Today’s news in brief – 29/02/24

Hospitality CEOs have signed an open letter to the Chancellor, urging him to take immediate action at the budget to prevent further business failure. In the letter, UKH and a total of 112 business leaders highlighted how rising costs, labour shortages and the cost-of-living crisis has led to an unprecedented surge in closures. 

Welcome Break became the largest Chopstix franchisee after opening its third store in three months. The new food court unit, in Corley South (M6) services in Warwickshire, opens this week and becomes Welcome Break’s 16th Chopstix site. 

AA revealed Rosette Awards winners for 2024. Among the celebrated, one establishment was awarded the distinguished four AA Rosettes, while an impressive 16 have been presented with three AA Rosettes. London-based restaurant, La Dame de Pic London, was the sole restaurant achieving the award of four AA Rosettes.

Shanghai Noir will open this March in the Grade II-listed old Westminster Fire Station. The new Indo-Chinese brasserie will have a décor that harks back to the “heyday” of 1920s and 1930s Shanghai when the Asian city became known as ‘The Paris of the East’. It will feature a fusion of “powerful” flavours, as well as “opulent” furnishings.