Eat Drink Sleep - January 2024

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Award winning US hot sandwich concept plans for national UK roll out with franchise partners [click here]

JANUARY 2024 26 Hotelier & Hospitality Design

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AWARD WINNING US HOT SANDWICH CONCEPT PLANS FOR NATIONAL UK ROLL OUT WITH FRANCHISE PARTNERS KIMBERLY-CLARK PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCES FINALISTS AND CELEBRITY HOST FOR THE GOLDEN SERVICE AWARDS 2024 NAVIGATING SUSTAINABLE SEAS: THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF AI ON THE CRUISE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HOW TO GIVE YOUR FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN 2024

EYE CATCHING LOUNGE FURNITURE Kempsey Chair shown

UPHOLSTERED LOUNGE FURNITURE Plaza

Bohemia

Malmo

Lotti

Clipsham

Stowmarket

EDEN FURNITURE offer a wide range of upholstered chairs, armchairs, sofas and footstools for lounge, dining and bedroom areas.

Traditional made furniture with solid beech frames finished in a choice of frame colours and any fabric for upholstery.

Wobbly tables can be a thing of the past thanks to the patented StableTable technology.

STABLETABLE is a unique patented fully automated solution which is hidden with the pillar of the table base allowing the legs to adjust to uneven surfaces.

Available for both indoor and outdoor use in a range of heights, shapes and sizes. Can be supplied as base only or complete with a stylish OnTop 12mm Compact Laminate top.

The UK’s Best Supplier of Quality Tableware

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE LATEST NEW AND EXCITING TABLEWARE COLLECTIONS FROM THE UK’S BEST BRANDS

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30 EUSTON SQUARE ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL YEAR 30 Euston Square, the award-winning conference, meetings, and events venue, announces it is up 17.3% in revenue after an exceptional year in event bookings across the venue.

Since the start of 2023, 30 Euston Square has hosted 1,056 events with 43,000 guests, seeing a booking increase of 13% in comparison to last year. The venue attributes its success to the pentup demand for events, with an increase in large conferences and events being booked by international companies looking to expand their market in the UK and Europe.

With a multitude of versatile spaces which can be tailored to suit individual needs, from total branding to one-onone engagement, 30 Euston Square also saw an increase in full venue hire, marking the return of large-scale events post-pandemic. Spaces such as the Exam Centre with 14-individual rooms, saw an uplift in bookings too, with organisers looking for more personalised event experiences to connect with attendees.

This year also marked the appointment of new Executive Chef, Alessandro Negro, who has developed the event packages and private dining menus with a focus on the finest seasonal, British ingredients.

Luiz Mazzari, General Manager at 30 Euston Square comments: “We are incredibly delighted to exceed our targets with a record number of bookings this year. Across the last 12 months, we have achieved so much which is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.

Looking ahead to 2024, we are optimistic that conference and event bookings will continue to grow as organisers continue prioritising face-toface interactions, while we are also predicting a further increase in large events, including full venue hire, along with experience-led packages for corporate bookings.”

Located in the heart of central London and near major transport hubs, 30 Euston Square offers a wide variety of event and conference spaces across seven floors, including its 300-seat auditorium, 18 meeting rooms, 6 heritage rooms, 2 elegant state rooms, 41 boutique bedrooms and a rooftop terrace.

30 Euston Square, London, NW1 2FB United Kingdom www.30eustonsquare.co.uk

30 Euston Square’s work has been recognised by several awards this year, including Best Venue Customer Service (Up to 500 Theatre Style) at the Conference & Event Awards and Best Venue for Events with under 750 attendees at the London Venue & Catering Awards 2023.

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Award winning US hot plans for national UK r partners 8 eat.drink.sleep

t sandwich concept roll out with franchise eat.drink.sleep 9

and adapts well for walk-in, catering, and home delivery U.S. hot customisable sandwich markets. Ranked by Forbes as #6 out of more than 3,000 concept, Which Wich® Superior food chains for ‘Best Franchises in America,’ Which Sandwiches, is eyeing a short-term Wich offers franchisees one of the best support systems target of 30 UK sites over the next in the industry. three years as it prepares to launch franchise roll out. The Brand, One of the Brand’s key strengths is the flexibility of the which has grown to hundreds of model – you can operate a Which Wich from a 500 to sites globally since being founded over 3,000 square feet – as a fast casual store in the high in Dallas, Texas in 2003, is street, a cloud kitchen, a mall location, or even a kiosk. renowned for its premium superior sandwiches, earning multiple awards Which Wich is also being invited to tender for airport internationally, including NRN’s Hot and rail locations in the UK after being extremely popular in existing travel hub locations in the US. Concepts Award and Fast Casual’s Which Wich has established a franchise offer to attract Most Unique and Innovative Brand. It most recently scooped the both multi-site territory and single-site operators.

Sammies at the British Sandwich and “We are looking to open in key towns and cities across Food To Go Awards. Which Wich has established its UK presence with the region. We would love to speak to experienced a debut store in London’s West End F&B operators from within and outside of the franchise opened in 2018, and has since added industry. If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own a virtual kitchen in Shoreditch, with business, this could be the opportunity you’ve been further roll out sites being planned. waiting for. We give you full training and support – we want franchisees that add to our good vibes, positive Despite the capital’s well-established energy, and solid work ethic,” says Awada. gastronomic credentials, discovering somewhere that is open from early until late (and keeps mouth-watering breakfast on the menu all day), offers chef-curated or customisable toasties, as well as grab-and-go is a rare find.

This is why Which Wich is a game changer. The Brand offers delivery, a solution to all the faff of office catering – not to mention solving the ‘what shall we eat tonight?’ conundrum.

Which Wich UK master franchisee Rami Awada says, “We’ve perfected our craft to bring Which Wich into the UK market and to set up the support system to enable a national UK rollout. Guests love us for our foodie vibes and franchisees love us for world class training and support.”

The food offer suits all dayparts, from breakfast muffins and pots, to customisable hot “Wiches” for lunch or dinner. The entire range includes both chef created and customisable options,

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www.whichwich.co.uk

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Kimberly-Clark Professiona celebrity host for the Golden The stage is being set for the 2024 Kimberly-Clark Professional™ Golden Service Awards with the announcement of the finalists and comedian and actor Hugh Dennis as host.

The finalists are announced for what is considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the cleaning and FM industry, recognising the continued excellence, performance and commitment through unprecedented times.

It is one of the most prestigious events in the industry and its pinnacle accolade – therefore many congratulations go to 57 finalists from 28 companies, with the list of well-deserved finalists also available at https://www.goldenserviceawards.co.uk/en-gb/ award-results/2024-finalists.

Save the date – Hugh Dennis announced as host Mark your diaries and save the date for the next Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards which will take place on Thursday 23 May 2024 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.

One of the UK’s best known TV faces, Hugh Dennis, comedian, actor and writer, will be joined on stage by Craig Bowman, General Manager, UK & Ireland to present the 18 awards.

Hugh Dennis is best known for his stint on the BBC’s topical panel show Mock the Week, his appearance in the comedy Outnumbered for BBC1, and the writer for BBC’s Radio 4’s award winning comedy The Now Show. A skilled impressionist,

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Actor and comedian Hugh Dennis is announced as the celebrity host for the 2024 Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards

Hugh performed for Spitting Image with comedy partner, Steve Punt, whom he met at university in Cambridge. Hugh has been spotted in the James Bond film No Time to Die as a scientist in Q’s laboratory and since 2014, he has appeared in the BBC sitcom, Not Going Out with Lee Mack.

30% increase in entries The announcement of the finalists follows the first stage of judging carried out independently by The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc). The judges have announced there was a 30% increase in entries this year. Neil Spencer-Cook, BICSc Group MD said: “The increase in applicants was great to see and the standard of entries very good. The focus on sustainability, teamwork and staff wellbeing were key factors in the entries. The rise in strong entries in the diversity and inclusion category shows that the industry is ahead of the curve in this area.”

The finalists will now go through to the next stage of judging which for most categories includes a

al announces finalists and n Service Awards 2024 site visit by a BICSc judge. The site visits will take place during December and January, with the judges looking for innovation, staff training, and client relationships as the main criteria for assessment. BICSc will be in touch in the coming days to arrange a visit or telephone interview.

The 2024 finalists are: ABM Andron Facilities Management Apleona UK ARAMARK Arcus FM Bidvest Noonan Birkin Group Cleanology Churchill Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists Grosvenor Cleaning Services Heath & Wiltshire Ltd ISS UK Limited JPC by Samsic Julius Rutherfoord & Co Juniper Ventures Ltd Key Enviro Solutions Limited Maxim Facilities Management Ltd Mitie OCS Group UK Ltd Principle Cleaning Services Ltd Property Support Services UK Ltd Right FM Ltd Serna FM Thames Cleaning & Support Services Ltd The Exclusive Services Group Limited VINCI Facilities Westgrove Group

And the winners are…..don’t miss it – book your tickets

The winners will be announced on Thursday 23 May 2024 at the London Hilton on Park Lane between 12.15pm and 4pm. Over 500 guests including finalists and sponsors, and the leading names in the UK’s cleaning and FM industry are expected to come together to celebrate its stars and their achievements.

Tickets are now on sale, priced at £250 plus VAT (£300). Please email gsa@suzannehowe.com or call Suzanne Howe Communications on 0203 468 0923 to book.

Tables of 10 or individual tickets are available. Make sure you don’t miss out and book early to avoid disappointment.

“I would like to thank our sponsors for all their support including gold sponsor Kärcher and silver sponsors Nationwide, Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies and Soap20, as well as bronze sponsors BioVate Hygienics and EcoBreeze,” says Craig Bowman, General Manager UK & Ireland, Kimberly-Clark Professional.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an entry. This year we had more entries than ever before which we believe is a true reflection of the successful industry we work in.

We are honoured to be able to host these awards and delighted to see how popular they are. Congratulations to all the 2024 finalists.

We look forward to seeing the finalists and our industry peers at the awards ceremony,” adds Craig Bowman. “We wish all the finalists of the 2024 Kimberly-Clark Professional Golden Service Awards the very best of luck!”

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Na Th AI In

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avigating Sustainable Seas: he Transformative Impact of I on the Cruise and Hospitality ndustry The tourism industry is currently undergoing an exciting period of transformation and innovation, with a pace of change never seen before.

The time between the emergence of new trends and technologies capable of changing the rules of the game or necessitating a comprehensive update to stay competitive is shrinking. One of the latest innovative disruptions that promises to reshape much of what we currently do in the tourism and hospitality sector is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Within this landscape, the cruise industry, with its high demand for efficiencies and concentrated experiences, stands as one of the subsectors most exposed to this change. At Les Roches, we are collaborating with some of the best luxury cruise companies to help shape the best talent with the skills not only to meet the high standards of customer experience management but also to handle and leverage the innovations the market offers to the sector.

Training the next generation in AI is not easy, much like any new technological innovation that begins to emerge in the market. The evolution of technology and its applications often outpaces the ability to update the knowledge/experience base, so the key we apply at Les Roches is the immersion of professionals in an ecosystem and work dynamics where they will interact and learn the latest. Above all, they will work on their analytical, prioritisation, and management competencies to navigate changing and uncertain environments, providing their projects with a differentiating factor compared to the market standard at any given moment.

The newly-launched Postgraduate Diploma in Cruise Management and a specific specialisation within the new Master’s in Hotel and Tourism Management with Specialisations also help complete the offering for professionals looking to seize the significant growth potential of luxury cruises today.

The curriculum covers both the business and operational aspects of a luxury cruise service, including the management of onboard areas such as accommodation, dining, and events, as well as commercial operations, sales and revenue management, and maritime law.

The Current AI Landscape in Cruises AI has become an essential tool for optimising processes and improving both passenger experiences and employee performance.

For example, AI can predict patterns and consumption trends of passengers, allowing businesses to understand their behaviour and adapt practices accordingly. It enhances the passenger experience by collecting data that enables the analysis of individual preferences and habits, resulting in personalised gastronomic and leisure recommendations.

AI also extends to areas such as safety and maintenance, predicting and diagnosing when equipment needs a review to reduce downtime, detect potential hazards and environmental issues, and enhance overall safety.

Click here to read the full article >>>

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AI WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE HEADLINES IN 2024

Lolly’s Peter Moore says the world has woken up to a new ph and looks at what’s in store for the year ahead…

Reflecting on 2023 When he looks back on 2023, Peter Moore, CEO and founder of software specialist, Lolly, comments: “This time last year, I said that the adoption of AI would accelerate massively in the hospitality sector. Look where we are today (only 12 months on), and ChatGPT, which was then unknown, has now become omnipresent.

“The news is filled with headlines such as ‘AI will end work’ 1. The world has woken up - both in excitement and in trepidation – to this new phenomenon.”

They are also likely to help hospitality providers meet the skills gap and labour shortages which may worsen in 2024 if the new immigration rules come into place 2.

I believe walking and fully-interacting robots are still two to three years away, and – at that stage – we’ll see restaurants of the future being built, with robots running the front of house.

The Metaverse – how far is this from being reality?

In hospitality, we are seeing more Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) propositions. In 2024, Holographic (hypo look) menus will become more commonplace, with a view to enticing more customers.

Here, Moore offers his technology 2024 predictions…

AI will continue to dominate the headlines Whether overtly or covertly, the use of AI will be enormous in the year ahead across every sector.

When it comes to hospitality, those more forward-thinking providers will continue to embrace AI and ML (machine learning), in order to create greater levels of personalisation and to improve the customer experience. Whether that’s facially-recognising a customer as they walk through the door, or enabling them to pay by face for a slicker, more professional experience.

I also believe that where the sector continues to struggle to find good staff, AI will help to bridge the gap. Whether making existing staff more efficient, through age verification tools and integrated data insights, AI tools will help to manage business better - reducing wastage and increasing efficiencies. We’ll also see hospitality providers placing greater focus around data, using applications such as ChatGPT to generate answers and greater levels of data processed through ML. Rise in robotics – edging closer to the ‘restaurant of the future’ As service-based robots become more functional and cost effective, it won’t be unusual to see them in restaurant environments before the end of 2024. They will continue to be trolley-based for the foreseeable future, taking plates back to an automated dishwasher, for example. Their form and function will carry on improving.

AR will see its beginnings in shopping malls, with the Alpha generation embracing this, for example by ordering a burger on their headset, billing it to their account and having it delivered to their home address. It’s different and it’s the future, which we must embrace.

Managing the ongoing cyber security threat Cyber crime continues to remain a huge concern for the hospitality sector 3. We’ll see a big response to this in 2024, with hospitality tech providers using more AI tech to defend against fraud. The onus will be on them to deliver huge advancements to defend the industry with AI security delivering major investment to support this.

ChatGPT will come into its own for policies and processes creation – using data in a positive way. It will be part of our lives, and we’ll never go back.

A continued focus on sustainability Sustainability will remain firmly on the agenda, and we’ll see a continued focus around energy and carbon consumption both from the technology providers, but also in the products being consumed.

The past year has been a difficult storm for many to weather.

However, the slowdown in the economy vastly supports the need for greater technology adoption.

I foresee the focus around reducing inflation as a massive green flag for technology, creating the ability to drive more functionality in hospitality environments.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-67305002 Hospitality labour shortages set to worsen under new immigration plans (restaurantonline.co.uk) 3 www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/05/10/how-to-protect-the-hospitality-industry-from-the-growing-fraud-threat/ 1 2

Peter M softwar

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www.itslolly.com

Moore, CEO and founder of re specialist, Lolly

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How to give your food a competitive advanta Louis Carbonnier, co-founder and President of Hokodo Despite a number of significant market challenges including the cost of living crisis, Brexit and the remnants of Covid-19, new businesses have continued to crop up across the UK throughout 2023. In fact, the first half of the year saw 101 new businesses established every hour.

Update your offering with the latest technology

The food and drink industry is no stranger to expansion – food market revenue is expected to grow annually by 4.02% between 2023-2028 in the UK. Although there’s a bigger market to own a piece of, there’s also much more competition.

So how do you give your business a competitive advantage in 2024?

Giving your customers access to flexible payment terms as part of a fully integrated package can improve their cash flow and loyalty, while ensuring that your business remains 100% protected from risk. This way, you can offer your customers payment terms that suit their business, without putting yourself in a compromising financial position.

From understanding what your customer wants to utilising the latest tech and analysing new market opportunities, here are the steps that your business can take to stand out from the crowd in 2024.

Understand what your customer wants – and give it to them It’s important to stay on top of market trends and provide your customers with what they expect. Right now, the market is crying out for digital payment terms. So much so, that giving customers the option to pay later online has been found to increase conversion by up to 40% in the B2B segment. There’s a huge chunk of additional revenue that your business could access by adopting current trends and listening to customer feedback.

50-90% of B2B transactions take place via trade credit or a similar facility – meaning that failing to offer flexible payment terms could be deterring customers from shopping with you. Missing out on opportunities to take a greater share of the market and grow your business is not an option in this landscape heading into 2024, so it’s more important than ever to adopt financing solutions that are attractive to your customer. This will give your business a clear differentiator compared to your competitors.

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Integrating innovative tech solutions into your platform could help you to retain customers and streamline your processes, putting you one step ahead of the competition.

Time is precious in a fast moving industry, so it’s essential to free up as much of it as possible by streamlining your processes. This means searching for the most cost and time effective technological solutions. Fortunately, partnering with a payment terms provider like Hokodo eliminates the need for complex manual processes and paperwork, making transactions seamless and efficient. Payment solutions like Hokodo’s mean that you can stop wasting time on admin, and instead invest it in planning strategies to build your business in 2024.

Take advantage of new market opportunities Accessing a new customer base by expanding into overseas territories could put your business on the map in 2024.

E-commerce is not limited by borders, and a significant 44% of B2B sellers are preparing to extend their e-commerce operations into Europe in the coming year, acknowledging the abundant opportunities that this region presents. Payment terms will play an important part in this growth phase across Europe, as 50% of merchants and marketplaces surveyed for a recent report by Hokodo and Balance consider offering payment terms as vital for influencing business growth in their respective markets

d and drink business age in 2024

Fortunately, Hokodo’s offering empowers businesses to expand across Europe by offering a fully digital, unified payment terms solution – enabling buyers to access flexible payment terms regardless of their location. This means that businesses have got the tools needed for international expansion at their fingertips.

Louis was previously the head and founder of the Digital Agency at Euler Hermes, the world’s leading trade credit insurer and part of the Allianz Group. Louis started his career in strategy consulting at Oliver Wyman where he was a Principal in the Financial Services practice.

About Louis Carbonnier Louis is the co-founder and President of Hokodo where he leads the product strategy of the company’s B2B Buy Now, Pay Later solution.

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WHY STOCK AMERICAN CRAFT BEER IN 2024 With the craft beer world becoming ever more competitive, what makes a beer stand out from the crowd and worth stocking in 2024?

American craft beer that wins top honours at high profile, international beer competitions is a good place to start, such as: Brussels Beer Challenge The 12th edition of the Brussels Beer Challenge took place in Turnhout, Belgium in October 2023 and attracted 1,811 beers from 37 countries judged by 92 independent beer experts.

American craft breweries were awarded 33 medals in total, eight more than last year. Medals comprised: nine gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze including Breakside Brewery’s ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ Imperial Stout aged in Apple Brandy Bourbon & Rye Whisky Barrels which was voted ‘Best American Beer of the Competition.’

European Beer Star

Japan International Beer Cup

One of the most recognized beer competitions in the world, the European Beer Star Awards, is committed to the traditional European art of brewing. It recognizes high quality, authentic beers that are genuine and distinctive, and is limited to beer categories that originate in Europe.

Hosted by Japan’s Craft Beer Association, the International Beer Cup is Japan’s largest international beer competition and was established in 1996. It provides a valuable opportunity to compete and gain awareness in a leading export market for American craft beer. This year’s competition received 1,215 entries from 296 breweries across 17 countries.

This year’s competition took place for the 20th occasion in September 2023 in Nuremburg, Germany and attracted 2,355 entries in 74 categories which were judged by 149 beer experts from 31 countries. Of these entries, 64.5% were international and 35.5% domestic.

American craft breweries won 24 medals including nine gold, eight silver and eight bronze.

View winners here

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Judging took place in Kanazawa City in September.

American craft brewers won 36 medals in the 2023 competition, including 14 gold, 12 silver, and ten bronze. Notably, both Bierkraft’s Grodziskie and Brick West Brewing’s Festbier were recognized as Category Champion Winners in their respective categories.

View winners here

Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association American craft beer ambassador for Europe, adds: “The success of American craft beer at prestigious global beer competitions is testimony to the skill, creativity and allround excellence of America’s small and independent craft breweries Garnering 93 medals in total across three highly competitive international competitions is no mean feat and I’m incredibly proud of all of them.”

www.brewersassociation.org

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Plants are key to a luxe look on a budget phs Greenleaf’s Stephen Dieppe shares his top tips for boosting your curb appeal without breaking the bank The benefits of using plants in “Focus on creating the most impressive exterior you can with the hospitality designs are well known budget you have. Our teams have spent decades making every but, with costs soaring, how can penny work its hardest for our customers so they can see maximum hospitality businesses create a benefits from their investment. luxe look that attracts customers and boosts sales on a budget?

“Hanging baskets are a very cost-effective way of bringing lots of colour and textures to your building exterior, plus they don’t phs Greenleaf has been providing take up any valuable floor space. The bigger the basket the more planting and grounds maintenance impressive and luxurious the establishment will look. It’s a good services to the hospitality sector for idea to use seasonal colours and plants, or you can even use your over 20 years. Managing Director corporate colours to tie in with branding or signage.

Stephen Dieppe shares his advice for low-cost biophilic design.

“Window boxes are another great way to utilise dead space to add colourful plants and create a more luxurious look to your exterior.

“My best advice for a smaller budget is to go big on plants for “Potted plants and trees are a must for outdoor spaces too. They the exterior,” says Stephen. “Curb give you more flexibility with your design as they can be moved appeal is extremely important in around as needed, and they allow you to add more interesting hospitality and a great looking textures and plants. exterior can really help drive footfall.”

“When it comes to pots, my advice is to go big. This always looks more expensive and on trend. Don’t choose pottery pots as they “Studies have shown that when can be easily damaged. Natural, matt finish stone pots or naturalwe see healthy-looking plants coloured eco-plastic pots are the most suitable. Look for unusual thriving and growing in a space, shapes or put two different shapes next to each other for a more we subconsciously feel that it is high-end look. somewhere that we can thrive, be healthy and feel good in too. It’s “When choosing plants, we always look at the light available. Sun known as biophilia. traps give you more options but even if you are in a shady spot, there are plenty of plants that thrive in low light too. Evergreens “It’s why everyone wants a hotel are always great for pots. Our team can advise on the best plants for room with a view, why people like a your location. table by the window in restaurants and why everyone loves a great “You also don’t always need to go for real plants either. Artificial beer garden. We like to be close plants are ideal for shaded areas. We use replica ivy on trellis to to nature, and tapping into that cover walled areas, fencing and partitions very effectively, giving the successfully can increase bookings customer an attractive and durable solution. and sales for hospitality businesses.

“Whatever your budget, there are clever ways of using plants to “How your business looks from the create a real wow factor for your business, boosting your curb outside will often be a key deciding appeal and attracting customers time and time again. It is a small factor on whether a customer investment that can make all the difference.” chooses to visit. An attractive looking restaurant or pub with phs Greenleaf provides planting services including indoor and fresh, vibrant greenery outside is outdoor plants, artificial and live planting, living walls, grounds always more appealing, as is a well- maintenance and Christmas trees and decorations. kept, luscious-looking hotel front.

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Part of the phs Group, phs Greenleaf supplies over 8,000 customers in a range of sectors with high quality horticultural services. phs Greenleaf holds a Royal Warrant – the mark of recognition for those who have supplied goods and services to the royal household for at least five years. Since 2010, phs Greenleaf has held a Royal Warrant for the installation and maintenance of plant displays in Buckingham Palace.

As well as supplying and installing everything from potted plants to live trees, phs Greenleaf’s experienced and knowledgeable team also conduct regular maintenance visits on site to tend to the plants installed.

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More than one in four people (28%) want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024 8.5 million people planning to take a break from alcohol this January

Lyre’s currently sells one bottle every 30 seconds in over 60 countries and is the Official Wine & Spirit of Dry January® an initiative organised by Alcohol Change UK, the brand looks to promote mindful drinking and providing consumers with sophisticated alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages they are the perfect alternative for those looking to partake in Dry January®, or simply the sober curious.

Alcohol Change UK’s recent study found that more than one in four people (28%) want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024 might we thought might be of interest for any trends led pieces or health specific features you might be working on in the new year.

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8.5 million people planning to take a break from alcohol this January More than one in four people (28%) want to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024 New research1 from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January® has revealed that amongst UK adults (excluding non-drinkers), 30% of men and 26% of women would like to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024. The new figures come as one in six UK adults (16%) plan to take a break from alcohol this January.

21% said that they used drink to cope with financial worries and the rising cost of living

New research from Alcohol Change UK, the charity behind Dry January® has revealed that amongst UK adults (excluding non-drinkers), 30% of men and 26% of women would like to reduce the amount of alcohol they drink in 2024. The new figures come as one in six UK adults (16%) plan to take a break from alcohol this January.

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As the year draws to a close, just under one in five adults (18%, excluding non-drinkers) said they drank more in 2023 than 2022 – but there are signs that there is strong public appetite to reduce the amount of alcohol being drunk, with more than half (57%) of this group saying they wanted to cut down in 2024.

Within this group, almost a quarter of people (23%) cited having more opportunities to socialise or celebrate with others as a reason for drinking more. Drinking to try to cope with financial worries and the rising cost of living was the second most popular reason (21%).

Alcohol Change UK is the independent UK charity working for a world free from alcohol harm and it runs Dry January® – an annual campaign which enables people to take a break from alcohol.

Dr Richard Piper, Chief Executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: “Our research shows that the reasons for drinking more over the past year are varied; many people are still worried about rising costs and are using alcohol as an attempt to cope, but we’re also seeing people who are socialising more freely, perhaps as people continue to enjoy their post-pandemic freedom.

Alec’s story For Alec, aged 34 from Cumbria, a medical scare and the loss of his father who struggled for years with alcohol dependency, provided the motivation he needed to do things differently.

He said: “Life seemed to be throwing out curveballs left, right, and centre, I couldn’t seem to catch a break and began to use alcohol as a coping mechanism. The

once warm tingle and laughter associated with meeting up with friends, having a few drinks and a laugh turned into drinking heavily at home alone to dull the pain of a life I was increasingly becoming unhappier in. “But I got lucky. After being given the all-clear after a medical scare, I decided enough was enough, I had to change. I discovered Alcohol Change UK and their Dry January challenge and thought I’d give it a bash. “The information I gained from my experience was invaluable. It really got me thinking differently about alcohol and its effects on physical and mental health and relationships. The Try Dry app is an excellent tool to help you keep track of your goals in January and beyond, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering making a change to their drinking habits.”

the morning. I also felt that my liver was thanking me and cheering me on.” Research shows that those who take part in Dry January® from Alcohol Change UK double their chances of success, and have more energy, improved concentration, boosted mood, save money, and have significantly improved wellbeing and lower alcohol risks six months later2. A month off alcohol has been proven to lead to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk, as well as lower cancer-related proteins in the blood3.

Details of how to take part in Dry January® and how to download the Try Dry® app from Alcohol Change UK can be found at dryjanuary.org.uk.

Emily’s story Emily, aged 64, used to enjoy a glass or two of wine over the course of an evening. But this soon turned into a bottle every time which soon became the norm. But Dry January really helped her to take back control. She said: “Occasionally, I’d take a day off drinking but it wasn’t until I decided to give Dry January a go that I really felt the benefits of a longer break. The main benefit for me was better sleep and not waking up with a headache in

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BAGATELLE GROUP ANNOUNCES NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS IN ST. BARTH’S & COURCHEVEL Bagatelle Group, the French hospitality brand of luxury restaurants and beach clubs, has announced the opening of two new restaurants on the coast of St. Barth’s which opened on the 16 November, alongside its Courchevel branch, opened on the 9 December.

Bagatelle Group, the French hospitality brand of luxury restaurants and beach clubs, has announced the opening of two new restaurants on the coast of St. Barth’s which opened on the 16 November, alongside its Courchevel branch, opened on the 9 December.

Bagatelle Group has established itself in the most exclusive places around the world, with the group now owning 15 venues across the globe. The new sites will deliver unique experiences with exceptional food, extensive drinks and Bagatelle’s trademark vibrant atmosphere.

Bagatelle Group’s ITA restaurant in St. Barth’s, which opened 16 November, is a new culinary experience blending authentic and traditional dishes, from Mexico to Peru. Originally launched in Mykonos in July 2023, the ITA concept has now launched within the Plaza, offering an intimate rooftop setting overlooking the port of Gustavia and its famous marina. Hidden from outside views, the restaurant is an oasis of greenery with tropical plants and green décor, echoing the restaurants’ menu created by Corporate Chef of Bagatelle Group, Chef Rocco. As a tribute to its Mexican heritage, ITA also hosts a tequila bar where guests can enjoy a wide selection of the famous spirit.

This winter, Bagatelle Group and Maison Tournier are delighted to be working together for the first time on the L’Aventure restaurant, an institution located in Courchevel 1850. Re-opening in midDecember, in time for the winter season, the restaurant offers fine dining at a high altitude in the heart of the village. The menu features French gastronomic recipes with winter flavours and is sure to delight visitors. Guests will also be carried away by the festive spirit, where, like a cabaret, shows and dance performances will take place throughout the night.

The menu development for the new sites is led by Chef Rocco Seminara (previously Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, Hôtel de Paris in MonteCarlo, and trained by Alain Ducasse) who creates culinary delights, and balances flavours bringing the French joie de vivre lifestyle to destinations around the world.

www.itarestaurants.com

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Campari Group has committed to acquire from Beam Suntory, a premium top four h boasting world renowned brand credentia growing Asia Pacific footprint.

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Courvoisier cognac historical cognac house als with a strong US and Courvoisier premium cognac range to further strengthen Campari Group’s portfolio of global brand priorities, particularly in aged spirits, as well as supporting future long-term premiumisation ambitions in key strategic segments Campari Group announced today it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Beam Suntory, Inc (the ‘Seller’) and granted thereto in such context a put option, with a view to acquire 100% of the outstanding share capital of Beam Holding France S.A.S., which holds 100% of the share capital of Courvoisier S.A.S., owner of Courvoisier (the ‘Target’).

Deal rationale Bob Kunze-Concewitz, Chief Executive Officer Campari Group: ‘We are very pleased to acquire a top four historical cognac house, Courvoisier with great latent equity and highly acclaimed expressions. The addition of Courvoisier cognac to our portfolio of global priorities is a rare and unique opportunity to expand our premium spirits portfolio and cognac offering. By leveraging our heavy cognac expertise at Board and Executive Team level, Campari Group has a fantastic opportunity to reinforce this brand’s credentials as a global icon of luxury, priming cognac to become Campari Group’s fourth major leg along with aperitifs, bourbon and tequila.

Concomitantly, we are looking forward to accelerating our

premiumisation journey, further enriching our RARE portfolio, the division created to unlock and accelerate the growth potential of a select range of high-end individual expressions in our core premium spirits markets.’.

Matteo Fantacchiotti, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Campari Group: ‘In what is the biggest deal in Campari Group’s history, Courvoisier will enable a significant step up in the US while also permitting long-term transformational potential in the strategic Asia-Pacific region.

In addition to acquiring a globally recognized brand with strong premiumisation credentials, we have a unique opportunity to expand our cognac production and bottling capacity in France, a core platform of our global supply chain. Our recent investments into business infrastructure and enhanced operation capabilities, combined with Campari Group’s formidable reputation for investing in brands with strong equity and potential for longterm sustainable growth will allow us to unlock Courvoisier’s full potential. We are very excited to further build upon our premium portfolio of brands in the US, simultaneously adding significant leverage into China and the wider Asia Pacific arena, while also expanding the premium innovation platform for our cognac portfolio.’.

Greg Hughes, President and CEO of Beam Suntory: ‘We are proud to have nurtured the iconic Courvoisier brand for nearly 20 years, investing in its growth across key global markets and transforming it into a symbol of modern luxury and an industry leader in awards and sustainability. The brand is very well positioned for its next chapter of growth, and we are confident that Campari Group is the right partner to take Courvoisier into the future. This move will allow us to further focus our portfolio on our core areas of strength as we accelerate our global growth ambitions.”

Business overview Maison Courvoisier was founded in 1828, by Félix Courvoisier in Jarnac, the Charente region of France.

Courvoisier is the youngest and most awarded of the ’big four’ historical cognac houses and received the title of Official Supplier to the House of the Emperor

by Napoléon III, supplied the royal courts of Europe and was the drink of choice of the Belle Epoque, chosen to celebrate the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower and the opening of Moulin Rouge.

Courvoisier’s signature styles reveal the intricate nuances of the cognac craft which have led the House to become the Most Awarded Cognac House based

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on 20 top spirits competitions since 2019 and the only cognac house to ever win the coveted ‘Prestige de la France’ title.

With its core collection of VS, VSOP and XO which are further reinforced by a premium range of limited editions, Courvoisier has built solid brand credentials across a multitude of versatile liquid styles. The Courvoisier Château serves today as the main headquarters from the brand, but it also hosts a museum, a visitor centre as well as maturing cellars.

The Maison tour will bring you to the heart of its history, from Paris to Jarnac and describe the special features of Courvoisier cognacs, complemented by the discovery of an ageing cellar and tastings. For a deeper experience, the premium tour opens the doors of the Courvoisier Château and invites you to delve into the heart of the Courvoisier history and passion. From the visit of unique places such as the Paradis cellar, to tastings and sensorial experience for a privileged moment.

In fiscal year ending 31st December 2022, according to the Seller’s view the Courvoisier business, which includes also Salignac brand 1, achieved net sales of USD249 million, with Contribution After A&P (CAAP) of USD78 million, according to IFRS. For the 10 months to October 31st 2023, according to the Seller’s view, the net sales were USD148 million, with a decline of 33% vs. the corresponding period in 2022, and CAAP was USD37 million. This performance is impacted by recent market driven trends such as normalizing consumption in the US after peak post-covid sales and destocking at wholesaler level, in-line with the wider cognac industry. According to the Seller’s view, the United States is Courvoisier’s largest region, accounting for c.60% of net sales in FY2022, followed by the United Kingdom and China, combined accounting for c. 25% of net sales, while Global Travel Retail accounted for just over 3%.

The acquired business includes an enviable inventory of maturing eaux-de-vie, with a book value of approx. USD365 million as of 31 October 2023, consisting of wellbalanced age profiles to support future brand development. Moreover, the acquisition perimeter includes the trademarks as well as comprehensive production facilities consisting

1

Small VS cognac brand sold in US

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of distillation, warehouses, vineyards, a visitor centre and château, blending facilities, ageing cellars and an automated bottling plant.

Acquisition structure and metrics

The fixed purchase price is USD1.20 billion (corresponding to €1.11 billion at today’s exchange rate), on a cash free / debt free basis, and is subject to the customary price adjustment mechanisms. In addition to the fixed purchase price, an additional payment of maximum USD 0.12 billion (€0.11 billion) is expected to be payable in 2029 upon the achievement of net sales target realized in full year 2028. The corresponding Enterprise Value is USD1.32 billion (€1.22 billion at today’s exchange rate) is equivalent to a multiple of c. 17 times the CAAP in 2022.

The signing of the transaction is subject to the information and consultation of the French employees’ representatives and the closing of the transaction will be subject to the completion of the appropriate regulatory processes and customary antitrust approvals. The deal is expected to close in 2024.

Acquisition funding The funding of the acquisition is fully committed via a bridge loan in Euro currency for an amount of 1.2 billion, with a tenor of up to 24 months from closing date, by a consortium of banks composed by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (as global coordinator, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and underwriter) and Intesa Sanpaolo (Divisione IMI CIB), Bank of America, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE and Mediobanca (each as mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and underwriter).

Campari Group is also constantly evaluating various alternatives, in the context of evolving market conditions, to potentially fund the transaction with a mix of debt, cash and equity or equity-like instruments, with timing and amounts yet to be determined.

As a result of this contemplated acquisition, assuming a full debt funded transaction Campari Group’s Net debt/EBITDA-adjusted on a proforma basis is expected to increase from 2.6 times as of 30 September 2023 to c. 4 times upon the deal closing. A sustained deleverage is expected thereafter, fuelled by positive cash flow generation.

www.camparigroup.com

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