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Brexit will disrupt Foodservice growth

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Brexit disruption to the food services industry is likely to slow sales growth and complicate sourcing of ingredients, according to the annual Foodservice Market Insights report from Bord Bia, which sees a loss of British tourist trade and tougher UK supply chains as the top Brexit worries for food providers.

Consumers will spend €8.55bn on out-of-home food and drink this year, 4.5pc higher than in 2018, the report found - but slower growth of 4.2pc annually is forecast for the coming three years.

"The Irish food service industry has been growing at robust levels for several years, but warning signs are on the horizon," said Maureen Gahan, a food service specialist at Bord Bia."Industry operators, and food and drink suppliers alike should be examining options and alternative strategic plans in the event of a slowdown," she said.

The report said operators and distributors must keep "actively working to identify alternatives to sourcing products from the UK". It said: "This may include focusing more on Irish goods, as well as evaluating continental Europe or even North America as a source for certain products."

Doolin Hotel is Carbon Neutral

A hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way has become the first hotel in Ireland awarded carbon neutral status. doolinhotel1119

Hotel Doolin in Co Clare has been recognised by The Green Hospitality Programme for its implementation of a carbon and waste reduction plan - and for offsetting carbon emissions by planting trees.

A green team was established at the hotel in 2012 with the aim of reducing the hotel's carbon footprint, while also increasing the hotel's involvement with the community.

Green team manager, Áine Martin, said:

Wetherspoon eyes Cork and Dublin

British pub group JD Wetherspoon is eyeing more openings in Cork and Dublin as it seeks to push the number of bars it owns in the Republic to around 30 in the coming years.

The group sees the scope to open “at least one or two” more pubs in Cork, to add to the one it currently operates in the city centre.

Earlier this week, Wetherspoon announced its 11th bar in the Republic, via the acquisition of the HQ bar and restaurant on Hanover Quay in Dublin’s south docklands.

The group currently has seven pubs open here — four in suburban Dublin, one in Carlow town, and one each in Dublin and Cork City centres. It also has three in various stages of development in Dublin City, Waterford, and Galway. wetherspoon1119

Wetherspoon operates more than 900 pubs across the UK and Ireland.

Heritage completes refurb.

The Heritage hotel of Killenard, Co. Laois, has been re-launched following the completion of a €3 million refurbishment and rebrand. heritage1119

FBD Hotels & Resorts acquired The Heritage almost a year ago and subsequently commenced a major refurbishment of the property's ground floor and created a new brand identity that allows the revamped Heritage hotel to fit into the FBD Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

As part of the refurbishment, the venue's ground floor bar, restaurant, afternoon tea space and ballroom were all upgraded.

Alexis Fitzgerald passes away

Alexis Fitzgerald, who has passed away, was a distinguished hotel manager, restaurateur, consultant, educator and industry leader.

Alexis passed away on Monday 11th November surrounded by his wife Helen and his family. alexis1119

Reposing on Thursday between 5.00 pm. and 7.00 pm. at the Carnegie Funeral Home, The Crescent, Monkstown. Funeral Service on Friday at 11.30 am. in Monkstown Parish Church, followed by burial at Shanganagh Cemetery.