Restaurant news round-up

12 July 2007 by Kerstin Kühn

The last 12 months haven't been easy for Britain's restaurant sector. The financial downturn and the consequent drop in consumer spend as well as the poor summer in 2007 and the smoking ban all conspired to make things tough for many operators.

However, a recent report by market analyst Mintel suggests that the UK restaurant market is set to continue to grow and will break through the £7b mark in 2010. While under the economic downturn consumers are unlikely to be cutting back on how often they dine out over the coming years, they will be more prudent about the amount of money they are spending. Restaurateurs therefore need to provide value for money and innovative dining concepts to continue to succeed under the current financial climate.

The skills crisis is still making things tough for many operators, particularly those based outside of big cities, with industry leaders calling on the hospitality sectors to give chefs as much credit as front of house to lure new talent.

New launches are still happening across the sector, with both high end and casual dining operators continuing to roll out new concepts.

Here's a round up of Caterersearch news stories highlighting what's been happening in the restaurant sector.

Experts predict strong growth for restaurant market >>

Rising Star Leisure plans to expand portfolio >>

London restaurant to launch pay-as-much-as-you-like scheme >>

Alan Yau to turn Busaba Eathai into restaurant chain >>

Clapham House arrests slide at Tootsies >>

Leon plans expansion despite uncertainity over economy >>

Cantina Augusto to expand restaurant concept >>

D&D London defies credit crunch with increase in turnover and profits >>

Restaurants named and shamed for employing illegal immigrants >>

Recruiting outside large cities ‘a real problem' >>