Restaurants ‘among the very best’ in the country
FOUR Birmingham restaurants have been named among the “very best eating experiences in the UK today”.
Michelin-starred Simpsons in Edgbaston, Turner’s at 69 in Harborne, and Adam’s and Purnell’s in the city centre were listed among the top 100 restaurants outside London as voted for by independent restaurant guide SquareMeal.
The poll is based on the votes of readers and reviewers across the country.
Simpsons was named the 25th best UK restaurant, Adam’s was 38th, Purnell’s was 51st and Richard Turner’s recently rebranded restaurant came 95th in the list which ranks the best eateries outside London.
Simpsons’ sister restaurant The Cross at Kenilworth, helmed by Michelin-starred Adam Bennett, made the list at no 72.
A special mention was given in the guide to “Birmingham’s rising foodie profile”. Meanwhile, the 999 emergency poorer performance But Michelin-starred Carters of number target – to answer within 10 answered. Moseley and Peel’s Restaurant at seconds – improved to 84 per cent in “This is very important to the pubHampton Manor in Solihull the same period but still fell short of lic,” said Chief Constable Thompson. which won its star in the 2017 the 90 per cent target. “We have plugged the staffing gap, guide, did not make the list.
Assistant Chief Constable Marcus but the demand is now higher than it The SquareMeal guide posts Beale said low staffing levels blamed ever was. It’s not just a West Midlands up-to-date reviews of UK for the poor performance at the turn Police problem. restaurants and bars written by a of the year have now been resolved. “The rise in 999 calls and 101 calls team of independent critics with
He revealed 146 vacancies that is the same across the country. It has the aid of comments from were open in February have nearly gone up considerably this year. Our thousands of restaurant custombeen filled, adding:ers.“Wewillbefullyincreasedfocusonvulnerabilityand staffed by the end of the month and lots of changes in regulations means Gastropub The Sportsman will be beyond the figure by next year. that calls are taking longer. Seasalter, in Kent, was named the We are working hard to train these “On 999, I think we have made best in the SquareMeal list. new staff members and we should be good progress. I am satisfied that the Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le able to provide a much more consistamount of calls going over the Manoir aux Quat’Saisons was ent service.” 10-second threshold is small and named the second best UK
He also said that a focus on eroding. In terms of 101, it is a nonrestaurant outside London. improving 999 call answering, couemergency number and we will proTwo-Michelin-starred Simon pled with unprecedented summer vide some different services to take Rogan’s L’Enclume in Cumbria demand, had resulted in an even the pressure off that.” came third. £145 million from ment since 2010.
“Despite being rated as ‘outstandingly efficient’ by the independent inspectors, the fact that we have 2,000 fewer officers fighting crime is starting to take its toll.
“Despite the challenges faced, we are determined to get on with the job of keeping people in the West Midlands safe.”
Chief Constable Dave Thompson warned that the use of stop and search powers may have to be increased in response to a massive gun and knife central govern- crimewave which has gripped Birmingham and the West Midlands this year. The region has been rocked by 90 shootings so far this year – almost one every other day – and five men have also been stabbed to death in separate knife murders since June 23.