Supporting the industry for 100 years – the BHA centenary
This is a double celebration year for the British Hospitality Association. It's our centenary year; it's also the 40th anniversary of the Restaurant Association, which is now part of the BHA.
It wass in 1906 that a meeting was called by Frank Bourne-Newton, then the editor of what has become Caterer and Hotelkeeper, with the result that the National Hotel-Keepers Association was formed. The meeting elected an executive committee with first met in May 1907 in Caterer‘s offices, thus beginning the association's lifelong support of the hospitality industry.
We are delighted that the relationship with Caterer continues to this day with this special supplement on the association - its past, its present and its future.
Our aim was well articulated in our original written objectives: "To encourage and promote the interests of hotel keepers… and, if necessary, to petition parliament to promote deputations in relation to public and private legislation affecting the same."
Not a lot has changed. We continue to work to support our members, both large and small (and indirectly the entire hospitality industry) by lobbying government in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Brussles on their behalf. This supplement explains this work and some of our mancy achievements. I hope you find it gives a valuable insight into all that we do and aim to achieve.
The next 100 years will see the association continuing to support its members - and the industry - just as we have for the past century, Nothing changes.
Bob Cotton, chief executive, British Hospitality Association
Read BHA articles here: