Today’s news in brief – 08/11/23

J D Wetherspoon has reported a 9.5% like-for-like sales growth for the 14 weeks ended 5 November. During this period, bar sales increased by 10.7%, food by 8.2%, and slot machines by 10%. The group’s hotel room sales also saw a 6.2% increase. In the year to date, total sales have grown by 8.1%. The company has been investing in existing pubs with around £70m dedicated to the effort, focusing on improvements such as new staff rooms, changing rooms, and air conditioning.

The number of London restaurants charging £150 or more per person for a meal has increased by 46% to 54 establishments, up from 37 the previous year, according to data from Harden’s London Restaurants 2024 guide. The data also shows a 59% increase in the number of London restaurants charging over £200 per person, rising from 17 last year to 27 this year. Despite this, the guide reported the “tepid” rate of growth in the London restaurant scene.

UKH has called on the government to introduce measures to protect hospitality businesses from the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, following the King’s Speech. The speech outlined several bills, including those dealing with fake reviews and a new consultation on Martyn’s Law for venues with a capacity of 100 to 799 people. Kate Nicholls, the CEO of UKH, emphasised the importance of measures to protect businesses in addition to consumers and called for a freeze on business rates to ease the financial burden on the sector, which is facing a significant rate increase in April.

Tim Dela Cruz has been appointed as the new head chef at Smiths of Smithfield, a Young’s-owned pub in London. With experience in various London restaurants and a background in Filipino cuisine, Dela Cruz has created a new menu for Smiths’ second-floor restaurant that focuses on sustainable, British produce combined with flavours from his heritage.