A blustery night in London and Telegraph restaurant critic and MasterChef judge William Sitwell moderated a lively and insightful discussion about the challenges facing the hospitality industy. Around the table of the private dining room at Italian restaurant Morchella in Clerkenwell were restaurateurs, hospitality journalists and business editors. It was the latest in a series of Table Talks by Lightspeed, founded in Montreal in 2005, the unified ePOS and payments platform empowering merchants to provide the best omnichannel experiences, and topics ranged from the impact of sustainability practices to the machinations of social media in drawing customers.

Co-owner of Morchella, Matthew Emmerson, welcomed guests to his restaurant and they enjoyed a host of tasty treats, including what Sitwell described as a ‘miraculous’ dish of pig’s cheek (‘soft flesh and with the fat the texture of crisp duck fat’).

Discussions began around economic pressures and sustainability in light of the Autumn Budget’s £3.5bn impact on hospitality arising from the likes of a rise in Employers National Insurance and an increase in the National Living Wage.

A survey by Lightspeed shows that 90 per cent of consumers place sustainability high on their list of priorities.

Liam Crooks, MD of EMEA at Lightspeed commented: ‘As we look to the future of hospitality, it’s clear that personalisation and sustainability are no longer optional - they're essential to creating exceptional guest experiences and giving businesses the edge they need in order to stay ahead of the changing economic landscape.’