MARCHE

Preliminary Rounds - Done!

2012-02-03T13:18:00.001Z

Well folks - in a very short time, all the Preliminary Rounds for the MARCHE Awards for Excellence 2012 will have been completed (our Food Service Assistants are just finishing off as I type!)

The results are emailed to the venue Awards Coordinators, by the date given in the Awards Calendar. Just a couple are still to come and these will be with you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, here's a little peak at what the preliminary round competitions look like to us.

Chef, Young Chef, Cook & Serve, Manager of Tomorrow and Sales Coordinator all submit paper entries for their preliminary rounds.

The MARCHE Awards Office is strewn with towering piles of paperwork as we sort through all the entries, chase the ones lost in the mail or internet. They are copied and sent off to the relevant judging teams.

The Housekeeping Assistants all wait politely for their turn to take part in their practical assessments and written papers.

At least it was a glorious day with sunshine blazing in to make everyone feel a little sunnier themselves.

Thank you Radisson Blu for hosting us on Wednesday.

Due to a slight administrative error (we left the camera in the office *ahem*) we haven't got any photos of all the lovely Receptionists taking part in their preliminary round, so you will have to take our word for it that they were all turned out immaculately and entered into their allocated tasks with enthusiasm and energy.

Thank you Jurys Inn Birmingham for hosting us on Tuesday.

And today its the turn of the Food Service Assistant candidates.

Here they are being briefed on the plan for the day by the Chair of Judges.

Our specialist Judges take their judging responsibilities very seriously

And we really do thank them for their (very) hard work in judging each category.

Hall Green Greyhound Stadium hosted us for the first time this year - thank you for having us!

So that is a quick look at the preliminary rounds of the MARCHE Awards for Excellence competitions.

We're looking forward to seeing our finalists in the coming weeks.

! GOOD LUCK !

The BOBS - MARCHE Winners

2012-01-17T12:01:00.000Z

Photo by Jas Sansi PHOTOGRAPHY

Monday 16th January 2012

The BOBS

CONGRATULATIONS

MARCHE Members

The ICC & Symphony Hall

Best Overall Venue

Photo by Jas Sansi PHOTOGRAPHY

Not just in the City Centre ...

2012-01-16T12:00:00.000Z

Here in the MARCHE Awards Office - we officially love our competition venues. All those venues who so kindly let us take over a conference room, a bar or even an entire floor of bedrooms, so we can rampage around for a day with candidates, judges and camera crews.

These lovely venues also volunteer to host us and for that we are eternally grateful. Because of this - we don't have an awful lot of say as to where in the region the competitions take place, but between us, we are doing our best to cover "The Midlands".

So here is a map - with the varied location of the MARCHE Awards for Excellence 2012 competitions. As you can see ... not just in the City Centre!

Thank You ...

2011-12-23T12:36:00.000Z

All the lovely venues who have offered to host competitions this year

We thank you

University College Birmingham

Moor Hall Hotel & Spa

Westwood Conference Centre, Network Rail

Jurys Inn Birmingham

Solihull College

The Abbey Hotel

And the venues we are still working with to confirm dates

Hall Green Greyhound Stadium

MacDonald Burlington Hotel

Radisson Hotel, Birmingham

Thank you too - we're looking forward to working with you!

Your Awards Needs You

2011-12-07T14:31:00.000Z

Yes - it's true - Lord Kitchener says so ...

... well sort of!

We are looking for MARCHE Members who can help out the Awards this year by providing some space for one of the competitions

Either hosting a preliminary round or a final round

A conference room or some other available and suitable space

If you would like to help, please contact Hilary in the Awards Office

0121 440 1892

MARCHE Awards for Excellence - In the post .....

2011-10-26T10:07:00.000+01:00

This photo is from the collection of The British Postal Museum & Archive

The brand new

2012

MARCHE Awards for Excellence

Information Pack

in the post

to YOU

(keep your eyes peeled for it!)

You can't miss it ...

it's bright GREEN

If you don't receive this over the next few days, let us know and we will resend

MARCHE Awards for Excellence 2012

2011-10-21T11:04:00.001+01:00

The info packs are at the printers

Photo by Jane Haden

It is coming.

Are you ready?

Best Bar None Awards ~ MARCHE Winners

2011-10-14T13:01:00.000+01:00

Photo by Jas Sansi PHOTOGRAPHY

Thursday 13th October

Best Bar None Awards

CONGRATULATIONS!

MARCHE Members

Best Hotel Bar Category

Photo by Jas Sansi PHOTOGRAPHY

Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Centre

Best Student Bar

Photo by Jas Sansi PHOTOGRAPHY

Joe's Bar, University of Birmingham

Photo by Jas Sansi PHOTOGRAPHY

We hope you all had a fantastic night!

Well DONE!

MARCHE representing YOU

2011-10-12T15:34:00.000+01:00

MARCHE CEO Hilary Hall recently attended the launch of the new National Business Crime Forum at the House of Commons in Westminster.

This new, all-party parliamentary group is bringing together MPs from all parties, along with business representatives, to consider how best to tackle business crime.

In light of recent events, the retail sector is particularly highlighted as a focus for the group however, MARCHE is working to represent the hospitality industry and to bring the particular concerns of the industry to the group.

If you have any queries please contact the MARCHE office for more information.

MARCHE & BCF Golf Day

2011-09-14T10:04:00.000+01:00

The MARCHE and BCF Golf Day was held on 13th July at The Belfry

Rob, Don & Ray from UCB enjoy a pre-golf breakfast

Ivor and Graham from BHCA set off on their round

Mark Blake presents winners Neil Smith and Stuart Boyle with the MARCHE Golf Shield

And the winners were ...

3rd Paul Anderson & Tony Butler, Gram UK
2nd Ivor Marsh & Graham Robinson, BHCA
1st Neil Smith & Stuart Boyle, The Belfry

Best score for team with both players with handicap of over 20
James Roberts & Sue Blake, Lea Marston Hotel

Nearest the Pin on the 3rd Tim Barker
Nearest the Pin in 2 on 7th Peter Allen
Nearest the Pin in 3 on 12th Phil Dobson
Longest Drive 18th Ryan Grigg

Huge thanks to Mark Blake for organising another great golfing day!

New Look New Street Station

2011-08-08T17:25:00.001+01:00

MARCHE Members all looking very fine in their orange high-visibility clothing!

After our fascinating visit to the building site for the new New Street Station in July, we are excited to now give you the link for the Network Rail "fly through" video.

Have a look at this

New Street Station "Fly-Through"

Hard Hat Tour Opportunity - New Street Station

2011-07-19T09:23:00.000+01:00

How about this for an exciting MARCHE Members Outing - eh?

A hard hat tour of the new Gateway Project

The redevelopment of New Street Station

There will be a full briefing on the enhanced business benefits, the new BCB - booking portal and the latest information on all related services

If you would like to come along & join the tour - reserve your place with the MARCHE Office 0121 440 1892 or admin@marche.org.uk

Closing date for bookings ~ Friday 22nd July

The date of the tour will be confirmed upon booking

Best Bar None Awards

2011-07-07T13:55:00.001+01:00

MARCHE

would really like to wish

GOOD LUCK

to all our members who have entered the

Birmingham Best Bar None Awards

for 2011

image courtesy of Birmingham News Room

Best Bar None gives national accreditation for licensed premises and is recognised as best practice by the Home Office and the industry. It is a nation-wide scheme, promoted in many different cities across the UK.

Birmingham Best Bar None is now in its fourth year and has different 8 categories for venues to enter:

Best City Centre Pub
Best Suburban Pub
Best City Centre Bar
Best Suburban Bar
Best Nightclub
Best Hotel Bar
Best Independent Venue
Best University / Student Bar

Although the Best Bar None scheme is nation-wide, the Birmingham scheme is unique as it is a city-wide scheme and takes into account both our status as a Conference City and the many universities and colleges with the Best Hotel Bar and Best University / Student Bar categories, introduced to recognise this.

The bar going public of Birmingham are invited to VOTE for their preferred "Best Bar None" on the website of sponsors BRMB between 14th July & 20th August.

image courtesy of Birmingham News Room

And ... while we're on the subject perhaps we should also mention that Birmingham is a Purple Flag city ~ a status awarded in 2010, to recognise "excellence in the management of town and city centres at night". Which pretty much means (what we all knew) - that Birmingham rocks at night as well as during the day!

MARCHE Golf Day

2011-06-30T15:53:00.000+01:00

MARCHE & the BCF

are hosting the annual Golf Tournament this year at

The Belfry

on 13th July

PGA National Course

Betterball Stableford competition

Teams of two

Tickets include:

Bacon baps

18 holes of golf

3 course meal

Booking ends on Monday 4th July

Please download a booking form from our website www.marche.org.uk

Ramada Encore at the Birmingham Dragonboat Festival

2011-06-23T12:05:00.000+01:00

MARCHE Members Ramada Encore Birmingham took part in the Birmingham Dragonboat Festival 2011 on Saturday 18th June.

As first time participants they were delighted to have achieved a respectable 14th place out of 21 teams taking part.

Congratulations to the Karate Kids Team!

This is all part of Ramada Encore Birmingham's charity fund raising efforts for Birmingham Children's Hospital so if you would like to make a contribution to their noble cause, please visit their Just Giving page.

VAT & Vince Cable

2011-06-22T12:30:00.004+01:00

We are pleased to announce an opportunity for MARCHE Members to attend the forthcoming meeting hosted by Business Voice West Midlands with the Secretary for State, Innovation & Skills ~ the Rt Hon Dr Vincent Cable, MP.

The meeting is being held in conjunction with the Parliamentary All Party Group for the West Midlands and other speakers will include : : ~

Ian Austin MP (Labour, Dudley North)

Lorley Burt MP (Solihull - Chair, Liberal Democrat Group of MPs)

Mark Garnier MP (Conservative, Wyre Forest)

The meeting will be held next week and if you would like to attend, please email the MARCHE Office for further details.

This will be an opportunity for a discussion and for you to raise issues of serious business concerns.

MARCHE CEO Hilary Hall will be raising the subject of VAT on behalf of MARCHE Members - VAT on hotel accommodation, restaurant meals and attractions.

At 20% - UK VAT is the second highest rate in the EU
All but two other EU countries have now recognised the importance of tourism within their economies and have set a reduced rate of VAT on hotel accommodation and several have also set a reduced rate on restaurant meals
The BHA is now actively lobbying for a reduced rate of VAT for the hospitality industry within the next 2 - 3 years and for Government to take immediate steps to improve UK competitiveness for hospitality & tourism

Please see your recent ENews for further information on this subject and feel free to make any comments.

Your support and thoughts on this subject would be appreciated - please comment here on the blog or by email to the MARCHE Office.

Green Restaurant Awards

2011-06-20T16:24:00.000+01:00

CONGRATULATIONS!

to the following MARCHE Members

who won awards in the

GREEN RESTAURANT AWARDS 2011

Category 1 - Waste Management

Candidates were asked to details what initiatives have been taken to reduce waste and increase recycling

Winner ~ Oak Room Restaurant at Moor Hall Hotel

Category 2 - Energy Reduction

Candidates were asked how the restaurant is reducing energy consumption and to give details of how this was implemented and how it was measured

Winner ~ Cafe Vite at The ICC

Highly Commended ~ Aria Restaurant at The Hyatt

Category 4 - Purchasing

Candidates were asked to give details of measures used to reduce the environmental impact of goods & services selectively within their own influence

Winner ~ Opus

Highly Commended ~ Aston Villa VMF Restaurant

HS2

2011-06-02T18:41:00.001+01:00

MARCHE CEO Hilary Hall, recently attended the Centro presentation on High Speed Rail - The Opportunity for Transport in the West Midlands.

Two documents have so far been prepared for your consideration : :

Birmingham & Solihull

The Black Country

(click on the titles for the downloadable .pdf documents)

The details for Coventry will be available shortly, please check the Centro website for further updates.

A full meeting to collate the response from the Midlands will be held on 22nd June, so please get in touch with Hilary at the MARCHE office to give your comments and views on this important transport development.

You can email hilary@marche.org.uk or call the office on 0121 440 1892.

Summer Food Festival - 9th - 11th August 2011

2011-05-20T12:57:00.001+01:00

Summer Food Festival

MARCHE, in partnership with The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are thrilled to be launching a very new and exciting Summer Food Festival for the Midlands.

To be held at The Birmingham Botanical Gardens from 9th - 11th of August 2011

Priority booking is currently available to MARCHE members giving YOU a fabulous opportunity to showcase bars or restaurants or take part in the Producers Village.

This brand new Festival in a unique setting is aimed at two distinct markets : :

Daytime - Families

Giving families a special day out
A chance for kids to find out about where and how some of their favourite ingredients are grown
A chance to sample & purchase local produce in the Producers Village
A range of fun food and drink related activities
Opportunities for the grown ups too - to taste regional beers, wines & ciders

Evening - After Work Relaxation

Live music
Regional beers, wines & ciders to try & buy
A chance to sample & purchase local produce in the Producers Village
A chance to have an evening meal of speciality sample meals available from local restaurants
Demonstrations by some of the regions top chefs

And finally - the beauty of the whole event ...

We are NOT at the mercy of the Great British Weather - the various activities can be under cover or outside!

HOORAY!!!

So, if you are interested in taking part, please contact

the Festival Office by email (click the link) or on 0333 123 0248

The MARCHE Office by email (click the link)

or on 0121 440 1892

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Tourism Statistics

2011-05-18T15:56:00.001+01:00

The British Hospitality Association has recently published the latest tourism statistics and here they are for your info : :

29.6 million inbound tourists to the UK
(Down 1%)

£16.7 billion spent in the UK by inbound visitors
(Up 1%)

55 million outbound British tourists heading elsewhere
(Down 5%)

£30.8 billion spent by outbound British tourists
(Down 1%)

And VisitEngland have a lot to say on the subject of the "Economic Downturn" and have recently published the results on their study The Staycation: 2011 & Beyond ~ it's not an Urban Myth ~ the Staycationers drove an uplift in holidays taken in England during 2009 and 2010 and it looks set to continue for 2011 and beyond!

The conclusions derived from the VisitEngland study are as follows : :
(these are taken directly from the VisitEngland Study)

Pessimism about the economy and about consumers personal financial situation has increased in the last 6 months and the degree to which this is realised is bound to impact behaviour in 2011

The Staycation continued in 2010 with 2 in 10 consumers taking a break in England who would otherwise have been abroad. This is mainly due to financial reasons but also because of the positive appeal of taking an "England" break (yippee the marketing is working!)

2011 holidays are likely to be similar to 2010

Once through the recession, people expect to start taking trips abroad again, but that is unlikely to be at the expense of an England holiday which are also expected to increase. It is the 4 - 7 night trips that are going to be the key battleground.

18 - 34 year olds and families in particular are likely to keep taking their hols in England and (this is the great bit) their reasons for doing so are to explore new places and have hassle-free holidays so the VisitEngland message is to tap into this market with communications to convert intent to action, but remember "value perceptions" are still a challenge.

For more details on this information, do have a look at the VisitEngland Study

Red Tape Challenge - What did you say?

2011-05-16T14:39:00.000+01:00

Red Tape Challenge

Well it looks like we have a bit more time to comment on the Cabinet Office's Red Tape Challenge website, as the deadline has been extended up to the 2nd June - there must be a lot to say about red tape in the Hospitality Sector and here at MARCHE we hope that you are taking the opportunity to make your voices heard!

Some MARCHE members have shared with us the subjects they are commenting on and here are just a couple of them.

CCTV Cameras

Specifically the amounts you have to pay to the Information Commissioners Office if you have CCTV cameras on your premises

Birmingham City Council's Massage & Special Treatments License

Applications forms and fees in addition to National requirements

So is there anything you've commented on which you would like to share? Feel free to let us know by commenting in the "Comments" section at the end of this post if there is!

Red Tape Challenge - Have Your Say

2011-05-11T14:33:00.000+01:00

www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

So ... MARCHE members - the time is NOW to have YOUR say about nonsensical Government RED TAPE that fills your in-trays and covers your desks and consumes your working day.

Please check out this website, have a good rummage around on it - there are lots of topics which are open for discussion - and then join the debate! Add your comments to the topics you feel most passionately about and want to see changed and lets see what happens.

We all like to comment and (let's be honest) have a good moan about all these sorts of things and so now is the chance to actually make our voices heard, make some suggestions from the "shop floor" on what will work better for our industry and then at least no one can say we haven't tried.

Bank of England Report Questionnaire

2011-05-06T09:51:00.000+01:00

We hope that a representative from all our member venues received a questionnaire by email on Thursday 5th May, containing a few questions from the Bank of England.

Please complete and return this as soon as possible to Hilary - no later than Monday 9th May.

This is your opportunity to have your say and make a difference and your input is really helpful and gratefully received and passed on.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

2010-12-21T11:53:00.000Z

We are keeping an eye on the impact of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.

This follows the Home Office consultation on "rebalancing" the 2003 Licensing Act (England and Wales). The Bill makes a number of changes to the roles of local authorities - one of the biggest impacts for hospitality operators is that it will give Councils the right (but will not compel them) to the following:-

IMPOSE EARLY MORNING ALCOHOL RESTRICTION ORDERS:
These can prohibit the supply of alcohol on/from licensed premises (including clubs) at any time the Council chooses between midnight and 6.00am.

Additionally, and relating to the same hours, Councils will be permitted (again, not compelled) to:-

CHARGE A LATE NIGHT LEVY
Intended to cover policing and other costs to reduce or prevent crime and disorder linked to the supply of alcohol at times when there is no restriction order applying. Restriction orders and the levy change can be limited in terms of :-
(a) the locality covered, and
(b) whether to exempt any types of premises
As nearly 60% of "24 hour licences" are held by hotels, these are potentially important exceptions.

Most notably - and of concern - is that these powers will be at the discretion of each local Council.