New openings, bold ideas and reasons to stay hopeful.
Hello Friends!
When it comes to restaurants, I know my onions. Tax and football? Not so much. Still, I’m game, so here goes.
Our friends and colleagues in the hospitality industry continue to struggle with vanishingly narrow margins and, as a result, we’ve recently lost some of the very best. Chef Tom Kerridge is leading the change with his VATS THE PROBLEM campaign, which addresses the punishing 20% VAT rate on hospitality and made it to PMQs this week. The campaign is gathering real pace and we’re excited. |
 | There’s still plenty of hope in the room. Restaurants are crowd-funding, innovating and evolving to find new ways to thrive in a seriously tricky environment.
Case in point: Nanima’s Lonnie and Nicky are pursuing their blues bar dream with Deep Dive. Over at The Roundhill, chef Howie has launched a fresh menu and is asking locals to buy a £100 food voucher for just £50 – a way to ‘pay it forward and help keep the lights on’.
Gorgeous Swedish artisan FIKA Bakery is leaving Brighton Open Market to set up their own shop on North Laine’s Gloucester Road. I’m torn; delighted for them and mildly inconvenienced by the extra walk for cinnamon buns.
Brighton Open Market is changing. Dom (previous owner of Bonsai) is opening a new lunch spot there. Tony’s Pizza has moved in. And QR codes – a new way to pay – are coming. It feels like a moment – and a good one at that.
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 | The FIFA World Cup kicks off a week today on 11 June. A fan zone has been announced at Black Rock, but if that’s not your jam, we’ve put together a guide to the best places to watch the match, from stylish Rockwater to the homely Hartington. |
A pint or two could be part of the fun. Here’s our round-up of the best craft ale and local pours in town. For the sober and sober-curious, you’ll be pleased to hear Tom Surgey’s Parched is back for a second year. No and low has never tasted better. |
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