Vagabond Wines MD – ‘brand can be taken nationwide and we will 100% be in new cities over the coming 12 months’, secures Soho site: Vagabond Wines, the Majestic-owned business, can be taken nationwide and will “100% be in new cities over the coming 12 months”, managing director Christobell Giles has told Propel. It comes as the business, which currently operates 11 wine bars in London and one in Birmingham, has secured a new 6,000 square-foot site in Soho for an opening this summer. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Giles said: “We are continuing to look at growth opportunities, particularly in London, but also outside of London, over the course of the next 12 months. One of my big bug bears is going to a city and there’s not a Vagabond, because legitimately, that’s where I would choose to spend my time. So yes, 100% we will be in new cities over the coming 12 months. We typically have two formats – a neighbourhood one and our city locations. It makes us more agile to be able to go into different places around the UK. I think we can take the business nationally. We are in Birmingham, but if we can take it further and do that while retaining our culture, then we will consider that a job well done. If we can walk into a site in Manchester or Edinburgh and be met with the same hospitality and education style that we have in our London and Birmingham sites, then I will consider that a great result.” The company said the upcoming site in Soho’s Ganton Street will be one of “its most ambitious sites to date”. It forms part of a multi-million-pound commitment from Majestic and Fortress Investment Group to scale Vagabond “as a category-defining hospitality brand”. John Colley, chief executive of Majestic, said: “Vagabond is central to our vision for the future of wine, and we have made a significant multi-million-pound investment in the brand to support its growth. Together with Fortress, we are backing a long-term strategy to scale Vagabond across the UK. Soho is a powerful expression of that vision.” Giles was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference will be released to Premium subscribers on Friday, 10 April, at 9am. Premium subscribers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference open for bookings, Columbo Kitchen co-founder Sylvia Perera to speak: The Propel Multi Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference takes place on Thursday, 4 June at Park Plaza Victoria London. The all-day conference, which is organised in conjunction with Ann Elliott, will feature an all-female line-up of sector leaders. These include Sylvia Perera, owner and chef at Columbo Kitchen, who will discuss her journey from start up to success, including winning National Chef of the Year at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2024 and a prestigious two-star Great Taste Award from the Guild of Fine Food in 2024. 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 next Turnover & Profits Blue Book and videos from Propel Multi-Club Conference on Friday: Premium Club subscribers will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (10 April), at 12pm. The database will feature 25 new companies and 120 updated accounts. The database now features a total of 1,265 companies, with 759 in profit and 506 making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Also on Friday, at 9am, Premium subscribers will receive all 13 videos from the Propel Multi-Club Conference. Premium subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings 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 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Pret A Manger to launch first ever graduate scheme: Pret A Manger will launch its first ever graduate scheme later this year, which it hopes will become a “long-term stable” of the business, Propel has learned. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Pret chief executive Pano Christou said: “The hits we have had over the last five years or so as a sector – inflation, legislation et cetera – is hard to weather, but I think there's an opportunity to showcase and talk about career opportunities. We've done a lot of work internally. There are a lot of people like me in Pret who have spent a number of years with the company, but how do we showcase those stories? We've just pulled forward a new employee value proposition to really showcase that. The composition of our workforce has changed a lot over the years off the back end of covid, Brexit etc, so you are fishing from a very different pool, which means they come with different needs and desires. It's how you continue to evolve that, but I think showcasing the internal stories is an important part of giving people inspiration. We're also launching, for the first time, a graduate scheme, and this September, we’ll be bringing on our first cohort of graduates. I’m very proud, when most companies are pulling back on graduate schemes, but we are looking at that being a real long-term staple of our business. They’ll do a two-year programme, and there will be a combination of time in shops across different departments, and then at the end of the two years, we'll offer them a job in a specific department.” Christou was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference will be released to Premium subscribers on Friday, 10 April, at 9am. Premium subscribers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Sector faces ‘perma-crisis’ from energy shock: UK pubs and restaurants have warned they could be forced to cut staff and reduce trading hours as higher energy prices add to a barrage of rising costs facing the sector. Most major hospitality groups hedge their energy prices, meaning they will be shielded from energy cost increases prompted by war in the Middle East for at least the coming months. But some independent operators are exposed to a “real triple whammy” as rising oil and gas prices coincide with increases to the minimum wage and business rates that came into force last Wednesday (1 April), according to UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls. The hardest hit have been off-grid rural businesses reliant on heating oil, said Nicholls. Even before the war in Iran began to choke global energy supplies, 93% of respondents to a survey by NIQ, conducted on behalf of various trade bodies, said energy costs were hitting their profitability and 15% feared they would be forced to close. Nicholls said many UK hospitality businesses were “better prepared” following the energy crisis sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Ian Dunstall, director of Upham Inns, the southern England premium pubs operator, told the FT the blow from rising energy prices in 2022 was softened because it came at a time when the hospitality sector was “enjoying a honeymoon after covid”. Now, he said, rising energy prices combined with “so many other financial pressures that are affecting both us and consumers”. JD Wetherspoon founder and chief executive Sir Tim Martin said the industry was “possibly more vulnerable than it’s ever been”. Sir Tim said for most of the UK hospitality industry, high energy prices “have the status of the straw that breaks the camel’s back”.

Easter boosts UK on trade as footfall and dwell times rise: The UK on trade delivered a strong performance over the Easter 2026 Bank Holiday weekend, with increased footfall and longer visits driving meaningful volume growth across pubs, according to new data from The Oxford Partnership. Across the five-day period, pubs sold 32.9 million pints, up 4.9% year-on-year from 31.3 million in 2025. This equates to an average of 983 pints per pub, generating approximately £5,185 per venue. A key driver of this uplift was a shift in consumer behaviour, with average dwell time rising to 153 minutes, up from 147 minutes last year. Occupancy also edged up to 65.4%, signalling steady gains in footfall alongside improved engagement. The increase in dwell time was consistent across all venue types, with rural pubs recording the longest visits at 156 minutes. City centre and urban locations continued to benefit from strong footfall, while suburban venues also saw notable increases. Category performance revealed a market increasingly driven by premium and distinctive choices. Stout emerged as the standout performer, surging 23.1% year-on-year, while world lager grew 6.1% and premium lager rose 3.4%. In contrast, more mainstream segments such as core pager and premium 4% declined by 2.0%. Overall rate of sale increased by 4.7%, reflecting the combined impact of higher footfall and longer dwell times. Alison Jordan, chief executive of The Oxford Partnership said: “Easter 2026 highlights a clear shift in how consumers are engaging with the on trade. We are seeing more deliberate, experience-led visits, with people staying longer and making more of the occasion. This is translating into tangible volume growth for operators. What is particularly encouraging is the strength of premium and distinctive categories such as stout and world lager, which continue to outperform. It underlines the importance for operators and suppliers of aligning their offer with evolving consumer preferences, especially during key trading moments like Easter.”

 

Michel Roux – ‘it’s a dire situation for restaurants’, ‘people have forgotten what a spider’s web the sector is’: Chef Michel Roux has said that the uncertainty of covid was “the biggest, most tumultuous thing to have happened, not just in our business but the whole industry, and we’re still suffering from it now”. Talking to The Times, the chef said that it is currently a “dire situation” for the restaurants, with many having closed. He pointed to how it’s often forgotten what a “spider’s web” the sector is, from the thousands of suppliers to the taxi drivers ferrying customers and the bin men collecting the refuse. Roux, who previously ran Le Gavroche in Mayfair, is keen to dispel resentment about high prices. He said: “But they are not ripping you off – they’re barely making a profit out of it, and I think a lot of the public will maybe not quite realise that.” While the economic headwinds facing the hospitality industry have continued to make headlines, “possibly not enough people are talking about it and breaking it down”, he said. He acknowledged that without serious financial backing, it is now very hard to open in central London, and that is why “we are seeing more restaurateurs choosing to open in the suburbs or just outside of the city”. He also doubled down on just how important the sector is for young people taking their first steps in working life. The hospitality industry, which contributes £140bn in economic activity every year, employs 3.5 million people in the UK and is the number one provider of employment to people under 25, as well as part-time workers and non-graduates. “A lot of kids nowadays spend more time looking at their phone than they do face-to-face,” he said. “In hospitality, you have to be face to face. You have to communicate. You have to express yourself. You’re dropped in the deep end. It’s fabulous. Whether as a youngster you fall in love with it, or you say it’s not for me, you really get a lot out of it.”

 

Greggs unveils chicken version of sausage and vegan rolls: Food-to-go retailer Greggs is launching a chicken version of its sausage and vegan rolls. The chicken roll, described as “seasoned chicken wrapped in layers of crisp, golden, glazed puff pastry”, will officially launch on Thursday (9 April) with a price tag of £1.35. This will be preceded by a pop-up offering a taste of the rolls tomorrow (Wednesday, 8 April) at 15 Bateman Street, in London’s Soho. Places will be given on a first-come first-served basis but, in a nod to the “trilogy theme”, guests must arrive as part of a trio of friends or family. A Greggs spokeswoman said: “They say the best things come in threes, and our iconic roll trilogy is no exception. We can’t wait for our customers to experience the chicken roll as the ultimate headline act of our flaky franchise.” Last month, Greggs said it had started 2026 strongly after reporting 6.8% rise in sales but fall in profitability in 2025, and that it is to trial vending machines as its looks to further grow its presence beyond the high street. The company also said it sees a “clear opportunity for significantly more” than 3,000 stores and sees “significant growth opportunity in underrepresented catchments”.

Starbucks to launch UK’s first protein cold foam: Starbucks will tomorrow (Thursday, 9 April) launch the UK’s first protein cold foam. Cold foam is a topping designed to sit atop beverages, “delivering a smooth, velvety finish with every sip”. Following a successful launch in the US, Starbucks is now bringing to these shores its protein cold foam, which adds 15g of added protein. Available in vanilla or caramel flavours, the foam can be added to everything from classic coffees to matcha lattes, for an additional recommended retail price (RRP) of £2. In addition, Starbucks is launching three new protein beverages, each finished with a layer of protein cold foam. They are the iced caramel protein Americano (RRP £5.50 tall size), the iced caramel protein latte (RRP £5.86 tall size) and the iced vanilla protein matcha latte (RRP £6.50 tall size). Sam Henderson, group manager of beverage development at Starbucks EMEA, said: “Bringing a great-tasting protein option to our UK menus was a natural next step for the brand, as we continue to develop modern, relevant products that tap into growing consumer demand and reinforce Starbucks position as a pioneer in coffee innovation and quality.” The new foam and protein drinks will be available in Starbucks stores across the UK, with prices varying on location.

Yannick Alléno becomes world’s most Michelin-decorated chef: Yannick Alléno is now the most Michelin-decorated chef in the world, with 18 stars across 21 restaurants globally. Alléno made his mark in the UK with the opening of Pavyllon London at Four Seasons Hotel London in Park Lane in July 2023, which secured a star within six months. His 18th Michelin star has been awarded to Monsieur Dior Restaurant, at 30 Montaigne in Paris, just seven months after opening. Alléno also holds the rare distinction of leading two three-Michelin-starred restaurants: Alléno Paris and Le 1947 at Cheval Blanc Courchevel. Both establishments retained their three-star status in the 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide France & Monaco. At Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris, he is also uniquely recognised for having six Michelin stars under one roof: three for Alléno Paris, two for L’Abysse Paris and one for Pavyllon Paris. He also operates the two-Michelin starred restaurants La Table de Pavie, St-Emillion; Stay Dubaï by Yannick Alléno; and L’Abysse Monte-Carlo; as well as the one Michelin-starred Pavyllon Monte-Carlo.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a fast-growing European hospitality group that is a director of revenue. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will oversee pricing strategy, market analysis and revenue optimisation, while managing and developing a team of revenue managers. The director of revenue will work with regional, sales, marketing and operations teams to deliver data-driven strategies that maximise revenue per available room, occupancy, average daily rate and overall profitability. Ideal candidates will bring strong leadership experience, advanced analytical skills and a proven ability to drive revenue growth within the hospitality.” The salary is up to £125,000 and the position is based in Manchester. For more information, email fabian@corecruitment.com

 

Ben Fox steps down as McDonald’s UK CMO: Ben Fox is to step down as McDonald’s UK and Ireland’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer after 16 months in the role, and more than 14 years with the fast-food brand. He took over his current role from Michelle Graham-Clare, who moved on to the position of chief marketing officer and corporate vice-president for the brand’s international operated markets. Fox had been working in the company’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) international development license office as a senior director of marketing and strategy, responsible for shaping brand and business strategy across 36 markets. He said: “After 14 wonderful years, I have decided that the time is now right for me to take on a new challenge beyond the golden arches. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities McDonald’s has given me, supporting my development from a senior media and budget manager to head of media and brand experience UK & Ireland, to senior director of global media, then chief marketing officer for 36 markets across EMEA, culminating in becoming the chief marketing officer for the UK and Ireland. I am proud of the incredible work the marketing and menu team delivered to ensure they played an outsized role in supporting the turnaround in the UK & Ireland business. A new creative ambition, a revitalised marketing calendar, underpinned with a sharper strategic focus, all helping to drive us back into market share growth. Having completed the restructure of the talented marketing team, I know they are well positioned to build on this momentum and grab all the future commercial opportunities.”

 

Gail’s opens debut shopping centre site: Fast-growing bakery brand Gail’s has opened its first shopping centre site, at Westfield Stratford, which it said “marks a new chapter” for the brand. The circa 195-strong company said the new site, at the shopping scheme’s The Street area, was a “step into new formats as we continue to reach more communities”. It said: “Set within one of London’s most vibrant and fast-evolving neighbourhoods, the bakery sits alongside Stratford’s wider regeneration, close to the energy of the Olympic Park and its growing cultural landscape. Inspired by this layered history and ongoing transformation, the space brings together contemporary openness with materials that feel rooted and familiar. A new setting for Gail’s, but the same intention: to create spaces that feel welcoming, lived-in and part of the everyday.” Earlier this week, Propel revealed that Gail’s is lining up a debut site in the north east. Propel understands that the circa 190-strong business plans to open a site on the High Street in the town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. Last November, the business, which has expanded into the north west, south west and The Midlands over the past few years, said it planned to open 40 sites in its financial year to the end of February 2026, after opening 36 sites in the previous year.

  

Black Sheep Coffee signs new development agreement for minimum of 14 stores in Kent: Speciality coffee operator Black Sheep Coffee has signed a new development agreement for a minimum of 14 stores in Kent. The territory will be led by existing franchise partner Shehryar Khurshid, who joined the business in September 2023 and currently operates a site in Woking, Surrey. Now, in partnership with a new investor, he will expand from a single-store operation to a wider regional rollout. Black Sheep Coffee currently has locations in Tunbridge Wells and Bluewater in the county, which “perform well, driven by steady demand and a growing local following”. The next phase will build on that momentum, targeting a range of high-potential locations across the county, from commuter towns and busy high streets to retail parks and roadside destinations. A Black Sheep Coffee spokeswoman said: “With popular stores in nearby regions, the brand has already built strong recognition, so Kent offers a natural opportunity to expand further and reach new audiences.” The company said last month that it would open its first UK drive-thrus this year. It currently has 115 UK locations plus ten overseas, in the UAE and US.

 

Former Five Guys brand and customer director joins Gordon Ramsay Restaurants: Paul Hamilton, who stepped down as brand and customer director of better burger brand Five Guys UK last November, has joined Gordon Ramsay Restaurants as its new chief marketing officer. Hamilton, former managing partner of creative agencies Will London and Addiction London, spent nearly seven years at Five Guys – including two years as head of brand and five years as its brand and customer director. He has joined Gordon Ramsay Restaurants as interim chief marketing officer. Last month, it was announced that Ramsay is opening a signature restaurant at the newly refurbished Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, which is currently undergoing a £60m transformation, this summer. The chef is to open Gordon Ramsay at the Mere at the newly refurbished five-star hotel, marking a continued relationship between Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global and Fairmont – building on the group’s longstanding presence at The Savoy in London (home to Savoy Grill), The River Restaurant and Michelin-starred Restaurant 1890.

 

Taco Bell set to open first site in Northern Ireland: Mexican restaurant brand Taco Bell, which operates circa 135 sites in the UK, including about ten company-owned stores, is to open its first site in Northern Ireland, in Belfast. An opening sign for the brand has appeared at the Applegreen services on the M1, heading toward Belfast. Taco Bell already has five locations in the Republic of Ireland, including Blanchardstown Retail Park and several Applegreen service stations, which opened in 2025. No exact opening date for the Northern Ireland spot has been provided yet. It comes after the service station chain opened the first sites of the US chicken chain Chick-fil-A outside North America at its Lisburn and Templepatrick locations. Last month, Taco Bell franchisee Campana said it was planning a “major rollout” across the UK after securing a new eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK. Part of the Symbro Group, Campana currently operates 23 Taco Bell locations across the south west, Wales and the Midlands. It plans to scale up to 12 new restaurants a year, building a portfolio of 50-plus Taco Bell sites in the UK by 2029.

 

The Light’s parent company expects All Star Lanes to make significant contribution to profitability from 2027 onwards: Searchlight Ventures Group, the parent company of cinema and entertainment operator The Light, and All Star Lanes, expects the boutique bowling alley operator to make a “significant contribution to the profitability of the business from 2027 onwards”. Propel revealed last spring that the business had acquired the four-strong All Star Lanes, with plans to re-energise and grow the business to sit alongside its 14 other venues. The company said: “All Star Lanes has been acquired to enable the business to pursue a pure-play leisure strategy. Investments in new bowling equipment, enhancement to the food and drink offer and central cost savings have stabilised the brand. Through a programme of refurbishments and new sites, it is expected that the business will make a significant contribution to the profitability of the business from 2027 onwards.” Parent company Searchlight Ventures Group was created as part of the management buy-out of The Light in October 2024, backed by Luke Johnson’s Risk Capital Partners, which resulted in all existing debt being repaid. Last year saw The Light open its largest project to date, in Huddersfield, a 70,000 square-foot site over three floors including a six-screen cinema and 15 leisure activities. The company said the project has seen strong trading from the start. Turnover for the newly formed group was £36.7m, and Ebitda £3.4m. The Ebitda for the 12 months (due to the group being formed in October 2024 and shortening of accounting year-end) was £4.4m (2024: £3.3m) off a turnover of £48m (2024: £41m). The company said it expects this figure to double in the next two years based on the opening of new sites, and expects to deploy around £15m of capital to achieve this goal. Last weekend, it was reported that the eight-strong The Light business was closing in on a deal to buy Showcase Cinemas’ 16-strong UK business.

 

Bagel business The Steamhouse to expand beyond its Midlands heartland with four new openings this summer: Bagel business The Steamhouse has told Propel it is to expand beyond its Midlands heartland with four new openings this summer. The company, led by Ashley Baker, currently has locations in Banbury, Bromsgrove, Cheltenham, Leamington Spa (two), Redditch (two), Solihull and Witney. The new locations, set to open over a four-month period, include Stratford-upon-Avon, Malvern, Cheltenham and a debut Welsh site in Cardiff. The rollout will feature a mix of The Steamhouse’s signature bagel shops alongside its evolving brunch-focused concept. Baker said he is targeting 40% revenue growth through the launch of the four new sites and expects his workforce to grow from 150 to more than 220 team members. He said: “We’ve always taken a considered approach to growth, making sure each site is the right fit for the brand. This next phase is about building on strong foundations, bringing The Steamhouse experience to new locations while maintaining the quality and culture that have driven our success so far.”

 

Indian chef and restaurateur to open first UK restaurant this summer: Indian chef and restaurateur Rohan D’Souza will open his first UK restaurant this summer. D’Souza – who is behind Pisco by the Beach, After Dinner, The Lazy Goose and Blue Turtle in Goa, The Coconut Boy in Mumbai, The Backwaters in Kochi and Café Montagneleh in Ladakh – will open Bulbul at 25 Tudor Street in London in June. In partnership with Twinkle Keswani, who was named Young Restaurateur of the Year by India’s The Economic Times in 2023, D’Souza will offer “vibrant small plates, inventive cocktails and immersive design”. The duo formed their menu by travelling across India to borrow ideas from regional cooks, home kitchens and local markets, “exploring recipes and techniques that rarely travel beyond their place of origin”. Dishes include Jim Corbett Hunter’s Murgh Mussallam (rustic Mughlai chicken slow-cooked with warm whole spices) and Nilgiri Beef Short Rib Korma (slow-braised beef short ribs enriched with coriander, mint and aromatic spice), while the Flight of Bulbul features cocktails “inspired by India’s different regions, ingredients and culinary traditions”. Bulbul also features an intimate ten-seat private dining room for celebrations and special gatherings.

 

Bannatyne Group reports record turnover and profit despite ‘difficult economic headwinds’: Health club company Bannatyne Group, led by Duncan Bannatyne, has reported record turnover and profit despite “difficult economic headwinds”. The company saw revenue grow 6% to £158m in the year to December 2025 compared with £149.7m. Ebitda nudged marginally higher to £43.7m. Bannatyne said the performance of the near 220,000-strong member business defied a £2m national insurance bill and rising energy costs. He added it leaves the business – which has 67 health clubs, spas and hotels across the UK – primed to expand, with plans in place to add padel courts to sites across England and Scotland in the coming months. The investment plan comes a year after the company said it was focused on “staying fit for the future” following a return to pre-pandemic level earnings. Bannatyne said: “The business has delivered impressive results against difficult economic headwinds. The success has been achieved in the face of an increase in the rate of employers’ national insurance, while the government’s energy policies have failed to deliver any control on spiralling business energy tariffs. The company has closed underperforming clubs in some areas and opened new clubs in areas where demand was stronger. It has also invested substantial sums in new products, including all-weather padel courts, and we will be announcing further investments in padel in Norwich, Livingston, Basingstoke, Chafford Hundred, Stratford-upon-Avon, Colchester and Grove Park throughout 2026.”

 

North west operators looking to ‘scale up combined pub operation substantially’ after acquiring two more sites together: North west operators James Nolan and Dean Jones have said they are looking to “scale up their combined pub operation substantially” after acquiring two more sites together. The duo have secured the leases of two Heineken-owned Star Pubs – The Royal Oak in Aughton and The Black Bull in St Helen’s. The partners each have Liverpool sites of their own and came together a year ago to run The Black Bull on a temporary management agreement. The venture has led to them taking on a substantive lease for the pub. They are now looking to expand their operation together over the next ten years and are looking at opportunities ranging from Wales to Preston and Warrington to Manchester. Nolan said: “We have just had the 11th anniversary of my taking on The Deysbrook in Liverpool, my first Star Pubs lease, and Dean’s 11th anniversary at his freehold pub, The Lingmell Inn in Liverpool. Both have been a great success for us individually. Having experienced covid and recession with city centre venues, we are keen now to take on community pubs in towns and villages where people can socialise on their doorstep. We’re looking for pubs with a wet/dry mix.” A £677,000 upgrade of The Royal Oak will include an extension to increase the pub’s dining capacity to 98. There will also be a new terrace spanning the front of the pub offering alfresco dining for 40. “We’re excited to be injecting new life into The Royal Oak and are keen to create a great village pub for the whole community,” said Nolan. “It’s a highly desirable village with new housing developments arising continuously and it has so much potential.”

 

Popeyes UK expands breakfast offering: Popeyes UK, the TDR Capital-backed business, has announced the national roll out of its expanded breakfast offering from 14 April, across its circa 110-strong estate. Following the success of its breakfast offering to date, the brand said it will be extending its breakfast serving time to 10.30am and providing a 20-menu item range for customers. The breakfast menu will be available in Popeyes restaurants and drive-thrus, as well as delivery and through the company’s app. At the same time, Popeyes has unveiled its new major brand campaign, which it said was its first fully integrated platform at scale in the UK.  David Hoskins, head of food at Popeyes UK, said: “As mornings get brighter and everyone starts shaking off the winter slump, we wanted to bring a bit of that famous New Orleans sunshine to the start of the day, so rolling out the Big Cajun menu across the UK felt like the perfect way to turn ordinary mornings into something worth getting up for.”

Padel concept Social Sports Society secures £2m bank facility: Padel concept Social Sports Society has secured a new £2m bank facility with HSBC, to help support its further growth. The five-strong business currently operates three London venues – in Brent Cross, Sutton and Wembley – plus sites in Derby and Bristol. It also has openings lined up in Manchester, Bangor and Rugby. The company has also submitted a planning application for a new venue at Brabazon, a new development in Bristol, which includes 6,500 homes, a railway station, a 15-acre park, a Waitrose store and office buildings. On the new bank facility, Tom Rooney, chief executive of Social Sports Society, said: “What it represents means more to me than the number itself. We’re not just building padel clubs; we’re building communities – places where anyone can walk in, pick up a racket and feel like they belong from day one. Eighteen months ago, we had two sites and a big idea. We now have five venues and eight more opening this year – each one rooted in the same community-first philosophy. This funding accelerates that mission.”

 

Thornbridge JV opens debut London site: Thornbridge & Co – the joint venture between Derbyshire’s Thornbridge Brewery and specialist beer importer Pivovar – has opened its debut London site. The Wild Swan at 99 Fetter Lane in Holborn is the group’s fifth venue in total, joining its pubs in Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and York. The company has launched The Wild Swan to replace the nearby White Swan, which is making way for new office buildings. At the heart of the offer is a rotating line-up of cask ale, featuring beer from Thornbridge Brewery alongside guest pours. This sits alongside a curated keg selection, an extensive wine list and an all-day food offering. Jamie Hawksworth, director at Thornbridge & Co, said: “The opening of The Wild Swan marks an important moment for Thornbridge & Co as we bring our first pub to London. Establishing a site in the capital has long been an ambition for us, so it’s rewarding to see that vision come to life in Fetter Lane.” Last month, Thornbridge Brewery reported a return to profit in the year to 30 June 2025, following two loss-making years. The group turned a pre-tax loss of £420,565 in 2024 into a profit of £224,796, off turnover of £17,331,839 (2024: £15,358,095).

 

Dear Coco secures fifth site: Dear Coco, the London-based, Australian-inspired specialty coffee brand, has secured its fifth site in the capital. The business, which was founded by Ant Duckworth, former international marketing director for American Express in spring 2021, will open a site at The Draper building in Collindale, north west London, on Monday, 20 April. Dear Coco began trading from a converted Piaggio Ape coffee truck on Strand-on-the-Green, west London. The business received investment from London-based venture capital firm Laneway Ventures in January 2024 to scale and diversify its operating model and has since rolled out a second coffee truck and launched a coffee bar in Tottenham Hale, north London. Last year, the business opened the first Dear Coco Inside coffee kiosk, at west London’s Apo residential development. Duckworth named the business after his youngest daughter.

 

Dhillon’s acquires former Peach Pubs site: Dhillon’s Brewery is to reopen The Almanack in Kenilworth, Bedfordshire, after the former Peach Pub site was closed by administrators earlier this year. The business, which is led by Dal Dhillon, will reopen the pub at the start of next month. The Abbey End venue closed in January after its previous owner of Peach Pubs, The Revel Collective, went into administration. Coral Pub Company, a new vehicle led by Ted Kennedy, who was previously managing director of Whitbread’s managed pub division and former chairman of Dominion Hospitality, acquired 21 Peach Pubs sites via a pre-pack administration, with The Almanack the only site left behind in the deal. Dhillon said: “The Almanack is entering a new chapter and we’re proud to say it’s now under local Kenilworth ownership. Like many people in the town, the new owners remember The Almanack for what it once was – a place full of life, a place to meet friends, to celebrate and be part of the community. That’s exactly what we want to bring back. Our aim is simple, to restore The Almanack to the heart of Kenilworth and bring this well-known venue back to its former glory, while creating something the town can be proud of once again.” Dhillon’s also operates venues including Spire Bar and Sky Blue Tavern in Coventry city centre, and three sites within Coventry City FC’s CBS Arena. In December, Dhillon’s expanded outside the city for the first time by opening a sports bar in Swansea, and earlier this year, it opened Elle’s in Coventry – an 8,000 square-foot venue with independent food and coffee vendors and a late-license bar.

 

Former GDK franchisee opens fourth site for seafood concept in first of ‘several launches’ planned for 2026: Former German Doner Kebab (GDK) franchisee Imran Makda has opened a fourth site for his seafood concept Shrimp & Co – the first of several launches planned for 2026. Makda, who was a GDK franchisee between 2017 and 2020 and co-founded Shrimp & Co in November 2022, has launched the site in London’s Brixton. The launch, at 207 Ferndale Road, adds to sites in Birmingham’s Star City and Fiveways Leisure Complex, and in Leicester’s London Road – all of which have opened in under 12 months. The Brixton opening is described as its second phase of growth, with ambitions to scale its presence across the UK. The concept centres around a mix of seafood boils, grilled dishes and sharable platters. At the heart of the experience is customisation, with guests able to choose from a variety of sauces and spice levels. Last year, Shrimp & Co launched a franchise offer and said it is seeking prime properties and franchise partners in Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle and Milton Keynes. 

Dough Hands secures third permanent kitchen residency: Dough Hands, the neo-Neapolitan pizza concept from Hannah Drye, has secured a third permanent kitchen residency. It has taken over the 240-cover shipping container kitchen space at the All My Friends hospitality hub in Hackney Wick, north London. Serving 20-inch pies and slices, it has drawn up a fresh new menu including garlic sausage and pistachio pesto; lamiri harissa aubergine and salted ricotta; coppa, pineapple and house guindilla; and tequila sauce and sausage. Drye said: “We’re very excited to step into the slice game. It also gives us a chance to expand the menu, which means working on throwing some fun new toppings. I also love All My Friends as a venue; I’ve had some really fun nights there, and it’s an unreal summer spot, which is perfect timing!” Founded in 2020, Dough Hands also runs the kitchens at The Old Nun’s Head in Nunhead and The Spurstowe Arms in Hackney.

British-born, Japanese-inspired counter dining concept to launch in Soho: Miokuru, a new British-born, Japanese-inspired concept, will launch in London’s Soho next month. The 20-cover restaurant, which will open on Warwick Street, will have a central counter and open kitchen with a ten-seat counter doubling up as a private dining area. British seafood will be a focus – with freshly made hand-rolls alongside innovative Japanese seafood dishes, plus natural wines, Japanese beers and locally brewed sakes. Eliott Grabli, founder of Miokuru, said: “From day one, we wanted to showcase the best products available from this island we call home, and put those ingredients first. Miokuru combines great British seafood and Japanese techniques, wrapped in nori and made to be eaten by hand.” Sophie Street, of Street Property Consultants, acted on the Soho deal.