Chinese new year: events and promotional ideas

Based on lunar and solar calendars, the start date of the Chinese New Year varies, but always falls between late January and mid-February. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. In 2015, the Chinese New Year arrives on February 19. In Chinese, the name of this year's animal is yang, which can mean a sheep or goat. The year is referred to as the Year of the Goat, Sheep, or Ram.

Special menu​
Castle Rock Brewery’s Nottingham pub the Bread & Bitter, which originally operated as a bakery and reopened as a pub in 2007 – will be organising a Chinese-themed menu to welcome the Chinese New Year, including chicken and sweetcorn Chinese soup (£3.95); lamb & black bean stew, served with egg fried rice or egg noodles (£8.95); chicken stir-fry with broccoli, onion, mushroom, beansprouts and a choice of sauces (£7.95). Vegetable stir-fry is also available (£6.95).

Birmingham’s festivities​
JD Wetherspoon’s the Dragon Inn, located in Birmingham's Hurst Street, part of the city’s Chinese quarter, is well placed to benefit from the immense trade generated by the city’s annual Chinese New Year celebrations focusing on the nearby Arcadian Centre. Dragons are an important part of Chinese culture, symbolising good fortune. Chinese people began settling in Birmingham in the early 20th century, as the city had well-established trade links with China and the Far East by that time. By the 1970s, several Chinese businesses were established in the Hurst Street area, which developed into the Chinese quarter. This year’s celebrations on Sunday 22 February are expected to attract around 30,000 people.

Musical supper​

Live music and a Chinese supper will be available at £18 for two courses and £23 for three courses to welcome the start of the Chinese New Year on Thursday 19 February 2015 at the Robin Hood Inn, in Drayton, West Midlands. Starters include marinated spare ribs; spring rolls;
Yuk sung; hot & spicy chicken wings, while mains on offer include king prawn chow mein;
Chinese chicken curry with basmati rice;
Beef kung pao with peppers & noodles. High demand means booking is essential.