James McAllister
- News
Sales dip after end of EOHO
Food and drink sales fell back in the week following the end of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to the latest CGA data.
- News
Track and trace to become mandatory in England
The Government is set to tighten track and trace rules making it compulsory for pubs and restaurants in England to take customers’ details.
- News
Wagamama announces double closure following business review
Wagamama is to permanently close two of its London sites, including its ‘noodle lab’ in Soho. The pan-Asian chain, which is owned by The Restaurant Group (TRG), says it made the decision following a review of the company’s portfolio brought about by a ‘marked shift’ in customer demand caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result of the review, it has been decided that Wagamama’s Mansion House restaurant, as well as its ‘noodle lab’ test kitchen on Dean Street, are no longer economically viable, and both sites have been closed.
- Interviews
Luke Johnson: ‘This lockdown has been incredibly harmful. We can’t allow it to happen again’
As restaurants, pubs and cafes set about preparing to reopen on 4 July, entrepreneur and investor Luke Johnson discusses what the future of the hospitality sector may look like.
- News
Elite Bistros launches meal kit service
Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros group is to launch a nationwide meal kit delivery service this week.
- News
Luke Johnson: Lockdown will kill more than virus
Gail’s Bakery backer Luke Johnson believed the lockdown will cause more deaths than the coronavirus itself.
- News
Government urged to reconsider tronc question
Restaurateurs including D&D London CEO Des Gunewardena and Hawksmoor founder Will Beckett have signed a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding the inclusion of tronc payments in the job retention scheme.
- Interviews
Yard Sale Pizza: ‘The focus isn’t on making money, it’s on survival’
Yard Sale Pizza co-founder Johnnie Tate has described the company’s current focus as being on survival rather than making money.
- News
Hix: 'Not my decision to appoint administrators'
Mark Hix has appointed administrators to his three restaurant companies - WSH & Mark Hix Restaurants, Restaurants etc and Hix Townhouse.
- News
Flour power: how Padella changed London’s pasta landscape
Padella (named after the Italian for frying pan) created the blueprint for pasta-focused small plates places when it opened in 2016. Four years on, founders Jordan Frieda and Tim Siadatan face stiff competition in the space they established as they open their second London site.
- Opinion
Middle Eastern promises: James Walters on Arabica KX
James Walters has opened a second incarnation of his Levantine-inspired restaurant concept Arabica. A lot has changed, but what remains is the chef’s determination to steadily evolve the brand
- News
TiPJAR begins rollout with Honest
TiPJAR, the tip solutions platform from BrewDog retail director James Brown and Rosa’s Thai co-founder Alex Moore, has begun rolling out to restaurants, beginning with Honest Burgers.
- Analysis & Insight
Arcade Food Theatre
There are plenty of theatres in the West End of London, but there’s never been one quite like Arcade. Located on the ground floor of the Centre Point building, next to Tottenham Court Road Tube station, it’s a playhouse, of sorts, where the drama is designed to unfurl behind the counters of the Theatre’s seven open-plan kitchens.
- News
Supermac’s eyes UK following McDonald’s trademark ruling
Irish fast food chain is looking to set up shop in London within the next year, following the end of a branding dispute with McDonald’s, reports MCA’s sister title BigHospitality.
- News
Halal Guys delisted from UberEats
Sales at US-founded fast casual chain The Halal Guys’ first UK site have been hit by 20% after it was delisted by UberEats because it has yet to receive a food hygiene rating from Westminster Council.
- News
Sutton and Sons launch fried chicken restaurant
London fish and chip chain Sutton and Sons has relaunched its vegan pop up in Hackney as a permanent fried chicken shop.