record operating profit of £644.1m last year, but the picture in the UK is more difficult to grasp. In the UK, Starbucks sales were down last year – apparently for the first time ever - as it closed unprofitable outlets. Starbucks Coffee Company (UK) filed accounts at Companies House for the year to 30 September 2013 showing revenue down to £399m, … [Read more...]
Joseph Holt forms Touchwood Restaurants joint venture
Joseph Holt has formed a joint venture with John Winder and Gary Douglas, the founders of Cloverleaf Restaurants Ltd., to acquire and develop sites for a number of new build pub restaurant concepts. The new joint venture business, “Touchwood Restaurants Ltd” will aim to draw on the skills, expertise, resources and synergies of both parties to create market leading operations … [Read more...]
Tube strike to damage London restaurants – and hinder visitors to Hotelympia
The British Hospitality Association has expressed its concern about the proposed strike action by London Underground and Heathrow Express staff as potentially damaging to hospitality and tourism businesses. Hotelympia runs Monday 28 April to Thursday 1 May: if the strike goes ahead, the last day of the show might be the busiest as travel becomes easier. The planned tube … [Read more...]