Sir Tim Martin – ‘lots of interest from prospective Wetherspoon franchisees’, ‘breakfast sales at record levels’: JD Wetherspoon chair Sir Tim Martin has told Propel it has “lots of keen applicants” wanting to become franchisees while breakfast sales are at record levels. In February, Wetherspoon opened its first in mainland Europe, at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez airport in Spain. Two pubs are also set to launch at Barcelona airport, in September 2026 and January 2027. Meanwhile, in the UK, Wetherspoon has franchise partnerships with holiday park company Haven, The Papas Group as well as several universities. Speaking about the performance of its franchise sites following Wetherspoon’s third quarter trading update, Sir Tim said: “We’ve had good sales in Spain. The Papas sites are doing very well, and sales are going from strength to strength. We’ve lots of keen franchise applicants.” Like-for-like sales were up 3.4% in the 13 weeks to 26 April 2026 compared with the same period last year while year-to-date like-for-like sales increased by 4.3%. In terms of the menu “star performers”, Sir Tim said: “Chicken is flying; jacket potatoes are rocking and rolling, and breakfasts are at record levels.” Asked whether he was seeing the Middle East conflict having an impact on consumer confidence, Sir Tim said he was “wary of a read-across”. He added: “There are a lot of other events and government actions that may be more significant.” Energy prices remain elevated while food and drink inflation continues to weigh on operators with Wetherspoon again warning that “the substantial increases in costs may result in profits slightly below market expectations”. Sir Tim has also previously said increases in national insurance contributions and wages would cost the business about £60m a year. In terms of whether the business has mitigated some of those pressures with price increases, Sir Tim said: “All I can say is we’re trying very hard to be competitive.” Sir Tim will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The UK’s biggest pub conference takes place on Tuesday, 19 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Sir Tim will discuss the group’s move into franchising and handing his brand over to other operators, its international expansion plans and maintaining its value-led proposition in a hostile cost environment. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £345 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers while Premium Unlimited Plus subscribers receive four free tickets to the conference. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

International Brands Report – UK ‘uniquely fertile’ proving ground for brands: The rigour of the UK market makes it the ideal “brand-building laboratory”, according to Craig Rachel – director, corporate finance and capital advisory at AlixPartners. Writing in Propel’s International Brands report, Rachel said: “A concept that has worked through the complexity of the UK market, navigated its labour costs, its real estate challenges and its famously discerning consumers and emerged with proven unit economics is a great starting point for any concept. If these businesses can demonstrate the potential to scale internationally, whether through residencies or new site openings, then sophisticated investors around the world begin to take notice.” Rachel looked to Dishoom as an example, after the group secured its first external investment in August 2025 from L Catterton, the LVMH-backed global consumer private equity firm, in a deal that valued the business at around £300m. Rachel also noted the next wave of UK exports, including Farmer J and The Salad Project, which he described as sharing common characteristics which meant they were built to scale. Rachel’s insight is featured in this year’s highly anticipated International Brands report, alongside comment and analysis from Keith Bird, former chief executive of Marugame Udon Europe, Michael Ingemann, chairman and partner at Think Hospitality Group, Matteo Frigeri, founder and business director of Seeds Consulting, Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova and Propel editorial advisor Katherine Doggrell. The International Brands includes the 100 leading international brands in UK hospitality, plus, new for this year, more than 70 smaller brands planning an entrance or trading in the UK market. The report is available for £450 plus VAT, with existing Premium Club members receiving it free, and is published on Friday, 22 May at 9am. Order your copy today or sign up to Premium by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

Premium Club subscribers to receive new UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database tomorrow: The next UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 8 May) at 12pm. The database now has 400 entries and more than 230,000 words of content on brands already franchising in the UK or looking to franchise here. Among the new entries are US chicken brand Chick-fil-A and multi-brand restaurant business Eatphoria. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings 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.

 

Exclusive – Jeremy King becomes ambassador adviser to sector specific movement to combat bullying in hospitality: London restaurateur and author Jeremy King has become an ambassador adviser to The Good Apple Effect, the not-for-profit catalyst movement tackling misuse of power and bullying in hospitality, Propel has learned. The Good Apple Effect is a community interest company founded by Elton Mouna, former Fuller’s marketing director and ex-managing director of London pub company Remarkable Pubs. King said: “The Good Apple Effect makes a simple point. Businesses tend to perform better when people are treated properly. That has been my experience over many years. The way people are treated at every level in a business is reflected in the guest experience.” Mouna said “Jeremy’s views on misuse of power and bullying, both within hospitality and beyond, are closely aligned with my own and with those of The Good Apple Effect. Having Jeremy standing shoulder to shoulder with us is incredibly important as we build momentum and continue to take this conversation out into the sector.” The Good Apple Effect is currently seeking support from like-minded organisations and partners who want to play a role in reducing misuse of power and bullying in hospitality. The movement exists to place a bright spotlight on misuse of power and bullying in hospitality, while also highlighting the positive impact the sector sees when it is reduced. King joins Ceri Gott, Stephen Gould and Kate Nicholls, who also act as Good Apple Effect ambassador advisers.

Scottish Hospitality Group urges urgent intervention: The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) has warned that without urgent intervention from both the Scottish and UK governments, licensed hospitality venues across Scotland will continue to close – leading to further job losses, empty high streets and reduced investment. SHG said two immediate actions could help stop the decline. It said the next Scottish government, taking office tomorrow (Thursday, 7 May), must halt the latest non-domestic rates increases for licensed hospitality. At the same time, SHG is calling on the UK government to introduce a reduced VAT rate for UK hospitality more in line with many European countries. SHG director Stephen Montgomery said: “Hospitality is about enjoyment and social wellbeing, but right now, governments are simply taxing that enjoyment out of existence. We are already seeing the consequences. Businesses are closing, investment is drying up and communities are losing venues that have been at the heart of local life for generations. Operators are facing soaring costs across the board, and many businesses are now trading without making sustainable returns. Busy tills do not automatically mean healthy businesses anymore.”

 

NTIA – more than two-thirds of young people would be influenced by stronger political support for the night-time economy: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned politicians that its data shows more than two-thirds of young people would be influenced by stronger political support for the night-time economy. It said young voters are sending a clear warning ahead of upcoming local and devolved elections that support for nightlife and hospitality will be a key voting issue. An NTIA poll showed that 85% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 86% of 25 to 34-year-olds say political support for nightlife would influence them. Nearly three quarters say it would impact how they vote and just 29% believe the sector is currently well supported. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “As we move into a critical election period, this report sends a very clear message to policymakers: young people care deeply about nightlife, and they are paying attention to who supports it. This is no longer just about leisure; it’s about affordability, access, jobs and cultural life. Young voters are telling us that these issues will influence how they vote. If politicians fail to respond, they risk not only damaging the sector but losing the confidence of an entire generation of voters.”

 

Job of the day: Propel is looking for an experienced sales executive to join the team due to continued growth. This is a fast-paced, phone-based sales role focused on generating digital advertising and event sponsorship revenue in the hospitality sector. This role is home based and will be responsible for winning new business, re-engaging existing advertisers and building a portfolio of clients who return time and time again. They will be selling real value, advising clients on how to position their brand, reach the right audience and maximise return on investment. The salary is negotiable with an uncapped commission structure. For more information, email jill.harrington@propelinfo.com

 

GDK franchisee secures funding to open four new sites across two brands, aiming to grow Cluck’d concept to 50 sites: German Doner Kebab (GDK) franchisee SB Group Holdings has secured the funding to open four new sites across two brands. The East Anglia-based, family-owned hospitality business is using a funding package from Lloyds to continue its national expansion by opening at least four new sites across Cambridge, Redditch, Lincoln and Leicester this year, creating up to 80 new jobs. SB Group Holdings, which is owned by the Sahota family and sold its Domino’s portfolio in 2019, will open new GDK restaurants in Cambridge, Redditch and Lincoln, with the potential for further expansion later in the year. The funding will also be used to invest in the business’ new independent food chain, Cluck’d, for which it will open a third site, in Leicester, this year. SB Group Holdings started Cluck’d in 2023, in Norwich, and recently expanded it with a second restaurant, in Milton Keynes. SB Group Holdings director Gavin Sahota, who told Propel in November that he is aiming to take Cluck’d “to every major city in the UK”, is now aiming for 50 sites in the long-term. Sahota said: “Food franchising is something that’s been a part of our family for decades, and we now want to build on the success that we’ve had in recent years with growing German Donner Kebab. It’s a brand that’s becoming increasingly popular, and it’s great that we’re now able to bring it to more locations across the country. At the same time, we wanted to take our experience with the likes of German Donner Kebab and Dominos and use this to create our own new concept with Cluck’d. We’ve got ambitious plans to make this a well-known franchise, like those we’ve worked with, and we’re grateful to Lloyds for its support with the early steps of this journey.”

 

Pizza Hut franchisee’s estate sold out of administration: A Pizza Hut franchisee has sold off 30 restaurants after collapsing into administration. Administrators at FTI Consulting said more than 370 jobs had been saved through the sale of the 30 franchised sites after the collapse of franchisee Nine Food Group. A spokesperson for Pizza Hut UK & Ireland said Nine Food Group had been experiencing “financial difficulties” and that it has been working to instate new franchise partners for the “majority” of the stores run by the franchisee. The Pizza Hut spokesperson said: “In the UK, our brand operates through a franchise model, with each franchisee running as a separate and independent business from Pizza Hut. We can confirm that one franchisee, Nine Food Group, has been experiencing financial difficulties. We have been working closely with relevant stakeholders to resolve the situation and put in place new franchise partners for the majority of these stores. Following a short closure, these 30 sites have resumed trading.” Sites impacted include those located in Romford and Watford. Nine Food Group was previously owned by Directional Capital, which acquired the company’s then 38 sites at the end of 2024.

Champneys saw losses mount in year before securing new funding, investor Cheyne Capital take place on board: Champneys, the spa resort business owned by Stephen Purdew and his late mother Dorothy, saw its losses mount in the year to 30 April 2025 before securing a new funding agreement. Champneys secured the cash injection, from Cheyne Capital, in November 2025 to support its next growth phase, including expansion in the UK and overseas. Following this, a group reorganisation saw a new holding company, Champneys HoldCo, formed, while Cheyne director Theo Hajoglou added to the board of directors. The funding from Cheyne includes a £32m capital expenditure facility to refurbishments and upgrades across Champneys’ then portfolio of four spa resorts and two spa hotels. Post year-end, in December 2025, Champneys acquired two new venues – Buxton Crescent Hotel and Old Hall Hotel, both in Derbyshire. The company’s accounts for the year to 30 April 2025 showed that a pre-tax loss of £8,480,773 in 2024 widened to £10,957,438 as financing costs rose from £8,186,727 to £8,958,663. Turnover grew from £58,245,971 to £60,049,349, with royalty income rising from £911,771 to £962,086. Guest numbers increased from 277,602 to 298,006 but revenue per guest remained at the 2024 level of £202. No dividends were paid (2024: nil). Under exceptional items, there was a £962,092 profit on gift voucher correction but also a creditor write-off of £937,464. The five-star, 81-bedroom Buxton Crescent Hotel reopened in 2020 following a 17-year redevelopment costing £70m – including £23.8m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £13.4m from Derbyshire County Council. Adjacent to the Crescent, the Old Hall Hotel is a 36-bedroom, three-star property reputed to be one of England’s oldest hotels and where Mary Queen of Scots once stayed.

Rhubarb owner promotes Katie Harel to MD: Oak View Group (OVG), owner of premium international hospitality group Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, has promoted Katie Harel to managing director. Based in London, Harel will report to OVG Hospitality president Ken Gaber and will lead the strategic and creative division across the UK, with responsibility for marketing, new business, commercial growth, brand positioning, partnerships and delivering outstanding guest experiences. She will also retain oversight of strategic marketing for Rhubarb Hospitality Collection to ensure alignment with OVG Hospitality. Previously vice president of Marketing at OVG International, Harel has helped shape the group’s hospitality strategy across premium live entertainment, sport and cultural venues following Rhubarb’s acquisition by OVG in 2023. She said: “I am incredibly excited to take on this role after more than a decade at Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, and the past few years as part of OVG. We have an exceptional team here, and I am thrilled about the developments ahead.” The appointment comes as OVG Hospitality continues to expand rapidly across the UK and Europe. The business currently delivers food and beverage operations at Co-op Live in Manchester and has partnered with City Football Group at the Etihad Stadium, alongside a number of other leading football grounds across the country.

 

Gourmet Coffee Bar and Kitchen launches in Liverpool: Gourmet Coffee Bar and Kitchen, which has more than 30 sites situated within or near train stations across the UK, has launched in Liverpool. The business, founded in 2007 by Nick and Liz Garnell, has opened at Liverpool’s James Street station. Established in 2007, the business uses beans sourced directly from Brazil. Suzanne Grant, chief commercial officer and deputy managing director at Merseyrail, said: “Travelling by train is about more than getting from A to B. Having places like Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen at our stations adds extra value to the journey, giving customers time to pause, refuel and enjoy their travel experience.”

 

Pizza Pilgrims opens in Glasgow, linked to site in London’s Wimbledon: Pizza Pilgrims, the pizzeria brand backed by McWin-backed German pizza and pasta restaurant business L’Osteria, has opened its second site in Scotland, in Glasgow. The now 29-strong business has opened on the former Ting Thai site in West Nile Street. Pizza Pilgrims made its debut in Scotland last year with an opening in Edinburgh. The new pizzeria has 107 covers indoors and a further 12 outside. Founders Thom and James Elliot said: “After such a positive response to our Edinburgh opening, we’re incredibly excited to be bringing Pizza Pilgrims to Glasgow. The city has been on our hit list for years and has one of the most interesting and vibrant food and drink scenes in the UK, and we can’t wait to become part of it.” Propel understands that the company, which is also set to open on the former Stanfords bookshop site in Bristol’s Corn Street later this year, is also lining up an opening in London’s Wimbledon. The business is understood to be set to take the former Leon site on Wimbledon Hill.

Shake Shack linked with opening in London’s Paddington: US better burger brand Shake Shack has been linked with an opening in London’s Paddington. The brand, which opened its first halal-friendly UK site in Manchester in March, is understood to be in talks to take the former Frankie & Benny’s site in Praed Street. It comes as Raising Cane’s, the third-largest chicken brand in the US, has been linked with the Angus Steakhouse site opposite the ex-Frankie & Benny’s site on Praed Street. Shake Shack’s Manchester site, in the Great Hall area of the Trafford Centre, marked the brand’s north west debut. Shake Shack is also set to add a site in Reading to its regional estate, in the unit previously occupied by Thomas Cook in Reading’s Broad Street – part of Hammerson’s Oracle scheme. Shake Shack, which is led in the UK by Richard Franks, currently has 19 sites here. 

Eatphoria hires Greg Woodland as head of procurement and supply chain: Multi-brand restaurant group Eatphoria has hired Greg Woodland as its head of procurement and supply chain. Woodland joins Eatphoria with more than 25 years of experience in building resilient supply chains within the foodservice sector. He spent more than 18 years at SSP, where he served as purchasing and supply chain director, responsible for driving results across the UK, Ireland and Netherlands. Alongside this, he has also held senior roles at Aramark and Compass. In his new role, Woodland will lead Eatphoria’s procurement and supply chain function as it continues to scale across owned stores, franchising and brand licensing partnerships. Eatphoria chief executive Mohammad Shaikh said: “As we scale in the UK and look to attract more multi-unit franchisees, having a supply chain that is robust, resilient and can be leveraged to help our partners drive margins will be critical to our growth. Greg will play an important role in evolving our supply chain and supporting our franchisees as we take the next steps forward in our expansion strategy.” In January, Propel revealed that Eatphoria is planning to expand to 100 sites across the UK through its hybrid model following a multi-million-pound investment from TAN Food, part of Italian venture capitalist TAN Holdings. The company currently has five physical locations and more than 40 virtual ones – and has said it is aiming to open 12 restaurants this year.

 

JWD Lamian Noodle Bar makes regional debut, plans further London openings: JWD Lamian Noodle Bar, part of a restaurant company that originated in southwest China’s Guizhou province, has opened its first regional site in the UK, in Cambridge. The company has opened at 55-57 Regent Street in the city. Last summer, the company opened its second site in the UK, in London’s Canary Wharf, launching at 40 Bank Street. The brand made its debut in the UK with an opening near Liverpool Street station, in the City. Propel understands that the business is also in talks on further sites in the capital, in Soho and Leadenhall. On what the concept offers, the company said: “We believe food is not only about taste, but also about connection, culture and joy. Our dishes are carefully crafted with fresh ingredients and a passion for culinary excellence, ensuring every guest enjoys both tradition and innovation on the plate.”

Emerald Hospitality Group to open new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in London’s Marylebone: Emerald Hospitality Group is to open a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in London’s Marylebone. Developed in collaboration with the owners of The Leonard Hotel, Mour will open in a reimagined Georgian townhouse neighbouring the hotel in Seymour Street next month. The restaurant will have its own entrance and feature 60 covers including a 20-seater courtyard with a retractable roof. The menu will follow the seasons and be built around British produce “cooked with Mediterranean flair”. A bar will anchor the dining room, offering signature martini-led cocktails and a Mediterranean-leaning wine list. Emerald Hospitality Group is led by twins Arian and Alberto Zandi. The group – which is also behind Como Garden, Bottega 35 and Riviera in London – is set to launch three new dining concepts in Fleet Street. The group has partnered with real estate business Regis Group to transform the former Daily Telegraph building into “a vibrant destination for food enthusiasts and socialites from around the globe”.

Award-winning chef Jody Williams to bring Buvette back to London next month: US chef-restaurateur Jody Williams will bring her New York-founded restaurant Buvette back to London next month. Williams will open in the former St John bakery site in Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden, having agreed a deal with landlord Shaftesbury Capital. Buvette will be an 80-cover all-day “Gastrothèque”, with additional seating on the yard-side terrace. Williams first opened Buvette in New York’s West Village and has since grown the collection into Tokyo and Seoul. Williams made her UK debut with the launch of Buvette in London’s Notting Hill in 2021. The site, at 9 Blenheim Crescent, subsequently closed in 2024. Buvette is described as “part restaurant, part bar, part cafe”, and the Covent Garden site will open on Thursday, 4 June. Williams is a James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur. She founded Buvette in New York in 2010, and together with her wife Rita Sodi, co-owns Via Carota, I Sodi, The Commerce Inn and Bar Pisellino in the US city.

 

Storia to open seventh site today: Storia, the Italian restaurant business founded by ex-Prezzo chief executive Jonathan Kaye, will open its seventh site today (Thursday, 7 May) in Newmarket, Suffolk. The business will open on the former Wildwood site in High Street. The site closed in February. Kaye, who was also the ex-chief executive of Dining Street – the formerly listed Richoux Group, which was the company behind the Richoux, Friendly Phil’s, Villagio and The Broadwick restaurant brands – opened his latest Storia site on the ex-Prezzo unit in Redhill, Surrey, in the spring of 2024. It came a few months after Kaye opened a Storia site on the former Prezzo unit in London’s Woodford Green’s and followed an opening on an ex-Prezzo in Shepperton in Surrey. Kaye grew Prezzo to circa 250 sites before it was acquired by US investment firm TPG in November 2014 for circa £304m. Storia made its debut in 2021, at the former Prezzo site in Tring in Hertfordshire, before a second site opened on the former The Broadwick outlet in Radlett, also in Hertfordshire. In the summer of 2022, he opened a third Storia, on the former The Broadwick site in Maidenhead in Berkshire.

Thesleff Group opens new Japanese restaurant in London’s Mayfair: Thesleff Group has opened its new Japanese restaurant in London's Mayfair. The 156-cover MA/NA has launched at 30 Upper Grosvenor Street. The menu from executive chef Leo Tanyag offers a menu of “refined Japanese signatures” such as Wagyu Ishiyaki seared on Himalayan salt stone, Kani Tartare with king crab and caviar pearls and Avocado Aburi flamed in the shell, while Pietro Collina leads a cocktail programme “rooted in Japanese bartending techniques and 1970s Tokyo soul”. The concept sees dinner “flow into a late-night cocktail bar with resident DJs”. There is also a private dining room for up to 20 guests. The group, which in March launched Italian dining concept Sale e Pepe Mare at The Langham in Mayfair, is also behind Central London restaurants including Los Mochis, Sale e Pepe and Juno Omakase. Founder Markus Thesleff told Propel in December that the group has “a couple of new exciting concepts to bring to market” and is “beginning expansion plans for Los Mochis in key global cities”. David Rawlinson, of Restaurant Property, acted on behalf of the seller on the Upper Grosvenor Street deal. Thesleff was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All the videos are available free to Premium subscribers or for a one-off fee of £195 plus VAT to non-Premium subscribers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com for details.

Liverpool padel operator to open fourth site, fifth to follow soon: Liverpool padel operator Ignite Padel is to open a fourth site in the region, with a fifth to follow soon. It will open a 34,000 square-foot, 11-court facility in Hunts Cross in July. Ignite Padel launched its first site in April 2025 in Liverpool, followed by additional venues in Cheshire Oaks and Speke later that year. The Hunts Cross location will also include a licensed bar, coffee shop and retail store. Coaching will be available for all levels, from beginners to experienced players. Chris Watson, partner at Ignite Padel, said: “We are excited to announce our fourth padel site in the region. The game is going from strength to strength, and it is great to see players of all ages and levels taking up the sport. We will also soon be announcing details of our fifth site as we get nearer to completion on the site.”

Northamptonshire operator to open third site: Northamptonshire operator Taz Sandhu is to open a third site. Sandhu is behind the long-standing Market Street Bakery in Higham Ferrers, which has been operating for more than 40 years. He is also behind mobile bakery and coffee bar Vaarista, which is located at Rushden Lakes. Sandhu will open a second Vaarista site, in a former fish and chip shop in Finedon, Irthlingborough, which will expand the concept by bringing all his offerings under one roof. Sandhu told the Northampton Chronicle: “Finedon is our first go at having three in one; coffee, bakery and deli. That’s what this place will be. Every day we go past it, and we felt something is missing in Finedon. There are loads of good coffee shops now, but we want to be a coffee shop plus one. We wanted to make sure the food and cake experience is as good as the coffee experience.”

Padel Social Club planning triple London opening: Multi-format padel concept Padel Social Club, which is backed by Active Partners and British rapper and Brit Award-winner Stormzy, is planning a triple opening in London. The company currently operates a site in Earl’s Court and two temporary courts at The O2 in the capital. Now it is set to open three new locations – a permanent club at The O2 along with venues in Paddington and Kentish Town. The Paddington site will have four courts – a mix of covered and outdoors. The O2 club will have five courts while Kentish Town will be the company’s largest venue to date, with eight courts. Padel Social Club stated: “Three different parts of London. Three very different settings. One bigger next chapter for Padel Social Club.” In February, the group hired Joanna Barrett as its new chief financial officer. Barrett joined Padel Social Club, which was founded by Kristian Hunter at the start of 2021, after a year and a half as chief financial officer of OurHouse, the family members’ club concept.

 

East Sussex coffee shop concept opens third site: East Sussex coffee shop concept Chucky’s Baristro has opened its third site. Owner Cargi Turan has opened in the former Urban Ground unit in Bolton Road in Eastbourne. The venue joins the other Chucky’s sites in Bexhill and St Leonards, reports Sussex World. Turan said: “Urban Ground built something truly special here, and we want to begin by recognising that. Urban Ground created a home for coffee lovers, a place for community, and a name that became part of Eastbourne’s speciality coffee scene. Taking over a space with that kind of history is something we do with real respect. And now, a new chapter begins. We’re not just opening another café – we’re building another home.”

Chef behind Michelin-starred Kent venue teams up with former sommelier to open wine bar and restaurant: Dan Smith, the chef behind the Michelin-starred The Fordwich Arms in Kent, is teaming up with his former sommelier, Elliott Ashton-Konig, to launch a new wine bar and restaurant. Keller will launch in Whitstable in Kent next month. Ashton-Konig previously oversaw the wine programmes at both the Fordwich Arms and the nearby The Bridge Arms, and most recently worked at the two-Michelin-starred Da Terra in London’s Bethnal Green. After returning to Kent late last year, Ashton-Konig and Smith are opening Keller in a former deli in Whitstable’s Harbour Street. The kitchen will be led by fellow Fordwich Arms alumnus Ollie Clifford-Cox, most recently of the two-Michelin-starred Hide and Fox in Kent. Keller will centre around a casual, produce-led menu cooked over a charcoal-fired Bertha oven alongside oysters and seafood., while Ashton-Konig will curate the wine list. He said: “Opening Keller in Whitstable feels very personal to me as it’s somewhere I’ve spent a lot of time and built a real connection with. Our aim is to create a relaxed, modern space with a real focus on quality in both the food and wine.”

  

New hotel group Oberland to make debut in Glasgow next month, former Darby’s head chef to reopen restaurant in property: New hotel group Oberland will make its debut next month, in Glasgow, and will feature the new incarnation of former Darby’s head chef Dean Parker’s Italian-inspired restaurant Celentano’s. Oberland, which is a real estate investor and developer, acquired the Arthouse Glasgow hotel from Andrew Brownsword Hotels in February last year and will relaunch the 76-bedroom property next month. As part of the launch, Parker will reopen his debut restaurant, Celentano’s, within the venue. Parker, who also worked at Sorella and The Dairy, opened the Italian-inspired Celentano’s with wife Anna in 2021, in the city’s Cathedral House. The restaurant shut at the end of last year but will reopen at Arthouse Glasgow with a new look and refreshed menu. The restaurant will seat more than 60 across one level, allowing for almost twice as many guests as its previous home. Anna Parker said: “This version of Celentano’s will feel more like us – what we would have envisaged our restaurant like before we ever opened Celentano’s. Cathedral House was such a great opportunity for us, but there was a limit on how much we could do with the space. This time, we are starting with a blank canvas and building up a brand-new restaurant – working with unbelievably creative people who have the same vision as us.” Both the hotel and restaurant will open on Wednesday, 24 June. Oberland will follow up the Glasgow opening with a launch in Manchester later this year.

 

UK’s first Champagne boutique to open restaurant next month: The UK’s first Champagne boutique, Portfolio, will open a new restaurant at its Manchester home next month. Portfolio co-founder and chef Julian Pizer, formerly of Another Hand in Manchester and Edinburgh Castle, will lead the dining concept, which will have just nine tables and offer 14-course and 18-course menus, each available with an optional Champagne pairing curated from Portfolio’s extensive list. Alongside the restaurant, guests can continue to enjoy Portfolio as a bar, which opened in Bridge Street in December and offers more than 250 Champagnes from in excess of 70 producers. Pizer said: “I’ve always been drawn to the most memorable part of any meal – that single perfect bite, the one you remember long after the meal. This menu is built around that idea: big flavour, perfect balance, all in one mouthful, designed to sit seamlessly alongside great Champagne.” The restaurant will open on Wednesday, 3 June.