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Opinion
The writing’s on the wall, literally
Peter Martin considers how wine in the on-trade can recapture the attention of younger customers amid a trend of falling consumption among millenialls and Gen Zs
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Opinion
From coffeehouse to community hub: The Caffè Nero story
Founder Gerry Ford is more than a businessman - he’s also a family man, coffee aficionado, book lover and sponsor of culture and the arts, which reflects in his vision for Caffè Nero, writes Dominic Walsh
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Opinion
If you think restaurants and pubs are having a tough time, try being a farmer
At the heart of the problem is the balance between food security and environmental protection, writes Peter Martin
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Opinion
Whose role is menu design?
David Read, founder and chairman of Prestige Purchasing, suggests that operators need a more collaborative approach to menu development to maintain future profitability
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Opinion
Bidding wars return at prime city sites
Ted Schama of Shelley Sandzer sees a polarized sector imbued with renewed confidence but tempered by cash flow issues
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Opinion
Chancellor must overhaul rates regime
Writing exclusively for MCA ahead of the Spring Budget next week, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls urges Jeremy Hunt to provide urgently needed support on business rates, VAT, and planning
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Opinion
Care and attention: there’s no silver bullet
People don’t come cheap any more - so you’d better pay attention and look after them, Peter Martin writes
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Opinion
Hipster coffee shops – a global brand of individual operators
Philip Harrison, chairman at design agency Harrison, reflects on the global ‘hipster café’ phenomenon and considers whether Pinterest-inspired style trends are killing off individuality in the sector
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Opinion
Is Diageo restless enough to return to its full potential?
Dominic Walsh speculates on what’s in store for Diageo following an underwhelming set of results and how boss Debra Crew can get the business back up and running at its full potential
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Opinion
Apprenticeships provide a secret weapon to address hospitality's challenges
Apprenticeships encourage those who may have never considered a career in our industries to give it a shot, Rebecca Whittaker, apprentice regional surveyor at Greene King, writes for MCA
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Opinion
Flat, fickle, fierce - a universal truth?
During a New Year’s visit to Argentina, Peter Martin encounters a high inflationary environment but a thriving hospitality scene - a reminder of the universal appeal of eating and drinking out
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Opinion
How peachy is life on the public markets?
Dominic Walsh offers a mea culpa to Revolution Bars Group CEO Rob Pitcher over his acquisition of Peach Pubs - but questions the concept of continuing to run it as a public company
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Opinion
In defence of Brewdog
The Spectator on why the latest controversy over the craft beer company’s decision to withdraw from the real living wage is overblown
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Opinion
BrewDog: how the anarchic brewery went from progressive to problematic
The unorthodox Scottish brewers are used to making headlines with bold and outlandish marketing strategies, but they’ll have a hard time coming back from their latest blunder, The Independent reports
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Opinion
Whose job is it to reduce meat consumption?
Prestige Purchasing chairman David Read urges the sector to unleash its creativity and implement positive changes in a way that adds to rather than takes away from customer choice
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Opinion
Peter Martin: Old dogs and new tricks
Peter Martin assesses the sector as we near 2024, and sees an asymmetric, polarised market. Yet despite the increasing disparity, he forecasts more winners than losers in the new year
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Opinion
The Dom Walsh Awards
MCA’s regular columnist shares his review of the year in deals, businesses, and leaders, including the leadership at Domino’s, the return of dealmaking activity with Fulham Shore, and why Loungers remains under-rated
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Opinion
Peter Martin: Dear Santa, the country needs a new train set
There’s a persuasive argument that sectors like hospitality need to lobby as hard on broader economic and business issues as they do on sector-specific challenges, writes Peter Martin
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Opinion
Dominic Walsh: All hell breaks loose in the leisure sector
Dominic Walsh offers his take on a flurry of activity, including changes at the top at Marston’s, another big payday for City Pub Co’s Clive Watson, and a farewell to Stonegate chairman Ian Payne after 50 years in pubs
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Opinion
Lessons from a wet Wednesday down the pub
Peter Martin explores how Mitchells & Butlers’ steady evolutionary approach and gradual shift towards premiumisation is giving its established brands longevity