News
London’s top 10 Christmas events to get you in the holiday spirit
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when the Christmas lights make city streets glow and we all have one-too-many glasses of eggnog. To spark some festive joy, here is WLC’s list of top 10 Christmas events happening in London this December.
STK Steakhouse opens in Stratford with London skyline views
The ONE Group Hospitality Inc is set to open its newest STK Steakhouse this week in the heart of London’s Stratford area.
Wales vs England World Cup match gives pubs and bars 20.5% sales boost
Tuesday’s World Cup fixture between Wales and England saw pubs, bars and nightclubs experience a 20.5% spending lift, according to data from Barclaycard.
Outlander star Sam Heughan gets first UK listing for whisky brand
Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser in hit TV show Outlander, has joined forces with chef Tom Kitchin whose quartet of Scottish venues will be the first in the UK to house the actor’s single malt whisky brand.
More people brewing beer at home as the cost of a pint rises
Online searches for “home brew” and “home brew shop” have risen by 77% over the year, new research has revealed, with pubs at risk of closure amid rising costs.
Château d’Yquem and Hedonism Wines to host £7,500 dinner
The world-famous Sauternes producer and boutique wine retailer will be co-hosting an intimate dinner at the Michelin-starred Above at Hide on 21 December, pairing a decadent menu with rare wines, including a 211-year-old vintage.
World Cup offers critical sales uplift for UK hospitality venues
A fifth of consumers intend to visit their local pub specifically to tune in to the Fifa World Cup this year, providing a necessary boost to hospitality venues across the UK.
WLC recommends: Askham Hall, Cumbria
Douglas Blyde visits the medieval family home of the Earls of Lonsdale in Cumbria. There he explores the country houses and its “incredible cellar”, containing the likes of Cos d’Estournel 1893 and Lafite 1994, and samples head chef Richard Swale’s locally-sourced menu, including red deer tartare with truffle egg yolk. Taken from this year’s Wine List Confidential guide, available to buy now.
Fundraiser to save 265-year-old restaurant reaches £100,000
After 265 years of business, Simpson’s Tavern was forced to shut its doors earlier this month after a dispute over rent, but a fundraiser to save the famous chophouse has just hit a major milestone.
One in nine hospitality jobs vacant
New surveys from CGA by NielsenIQ and Fourth have revealed that 11% of hospitality roles are vacant, but there are still reasons to be optimistic for the future of the industry.
