News

Older News

• 

  Dunkeld House Hotel becomes 8th house for Crerar Hotels in Scotland

  Thursday, December 7, 2023

  Dunkeld House in Perthshire has joined the Crerar Hotels portfolio with the addition of eight new hotels across Scotland to the group's portfolio.
  
  Future projects include the expansion of eight high-quality wood huts at Woodland Dell, an expanded leisure and spa section, an expansion of the existing restaurant, and a major new dining service.
  
  Dunkeld House Hotel has become the 8th hotel in Scotland to be part of AA Small Hotel Group of the Year UK hotels.

• 

  Hospitality labour shortfall aggravated by new immigration plans

  Tuesday, December 5, 2023

  Yesterday (4 December) the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, presented a five-point plan to reduce immigration that included a review of the "underperforming" jobs list.
  Yesterday, Monday 4 December, in the Commons, Home Secretary James Cleverly announced that the minimum wage required to qualify for a skilled worker visa to be brought to Britain is going up, by almost 50%, from £26.200 to £38.700.

• 

  Mitchell & Butlers Profits Down due to Cost Pressure

  Monday, December 4, 2023

  The Birmingham-based business saw profits drop by about a quarter last year because of inflationary pressures
  Mitchells & Butlers "operating profit plunged by £26m to £98m in the 53 weeks to the end of September as high energy and food costs and a decline in mortgage valuations weighed on earnings.
  "While we remain conscious of the pressures facing the British consumer, the strength of our sales growth combined with a declining cost environment gives us confidence for the financial year ahead." - Phil Urban

• 

  Nando's Announces Plans to Open 14 New Restaurants in Britain

  Monday, December 4, 2023

  The next opening is scheduled for the New Year
  Nando's will open more restaurants across Britain, chicken chain Peri-Peri has announced.
  To top it off, first time customers will also receive a bonus chilli.
  In its annual accounts Nando's said that cost inflation stayed 'high' in the current financial year.

• 

  Urgent Plea for Parity: Scottish Hospitality Seeks Equality in Rates Relief

  Friday, December 1, 2023

  While celebrating the achievements and resilience of the Scottish hospitality industry, there is an underlying concern that threatens the very fabric of our unique community hubs. The call for parity in rates relief with our English counterparts has never been more critical.

• 

  Camera Obscura Wins Industry Trailblazer Award from Living Wage Scotland

  Thursday, November 30, 2023

  Camera Obscura & World of Illusions have been crowned winner of the Trailblazer Award at the 2023 Living Wage Scotland awards ceremony.

• 

  Dublin City to become European Capital of Smart Tourism in 2024

  Wednesday, November 29, 2023

  On Monday the European Commission announced that the Irish capital has been named as a European Capital of Intelligent Tourism 2024 in Brussels
  The judges noted that throughout this past year, the city has been so actively involved in decision making that it has created a destination that is "resonates with its people and embraces innovation at the same time". We have picked 30 candidates from 17 countries, of which six are shortlisted: Bremerhaven, Cork, Dublin, Genoa, Helsingborg and San Sebastián.

• 

  Tourism is on the rise, but still 9% below 2019 levels

  Monday, November 27, 2023

  The most recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show visitations to the UK grew 112 per cent year-on-year, generating revenues of £30 billion, but still 9 per cent below a 2019 level.
  Measures to make the UK more competitive and attractable for foreign visitors can help bring attendance levels back to pre-pandemic levels, and surpass them.
  Raising the national living wage was also confirmed in the statement, which along with widespread rising costs would "drive some firms to the margins," said Loungers founder Alex Reilley.

• 

  All-Star chef jury selects two Andrew Fairlie scholarships for 2023

  Friday, November 24, 2023

  Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has released two worthy recipients of its fourth Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.
  Darren Seggie, 35, lecturing culinary arts at City of Glasgow College, and Rachel Bremner, 34, confectioner at The Balmoral, were the chefs who most impressed the judges.

• 

  Confidence is increasing, but business rates must be dealt with

  Wednesday, November 22, 2023

  Almost half (49%) of hospitality company leaders is confident that the hospitality market will recover in the next 12 months, up four percentage points from the 45% it recorded in August
  Over a quarter (29 per cent) of managers say they have seen holiday bookings fall around this time in the past year - twice the percentage (15 per cent) who say bookings have fallen.
  Employers have increased pay levels by an average of 10% during the last 12 months, even though better wage levels have helped to reduce the number of jobs that remain open from 11% in their last survey to 8%.