Tokyo Industries CEO – ‘Saturday afternoon is the new Friday night’, ‘traditional nightclub format less relevant now’: Tokyo Industries chief executive Aaron Mellor has said Saturday afternoons “are the new Friday nights”, and the traditional nightclub format is “less relevant now”. Tokyo Industries operates 47 mainly nightlife venues in the UK, and 19 internationally, but has started to explore different dayparts. “Saturday night has always been the busiest night, but the change we’ve seen recently is Saturday afternoon is our second biggest session, so we’ve had to retrain staff,” Mellor told the Propel Multi-Club Conference. “Saturday afternoon brunch was always seen as an inconvenience as you prepare for the big Saturday night session, but now Saturday afternoon is bigger than Friday night, so we’ve split Saturday into two, with a brunch session until 8pm and then a late-night session. Having a split shift is the only way to do it as Saturday afternoon is now such an important session – you’ve got 50-60 years olds thinking they’re still in The Hacienda in 1998! That generation is still partying like crazy, it’s a ritual for them, but Millennials and Generation Z are not going out so much, so you’ve got to create reasons for them to do so. We’ve got an ageing demographic, who are still partying like it’s 1990 but doing it at 4pm and then wanting to get to bed early.” Mellor previously told Propel that Tokyo Industries has been forced into the festival models as top DJs are now too expensive for nightclubs. Expanding on where the nightlife industry currently finds itself, he said: “I think the traditional form of large box nightclubs is probably less relevant now than it has been in the past – and trying to get that volume of people into a nightlife space is difficult. But there will always be demand for that music integrity, and I think there always be a need for that. Whether those people will go out every single weekend is a different matter, so you have to kind of refocus and pivot the operation week by week. The original nightclub model is flawed. You can no longer have a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night with a £300 DJ and expect people to flock in. If you stay true to music and culture you will always have an audience as there will always be people who want that. We’re in a very on-demand universe now where everything is on your TV or mobile phone, so you have to get people out of the house, and culture does that. I think that’s the only way we can get through late night. You’ve got to have some other thing than just going out and having a drink.” Mellor was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference were released to Premium subscribers on Friday (21 November). Premium subscribers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can 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.

Propel’s sector-leading guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies to be made free to Premium subscribers on day of publication: Propel’s sector-leading guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies is making its return – and will now be available to Premium Club subscribers on the day of publication. The Propel 500 – 2026 report will analyse the companies leading the charge in hospitality, reporting on turnover, number of sites and key staff. The 45,000-word report will feature exclusive analysis to provide a full understanding of the market’s dynamics, as the top companies in the sector shift position after a challenging year. Mark Wingett will review the mergers and acquisitions changing the shape of the Top 500 as size increasingly matters. Katherine Doggrell will examine the key developments in UK hotels and look into one of the sector’s brightest lights, experiential leisure, while Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly-developing franchise market. Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, will look at emerging growth sectors, and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova will analyse the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market. Propel 500 – 2026 will be released on Friday, 9 January at 9am and will be available free to Premium Club subscribers. The report will be available to non-Premium Club subscribers for £595 plus VAT. 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 and to pre-order Propel 500 – 2026.

Aqua Restaurant Group marketing director Marie Guenot among speakers at 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Marie Guenot, marketing director at Aqua Restaurant Group, will be among the speakers at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Guenot will mark the brand’s 25th anniversary by sharing how its content has evolved. Polished visuals are now balanced with real life and accessibility, celebrating the people and produce behind the scenes and forging deeper guest connection as Aqua enters its next chapter. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its eighth edition, and tickets are on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are open for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 20 and 21 January at Hilton Bankside in London. A bigger venue allows for a dual-stage format, meaning more content than ever before. The conference will focus on technology, marcomms strategies, proposition, brand building, the latest market insights, digital developments and diversification of revenue streams. It is designed for customer focused chief executives, senior marketers, technology and innovation teams, as well as investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. For the full speaker schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £950 plus VAT for the two days. Propel Premium Club subscribers receive a 20% discount. To book, email: rmi@propelinfo.com

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,488 operators and 15 new companies on Friday: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database on Friday (28 November). The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,488 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,010 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 799 (23%) pub and bar operators, 611 (18%) cafe bakery operators, 492 (14%) quick service restaurant (QSR) operators, 287 (8%) hotel operators, 234 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 15 new companies. The database includes new companies in the QSR sector such as Midlands pizza business Aladdin’s Pizza and grilled chicken concept Cluck’d, from former Domino’s family franchisee Ricky Sahota. 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 group editor 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 luxury, high-end venue that is seeking a general manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This role requires a hands-on, people-led hospitality professional who can inspire large teams and deliver world-class service across all areas, including dining, housekeeping, front-of-house and guest experience. The role will oversee daily operations, drive efficiency and take full P&L responsibility while shaping processes as the centre continues to grow. The ideal candidate will be an experienced general manager or operations manager.” The salary is up to £70,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com

Marston’s share price surges after sharp rise in profit: Marston’s share price surged after the group unveiled a sharp rise in profit, thanks to cost-cutting efforts and investment in its pub estate. Shares in the group rose 18.2% or 9.10p to 59.10p in Tuesday (25 November) trading, having risen more than 42% in the last year. The group posted a 71.3% rise in pre-tax profit to £72.1m for the year to 27 September 2025. Total revenue was broadly flat year-on-year at £897.9m, as 'revenue management initiatives' offset the impact of around £50m worth of pub disposals in the prior period. The group has invested £61.2m over the last year to launch new pub formats and wider estate upgrades. Marston's completed 31 conversions in the year, resulting in average revenue uplifts of 23% and return on invested capital of more than 30%. The company said it planned at least 50 conversions in the current financial year, with a focus on Two-Door and Grandstand. The business, which has more than 1,300 pubs, said its upturn in profit was driven by “progress” on like-for-like sales, “contribution from new formats, disciplined cost control, and reduced interest costs”. Like-for-like sales at managed pubs rose 1.6%, “outperforming the market”, with growth of 2.2% for food and 0.3% for drink. Panmure Liberum leisure analyst Anna Barnfather said: “Marston’s results show strong strategic progress. This step-change in profitability has driven recurring free cash flow above £50m, ahead of schedule. In turn, this enables management to accelerate reinvestment across its five pub formats while continuing to deleverage with cash returns to shareholders now firmly on the horizon. We leave our FY26E profit before tax forecast of £77.4m unchanged at this early stage of the new year. Momentum is building and leverage is falling, substantially derisking the equity case, which is yet to be reflected in its current valuation.”

Former Soho House COO expands London footprint, secures backing from ex-Fulham Shore MD: Martin Kuczmarski, former chief operating officer at Soho House, has expanded his London footprint with two new restaurants: Martino’s and Dover Street Counter. Following the opening of The Dover in Mayfair, Kuczmarski has opened Martino’s, which “channels the spirit of 1950’s/1960s Italian trattorias through a distinctly modern and elegant approach” in Sloane Square. Open daily, Martino’s is described as an all-day restaurant and bar “designed for every occasion”. Just a few doors down from The Dover, Dover Street Counter brings a “more playful, rebellious energy” and will open on Monday (1 December). Dover Street Counter is described as “a neighbourhood hangout inspired by counter style dining in late 1950s Los Angeles, and interpreted with modern, contemporary design”. The business said: “Dover Street Counter serves globally inspired dishes; disco fries, buttermilk fried chicken, and chop-chop Mediterranean salad, sandwiches, alongside larger plates such as grilled half-lobster, beef ribeye tagliata, and cajun baby chicken.” Propel understands Kuczmarski is being backed in the new ventures by Nabil Mankarious, the co-founder and former managing director of Fulham Shore. Kuczmarski, who opened The Dover in Mayfair at the end of 2023, worked in luxury hospitality at Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels before being recruited by Soho House founder Nick Jones. Over 15 years, he helped turn the business, with a handful of locations in London and New York, into a household name. By the time Kuczmarski left, Soho House had about 120,000 members across dozens of sites in ten countries.

Arc Inspirations promotes Vicki Musto to finance director: Premium bar operator Arc Inspirations has promoted Vicki Musto to the role of finance director, Propel has learned. Musto, who has been with the Martin Wolstencroft-led Arc for five years, succeeds Ciara Allan, who has stepped down after two years with the business, to pursue an opportunity overseas and outside of the hospitality industry. Musto, who trained with Deloitte and has held finance roles at several other private equity-backed consumer-facing businesses, will join the board of Arc, working closely with founder Wolstencroft and managing director Anni Opong. Wolstencroft said: “I am delighted to announce Vicki as our new finance director. It’s a richly deserved promotion after five years with the business, and I am sure she will continue to provide critical leadership and support to our business – as we seek to continue to grow, and as we navigate some of the well-documented headwinds our industry is facing into, at the moment. I’d also like to take a moment to thank Ciara for her significant contribution to Arc. She leaves with our best wishes, and we are sure her career will continue to go from strength-to-strength.” The news comes just weeks after BGF-backed Arc launched its latest venue, Box Piccadilly. The launch marked the group’s debut in London, it’s first site in the south of England, and a major milestone in its national expansion.

Scottish family entertainment group secures ‘significant’ funding package to support expansion: Scottish family entertainment business WonderWorld Group has secured a “significant” funding package from Bank of Scotland to support its expansion. WonderWorld, which operates 13 soft play centres and adventure parks predominantly across Scotland, recently launched in Southampton – marking its 13th venue and second in England. Developed inside a former bingo hall, the centre features a giant multi-level play arena, interactive football pitch, multiple slides, a sensory room, go-karting, and a cafe. WonderWorld's latest funding package will also support investment across the group's Scottish portfolio, which includes venues in Glasgow, East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Kirkcaldy and Perth. The group plans to introduce new launch slides, roleplay villages and sensory equipment to appeal to all age groups. Having launched with a single site in Falkirk in 2013, WonderWorld now operates three concepts – WonderWorld Soft Play, AirThrill inflatable and trampoline parks, and Electric Thrill arcade and adventure golf. The group, which employs almost 400 people, made its debut in England with the launch of an AirThrill site in Catford, London, in 2019, but the new Southampton venue is the first dedicated WonderWorld Soft Play site south of the border. Managing director Narinder Singh Baryah said: “We've gone from one site in Falkirk to 13 venues across the UK and we're just getting started. Opening in Southampton is a big step for us. It's our first dedicated soft play venue in England and, thanks to support from Bank of Scotland, we've been able to deliver something really special while continuing to invest in our Scottish sites too.”

PureGym reports ‘strong’ third quarter: PureGym, Britain’s biggest health and fitness club operator, has reported a “strong” performance in the three months to 30 September 2025. Revenue increased 28% to £184.7m compared with £144.3m the year before, £22m of which was driven by the acquisition of Blink Fitness in the US in November 2024. Revenue increased 25% to £555.5m for the nine months ended 30 September 2025 compared with £443.9m the previous year with Blink Fitness sites contributing £71m of this increase. PureGym, which operated 439 sites in the UK at the end of the period, said growth was also driven by the increase in average members (2,375,000 from 1,952,000 the previous year) and in average revenue per member (£25.93 compared with £24.63 the year before). Group Ebitda was up to £83.9m from £61.1m in the three-month period and grew to £247.8m from £190.3m in the nine months. Pre-tax losses fell to £22.1m from £23.2m in the three months but increased to £68.1m from £54.3m in the nine-month period. A total of 13 new corporate sites opened in the quarter. PureGym stated: “The business has made excellent progress through the first nine months of 2025. PureGym is in rude health, with accelerating momentum, and offers exciting prospects for the future. The group has a robust capital and liquidity position, which coupled with the strong support of its key shareholders, Leonard Green & Partners and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, puts the group in a good position to fund expansion and investment in the existing estate, and to take advantage of any other market opportunities as they arise.” The group operated 694 gyms at the end of the period – 23 of which were franchised.

TeamSport secures £5m revolving credit facility: TeamSport, the biggest indoor go-karting operator in the UK and Europe, has secured a £5m revolving credit facility from OakNorth to support its working capital and expansion activity. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Farnham, Surrey, TeamSport has doubled in size from 20 sites at the point of its acquisition by private equity firm Duke Street Capital in 2017 to 43 today, including locations in Germany and the Netherlands. The business has evolved into a multi-activity leisure destination, offering not just indoor karting but mini-golf, laser tag, arcades, virtual reality, and food and drink. With a strategy focused on electrification, TeamSport currently operates 19 electrified tracks and expects to convert its full estate by 2027. TeamSport has also rolled out solar panels and EV charging stations across the UK. Will Shaw, investment manager at Duke Street, said: “The UK go-karting sector is highly fragmented, comprising more than 200 mainly independent, single-site operators. TeamSport's next largest competitor has six sites, providing it with a significant relative market share. We're delighted to welcome OakNorth as a funding partner at this exciting stage of TeamSport's growth.” In October, Propel revealed TeamSport had hired Gavin Adair, formerly of Rosa’s Thai and Wahaca, as its new chief executive. Adair stepped down as chief executive of Rosa’s Thai, the TriSpan-backed business, at the end of 2024 after seven and a half years. TeamSport reported turnover of £62,154,206 for the year to 30 June 2024, up from £57,008,912 in 2023. Pre-tax profit dropped from £7,915,630 in 2023 to £7,112,836.

Urban Baristas lining up Liverpool for first site outside London: Aussie-inspired coffee concept Urban Baristas is lining up Liverpool for its first site outside of London. The company was founded in London in 2016 and has since expanded to 18 locations across the capital. Co-founder Huw Wardrope said he visited Liverpool at the weekend as he looks to “get moving” on the company’s first regional location. “En route to Liverpool to meet our new franchisee partners, and I managed to leave my Urban Baristas coffee pods at home, so the morning coffee hit wasn’t quite the same,” he said. “Really looking forward to exploring Liverpool and getting our first store outside London moving. This is a big step for us as we take Urban Baristas from a London favourite to a national brand built around specialty coffee and great partners.” Last week, Urban Baristas secured a multi-site development deal with Anytime Fitness franchisee Aary Walia, who is the founder of venture capital and private equity business Walia Capital and has been a franchisee with gym brand Anytime Fitness since 2023.

 

Dubai-headquartered fast chicken brand opens in Bournemouth for south coast debut: Dubai-headquartered fast chicken brand ChicKing has opened in Bournemouth for its south coast debut. ChicKing has opened at 192 Christchurch Road for its 17th UK location. Scottish company Foodfixx last month secured the UK master franchise rights for ChicKing. Foodfixx managing director Tariq Assad said: “What an incredible weekend for the ChicKing UK family as we officially opened our new Bournemouth store, and the response has been nothing short of amazing. A huge thank you to the local community who came out in massive numbers to support us. Massive appreciation to our entire team, partners, and operators who worked tirelessly to make this launch one of our best yet. This is another big step in our mission to grow ChicKing across the UK and bring our flavour, quality and experience to even more cities.” Founded by AK Mansoor in the UAE in 2000, ChicKing has since grown to in excess of 300 sites in more than 35 countries. It made its UK debut in 2017 with a couple of sites in west London – in Acton and Marylebone – before making its regional debut the following year with a launch in Wednesbury, in the West Midlands.

PizzaExpress to make return to London’s Uxbridge as part of trio of openings at The Chimes shopping centre: PizzaExpress is to make its return to Uxbridge, west London. The company is opening at The Chimes shopping centre before Christmas. PizzaExpress previously operated a site in Uxbridge but it shut in 2020 along with 72 others as part of the brand’s company voluntary arrangement. Mexican restaurant brand Taco Bell is also set to open at the complex in December while, as previously reported, African restaurant concept Afrikana is also launching a site, which is expected to welcome customers in January. The trio are opening in the former Debenhams unit, which has been repurposed into a dining and leisure hub. Colliers acted on the lettings on behalf of The Chimes’ asset manager Aberdeen Investments.

German Doner Kebab to open fifth site in partnership with Extra MSA: German Doner Kebab (GDK), which is backed by private equity group True, is to open its fifth site in partnership with roadside services operator Extra MSA. The restaurant will open at Skelton Lake services on the M1 at junction 45, near Leeds, next month. The opening builds on sites at Baldock, Cambridge, Peterborough and Cobham services. GDK chief executive Simon Wallis said: “Skelton Lake services is a fantastic location. Opening here is an exciting opportunity for us to connect with a wide mix of customers on the move while introducing them to kebabs done right. This milestone reflects the continued momentum behind GDK’s growth across the UK, especially our presence in service stations, demonstrating how well the GDK model works across a number of retail formats.” Tom Dobson, chief executive at Extra MSA, said: “The opening of GDK at Skelton Lake strengthens an already diverse line-up of food and drink brands that our customers know and love. We’re committed to offering choices that reflect different tastes and dietary needs, and GDK is a great fit for that vision.” The launch follows the introduction of GDK’s £5 value menu alongside the Inferno OG, featuring its spiciest sauce yet. The menu includes the OG Kebab (a choice of doner meat with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onion and red cabbage, served in handmade toasted sesame waffle bread with three signature sauces); the GDK Doner Rice Bowl (featuring signature doner meat, salad and rice); and Doner Spring Rolls (handmade crispy spring rolls filled with a choice of doner meat and jalapenos). Last week, GDK, which operates more than 150 sites in the UK, made its West Sussex debut with an opening in Crawley.

L’Eto Caffe expands London presence as it evolves further: L’Eto Caffe, the upscale international restaurant and cafe brand, has further expanded in London with an opening in Brompton. The company, founded by Artem Login, has converted its My & Sanne restaurant in Brompton Road to L’Eto Caffe for its ninth site in the capital. The company, which launched in the UK in 2011, also operates 27 L’Eto sites across the Middle East. The company said the Brompton opening marks a new chapter for the brand, with the bar complemented by a micro garden with fresh herbs and greens grown on-site and used in L’Eto’s drinks. Login said: “L’Eto continues to evolve and elevate. In 2026, vitality and longevity is everything, and we’re proud to offer vibrant, healthy choices alongside the country’s favourite desserts. Our fresh mint and herb garden, with leaves cut to order, enhances every tea, breakfast and lunch, bringing natural energy and freshness to the heart of the concept.”

Greene King – ‘we’re seeing an average of 35,000 booked sports covers per month’: Brewer and retailer Greene King has said it is seeing an average of 35,000 booked sports covers per month. It comes following a multimillion-pound digital upgrade to Greene King’s booking system, designed to show clearer messaging and live, real-time availability. The system has been rolled out across 1,600 Greene King managed pubs from this month and works on mobile phone, tablet and desktop. Customers can now select which sport and which fixture they wish to book for, and can also book a slot to play pool, darts or shuffleboard at their chosen pub with these facilities. Greene King’s chief operations officer, Clair Preston-Beer, said: “This is a significant step in the evolution of our booking system. Research shows people are choosing to plan ahead more when they are going out so we want our customers to know what is available as soon as they start looking to visit our pub. At the same time, it’s improving our overall operational excellence and helping our pub teams spend quality time with customers.”

Long Chim backer launches new Chinese restaurant in Kent: Simon Dewhurst, backer of Thai restaurant concept Long Chim, has launched a new Chinese restaurant in Kent. Dewhurst, who co-founded Aylmer Aaharn, which backs Long Chim, with David Thompson in 2011, has opened Buddha of Westerham at 23 Market Square in Westerham, offering “traditional Chinese dishes in a contemporary setting”. The 54-cover restaurant and cocktail bar has opened in the former location of family restaurant Chow’s, which had operated from the site for four decades. Dishes include Silver Hill roast duck, Cantonese roast chicken, char siu pork, kung pao chicken and crispy chilli beef and pork with spring onion and ginger. There is also a small selection of carefully matched wine served by the glass, alongside luxury spirits and a curated cocktail menu. Dewhurst said: “We are sincerely blessed to have this opportunity to create a new restaurant for Westerham. We intend to be a restaurant serving the local community and the Westerham welcome has been every bit as supportive as we had hoped for. We look forward to building our temple to Chinese food over the coming months and years.” Dewhurst is also a backer of Marceline, the brasserie that opened in London’s Canary Wharf last year.

Pure Padel opens in Nottingham for sixth site: Padel operator Pure Padel has opened in Nottingham for its sixth site. The seven-court venue, located on the site of a grade I-listed 1920 bus depot in the city centre, features four doubles courts and three singles courts alongside a social space with a café and bar, pro shop and changing rooms. Sammy Arora, founder and managing director of Pure Padel, said: “We’re delighted to open our sixth club in what is, in many ways, considered the UK's most sporting city. I can't wait to welcome the local community to play, train, and compete at Pure Padel, as we continue on our journey to bring the sport to the biggest urban centres across the country.” The company opened its first club, in Alderley Park, in October 2023 and has since added locations in Manchester city centre, Darlington, Stockport and north Leeds. Construction is also underway for a venue in Lightwater in Surrey, which is due to open in February 2026, followed by further sites in Birmingham city centre, Solihull, York and Glasgow.

North west coffee shop concept to open new flagship location for third site: North west coffee shop concept Parliament Square Coffee will open a new flagship location for third site early next year. Husband-and-wife team Christopher and Hayley Commerford will open the new 3,500 square-foot site in Cook Street, Liverpool, joining their locations in the city’s Clarence Street and Parliament Square. Christopher spent many years working as a chef in hospitality while Hayley spent two decades with British Airways before they joined forces to form Parliament Square Coffee. Initially launching in Parliament Square in 2023, the couple’s second site, which opened in Clarence Street in 2024, also became home to the Parliament Square Academy, an educational facility for aspiring baristas. The new Cook Street site will showcase the business’ specialty coffee alongside a British-inspired brunch menu featuring “premium ingredients and the best local produce”. The site will also have a serviced meeting room for up to 12 guests. Christopher said: “This year has seen significant growth for Parliament Square Coffee. We are now backed by global investors with deep corporate and entrepreneurial experience across the US, Asia, the Middle East and the UK. They recognise our potential to scale across these markets, and we’re delighted to be embarking on this journey together, starting with our new flagship site in Liverpool.”

Operator behind Lurra and Donostia opens third restaurant in London’s Marylebone: Melody Adams, who is behind long-standing Michelin Guide restaurants Lurra and Donostia in Seymour Place, has opened a third venue in London’s Marylebone. Adams has launched Maset, at 40-42 Chiltern Street, an all-day restaurant offering a “vibrant Mediterranean dining experience”. A menu influenced by north Africa, Italy and Spain offers dishes such as Pâtes au Pistou (light and fresh spinach linguine with a regional basil-based sauce); whole tail monkfish marinated in preserved lemons, cooked on the bone and served sliced with a lardo veil and sea beets; and Camargue rice (nutty whole rice mixed with capers, olives and seasonal herbs, dressed with fruity olive oil and verjus). Alongside this are preserved lemon martinis and wine sourced primarily from small vineyards in France, Italy and Spain. Adams said: “We wanted to create a space that takes our guests on a journey through the south of France, where each dish tells a story, reimagined with a modern Maset touch. We’re delighted to see our vision take shape, blending warmth, style and authenticity.” Adams opened both Donastia and Lurra with Nemanja Borjanovic in 2015, with both venues offering Basque cuisine.

Australian hotel company to open second UK site next month with Glasgow launch: Australian hotel company TFE Hotels will open its second UK site next month. The company is transforming Glasgow’s historic Wellington House, which will launch as The Wellington Glasgow by Adina on Monday, 8 December. The opening marks TFE Hotels’ continued UK expansion with its flagship Adina brand. This will be the second apartment-style hotel opening within a month and follows the 56-key The Hobson Cambridge by Adina. The Wellington Glasgow by Adina, just off George Square, will feature 98 apartments. Guests will also have access to a gym, laundry facilities, and a meeting room. There will also be a shop and café bar adjacent to the hotel’s reception. Ray Goertz, regional general manager UK, said: “From its origins as a 19th-century landmark to its transformation into a contemporary apartment hotel, The Wellington Glasgow by Adina stands as a celebration of the city’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Glasgow’s energy, creativity and vibrant character make it the perfect home for Adina’s casual living concept.” TFE was created as part of a joint venture between Australia’s Toga Hotels and Singapore’s Far East Orchard. TFE’s hotels are located in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark, Austria and Hungary. The company created Adina Apartment Hotels in 1998 as part of its expansion into Europe, opening the first hotel under the brand in Budapest.

Public House Group launches ‘English safari experience’ from its Cotswold pub: Public House Group, the umbrella company from the team behind The Pelican in London’s Notting Hill and the Hero in Maida Vale, has launched an “English safari experience” from its Cotswold pub with rooms, The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire. The Bushcamp, which can be set up anywhere as a remote camp and is available all year round, offers a chance to “experience the outdoors” and “slow down and reconnect with nature”. Built around the ritual of cooking over open fire, guests can expect meat, fish and vegetables cooked asado-style “rooted in quality British produce”, with ingredients sourced directly from the group’s market garden at Bruern Farm. A menu designed for sharing begins with toasts and larder items, plus freshly shucked oysters served on ice – followed by rib of beef, whole fish and scallops grilled over the open fire. There will be whole lamb or half pig for larger groups, while sides include grilled leeks, hispi cabbage and new potatoes cooked below the grill. Drinks-wise, a bespoke Bloody Mary station will be set up on the field bar, with English sparkling, Champagne and British beer poured straight from the keg, while signature cocktails will be available alongside a selection of spirits and a handpicked wine list that “balances familiar names with adventurous choices from smaller, sustainably focused producers”. Bespoke packages can be created for private events, while The Summer Camp, a pop-up hotel and permanent place to eat, drink and stay in the English countryside, will open soon. Public House Group also operates The Fat Badger in Golborne Road and The Hart in Marylebone in the capital.

Hyatt to open new hotel in London’s Olympia: Hotel company Hyatt will open a new hotel in London’s Olympia in the spring of 2026. Hyatt Regency London Olympia will be located within Emberton House, which was previously home to one of Europe’s largest five-storey car parks. With 204 keys, the hotel will be made up of both guest rooms and suites, with a lead-in rate of £299. Alongside the accommodation, Hyatt Regency London Olympia will be home to two food and beverage outlets, including Lounge Café and Bar, located in the hotel’s lobby and offering light bites, coffee and cocktails, and Hotel Market, a grab-and-go style offering situated at the hotel’s entrance. There will also be a dedicated fitness centre, alongside three fully equipped interconnecting meeting spaces. Hotel guests will also have exclusive priority access to the adjacent Pillar Hall, a building that will comprise a ground floor restaurant together with a basement speakeasy bar and a first floor events venue. The venues will be operated by Des Gunewardena’s D3 Collective, with the kitchens led by “high profile Michelin-starred chefs”. 

 

Roadchef opens new McDonald’s drive-thru in Surrey: Motorway services operator Roadchef has opened a new McDonald’s drive-thru in Surrey. The site has opened at Roadchef’s Clacket Lane eastbound services, located between junctions five and six on the M25. The opening marks the eighth drive-thru across the 30 McDonald’s restaurants located at Roadchef sites across the UK. Dan Sutton, operations excellence director at Roadchef, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with McDonalds and bring this drive-thru to one of the UK’s busiest motorways. The new drive-thru delivers a quick and seamless experience and this investment reflects our ongoing commitment to evolving with customer needs.”

Wiltshire restaurateur to launch pan-Asian concept in the Cotswolds: Wiltshire restaurateur Foyez Rahman is to launch a pan-Asian concept in the Cotswolds. Rahman is opening You Me and Umami in Lechlade, Gloucestershire. The venue will open in the former The Red Lion premises in High Street in early December. Rahman said of the concept: “It is the food I have come to love, in the UK and on my travels and I think Lechlade, the surrounding area, the Cotswolds will really like it. We have influence from Korea, Japan and Malay dishes – bao, gyoza, fresh, fragrant noodle dishes that use the best ingredients, fish, shell fish, meat and vegetables, sourced locally, when possible.” Rahman is also behind Sasa’s Indian Kitchen and Bar, in Crudwell, Wiltshire.

Manchester’s oldest Irish pub launches first merchandise collection: Manchester’s oldest Irish pub, Mulligans, has launched its first merchandise collection. The line-up includes a beanie, hoodie, polo shirt, t-shirt, tote bag, and zip-up jacket, all in classic black and finished with the pub’s gold logo. The collection is on display in the Deansgate pub and available to purchase in-venue or online. The new range comes in response to long-standing demand from customers. “We’ve had people asking for Mulligans merchandise for as long as I can remember,” said Pádraig Brady, owner of Mulligans. “The pub means a lot to people and it felt like the right time to give them something they can take home. We’re proud of what Mulligans stands for, and now people can wear that pride too.” With a history spanning more than 170 years, Mulligans is Manchester’s oldest Irish pub and pours an average of 13,000 pints of Guinness a week.