Guest Editor: Martin Davis

This weeks guest editor is Martin Davis, Director at Christie + Co, the specialist property agent and advisor

Cautious optimism seems to be the underlying feeling, which has spread across the UK’s hospitality sector since the turn of the year. The momentum we experienced in the run up to the end of 2009 with increased viewings, would-be buyers and deals, has continued over the last two months, whilst a number of stories in this weeks’ my-hospitality highlight further reasons for feeling optimistic about business prospects for 2010.

Firstly, the latest results from Santander Corporate Banking Business Confidence Index, which are published in full in this week’s edition, show that confidence amongst hospitality operators also remains relatively high, with the majority confident in their prospects for the first half of the year.

The latest trading updates from some of the major restaurant chains suggest that the appetite of consumers for eating out still remains healthy. The news last week that national operator, The Restaurant Group, the owners of the Garfunkels and Frankie & Benny chains, had reported a marginal rise in pre-tax profits, also proves that although conditions remain challenging, operators who have invested in service standards and their offer, are continue to be rewarded with robust trading performances.

The ability to adapt to changing consumer trends, combined with flexibility on operational issues, will prove crucial factors in the success of the majority of restaurant operators over the next 12 months. The Good Food Guide’s search for its Readers’ Restaurant of the Year 2010, which was launched this week, will highlight a number of independent operators who will show these, and a number of other qualities, which have enabled them to stay ahead of competitors during the toughest of trading periods.
Finally, it is pleasing to read that the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre has secured two new conferences that could boost the town’s economy by more than £10m over the next six years. Southport has been the subject of significant inward investment over the last decade making it a quality resort destination that is really worth visiting and it is great to see that even in these turbulent times this is paying dividends for those in the hospitality industry. With a Casino planned to open towards the end of this year, surely Southport will continue to go from strength to strength by attracting even more visitors, which in turn has to be very good news for the Southport hospitality sector.