LIVING TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
09/10/2025
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have come out of their respective party conferences looking stronger – but for how long?
Meet our sponsors – The Edible Group and Energised Earth
02/10/2025
In this week’s blog Steven talks about the sponsors for the upcoming Art of Hospitality event on the 9th October. These sponsors are the reason that Hospitality Hero events stay free, and they get to give out insights and tips for free.
The Dangers of Overreaching
01/10/2025
Jim identifies three examples of potential overreach by politicians in recent weeks. Nigel Farage on right to remain,Andy Burnham’s leadership ambitions and the Prime Minister’s attack on Reform UK.
Liverpool Hospitality Conference
29/09/2025
As Liverpool rolls out the red carpet for Labour Conference attendees, what can the government do to help the city’s vibrant hospitality sector? Regional hotelier Steven Hesketh calls for a new LIPA-style hospitality school, better regulations and a dedicated Minister of Hospitality….
A Decent Proposal
25/09/2025
In this week’s blog, Jo reflects on the Liberal Democrat Conference and considers how Ed Davey’s appeal to decency, community, and middle England could counter Farage, Reform, and divisive politics.
Inside and Outside the Regeneration Tent: Why We Need to Bridge the Divide
24/09/2025
Neil Baines, Managing Director at Steven A Hunt & Associates highlights that at major property conferences, the real value often happens off the main stage. Fringe events—especially those run by Downtown in Business—bring together business, politics, and delivery specialists, creating the conversations where meaningful connections are made. That’s why the firm has chosen to renew its sponsorship with Downtown for MIPIM and UKREiiF in 2026, reflecting the need for better integration.
A Week in America – 24 September 2025
24/09/2025
Back in Britain for a couple of weeks, Martin readies himself for the Labour Party conference. But having witnessed President Trump’s carefully choreographed UK State Visit, he wonders if rowdy conferences and noisy mass membership parties have much of a future?
The Academy Restaurant at Cheshire College
19/09/2025
Hospitality is built on people. Skills, confidence, resilience, pride, those things aren’t just memorized in a lecture hall. They’re learned in the pressure of service, in front of real guests, with real standards and expectations. That’s the philosophy behind The Academy Restaurant at Cheshire College, South & West, Crewe campus
PLAYING A PEAKY BLINDER!
18/09/2025
A sense of gloom about the economic prospects is not shared by the West Midlands. That’s Jim’s conclusion having attended two great Downtown events in the last week.
Bee Our Guest Launch – We Need Your Help
16/09/2025
Bee Our Guest will finally be live on Thursday, 18 September.
Reform UK in Birmingham: A Circus with a Serious Edge
11/09/2025
Despite Reform’s rather eccentric conference in Birmingham last week – it is time to start to take Nigel Farage and his party seriously.
Budget Delay Bad for the Economy
04/09/2025
Jim thinks the late budget on Nov 26th will be bad for business. He also comments on the crisis facing Angela Rayner and the radical new leader of the Green Party.