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New stores helping Cardiff arcades buck retail trends.

18 Apr 2024

Eleven new businesses that have opened in the last year in the historic arcades of Cardiff city centre’s Morgan Quarter, made up of the Morgan and Royal arcades, have helped the arcades... Read more…

Study highlights impact of rising staff costs for convenience retailers.

3 Apr 2024

Research by the University of Stirling and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation has shed light on the impact of rising staff costs on the convenience retail sector in Scotland.
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Independent department stores hitting a sweet spot on local high streets.

3 Apr 2024

With large national chains increasingly disappearing from the high street, Drapers magazine has been looking at how independent department stores are stepping up their offerings to... Read more…

Entries open for 2024 Baking Industry Awards

2 Apr 2024

The Baking Industry Awards return for their 37th year and are once again ready to recognise and reward the very best people, products, and businesses in the sector. The awards showcase the... Read more…

Family-owned cycle shop celebrates 90 years trading in Walsall.

2 Apr 2024

Walsall's cycling community has been celebrating a family-owned business which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
 
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Payment-processing outages at UK retailers raise reliability issues for cashless transactions.

2 Apr 2024

Recent payment disruptions at supermarkets and fast-food outlets have raised questions on the need for improved reliability.
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North Yorkshire cycle hub up for top tourism award

22 Mar 2024

Rob Brown, co-director of Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, a not-for-profit hire scheme has been nominated for the Tourism Superstar 2024 award, run by VisitEngland.
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Independent retail bodies welcome new report aimed at tackling retail crime.

21 Mar 2024

ACS (The Association of Convenience Stores) and the Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) have both welcomed a new report published by the Association of Police and Crime... Read more…

Indie retailers outperformed supermarkets in sales of organic food, wellness and beauty products in 2023.

21 Mar 2024

As reported by Healthstores UK, new data contained in the 2024 Soil Association Organic Market report shows that independent retailers delivered an impressive 10% growth in 2023, with... Read more…

Cheltenham beer shop and bar wins top UK award.

21 Mar 2024

An independent bottle shop and bar in Cheltenham has been named as the UK's Independent Beer and Wine Retailer of the Year 2024 at the Drinks Retailing Awards. 
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Hidden basement bar in Liverpool named 'best vegan restaurant' in Britain

Posted on in Business News

A family-run Liverpool restaurant hidden inside a basement is officially Britain's best vegan venue.

Down The Hatch at British Restaurant Awards

Picture from @downthehatchliv

Down The Hatch is known for its seasonal plant-based menu, with crispy mushroom and cauliflower "wings", home-made soy and seitan burgers, tofu curry, loaded fries and other popular "junk food" - all with a unique vegan twist.

The restaurant, which began its underground movement inside the former legendary nightclub Le Bateau in 2017, was nominated for 'best vegan eatery' in the British Restaurant Awards 2023, and took home the grand prize.

General manager Rikki Baker, who runs Down The Hatch with her brother Jay and brother-in-law Conrad Sharp, told the Liverpool Echo: "This was an award that I really, genuinely thought wasn't for us. We were up against some amazing contenders from up and down the country, one being a restaurant in London that had blown me away, so I thought we were going up against giants.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to let the world see what we have achieved. This is the first real award that we have won. Years and years of hard work has gone into it.

"It really has been hard. Everyone is going through tough times, we're not the only ones. We see big business not as busy as they used to be, so when it comes to small guys like us it's even harder because we've never been as big anyway. So to get that recognition and be seen is just a massive win." Down The Hatch is also in the running for a further two awards this year, being shortlisted for 'best restaurant' at the England Business Awards and the 'Good Food Award' from Blue Ribbon.

Rikki said the demand for vegan cuisine has risen in recent years, with more vegan eateries opening despite the challenges faced by small businesses amid the cost-of-living crisis.

"A big thing that is important is the continuous support for independent businesses, and support comes in many different ways. It comes in physically coming into the restaurant, but also in online support. If you ever do see a new restaurant pop up on Instagram, give it a like, give it a share - those things cost nothing, and they really do help. One thing I love about Liverpool is the support we have for the little guys, and helping wherever we can."

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