Member Article

North East hospitality trade still thriving

Despite the current Government austerity measures, disposable incomes being squeezed, there are many businesses in the North East hospitality trade excelling, while many of their counterparts are being left behind.

With pubs closing at an alarming rate and the cost of raw materials and duty rising, the future may look bleak to some.

However Richard Macdonald of RCM Stocktaking Solutions Ltd. often sees a different picture within sites that have differentiated their offering and have been prepared to make bold decisions and change.

RCM Stocktaking provides effective stocktaking to the hospitality trade, including pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels. They are an independent company based in Newcastle upon Tyne providing food and liquor stocktaking in the North of England and Scotland.

Successful North East restauranter, Andy Hook from Blackfriars restaurant says, “The key to running a successful customer-focused operation has to be the focus on the staff who have always been our first priority at Blackfriars; even ahead of the customers themselves! Everything we do, we do for our staff”.

On November 21st2012, RCM Stocktaking Solutions Ltd. will be hosting the first North East hospitality panel event in Newcastle upon Tyne. The aim is to find out what the key ingredients to a successful business are, with a panel of six powerful speakers from pub owners, bar managers to restauranters, hoteliers and license trade stocktakers.

Richard Macdonald, owner of RCM Stocktaking, says - “This free event will be in the style of Question Time, albeit more informal. We’re inviting lots of like-minded business owners and managers in the trade for a beer, local food and the chance to ask any questions they have to the panel”.

Richard continues, “I’ve found that successful businesses have invested before and during the recession, which has helped keep their offering fresh and appealing to customers. These businesses are stronger than ever while others have fallen by the wayside”.

This free event will take place at The Town Wall Public House & Eatery in the heart of Newcastle City Centre. The Town Wall is a Public House and Eatery housed opened in 2011, within the elegant confines of Bewick House, a Grade II listed building which was once home and workplace of famous Northumberland artist, naturalist and engraver Thomas Bewick. Named The Town Wall in recognition of the historical importance of the site, which formed part of the original twenty-four wards that fortified the original boundaries of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. And now it’s the perfect place to grab a beer, something to eat with a chance for the trade to meet likeminded businesses and share experiences and celebrate success.

The evening’s panellists will include ; Andy Hook – Managing Director Blackfriars Restaurant, Adam Munday – Hotel General Manager of Hotel Indigo Newcastle and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, Ramandeep Walia – General Manager of Browns Bar & Brasserie, Christina Denton from Fresh Element, Alastair Gilmour from Cheers North East and Richard Macdonald from RCM Stocktaking.

Adam Munday, Hotel General Manager of Hotel Indigo Newcastle and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill says, “Through uncertain trading times the one thing never to cut is guest experience, if anything, make it even better. Guests will happily pay for great service”.

As many of the panellists and Attendees work within the food and hospitality industry, they will be invited in advance to donate dry foods on the evening of the event, which will be sent to Fareshare North East. FareShare North East helps alleviate food poverty in the North East of England. They stop good food going to waste, and make it available to vulnerable people whose basic needs are not being met.

For more information on the event and to book a space visit the website www.rcmstocktaking.co.uk/events-adapting-to-change-november-2012

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vicki Stone .