Our weekly round-up of industry news, for December 16 to 23, 2013
New range adds energy to mixers
A new range of premium mixers is being launched into the on-trade which combines interesting new flavours with the buzz of energy drinks. The four-strong Gloworm range has been created to match different spirits for simple serves as well as more creative cocktails. The flavours are: Raspberry & Orris; Cucumber & Apple; Pear, Spice & Lime; and Ginger & Lemongrass. Created by the team behind energy drink brand Boost, Gloworm contains 30% less caffeine per 100ml than leading energy drink Red Bull and is free of taurine and sugar.
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Hapsburg adds absinthe with cassis flavour
A cassis flavour is being launched for premium spirit brand Absinthe Hapsburg, aimed at top-end cocktail bars. Absinthe Hapsburg XC Cassis combines the flavour of an authentic absinthe with the fragrance and taste of real blackcurrant. At 89.9% ABV, the spirit is designed to add its distinctive flavour to cocktails with a measure of 10ml or less.
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Marriott reveals details of new London bar
Marriott International has revealed details of its new stand-alone restaurant and cocktail bar Lanes of London which opens at its Park Lane hotel in January. The interiors by design practice Blacksheep draw on the character of the existing late Edwardian mansion block, combining a classical feel of London with a contemporary twist. It incorporates marble, aged brass, traditional leaded glazing, racing green leather, rustic oak and antique detailing. The bar is managed by Francesco Turrini, previously at London bars Mark’s Bar at Hix, Milk & Honey and The Luggage Room.
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Barr’s Originals relaunch targets adult market
Soft drinks group AG Barr has relaunched its Barr’s Originals with new packaging to target growing demand for premium adult soft drinks. With eye-catching, modern and characterful packaging, the 330ml cans come with four natural flavours: Cream Soda, Traditional Lemonade, Ginger Beer and Orange.
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Artist lends name and work to hotel bar
Leading artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe is lending his name and work to the bar at new hotel Rosewood London in Holborn. The bar at the luxury hotel, which opened in October, has been renamed Scarfes Bar after the cartoonist spent several months there drawing inspiration from the atmosphere and interior design. He is providing illustrations of well-known British figures, historical and fictional, which will be going up in stages, ready for a final reveal in March 2014.
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Bottlegreen promotes cordials for winter
A campaign has been launched for Bottlegreen cordials to help bars and pubs to develop profitable hot drinks over the winter months. The Enjoy Hot campaign aims to extend the appeal of cordials outside of the traditional summer period, promoting them as caffeine-free alternatives to tea and coffee and alcoholic drinks. Bottlegreen has also brought back its limited-edition spiced berry cordial, promoted as a non-alcoholic alternative to a classic mulled wine recipe.
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ALMR announces operations managers of the year
Will Fotheringham of JD Wetherspoon and Barrie Robinson of Greene King Pub Partners have been named winners in the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ annual Operations Manager Awards. Will was named Area Manager of the Year, for area managers in managed pub companies, and Barrie was named Business Development Manager of the Year for tenanted and leased estates. A third award, called Rising Star, was made to Helen McKenna of Enterprise Inns in recognition of the potential she displayed throughout the competition.
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Stronger growth reported by UK operators
Britain’s pub, bar and restaurant groups saw stronger growth in November than in the previous two months, according to the latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Collective like-for-like sales grew 1.7% in November compared with the same month last year. Total sales in November, including the impact of new site openings, were up 4.8% across the 27 bar, pub and restaurant operators that contribute to the tracker. Managed pub groups performed ahead of the market with a 2.4% like-for-like sales increase.
Oran Mor founder buys Glasgow hotel
Bar entrepreneur Colin Beattie, who runs Glasgow’s Oran Mor music venue and bar, has bought a Victorian townhouse hotel, The Botanic Hotel, in Glasgow’s West End. It was sold through Colliers International after being marketed at offers around £600,000. It was sold on behalf of restructuring specialist Zolfo Cooper. The hotel is about two minutes’ walk along Great Western Road from Oran Mor, which Beattie opened in 2006.
Industry welcomes new calls for duty freeze
The British Beer and Pub Association has welcomed renewed calls from MPs for a freeze in beer duty. Andrew Griffiths MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group, has tabled a new Early Day Motion in Parliament calling for the Government to sustain the momentum created by the March 2013 duty cut and last year’s removal of the duty escalator by freezing beer duty in the 2014 Budget. It comes as new research reveals that UK beer drinkers are paying 43% of all beer duty collected in the European Union despite consuming just 12% of the beer.
Diageo marketer joins Britvic executive team
Soft drinks group Britvic has announced that Matt Barwell has been appointed to its executive team, as chief marketing officer. He will join Britvic in January and will assume responsibility for the company’s global marketing, innovation and sustainability strategies. After starting his career with Mars, Matt joined Diageo in 1998 where he has worked in both regional and international roles, including global marketing director for J&B and marketing director for Diageo’s Italian operations. Most recently he was marketing and innovation director for Western Europe.
BBPA joins forces with Pubs of Ulster
The British Beer and Pub Association has formed a new partnership with Northern Ireland’s trade body Pubs of Ulster. They signed a memorandum in London last week that will enable the two organisations to coordinate their campaigning and representation work. Pubs of Ulster will bring expertise on Northern Irish public affairs while the BBPA will advise and assist Pubs of Ulster on Westminster as well as wider UK issues of concern.
Management changes at Brockmans Gin
Ginuine, the parent company of Brockmans Gin, has announced a strengthening of its management team to support the ongoing growth and development of the business. Co-founder Neil Everitt moves from being non-executive chairman to chief executive, making him fully involved in strategy and day-to-day business. Bob Fowkes, another founding director, becomes marketing director, enabling him to dedicate himself full-time to marketing and further development of the brand in key markets. Allan Beattie has been appointed finance director. Non-executive director Anastasios Economou has moved into the role of non-executive chairman.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
This is our last weekly e-newsletter of 2013. The next will go out on Monday January 6. In the mean time, we wish all our readers a good Christmas and a profitable New Year. See you in 2014.
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