By Paul Cottrell

14 Oct 2024

Trends, Tech and Sustainability were the recent topics for the ACE conference held at St Fagans National Museum of History at the Catering @ Cultural Venues event.

By Charles Manners

20 Dec 2023

Please see our latest newsletter; a profile of our new Director Paul Cottrell and a synopsis of our latest projects and wishing all our clients a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2024

By Charles Manners

9 Aug 2023

Really to be part of the launch of Consultants Corner in July as we explore their invaluable insights on industry hot topics. "creating better understanding and insight- Changing the Industry Narrative. #perspectives #collaborationmatters #freshvoices #valuethroughinsight #consultants see link https: https://www.youtube.com/live/ipdsJfv1FL0?feature=share

By Charles Manners

13 Jul 2023

Ian Doughty, who has been with Turpin Smale and a colleague for ten years, has decided to take early retirement following recent illness.

By Charles Manners

1 Apr 2023

Paul Cottrell Joins the Turpin Smale Team

By Charles Manners

7 Apr 2022

We were meant to be leaving Covid-19 behind, however as I write we had 5m cases last week although normality seems to be returning. Covid 19 has been devastating for the hospitality sector, we have lost 10,000 businesses and 600,000 jobs, and we have seen our sector lose its job attractiveness which in part is not now helping recruitment.

By Charles Manners

22 Dec 2021

We wish everyone a very happy Christmas and best wishes for 2022 and that the hospitality industry manages to navigate through this current crisis, nearly 2 years of continual change and challenges! and we will move on from the picture with no-one around in the city!

By Charles Manners

21 Dec 2021

Please find attached our annual newsletter, which was written at the start of December and since then the hospitality sector is in nightmare situation with falling sales and no confirmation of government support. Not easy for anyone operating with people, stock, and bills to pay. In the meantime have a very good Christmas and best wishes for 2022. Charles, Chris and Ian

By Charles Manners

8 Mar 2021

Food service and hospitality remains in hibernation and the pressure on company’s cash balances increases however Government policy is now clearer, roadmap is clear but at a disappointing pace and the budget last week was helpful. The pictures are of the Red Lion Culworth who have opened a successful shop and takeaway

By Charles Manners

14 Jan 2021

How we see it so far - Hospitality remains becalmed and despite the welcome financial support the sector is in a very precarious situation and there will be businesses that will cease trading as we come out of the current lockdown.

By Charles Manners

22 Dec 2020

This year has been like no other, here’s to 2021 and a better year ahead… Wishing all our clients a healthy and peaceful festive break

By Charles Manners

24 Nov 2020

Hospitality is suffering terribly but we are here to help our clients get through to a post-Covid world.

By Charles Manners

22 Jul 2020

We are coming out of lockdown but far too slowly for our sector

By Charles Manners

26 May 2020

One advantage of the lockdown is we have been able to review how we work and also take time to look at our business as we come out to the ‘New Normal’ and define our role as catering consultants, or food service consultant or even food and beverage consultant.

By Charles Manners

13 May 2020

The impact of the coronavirus has affected all sectors of our industry, bringing a great deal of uncertainty as to what form the "new normal" will take.

By Charles Manners

31 Mar 2020

We are proud to have supported the Leon-led £1m fund-raise for NHS workers, a very worthwhile cause: The funding campaign is looking raise £1m to supply 6,000 meals a day to NHS front-line staff, has soared past the halfway mark only days after launch. #FEEDNHS and as of today over £550,000 https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FeedNHS?utm_term=73NP5kKnE

By Charles Manners

17 Mar 2020

The tsunami-like speed, breadth and depth of this latest global Covid-19 virus is like nothing else we have ever experienced. We are fortunate to be a team who have the adopted an agile working platform and remain available to support clients.

By Charles Manners

5 Mar 2020

Ian attended the Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Show in Excel this week

By Charles Manners

20 Dec 2019

Wishing all our clients and suppliers a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2020

By Charles Manners

3 Dec 2019

Please see attached our 2019 Newsletter which outlines a number of our projects this year

By Charles Manners

15 Nov 2019

Presented at a workshop at the AVS Conference this week in Liverpool. Overall the conference was interesting to attend with a number of good presentations.

By Charles Manners

12 Nov 2019

We attended the Alix Partners and EP Hospitality launch of the 2019 Foodservice Growth Report, https://www.alixpartners.com/media/13632/foodservice-growth-report-uk-2019.pdf

By Charles Manners

8 Nov 2019

UKHospitality has launched the 2019 edition of its Food Service Management Market Report, outlining key challenges and opportunities for the catering sector and the wider hospitality industry.

By Charles Manners

4 Nov 2019

Newly re-furbished retail and café area at Royal Armouries Leeds where we have advised on the catering strategy and assisted in running the catering tender

By Charles Manners

27 Aug 2019

The Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral have announced a new partnership with Jarrold for their Refectory Café which we advised on.

By Charles Manners

21 Aug 2019

Georgian Gem - The Whitchurch Silk Mill re-opened last Autumn, and a visit there this week to meet the management team and to see the renovated mill and new visitor centre https://whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk/ was very encouraging.

By Charles Manners

15 Aug 2019

I visited Arcade London this week https://www.arcade-london.com/ one of London’s new food markets; what however marks this development out from the rest is the organisation and control.

By Charles Manners

7 Jul 2019

Goodwood Festival of Speed offers a great range of food and drink offers

By Charles Manners

29 May 2019

Edinburgh Printmakers has transformed the former North British Rubber Company HQ – Castle Mills, part of a £11m projectat the heart of Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge area

By Charles Manners

15 May 2019

I was interested to see an article in Propel which quoted Morgan Stanley leisure analyst Jamie Rollo arguing: the volatile margins of the top catering companies shows the industry is becoming more competitive.

By Charles Manners

30 Apr 2019

The Clive Arms https://www.theclive.co.uk/ after a very significant refurbishment

By Charles Manners

2 Apr 2019

Understanding the impact of future technology is always challenging, but a look at what the market has to offer, from Wetherspoons ordering app, to McDonald’s self ordering and table service, Vita Mojo and Tossed offering shows where we are heading.

By Charles Manners

25 Mar 2019

We have recently introduced an additional tour to look at the new experiential-based dining and leisure activities that are leading the way as footfall drivers.

By Charles Manners

7 Jan 2019

The world of catering continues to change, and our thoughts for 2019 are below, a combination of what we hear from clients, customers and the press!

By Charles Manners

20 Dec 2018

We wish all our clients, friends and suppliers a very good Christmas and best wishes for 2019

By Charles Manners

14 Dec 2018

I visited Twickenham last week with Goodwood and Levy Restaurants

By Charles Manners

6 Dec 2018

I recently attended a seminar at The Crown Estates new offices in St James where the catering is delivered by Vacherin. The Crown Estate is a client of ours, managed by colleague Ian Doughty and we assisted them with the catering Tender and provide ongoing support.

By Charles Manners

26 Nov 2018

Please see the attachment for our latest newsletter which gives a snapshot of our 2018 catering consultancy projects

By Charles Manners

15 Nov 2018

Just spent a few days in Copenhagen, it really is a food destination, yes expensive but all Nordic countries know how to charge. Copenhagen itself is a very civilised city, good sightseeing, a population of 1.7m. The food revolution only started in the early 2000, with a food manifesto, now the quality and choice of food from street food to high end restaurants Is outstanding.

By Charles Manners

9 Nov 2018

I attended launch the latest report this week by Alix Partners supported by EP Hospitality, and as ever the report is interesting. The key themes are; • Uncertainty due to Brexit leading businesses to not make decisions, combined with labour pressures on costs and recruitment and Inflation uncertainty • This year is has been tougher with sales growth but margin pressure, margin 5.9%: down .4%

By Charles Manners

6 Nov 2018

Charles Manners, Director of Turpin Smale Catering Consultants, says environment is just as important as the food served in schools, see article just published in Independent Education

By Charles Manners

18 Oct 2018

I attended the annual Caffe Culture show this week, although smaller in size than previous years the visit was still worthwhile.

By Charles Manners

12 Oct 2018

I chaired a F&B panel (Food Envy) yesterday at the Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester, an interesting morning.

By Charles Manners

14 Sep 2018

With so much doom news on the high street and many of the casual dining brands finding trading conditions difficult (not all) there remains optimism concerning the growth in the coffee market.

By Charles Manners

31 Jul 2018

Last week I attended the TUCO conference, who represent the in-house university caterers, an effective organisation who put on an excellent conference. This year’s venue was the University of Hull

By Propel Marketing

4 Jul 2018

With the news from the high street being dominated by stores and restaurants closing there are winners out there!

By Propel Marketing

4 Jul 2018

Catherine Anderson, in collaboration with Turpin Smale, highlights 10 Top Tips for successful facilities refurbishments in the Independent Education Sector to ensure your project is a success; it’s not just big construction projects that can run into trouble, small projects can be equally problematic. Copy and paste the following link into your browser to read more on page 58 of the digital version of Independent Education Today Today June which is now live: http://flickread.com/edition/html/index.php?pdf=5afbf64742809#1

By Propel Marketing

4 Jul 2018

We have seen several smaller caterers using central kitchens to deliver hospitality & Grab & Go products to offices; but now one of the major Disruptors - Deliveroo has now announced plans to offer the £4.99 lunch direct to your desk! The offer & price is clearly aimed at the grab & go market which for workplace caterers has been growing for some time, despite the intense high street competition.

By Propel Marketing

29 Jun 2018

GCA launches new Rising Star programme for catering staff. Following the on-going success of the Garden Centre Association’s Rising Stars initiative a new programme aimed at garden centre catering staff has been launched, and the programme will be facilitated by Chris Brown. http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/sr9xjk4ghtu?a=2&p=52950069&t=28392885

By Propel Marketing

29 Jun 2018

What was once a fairly ordinary food scene, in an area of the City not known for its vibrant food offers, has been transformed with the opening of the Bloomberg Arcade

By Charles Manners

15 Nov 2017

Ian and I attended the EP Hospitality Insights Conference yesterday in London. Over 200 people attended the full day event held at Nomura International in London.

By Charles Manners

22 Sep 2017

A morning well spent at the LUNCH exhibition at Excel, which I visited yesterday, where products for cafes and grab & go operations are exhibited

By Charles Manners

8 Sep 2017

I visited the Speciality Food Fair at Olympia this week; as ever there were a range of products, with European producers well represented.

By Charles Manners

21 Jul 2017

In his third and final article Turpin Smale Catering Consultants’Charles Manners looks at outsourcing and the use of Volunteers

By Charles Manners

10 Jul 2017

Spent a fascinating day with a client last week looking at the best in class catering in conference spaces, co-working environments and cafes. We used our knowledge of Shoreditch and the City to good use!

By Charles Manners

3 Jul 2017

We attended the CUBO Summer Conference last week at the University of Kent. A very well organised conference, and we sponsored the bar on the first evening, which proved to be popular! We partnered with Catherine Anderson from Anderson Power Consulting with whom we have worked with on a number of projects, and her skills are in the FM area are very complimentary to ours!

By Ian Doughty

28 Jun 2017

Ian is a trustee of the Institute of Hospitality and went along to the AGM and Dinner last week held at the Montcalm Hotel.

By Charles Manners

15 Jun 2017

An interesting debate about the value of using independent kitchen designers at the commercial Kitchen Show; we work with Roz Burgess from Intelligent Catering http://www.fcsi.org/foodservice-consultant/eame/commercial-kitchen-show-hosts-consultants-debate/

By Charles Manners

31 May 2017

In this second article for the AIM Bulletin Turpin Smale Catering Consultants’Charles Manners looks at what has changed on food and menus over the past few years and what Museums should be focussing on:

By Chris Brown

15 May 2017

Chris Brown appointed a non-executive director of The Roald Dahl Centre (Trading) Limited

By Charles Manners

31 Mar 2017

Nearly seven years ago Chris Brown of TurpinSmale Catering Consultants contributed articles in the AIM Bulletin for museum café operators. The world of catering has changed, and the company’s Charles Manners is taking a look at what museums should be aware of today

By Charles Manners

21 Mar 2017

I attended the MIA Conference www.mia-uk.org in London on Monday; Don't Stop ...Rethink, and I moderated a session on food procurement in the afternoon, which was well attended.

By Charles Manners

4 Jan 2017

2016 has seen the food map evolve, with ‘superfoods’ firmly cemented in the consumer’s repertoire. Forecasting what will happen in 2017 is always interesting, and these are our thoughts as we go into the new year.

By Charles Manners

22 Dec 2016

With best wishes to all our clients and suppliers and here's to a successful 2017!

By Ian Doughty

23 Nov 2016

After the Melt Room last year with thier swanky toasted cheese sandwiches, we now have Hipchips

By Charles Manners

13 Nov 2016

I recently attended the 2016 ASAO (county shows; as we have a number of clients in the sector) conference which was held at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay. The Countess of Wessex who is patron of the ASAO was there for the day and was actively involved, she is a great supporter.

By Charles Manners

20 Oct 2016

I attended the Independent Hotel Show yesterday in Olympia, http://www.independenthotelshow.co.uk/ which was interesting and well worthwhile.

By Charles Manners

16 Oct 2016

I attended the Food Service Cateys on Friday night 14th October at the Plaza Hotel in London, it was an excellent evening seeing many friends and catching up on all the industry news and to see the results of our judging!

By Charles Manners

12 Oct 2016

This Autumn I find myself with two projects focussing once again on small hotels with restaurants, with two sites; firstly near Christchurch in Dorset and secondly the Clive Arms @ Bromfield near Ludlow, part of the Ludlow Food Centre.

By Charles Manners

17 Sep 2016

This month, 28 amateur cyclists took part in an epic cycling adventure across the UK and Europe, raising thousands of pounds for the Northampton Hope Centre (a homeless charity) in the process. Organised by Pidy UK, the 2016 event is the third consecutive year in which cyclists have taken on the challenge in aid of fundraising for the homeless charity which I support as a board member. I followed in a support vehicle on the European leg, enjoying the cafes and scenery and supporting my wife who was cycling!

By Ian Doughty

29 Aug 2016

As an Essex boy, I am delighted that the county is becoming known for its food, rather than the dubious reputation it once had! Whilst we have always had great producers and produce, think Mersea Oysters and Tiptree Jam, Essex can now claim two great dining locations. Last year saw the opening of The Flitch of Bacon, near Gt Dunmow, with Daniel Clifford at the helm and in the autumn Chris and Jeff Galvin are opening a pub restaurant in Howe Street near Chelmsford.

By Charles Manners

8 Aug 2016

The EP events are always thought provoking, and an opportunity to hear other view from with in the industry, the key themes coming out from the morning are below, and we see these coming up in conversations with many clients:

By Charles Manners

31 May 2016

Over the past few years we have seen continuous changes on the high street, which directly influence university catering offers setting students and staff expectations. The key trend we see as catering consultants driving this change is the consumer’s interest in self health and a willingness to experiment, and pay higher prices for premium, authentic and artisan products. Though this trend is not new, what is now firmly established is how the consumer needs are being addressed by the high street operators. This is an article that has appeared in June's University Business

By Charles Manners

12 May 2016

A visit to Caffe Culture held at Olympia yesterday was the opportunity to see both new and existing suppliers. As ever the exhibition was well attended and speaking to the exhibitors they were all pleased with the response from visitors.

By Charles Manners

6 May 2016

Working with a catering consultancy means that even on holiday I find myself talking to the hotel staff, management and restaurant teams

By Charles Manners

4 May 2016

Whitbread’s a purchase of a 49% stake in Pure (London-based Healthy Retail Ltd, trading as ‘Pure’, for £6.8m, with the option to buy the remaining 51% within the next five years)

By Ian Doughty

14 Apr 2016

We have been working with a number of leisure centres in recent months, helping them improve their cafes and food service offers.

By Charles Manners

17 Feb 2016

The coffee shop market continues to grow at a rapid pace, and whist the casual dining market is coming under the spotlight for potential over-capacity the coffee shop market according to Allegra’s World Coffee Portal latest data shows that there are estimated to be 20,728 outlets in the UK, with sales growing at 10% on last year

By Charles Manners

3 Feb 2016

Nottingham Trent University have opened The Pavilion Building and a fantastic new Teaching and Learning building on Clifton Campus for the 6000+ students and staff.

By Charles Manners

25 Jan 2016

As we move into 2016 it is a chance to reflect on where were are as a sector

By Ian Doughty

7 Jan 2016

Daniel Clifford of Michelin starred Midsummer House, has opened a pub restaurant, The Flitch of Bacon in Little Dunmow, Essex.

By Charles Manners

23 Dec 2015

Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2016 from Ian, Chris & Charles

By Charles Manners

2 Dec 2015

Horseracing, sailing, gardening, cycling and more – read how our catering consultancy advice spans many sectors

By Charles Manners

30 Nov 2015

We are delighted to join the Historic Houses Association as corporate members

By Ian Doughty

24 Nov 2015

Ian Doughty, Catering Consultant is now contributing articles to the Great Food Mag, the on line magazine of the Great Food Club

By Charles Manners

15 Nov 2015

Attended the 2015 annual ASAO conference in Norwich which is the county show organisation that represents day county shows. This year there was limited focus on catering, however we sponsored as a Catering Consultancy a tea break and remain committed to the sector.

By Ian Doughty

9 Nov 2015

Foodservice operators and their high-street counterparts are continuing to trade territories, with the former seeking exposure and the latter wanting more predictable revenues. Catering Consultant Ian Doughty highlights this trend, in the latest edition of The Vision, from EP Business in Hospitality

By Charles Manners

2 Nov 2015

Grand Central in Birmingham opened at the end of September and if you have not been through New Street Station for a while you will be amazed, or at least I was! Admittedly £750m helps, but what a transformation, and will really help the UK's second city create a proper 21st century sense of arrival for the daily 170000 visitors. For a catering consultant and watcher of food trends and concepts this is a dream, all under one roof!

By Charles Manners

25 Oct 2015

Convenience food! From greater choice to home delivery, and the implications for University Catering? by Catering Consultant Charles Manners

By Charles Manners

18 Oct 2015

Turpin Smale Catering Consultants advise Goodwood Estate on their catering contract

By Chris Brown

14 Oct 2015

The local convenience store sector is checking out the margins and business potential of cafes and catering consultant Chris Brown presented at their conference.

By Charles Manners

30 Sep 2015

A 'catering consultants' week in North Cornwall on a family holiday staying near Polzeath, struck me this time, partly because I was there for a week and not just a passing weekend was the quality and range of the food and hospitality now on offer.

By Chris Brown

23 Jul 2015

The importance of ambiance in cafes is much underestimated especially in the garden centre market. Catering Consultant Chris Brown writes in the 2016 Garden & Hardware Yearbook of how you can improve this important area.

By Chris Brown

15 Jun 2015

Catering Consultant Chris Brown presents a session on Improving Catering Income at the Association of Independent Museums' Conference in Bristol

By Charles Manners

13 Jun 2015

Sodexo Symposium held in London last week on social space within the Higher Education sector

By Chris Brown

11 Jun 2015

Keeping Ahead of the Game was Catering Consultant Chris' presentation at the HTA's Garden Centre Catering Conference 2015

By Ian Doughty

9 Jun 2015

Ian was elected onto the executive council of the Institute of Hospitality at the AGM and Annual Lunch held at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.

By Ian Doughty

8 May 2015

Celebrating great food and drink

By Charles Manners

25 Apr 2015

Street Food – why university caterers are adapting their offers - Article in April's University Business

By Chris Brown

7 Apr 2015

Great Cafes author and catering consultant Chris Brown went back to school for a Speciality Coffee Association of Europe Barista Skills course at the excellent Prufrock Barista Academy in London.