All Opinion articles – Page 35
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OpinionWhere are the next M&A deals?
The Government has thrown many obstacles at pub operators from Brexit, the introduction of the national living wage, the market-rent-only (MRO) option and a new tax on soft drinks. Peter Hansen gives us his expert view on the market and his advice on the possibility of future M&A activity
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Opinion
Investing in staff will pay off
The world of hospitality has suffered from a poor rapport when it comes to hiring and retaining staff but, with a clear intent on fair pay, investing in training and transparency on service charges, this can be avoided, according to the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Andrew Stephen
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Opinion
The man behind the cask
Marston’s managing director Richard Westwood discusses recent controversy around the quality and price of cask ale with the Morning Advertiser’s Nicholas Robinson.
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Opinion
Pouring profits down the drain
With much chatter about the external headwinds facing the industry, why would operators allow profit to be poured down the drain due to their own actions? Vianet’s Steve Alton examines just how the much the sector is losing through poor beer quality.
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Opinion
Does the removal of PDRs for pubs mean an end to ACVs?
Simon Chaplin, head of pubs & restaurants - London at Christie & Co, discusses the implications of the proposed removal of permitted development rights (PDR) for pubs.
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OpinionBrewDog: From young pup to big beast
Known for its unorthodox approach to fundraising and marketing in its early days, 10 years down the line craft beer brewer BrewDog has matured into a successful international company. But, that doesn’t mean the firm has become more conformist, as ‘navigator’ David McDowall explains to Mel Flaherty
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Opinion
Thinking outside the box
People love to have choice and when it comes to Asian food in the US, Asian Box offers diners what they want and uses top ingredients sourced responsibly. Kerstin Kühn finds out more.
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Opinion
Consumption is the mother of all mix-ups
Chris Snowdon, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, was one of the guest speakers at MCA’s FD Leaders Club yesterday. He discussed the ongoing campaign by the anti-alcohol lobby to pressurise the Government into further regulation despite overwhelming evidence that consumption has been falling for years.
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Opinion
As bots start to make decisions, what does the future hold?
What would the world of hospitality look like when the smaller decisions are taken out of the consumer’s hands by technology? Flypay’s Tom Weaver investigates
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Opinion
Inside Track: The Year of Acrylamide
Chris Snowdon, lifestyle economist at the Institute of Economic Affairs, revisits one of this year’s headline grabbing health scares – the concerns over acrylamide.
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OpinionThe form horse
Seven years on from its creation, Stonegate Pub Company continues to disprove the notion that you cannot thrive as a wet-led, late-night bar operator. The TDR Capital-backed group is now garnering deserved sector-wide recognition for its approach to developing complementary town and city-centre concepts and engaged teams
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Opinion
Why ‘real’ leaders have never been more important
Yves Van Durme, human capital partner at Deloitte Consulting, looks at the demand for ‘real’ leaders in business. Not just captains of industry but chief executives who are able to personify their brands and can create narratives which fit into the context of wider business and social-economic challenges
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Opinion
On another page
Andy McCue’s first update as chief executive of The Restaurant Group last week was brutally honest in assessing where the business now finds itself and in highlighting the speed of its decline. The question is will he and the company get time to right those wrongs and are the group’s future prospects and that of rival the Casual Dining Group now linked? Mark Wingett reports.
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OpinionBudget shows sector voices are being heard
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, dissects the details of this week’s Budget announcements and its impact on the sector.
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OpinionSpicing up the Indian restaurant scene
After showing Londoners the luxurious side of Indian cuisine, The Cinnamon Group’s Vivek Singh has set his sites in premium casual dining with Cinnamon Bazaar.
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OpinionFood & Fuel for thought
Karen Jones, the Café Rouge founder, ex Spirit Pub Company founder and current chair of Food & Fuel, spoke to the Imbiba Conference this week on the subject of the future of the UK leisure market. She talked about how hospitality is catering to the millennial market, her top tips for fledgling operators and issued a plea to private equity backers of entrepreneurial businesses.
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Opinion
Living Ventures: The grand adventure goes on
As Living Ventures group managing director Paul Moran says, it has been “an absolutely massive year” for the north-west-based restaurant and bar company – from dealing with the sad passing of founder Tim Bacon, completing its biggest deal to date and gearing up to launch its first new concept for a number of years. Mark Wingett talks to him about the next chapter for Living Ventures
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Opinion
Happy to keep it in the family
While many family brewers have either been absorbed into bigger groups or looked outside for the next generation of leadership, Wiltshire-based Arkell’s is still very much a family affair. Finn Scott-Delany talks to chairman James Arkell about heritage, the changing face of the pub sector and the importance of old-fashioned hospitality
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OpinionWahaca: Back from the brink
Admired by fellow operators and loved by consumers, Wahaca was gearing up to celebrate 10 years of success when it was hit by a norovirus outbreak last November. Co-founder Mark Selby talks to Mark Wingett about how the group is recovering and what it has learnt along the way.
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OpinionInside Track: Eco principles in a fast food world
Eco chef Arthur Potts Dawson discusses the challenges of running fast food burger restaurant BurgerFi with sustainable principles.