Latest opinions
-
“Too small to survive?”
22 February 2017 Speciality BitesI am always more interested in Dragon’s Den when companies come on from the speciality food world. I think this series, so far, there have been three – and in any event there always seems to be at least one food... -
“Retail trends in 2017”
13 February 2017 Speciality BitesI thought this week I would share insights on what I expect some of the retail trends to be in 2017, which have inspired some of our product choices this year -
The Interview: Alex Albone, Pipers Crisps
06 February 2017 NewsFor Alex Albone, brand owner of Pipers Crisps, hard work, fun and flavour are key to running a thoroughly-modern business -
“Don’t place too many eggs in one basket”
06 February 2017 Speciality BitesWhy is it that the same old lessons need to be learned time and time again? I received a phone call last week advising me that one of our suppliers had gone into administration. Launched at the peak of the... -
“Time, gentlemen (and ladies), please”
06 February 2017 Town CrierI’ve read opinions in this magazine that shops should always be open if there’s a chance of customers being around. That’s fine if one has an adequate supply of trained staff that can be put onto adjusted rotas and thus spread more... -
“Pump up the volume”
06 February 2017 OpinionIn the dark months of winter, as the cold chill winds numb the body and brain and simply doing the routine tasks is a chore, it’s hard to engage the spirit in creating and delivering the new, facing the challenges of... -
“The results are in”
06 February 2017 Expert EyeI am pleased to report that Christmas 2016 proved to be our busiest Christmas yet. For the 24 days of December up to Christmas Day itself, we were 5.7% up on 2016. For the entire month of December 2016 our... -
“Bring on 2017!”
06 February 2017 On The Farm2017 has got off to a flying start at Jimmy’s Farm. January started with a bang when New Years’ Day was rung in with a sell-out event in our restaurant following a bumper Christmas season of parties and private functions -
“Gung hay fat choi!”
06 February 2017 Fine FoodThis year the Chinese New Year was early and the main festivities ran from 27th January until 2nd February. For everyone else this is a quiet time of year, with both food shops and restaurants choosing to lie low in... -
EXCLUSIVE: Andrea Leadsom Addresses Speciality Food Readers
30 January 2017 NewsAn exclusive address from Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
