The hospitality industry often stands accused of failing to speak with a single voice when lobbying government for change. With its plethora of associations, quangos and councils, it risks telling a tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
With the launch of the Red Tape Challenge, we at last have an open invitation from Government to point to the rules and regulations that are hampering progress across the hospitality industry.
We cannot afford to pass up this opportunity. The British Hospitality Association has tasked Alan Parker with considering all representations and finding their common ground. To make his life easier, we are taking soundings from operators around the country, and will present our unified findings to Parker in the coming weeks, on your behalf.
To help us tackle the bureaucracy holding back hospitality and change policy for the better, we want you to join the debate at www.caterersearch.com/redtape. Together, we can ease the burden of red tape on the industry, allowing you to focus on what really matters to you - building a better business.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ACORN WINNERS
This week, the team from Caterer and Hotelkeeper gathered at Coworth Park in Berkshire with 30 more high achievers under the age of 30 from around the industry to celebrate 25 years of the Acorn Awards.
The venue for our celebrations was fitting. Not only are general manager Zoe Jenkins and chef supremo John Campbell both past Acorn winners; the hotel they have created also embodies all the qualities we look for from our Acorn winners each year: the delivery of excellent food and accommodation, huge attention to detail, flair, innovation and an instinctive sense of service and customer care.
In next week's Caterer, we'll introduce this year's 30 winners to the industry. Meanwhile, many thanks to Coworth Park for hosting the Acorns - and congratulations to our winners.