Today’s news in brief – 24/01/24

Wetherspoons revealed that like-for-like sales rose 10.1% during H1 to 21 January compared with last year. The pub chain attributed its performance to bar sales rising by 11.8%, food by 7.9%, and slot and fruit machines by 10.4%. Hotel rooms in its pub estate also saw a rise of 3.1% during the period. 

Hospitality businesses are being financially disadvantaged by the Scottish Government, new analysis by UKH Scotland shows. An average pub in Scotland will be £15k worse off than its equivalent in England, with a medium-sized hotel finding themselves £30k worse off. Larger businesses have been denied support worth up to £110k, the payment cap.

Major restaurant groups saw a 1% rise in delivery and takeaway sales for December 2023, according to data from CGA. While this has been generated by an increase in menu prices rather than order volumes, this has been the seventh consecutive month of like-for-like growth. 

The Big Table Group has appointed Kate Wilton as the new MD of Banana Tree. Wilton will take up her new role at the end of January, bringing a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector. She most recently led the Slug and Lettuce brand at Stonegate Group, and prior to that, held senior operations roles at Spirit Pub Company and Whitbread.