STRONG APPETITE FOR HOSPITALITY SIGNALS GROWING CONFIDENCE IN NORTH EAST MARKET

If people’s appetite to spend on food and drink is a barometer of the feel-good factor returning to the North East, then the signs look positive. One of the region’s largest independent restaurant companies, 21 Hospitality Group recently enjoyed its most successful December in its 25-year trading history. The new year has started busy and the first quarter of 2014 is already looking promising. Owned and run by renowned chef and restaurateur Terry Laybourne, his five restaurants all enjoyed year-on-year growth in sales at the end of 2013. His group of award-winning restaurants comprises – Café 21, Café 21 Fenwick, Caffe Vivo, and The Broad Chare in Newcastle along with Bistro 21 in Durham. The average spend of customers during the critical festive period was higher year-on-year; the alcohol spend was up; and another trend was that there were more groups dining out together, and typically larger parties than in previous years. Elsewhere, 21 Hospitality Group enjoyed record online sales of Christmas cakes and treats from http://www.21hospitality.co.uk/ Product sales - offered via ‘click and collect’ - were stronger than ever along with vouchers bought as Christmas gifts. January trade has been given an extra boost by NE1’s successful Newcastle Restaurant Week which is filling restaurants around the city and has been extended into two weeks. This is followed by Valentine’s Day, always a busy day for all restaurants. Terry believes some of this continued success can be put down to the group’s constant innovation, investment and staff training along with a belief in sourcing the best local and seasonal produce. However, he adds: “There is no doubt that our restaurants, along with other good dining establishments around the city, have been enjoying an upturn in trade. There seems to be a renewed sense of confidence in the market. “Anecdotally, we know from certain corporate customers that their businesses are enjoying a rise in activity and sales. This all has a positive knock-on effect.” He added: “The start of the new year is traditionally a quiet time for the food and hospitality sector but we’ve seen a higher amount of dining than usual and Restaurant Week has given us all a welcome boost. Let’s hope the apparent recovery is real and sustainable for the city and wider region.”