The Blog

Fixes in place in order to support system stability and performance.

CJRS Update  For periods in July 2021, Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grants will cover 70% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,187.50. In August and September 2021, this will then reduce...

UK’s Hospitality Industry resonates as a leader with a plethora of international staffing. A good 20.4% of its workforce is non-British.   The industry sees a myriad of nationalities absorbed into its sector. Current...

Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality sales are 18.27% below what they were before the curfew, comparing week 37 & 38 to week 40 & 41 (before and after curfew). When we look at the 18.27% decrease broken...

Analysis from S4labour that hospitality sales from last week were down 21.2% compared to the week before the curfew (2 weeks prior), with sales of food down 19.1% and drink sales down 23.2% on two weeks before. While weekly...

 Analysis from S4labour shows that hospitality like for like sales in September were down 4.3% compared to the same month last year. With consumer confidence boosted in August by EOTHO, the momentum seems to have continued...

S4labour release labour percentages since lockdown ended  Short story  Industry Labour ratios increase by 10% in first month of trading as operators get a handle on new ways of operating and lower sales levels. Analysis...

S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality, has warned the change in criteria for employee eligibility on furlough pay means some staff may now miss out. The government has extended the...

Richard Hartley, chief product officer of S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality, has offered readers advice on the issue of furlough pay. He said: “We are awaiting further...

Getting people to change the way they do things is no easy task, often a simple change feels impossible. It can be easy for us as leaders to see the problem and get frustrated when others can’t. Similarly, we get annoyed...

As we continue to expand, we are recruiting for a Developer in addition to four other roles. The successful candidate will join the in-house development team at our Banbury headquarters in creating and maintaining cutting edge labour management software for the hospitality industry. Please see full details for this and the other roles below. We have five open vacancies:  Developer PS4payroll Bureau Executive Product Manager Product Manager – Forecasting/Reporting     If you think any of these roles might be for you, please send a CV and covering letter to info@cattonhospitality.com, or to find out more call 01295 267400. 

Due to our continued success we are currently looking for positive, professional and fun people to join us! We have four new vacancies: Product Manager Business Manager – Hotel & Specialist Product Manager – Forecasting/Reporting Training & Implementation Manager – Customer Success The full job descriptions for these positions can be found below. If you think any of these roles might be for you, please send a CV and covering letter to info@cattonhospitality.com, or to find out more call 01295 267400.    [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.cattonhospitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Job-Purpose-Product-Manager.pdf” title=”Job Purpose – Product Manager”]   [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.cattonhospitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Job-description-Business-Manager-Hotel-and-Specialist-Jan-2019.pdf” title=”Job description – Business Manager – Hotel and Specialist +Jan 2019+”]   [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.cattonhospitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Job-description-Product-Manager-Forecasting-Reporting-Jan-2019.pdf” title=”Job description – Product Manager – Forecasting & Reporting +Jan 2019+”]   [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.cattonhospitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Job-description-Training-and-Implementation-Manager-Jan-2019.pdf” title=”Job description – Training and Implementation Manager +Jan 2019+”]

December was another excellent month for operators. Following strong November sales, December like-for-likes were up 4.5%, according to an analysis of more than 100 organisations that use S4Labour software. Wet-led venues enjoyed a 3.9% boost in sales, thanks to a 6.5% increase in food sales. Meanwhile, food-focused businesses were the biggest winners overall with a 4.8% uplift, driven by a 5.5% rise in drink sales. Over the key December trading days (24-26th and 31st) sales were up 5.4% demonstrating a successful Christmas period.   

November was an excellent month for hospitality, as like-for-like sales were up by 4.7% compared with 2017 levels- according to a study of over 100 hospitality organisations that use S4Labour scheduling, HR and Payroll software. Drink sales were the main driver behind the strong results; the hospitality industry saw a 6.5% increase on 2017’s levels, with food sales up 1.5%. Despite wet-led businesses experiencing a 0.8% dip in food sales, they were the biggest winners overall, enjoying a 4.8% boost in sales compared to last year. Dry-led sites were not far behind, with an average 4.6% rise. Operators will be cheered by the strong numbers as they head into the festive period.

Recently, we were lucky enough to sponsor the Multi Club Conference, the latest in a series of exceptional Propel events. This year’s autumn conference was filled with enlightening talks from a variety of speakers across the hospitality industry. It was a pleasure to spend the day with passionate leaders who genuinely care about what they do and the people they work with. As industry experts we know how valuable fresh insight can be and it was a privilege to learn from the very best. Here are the key messages we took home with us. Your people are your purpose We were proud to see one of our customers, Anglian Country Inns, on stage. Managing Director James Nye spoke passionately about the family run business. These roots have laid the foundation for a successful business as James attributes the success of ACI to making people happy by treating them like family. High quality food and looking after your workforce were strong recurring themes throughout the day. The importance of recognising people’s achievements may be common knowledge but James spoke fervently about letting employees share ideas, so they can perform at their best. Focus on what matters Matt Snell, Managing Director of […]

Recent growth in UK hospitality revenues has ceased as October brought a 1% dip in average sales, according to our latest research. Analysis of over 100 organisations that use S4Labour software found the decline was driven by lower food sales, with operators typically seeing a 2% fall. Following a summer of high spending, its likely consumers are now cutting back. Although many will be cheered by this week’s business rates adjustment announcements, wet-led operators seem to be facing a tougher autumn with like for like food revenues down by 3.7%. Dry-led businesses fared much better and saw an average 0.5% increase in sales, thanks to drink sales rising by 3%. The overall dip in sales trails a strong summer and September for operators, who may anticipate quieter trading in the lead up to the festive period.

The labour misconception by Alastair Scott Our CEO, Alastair, highlights the tough period ahead for the hospitality industry. He reflects on “Worrying times”, an article written by Ann Elliott, chief executive of Elliotts, a leading integrated marketing agency in the hospitality and leisure sector. Ann Elliott’s recent article in Propel’s Friday Opinion series was a timely reminder that this will be a tough period for the hospitality industry. Recent analysis suggests consumers spent too much during the summer and are now cutting back. This, combined with a mass of cost pressures, will force all of us to work even harder just to stand still – but we have been there before. Staff costs are, as always, one of those areas we all look at and, like Ann, become nervous that cutting staff costs will make the guest experience worse. This can be true if carried out in a blunt and imprecise way. However, all our analysis shows the worst guest experience occurs not when we are understaffed but when we are overstaffed. Of course we fail to deliver the quality of experience and speed when we are understaffed and we need to increase the level of team when we are […]

Food sales drive rise in September sales for S4 Labour customers Like-for-like sales in September were up by 0.5% compared with 2017 levels, according to a study of over 100 hospitality organisations that use S4Labour scheduling and HR software. Food sales were the driving force behind this rise as these operators saw an average 3.5% increase across their sites. Wet-led businesses typically faced a leaner start to autumn with an average 2.7% fall in drink sales, partially mitigated from a 1.7% rise in their food revenues. Meanwhile, food-focused businesses enjoyed a 3.7% growth in drink sales. This follows a strong summer of revenues for operators, who will be hopeful it continues into the autumn in the lead up to the busy Christmas period.

Top Tips for Efficient Sunday Lunch Service At this time of year, people are seeking comforting food in a cosy atmosphere. Autumn brings about a high demand for Sunday lunches and this can be critical to overall profitability. Here’s our top tips for an efficient Sunday lunch service. Staffing up the curve We often speak to operators who take too flat an approach to shift planning, not varying start and end times to match patterns of sales. If everyone starts at noon but sales don’t peak until 2pm, this adds up to wasted labour costs and staff left standing around. We suggest gradually increasing people’s start times from open to peak, adding an extra person every 30 mins. Staggering shifts to match the rise in sales will be much more cost effective. When to run out Preparing for too few or too many covers can really damage the bottom line. It is vital to analyse past sales trends and forecast properly, including looking at likely weather conditions. This will enable you to calculate the optimum level of sales for profits and labour efficiency. Running out is no bad thing (unless it’s super early), as it creates demand for people to […]

At S4Labour we are often approached by operators who ask for help controlling costs in their venues. While we can certainly oblige in this, an often overlooked yet equally significant factor in promoting the overall health of a hospitality business is driving increased sales. Here are our top tips. Forecast Sales to Deploy Efficiently  Avoiding understaffing is critical to growing sales in any business. It’s far easier for team members of upsell to customers and deliver the memorable experiences that will earn repeat custom if they aren’t stretched too thin. Spending time trying to hone in on an accurate sales forecast for each area of your business will allow you to write a rota to maximise sales without compromising on cost controls. Right-Size your Team Happy, motivated staff are the best at selling. Staff are much more likely to feel content at work if they are working the number of hours they want, and this can really show in their approach to serving customers. Before recruiting any new team members, it’s a good idea to make sure their expectations for shift length and frequency match the needs of the business. There’s little point hiring somebody looking for a full time […]

Recent months have been hugely positive for the UK hospitality industry. Our own analysis revealed that, bolstered by fine weather and the World Cup, average June revenues were up 5.4% on 2017. This followed equally impressive May trading and will mean many operators are heading into August feeling flush. As pleasant as it would be to revel in this good news, summer must turn to autumn and indeed July was a quieter month for most. The best-run businesses will already be turning their attention to how to maximise profits when sales inevitably do drop significantly. Here’s our best advice. Forecast Effectively for September Good sales forecasting is always a cornerstone of efficient labour deployment and increased profitability, but is especially important in the fickle month of September. At its best it can feel like an extension of summer. At its worst it’s a dreary harbinger of winter. The difference in sales can have dramatic impact on a venue’s overall fortunes, an effect magnified by poor labour planning. Studying weather forecasts and historic sales patterns closely before making sales predictions will best position you to staff your site effectively to boost profits however September turns out. Holiday Planning Late summer is […]

Following a superb early summer, July was a quieter month for UK hospitality.   May and June both saw like for like sales up in excess of 5%, but this rising trend has been arrested, according to our latest research. Analysis of over 100 organisations using our S4Labour software across all industry sectors found on average a 0.3% reduction in revenues compared to July 2017.  The slight decline was driven by lower food sales, as venues saw on average a 2.5% decrease. With hot weather likely impacting appetites, wet-led sites were most impacted, typically seeing a 5.2% fall. This reduction was to an extent mitigated by an increase in drink sales of on average 1.0%, although with this figure less impressive than in preceding months, it seems likely that the period of high consumer spending that characterised the early summer has come to an end.   

We were privileged to sponsor the Propel Multi Club Summer Conference that took place a couple of weeks ago. The day presented a range of insightful talks from industry leaders and entrepreneurial talent, whilst the evening offered a chance for networking with peers, new and old. Exploring untapped markets, expanding at carefully considered rates, and the importance of brand flexibility were a few of the reoccurring themes.    What does it take to be named ‘Innovator of the Year’?   Being the first to offer Peruvian cuisine in the UK was a big risk, but when you can deliver a concept as passionately as Martin Morales does his Peruvian heritage I think he was only ever destined to succeed. Martin compliments his two unique restaurant concepts, Ceviche and Andina, with cookbooks, self-produced music, art galleries and even a play – prompting a fellow audience member to turn to me and ask, ‘does this guy ever sleep?’. When asked what advice he would give to a larger operator, he quoted his Peruvian grandmother from who he inherited his love of cooking, ‘here we cook with love’. No matter how many projects he takes on, it is always the quality and freshness […]

No fewer than eight venues using S4Labour have been nominated as finalists across six categories for the Great British Pub Awards 2018.  The latest round of judging has now been completed, and representatives from the eight venues will now take their place at the prestigious awards night in September, hoping to scoop category wins ranging from Best Inn to Best Wine Bar and Best Sports Pub.  This follows on from the successes of S4Labour clients at the 2017 edition, where City Pub Group’s Temple Brew House site won the Best Beer Pub category and Rumba in Macclesfield, part of Life & Soul Ltd., earned the accolade of Best Turnaround site. Both companies have since spoken warmly of their relationship with S4Labour; City CEO Rupert Clark believes that “Our business is stronger as a result [of using the system]”, and Chris Carsons, CEO of Life & Soul simply said, “We couldn’t have won without S4Labour.” A full case study of how Life & Soul use S4Labour to better manage their business can be read here.  The breadth of the award categories for which S4Labour customers are competing highlights the system’s effectiveness for operators across all trading styles and sectors of the […]

June was a superb month for sales for S4Labour customers, our latest analysis has found.  Research into over 100 organisations across all industry sectors revealed that average like for like revenues were up 5.4%. Recent fine weather and the start of the World Cup are likely factors in the increase, with drink sales 6.7% and food sales 3.3% up on average. Wet-led operators were the biggest winners, enjoying on average a 5.9% rise, while food-focused venues saw a 4.9% increase. This follows on from strong May, which also saw revenues over 5% above 2017 levels. Many in hospitality will be predicting the good news to continue into July – CO2 shortage notwithstanding – as the recent heatwave is set to continue well into the month, while the latter stages of the World Cup and beginning of the school holidays will also boost footfall and sales.  Understaffing when sales are good can significantly damage your bottom line, and your reputation. S4Labour can help you rectify this, maximising profits and customer satisfaction. Call 01295 267400 or book a demo today. 

S4Labour is equally effective across all styles of hospitality business.  We recently rolled out S4Labour into BEAR, a fresh hybrid concept where chic cafe meets lively bar with a side order of delicious home-cooked food. BEAR, who recently opened their third venue, have grand plans for expansion, and will use S4Labour to provide the foundations for better labour management on which a thriving large business can be built.  BEAR’s decision to implement S4Labour was recently documented in Coffee Business World, the leading publication for the coffee and tea industry. Click here to read the full story. 

Nothing captures the imagination of the British public quite like the World Cup. The month-long festival of football – inevitably bringing disappointment in England and delight for fans in other parts of the UK – never fails to create a sustained party atmosphere. The potential for hospitality operators to capitalise is huge, especially those in the pub sector, and many will anticipate weeks of bumper sales. Here are our top tips for how to make the most of the opportunity after it all kicks off on June 14th. Staff for Quick Service  Nobody enjoys long waits for service, but if you are showing the big games, attending to customers quickly is more important than ever. It can be integral to keeping the festive mood going. Fast service is extremely difficult if you are understaffed, so it’s crucial to forecast sales accurately and deploy enough staff to meet them without becoming overstretched. Even if you don’t typically offer table service it can be a good idea to task extra staff with serving drinks straight to tables, which will significantly reduce wait times at the bar. Consider Kick Off Times Unlike some past World Cups, which have meant late night or early […]

May was an excellent month for the UK hospitality industry with like for like sales across the industry up 5% on 2017 levels, our latest research has found.  Analysis of over 100 organisations using our S4Labour scheduling and HR software revealed that strong drink sales – likely bolstered by fine weather and the Royal Wedding effect – were the primary factor in the overall good performance.  Food-led venues enjoyed an 8.5% increase in drink trade, while wet-focused sites were up 7.7% on average.  Operators also saw a rise in food revenues – albeit a small one – with an overall 0.1% increase recorded across all businesses surveyed and dry-led sites faring slightly better in this regard.  June sees the start of the World Cup and many in hospitality will be anticipating a continuation of May’s good results for the industry (even if not for the England team).  By identifying and correcting times of sub-optimal staffing, S4Labour helps its clients increase sales and improve service, as well as reduce labour costs. Why not book a demo today?  

After a winter that seemed to last a lifetime, with Artic conditions punishing hospitality operators well into March, spring is finally here. Britain is basking in warm, sunny weather and the fine days are set to last into the weekend, giving the industry a golden chance to make proverbial hay. But simply throwing open the doors and waiting for the customers to come may not be enough. Competition amongst operators to attract the crowds can be fierce. Here are our top tips to get ahead of the rest through effective labour planning and deployment. Understand the impact on your site Every venue is different, and the fine weather will affect them differently. For those lucky enough to have large outside areas, bumper sales are a near-certainty. Smaller, more enclosed sites, especially in urban areas, may in fact lose out. Take some time to consider your last year’s sales in the context of the weather at the time. This will give you the best guide on what to expect and allow you to plan and execute profitable days of trading, however the sun impacts your site. Multi-site companies may benefit from resisting a one-size-fits-all approach, tailoring a plan to each site […]

S4Labour is leading workforce management software for the hospitality industry. Since 2011, its innovative visual analysis of hourly sales data, taken direct from EPoS integrations, has allowed operators to optimise staff deployment, resulting in lower costs and increased sales. The feature-rich package also significantly reduces administrative time for its users. The fully-integrated HR module, covering everything from digital contracts to employee appraisals, allows managers to spend less time in the office and more leading their teams in delivering great experiences to customers. Increasingly, hospitality firms are realising the huge value S4Labour brings to their businesses. This has seen the milestone of 1,000 active sites recently reached, driven by impressive 60% sales growth in 2017. Already in 2018, several first-rate operators with superb reputations have rolled out with S4Labour, joining the ranks of award-winning firms using the software. These include Revolution Bars, who manage a nationwide estate of 73 premium late-night venues, and Oakman Inns, a growing collection of 25 high-end pub-restaurants across the South East and South Midlands. Completing a trio of auspicious new clients is Butcombe Brewery, who have implemented S4Labour into their 24-strong West Country managed pub estate, which they plan to double in size in coming years. […]

On May 25th, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect. The new laws oblige businesses to amend the way they interact with data in a world with an increasingly technological outlook.  As such, we have reviewed, audited, and documented our processes, and have made appropriate changes. How the GDPR affects S4Labour and its users.  How the GDPR affects S4Labour and its users Under the GDPR, S4Labour is considered to be a data processor, as we give our clients access to our software, and hold their employees’ data on our servers. Our customers are considered to be data controllers. What we’re doing… Personal Data We have documented all personal data that we hold, its source, and who can access it. We never share any personal data with any third party organisations unless advised to do so by clients. Access Rights on S4Labour  We have reviewed the different user access levels in S4Labour, and the data users can access, ensuring it is appropriate and relevant to their role. This also applies internally; we have revised what our own staff can access and amend. Exchanging Data We require a secure transfer of data from clients. As data controllers, it is the responsibility […]

The champagne corks were popping for two S4Labour customers, who claimed category wins as the prestigious Publican Awards last night.  Seafood Pub Company, who manage twelve sites in the North West of England, saw off stiff competition to secure the coveted Best Food Offer prize. They pride themselves on an ethos of sourcing quality local produce to serve classic British dishes and fresh seafood specials, and have quickly built a superb reputation, having previously won the same award in 2015. They began using S4Labour’s innovative labour management software in May 2016 and have thrived since, adding two new sites to their estate.  Meanwhile, Anglian Country Inns, themselves twice previous winners of the Best Food Offer Award, received vindication for their recent investment in their overnight offer, taking home the coveted Best Accommodation Operator title. Their estate covers eight destination pubs with rooms spread across Norfolk and Hertfordshire, and have won a host of awards and plaudits for their stunning refurbishments of historic English inns. They became S4Labour customers in early 2015 and their directors have often spoken warmly of the relationship between the two companies at industry events since.  We work with a large number of fantastic operators from all sectors of hospitality […]

Last Wednesday we were lucky enough to sponsor the Propel Multi-Club March 2018 Conference. With a line-up of industry experts delivering talks on a variety of topics, we were eager to hear what they had to say. The talks were of a high quality, with speakers combining their experiences with opinion on the current market and what the future holds. The event was chaired by Propel’s very own Paul Charity, whose questions to the speakers gave us plenty to think about. Here are the key points that we took home with us.   Nervous Time for Hospitality   With stories of struggles within the casual dining sector prevalent in day to day news, it was right that the day kicked-off with a talk on the current challenges and opportunities in the market. Discounts, high levels of competition, and business rates were reoccurring themes highlighted by speakers as causes of the challenges we are experiencing within casual dining. As most people are aware of the challenges being faced, Ian Edward, an expert on mergers and acquisitions, shared his knowledge on what actions businesses should take to counter them. With his working background, Ian focused on how an organisation should best prepare […]

S4Labour CEO Alastair Scott was featured in the latest edition of the always excellent “Friday Opinion” series of articles published by Propel Info, one of UK hospitality’s most respected institutions. In response to a previous piece written by the Thai Leisure Group’s James Hacon, Alastair discussed the challenges and opportunities that define the burgeoning relationship between hospitality brands and technology providers.  The article can be read in full below.  James Hacon’s article recently was, as a technology provider and an operator, very interesting and thought provoking reading in Friday Opinion. His core argument is the big technology players are reluctant to integrate with the smaller players, and even more so when they have a competing product. This is hampering innovation and just as importantly leading to a less efficient and/or effective sector.   My first point is this is understandable. The small players have most to gain from openness and the large ones the most to lose. Just watch how Apple has changed from arguing against the Microsoft machine to in effect adopting the Microsoft position now it is big enough to want to close out the competition. As a supplier that is transitioning from a small supplier to a […]

2018 has already seen a number of superb multi-site operators begin using our industry-leading S4Labour workforce management and HR software.  Increasingly, business leaders are recognising the value our systems bring them to reduce costs, increase sales and service levels, and improve processes, and are eager to come on board.  Our newest clients include Butcombe Brewery‘s 24-strong managed estate in the South West of Engand and the McManus Pub Company, who manage twelve sites in and around Northampton. Family-run McManus have a superb local reputation, fully justified by their venues which range from picturesque village locals to elegant urban night-spots. They join us having been impressed with S4Labour’s functionality and customer service compared to their previous supllier.  Butcombe, who won a gold medal at September’s World Awards, take the same ethos of market-leading quality into their pub operation. They have recently embarked on ambitious plans to quadruple the size of their pub operation, a project we relish the opportunity to support.  Joining them as S4Labour users are two smaller, but nonetheless very impressive London-based brands. Good Egg Restaurants serve wholesome Jewish-inspired cuisine alongside craft beer and cocktails, and implemented S4Labour concurrently to opening their second site, recognising their need for the clear multi-site reporting and insight it […]

Hospitality venues can look forward to Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for increased footfall and boosted sales. However, Valentine’s Day isn’t always a day that managers love. Here’s our advice on how to make this year’s event a success. Boost Sales Valentine’s Day is a great way for operators to drive increased sales. Being a special occasion, food menus should be specially made for the day. Create one-off dishes and consider adding more expensive ingredients to menu items that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to serve. Bubbles must be on the menu, obviously displayed to the customer, and possibly part of a promotional offer. Ensure that you offer a range of sparkling wine, from accessible prosecco to high-end champagne. This will allow you to quench the thirst of your guests’ cork-popping desires, whilst not pricing them out of the experience. Don’t be afraid to over-do the site atmosphere – guests will want something special. Dim the lights, ensure tables have lit candles, play appropriate music, and don’t shy away from clichéd rose petals. As customers will be willing to spend the extra cash on Valentine’s Day, you should make sure that they receive the highest level of service on the […]

January brings a sharp decline in sales across hospitality, and optimising sales revenue is a hot topic once again. Our recent analysis found that certain industry sectors have suffered as much as a 60% drop in sales this month compared to December trading. If businesses are to thrive at this barren time of year, upping customers’ spend per head is an important strategy. Here are our top tips for upselling for managers and their teams. Cross-selling and the ‘Rule of 25’ True upselling, convincing a buyer to purchase a completely different, more expensive item, is rare in hospitality. A customer asking for a sandwich is unlikely to take kindly to being asked to buy a steak instead. Cross-selling, the addition of extra items to complement a main order, is a far more effective approach. The sandwich customer is far more likely to be receptive to the suggestion of adding a portion of chips or a coffee to their meal. A useful guide to staff, the ‘Rule of 25’ is a sales principle that suggests that items offered for upsale should add around 25% total value to the order. Focus on High-Yield Items The most effective upselling offers items that yield […]

2018 is now two weeks old. January, typically the hospitality industry’s quietest month, is half gone, and the impact to sales for many venues has been dramatic. Trading Style  Trend from Dec (Nov) Late Night -60.8% (-28.2%) Hotels -40.6% (-21.1%) Food-Led Pubs -35.5% (-9.9%) Restaurants -32.8% (-14.7%) Wet-Led Pubs -32.4% (-21.3%) Taking data from our S4Labour software, we analysed trading patterns across hundreds of sites and saw a sharp decline in revenue this month. Sites across all industry sectors have experienced a significant fall in sales between December’s average trading (excluding the week containing Christmas Day) and January to date.  Venues specialising in late night trade have seen the greatest drop, with total revenues falling by 60.8%. Perhaps surprisingly given the ongoing pressure the sector faces, wet-led pubs suffered the smallest decrease in sales, faring marginally better than restaurants and food-oriented pub operations, though still experiencing a 32.4% decline. December’s festive season guarantees increased footfall and revenue for the vast majority of hospitality sites. This means the decline of sales into a barren January is particularly pronounced, but analysis of January trade against November’s average also reveals a stark fall.  Again, late night operators were the worst hit, seeing a […]

February promises to be an exciting month, as S4Labour are exhibiting at two of hospitality’s biggest trade shows in London.    First up is Pub18, the UK’s only dedicated pub industry show, which opens its doors at Kensington’s Olympia on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th. Two weeks later we will be taking our place amongst a host of first-rate exhibitors for Casual Dining at the Business Design Centre, Islington, on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd of the month.  Trade shows are always a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate S4Labour to new operators and catch up with existing users, as well as rubbing shoulders with inspiring and influential people from all sectors of the industry.  Attendance at both events is free with advance registration. Sign up for Pub18 here, and Casual Dining here. We’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces and forging new relationships. 

2018 is upon us, but for hospitality operators, the new year is all too often not a happy one. After December’s glut of sales, January can feel like a famine. With the public watching their waistlines and looking after the pennies once more, footfall at most sites will be down causing revenue to suffer. More than ever, writing efficient rotas must be a priority for managers. Effective scheduling minimises overstaffing, reducing labour spend, but also protects against understaffing, ensuring sales opportunities are not missed and service levels are retained. Here’s our best advice: It all Starts with Forecasting Accurate sales forecasting is pivotal to efficient scheduling. If you do not have a firm idea of how busy your business is likely to be, it will be very difficult to deploy the right level of staffing. It’s a great idea to equip yourself with as much information as you can before making a forecast; considering weather conditions, recent trading patterns, previous years’ data, and events in the local area will contribute to accurate predictions. Identify Slack & Stress, and Redeploy Accordingly  We think of overstaffing as slack – times of wasted capacity and labour spend – and understaffing as stress – […]

After a few too many pigs in blankets and countless celebratory Christmas drinks, January is viewed by many as a chance to kick-start a healthier lifestyle and reduce spending on food and drink after an indulgent festive period.   Over 3 million people have said that they plan to give up alcohol during the first month of 2018 as part of Dry January: a government-backed initiative to reduce the UK’s alcohol consumption. Dry January took-off in 2013, aiming to improve people’s health, reduce the amount of money spent on alcohol, raise awareness of the negative effects of alcohol consumption, and fundraise for their partner charities. With almost a fifth of British adults pledging to avoid alcohol, and many more counting their pennies, January can be a difficult month for hospitality operators. After a busy December, footfall and sales will be reduced in most sites, but with intelligent management, this time of year does not have to be damaging for your business. To combat a likely decline in visitor numbers, operators must consider fresh strategies to bring customers through the door. The average Brit is predicted to spend more than £200 on alcohol during the week prior to Christmas, meaning consumers’ […]

We are delighted to announce that we have established an integration with leading data and business analytics providers Tahola.  We will work together with Tahola to provide the hospitality industry with a solution that meets organisations’ labour management and business intelligence requirements. This will result in reduced costs, improved processes, and increased revenue for operators. Both companies recognise the effectiveness of enhancing their own specialism through integration, adding further value for their users. In line with this, Tahola have developed an interface allowing its analytics solution to plug into S4Labour’s labour deployment data, saving mutual customers time and minimising the need for investment in costly bespoke integration work.  S4Labour’s Gareth Thomas, who worked closely with Tahola in establishing the project, enthused about the partnership saying, “Tahola are an excellent organisation who are at the cutting edge of data analytics for hospitality. I’m very excited about working with them to deliver great outcomes for our clients.”    What does the partnership mean for customers?   By combining the speed and capacity of cloud computing with a simple interface to S4Labour and Tahola’s intuitive dashboards, we can provide detailed, near-instant answers to key questions. This frees up managers to focus their attention elsewhere. Data […]

Congratulations are in order for three S4Labour clients who have been confirmed as finalists at the 2018 edition of the prestigious Publican Awards.  Seafood Pub Company will vie to claim the hotly-contested Best Food Offer category, an accolade they previously won in 2015, while Anglian Country Inns beat off stiff competition to take their place amongst the candidates for the Best Accommodation Operator prize. Completing the trio are Albion & East, whose Canova Hall site has been nominated for Best New Bar. Seafood Pub Company operates twelve food-led pubs in some of Lancashire and Yorkshire’s most picturesque locations, with an ethos of sourcing quality local produce to serve classic British dishes and fresh seafood specials. They began using S4Labour’s innovative labour management software in May 2016 and have thrived since, adding two new sites to their estate.  Anglian Country Inns – themselves twice previous winners of the Best Food Offer award – manage eight destination pubs with rooms spread across Norfolk and Hertfordshire, and have won a host of awards and plaudits for their stunning refurbishments of historic English inns. They became S4Labour customers in early 2015 and their directors have often spoken warmly of the relationship between the two […]

We often hear from S4Labour users who wish to reset their password, either because they wish to change it or because they cannot remember the original.   Resetting a password is a quick and simple process which can be done by following the process below:  Step One On the S4Labour login page input your email address into the Username field, and click the blue Forgot Password link.    Step Two Clicking the ‘Forgot Password’ link in Step One will trigger an automatic email to be sent to your inbox. This email will contain a link and an eight-digit security code. Click on the link in the email.  Step Three Clicking the link in Step Two will take you to a new page, which will prompt you to enter the security key and your new password, before clicking the “RESET Password” button.    Following the above steps will allow you to log into S4Labour using your new password.    If you have any further queries, please contact our support desk by emailing s4labour@cattonhospitality.com or calling 01295267400.   

December is a blessing for hospitality. Bookended by autumn’s dwindling trade and a cold, baron January, the “festive season” represents a sparkling opportunity. Increased footfall and a party atmosphere mean a revenue-boost is all but guaranteed. The best operators will exploit this further, both by maximising immediate profitability and using December to promote the long-term health of their business. Here are our top tips to do just that. Special Experiences Drive Repeat Custom Christmas brings countless new people to pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality sites. The goal is to convert these seldom-seen seasonals into year-round regulators. Delivering exceptional service is key to this, so adequate staffing is integral. Rotas should always be written with sales forecasts in mind, but with large, profitable party bookings likely, this is particularly apposite in December. Enough staff should be working to provide guests with truly memorable experiences that will keep them returning long after the decorations are stashed in the attic. Maximise Spend Per Head  Jovial, festive customers are more willing to treat themselves. Premium drinks upgrades, extra desserts, and mince pies with coffees are all common indulgences that yield high gross profits. Upselling these items is a simple way to lift spend per […]

At S4Labour, we are proud that our labour management system was created by operators for operators. Our people have a wealth of experience gained from backgrounds in all sectors of hospitality, and we continue to manage three food-led destination pubs, two with bedrooms. These provide the perfect environment to ensure our products stay at the cutting edge of the industry. We are ideally placed to understand our clients’ challenges and offer genuine insight and innovative solutions that help them achieve their business goals. We appreciate the numerous systems that contribute to running a successful modern hospitality business. Our specialism is enhanced by integrations with a network of trusted partners, allowing S4Labour to function as a central platform, streamlining numerous systems into a unified tool for superior business management. EPoS Since the turn of the millennium, electronic till systems have become ubiquitous in hospitality sites. Users rely on their EPoS for smooth, accurate service, but their potential to promote efficiency savings goes beyond rapid price calculations and user-friendly interfaces. Analysis of EPoS data provides enormous insight both into the distribution of sales across the hours of a day and longer-term trading patterns and trends. This promotes optimised scheduling of staff to […]

At S4Labour, we understand the wide range of systems that contribute to the successful running of a modern hospitality business.  We have an active integration with Welcome Systems, market-leading providers of Property Management software. This allows optimisation of scheduling in sites offering overnight accommodation, with demand for housekeeping and food service staff driven by room occupancy rates and sales of meal packages.  Welcome Systems produce an informative monthly podcast, which this month featured S4Labour’s Gareth Thomas. In Gareth’s role of Business Development Manager, he works closely with key people at our integration partners to ensure our relationships stay strong and productive. Here he joined John Jones, Welcome Systems’ MD, to discuss an analytical approach to labour management and its impact on productivity, staff satisfaction, profits, and the guest experience. The podcast can be heard below.  If you would like to discuss implementing a Property Management System integration to your S4Labour account, call 01295 267400 or email your account manager today.   

S4Labour are continuing our sponsorship of Propel events with the final Multi-Club Conference of 2017. The conference will take place on Wednesday 1st November at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London.  We will have a stand in the refreshments and networking area and will be available throughout the day to discuss controlling costs, driving greater sales, improving HR processes, and just about anything else of interest.  The day will as ever see a host of informative and inspiring speakers from all sectors of hospitality taking the stage. Amongst them will be Darrel Connel of investment fund Imbiba, which backs several S4Labour clients, and Richard Boon, founder of burger concept Hubbox, who recently signed up to use our labour scheduling and HR software. The full schedule for the day can be viewed here.   Operators of multi-site companies can claim two free places at the conference, which will also provide ample opportunities for networking with some of the industry’s most skilled and visionary figures. As demonstrated by the summer conference, Propel events are always a fantastic opportunity to hear from and interact with hospitality’s best people. We’re looking forward to seeing many S4Labour customers – old, new, and future – there. 

At S4Labour we work with over 100 of Britain’s best hospitality organisations, ranging from award-winning single site and small multi-site operators right up to some of the country’s best-loved national brands. There are numerous reasons why they find us to be the perfect partner in ensuring their sustained success, but don’t just take our word for it, here are six reasons to work with S4Labour, backed up by testimonials from six of the very best operators around. 1 – Control Labour Spend With rent increases, business rent hikes, and a rise in commodity prices all too familiar to today’s hospitality industry, keeping costs down in other areas can be critical to profitability. Labour is often the biggest cost to operators, but one that can be typically reduced without diminishing sales by identifying overstaffing and promoting better deployment. S4Labour makes this easy, leading to savings of 10% on annual labour spend for many of our clients. “Since the introduction of S4Labour we have had total control over our labour, allowing us to make educated decisions on staffing. It is the best addition to our set-up that we have made this year.” – Patrick Gray, Ops Director, Kua Aina 2 – Drive Record […]

Following the appointment of three new senior employees, S4Labour are delighted to welcome to the company the four members of our graduate programme for 2017.   The quartet, who took up their positions at our Oxfordshire head office earlier this month, are Ross Atkinson, Ben Nestel, Jess Stacpoole, and George Tuvey. They were selected from a large pool of applicants after displaying in interview the talents deemed necessary to become valuable members of a dynamic, growing business. The programme, now in its second year, will see the graduates rotating through four three-month placements in our account management, sales and marketing, development, and finance teams, concluding in a likely promotion to a permanent role in the department in which they have displayed most aptitude and most enjoyed working. George, fresh from completing an Economics degree at Lancaster University, previously spent a week on work experience with S4Labour. He was swiftly convinced that a longer term position was right for him, saying, “During my previous placement I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the office and was very impressed by the direction the company is taking.” We firmly believe that being able to successfully help our clients solve their labour challenges is rooted […]

The kids are back at school, there’s a chill to the air, and while we may still be blessed with the odd fine day, autumn is in the air. For most in hospitality, the end of the summer season brings renewed staffing challenges.   With sales likely to drop, tightly controlled labour spend once again becomes the order of the day. But all is not lost; for shrewd operators, this time of year brings opportunities to continue to generate healthy profits and ensure their business is structured from long-term success. A reduction to footfall and takings is likely to mean there will be less demand for staff. However, rather than having to cut employees’ hours – a move that is never popular – for many, the chance to schedule fewer total hours of labour will arise organically. Earlier this year, our study into 23,000 people employed at over 100 organisations found that 89% of all hourly-paid workers in hospitality are under the age of 25. Many of these are students who work to fund their studies (and social lives), so the start of a new academic year will typically mean student-workers will want to work fewer hours or move on […]

S4Labour are exhibiting at the Bar & Pub Show at Olympia, London, from October 2nd – 4th.   The three-day event, part of the wider Hospitality Show 2017, will bring together professionals from all sectors of the industry.  We are exhibiting from stand WF51, situated right next to the Bar & Pub Hub at the heart of Olympia’s West Hall. It will, as these events always are, be a pleasure to come together with so many people who are as passionate about our industry as we are.  We will be delighted to speak to any operators about their labour challenges and how S4Labour can help, and would like to invite any existing customers in attendance to come and catch up. It’s always great to renew acquaintances with clients old and new and discuss how we can continue to support their businesses to drive sustained success.  Attendance is free for those who register in advance.  We look forward to seeing you there.   

The champagne corks were popping as two S4Labour customers saw off stiff competition to take wins at the Great British Pub Awards 2017.    City Pub Company’s Temple Brew House, in London, came out on top in the prestigious Beer Pub/Bar of the Year category, while Rumba, in Macclesfield, part of DV8 Bars, was crowned a worthy winner of the Turnaround Pub of the Year award. City Pub Company signed up to S4Labour in January 2016, and use the system to control costs and drive sales across all their 33 sites. Co-founder John Roberts is a particular fan, saying “Your labour system is doing wonders at the City Pub Co – well done!”  DV8 became S4Labour clients the same month. The year and a half since has been an excellent period for the company – who operate cocktail lounges in Cheshire – culminating in success at last night’s awards show at the Hilton, Park Lane.  In total, no fewer than eight S4Labour customers were vying for trophies across five categories.  We are dedicated to helping the best operators from across all sectors of hospitality get even better. Catton Hospitality’s Director of Customer Services Andrew MacDonald hailed the success, saying, “It’s […]

We are delighted to announce the appointments of three new senior members of the S4Labour team. This news was also reported in industry-leading publication Propel Info.  S4Labour is the fastest-growing labour scheduling solution for the hospitality industry. As more and more first rate operators are realising the value it brings to their business, we are dedicated to bringing the best people into ours. This will ensure that our products stay the best on the market, and that the quality of the service we provide to our clients remains as high as ever as we expand.  Chris Wells and Tobias Collison have been appointed to the role of Account Director, in which they will be responsible for overseeing the S4Labour usage of a number of our highest-profile clients.  Both have a wealth of industry experience having completed the graduate training scheme at Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), operator of almost 1,800 pubs, bars, and restaurants nationally across several well-known brands.  Chris went on to spend three years as an Area Manager for sites within M&B’s Premium Country Dining concept. He more recently worked as an Operations Manager for Tortilla Mexican Grill, who operate around 30 sites nationally. This gave him an intimate understanding of the […]

As new people join your business, or are promoted internally, there will be a requirement to create new higher level users within S4Labour.  This is a simple process that typically takes under 30 seconds and can be carried out by any Level 5 (head office) level S4Labour user following the steps below.    Step One Hover over the Spanner Icon at the top of the S4Labour screen and select Create New Users, which is the second option on the list.  Step Two You will now see a form with fields into which to input the new user’s details. Fill out these fields with the user’s details. The fields for Forename, Surname, Mobile Phone, Email Address, and Password are mandatory and must be populated.  Step Three The next field in the form is Level. This determines the level of access the user gets to S4Labour. Typically user levels are structured as follows: Level 2 – Assistant Manager Level 3 – General Manager Level 4 – Area Manager Level 5 – Head Office  Select the appropriate level for your new user.  Step Four  Next, you will see three optional settings, which can either be denied or allowed. As standard, these should all be set to Deny. […]