Admiral Taverns – ‘we remain acquisitive’, invests circa £39m on acquisitions: Admiral Taverns, which runs 1,350 community pubs across the UK, has said it remains acquisitive and believes there will be further opportunities to grow in its current financial year. It comes after the Chris Jowsey-led business reported revenue increased to a record £210.4m for the year ending 1 June 2025 compared with £194.5m the previous year. In July 2024, the business acquired 37 pubs from Fullers for £18.3m, strengthening its presence in the south east. In September 2024, it acquired a further 18 pubs from Marstons, for what Propel has learned was £10.9m. The company said: “These two acquisitions were the first since acquiring Hawthorn in August 2021, which added over 600 pubs to the group. All these acquisitions are outperforming their business plans and add further to the growth of the core business.” Last November, Admiral Taverns acquired the 21-strong leased and tenanted pubs division of RedCat Hospitality, the operator of Coaching Inn Group, for a sum Propel believes to be circa £10m. It means the business has invested circa £39m on acquiring 76 pubs. The business said that a year end revaluation identified 411 properties where the value had fallen giving rise to an impairment charge of £32.4m and 950 properties where the value had increased by £151.9m. 77 pubs with a net book value of £22.1m were disposed of during the period for an aggregate consideration, net of fees, of £21m. Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) provides the group's third-party debt facilities, which totalled £355.2m (2024: £349.2m) at the period end. During the year ICG added an additional £25m acquisition and capex facility to the loan on existing terms of which £13m was drawn to partially fund the acquisition of the 37 sites from Fuller’s, the remainder of the consideration being funded from the group's cash reserves. The remaining £12m of the facility extension remains available and undrawn.

 

Thesleff Group founder Markus Thesleff to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, open for bookings: Markus Thesleff, founder and chief executive of the Thesleff Group, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, which is open for bookings. Thesleff will talk about growing the premium dining business – which operates Los Mochis, Sale e Pepe and Juno Omakase – into a global player, including launching in the US, and the challenge of opening and operating several different high-end concepts in Central London. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Park Plaza, Victoria. 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 updated Multi-Site Database with 3,536 operators and 19 new companies on Friday: Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Multi-Site Database on Friday (27 February), at noon. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,536 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,021 (29%) casual dining operators, 805 (23%) pub and bar operators, 626 (18%) cafe bakery operators, 499 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 290 (8%) hotel operators, 238 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 55 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 19 new companies. The database includes new companies in the cafe bakery sector such as family-run north east bakery brand Dicksons, Simply Homemade, a family-owned trio of cafés in London’s Wandsworth, and Sheffield bakery and café business Forge Bakehouse. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, 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.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a soft drink business that is looking for a brand manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The position will drive and deliver the brand strategy, support the commercial function and ensure growth across the business. This role will focus primarily on grocery and off-trade brand management along with digital, social and wider business support. The ideal brand manager will have experience working with drinks fast moving consumer goods and operating across the off trade.” The salary is up to £55,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com

 

Exclusive – The Breakfast Group acquires Laki Kane: The Breakfast Group, the Eric Yu-founded restaurant bar group, has acquired Laki Kane, the immersive tropical cocktail and rum experience currently based in London’s Covent Garden. The Breakfast Group, founded in 1991 by Yu and Connie O’Donovan, said the acquisition marks “a strategic expansion for the group as it continues to invest in distinctive, experience-led concepts in central London”. The move will see The Breakfast Group relaunch Burlock Bar in Oxford Street – one of ten sites it operates across London and Birmingham – as Laki Kane. A spokeswoman for The Breakfast Club said the relaunch will position Laki Kane in “a more elevated, late-night focused direction – building on the brand’s strong foundations while introducing a more club-driven offer”. She added that the acquisition “reflects continued confidence in London’s late-night market and aligns with the group’s broader growth strategy following the success of its existing portfolio”. Founded in 2018 by hospitality entrepreneur Georgi Radev, former creative manager of the Mahiki bars brand, Laki Kane offers an experiential approach to cocktails, including interactive masterclasses, rum tastings and its signature “Spirit of Tiki” brunches. A food offering has been developed in collaboration with celebrity chef Colin Brown, featuring a Caribbean-inspired menu with dishes such rum BBQ wings with June plum and lime, jerk chicken with sweet and sour miso, salt fish fritters with mango chilli and the signature Laki chicken burger. The spokeswoman added: “The partnership reflects The Breakfast Group’s continued investment in distinctive hospitality experiences. Combining The Breakfast Group’s operational expertise with Laki Kane’s strong brand identity and loyal following is expected to reinforce both brands’ presence within London’s competitive premium cocktail bar market.” The Breakfast Group is also behind 68 & Shanghai, Yuu Kitchen, Lucy Wong, Opium Chinatown, FAM Bar, Salvador & Amanda, The Last Talisman and Martinez in London, plus Gas Street Social in Birmingham.

 

Pachamama Group makes international debut with Monaco opening: Restaurant operator Pachamama Group, which operates four sites in London, has made its international debut with an opening in Monaco. The business has opened a site under Zephyr – its Greek restaurant and late-night cocktail bar concept – as part of the €2bn Mareterra development in the sovereign city-state. The company opened the original Zephyr restaurant in London’s Notting Hill, at 100 Portobello Road, in 2022. The group also operates Lagana in Shoreditch, which opened last year in place of its Pachamama East site, plus Nina in Marylebone and Bottarga in Chelsea. All the group’s sites focus on Mediterranean food. Parklord Commercial acted on the Monaco deal. 

 

Canadian pancake brand Fluffy Fluffy secures first site in Scotland: Canadian pancake brand Fluffy Fluffy is to make its debut in Scotland after securing a site in Glasgow. The business, which currently has 18 sites in the UK and has a long-term goal of 100 locations here, will open a site at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow after taking over a 715 square-foot unit on the first floor. The brand is known for its light and fluffy soufflé pancakes and also offers croffles and cheesecakes. At the same time, Black Sheep Coffee has secured a 3,883 square-foot site at the scheme. Martin Botha, centre director at St Enoch Centre, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing these exciting brands to Glasgow. Each one offers something different – from bold, spicy fried chicken to indulgent desserts and standout specialty coffee. We’re always looking at ways to enhance the experience for our customers, and these openings give people even more reasons to visit.”

 

Insomnia Cookies UK hires Andrew Phillips as head of operations, head of property steps down: Insomnia Cookies UK, the late-night bakery business, has hired Andrew Phillips, formerly of Five Guys and Krispy Kreme, as its new head of operations. Phillips joins the brand, which currently operates nine sites in the UK, after nine and a half years at Five Guys, including two and a half years as head of operations in Germany. At the same time, Kevin Norman, who joined the business at the start of 2024, has stepped down as its head of property. Norman stepped down as head of acquisitions at Rekom UK (now Neos) at the end of 2023 after joining the then nightclub operator in spring 2022. Norman was previously group acquisitions manager at the Tahir Group, which operates more than 30 stores across London trading as KFC, Starbucks and German Doner Kebab. Last month, Insomnia Cookies lodged plans for a site in Newcastle. Propel revealed in November that Insomnia Cookies, which saw out 2025 with nine sites following openings in Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool, was lining up an opening at 28-34 Clayton Street, in Newcastle. 

 

Heartwood Collection adds Cambridge pub with rooms to opening pipeline: Heartwood Collection, the Alchemy Partners-backed business, has acquired The Lord Byron in Trumpington, Cambridge, Propel has learned. The Richard Ferrier-led business, which opened its 35th pub, The Woodman in Southgate, north London, earlier this month, said that the site will undergo a significant refurbishment and rebranding, reopening in late 2026 as The Meadowlark, a 19-bedroom “pub with rooms”. Ferrier, chief executive of the Heartwood Collection, said: “We are delighted to have acquired The Lord Byron in Trumpington and to be bringing it into the Heartwood family as The Meadowlark. Inspired by the beautiful surrounding nature reserve, we look forward to creating a pub that truly reflects its landscape and community, somewhere guests can gather, dine and celebrate for many years to come.” The business, which also operates 13 Brasserie Blanc restaurants, will next open The Potter’s Heron in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, this spring. Last month, Propel revealed Heartwood Collection was on track to achieve £100m of turnover in the current financial year ending June 2026, reflecting sustained momentum across its estate and on the back of record festive trading.

 

Harry Ramsden’s hires new head of brand and marketing: Harry Ramsden’s has hired former Burger King UK senior marketing manager Luana Hermann as its new head of brand and marketing. Hermann spent almost three years with Burger King, between 2013 and 2016, before six and a half years at The Restaurant Group in several roles, including director of brand and strategy. She was most recently at healthcare business PortmanDentex for three years, first as head of marketing, and then as director of marketing and brand communications. Reporting to chief executive James Fleming, Hermann will lead global marketing for Harry Ramsden’s. Fleming said: “I am delighted Luana has joined at this pivotal time for the business as we continue our mission to be the largest fish and chips-led business globally. Luana has a wealth of experience across various consumer brands and sectors and will step change our offer, brand and impact on the UK and international stage.” Hermann added: “Harry Ramsden’s such an iconic brand, deeply embedded in British hearts and minds and growing in relevance globally. I’m excited to join at such an important moment and help build a clear, compelling and modern brand platform that honours that heritage while driving relevance, loyalty and sustainable growth in the UK and internationally.” In November, parent company Deep Blue Restaurants rebranded as Harry Ramsden’s Group, as it looks to accelerate its international growth. Deep Blue originally acquired the Harry Ramsden’s brand from Boparan Restaurant Group in 2019, to sit alongside its portfolio of Deep Blue and Fish & Chips@149 brands. Following a strategy to convert former Deep Blue sites to Harry Ramsden’s, there are now eight Harry Ramsden’s, ten Deep Blues and three Fish & Chips@149 in the UK.

 

Cosmo Group secures two more sites for Umami concept: Cosmo Group has secured two more sites for Umami, its modern pan-Asian restaurant concept, in Peterborough and Middlesbrough. The business has signed for a 7,064 square-foot unit at Queensgate Centre in Peterborough, on the first floor of the destination’s leisure extension. Cosmo has agreed a 15-year lease with owner Invesco Real Estate. Cosmo has also secured a prominent unit at Captain Cook Square in Middlesbrough. The business has agreed to a 15-year lease on Unit 4/4A with the landlord, comprising 6,275 square feet on the ground floor and 2,745 square feet on the first floor. Umami sits under the Cosmo umbrella, with sites in Blackpool, Middlesbrough and Telford. Since launching in 2003, Cosmo has grown to operate 23 sites across the UK and Ireland. The operator is working with Savills to secure 8,500 square-foot to 12,000 square-foot leasehold and freehold opportunities across prime retail and leisure locations and announced a further three signings in December – in Leicester, Colchester, and Newcastle.

 

Forza Wine to open debut central London site next week: Restaurant and wine bar group Forza Wine is to open its new Central London site in Soho next week (Monday, 2 March). Propel revealed last September that Forza Wine, which was founded by Bash Redford and Michael Lavery, had secured the former Daroco site in Manette Street for what will be its third site. Joining the group’s existing sites in Peckham and at the National Theatre, the Soho site will boast a large outdoor terrace, 100 covers internally and a large basement in the second phase of opening. It will also feature a 70-cover outdoor terrace. Following in the group’s other sites, the Soho opening will also feature an “always-changing 12 dish menu, designed as much to pick through lightly as to order in full for a generous feast for four”. Propel understands Forza Wine is focusing on “sure and steady” expansion, with a further Central London site in the pipeline for 2027. On the new opening, Redford said: “We never considered Soho would have a space to fit our ‘powerful buildings with outside space’ brief, but when we were offered a fully fitted space with a terrace, we had to have a look. We immediately fell in love and jumped at the challenge of bringing it to life whilst retaining and recycling as much of the existing fit-out as possible. It’s still got that Soho energy, just now with a Forza touch.”

 

Tampopo opens second site under its East Street format: Pan-Asian restaurant business Tampopo has opened the second site under its street food-inspired concept, East Street. The business has opened a site on the lower level of the Oasis Dining Quarter at the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield. The company already operates a site under the east Asian-inspired street food format on the ground floor of The Orient, in Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Tampopo also operates five sites under its eponymous concept – three in Manchester and two in London. Founder David Fox said: “East Street is all about simplicity and pace, giving diners the quick service they crave without sacrificing food quality and ingredients. This is helped by the fact East Street has the benefit of the Tampopo family, with more than 25 years of restaurant experience. It represents a new era for Far-Eastern inspired street food, with the futuristic concept offering bright lights, bold flavours and speedy eats.”

 

Professionals at Play opens second Star Pins site: Professionals at Play – the Foresight-backed, parent company of Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room and King Pins – has opened a second site under its Star Pins concept, in Liverpool. The debut Star Pins site, which is a more family friendly version of the group’s King Pins format, opened at the end of 2024 at West Orchards shopping centre in Coventry. The new Star Pins site is a conversion of the group’s Roxy Lanes site in Liverpool’s School Lane. Games include ten-pin bowling, tech darts, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, karaoke and a new arcade, as well as a food and drink offer. Matt Jones, chief executive of Professionals at Play, said: “We’re thrilled to bring our newest concept to Liverpool. Star Pins is designed to be more inclusive for families during the day, while still delivering that party vibe in the evening.” The remaining two Roxy Lanes venues in Liverpool continue to cater to the over-18 crowd. Last month, Propel revealed the 28-strong Professionals at Play had promoted Ben Turnock to managing director. The business is planning to open at least five new venues this year, including Roxy Ball Room sites in London’s Holborn, Dublin and Glasgow.

 

Good Times Pubs & Bars secures two more sites: Good Times Pubs & Bars, the Sussex independent pub operator, has taken on two more sites with Harvey’s Brewery. Good Times Pubs & Bars, which is led by Zoe Rodgers and Stephen McEwan, has secured The Mitre Tavern and The Constant Service in Brighton. The group already operates The Poets Ale and Smokehouse in Hove in conjunction with Harvey’s. The two new sites take Good Times Pubs & Bars’ estate along the south coast to nine sites, including The Basketmakers Arms in Brighton, The George Payne in Hove and The Cricketers in Broadwater, Worthing. A spokesperson for Good Times Pubs & Bars said: “We are currently giving both pubs a refurbishment to give them the ‘Good Times touch’ and get them to a standard we are happy to operate from. We are looking forward to bringing the same passion, energy and attention to detail to these pubs that we have for all our other sites. We appreciate in previous times these sites have had some great landlords and ladies, our hard-working team of staff want to help bring these pubs back to life as community focused and inspired venues serving the best pints of Harvey's beer alongside a quality food offer.” 

 

Heavenly Desserts to enter retail market with launch of milk cake tray range: Artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts is to enter the retail market with the launch of a milk cake tray range. The company’s first take-home product, the milk cake trays will launch on Tuesday, 10 March in three flavours – saffron, Lotus Biscuit and vanilla, rose and pistachio. The trays will be available for collection from all UK Heavenly Desserts locations, and customers can pre-order in-store with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Heavenly Desserts said the launch represents the first phase of a wider retail strategy for the brand, with additional products planned for release later this year. “Expanding into retail is a defining moment for Heavenly Desserts,” said co-founder Yousif Aslam. “For years, our guests have celebrated life’s special occasions in our restaurants. With this new range, we’re now giving them the opportunity to bring that same sense of indulgence and connection into their own spaces.” Heavenly Desserts, which has more than 60 UK sites, entered three new international market last year – with launches in Germany, Pakistan and India.

 

Domino’s franchisee falls to loss as cost-of-living crisis bites: Domino’s franchisee Team West, which operates sites across the West Country and south of England, has reported turnover nudged up 1% to £11,375,470 for the year ending 31 March 2025 compared with £11,308,868 the year before. The company, which was founded in 1994, posted a pre-tax loss of £112,015 compared with a profit of £1,229,525 the previous year when the business made a profit of £1,367,673 on disposal of one of its subsidiaries. Net assets were down to £1,327,753 from £1,810,896 the year before. Dividends of £107,345 were paid (2024: £328,884). Director James Swift said: “The year continued to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis, and like everyone, we have had to adapt to the economic conditions and continue to service our customers’ needs. Fortunately, there has been a move from restaurants to takeaway food to save money over the period and this has allowed us to maintain a good level of turnover and profitability. The gross profit margin of 37% showed an increase against the previous year of 36%.” Swift joined Domino’s as a teenage delivery driver while retaking his GCSEs at college before moving into franchising, with his store in Swindon the first to rack up annual sales of £1m. He was first taken on as a delivery driver by fellow director Siggy Wilberg, who has been a Domino’s franchisee for three decades after coming to England from Norway.

 

David Lloyd acquires Gillingham sports centre for sixth Kent site: Health and leisure business David Lloyd has acquired a sports centre in Gillingham for its sixth site in Kent. Local businessman Colin Jarvis opened Avenue Tennis, in Featherby Road, in 2017, in an £8m investment. Avenue Tennis offers 17 indoor and outdoor racquet courts, a wellness suite and fitness studios, as well as a range of classes, personal training and expert support. Jarvis said: “This marks an exciting new chapter for Avenue Tennis. We are proud of the community we have built, and we believe David Lloyd's commitment to investment and quality will ensure our members continue to enjoy exceptional facilities and opportunities for years to come.” 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.

 

Sourdough Sophia secures site in London’s Primrose Hill: Sourdough Sophia, the London micro bakery concept which earlier this year completed a £1.5m fundraise, has secured its fifth site in the capital, in Primrose Hill. The company, which was founded by Sophia Handschuh and Jesse Sutton-Jones in Crouch End, has acquired the former Sweet Things bakery site in Regent’s Park Road for an opening in April. The company is also set to open a new 7,000 square-foot production facility near London Bridge station, plus a site in South Molton Street in Mayfair in May. Last month, 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, Hampstead and Highgate. Adam Bowers, of onepoint2, acts for Sourdough Sophia.

 

Princes Restaurant Group plans second site for steak concept: Princes Restaurant Group, which was founded by the Dexter family in 2005, is planning to open a second site under its fledgling steak house and cocktails concept, Top Cut. The company opened the first site under the concept, which promises “bold flavours at affordable prices” last year, in Glasgow’s Ingram Street, on the former Mamasan site. Princes Restaurant Group has now applied to open a further Top Cut in Castle Street, in Edinburgh’s New Town. Joanne and Alan Dexter run the Princes Restaurant Group, which also operates The Willow Tea Rooms in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, Cranachan Cafe inside Princes Square, Glasgow, Salerno Pizza at the St James Centre in Edinburgh, and Ragu Pasta in George Street, Edinburgh.

 

Greek concept That Ziki makes double opening: Greek concept That Ziki has taken its estate to five sites after openings in Birmingham and Manchester. Founded and run by brothers Jack and Luke Newton, That Ziki launched in 2022 after the pair saved up to buy a food truck. The business, which already operates sites in Leeds, Salford Quays and Warrington, has opened in Alfred Works, the new food hall from the Blend Family, which launched on the former Custard Factory site in the Digbeth area of Birmingham. The business has also opened on the former Gyros Street unit in Manchester’s Oxford Street. That Ziki serves up gyros with a range of fillings, from 24-hour marinated chicken and pork to grilled halloumi plus a vegan option, which are also available in a box, and topped with a choice of house sauce, tzatziki or sriracha chilli or mayo. Sides include loaded fries, feta fries, pita and hummus.

 

Entrepreneur Mark Warburton stepping up search for fourth Cow & Sow site amid double-digit growth: Entrepreneur Mark Warburton has told Propel he is stepping up his search for a fourth site for his steak concept Cow & Sow, with the business enjoying a “very good” start to 2026. Warburton said the group, which has two sites in Bristol and one in Birmingham, has seen run rate like-for-like sales in February up 13%. Meanwhile, its original Queen Square restaurant in Bristol has seen 20% growth in like-for-like sales having undergone a six-figure refurbishment. Now Warburton is stepping up the hunt for a fourth site, with Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow among the cities being considered. “We wanted a satellite site in the Midlands where we could build out from – and Birmingham gave us that,” he said. “This year is about stepping up our offer in Bristol to bring it in line with Birmingham, which continues to improve its numbers.” Warburton is keen for the teams to share in the business’ success and operates an EMI share scheme for head chefs, general managers and operational team members. After two years of service in their given role, they automatically enter the share pot, with a total of 19% of the company currently locked into the scheme. Warburton added: “We’ve got another £60,000-£80,000 of costs coming in April, on top of the £180,000 from the 2024 Budget, when the changes to employers’ national insurance contributions were made, so we make sure we upsell where we can. We are really hot on the P&L – and that’s why we’re good at spotting problems early. It’s no good finding out in January your margin was being eroded in November.”

 

Allpress Espresso to open site in London’s Farringdon: Specialty coffee roasters Allpress Espresso, which was acquired by Asahi in 2021, is to open a new Central London site this April, in Farringdon. The new espresso bar will open at 88-89 Cowcross Street, overlooking Smithfield Market. The company – which also operates sites in New Zealand, Japan, Australia and Singapore – said Allpress Farringdon will be “a stand-alone, purpose-built espresso bar designed specifically for the rhythm of its neighbourhood”. The company currently operates three sites in London, plus a cafe and barista training hub in Manchester. First launched in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1989 before opening its first UK store in London in 2010, Allpress roasts for circa 400 independent cafes across the UK. “Opening in Cowcross Street feels like a natural next step for us”, said Agnes Potter, managing director of Allpress UK. “We’re bringing our coffee into the heart of the city and creating a space that reflects both the heritage of the area and the way Londoners drink coffee today.”

 

Castlebridge Group adds Marriott hotel in Staffordshire to portfolio: Hotel operator Castlebridge Group has added a Marriott hotel in Staffordshire to its portfolio. Castlebridge Group will now manage Courtyard by Marriott Keele, located at the Keele University Campus in Newcastle under Lyme, which opened in February 2021. The hotel has 150 bedrooms, Scholars Bar and Restaurant, a Starbucks, two meeting rooms and a fitness centre. Castlebridge already manages Hotel Indigo Coventry, Hotel Indigo Bath, Hotel Indigo Chester, Hotel Indigo Stratford upon Avon, voco Winchester Hotel & Spa and Holiday Inn Express Campo de Gibraltar – Los Barrios. Managing director Craig Patterson said: “This partnership represents a major milestone for Castlebridge. Not only is it our first Marriott-branded hotel, but it is also our first third-party management contract – an important step as we accelerate a core growth area for the group.” The group reported turnover of £9,936,432 for the year ending 31 December 2024, up from £9,817,819, while its pre-tax loss widened from £972,680 to £973,936.

Blend Family opens new Birmingham food hall: Blend Family, the team behind Kargo MKT in Salford’s Media City and Tower Bridge Collective in London, has opened its new food hall in Birmingham. Alfred Works has seen the former Custard Factory site in Digbeth reimagined into a space featuring 15 independent kitchens. Spanning more than 17,500 square feet of indoor space, the venue also features a large outdoor courtyard, social gaming, family-friendly areas and an events space across the River Rea. An events programme has kicked off with Chinese New Year celebrations, while a dedicated cookery school and community foundation will open this spring. “Alfred Works celebrates independent talent, global flavours and food that brings people together,” said Matt Bigland, co-founder of Blend Family. “Now that our doors are open, we’re thrilled to be a space where Birmingham’s diversity, creativity and community spirit can thrive.”

Hotel group Distinct reports record turnover of £10.6m: Hotel group Distinct Group has reported turnover grew to a record £10,576,586 for the year ending 31 May 2025 compared with £9,969,409 the previous year. The company, which operated two sites in Hertfordshire during the period – The Swan in Bedford and Hotel Cromwell in Stevenage – saw pre-tax losses increase to £1,809,615 from £535,475 the year before. This was partly due to investment in its third site – the Brownsover Hall Hotel in Rugby, Warwickshire, which opened in December. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The increase in turnover follows continued investment into, and expansion of the Swan Hotel, and due to the fact the Cromwell is now firmly embedded as a community asset, following almost ten years of successful initiatives. The reduction in profitability is a result of increased interest and staffing costs relating to the refurbishment of an additional 49 bedrooms at Brownsover Hall, the continuation of construction of an extension to the Swan Hotel that has provided an additional 24 bedrooms and staff offices and continuing high utility and increased staff wage costs.” In November, managing director Gareth Leakey told Propel the business was seeing positive like-for-like sales growth and was set to add a fourth hotel to the portfolio in 2026.

Climpson & Sons to open second cafe site: London coffee roastery and wholesaler Climpson & Sons is set to open only its second physical site, and first outside the capital, in Deal, Kent. The new site will open on the former Frog and Scot bistro in Deal High Street. The business, which is owned by Ian Burgess, opened its debut site in Broadway Market, east London, almost 20 years ago. The company said: “This will be our second cafe site. Our owner, Ian, has lived in Deal for more than ten years and we're proud to be joining the town’s vibrant independent business community. The cafe will operate daily with a day to night offering built around excellent coffee, thoughtful food, and relaxed hospitality.”

 

Ikoyi founders to launch retail range of sauces and seasonings: The founders of Nigerian concept Ikoyi are to launch a retail range of sauces and seasonings. Former Noma chef Jeremy Chan and business partner Iré Hassan-Odukale reopened Ikoyi in 2022, at 180 The Strand in London, having previously launched in 2017, off Regent Street. The new retail line will be called Magma Concepts, with the first product to launch – on Saturday, 28 March – being a Magma Hot Sauce. The sauce will “reflect the signature bold heat” found in many of Ikoyi’s dishes, with “undernotes of citrus and a deep umami-rich finish”. Magma Hot Sauce is made from lacto-fermented chillies, citrus and a blend of two rare varieties of peppercorns: the white penja from Cameroon and the red kampot from Cambodia.