Exclusive – Honi Poké acquires Island Poke to create UK’s leading poke brand: Hawaiian poké specialist Honi Poké has cemented its position as the UK’s leading poke operator with the acquisition of rival Island Poke, for an undisclosed sum. The deal adds 18 Island Poke sites to Honi Poke’s portfolio – nine in London and nine in France – significantly expanding its geographic footprint. Honi Poke currently operates 24 UK sites and three in Cyprus, bringing the new combined total to 45 sites across the UK and Europe. Honi Poké, which was founded by Vladimir Martynov and Kosta Varesko in 2017, said that the integration of Island Poke sites into the Honi Poke network will begin immediately, with Honi Poke continuing to operate them under the Island Poke brand. It said that under the culinary leadership of Richard de la Cruz, formerly of Coya London and Arros QD, the brand has developed a “bold, flavour-forward menu rooted in sustainability”. Martynov said: “This is a landmark moment for Honi Poke. Island Poke has played a huge role in popularising poke across the UK and Europe, and we’re incredibly proud to bring our two brands together. Honi Poke has experienced phenomenal growth over the past few years, opening nine new sites last year alone, and with this acquisition, we’re projecting annualised revenue of over £20m in the UK alone. Our ambition is clear: to reach 50 sites within the next year.” Island Poke first opened in 2016 in Soho’s Kingly Street and grew to have 16 restaurants across the capital, as well as a branch in Brighton. Last summer, it was acquired out of administration by IP Topco, a subsidiary of WRP Holdco, the White Rabbit Projects and McWin joint venture, which holds shares in the business, for £150,000. Honi Poke said that Island Poke, known for its “fresh Pacific flavours and vibrant island-inspired interiors”, has carved out a distinctive identity within the poke space since it opened its first restaurant. It said: “With a strong following and a focus on customisable bowls, premium ingredients and efficient service, the brand has become synonymous with high-quality, fast-casual dining rooted in Hawaiian tradition. Its signature house sauces and fusion flavours have been key to its loyal customer base in both the UK and France.” Brandon Elmon, of Genius1 Group, acts on behalf of Honi Poké.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database tomorrow, videos from Multi-Club Conference on Friday, 11 July: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 4 July), at noon. The database will show the details of 153 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 on a monthly basis and Premium Club subscribers will also receive a 9,983-word report on the 153 new additions to the database. The database 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 experiential leisure sector such as a new experiential concept at Hall & Woodhouse’s The Quay pub in Poole in Dorset, US interactive museum and social gaming experience Skyscape, making its UK debut in London’s Covent Garden, and We Play Padel, opening in Yorkshire. Premium Club subscribers will also receive all the videos from the Propel Multi-Club Conference – female leaders and entrepreneurs, on Friday, 11 July. They include Ellen Chew, the UK-based Singaporean restaurateur with 15 venues, talking about her journey to success, and Zoe Bowley, managing director of Greene King Pubs, talking about “coming home”. Having rejoined the pub sector she joined 30 years ago, she shares insights on how the landscape has changed in terms of business, leadership, and female presence. 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 including the Operational Excellence Conference this month 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 will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. 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 has partnered with a London restaurant group that is seeking a head of kitchen development. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This hands-on leadership role will work closely with the chef director to mentor chefs, optimise kitchen systems and uphold the businesses’ commitment to seasonal sourcing and a progressive, inclusive team culture. The ideal candidate will bring proven multi-site leadership in high-end kitchens, a passion for mentorship, strong operational know-how and a deep respect for seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques.” The salary is up to £80,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email olly@corecruitment.com.

 

European indoor playground brand Monkey Town – ‘perfect opportunity to enter UK with market ripe for consolidation’, targeting seven sites here by end of 2026: European indoor playground brand Monkey Town, operated by Dutch leisure group 24 Indoor, has told Propel that now is the “perfect opportunity” to enter the UK, with the market “ripe for consolidation”, and is targeting a seven-strong estate here by the end of 2026. Monkey Town has acquired Rascals Party & Play Centre in Preston, marking the start of a bold expansion plan aimed at making the brand a household name for families across Britain. A spokesperson told Propel: “The objective is to have 200 sites across Europe by 2030. We will be looking at having seven sites by the end of 2026 in the UK. The UK market, although currently experiencing difficulties due to a prolonged period of hot sunny weather, and also all of the headwinds we know about, has had a good post-covid recovery. There are more multi-site operators than before, and the market is ripe for consolidation. It’s the perfect opportunity for Monkey Town to enter the UK market, where its model will fit nicely. Our expansion will be a mixture of acquisitions and greenfield sites. We feel the model is also perfect for the UK and will be looking to mitigate staffing costs by automating food and beverage, which has been successful in other countries with touchscreen ordering.” With more than 75 indoor playgrounds across the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland and set to arrive in Spain later this year, Monkey Town is Europe’s largest and fastest-growing soft play operator. It offers immersive themed environments, food and beverage and play experiences such as laser tag, toddler zones, Valo Jump and mini bowling. The Preston location will remain open under the Rascals name during a transition phase, with rebranding expected in 2026. The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, will be published on Friday, 1 August at 9am. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It includes opinion from leading players Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, and investor Lisa Boden, partner at investor Edition Capital, and provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes 197 companies, marking a 10% growth in the sector since last year's study, with 3,700 sites. The report is available for £595 plus VAT to pre-order now. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it on Friday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.

Portobello Pub Co – like-for-like sales growth consistently ahead of the market, paid £1.27m for Darwin & Wallace: Portobello Starboard, the acquisition platform backed by private equity firm Zetland Capital and trading as Portobello Pub Co, has said its like-for-like sales growth is consistently ahead of the market as it reported it paid £1,272,170 to acquire London neighbourhood bar-restaurant business Darwin & Wallace last spring. Revenue in the year to 30 September 2024 for the then 27-strong Portobello Pub Co was £28,968,203 (2023: £18,177,490) and gross profit was £11,264,115 (2023: £6,727,058). Pre-tax losses increased to £16,460,929 (2023: loss of £3,554,703). The loss included an impairment charge of £12.0m and exceptional charges of £1.8m. The £12m impairment charges arose due to the disposal of sites post year-end (£7.2m) and a further amount (£4.8m) relating to other sites. In terms of current trading, the company said like-for-like sales growth for its pubs is “consistently ahead of market peers as assessed by CGA benchmark data”. The company said: “The bars had a slower start to the year as the business was being integrated into the group. With the introduction of the new menus and marketing activity, we are beginning to see this change.” Earlier this year, the company told Propel it had completed a review of its options, and despite receiving multiple offers, would continue with its existing growth plans. Propel revealed Portobello Pub Co had appointed advisors at CBRE to review its options, which could have included a sale of the business. Chairman Mark Crowther said: “The quality of our business and the management team were common feedback from these bidders. However, having reviewed the various offers, the board has concluded it is in the best interests of the shareholders to continue with our existing growth plans. Our business continues to see trading ahead of the market, despite the current challenging macroenvironment. We also have a strong, mostly freehold business across London and Brighton. We will now continue with our strong growth plans for the business, with Zetland's vigorous support. The group is actively looking at new acquisitions.” Crowther told Propel the business has an “exciting few months coming up, with an intensive capex programme across at least eight of the sites”. He said: “Zetland is supporting the capex programme, which will result in a very well invested estate set to capitalise on the anticipated improving economy.” Four Darwin & Wallace sites have been retained and now sit within the core estate of Portobello Pubs & Bars. Darwin & Wallce incurred a loss of £8,362,054 and an Ebitda loss of £897,227 in the period from 8 April 2024 to 30 September 2024. Turnover was £6,969,270. 

 

Great British Doner founder targeting 100 sites in next five years following launch: Mehmet Nezir Korkut, founder of new doner kebab concept Great British Doner (GBD), has told Propel he is targeting 100 sites across the UK in the next five years. The debut GBD site open at the weekend in Manchester, in Barton Arcade in Deansgate, in the premises previously occupied by Catalan restaurant Lunya. GBD is also set to open a food court format at the Arndale towards the end of the summer, followed a site in Piccadilly in the autumn. Korkut said he was looking to grow the business out from his home city, with Liverpool, Preston and York among his next targets. “We’re looking at those types of university cities where we can offer something a bit different,” he added. “In the next five years, we’re targeting 100 branches across the UK. That’s our immediate focus, and we will look at franchising to help support that. We think there’s lots of opportunity for us here and we’ll see where we are after that. Maybe then we’ll consider going abroad.” Korkut said he was inspired to launch GBD after spending many years travelling on motorways between Manchester and London and struggling to find healthy options at service stations. “Everything is made fresh and with no artificial ingredients or preservatives,” Korkut said. “We are using prime cuts of meat, and we will also be having no waste – any leftovers will be given to food charities and the homeless.” Korkut, a Turkish-born entrepreneur and restaurateur is drawing on more than 25 years of hospitality experience for his new venture. He began his career in Mardin before operating restaurants in Marmaris, serving British tourists with his signature flavours. He is the former owner of Manchester’s Café Istanbul and franchisee of Sultanahmet Köftecisi.

 

Village Hotels makes loss following Blackstone takeover but ‘in a strong position’ and expecting further Ebitda increase, pays £41m in dividends: Village Hotels made a loss in the year to 31 December 2024 following its takeover by private equity firm Blackstone but said it is “in a strong position” and expecting a further increase in Ebitda in 2025. During the year, in June 2024, the company, which owns and operates 33 hotels and leisure clubs across the UK, was acquired by Blackstone – which also backs Merlin Entertainments and Little House Group. Village Hotels reported turnover of £278,114,000 for the year, up from £260,860,000 in 2023, while a pre-tax profit of £8,444,000 turned into a loss of £23,583,000 following £31,314,000 in exceptional administration expenses. This includes £18,395,000 in project fees (2023: £1,805,000) and a £12,605,000 impairment charge on fixed assets (2023: £4,026,000 reversal). The company reported Ebitda pre-exceptionals of £70,909,000 (2023: £66,877,000) and post-exceptionals of £39,595,000 (2023: £68,822,000). Director Paul Roberts said: “In 2024, Village saw Ebitda (post exceptionals) growth compared with 2023. The group is in a strong position and expects Ebitda to increase further in 2025. Against all non-financial KPIs, Village has continued to grow year-on-year, showcasing the relevance of its differentiated customer proposition, successful investments in properties and facilities, and the strength of its brand. This is reflected in increasing occupancy rates, which reached 84% during 2024 (2023: 83%) as well as health and wellness club members, which grew to 132,000 (2023: 125,000).” In terms of the impact of cost-of-living pressures, Roberts said: “The results reflect the relevance of its differentiated and value-driven customer proposition across multiple customer bases as well as the strength of the brand. Revenue from corporate customers is relatively steady and shielded from economic fluctuations. The corporate customers also have a positive impact on food and beverage revenue.” As previously reported, following its acquisition, the company embarked on an investment plan in October 2024 that will see 50% of its portfolio upgraded. Dividends of £41,407,000 were paid (2023: nil). Post year end, the group acquired a freehold of an existing trading asset and acquired a new hotel from existing facilities – a former Crown Plaza in Reading.

 

Oak Taverns acquires Oxfordshire pub for 17th site: Multi-site operator Oak Taverns has acquired an Oxfordshire pub for its 17th site. In a deal brokered by Christie & Co, Oak Taverns has added the 17th century The Rose & Crown in Charlbury to its portfolio. The pub was marketed with a freehold asking price of £650,000 and sold for an undisclosed sum. The property was sold by long-time owner Nikki Page, who said: “The Rose & Crown has been a beloved part of our family for decades, and it has been a joy to see it thrive as a hub for the community. While it is bittersweet to say goodbye, I know it is in safe hands with Oak Taverns, which shares our passion for great pubs and community spirit.” A spokesman for Oak Taverns added: “It is a privilege to welcome The Rose & Crown into our family of pubs. This is a well-known and much-loved establishment, and we’re excited to continue its legacy while bringing our own touch to its future.”

 

Madre to open in Leeds: Madre, the taco restaurant and bar concept from the founders of Liverpool restaurant Belzan and London’s Breddos Tacos, is set to expand to Leeds – joining the locations in Liverpool and Manchester. Founders Sam Grainger, Owain Williams, Chris Edwards, Nud Dudhia, and Chris Whitney – who are also behind Doug’s Hamburgers UK, Winsome, Medlock Canteen and Ambers in Manchester and Sister Ray in Liverpool – will open the new Madre at Wellington Place this summer. Salon Madre, its tequila bar, taqueria and pool hall sibling, will also open just around the corner. By day, Madre will be a 100-cover, “laid-back spot”, and by night, it will transform into a Mexican restaurant serving everything from Oaxacan-inspired moles and salsas to Baja-style mariscos and Sonoran grilled meat. Salon Madre, meanwhile, will host “tequila-fuelled nights” of DJs, pool tables and wrestling on big screens. Grainger said: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve, and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.” The first Salon Madre opened in December, next to the group’s Madre site in Manchester’s Chorlton Street. That same month, the team opened the first UK site for Norwegian burger concept Doug’s Hamburgers, in Manchester’s Circle Square.

 

Partners in Mediterranean-inspired London restaurant concept Drunch to launch new venture: Nimet and Ikay Oner, who are partners in Mediterranean-inspired London restaurant concept Drunch, are to launch a new venture in the capital, Propel has learned. The husband-and-wife team are opening Turciano at 10 Water Lane in Richmond, in the premises previously occupied by The Waterman pub. Turciano is described as an Italian-Turkish culinary fusion concept. The Oners said: “Our restaurant will feature an open-plan kitchen centred around a state-of-the-art clay pizza oven and an Italian-made grill, which will be the heart of our culinary production. The ambiance will be reminiscent of a vibrant Sicilian street, combined with the warmth and flair of Turkish hospitality.” The menu will include pizza, Turkish lahmacun and pasta dishes such as Turkish yoğurtlu makarna topped with savoury yogurt sauce, and spicy Italian penne arrabbiata. The kitchen will be led by Italian chef Stefano Cavallini, who earned a Michelin star at The Halkin in London. The Oners have owned and run several Italian restaurants in London, most notably Bacco in Holborn. Currently, they are partners in Drunch – which earlier this month secured its fourth site in the capital, at 2–4 Westbourne Grove, in Notting Hill – and also own a fish and chip shop in Islington, with a second branch opening soon. Percy Fricker and William Gage, of Restaurant Property, acted on behalf of the seller on the Richmond deal.

 

US pickleball operator to launch new multi-faceted concept in London: The founders of US concept Pickle Pop are to launch a new multi-faceted concept called Racketeer in London. Stephanie McCaffrey and Erin Robertson, founders of Pickle Pop – a pickleball hospitality company located in Santa Monica, California – have secured a 90,000 square-foot site in Acton, which they said will be the largest indoor pickleball and padel combination facility in the UK and Europe. McCaffrey said: “We are proud to be the first brand to launch pickleball here, and excited for the challenge to provide a world-class facility for the rapid demand of padel that exists in London. The site stands at 90,000 square feet and will feature 12 courts, event spaces, a cafe and some awesome new off-court experience offerings we are excited to announce in due course. Racketeer is more than just courts solving a supply problem – it’s a multi-faceted space combining sport, art and the highest quality food and beverage offering possible. After launching with two pop-up style spaces in LA (that are still going) it was deeply important to me to secure our long-term home in a killer urban market.” Pickle Pop’s two locations are in Downtown Santa Monica – totalling seven courts and 40,000 square feet.

 

Whitbread expands inclusive employment programme: Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, has expanded its Thrive programme – an employer-led initiative supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into work – into the Liverpool City region. The expansion includes a new mini-Premier Inn training facility at Wirral Met College, where students gain hands-on experience in hospitality roles. With only 4.8% of people with learning difficulties in paid employment, Whitbread said Thrive offers a scalable, practical model for how businesses can help close the disability employment gap, with the company aiming to support 100 supported internships from special needs educational establishments into paid employment every year. “Thrive shows how businesses can lead the way in making jobs more accessible to everyone,” said Simon Ewins, managing director of Premier Inn UK hotels and restaurants. “We believe there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. Thrive shows how the private sector can meet the moment: it’s not just a corporate initiative—it’s a real-world demonstration of how inclusive employment can work at scale.” The programme is expected to support an additional 36 students annually in the region, with many progressing into supported internships or permanent roles. Gill Banks, principal and chief executive of Wirral Met College, added: “This collaboration between education and industry provides young people with SEND the opportunity to develop practical, real-world skills in a setting where they feel safe, supported and valued. With access to the fully equipped, on-site Premier Inn training facility at our Conway Park Campus, students will build confidence and gain the experience they need to take meaningful steps towards employment. It’s a wonderful step forward in creating a more inclusive future for everyone.”

 

Nespresso to launch first Scottish location for its experiential boutique concept: Coffee capsule brand Nespresso is set to launch the first Scottish location for its experiential boutique concept, in Edinburgh. The 1,173 square-foot Nespresso store at the city’s St James Quarter will feature a “Coffee as an Art” bar, where visitors will be able to discover the craft of coffee, sample new flavours and enjoy learning new recipes through masterclasses. Nespresso also had boutique stores in Covent Garden, Kingston and Stratford in London, Bluewater in Kent, Manchester’s Trafford Centre and Leeds Trinity. Anna Lundstrom, chief executive of Nespresso UK & Ireland, said: “At Nespresso, we aim to create boutique spaces that bring to life our commitment to innovation, memorable coffee experiences and the craft of coffee, and the new St James Quarter boutique is the perfect place to bring these values to life. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, we hope it serves as an inviting space for coffee lovers to connect with our brand.” Nespresso made a return to the UK café scene in March 2024 with the launch of its Nespresso bar concept in Old Broad Street, near Liverpool Street station in London. Lundstrom said at the time that the test site would be the first in Europe but “ultimately we’d like to have different coffee bars across the city or nation”. Nespresso opened two sit-down cafes in London in 2016 and 2017 but closed the spaces in 2019 to focus on its stores, or “boutiques”. P-Three and Culverwell represented St James Quarter while Tom Pope, director of Lightlease, represented Nespresso.

 

New grab-and-go smoothie bar concept launches in City of London: Elevate Wellness, a new grab-and-go smoothie bar concept, has launched in the City of London, with plans to open more sites. The brainchild of Julia Baldet, formerly of BC Partners, the concept has opened its debut site at The Royal Exchange, offering nutrition-focused shakes, smoothies and juice. Baldet said: “One year ago, I left my job in private equity to build what I couldn’t find in the market – genuinely healthy, satisfying smoothie options on the go were surprisingly hard to come by. Most were overly processed or marketed as ‘clean’ but still packed with hidden sugar or overly vague around nutritional information. So, I created Elevate Wellness to change that. And since then, a lot has happened: I spent two months working as a barista to learn the ropes from the ground up. I closed an oversubscribed funding round and brought on heavyweight advisors from some of the most respected names in food, wellness and retail. I started building in public despite not feeling ready to share and ended up gathering a community of more than 12,000-plus people on TikTok and Instagram before we even opened. I started conversations with major hospitality players. And we’ve already collaborated with some incredible wellness, fashion and lifestyle brands along the way. Every recipe is developed in collaboration with a nutritionist and designed with a specific benefit in mind – from boosting energy and focus to supporting gut health.” Etch acquired the site on behalf of Elevate and is instructed to secure further sites, with a focus on the West End.

 

Kitchen Ventures launches four brands at London’s Fulham Pier: Hospitality entrepreneur Jonny Boud, founder of Kitchen Ventures, has launched four of the group’s food brands at Fulham Pier’s Riverside Market, the newly opened food hall at the heart of Fulham FC’s development in London. The brands are: Fat Pickle – the premium smash burger brand developed with Kitchen Ventures' development chef Craig McBea (ex-Honest Burgers); Raps – the fried chicken wrap brand created in partnership with Tinie Tempah; Tacos El Rey – a taqueria developed in collaboration with the team behind Breddos Tacos; and Local Greens – a build-your-own farm-to-bowl salad concept championing seasonal, sustainable British ingredients. All four brands operate from permanent kitchens inside Riverside Market, the 250-plus seat open-plan food hall overlooking the Thames, linked by a new promenade between Putney and Hammersmith. Boud said: “Fulham Pier is fast becoming a landmark destination with London’s food and entertainment culture at its heart. We’re excited to be part of it, bringing fresh food concepts and talent to the table, showcasing the best of London’s tastes and cuisine.” Fat Pickle, Raps, and Tacos El Rey also trade on match days at Craven Cottage, alongside regular daily service. The kitchens are operated under a franchise agreement with Sodexo Live!, Fulham FC’s official hospitality partner.

 

Richard Caring confirms Covent Garden opening for Harry’s: Serial sector investor Richard Caring has confirmed he will open a site in London’s Covent Garden under his Harry’s bar and restaurant brand. Propel revealed last month that Caring had acquired the former Tuttons British Brasserie site with a view to coverting that and the neighbouring Dirty Martini unit into his Harry’s brand. The 3,100 square-foot site will open this winter at 11-12 Russell Street, including a large terrace on the piazza for guests to dine al fresco. Laura Mills, managing director of Caring’s The Ivy Group, said: “At Harry’s, we’re committed to bringing a touch of la dolce vita to the capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, and joining Covent Garden’s unrivalled culinary line-up felt like a natural next step. We’re incredibly proud to bring our signature charm to the West End and can’t wait to welcome both familiar and new faces to Harry’s Covent Garden this winter.” Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at landlord Shaftesbury Capital, added: “As a fixture of London’s culinary scene, Harry’s is the ideal brand to do this site justice, and will add an elegant and authentic dining option to the neighbourhood’s flourishing offer of high calibre operators in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.”

BH Hotels disposes of stake in Cornish resort for £2m and refinances, company ‘in a good position’ to mitigate cost increases without passing them on: BH Hotels, which is led by James Houlston, has sold its stake in the St Michael’s Resort in Falmouth, Cornwall, for £2m and refinanced. The group previously owned 50% of the resort, alongside 40% of the Hampton by Hilton in Blackpool and 60% of the Swan Hotel & Spa in the Lake District. In its accounts for the year to 30 June 2024, the company said post year end, in October 2024, BH Hotels disposed of its entire shareholding in St Michael’s Falmouth for a consideration of £2m. In the same month, the company refinanced two existing loans with different providers into a single one with Tridos Bank, with a maximum facility value of £7.4m. During the year, the Falmouth resort saw an increase in turnover in the year of 8.4%, but the company said increased overheads, mainly relating to rent, “resulted in a significant reduction in operating profit”, from £628,000 to £219,000. The group said the Blackpool venue “continued to operate against tough economic conditions and is focused on cost efficiencies and driving future growth” while the Lake District venue saw “significant increases in turnover, gross margin and profitability, including a 5% increase in gross profit margin and 80% increase in Ebitda”. Overall, turnover increased from £7,470,622 in 2023 to £8,698,445. Of this, £3,282,454 came from accommodation (2023: £2,939,908), £3,980,483 from food and beverage (2023: £3,625,559), £1,0909,353 from leisure (2023: £746,552), and £130,502 from marina (2023: £62,770). Pre-tax losses narrowed from £1,174,616 to £917,978. The company reported exceptional income of £86,194 relating to an insurance claim (2023: £92,947) and exceptional expenditure of £178,716 from expenses relating to exceptional bad debt (2023: £132,867). At the year end, £32,112 remained of a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme loan (2023: £105,990). No dividends were paid. “As in the previous year, the year ending 30 June 2024 saw significant operating cost inflation at each hotel,” Houlston said. “However, the continued drive in future growth saw substantial increases in revenue across the group. The widely publicised increases in employers’ national insurance with reducing thresholds, and increases in the national living wage, could all severely impact the group’s profitability without proactive measures being put in place. It is believed the group is in a good position to at least part-mitigate these uncontrollable increases to its cost base without having to pass the majority of these costs on to its customers.”

Leisure group behind UK’s first Total Ninja site and Europe’s first Nerf entertainment centre to open new slide park in Warrington: The leisure group behind the UK’s first Total Ninja site and Europe’s first Nerf entertainment centre is set to open a new slide park in Warrington. Rocafella Leisure Group launched Total Ninja at Trafford Park in Manchester in 2017 and Nerf Action Xperience at Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo in 2023. The company has now secured 25,000 square feet of space at Warrington’s Cockhedge development to open a slide park called Slidie Sliderson, which it expects to draw an additional 150,000 visitors annually. Chris Hayes, founder and managing director of Rocafella Leisure Group, said: “The location is ideal for Slidie Sliderson, which brings a fresh, innovative attraction to the north west of England with never-before-seen attractions. We are keen to add to the local community, and we will be creating 35 to 40 jobs as well as looking to support local junior sports clubs by striking up strategic partnerships.”

National Motorbike Museum operator reports increase in turnover and profit: Bracebridge Holdings – which operates the National Motorbike Museum in Solihull, as well as The Manor at Meriden Hotel and the Windmill Village Hotel and Golf Club in the West Midlands town – reported an increase in turnover and profit for the year ended 30 June 2024. The company’s turnover was up from £14,391,073 in 2023 to £15,049,463. Of this, £968,845 came from the museum (2023: £828,531), £9,170,254 from the hotels and associated facilities (2023: £9,370,106) and £4,910,364 from catering and conference facilities (2023: £4,192,436). No dividends were paid (2023: nil). Director Julian Murphy said: “Turnover has increased compared with the previous period, whereas gross profit is at a similar level compared with 2023. The average number of employees is at a similar level as compared with 2023 and the average cost per employee is at a higher level compared with 2023. Occupancy rates at the hotels and conference facilities are at similar level compared with the previous year. During 2024, the group continued to maintain its facilities to high standards. The core business of the group remains unchanged. The directors have taken appropriate steps to ensure the group has a sound financial footing to enable it to continue trading for the foreseeable future.”

East Midlands bakery business Jacksons opens second retail outlet as part of broader regional expansion plan: East Midlands bakery business Jacksons has opened its second retail outlet. The site has opened in the village of Clipstone in Nottinghamshire, adding to its shop in Chesterfield town centre. The Clipstone launch is part of a broader regional expansion plan, with further sites already under consideration. Giles Allen, managing director of Jacksons, said: “Opening Jacksons in Clipstone is a fantastic next step on the Jacksons journey. We’re passionate about creating the highest quality baked goods, and we’ve created a space where people can enjoy fresh treats made with care.” Jacksons, which dates to the late 19th century, was acquired by Allen Jackson Bakery in 2023 in a pre-pack deal. Operating from its head office and bakery in Clay Cross in Derbyshire, Jacksons supplies wholesale clients including schools, supermarkets and English Football League clubs.

 

West Sussex pub company acquires second site: West Sussex pub company True Pour Co has acquired its second site. In an off-market deal brokered by agent Fleurets, True Pour Co has bought The Three Crowns, located in Billinghurst Road in the village of Wisborough Green, bordering the South Downs National Park. The Three Crowns features a bar, restaurant and two function rooms, accommodating around 100 covers, plus a self-contained two-bedroom flat and two staff letting rooms. The property also has a partially covered sun terrace with approximately 70 covers and a lawned garden seating a further 100–120 guests, and which comes with an external bar, pizza oven and herb garden. The new owners will redecorate the pub and continue to offer a menu focused on seasonal pub classics and locally sourced specials, alongside a wide range of British wine and local ale and spirits. It is a second acquisition for True Pour Co – founded this year and led by Nick Marshall – following its recent transformation of the former Slug and Lettuce site in Worthing into Harlequins. “We’re thrilled to be taking on The Three Crowns – such a beautiful, characterful pub with real potential,” Marshall said. “Our aim is simply to bring a warm, modern approach to hospitality, celebrating the local area and making The Three Crowns a go-to for both locals and visitors alike. The contrast between our current pubs and bars reinforces our adaptability to different locations and helps keep our ideas fresh and relevant – and honestly, we just enjoy the variety; it keeps things interesting and makes every day a little different.”

 

North west operator to open second site for Irish pub concept: North west operator Circle and Hen is set to open a second site for its Irish pub concept, Hoggins. The new Hoggins will open this month in the former The Park cocktail bar unit in Seel Street in Liverpool. Circle and Hen opened the first Hoggins in 2020, at St Oswalds Street in the Old Swan area of Liverpool. Manager Chloe O’Brien said: “We are excited to bring our Hoggins concept into the vibrant city centre of Liverpool. Since we opened the Old Swan site, it has been a very popular Irish themed site in the local area. We feel the Seel Street site is the perfect venue for us to expand the concept into the city centre.” Circle and Hen was founded in 2019 and is led by Lloyd Lewan. The business has also previously launched a karaoke lounge concept at The Jubilee Inn in Hatton Hill Road, in the Litherland area of the city.

 

Sheffield brewer and retailer opens beer hall and restaurant for second site: Sheffield brewer and retailer Two Thirds Beer Co has opened its second site. Kapital Beer Hall & Restaurant has launched at 14 Wellington Street, within the Heart of the City development, following a £750,000 investment. The 4,500 square-foot site, which sits across two floors, offers 34 taps in total, pouring a curated selection of beer from across the continent. There is also a restaurant serving an extensive, pan-European menu including German bratwurst, Austrian schnitzel, slow-roast pork knuckle and cheese fondue for sharing. The venue builds on Two Thirds' craft beer bar, kitchen and bottle shop in Abbeydale Road, which opened in 2019. Co-founder Ben Stubbs said: “Kapital brings something unique to our hometown of Sheffield, from tank-fresh Czech lager and weekly big band performances to a full-scale restaurant serving up modern beer hall classics and Sunday roasts.”

 

Hertfordshire pan-Asian restaurant business closes both sites: Hertfordshire pan-Asian restaurant business Peach has closed both its sites. Founders Dan Knowles and Leigh Keates launched the business in 2020, with branches in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford. The pair said in a statement: “With great sadness, we want to let you know that both restaurants have now closed. This was not an easy decision and certainly not one we took lightly. We are incredibly grateful for the support, kindness and loyalty you've shown us over the years – it has meant everything. Thank you for being part of the journey.”

 

New padel concept applies to open in Hertfordshire: A new padel concept has applied to open its debut site in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Padel Zone has put forward a proposal to turn a waste centre at 5 Hunting Gate into an indoor venue for racket-based sport padel, with North Herts Council granting conditional permission. The plans include four double and a single padel court, as well as a juice bar for players and provision for 29 car parking spaces. The facility is planning to be open from 6am to midnight. “Padel is the fastest growing sport in the UK and Europe,” a planning statement said. “Presently there are no dedicated padel centres in north Hertfordshire, with aspiring players contending with many other sports for court time at local leisure centres. The growth of padel should be supported as a grassroots sport as it can be played with minimal, inexpensive equipment and in all weathers as an indoor and outdoor sport.”