SSP, the leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, has appointed Simon Smith as CEO of SSP UK & Ireland. Simon is currently managing director of WHSmith’s travel division and has a 20 year track record in retail. He began his career with Fenwicks before moving to Allders Department Stores and then Safeway, where he worked in both … [Read more...]
The Old Ship: second to set sail under Realpubs
The Old Ship Inn in Hackney has been sold by Davis Coffer Lyons - the leisure specialists - to Urban Pubs & Bars Ltd - the new company set up by the founders of Realpubs, Malcolm Heap and Nick Pring, last year (2013). This purchase follows the opening of the company’s first site Whippet Inn in Kensal Rise last month. Urban Pubs & Bars is now looking to grow an estate … [Read more...]
Sodexo to sponsor new FreeFrom Eating Out Awards
Sodexo is to sponsor the new FreeFrom Eating Out Awards – launched to coincide with EU regulations coming into force in December 2014 requiring all food service outlets to provide accurate information about any of the 14 major allergens in the food that they serve. Wan Mak, head of nutrition and dietectics at Sodexo, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring these awards and … [Read more...]
BLUE BADGE STYLE – bringing the issue of ‘access’ to the forefront of hospitality
Blue Badge Style, the first app and website guide to a stylish lifestyle for the less-able, has been appointed a member of the British Hospitality Association in a bid to bring accessibility to the forefront of the industry’s attention. With her mobile app and Pictorial Access Description system the BBS Founder, Fiona Jarvis, hopes to help make British hospitality more … [Read more...]
47,000+ hospitality businesses see results from TripAdvisor’s Review Express service
TripAdvisor® has revealed that over 47,000 hospitality businesses, of which 30,000 are small to medium-sized hotels and bed & breakfasts, have used the site’s free Review Express service since it launched in May 2013. Review Express users are seeing an average uplift of 33 percent in reviews for their property on TripAdvisor as a result of using the service, helping … [Read more...]