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OpinionLyndon Lea’s cosy Epstein connections are ‘no concern’ for Lion Capital
The private equity firm behind Gordon Ramsay’s expansion drive has told MCA it sees no conflict with co-founder Lyndon Lea’s close relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and its stated position on slavery and human trafficking
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OpinionA celebration of the industry’s best
Whether a winner or runner-up, last night’s festivities at the MCA Hospitality Awards are very much deserved after so much hard work
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OpinionDreaming of global growth
From New York, to the Republic of Ireland, to the Middle East, ambitious British brands are looking outwards to international opportunties, MCA’s Food to Go conference heard
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OpinionThe hospitality hater urging investment in edgy tech start-ups
The Chancellor’s advisor Alexandra Depledge runs a loss-marking start-up, which is backed by the same private equity firm which has invested in Mowgli and Federal Cafe
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OpinionJeremy King unwittingly feeds the social media monster
The fabled restaurateur has taken aim at entitled social media influencers for causing a nuisance and ruining the dining experience for other guests. But did his keen sense of style and design, appeal to A-listers and cultivation of The Ivy lay the groundwork for the age of the vapid self-takers? ...
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OpinionThe phenomenon of the boomerang CEO
Dominic Walsh welcomes Brandon Stephens back to Tortilla, who he writes is now part of an elite group of hospitality leaders that have returned or been re-appointed to a business they have run before
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OpinionStop trying to nail jelly to the wall with our food system
David Read, chairman of Prestige Purchasing questions whether the current government will succeed with its plans for systemic change in our food system
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OpinionA pound off a pint is fantasy economics
Nigel Farage reckons Reform UK’s tax cutting pubs plan will see the cost of a pint fall by a whole pound, but it doesn’t take much scrutiny for these claims to look as wobbly as an old barstool
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OpinionJamie Oliver: ‘We are in the throes of a culinary brain drain’
The celebrity chef and restaurateur has warned the hospitality sector is being crushed by a combination of astronomical business rates, a rigid VAT system and a mountain of bureaucracy
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OpinionFull circle as Revolution Bars join Neos Hospitality
As Neos Hospitality acquires 20 Revolution and Revolución de Cuba sites out of administration, it’s just the latest in a series of talks the parties have held over the years about joining forces
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OpinionBack in the Box: Roger Wade’s next move
After stepping down from the board of Boxpark four years on from its sale, founder Roger Wade is launching a shipping container venture for events and hospitality. But could opposition to the trade
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OpinionGordon Ramsay: ‘The industry is facing a bloodbath’
Writing in The Standard, the chef said, “it seems no one in power is thinking ahead”, and called for at least a 20% cut in business rates to ease the burden of transitional increases
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OpinionFarewell to the would-be action man of Big Beer
Dominic Walsh looks at the departure of Heineken boss Dolf van den Brink; the bonhomie and pantomine of pub AGMs; and what’s next on the menu for David Page at Bow Street Group
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OpinionIn the crosshairs of heightened risk
Food is particularly vulnerable to multiple risks in the years ahead, but there are things hospitality operators can do to mitigate them, argues David Read, chairman of Prestige Purchasing
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OpinionRichard Bailey: Labour tax policies ‘vandalising communities’
Pubs are ‘under siege’, with government tax increases ‘decimating’ the country’s cultural heritage, according to the Thwaites and Independent Family Brewers of Britain chairman
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Opinion‘If a pub disappears it’s a tragedy. A chain restaurant doesn’t have the same cache’
Despite pressure to widen relief to the whole sector, the Chancellor has repeatedly emphasised pubs as the category most in need of support
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OpinionRates solution must be for whole hospitality sector
Having signaled a U-turn on pub business rates is on the cards, ministers will hope the climbdown eases the onslaught – though a few critical questions remain
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OpinionLet’s raise a glass-half-full this Christmas
Despite a prevailing sense of gloom over costs, it was refreshing to hear some genuine positivity from hospitality leaders looking ahead to 2026
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OpinionThe Dom Walsh Awards 2025
From industry veteran and long-standing Mitchells & Butlers chairman Bob Ivell, to Simon Emeny and Jeremy Clarkson, MCA’s columnist dishes out this year’s industry gongs
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OpinionPop-up food markets: crowd pleaser or footfall stealer?
While festive and other temporary markets act as hubs of activity and are a draw for tourists, bringing more footfall into the area, are they always in the best interests of the permanent tenants they have popped-up next to?