Today’s news in brief – 14/02/24

Heston Blumenthal OBE has urged Companies House to act on the rise in fake restaurants, after the restaurateur’s business was targeted by fraudsters. According to an investigation, more than 750 fake firms used established names after being set up in the past six weeks. According to the celebrity chef, failing to move swiftly could lead to as many as 9,750 restaurants being victims of fraud over an 18-month period.

Hydes will be investing multi-millions into its pub estate in 2024, beginning with a £200k investment into the refurbishment of the group’s “award-winning” pub and boutique hotel, The Abel Heywood, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The investment total will run into seven figures for the year and will include smaller-scale refurbishments at a number of additional Hydes pubs.

The Cornish Bakery has reopened its refurbished and expanded St Ives location. The building’s upstairs area has been opened up with significant added seating capacity and an art gallery space featuring works by local artists. The new bakery was officially opened by the 2019 winner of ITV’s The Voice Molly Hocking.

Fine-dining, Indian-inspired restaurant Prithvi will open a new Cotswold destination, having experienced success with its initial Cheltenham restaurant. Prithvi is currently on the lookout for a new Cotswold-based premise to share its gastronomic experiences, which have seen its menus featured in the Michelin guide.