Exclusive -– Sixes enters new era under new ownership, looks to build on ‘strong foundations’: Sixes, the cricket-based competitive socialising business which fell into administration at the end of last year, has been acquired by a new vehicle backed by the company’s secured lenders, which plans to build “on strong foundations to create a stable and sustainable future for the brand”, Propel has learned. New vehicle Sixes Entertainment, which is backed by Aurora Leasing and Vantage Capital, has acquired the Sixes brand and its London Bridge site out of the administration. Sixes Entertainment said it had been “brought together specifically to give Sixes the home and the future it deserves”. Alongside the London Bridge site – at 50 Bermondsey Street – the Sixes experience remains available at a number of franchise and partner venues across the UK and internationally. Franchise venues operate at London’s Wembley, Bristol and Trinidad in the Caribbean, while UK partner venues include Mulligans in Romford, Peppermint at Riverside East in Stratford, Sussex County Cricket Club, and three TeamSport locations in Watford, High Wycombe and Bournemouth. The new ownership told Propel it is committed to “building on these foundations and expanding the Sixes experience to new audiences”. The administration process initially led to the closure of sites in Birmingham, Guildford, Westfield London and Sixes’ original site in Fulham, as well as the sole site under baseball-themed concept Moonshot in Westfield London. Sixes’ sites in Fitzrovia, Manchester and Oxford have now also been closed. It is thought a focus for growth for the new vehicle will be on further franchise and partnership site openings. The business is being overseen day-to-day by new head of operations Calum Swan, who has been with Sixes for three and a half years, the majority as an area manager. A spokesperson for Sixes Entertainment told Propel: “The business has been through a difficult period, and our immediate priority is building on strong foundations to create a stable and sustainable future for the brand. London Bridge has always been one of the most loved venues in the portfolio, and we are proud to be continuing the experience there. The brand remains strong, and we see real opportunity to develop it further over time.”

Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference open for bookings, Chickpea Group co-founder Jordan Davids 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 Jordan Davids, co-founder of Chickpea Group, who along with Emma Reynolds, founder of Tonkotsu, and Deena Ataie, chief executive of Heriots Patisserie, talks about starting a successful business and keeping it that way. 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 searchable and segmented New Openings Database today: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers today (Friday, 1 May), at 12pm. The database will show the details of 133 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 monthly, and Premium Club subscribers will also receive an 8,977-word report on the 136 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 – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the pub and bar sector such as Thornbridge & Co, launching The Wild Swan in London’s Holborn, Once Upon A Vine, the Yorkshire wine shop opening in Leeds, and Amber Taverns, opening a site in Barnstaple. 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 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 Premium Opinion – former Rileys CEO asks why tenants and landlords keep making the same mistake: Craig Mayes, former chief executive of sports bar business Rileys, asks whether the relationship between landlord and tenant is fit for the market we’re now operating in, in today’s (Friday, 1 May) Propel Premium Opinion. In the piece, Mayes explains why wrong property decisions consequences for not just the business concerned, but the wider sector. Also in today’s Premium Opinion, which will be sent at 5pm, Geof Collyer, founder of Lavender Bank Partners, reveals the second part of his look at the contributors to growth since pre-pandemic for the eight largest quick service restaurant groups in the UK – including Greggs, McDonald’s, Costa Coffee and KFC. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, argues the rise of sober raves and soft mornings speaks to a deeper desire for connection, while Katherine Doggrell, Propel editorial advisor, investigates whether the sleeping giant of Whitbread has been woken, or whether it’s merely having a stretch. At the same time, and in light of the current challenges faced by Franco Manca, Flo Graham-Dixon, founder of sector advisory business Juniper Strategy, looks at the rewriting of Italian casual dining in the UK. 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.

 

Minimum wage ‘locking young people out of jobs’: The minimum wage is freezing young people out of work, according to the chairman of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The Telegraph reports Cressida Hogg, the business lobby group’s new chairman, warned that the minimum wage is fuelling youth unemployment by making it too expensive to hire people at the start of their careers. Hogg said worse could be to come if the government forges ahead with plans to ensure that all workers aged 18 and over get the same rate of pay. Currently, the national living wage requires people aged 21 and over to be paid £12.71 an hour, an increase of 50% on last year, while those aged between 18 and 20 must receive £10.85 an hour, up 85p on last year. “For too many young people, the cost of doing business has become a bar on the door of opportunity,” Hogg said. “The fact is, the government’s long-term ambition to abolish minimum wage youth rates would make it harder still for firms to offer a first chance to young people. This is a policy with good intentions – but that will create worse outcomes and fewer jobs for young people.”

 

New toolkit launched to help reduce waste and cut costs: Hospitality and brewing businesses across the UK are missing opportunities to reduce waste and cut costs, and risk falling behind on new waste rules, industry leaders have warned. Zero Carbon Forum has brought together Biffa and Veolia to tackle the issue of waste management “being treated like a basic service, when it could be helping businesses save money”. They said the true cost of wasted materials averages ten times the cost of disposal, and food waste costs the sector £3.2bn every year, an average of £10,000 per outlet. Zero Carbon Forum, Biffa and Veolia have now worked with hospitality operators to create “a simple, practical way to raise the standard of how waste is managed”. The Waste Management Provider Actions is a shared set of questions that operators can use with their waste providers – whether they are going out to tender, starting a new contract or reviewing performance. Mark Chapman, chief executive and founder of Zero Carbon Forum, said: “Too many hospitality and brewing businesses are paying more than they need to for waste and not getting the support they should in return. At the same time, regulation is tightening and expectations are rising. This is about fixing that gap.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a foodservice company that is looking for a head of marketing. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will lead both digital and traditional marketing activity, from managing social media channels and building targeted email campaigns to refining website content and creating engaging visual assets. With a thriving loyalty app engaging more than 40,000 users, the head of marketing will oversee in-app content, promotions and push notifications, continuously optimising the user experience.” The salary is up to £50,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email gemma@corecruitment.com

 

Exclusive – Tossed to make airport debut after securing Gatwick site: Healthy eating business Tossed is to make its airport debut after securing a site at London Gatwick, Propel has learned. Scheduled to open in November at Gatwick’s North Terminal, the new opening “marks an important milestone for Tossed, bringing its fresh, healthy food offer to airport passengers for the first time”. An all-day menu will feature breakfast items like scrambled free-range eggs and sourdough toast, alongside airport-exclusive items including breakfast burritos and a dedicated kids’ menu. The restaurant will also feature large digital ordering screens and order-at-table options. Tossed managing director Neil Sebba said: “Securing a flagship location in one of the UK’s busiest airport terminals is a massive milestone for Tossed. There is a huge, untapped demand for healthier options in travel hubs, and we share a clear vision with London Gatwick on how to meet that need. We’re ready to show passengers that fast food can be fresh, healthy and delicious.” Stephane Geffroy, head of retail at London Gatwick added: “Tossed is a fantastic addition to our North Terminal, offering passengers fresh, made-to-order food that fits perfectly around their journey.” Propel revealed exclusively in January 2025 that Tossed was returning to franchising, and later that year opened its first new franchise under its new management. The store, in Nottingham’s Albert Street, was opened by Goldbean, led by Badar Zaman, and was also Tossed’s first site outside the capital.

Chaiiwala opens first 24-hour drive thru: Chaiiwala, the Indian street food café brand, has opened its first 24-hour drive thru café, at Grimshaw Retail Park in Blackburn. The company said that the new site responds to growing demand for Indian flavours at all times of day and night, offering local consumers a “convenient destination for late-night snacks, early breakfasts and Chaiiwala’s signature Karak chaii”. The opening will also allow the group to test the suitability of 24-hour drive thru locations as part of its future expansion plans. The group now operates five drive thru sites, with two new locations – Nottingham and Blackburn – opened by franchisees within the last six months. The business plans to reach 500 global locations within the next ten years, with a strong focus on expanding across the UK and strengthening its presence in key urban locations and cities. Founded in Leicester in 2015, Chaiiwala currently operates circa 115 sites across the UK, 23 in Canada and a handful in Dubai. Sohail Ali, co-founder of Chaiiwala, said: “Consumers today aren’t bound to the usual nine to five as seen in previous decades, but are often left with late-night options that are stuffy, few and far between, or out of the way. This will also create an opportunity for our franchisees Arif and Yakub Master to drive incremental sales overnight to support the growth of their business and allow us to gain insights from this store for consideration across other drive thru locations as we expand.”

Market Halls plans five further sites by 2028, hires new sales and marketing director: Market Halls, the food hall operator, has hired Emma Weekes as its new sales and marketing director, as the business said it is entering a “major phase of growth and national expansion”, with plans to open five new sites over the next two years. Weekes, formerly of Novus Leisure and Street Feast, will lead Market Halls’ sales and marketing strategy across the group, supporting the company’s plans to grow to ten sites by 2028 and deliver £100m revenue within two years. Last month, the company secured £11m in funding from OakNorth to support the next phase of its national growth strategy, including the acquisition of additional venues across the UK. It follows Market Halls’ recent investment and refurbishment of Shelter Hall in Brighton. Founded in 2017 by Andy Lewis Pratt, Market Halls operates four London sites – Victoria, Paddington, Oxford Street and Canary Wharf – plus Shelter Hall. In her role, Weekes will work closely with chief executive Dan Hills and Lewis‑Pratt, translating the group’s long‑term growth ambitions into a clear, scalable commercial and brand strategy. Her focus will span brand development, sales and partnership growth and customer engagement, ensuring Market Halls continues to “scale consistently while retaining the individuality of each venue”. Hills said: “We’ve set out a clear plan to scale Market Halls nationally, and delivering that requires a leadership team with the right mix of operational focus and commercial clarity. Emma’s appointment is a key step as we build the structure and capability needed to support new openings, strengthen partner relationships and grow the brand in a disciplined, sustainable way.”

Black Sheep Coffee franchisee to add to Glasgow presence: Black Sheep Coffee franchisee Sur Coffee is to add to its presence in Glasgow with a sixth opening in the city – and seventh overall. The company will open in Argyle Street on Tuesday, 12 May, within the historic Buck’s Head Building. The listed building forms one of the two main entrances into the St Enoch shopping centre and the store will feature approximately 90 seats, alongside the potential for external seating. Sur Coffee, led by Tariq Din and Suhail Rehman, already has Glasgow sites in Byers Road, Sauciehall Street, George Street, Renfield Street and within the Silverburn shopping centre. Sur Coffee also this week launched its first location outside of Glasgow, in an empty unit in High Street in Ayr. Din said: “We’re excited about this Argyle Street opening. It’s a landmark site in Glasgow and exactly the kind of location that suits what Black Sheep Coffee is all about: high energy, high footfall and a real mix of people throughout the day. The aim is to create a space where people can meet, recharge and be part of the city.” Black Sheep currently has circa 115 UK locations plus ten overseas, in the UAE and US. The brand will open more than ten new stores in Scotland this year and has also previously said it would open its first UK drive-thrus in 2026.

Saudi Arabian kabsa brand seeking UK entry: Saudi Arabian kabsa brand Qidr Kabsah is seeking an entry to the UK market, Propel has learned. Kabsa is a mixed rice dish that is commonly regarded as a national dish in all the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Offering “traditional Saudi flavours” and “premium ingredients”, Qidr Kabsah currently has five locations in Riyadh and is looking to expand further. The company was among the exhibitors at the recent International Franchise Show at London’s ExCel at the weekend, as it seeks partners to support its growth plans. The company said: “At Qidr Kabsah, our mission is to bring the authentic taste of Saudi kabsa to the world. Our goal is to become the premier destination for kasba lovers, offering a menu that celebrates the diversity and traditions of our culture.” Expected investment is $200,000 to $350,000, with a $50,000 license fee, plus 7% sales fee and 1% marketing fee.

Two Amorino franchisees sign up for second stores as brand approaches 50 UK sites: Two Amorino franchisees have signed up for second stores as the Italian gelato brand approaches 50 UK sites. Amorino, which was founded in 2002, has more than 300 sites globally, including 44 here. Hubert Attali, master franchisee at Amorino UK, said: “We are pleased to announce the signing of two new leases, marking another significant step in the Amorino UK expansion. What makes these openings particularly rewarding is that they are both led by existing franchise partners. Seeing our current operators transition into multi-unit ownership is a clear indicator of the brand's strength and the collaborative success of our network. Following his successful launch in Bracknell, Karim Dhamani has committed to his second unit. His expertise and local knowledge will be a great asset as we move into the Reading market. After a strong debut in Wimbledon, south west London, last summer, Sailesh Lakhiani is officially expanding into Farnham. His track record for high-quality operations makes him the perfect partner for this new Surrey site. This internal growth reflects our commitment to supporting our partners and meeting the continued demand for authentic, artisanal gelato across the UK. Congratulations to Karim and Sai on their second units. We look forward to supporting them through the fit-out process and welcoming customers in Reading and Farnham very soon.”

 

Bewiched Coffee opens fourth franchise location: Northamptonshire cafe operator Bewiched Coffee has opened its fourth franchise location with the Heart of England Co-operative. The site has opened within the Co-op in Kent Street, Attleborough, Nuneaton, as part of a £300,000 revamp of the store. The opening of the 70-cover store means Bewiched, founded in 2010 by Matt Fountain, now has 20 sites in total. “It’s been great to see our partnership with the Heart of England Co-op develop,” Fountain said. “The shop premieres our new style of design with gentle nods to our overall branding, bringing an elevated feel to the coffee experience, which I think our customers will really enjoy. We aim to deliver amazing service as usual, with the best freshly roasted coffee.” Propel previously reported the opening would be one of three sites Bewiched is launching in the space of a month. The others are a high street store in Olney and a drive-thru in Billing.

 

One Vision Management confirms plans for Noodle Inn in London’s Covent Garden: One Vision Management – the vehicle led by Alex Xu – has confirmed it has lined up a third site for its hand-pulled noodles concept, Noodle Inn. Propel revealed in January that the company, which operates 20 sites under a number of concepts across five cities, had lined up an opening for Noodle Inn in London’s Covent Garden, on the Gordon Ramsay Street Burger site in Maiden Lane. One Vision Management said: “Located a ten-minute walk from our original branch in Soho, we are opening a new location in the heart of Covent Garden at 13 Maiden Lane. This will be our third Noodle Inn location. Two floors, open kitchen, hand pulled noodles and traditional street food starters. Expected to be ready this year.” The company launched Noodle Inn in September 2024, in Old Compton Street, and a second site opened last November, at 100 Middlesex Street, near Spitalfields. Propel understands One Vision Management, which also operates the Happy Lemon bubble tea business and Taiwanese dessert parlour Meet Fresh, has also lined up an opening in the Turbine Hall area on the upper level of the Battersea Power Station development. One Vision Management is looking to further roll out the Noodle Inn concept inside and outside the capital. Last November, Propel revealed Tom Vincent, co-founder of 200 Degrees, which was acquired by Caffe Nero in 2024, was working with Noodle Inn, advising the business on strategy and operations. Richard Negus, of AG&G, acted on the Covent Garden deal.

 

Bagatelle to offer exclusive matchday hospitality experience at Chelsea FC: Global hospitality brand Bagatelle has entered a partnership with Chelsea Football Club to launch a match day experience, including an 80-cover hospitality venue, at the club’s Stamford Bridge stadium. Located within the ground’s West Stand, the new Bagatelle Experience at Chelsea will include a full Bagatelle restaurant and bar service, with French-Mediterranean cuisine and live DJ set on offer. Salima Vellani, co-founder of Bagatelle International, said: “Bagatelle has always stood for celebrating life through extraordinary moments and bringing that spirit to a prime sporting institution like Chelsea FC in a premium location is a perfect extension of our DNA. We’re thrilled to be creating an experience that blends our signature joie de vivre with the thrill of matchday at Stamford Bridge. This collaboration represents a bold new chapter for Bagatelle, and we cannot wait to welcome guests into a space that feels both unmistakably us and uniquely Chelsea.”

 

EG On The Move to expand new in-store bakery concept: EG On The Move is planning to roll out a new in-store quick service restaurant bakery concept across multiple sites following the success of its debut location. The company opened the first Bill’s Bakery earlier this year and has now expanded it to forecourts in Stowmarket, Cobalt, Wyberton and City Services Liverpool. EG On The Move said the concept will soon be landing in “many more” forecourts across the group. The company said the offer is aimed at “early-morning customers”. Food is prepared fresh on-site each day, including baguettes, filled rolls and salad boxes, while hot items are available from self-serve heated cabinets. Junaid Manjra, director of retail and foodservice at EG On The Move, said: “The traditional bakery concept with a freshly made in-store food offer has resonated with our customers, and our market research has confirmed a traditional, hearty range including things like sausage rolls and freshly baked baguettes – but also a decent, quality coffee they can order and be on their way quickly, is a winning formula. So, that’s what our new Bill’s Bakery concept has been created to deliver. We’ve focused on exceptional quality, fresh bakery items and hot food that will appeal to our target group.”

 

Remarkable Pubs reports record turnover of £8.5m: London operator Remarkable Pubs has reported turnover increased to a record £8,541,852 for the year ending 30 June 2025 compared with £7,828,668 the previous year. The 11-strong company saw its pre-tax profit fall to £740,715 from £1,162,481 the year before as cost of sales increased by circa £700,000 and administrative expenses by around £500,000. During the year, the company reopened the former Leyton Technical pub in Leyton as the Leyton Engineer following a refurbishment, having previously acquired a 100-year lease. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “During the year the company continued to concentrate on rebuilding its trade and seek sites that are suitable for investment.” No dividend was paid (2024: nil).

 

Starbucks launches new blended beverage and food ranges: Starbucks has launched a new Cloud Frappuccino blended beverage range. The new range introduces three flavours – strawberry matcha, brown sugar, and caramel mocha – each topped with a cold foam. Sam Henderson, manager of beverage development EMEA at Starbucks, said: “We saw an exciting opportunity to reimagine one of our most iconic beverages for summer with the new Cloud Frappuccino blended beverage range. Inspired by growing interest in texture-led drinks, we've brought cold foam to Frappuccino-blended beverages to create a layered, sensory experience – reimagining familiar favourites while showcasing barista craft and innovation behind every cup.” Starbucks is also introducing a range of new food designed to “complement summer moments on the go”, which includes the chicken and chorizo focaccia and charred chickpea and chimichurri wraps, the summer bear cake pop and caramelised biscuit cake cube.

 

London operator Pizza Union seeking new sites across Central London, with some in negotiations: Pizza Union, the now five-strong London operator, has said it is seeking new sites across Central London, with some in negotiations but not yet in legals. The company, founded by Babak Hashemi, one of the founders of Coffee Republic, saw turnover drop to £6,648,845 in the year to 28 December 2025 from £7,633,966 the previous year following the closure of its Dalston restaurant in January 2025. Pre-tax profit fell from to £445,851 from £710,294 the previous year but EBITDA grew to £1,117,904 from £968,893 the year before. Hashemi said: “The company continues to selectively search for new sites across Central London, and while we are negotiating on a few potential new sites, none are in the legal stage of completion at the time of writing (April 2026).” Dividends of £300,018 were paid (2024: nil).

 

Heineken UK makes leadership changes, Will Rice named Beavertown MD: Heineken UK and Beavertown Brewery have announced a series of senior leadership changes, including the appointment of Will Rice as the new managing director of the latter. Rice is currently on-trade sales director at Heineken UK, and in his new role, he will “ignite and lead the next phase of growth for Beavertown”. It comes as Jochen Van Esch steps down as Beavertown managing director after three and half years to return to Heineken. Prior to leading Beavertown, he spent five years within Heineken UK, building the craft brewery business and helping shape the partnership between Beavertown and Heineken. Taking over from Rice as on-trade sales director for Heineken UK is Mick Howard, who is currently operations director for Star Pubs. Boudewijn Haarsma, managing director, Heineken UK, said: “These moves reflect our focus on putting proven, high-impact leaders where they can make the biggest difference for customers and growth. Will has an outstanding track record in the on-trade, and he is the right leader to guide Beavertown through its next phase of growth, while it continues to operate as a separate company with its own distinctive identity.” Heineken, which took a £40m minority stake in Beavertown in 2018, agreed to buy the remaining shares in the brewer in summer 2022.

 

Madre co-founder to open south east Asian barbecue concept at Manchester hotel: Sam Grainger, co-founder of taco restaurant and bar concept Madre, is to open a new experience-led dining concept at Starwood Hotels’ Treehouse Hotel Manchester as part of the final phase of its opening. Sistermoon will be a south east Asian barbecue concept rooted in authentic Thai cuisine, inspired by Grainger’s time cooking with a local family in Thailand. The opening – on Thursday, 11 June – is part of a new offering on the 14th floor of the 224-bedroom property in Blackfriars Street that is already home to chef Mary-Ellen McTague’s Pip restaurant. Alongside Sistermoon will be The Nest – a rooftop bar located on the 14th floor, offering sweeping city views – curated by Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford, who launched neighbourhood spots Volta in Didsbury and Electrik in Chorlton. There will also be a secluded rooftop lounge and terrace and nine new premium suites. Treehouse Hotel Manchester was Starwood Hotels’ second property for the Treehouse Hotels brand to open in the UK after an opening in London’s Marylebone. 

 

Family-owned Welsh ice cream parlour to open in Barry for fifth site: Family-owned Welsh ice cream parlour Fablas will tomorrow (Saturday, 2 May) open in Barry for its fifth site. The new Fablas branch is taking over the old lifeguard station, replacing Bay 5 Coffee, which had been a staple of the seafront for ten years, reports Wales Online. Mother and daughter Michelle and Lauren Evans, who opened their first Fablas store in 2017, also have sites in Cowbridge, Penarth, Caerphilly and Porthcawl. Fablas wrote on Facebook: “Since collecting the keys, we’ve worked tirelessly to bring this parlour to life. We're a month behind schedule but we’re committed to making sure everything is just ‘fablas’ before we open. We know exactly what we want and we've worked hard to make it happen.” Fablas offers ice cream, coffee and sweet treats, which include pancakes, sundaes and waffles.

 

Village London alumni acquire former Stonegate pub for third site: Nick Levantis and Darryl Healy – who were part of the Village London team that operated Village East, The Garrison and Riding House Cafe in the capital – has acquired a former Stonegate pub for its third site. Levantis and Healy, who have been operating The Swan in West Malling, Kent, since 2011, and The Gosling in Woking, Surrey, since 2023, have acquired the freehold interest in The Royal Oak, Twickenham, south west London. The duo’s Heron Restaurant Group vehicle acquired the three-storey Victorian end-of-terrace property off a guide price of £1m, in a deal led by agent Fleurets. The Royal Oak occupies a corner at the junction of Richmond Road and Oak Lane, and following a complete refurbishment, will reopen as a high-end neighbourhood restaurant and cocktail bar similar to The Gosling. Lavantis, who was a general manager at Village East, said: “We’re delighted to acquire this Victorian property as we expand our portfolio to three sites. This marks another strong step in our growth.” James Davies, director and head of national agency at Fleurets, added: “Despite the challenges being faced in the sector, good opportunities are still attracting interest, and I am delighted the Royal Oak has found a fantastic new home with Nick and his team.”

 

Steak concept Cow & Sow to launch home delivery service: Steak concept Cow & Sow, founded by entrepreneur Mark Warburton, is launching a home delivery service. The direct-to-door service will provide access to restaurant-quality meats, wine and gifts from Monday (4 May). All products can be delivered nationwide, with free local delivery available in areas surrounding Cow & Sow’s restaurants in Bristol and Birmingham. For customers further afield, orders over £75 qualify for free delivery. The new shop is fully integrated with Cow & Sow’s Butcher’s Club loyalty programme, which currently has more than 17,000 subscribers. Warburton said: “We’ve always believed top quality meat shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions and now Cow & Sow at Home will make sure that it isn’t reserved for dining out either.” In February, Warburton told Propel he was stepping up his search for a fourth site for the concept, with Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow among the cities being considered.

 

London Texan barbecue concept launches crowdfund as it looks to go from pop-up to permanent: London Texan barbecue concept Uncle Hon’s BBQ has launched a crowdfunding campaign as it looks to go from pop-up to permanent. The Kickstarter campaign, for an initial £30,000, will support the transformation of the premises previously occupied by zero-waste restaurant Silo above Crate Brewery in Hackney Wick into an 80-cover, canal-side restaurant and late-night music programme, featuring an open kitchen. The Uncle Hon’s BBQ concept dates to 2021, when founder Man Hon Luk met pitmaster John Bates in Texas and became interested in the craft of low-and-slow cooking. Back in the UK, Hon began developing the concept through pop-ups, and in August 2023, Uncle Hon’s BBQ secured its first long-term residency, at All My Friends in Hackney Wick. Offering Texan barbecue layered with Asian flavours inspired by Hon’s Hong Kong roots, it ran through to December 2025. Now, Uncle Hon’s BBQ is ready to take the next step, and the restaurant will be independently funded, backed primarily by Luk. The initial fundraising goal of £30,000 will help get the restaurant open, with further “stretch goals” of £40,000 (upgrade the indoor extraction system), £50,000 (purchase of a new live fire grill to triple cooking capacity) and £60,000 (installation of a professional sound system). On Friday and Saturday nights, the venue will transition into a music-led space, featuring DJs, live performances and a late-night menu of grilled dishes.

 

London distillery to open first permanent bar: The Doghouse Distillery in London’s Battersea is opening its first permanent bar today (Friday, 1 May). The bar will launch in Clapham Common Southside, about a mile from the distillery. The company held a pop-up bar at the site in December but have now transformed it into a permanent venue, reports Hot Dinners. Set across two floors, there will be whiskies ageing in barrels upstairs, while downstairs is modelled after a Nashville-style “low-lit honky-tonk speakeasy”. Drinks will include cocktails, beer and spirits while the food menu will consist of gourmet toasted sandwiches, charcuterie and cheeseboards.