Hospitality and Establishments

Establishments which are found throughout the UK. These are often referred to as ‘chains’.

Establishments that are unique to the local area.

Commercial establishments provide accommodation, food, drink and other services. It is the main role of the Establishments. Commercial establishments make a profit as they charge customers for their services.

Catering services establishments provide food and drink within an establishment, however it is not the main focus of the establishment. Catering services work on a tight budget. They do not make a profit. Examples of this type of establishment include schools, prisons, hospitals and army bases.

A chain restaurant is a set of restaurants situated in a variety of different locations. The restaurant interior would typically be laid out the same in each establishment and all the restaurants would offer the same menu. Staff would also wear the same uniform. This is called corporate image. These restaurants are usually situated in tourist areas and shopping outlets. Customers tend to eat at these types of restaurants because they know what to expect.

A fine dining restaurant may be situated anywhere in the country but more often than not they can be found in a single location or operating in just a few. Wait staff would be dressed more formally and would be highly trained. The establishment's interior would feature high quality furniture and the food would be visually appealing and expensive. Customers may be expected to follow a dress code when attending the restaurant. The restaurant may also possess a Michelin star which demonstrates its quality.

A café is also known as a coffee shop and its primary purpose is to sell hot beverages. Cafés can be independently owned or can be part of a chain like Starbucks or Costa. Most cafés serve either light meals or snacks to accompany the beverages. Cafés often have tables outside as well as inside and usually offer a takeaway option. Some cafés in the UK are also known as a ‘greasy spoon’ and these establishments typically serve fried foods and offer all day breakfast menus.

A fast food restaurant serves food that can be prepared and cooked quickly. The menu is usually shown in photographs above the counter and customers choose whether to eat in the restaurant or takeaway in a container or a bag. A fast food restaurant could be part of a chain for example McDonald’s and Burger King, or it could be a local, independently owned business, for example a fish and chip shop, Chinese or kebab shop.

A budget hotel offers basic accommodation at affordable prices. They can be part of a chain like the Premier Inn or Travelodge, or they can be independently owned. This type of accommodation is ideal for short stays when luxury is not required. Rooms are usually very basic, just offering the essentials. Products and services offered in a budget hotel are limited, you could expect a restaurant and bar on site but this is not guaranteed. These types of hotels are situated in both city centres and close to busy roads in service stations.

A hotel can be rated using one to five stars to give customers a clear indication of what to expect when booking accommodation. Stars are awarded to the establishment based on the standards and amount of products and services they offer. A one star hotel would be a basic establishment offering limited products and services, while a five star hotel would be luxury offering a variety of products and services. Establishments in Britain need to apply to the AA to be rated.

A Bed and Breakfast (B&B) is an establishment that offers accommodation and breakfast included in the price. Breakfast offered could be continental, a full English or both. These types of establishments are usually independently owned and situated in remote areas. They are often converted houses, manors or small mansions. Some B&Bs offer lunch and dinner at an extra charge but this is not guaranteed.

A membership club is an establishment that requires customers to become a member before they can enjoy the products and services it offers. These types of establishments usually require an annual fee from each of its members. In return members can expect certain privileges. Some exclusive clubs will only accept members who have been recommended by current members. The members of these clubs usually share the same interests or hobbies. Examples of these clubs include: The Royal Automobile Club, Yacht Club, Golf Club

A bar is an establishment that focuses on serving soft and alcoholic beverages. They tend to serve a variety of beverages including cocktails. Few bars serve meals but many offer light snacks and appetizers. A bar would usually be situated in a busy town or city. They tend to offer entertainment in the form of DJs or live bands. Bars typically have dance floors and attract a younger crowd to pubs, they also commonly have a theme like karaoke.

A public house is more commonly known as a ‘pub’. A pub’s main purpose is to serve alcoholic and cold soft beverages. In addition most pubs typically serve traditional food like shepherds pie and fish and chips. These types of establishments are usually located in small town or villages. The pub may be owned by a brewery and be part of a chain. The brewery may employ managers to run the business, this is known as a managed house. Additionally the pub may be occupied by a licensee. In this situation the licensee holds the licence for the establishment but is required to sell the brewery’s own beer, this is known as a tenanted house. Finally a pub may be owned independently and sell a variety of different beers from different breweries, this is known as a free house.

This type of establishment is usually only open at night. It can be part of a chain like Oceana or Tiger Tiger, or it can be independently owned. Nightclubs are usually situated in towns or city centres and are open until the early hours of the morning. Customers would usually pay to enter the establishment and are provided with entertainment in the form of music. All nightclubs offer soft and alcoholic beverages and many also offer food. Nightclubs would also have a dance floor.