UK firms in ‘critical financial stress’ jump by a third as costs rise, report finds
By Tom Knowles

Insolvency firm points to tax rises, staff costs and shaky consumer confidence after number increases to 62,193

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/29/uk-firms-in-critical-financial-stress-jump-by-a-third-costs-rise-report-says

#Hospitalityindustry #Business #Travelleisure #Economics #UKnews #Taxandspending #BankruptcyandIVAs #Accountancy #TomKnowles

Two Marios behind a Melbourne institution celebrate its 40th birthday
By Larissa Ham

It may have once denied Jerry Seinfield a booking, but this Fitzroy cafe has won no shortage of fans during its four decades.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-28/marios-restaurant-anniversary-fitzroy-brunswick-street/106612082

#HospitalityIndustry #ArtsCultureandEntertainment #CommunityandSociety #HumanInterest #LarissaHam

Maccas wins battle to set up in 'world's coolest street'

The fast food giant has been cleared to set up an outlet in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote after successfully challenging a council decision to block its restaurant plans.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-27/vic-mcdonalds-wins-northcote-restaurant-battle/106610068

#LocalGovernment #UrbanDevelopmentandPlanning #HospitalityIndustry #CommunityandSociety #LifestyleandLeisure

The Guardian | ‘Dumb mistake’: Mayfair club Annabel’s gave managers bonus from staff service charge by Sarah Butler

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

Richard Caring, the owner of Annabel’s and other upscale London venues, admitted that the club made a “dumb mistake” by diverting more than £70,000 of pre‑Christmas service charge funds to pay bonuses for about 50 managers, sparking a staff revolt amid concerns over the opaque tronc system that underpins the low‑wage, zero‑hours contracts of roughly 280 hospitality workers who rely on tips to earn a living. After the Guardian’s investigation, Caring pledged to stop the practice, issued an extra £103,000 as a goodwill payment, and said the club would move toward transparent tip distribution, guaranteed 20‑hour contracts and compliance with new legislation requiring 100 % of service charges to be shared fairly. At the same time, Caring has announced the sale of a majority stake in his hospitality empire—including Annabel’s, Harry’s Bar, The Ivy group, Sexy Fish, Scott’s and J Sheekey—to Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al‑Nahyan for a reported £1.4 billion, retaining a £1 billion stake and remaining president for four years. Despite the payment, many Annabel’s staff remain dissatisfied, planning a protest and demanding the London living wage of £14.80 an hour, greater transparency of tip allocation, and contractually guaranteed hours, while the Ivy chain faces a tribunal case over tip‑share calculations.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/24/annabels-mayfair-club-staff-protest-tips-paid-managers-bonuses

#RichardCaring #Annabel's #IWGB #hospitalityindustry #SheikhTahnoonbinZayedal‑Nahyan

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

Something happens in a room when the music is local and the person behind the counter knows who made it.

Music that was previously texture becomes something you can have an opinion about, follow up on, go to the gig. The music stops being wallpaper and starts being part of the experience.

The Pack's business subscription will make that available to any business that plays music — and to ensure the artist is fairly paid for it.

There are approximately 100,000 businesses in Australia with OneMusic licensing. For $50/month, a Pack business subscription means the music in your venue generates direct payments to local Australian artists.

We're also building direct artist tipping, venue-specific playlists, and patron participation features. We're crowdfunding to build this. Can you support us?

https://crowdfunding.startsomegood.com/thepackmusiccoop #SupportLocal #LocalBusiness #AustralianMusic #HospitalityIndustry