Thesleff Group founder – ‘our next £40m-£50m of investment will go outside the country’, builds US pipeline: Thesleff Group founder Markus Thesleff has said the group’s next £40m-£50m of investment will go outside the UK, because “the risk profile no longer makes sense versus the returns”. The group currently operates the Sale e Pepe, Los Mochis, Juno Omakase, Luna Omakase, and Viajante87 concepts in the capital. The company is gearing up to open Japanese concept MA/NA in Mayfair, and a new Italian dining concept at The Langham in Mayfair called Sale e Pepe Mare. Last September, the group revealed it will make its US debut after signing an agreement to take space at the 200,000 square-foot retail and dining development – One Beverly Hills in Los Angeles – to launch Los Mochis Beverly Hills. Thesleff said the company was about to close on deals for sites in Palm Beach, Miami and two sites in New York. He said the business has a new concept coming in Marylebone and there will be an announcement in the next few weeks “about a big project at Mayfair as well” – but that all the investments “we are currently making in London are projects that were agreed quite some time ago”. Speaking at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Conference, Thesleff said: “We would prefer to invest more in the UK. We would prefer to grow here. London is our creative home, and it has played a huge role in shaping everything we do. But the reality is that our next £40m-£50m of investment will go outside the country. That is not because opportunity doesn’t exist here, it absolutely does. It is because the risk profile no longer makes sense versus the returns. That is £40m-£50m that could have stayed in the UK, creating 1,500-2,000 jobs, training teams, paying taxes, working with British suppliers and contributing to the cultural and economic life of this country. Instead, because of the current government’s strategies and actions, that investment will now go elsewhere. Other cities and countries are actively welcoming hospitality groups, recognising the value they bring and creating conditions where ambitious projects are possible. Hospitality is not a soft industry. It is infrastructure. It is employment. It is culture. It is tourism. It is one of the most powerful ways a country expresses itself to the world. If we continue down the current path, we are not just making it harder to open restaurants – we are quietly giving away one of Britain’s greatest global strengths.” Propel Premium Club subscribers are to be given access to all 49 videos from the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Conference on Friday, 13 February, at 9am. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Leon co-founder John Vincent to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, open for bookings: John Vincent, co-founder and chief executive of Leon, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, which is open for bookings. Vincent will talk about his return to the healthy-eating fast-food brand, what he found when he returned, the changes he has since made, the results, what comes next and his hopes and fears for the wider hospitality sector. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Park Plaza, Victoria, and is open for bookings. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday, all 49 videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator on Friday, 13 February: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (6 February). The database will show the details of 239 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. The database will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium Club members will also receive a 15,179-word report on the 239 new additions to the database. It is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants (QSR) – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the QSR sector such as fried chicken operator Miss Millie’s with an opening in Colchester, flame-grilled piri piri chicken brand Pepe’s Piri Piri launching in Bolton, and SushiDog making its regional debut in Birmingham. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel chief operating officer – editorial, Mark Wingett, and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Freehold pub prices dropped 9% in 2024, increased market activity expected in 2026: Average trading freehold pub prices dropped 9% in 2025, according to Fleurets’ 2025 survey of pub prices, with increased market activity expected to be seen in 2026 as pressure on inflation eases. Average freehold sale prices were down 9% nationally to £800,364, indicating a lower quality of pub transaction and reflecting a higher proportion of sales in the north. The volume of transactions increased from the previous year in the north, with the average sale price up 8% to £473,000, while total volume of transactions was down in the south, with the average sale price down 3% to £950,000. For bottom end freeholds, the average sale price was down 17% nationally to £283,000, again influenced by an increase in the proportion of sales in the north. The average sale price in the north was down 22% to £226,000, indicating that lower-quality pubs are being transacted, while in the south they were down 2% to £426,000, suggesting the quality of transactions was similar to last year. Nationally, the average leasehold sale price was down 24% to £37,000, while transaction volumes increased 25%, with a particular increase in leasehold activity in the north. Pubs being sold for pub use remained at 69% – with 83% of freehouse and 56% of bottom end pubs staying as pubs. Sales of pubs sold for alternative use was down 21.5% to £331,000 while sales of pubs for pub use was 86% higher at £616,000 but 9.3% down on last year. The report said: “The Bank of England predict a gradual reduction in the base rate to 3.25% by the end of 2026 as pressure on inflation eases. We expect this will encourage increased M&A activity later in the year both for corporate and for prime private assets. This will be helped by an expected increase in tourist trade and maybe, just maybe, some support from the government. We expect to see the market continue to segment between premium and value, be that food led or wet based units, with the common denominator being well invested sites with a clear client focussed offer. Operations which lack investment and a defined offer are most at risk.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a multi-market franchised quick service restaurant (QSR) concept that is seeking a chief executive as part of a confidential executive search for its operations across the Caribbean. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “Reporting directly to the principals and board, the chief executive will take full ownership of day-to-day leadership, enabling shareholders to step back from operational involvement. The mandate includes strengthening execution, improving consistency across markets and positioning the business for sustainable growth. The role requires a highly capable, hands-on leader with deep experience in franchised QSR environments, multi-market operations and complex supply chains.” The salary is negotiable. For more information, email danny@corecruitment.com.

 

Various Eateries CEO – smaller concepts to be converted into Coppa Club and Noci sites, open to taking on third core brand: Various Eateries chief executive Mark Loughborough has told Propel that the group’s smaller concepts are to be converted into Coppa Club and Noci sites, and that it is open to taking on third core brand. The Hugh Osmond-backed business has said it will have a renewed focus going forwards on its 13-strong all-day dining concept Coppa Club and four-strong pasta restaurant concept Noci. It also operates three other London sites – Italian restaurant and bar Tavolino in Tower Bridge, neighbourhood restaurant 31 Below in Marylebone and Italian restaurant Strada in Southbank. Loughborough, who joined the business in January last year, said a focus in 2025 on “tidying up the estate, getting ourselves into growth and putting all the right systems and processes into place” has put the company “in a strong position”. He said: “Part of our strategy is about consolidating brands into two clear divisions that are scalable – Coppa Club and Noci. We do have some other incredible sites in the portfolio which we plan to transition into the two divisions. We will look over the next year to convert Strada potentially into a Noci, Tavolino into a Coppa Club and 31 Below into a smaller Coppa Club. And that will put us into a position of scaling the two divisions where we see the right opportunities. We really wanted to have a focus on the brands that we really see resonating within the market and where we can scale them – having an absolute clarity of focus on two models that have proven to be resilient in a tough market. We’ve moved into the stage of looking at individual and multiple sites, and the cost pressures have meant an unprecedented amount of opportunities. We’ll expand with caution. Coppa Club is probably where we’re seeing the most opportunities – it’s a model best positioned to navigate a tough market and changing customer behaviour. We’ve viewed and have an interest in a number of sites, but have not committed to anything at this stage, and we will be keen to explore this further in the coming months. We would, of course, entertain the idea of taking on a third division should it be suitable, but only a manageable sized group which complements our current models. We’re still at the exploratory stage, but something with a breadth of offer is appealing and what excites us.” Loughborough was disappointed business rates relief was not extended to restaurants but said these have been mitigated through other areas and through “ensuring all our venues are capturing every sales opportunity where it lies – over the past year we’ve seen 10% growth in coffee and breakfast, which is a growing part of market demand”. Various Eateries earlier this week reported strong festive trading, with group like-for-like sales up 9% over the five-week period to 4 January. He added: “January started very well for us, and while we hit a lull over the last few weeks, we’ve navigated through that and seen the seeds of everyone wanting to come out again. We’re very pleased with the position we’re in for the first quarter of 2026.”

Ted Kennedy – ‘we were attracted to Peach because it had great pubs and a great future’: Ted Kennedy, who acquired Peach Pubs last week through his new vehicle Coral Pub Company, has told Propel that he was attracted to the 21-strong group because it has “great pubs and a great future” and he will put “operations at the epicentre” of the business. Kennedy, who was previously managing director of Whitbread’s managed pub division and former chairman of Dominion Hospitality, acquired Peach Pubs via a pre-pack administration after the collapse of The Revel Collective. Kennedy, who built the 82-strong Mill House Inns portfolio, which was sold to Punch for £164m, is understood to have beaten off competition and interest from sector investor Luke Johnson; Breal Capital and Calveton, the backers of the Evolv Collection; and Stonegate Group, to acquire the Chris Stagg-led Peach. Asked about his thinking behind the deal, Kennedy, who will chair the new business, told Propel: “It’s very simple – great pubs, great future. Sometimes you take over a business and your heart sinks, Frankly, with this one, your heart soars. It is early days, and we will go around each pub and have a good look under the bonnet before we decide on levels of investment needed. I will work with Chris on this – we will be like a married couple. There is a good team here and there are lots of great things to work on – sometimes you are just on the wrong place at the wrong time as a business. We will put operations at the epicentre of what we do. We outsource the back office, and because we’re a private company, we don’t need non-executive directors and all that. It’ll be a very small, focused team. I have run exceptional individual businesses like Duck & Rice and The White Swan in Twickenham, and larger groups such as GRS and Mill House Inns. I’ve never thought big is beautiful or been too hung up on size, and I think it's best to be focused on quality rather than quantity, and that’s the approach we will take here. I want the people in the business to come out happier, richer and more fulfilled than they were when it started.”

 

Wingstop UK hires Alistair Fraser as group finance director: Wingstop UK, which is backed by US private equity firm Sixth Street, has hired Alistair Fraser, formerly of Burger King UK and Whitbread, as its new group finance director. Fraser joins Wingstop UK with more than 17 years’ experience in the food and hospitality industries. Most recently, he led the finance function at Burger King UK, the master franchisee for Burger King in the UK, having also held senior positions at Ocado Group and Whitbread. Wingstop UK said Fraser’s appointment further strengthens the brand’s senior leadership team here as the company continues its “rapid expansion across the UK and Ireland”. Earlier this month, the business announced the appointment of Emma Colquhoun as chief growth officer and Dirujan Sabesan as the company’s first chief brand officer. Paddy Bamford, chief financial officer of Wingstop UK, said: “Alistair brings an outstanding track record to the team, and his expertise and strategic insight will be invaluable as we continue to grow and bring flavour to new communities in the UK and Ireland.” Meanwhile, Wingstop has opened its first site in Coventry. Located in Upper Precinct, the city’s shopping arcade, the new 5,877 square-foot site hosts 67 covers. The brand currently operates 86 sites across the UK and employs more than 3,000 people, with plans grow to as many as 200 sites within the next five years.  

 

Lola’s Cupcakes to make Manchester debut as part of ‘ambitious’ national expansion plans: Lola’s Cupcakes, which is owned by Finsbury Food Group, is to make its Manchester debut for its most northerly site to date as part of “ambitious” national expansion plans. The kiosk will launch at the Trafford Centre, in the Main Dome, on Saturday, 28 February, after a deal was agreed with the scheme’s asset manager, Pradera Lateral. Having built a strong presence across London’s high-footfall retail environments – with 28 stores and 20 refrigerated collection lockers across train stations, shopping centres and premium high streets – Lola’s is now accelerating its growth beyond the capital. The brand has begun expanding north having opened within Selfridges in Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre and at the Touchwood shopping centre in Solihull. But the Manchester opening signals the start of an “ambitious” rollout programme, with physical retail and click-and-collect convenience positioned at the core of growth. Lola’s said the decision to open in Trafford Centre is part of a deliberate strategy to enter markets where its “premium yet accessible offer performs best” and is an opportunity to test and refine the kiosk model for a wider national rollout. Lola’s managing director Asher Budwig said: “Trafford Centre's shopper demographic aligns perfectly with our target customer, and its premium positioning and strong footfall make it an ideal fit for our proven kiosk model. This opening marks an exciting milestone in our national growth journey. With ambitious plans to expand both our store estate and locker network over the next three years, we’re confident Lola’s can become a national brand while continuing to deliver the quality and experience our customers expect.” In August last year, Finsbury acquired a 70% stake in Lola’s.

 

Peter Begg steps down as head of food development at the Jamie Oliver Group: Peter Begg has stepped down as head of food development at the Jamie Oliver Group after 24 years in the role, which included the initial concept and menu development work for Jamie’s Italian, Fifteen, Union Jacks and Barbecoa. Begg, who joined the Jamie Oliver Group in 2002 after being head chef at The River Café for six years, has left to join UK-based food-technology company, Modern Baker, as its food development director. He said: “After 24 extraordinary years, it’s time for me to say goodbye to Jamie Oliver. This has been far more than a job. It’s been a huge chapter of my life, a rollercoaster ride of extraordinary projects, fun, creativity, laughter, graft, and memories I’ll always be grateful for. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside people who are among the very best in their fields, and of being part of something that has made a genuine impact, changing millions of people’s understanding of, and relationship with, food for the better. I leave with enormous respect for Jamie, for his vision, energy, generosity, and relentless commitment to helping people, and with deep appreciation for the many colleagues and opposite numbers I’ve worked with over the years.” Last December, Propel revealed Brava Hospitality Group had signed a partnership agreement to bring Jamie’s Italian back to the UK high street. The first new Jamie’s Italian under the partnership will open in Leicester Square next month.

 

Indian restaurant brand India Bistro makes UK debut: Hospitality investment company AVT Capital has partnered with Foodlink Global Restaurants to bring its India Bistro brand to the UK for the first time. The first UK restaurant has launched in Leeds, in the suburb of Chapel Allerton. AVT Capital acquired a 4,150 square-foot venue in Harrogate Road and has invested £1.2m into the project. The restaurant accommodates up to 120 guests and menus have been curated to offer a unique India Bistro experience for UK diners, featuring “iconic dishes and local favourites” from north India and beyond. The drinks list includes cocktails, craft beer and premium spirits. AVT Capital plans to expand the India Bistro brand throughout the country and, as previously reported, a second restaurant is planned for London in 2026. Founded in 2003 by Sanjay Vazirani, Foodlink Global Restaurants has grown significantly over the years. The company started with small-scale events in Mumbai, gradually transforming into operating across luxury catering, banquets, restaurants and venue partnerships in 30 countries, and has grown to become India’s largest food and beverage company. Its other restaurant brands include Glocal Junction and China Bistro, which made its UK debut in September. Today, India Bistro operates 30 outlets across India and the UAE. Navin Chauhan, president of restaurants at Foodlink Global, said: “India Bistro is built on a respect for Indian culinary heritage and a love of hospitality that feels both personal and familiar. We’re thrilled to bring this concept to Leeds and offer a dining experience that is bold, flavourful, and welcoming.” Founded in 2024, AVT Capital is a UK-based hospitality investment group “building modern, culturally rooted dining brands”. 

 

Stephen Taylor steps down as MD of Okell’s Inns: Stephen Taylor has stepped down as managing director of the 29-strong Okell’s Inns, the Heron & Brearley-owned, Isle of Man-based business. Taylor spent four years leading Okell’s Inns and 20 years with Heron & Brearley, including five and a half years as its estates director. Taylor said: “Over the last four years, the business and the way it operates have evolved considerably. It’s been a period of real change across the group, and I’m grateful to have been part of that journey. A sincere thank you to everyone who played their part along the way. Heron & Brearley plays an important role in everyday life across our island, from the local pub or shop to delivering parcels to people’s doors, and it’s been extremely rewarding to contribute to the work of elevating those values. The leadership team is stronger than ever under the stewardship of Mark Crowther, and I’ve no doubt the business has a very positive future ahead. I’ll be watching its progress with interest. I expect to start my next role, outside of hospitality, towards the end of March.” Last September, Heron & Brearley launched “Okell’s Independent”, a new pub model that “enables talented individuals to own and operate their own businesses” within the Okell’s Inns estate.

 

Pitch to accelerate expansion across the UK and abroad through franchising: Golf club concept Pitch, which is the brainchild of friends and golf professionals Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham, is set to accelerate its expansion across the UK and abroad through franchising. The business, which has three London locations, opened its first franchise site – and first international location – in November 2024, in Dublin. Pitch also opened a site in Manchester’s Goods Yard last September in a joint venture with England and Manchester United footballers Luke Shaw and Mason Mount. Pitch has now partnered with franchise consultancy Presman & Colard to accelerate its franchising and expansion strategy, with phase one focusing on primary cities across the UK and world cities. Pitch said it has seen year-on-year growth, not only in terms of memberships across all venues, but also through a significant increase in corporate events. Ingham said: “Over the past six years, we’ve built a brand that truly stands out in the competitive socialising industry. By combining our unique games with high-quality food and beverage in our fantastic clubhouses, we’re creating destinations for golf lovers and the local community that transcends beyond our core player market. We see huge potential for the brand and are now ready to accelerate our expansion strategy through franchising in partnership with Presman & Colard.” Charlie Mander, co-founder of Presman & Colard, added: “Pitch is a fantastic concept and proven business. It’s a competitive socialising experience that combines cutting-edge technology with the team’s expert understanding to create fun and exciting experiences within a welcoming and inviting space and is hyper-relevant for consumers in today’s market. We are excited to work with Pitch to accelerate its expansion strategy through partnerships and help the brand realise its significant potential.”

 

Sourdough Sophia completes £1.5m fundraise, gears up to open 7,000 square-foot production facility: Sourdough Sophia, the London micro bakery concept, has completed a £1.5m fundraise in less than a month which will fund the next stage of its growth, including the opening of a new 7,000 square-foot production facility near London Bridge Station. The completion of the fundraise for the business, which was founded by Sophia Handschuh and Jesse Sutton-Jones in Crouch End, follows two previous £500,000 crowdfunding raises in 2023 and in 2024, which have supported the brand’s expansion thus far. The most recent fundraise was at a £8m pre-money valuation and will also support the company’s growth target of operating 20 stores within the capital by 2029. The new bakery is housed inside two interconnected railway arches located at Spa Terminus in Bermondsey. The business, which opened its fourth standalone site last summer, on the former Redemption Roasters site in Perrin’s Court, Hampstead, hopes to open four new sites this year, including Primrose Hill in April and Mayfair (South Molton Street) in May. Handschuh told Propel: “Then there is Covent Garden potentially, Wimbledon or London Bridge on our radar for the end of year. We are just finalising the last two sites for the third and fourth quarters. Railway arches in Bermondsey to open in April.” The business also currently operates sites in Islington and Highgate. A trial pop-up site, which opened last year at BoxHall food court on Liverpool Street, has since closed.

 

Blank Street eyes south west debut site: US coffee brand Blank Street, which made its debut in the UK in 2022 and now operates 50 sites here, is planning to open its first site in the south west of England. Propel has learned that the business has lined up an opening in Bristol, on the former Fred Perry site in Park Street. Last month, Propel revealed the business is to make its debut in a “student town” with its first opening in Cambridge. Blank Street has secured the former Real Eating Company site in Sydney Road, which closed last autumn, for an opening at the end of this month. Blank Street opened its 50th UK site at the end of last year, in the ex-Caffe Nero in Temple Row in Birmingham, and in November, the company opened its first site in Leeds, on the former Starbucks site at 48 Albion Street, which became the largest Blank Street in the world.

 

David Lloyd gets go-ahead for a new site in the Wirral: Health and leisure business David Lloyd has been given the go-ahead for a new site in the Wirral. Planning permission has been granted by Wirral Council for the club at Peel Waters’ Wirral Waters. The club will be located on the Bidston Dock site off Wallasey Bridge Road and is expected to create more than 100 jobs. The club will include a gym with personal training; heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools; kids’ indoor and outdoor swimming pools; exercise studios; an indoor soft play area; tennis, padel, pickleball and badminton facilities; and luxury spa retreat with spa garden. Stuart Caswell, new clubs acquisition director at David Lloyd Clubs, said: “It’s great news as, not only will it allow residents to enjoy happier healthier lives, it will also create numerous jobs across a range of roles in the sports and hospitality sector.” Last month, The Sunday Times reported David Lloyd is running the rule over upmarket European gym group Aspria as it pursues expansion on the continent. Aspria runs ten high-end health and wellness clubs in Brussels, Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover and Milan. Founded in 2000 by Brian Morris, a British retail and leisure real estate executive, Aspria’s business includes one of Europe’s largest health clubs in Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm district, spread across six floors of a 17,000 square-metre site. Aspria has a reported value of up to €200m. David Lloyd currently runs more than 100 clubs across the UK, turning over £860.7m in 2024 on a pre-tax profit of £66.5m.

SushiDog makes regional debut: Quick service sushi roll concept SushiDog has made its regional debut. Propel revealed in October that SushiDog, which last year secured a further £1.3m of funding from backer Middleton Enterprises, with plans to reach 40 sites in the next five years and build a national presence, was planning to open a site in the city’s Bullring centre. The site, located on the upper level of the shopping centre and featuring seating for up to 25 guests and a takeaway counter, has now opened. It is a first location outside of London for the 13-strong business. “We’re so excited to finally open in Birmingham,” said Greg Ilsen, co-founder of SushiDog. “We can’t wait for people to come in, mix and match their own SushiDog, and enjoy something fresh, fun, and totally their own. The Bullring is a buzzing part of the city, and we’re thrilled to be part of it.”

 

Wye Valley reports record year of trading: Herefordshire brewer and retailer Wye Valley Brewery, which operates seven pubs in the region, has reported a record year of trading. Turnover grew from £18,205,890 in 2024 to £19,452,377 in the year to 30 April 2025. Of this, £19,446,959 was generated in the UK (2024: £18,200,752) and £5,418 in the rest of the world (2024: £5,138). Pre-tax profit rose from £2,183,011 in 2024 to £2,636,872. The company, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, received £30,778 in interest (2024: £37,988), £19,680 in grants (2024: £19,680) and £30,457 in feed-in-tariff income (2024: £24,412). Dividends of £332,403 were paid, the same as in 2024. Director Vernon Amor said: “Wye Valley Brewery enjoyed its busiest year of trading. Turnover reached a new high.”

 

Norfolk bakery business opens tenth site: Norfolk bakery business Flour & Bean has opened its tenth site. It has opened in the former Espresso Café unit in St Georges Street, Norwich, selling bread, sausage rolls, sweet treats and freshly filled baguettes. There is also a small bar, serving a selection of ales, beers and wines, reports The Evening News. Rachel Drozd, who co-owns Flour & Bean with her sister Alissa and father David, said: “Norwich has always felt like a natural home for us. “We’re a Norfolk family business through and through, and everything we do is shaped by our commitment to quality and community. We work with independent suppliers across East Anglia and use the best ingredients we can find. We’re really looking forward to bringing that to St Georges Street and becoming part of everyday life in the city.” Flour &Bean began life in 1993 when husband-and-wife team David and Lorraine Langchild launched the craft bakery The Bakehouse. It rebranded as Flour & Bean in 2009, refocusing on an enhanced coffee and freshly prepared sandwich offering. Flour & Bean has shops in Aylesham, Dereham, Diss, Fakenham, Great Yarmouth, Gorleston, Potter Heigham and two within Norwich airport – at check-in and in the departures lounge.

 

Elite Pubs sees increase in profit, adds ex-Whitbread site, vineyard makes ‘blazing start’: Kent operator Elite Pubs, which was founded in 2004 by Martial Chaussy, increased its pre-tax profit in the year to 31 March, aided by the performance of its new Wildshark Vineyard and new delivery platform partnerships. The business, which operates 12 pubs and two cocktail bars – The Cow Shed in West Malling and Junipers in Maidstone – posted pre-tax profit of £860,255 (2024: £816,164) revenue of £5,0933,715 (2024: £5,309,651). The company said: “March 2025 saw the launch of a new e-commerce platform, allowing us to cut costs and centrally manage gift vouchers and event tickets, as well as opening access to ship WildShark wine, gin and hampers to customers further afield, including overseas. Following on from its opening in January 2024, Wildshark Vineyard made a blazing start, with £100,000 achieved in sales by March 2025. The marketing strategy has continued to expand our customer base and online presence, with the refreshed Ecommerce webpage and shows strong growth in Elite Pub vouchers sales, totalling over £250,000 last year – a 26% increase compared to 2024 sales. April 2025 saw the grand opening of the new WildShark Tasting Room, alongside a pizza parlour later in the year, where our guests can sample the grapes, paired with Elite Pubs love of great food. Planning Permission was unanimously granted in September 2025 for the WildShark Visitor Centre, winery and 21-bedroom hotel, alongside an access road being approved, bringing exciting future development another step closer.” It comes as the business has reopened the former Whitbread site, the Hilden Manor in Hildenborough, as The Never Say Never. Christie & Co acted on the Hildenborough deal.

 

Oxfordshire coffee shop business set to open seventh site next month: Oxfordshire coffee shop business Missing Bean is set to open its seventh site next month. Missing Bean will launch in state-of-the-art research and science building, Trinity, in Oxford Business Park in Cowley in mid-March, reports The Oxford Mail. It will be the seventh branch of the independent speciality coffee company, which has its own roastery in East Oxford and its original cafe in Turl Street. The facility will also serve as a co-working and meeting space. A spokesperson for Missing Beansaid: “Missing Bean Cowley is taking shape. It’s a stunning space, and one we can’t wait to fill with all our coffee and bakery delights. Stay tuned for updates on the exact opening date, when we’ll be literally spring-ing into action this March.”

 

Newgate Pubs & Bars to open fourth The Mayfair site this spring: Newgate Pubs & Bars, the venture led by former Cameron’s Brewery pub estates and operations director Joe Smith, will open a fourth site under its Mayfair Pub & Kitchen concept, in the north east, this spring. The company will open on the former TGI Fridays site in The Riverwalk scheme in Durham. TGI Fridays closed the 6,000 square-foot site in October 2024. Last February, Newgate Pubs & Bars opened its third Mayfair Pub & Kitchen site, in Parliament Street, Harrogate. The concept, which serves food daily, offers music from live DJs and live sports coverage. In 2023, Newgate Pubs & Bars opened the second Mayfair Pub & Kitchen, in Sir Nigel Gresley Square, Doncaster. The original site under the concept was opened in Newcastle. Smith spent more than three years as pub estates and operations director at Cameron’s. He also had stints at Greene King and Enterprise Inns. He said: “We will be building on the success of our established venues in Newcastle, Harrogate, and Doncaster. This exciting new location brings the same winning combination of great food, live sport, live DJs, and amazing cocktails to the heart of the city.”

 

Essex operator more than doubles profit: Essex hotel, restaurant and bar company Oysterfleet more than doubled its profit in the year to 30 April 2025. The company – which operates the 41-bedroom Oysterfleet Hotel and adjoining Lighthouse restaurant in Canvey Island and the Oyster Court brasserie and sports bar in Southend – saw pre-tax profit jump from £286,170 in 2024 to £620,469. Turnover was down from £3,183,971 to £3,072,641 but its administrative expenses also dropped by more than £100,000. Of the 2025 turnover, £2,379,898 came from restaurant sales (2024: £2,537,556) and £692,743 from the hotel (2024: £646,415). Dividends of £296,907 were paid, the same as in 2024. Director Brian White said: “2025 represented a successful trading year for the company. All of the company’s key performance indicators remain satisfactory and the balance sheet shows the group to be in a strong financial position. The directors are continuing the development of the Oysterfleet Hotel and anticipate this will result in enhanced profitability during the forthcoming years.”

Technology-led hotel concept with minimal staff to open in London for first site: A technology-led hotel concept with minimal staff will open its first site this year, in London’s Earls Court. The Drey will open a 125-room hotel that “redefines how modern hotels operate” by focusing on a digitally led approach and offering guests “seamless stays through automation”. Guests check in online, enter via keyless access and manage their stay through a dedicated app, “removing friction points”. The company said its room-only model, enhanced by technology “eliminates costly on-site extras”, and that it will partner with local cafés, bars and boutiques. In place of a lobby bar or restaurant, the hotel will also offer vending machines that rotate regularly. Rooms range from the cosy king (starting from £100 per night) to family rooms for up to six people, with accessible rooms also available. General manager Kieran James said: “The Drey was created around what modern travellers truly want. In a city like London, the hotel isn’t the destination, the city is. It’s about giving guests the freedom to experience the city on their own terms, knowing they have somewhere calm and considered to return to.”

 

Chevin Country Park Hotel & Spa operator reports losses: The operator of the Chevin Country Hotel & Spa, the UK's largest log cabin with 16 bedrooms and 28 cabins and four lodges, located in the Yorkshire Dales has reported it has turned loss-making. Turnover dropped marginally to £2,925,006 from £2,945,790 for the year ending 30 December 2024. The property made a loss before tax of £165,314 compared with a pre-tax profit of £207,930 the year before. The venue is operated by the Diamond Hotel Collection. Opened in 1983, the venue describes itself as a unique destination with a distinctly Alpine feel.