All articles by Finn Scott-Delany
-
OpinionA celebration of the industry’s best
Whether a winner or runner-up, last night’s festivities at the MCA Hospitality Awards are very much deserved after so much hard work
-
InterviewsMcDonald’s UK: ‘Fresh eyes on the business has informed how we want to grow’
Chief restaurant officer Patrick Gerber, part of a refreshed senior team leading the UK & Ireland territory, said chicken, beverages, value for money and customer experience were some of the key strategic priorities for the business, which recently posted one of its strongest quarters of recent years
-
OpinionDreaming of global growth
From New York, to the Republic of Ireland, to the Middle East, ambitious British brands are looking outwards to international opportunties, MCA’s Food to Go conference heard
-
OpinionThe hospitality hater urging investment in edgy tech start-ups
The Chancellor’s advisor Alexandra Depledge runs a loss-marking start-up, which is backed by the same private equity firm which has invested in Mowgli and Federal Cafe
-
NewsStonegate advisors set out leasehold restructuring proposals
The pub and bar company appointed FRP Advisory last month, with documents seen by MCA outlining proposals for a ‘cross-class cram down’ on dissenting creditors, meaning it can press ahead with the restructure without the approval of all landlords
-
OpinionJeremy King unwittingly feeds the social media monster
The fabled restaurateur has taken aim at entitled social media influencers for causing a nuisance and ruining the dining experience for other guests. But did his keen sense of style and design, appeal to A-listers and cultivation of The Ivy lay the groundwork for the age of the vapid self-takers? ...
-
InterviewsBoxpark: ‘You’re more likely to see us do deals internationally than the UK’
CEO Matt Snell says with a stagnant home economy, he is focussing on the turnaround of Boxpark’s core business, as well as lucrative event pop-ups and international opportunities, after walking away from sites in Bristol and Birmingham
-
Analysis & InsightInvestors cheer salud! to return of Tortilla founder
Brandon Stephens has stepped back into the CEO role at Tortilla with a powerhouse team of hospitality leaders, where he will be looking to build on early European forays into France, improve its food offer, and build a refreshed brand that resonates with a contemporary consumer
-
InterviewsGaucho: ‘Very soon we’ll be in double-digit growth’
CEO Baton Berisha is evolving the restaurant group’s offering away from its core Argentinian-inspired steakhouse group towards a more accessible South American and Latin influence, he tells MCA
-
NewsWetherspoon urges sector to back Reform tax plans
Chairman Tim Martin criticised the ’underwhelming’ reception from pub sector leaders to Nigel Farage’s pub proposals, which includes cuts to VAT, business rates, beer duty, National Insurance, as well as reform of the tied system
-
OpinionA pound off a pint is fantasy economics
Nigel Farage reckons Reform UK’s tax cutting pubs plan will see the cost of a pint fall by a whole pound, but it doesn’t take much scrutiny for these claims to look as wobbly as an old barstool
-
OpinionFull circle as Revolution Bars join Neos Hospitality
As Neos Hospitality acquires 20 Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites out of administration, it’s just the latest in a series of talks the parties have held over the years about joining forces
-
OpinionBack in the Box: Roger Wade’s next move
After stepping down from the board of Boxpark four years on from its sale, founder Roger Wade is launching a shipping container venture for events and hospitality. But could opposition to the trade
-
Opinion‘If a pub disappears it’s a tragedy. A chain restaurant doesn’t have the same cache’
Despite pressure to widen relief to the whole sector, the Chancellor has repeatedly emphasised pubs as the category most in need of support
-
NewsRates valuations boss: ‘We don’t want there to be any surprises’
Jonathan Russell has defended the Valuation Office Agency’s work to MPs, and insisted ministers were kept informed of upcoming hikes to business rates, as he revealed overall valuations for the pub sector are up 32% since the last list in 2023
-
OpinionRates solution must be for whole hospitality sector
Having signaled a U-turn on pub business rates is on the cards, ministers will hope the climbdown eases the onslaught – though a few critical questions remain
-
OpinionLet’s raise a glass-half-full this Christmas
Despite a prevailing sense of gloom over costs, it was refreshing to hear some genuine positivity from hospitality leaders looking ahead to 2026
-
OpinionCrisp Pizza on relocating pubs
Carl McCluskey points the finger at the landlord of his family Hammersmith pub; and a flamboyant former pub tycoon joins forces with a former PM for a private members’ club wheeze
-
OpinionTop chef’s astonishment over pub’s rateable values
One of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs, and owner of a growing colleciton of premium pubs in Yorkshire, Tommy Banks is one of many operators who have been left gobsmacked by new business rates bills which appear to penalise their success
-
OpinionBusiness rates changes ‘gaslighting at its worst’
Promising to level the playing field with online giants, the government’s new business rates plan is leaving many hospitality operators facing material increases in their tax burden