“I promise to do whatever it takes to support our economy through this crisis – and if the situation changes, I will not hesitate to take further action.” A line from earlier this … view

UKHospitality warns of sector ‘bloodbath’ without urgent support: UKHospitality has warned the government that without urgent action to support the sector there will be an industry “bloodbath”. From midnight on Thursday (31 Decemb … view

Marston’s to take on SA Brain pub estate: Marston’s has exchanged on a deal to take over the operation of Welsh brewer and retailer SA Brain’s 156-strong pub estate. The deal will see the Ralph Findlay-led Marston’s operate 141 fr … view

Trade bodies join forces to make final pre-Christmas plea for urgent comprehensive pub support package: Sector trade bodies have joined forces to make a final pre-Christmas plea to the government for an urgent comprehensive pub support pa … view

Deliveroo now profitable at operating level after seeing losses jump to £320m in 2019: Deliveroo has said it has been profitable at an operating level for more than six months after racking up losses of £320m in the previous financial y … view

Des Gunewardena – government must consider covid tax to help struggling restaurants: Des Gunewardena, chief executive and co-founder of restaurant group D&D London, has asked the government to consider a covid tax to help struggling res … view

UKHospitality urges PM for more financial help for sector following tightening of restrictions and ‘clear exit strategy’ from crisis: UKHospitality has written to prime minister Boris Johnson to urge for more help for the industry fol … view

Giggling Squid trading ahead of budget, lines up four new openings: Giggling Squid, the Thai restaurant brand founded by Andy and Pranee Laurillard, is trading ahead of budget for the year to date, as the 36-strong business has benefited … view

Leon receives CVA approval: Creditors of natural fast food brand Leon have approved a plan to restructure the firm’s finances through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), preserving 670 jobs. A total of 90% of creditors approved propo … view

 

Franco Manca operator ‘well positioned’ to capitalise on opportunities ‘as normality resumes’, targeting higher return on capital than historically achieved: Franco Manca operator Fulham Shore has said it is “well positioned” … view

Alex Reilley – we need to win the hearts and minds of the good people of the UK: Loungers chairman Alex Reilley has said if the hospitality stands any chance of avoiding a government-sanctioned Armageddon it needs “to win the hearts a … view

Deltic bought out of administration by Rekom, 42 sites included in deal: The Deltic Group, the UK’s biggest nightclub operator, has been bought out of administration by Rekom UK. The undisclosed deal sees Rekom UK take over 42 bars and … view

Revolution Bars Group ‘well positioned to emerge strongly’ as boss says government actions towards industry ‘nothing short of scandalous’: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of premium bars trading across the UK under the Revolut … view

Abokado acquired out of administration for circa £70,000: London-based healthy eating chain Abokado, which was sold in a pre-pack administration in October, was acquired for circa £70,000, Propel has learned. The 19-strong business, fou … view

It is one of the most famous goal celebrations in Premier League history. Attention-grabbing, enfant terrible, Italian striker Mario Balotelli had just scored the first goal for the blue half of Manches … view

Boparan acquired bulk of Gourmet Burger Kitchen for £6m: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), which earlier this year acquired Carluccio’s out of administration, acquired the bulk of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) business through a pre-p … view

Burger & Lobster promotes Dino Sura to MD, eyes expansion opportunities: Burger & Lobster has appointed Dino Sura as its new managing director, as it looks at opportunities for expansion both in the UK and internationally in 2021. The com … view

Boxpark to reduce rent for food traders staying open, cancels charges for operators that shut: Boxpark will reduce rent for food traders that wish to stay open during the tier three restrictions in London from Wednesday (16 December) – … view

Nightcap to pay £7.5m for London Cocktail Club, Edwards to chair: Nightcap, a new company led by hospitality entrepreneur and ex-Dragons’ Den investor Sarah Willingham that, over the weekend, announced an intention to float on AIM in t … view

SA Brain sale talk resurfaces: Speculation that Welsh brewer and retailer SA Brain was considering its options has resurfaced. The Sunday Times reported the Alistair Darby-led business, which has been owned by the same family since it was … view

New bar group Nightcap to IPO on AIM with first acquisition: Nightcap, a new company led by hospitality entrepreneur and ex-Dragons’ Den investor Sarah Willingham, has announced an intention to float on AIM in two weeks’ time and that … view

Total sales across hospitality sector plummet by 79% during November: Total sales at Britain’s pubs, pub-restaurants, restaurants and bars fell by 79% during November versus November 2019 as lockdown hit in England and tough trading res … view

Total sales across hospitality sector plummet by 79% during November: Total sales at Britain’s pubs, pub-restaurants, restaurants and bars fell by 79% during November versus November 2019 as lockdown hit in England and tough trading res … view

Marston's – ‘we are singularly focused on operating a great pub business’: Marston's has reported its pubs traded at 90% of 2019 levels in its fourth quarter of a 53-week period that ended on 3 October – this was 7% ahead of the o … view

TGI Friday’s sees like-for-likes outperform market by 9.5%, plans to open circa five sites a year as it estimates market capacity will shrink up to 30% post-covid: TGI Friday’s saw like-for-like sales outperform the market by 9.5% on … view

The hospitality industry and those working in the trade have endured several heavy setbacks this year. The titanic efforts made by operators across the country to clear every hur … view

SBPA brands the revised coronavirus restrictions ‘bitter-sweet’ as only 42% of pubs and bars allowed to open: Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) chief executive Emma McClarkin has branded the revised coronavirus restrictions annou … view

Wasabi founder to launch Kineya Mugimaru brand in the UK: Dong Hyun Kim, founder of Wasabi Sushi & Bento, is to launch Kineya Mugimaru, the Japanese udon noodle brand, in the UK, Propel has learned. The first site under the venture is set … view

Ladhar Group confirms acquisition of Sir John Fitzgerald: The north east-based Ladhar Group has confirmed it has acquired Sir John Fitzgerald, the Newcastle-based pub operator, in a multimillion-pound deal. Propel revealed last week the L … view

QC claims consumers are at risk in using Airbnb, sector calls for government action: As the global accommodation business Airbnb prepares to issue shares within days, a leading lawyer has examined the consumer protections offered by the � … view

Beds and Bars MD accuses government of ‘completely failing’ over business grant support as he highlights differences between UK and European schemes: Murray Roberts, managing director of pan-European hostel and bar operator Beds and B … view

Barburrito protects 14 sites with fresh investment: Barburrito chairman Graham Turner has led a new investment in the business, alongside other private investors, backing the existing management team of Morgan Davies, founder and chief ex … view

Birmingham operator Sam Morgan leads judicial review against government’s tier three hospitality closures: Sam Morgan, who operates Craft and 8 in Birmingham, will launch a judicial review in the High Court against the government, chall … view

Jersey announces hospitality sector circuit breaker: Pubs, bars and restaurants in Jersey are set to close from 00:01 GMT on Friday for up to a month in order to tackle a surge in covid cases. The “hospitality circuit breaker” announc … view

Nick Collins – property market has never been better for opportunities to open higher revenue and Ebitda sites: Nick Collins, chief executive of cafe-bar operator Loungers, has told Propel the property market has never been better for o … view

Exclusive – Ladhar Group in talks to acquire Sir John Fitzgerald: The north east-based Ladhar Group is in talks to acquire Sir John Fitzgerald, the Newcastle-based pub operator, Propel understands. Propel revealed last month that Sir Jo … view

Loungers ‘confident about the future’, hires Eve Bugler as chief operating officer: Loungers has reported turnover down 33% to £53.49m in the 24 weeks ended 4 October compared to £79.82m the year before. Adjusted profit before tax w … view

Alex Moore – without landlord flexibility, restaurants can’t survive right now: Rosa’s Thai Cafe co-founder Alex Moore, who invested in vegan restaurant and bar concept Redemption in September, has told Propel that “without landlo … view

Caffe Nero secures approval for CVA plans: Caffe Nero, the Gerry Ford-founded chain, has had its company voluntary arrangement (CVA) approved – but the proposal could yet face a legal challenge. In excess of 90% of creditors voted in fa … view

Wet-led pubs only to get more financial support: Wet–led pubs are to be given extra financial support, The Daily Mail has reported. The Sun has claimed though that pubs that can’t re-open in tier two or tier three will be given just � … view

UKHospitality urges MPs to support sector ahead of tier vote as it warns industry is on verge of collapse: UKHospitality is calling on MPs from all parties to show their support for the sector, warning it is on the verge of collapse, and … view