Increasing regulatory strain ‘worries’ operators

That’s according to ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls, who will give a presentation about the impact of regulation on the eating out sector at the Autumn Festival of Food & Flavour Conference & Study Tour next month.

The event, which is organised by the ALMR and the Publican’s Morning Advertiser, ​will also arm delegates with information about how to unlock investment and funding, as well as details on the latest market trends.

‘Flat market’​

“In a relatively flat market, characterised by fierce competition and fickle consumers, the regulatory environment is key to ensuring we can continue to deliver jobs, growth and investment,” Nicholls told the PMA. ​

“The CGA Peach Business Leader Survey published earlier this year highlighted the challenges retailers felt could knock that off tracks and unsurprisingly, the top three were all regulatory: the cost of labour and skills gap, property costs and the rent squeeze and local authority enforcement.

“A softening or a tightening on any of these directly impacts on margins and could mean the difference between success and failure.”

Following the conference, which will be held at BNP Paribas, Aldermanbury Square, London, on Tuesday 24 November, delegates will be given a guided tour of London restaurants and bars.

Best new concepts​

The tour will include some of the best new concepts and venues in the city. Small groups will also receive learning at each venue. This includes: street food at Pump, Shoreditch; free-range fried chicken at Bird; Champagne tasting with Pernod Ricard; and pairing coffee with Nestle Professional.

An evening buffet will follow the study tour, before a bar tour and scavenger hunt, which will reveal the best new craft beers, gins and artisan destinations Shoreditch has to offer.

Places for the event are strictly limited. Find out more information​ about the event, including how to book.