Exclusive – Harry Ramsden’s seeking further service station opportunities after making return to UK motorway network, in talks on more international openings: Harry Ramsden’s has told Propel it is seeking further service station opportunities after making its return to the UK motorway network. A new restaurant at Extra MSA’s Baldock services (A1M, J10), in Hertfordshire, marks the brand’s return to the UK motorway network – three and a half years after closing its last outlet at a services. As part of its motorway proposition, Harry Ramsden’s has also introduced a dedicated breakfast range. Harry Ramsden’s previously had a widespread presence on the motorway through partnerships with Moto and Welcome Break but closed the last site on the network in August 2022. Extra MSA operates ten motorway service stations in England and is the fourth largest service station operator in the UK. A Harry Ramsden’s spokeswoman told Propel: “We are very proud of our partnership with Extra MSA and remain open to future opportunities where the right strategic fit exists. We are actively exploring opportunities to partner with operators across the motorway services network. High-traffic, high-visibility locations remain an important channel for the brand, and we see strong potential to expand our presence in roadside destinations with the right partners.” Harry Ramsden’s parent company, Deep Blue Restaurants, rebranded as Harry Ramsden’s Group last year – having originally acquired the brand from Boparan Restaurant Group in 2019. It currently operates nine Harry Ramsden’s, ten Deep Blues and three Fish & Chips@149 in the UK, and last year secured a deal to expand in Romania. The spokeswoman added: “Our pipeline for 2026 is shaping up positively. In the UK, we have plans for new openings and conversions as we continue to strengthen our presence in key regions, including a return to Yorkshire in the third quarter – a particularly meaningful milestone for the brand given our heritage in Leeds. Internationally, expansion remains a major focus, with our first Romanian location set to open before the end of the third quarter and a second targeted before the end of 2026. We are in discussions with established partners in additional international markets. Despite a challenging consumer environment and prolonged periods of extreme wet weather, trading has remained resilient.” Harry Ramsden’s features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, while Extra MSA features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database. They are two of six databases available exclusively to Premium Club subscribers.

 

Sponsored message – a new marketplace for tech innovation as Hospitality Tech360 launches: Hospitality Tech360 (HT360) launches this March as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, bringing together the people, platforms and ideas driving hospitality’s digital future. Taking place at Excel London from 30 March-1 April, HT360 is a dedicated marketplace for technology-led solutions designed specifically for the hospitality sector. From front-of-house guest experience and reservations to back-of-house systems, workforce management and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools, HT360 is designed to help operators navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. Visitors can meet a range of technology providers including Square, Vita Mojo, Tevalis, Dojo and Evolve. Exhibitors will showcase solutions covering payments and ordering, workforce optimisation, sustainability tracking, data-led decision-making and AI-driven forecasting, giving operators the chance to compare platforms and speak directly with the teams behind them. HT360 will include a three-day content programme running across two main stages: the Hospitality Leaders Forum and the Tech Talks Theatre. Key contributors include Dame Karen Jones, Georgia Lewis Anderson (formerly Google, Microsoft and Meta), techno-philosopher Simone Puorto and senior leaders from brands including Bill’s, Hawksmoor, Pizza Pilgrims, Burger King UK, Prezzo Italian, Blacklock and The Pig. Register here to join hospitality leaders at HT360. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Airship and Toggle founder Dan Brookman to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, open for bookings: Airship and Toggle founder and chief executive Dan Brookman will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, which is open for bookings. Brookman will discuss the evolution of the customer journey and how to easily identify and create the ones that can shift the dial on your CRM return on investment. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Park Plaza, Victoria. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,536 operators and 19 new companies tomorrow: Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Multi-Site Database tomorrow (Friday, 27 February), at noon. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,536 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,021 (29%) casual dining operators, 805 (23%) pub and bar operators, 626 (18%) cafe bakery operators, 499 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 290 (8%) hotel operators, 238 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 55 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 19 new companies. The database includes new companies in the café bakery sector such as speciality coffee house Harris + Hoole, India’s largest bakery franchise 7th Heaven and specialty café concept Early Bees Coffee. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel chief operating officer – editorial, Mark Wingett, and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Diageo CEO – ‘discretionary spending power of consumers is under some pressure’, need to invest in on-trade relationships: Sir Dave Lewis, the new chief executive of Guinness maker Diageo, has said that a “very significant” squeeze on disposable income is forcing consumers to cut back on drinking, and that a key priority for the business is to invest more in its relationships with pub and bars. Sir Dave was speaking after Diageo reported a 4% fall in net sales to $10.5bn for the six months ending 31 December 2025. He said research carried out by the company showed consumers are drinking “fewer servings per occasion”. He said: “What you see is a very significant squeeze on disposable income. You see the increase in the costs (in the UK) around the essentials. There’s a change in profile also in terms of discretionary effort, and what you see is that in our category of alcohol, the spend is flat. And while there’s been inflation in the category, it’s that consumption level in terms of serves per occasion that is the dynamic behind that flat. We need to recognise that the discretionary spending power of consumers in key markets is under some pressure.” Sir Dave, who took the helm at Diageo at the start of the year, added: “If there is one surprise over the last seven weeks, it’s the low level of investment in how we build and execute our business with our customers. In the on-trade, we know this is key to how we build our brands. Our capability here was dismantled understandably during covid, but our build back has been slow and patchy, and therefore, leads to an opportunity. I’ve seen the power of this done exceptionally well in Latin America and the Middle East, but we need to build that capability and invest in it around the world.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a fast-growing hospitality and live events organisation that is seeking an experienced assistant billing manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This is a senior position reporting directly to the billing manager and oversees a team of ten within a complex, high-volume operation spanning EPOS, live events and corporate billing streams. The role will take ownership of billing accuracy, revenue reporting and compliance, while driving automation and process improvement across systems and workflows.” The salary is up to £55,000 and the position is based in Central London. For more information, email fabian@corecruitment.com.

Waffle concept seeking franchise partners as it looks to expand outside northern heartland: Waffle concept The Belgian Waffle Company is seeking franchise partners as it looks to expand outside its northern heartland. The company currently has ten locations – in Manchester, Huddersfield, Blackburn, Rochdale, Halifax, Bradford, Bury, Oldham, Leicester and Bolton. The business has signed with consultants Franchise With Us, owned by former Chaiiwala finance director and Hero Brands franchise director, Nil Naik. “We’re proud to officially welcome The Belgian Waffle Company,” Naik said. “The business has had a lightning bolt impact and has rained heavily in the Manchester area, so we are especially keen to speak to franchise operators located anywhere from Yorkshire, east and West Midlands, London and all the way down to Kent. If you’ve been looking for a dessert franchise that actually stacks up – this one’s golden, crispy and very investable.” The Belgian Waffle Company is offering a package from £25,000 franchise fee and fit out of £60,000-£70,000 (small shop) or £90,000-£110,000 (large shop).

 

Italian casual dining concept to make long-awaited UK debut with Berkshire launch: Italian casual dining franchise concept Ci Gusta is to make its long-awaited UK debut with a launch in Berkshire. Ci Gusto was founded in Italy in 2011 by Dario Rabboni and has since expanded to more than 30 restaurants in excess of 20 countries. Propel revealed in 2023 that Ci Gusta was looking to open its first UK site and had secured a location in Milton Keynes, but this never opened. Now, Ci Gusto has switched its attention to Berkshire, and is preparing to open a site near Windsor Castle. The company posted to social media: “Very soon, the delicious new development that everyone has been waiting for will arrive: in Maidenhead, at the foot of Windsor Castle, a full-service Ci Gusta will open, offering our Reggio Emilia format at the One Maidenhead By Get Living complex.” In April last year, the team behind Ci Gusto launched a new café concept, Nuvola Café, with Cardiff lined up for its first UK location – although this is also yet to open.

 

Powerleague secures £22.5m loan to aid continued expansion: Powerleague, Europe’s largest five-a-side football provider, has secured a new £22.5m loan to support its continued growth and expansion into new sporting facilities. The business, which currently operates 43 clubs across the UK, secured the new loan and revolving credit facility from Barclays. Earlier this month, Powerleague launched four state-of-the-art padel courts in Stoke-on-Trent following an £815,000 investment. The venue is one of the 18 dedicated padel Powerleague clubs opening across the UK as part of its £14m expansion. It comes following the recent openings of padel sites in Milton and Cobridge. The business announced this week that a six-court padel pavilion is planned for the Powerleague club at Slough and Eton Church of England Business & Enterprise College. Last June, the business was acquired for an undisclosed sum by Broadsword Investment Management, a UK-based private equity firm focused on real estate-backed growth opportunities.

 

Thai coffee and matcha brand to make international debut in London: VE/LA, the specialty coffee and matcha brand founded in Thailand, is to make its international debut this spring with an opening in London. VE/LA, which was founded in Bangkok in 2021 by Pete Kasidit, will open a site in Maddox Street, Mayfair. VE/LA, which comes from the Thai word for time, currently operates 13 sites in Thailand, including cafes and studios, alongside a wholesale arm. The brand, which said its initial ambition was to showcase specialty coffee in Bangkok in a way that was “intuitive, welcoming, and approachable”, said: “A new chapter, a new city. London, see you in a bit. Soft opening soon in the heart of Mayfair – the wait is almost over.”

 

Molson Coors to close Sharp’s Brewery and cut circa 200 jobs as part of restructure of UK business: Molson Coors has announced plans to close its Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall and national contact centre in Cardiff by the end of 2026 as part of a restructuring of its businesses in the UK and Ireland. The brewer of Carling said that following consultation, the proposals could result in around 200 redundancies, which could include 50 from the Sharp’s Brewery in Rock, near Wadebridge, and around 20 roles at its Tadcaster Brewery in Tadcaster, Yorkshire. It is also proposing to close the Cardiff site by the end of this year, which could result in around 60 redundancies. Molson Coors acquired Sharp’s Brewery, which produces Doom Bar, in 2011 and has invested over £20m in the site over the past 15 years. Simon Kerry, managing director, UK & Ireland at Molson Coors, said: “As a brewer with more than 200 years of experience, we understand that long-term success requires decisive action in response to market evolution. These proposals are founded on building on our strong foundations and reshaping our business for growth. By making difficult choices now, we can unlock greater opportunities to invest in our business, our people and our brands to help us and our customers to grow sustainably and for the long term. This is clearly a very difficult time for our colleagues, and we will be doing everything we can to support our teams through this process. The proposed closure of Sharp’s Brewery has not been an easy decision for us to make. We have invested significantly in the site and the Sharp’s brands over that time and have taken every step we can to try and avoid this outcome. However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network.”

 

Valiant Pub Company adds North Wales site to estate: Valiant Pub Group, which was founded by Hawthorn Leisure co-founders Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty at the start of 2021, has added The Plough Bar & Restaurant in St Asaph, North Wales, to its circa 80-strong estate. The Plough was previously operated for 27 years by Simon and Joanne Rodenhurst, who decided to retire and sell the business earlier this year. Valiant said it was “stepping in to steer this iconic old coach house into its next chapter”. The property has undergone a “swift and stylish renovation to refine its fashionable interior while ensuring the downstairs remains the dog-friendly local everyone knows and loves”. Last year, Valiant secured a further £14m in debt financing to support its growth plans. Jeremy Drake at Drake & Company acted on the off-market deal for Valiant. 

 

Irish-themed bar concept Katie O’Brien’s lining up Barnsley and Manchester openings: Irish-themed bar concept Katie O’Brien’s is lining up openings in Manchester and Barnsley. The company, which operates ten sites across the north and Midlands, is preparing to open in Barnsley’s Glassworks scheme, and in an as-yet-unnamed central Manchester location. The business is owned by the Newcastle-based Innvest Group, led by Gordon and Jonathan Codona, who are also behind the Innspired Leisure business in the north east. The Barnsley site will be located within a former TGI Fridays unit that closed in 2024. With a strong focus on live music, Katie O’Brien’s offers “perfectly poured” pints of Murphy’s and Guinness, alongside a rotating selection of Irish craft beer and a carefully curated range of small-batch Irish whiskey.

 

Insomnia Cookies planning Exeter opening: Insomnia Cookies UK, the late-night bakery business, is lining up its first opening in Devon, in Exeter. The business, which currently operates nine sites in the UK, has applied to open a site in the city’s Queen Street. Last year, the brand made its debut in the south west with an opening in Bristol. Insomnia Cookies also has an opening lined up for 28-34 Clayton Street, in Newcastle. Earlier this week, Propel reported Insomnia Cookies had hired Andrew Phillips, formerly of Five Guys and Krispy Kreme, as its new head of operations. Phillips joined the brand after nine and a half years at Five Guys, including two and a half years as head of operations in Germany. At the same time, Kevin Norman, who joined Insomnia Cookies at the start of 2024, stepped down as its head of property.

 

Aparthotel operator Adagio sees steady growth in UK as turnover hits record £28.2m and profit almost doubles to £3.2m: Adagio, which develops, operates and franchises aparthotels, has reported steady growth in the UK “as tourism remains strong”. The company franchises one and operates seven Adagio aparthotels in the UK. “Tourism remained strong in both 2024 and 2025 with the Adagio brand seeing steady growth,” director Xavier Desaulles said. “The company's performance improved month after month, driven by rising demand, which led to consistent increases in revpar and average room rate in our managed aparthotels. A new aparthotel opened in 2025 [at the Sutton Point development in south London], reinforcing Adagio’s presence in the region and supporting its continued development.” It comes as the business reported turnover increased to a record £28,185,000 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £27,016,000 the previous year. Pre-tax profit almost doubled to £3,159,000 from £1,673,000 the year before. In its managed aparthotels, occupancy rates rose to 80% from 77% while revpar was up to £91 from £90. In the franchised aparthotel, occupancy rate was down to 61% from 97% while revpar dropped to £48 from £65. The company ended the year in a net asset position of £5,127,000 (2023: £2,811,000). No dividend was paid (2023: nil).

 

SpudBros Express to go back to its roots with Preston launch: Gourmet jacket potato business SpudBros Express is to go back to its roots with a launch in Preston. The family-run business started out as a potato cart in Preston’s Flag Market in 1950s before being taken over and rebranded by Jacob and Harley Nelson, relaunching as SpudBros Express and offering a franchise programme. SpudBros Express currently has sites in London, Liverpool, Sheffield, Blackburn, Wakefield and Portsmouth and is now preparing to open in Preston, although the exact location has not yet been revealed. Jacob Nelson said: “Another milestone for us, and this one means even more because it’s happening in our home town, where it all began. Preston will always be the heart of our business. It’s where the idea was born, where we learned what works, and where the personality of SpudBros truly comes to life. The northern charm, the banter, the community spirit, that’s what people connect with, and it’s been the driving force behind the views, the hype, and the incredible customer loyalty we see today (and a pretty good potato). Everything we’re building across the UK is rooted in what started here. Preston isn’t just a location for us, it’s the blueprint. We’re proud to be from Preston and proud that it remains the beating heart of SpudBros.”

 

Slim Chickens franchisee gears up to open seventh south coast site: JRK Restaurants will open its seventh Slim Chickens site on the south coast next month, in Poole. JRK has invested £750,000 on the new site, which will open on the ex-Pizza Hut unit at the Tower Park leisure and retail complex on Wednesday, 25 March. Brandon Schneider, general manager of Slim Chickens Poole, said: “We’re excited to be bringing Slim Chickens to Poole and investing in the local area. The response to Slims across the south coast has been fantastic and we can’t wait for Poole to experience our fresh, cooked‑to‑order chicken, signature sauces and warm southern hospitality.” JRK is also a UK franchisee of Wendy’s, the third-largest quick service restaurant brand in the US, and operates a handful of sites under the brand in the south east. Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), the master franchisee for Slim Chickens in the UK, currently operates circa 75 sites under the US brand. BRG told Propel last October that Slim Chickens UK is “primed for rapid growth”, with a pipeline of 50 sites across the UK, Ireland and Europe confirmed for 2026, including three new drive-thrus. BRG has recently begun work on its first Slim Chickens drive-thru in mainland Britain, in North Wales.

 

Smash burger brand Brgr Lab set to open in Manchester as pipeline ‘progresses’ in UK and overseas: Smash burger brand Brgr Lab is set to open a new site in Manchester, as its pipeline “progresses” in the UK and overseas. The business, launched by brothers Hassan and Hamzah Patel 2020, currently has stores in Leicester, Coventry, Leamington Spa and Enfield in London – and last month made its international debut, in Doha, Qatar. Brgr Lab is now gearing up to open at 58-60 Higher Ardwick in Manchester. Hamzah Patel said: “We’re pleased to share that Brgr Lab will soon be opening in Manchester city centre, marking another strategic step in our UK growth plan. Manchester represents a key market for us – a thriving commercial hub with strong footfall, a vibrant hospitality scene and a diverse customer base. This location reflects our continued focus on high-performing city centres and sustainable long-term growth. Alongside Manchester, we have several additional UK locations signed and progressing through the pipeline. Internationally, we’re also preparing for new overseas openings, reinforcing Brgr Lab’s ambition to establish itself as a globally recognised fast-casual brand. As we scale, we’re actively engaging with experienced operators and investors who are seeking a compelling franchise opportunity.” The founders told Propel last year they are aiming for 28 locations by 2028.

 

Spiteri family to open new west London pub: The Spiteri family is to open a new pub in west London. The Latimer will open in Latimer Road on Tuesday, 21 April, “a true family collaboration uniting two generations around a shared vision”. Jon Spiteri, an original partner in The French House Dining Room, St. John with Fergus Henderson and Sessions Arts Club, and partner Melanie Arnold, co-founder of Rochelle Canteen, have partnered with their sons, Lorcan and Fin, the duo behind Caravel, and daughter Molly, business development lead at Koya, for the venture. The kitchen will be led by former Quo Vadis chef Lorcan, offering a “traditional pub menu” with dishes such as brown crab tagliolini with bisque and lemon and oxtail with mash and horseradish. Alongside the main menu, a dedicated bar menu includes the likes of masala monkfish with tartare sauce and tempura oyster mushrooms with pickles, while on Sundays, the traditional roast gives way to sharing platters of meat and seasonal vegetables. Fin will head up a drinks offer including a selection of draft beers and wines on tap from Uncharted, alongside a range of non-alcoholic options. The pub will accommodate around 50 guests across the dining area and bar, with a street terrace open all year round.

 

Bancone plans opening in hotel in London’s Bloomsbury: Bancone, the modern pasta restaurant with four sites across Central London, is planning to open within a hotel in Bloomsbury. Propel understands Bancone is looking to open a site in The Imperial Hotel, at 61-66 Russell Square, for what would be its sixth opening in the capital. The company is also gearing up to open its fifth site, and biggest venue to date, a 170-cover site in the heart of the City, this spring. The company will open the new site at 7 Princes Street. Bancone said the restaurant will boast a bar area as well as a 35-cover private dining room downstairs. Bancone opened its first restaurant in 2018 with a site in William IV Street in Covent Garden. Golden Square and Borough Yards followed, and Kensington opened last year. Bancone’s revenue for financial year 2025 was £12.5m, with an Ebitda of £2m.

 

Devon and Cornwall hotel group ‘performing strongly’ with Ebitda in line with forecasts: Hotel group The Nettleton Collection, which operates hotels in Devon and Cornwall, has said it is “performing strongly”, with Ebitda “in line with forecasts” in its current financial year. In December 2024, the group acquired the Budock Vean Hotel, a four-star location in Falmouth that went on the market at the end of 2023, with a £7m asking price, after being owned by the Barlow family for 37 years. That added to The Boingdon Hall, on the edge of Dartmoor, and The Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa and The Esplanade Hotel, both in Newquay. In his report accompanying the group’s accounts for the year ending 31 March 2025, director James Nettleton stated: “Since the year end, Budock has experienced much improved results and the management accounts for the period to September 2025 show gross profits being generated, due to the operating efficiencies that the Nettleton Group have been able to gain since taking control over the business. Post year end, group performance has been strong, with Ebitda in line with forecasts due to the contribution made by the wellness suites, the addition of the Budock as well as other operational measures taken at the other hotels.” The company reported turnover increased to £18,078,162 for the year ending 31 March 2025 compared with £17,211,108 the year before. Ebitda more than halved to £1,043,000 from £2,220,000 the previous year. The group posted a pre-tax loss of £209,880 compared with a profit of £1,063,134 the year before. Nettleton added the group’s results also incorporate the results for Gaia Skincare, founded by Diana Nettleton in 2016, “which has generated a gross profit consistent with the prior year”. Dividends of £174,000 were paid (2024: £162,500). 

 

Buckinghamshire coffee shop concept to open fourth site: Buckinghamshire coffee shop concept Moc & More is to open a fourth site on Satuday (28 February). Moc & More, which currently has outlets in Flackwell Heath, Hazlemere and Princes Risborough, is expanding its portfolio with a coffee shop in Beaconsfield. The café will open on a former Coral site in the town’s Burkes Parade. Moc & More said the site will be spread over three floors and feature “multiple concepts”. Last month, the company opened in Princes Risborough’s High Street. Moc & More is owned by Serim and Havin Kiran, whose family also run coffee shops in its native Germany.

 

Padel Social Club hires Joanna Barrett as new CFO: Multi-format padel concept Padel Social Club, which is backed by Active Partners and British rapper and Brit Award-winner Stormzy, has hired Joanna Barrett, formerly of Chopstix and The Ivy Collection, as its new chief financial officer. Barrett joins 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 Little Houses Group, the family members’ club concept. Previous to that, she spent almost four years at Chopstix as its group finance director. She also spent 13 months as group financial controller at The Ivy Collection. The London-based Padel Social Club focuses on bringing “premium, social padel experiences to iconic locations” and currently operates sites at The O2 and Earl’s Court. A third London site is set to open at the Southside shopping centre in Wandsworth.

 

London Malaysian concept to open third site: London Malaysian concept Med Salleh is to open a third site in the capital. Med Salleh will open next month at 320 Kentish Town Road, joining the company’s other restaurants in Bayswater and Westbourne Grove. Founders Med Pan and Koi Lee said the new site will focus on “the vibrant flavours of Malaysian street food, from the tastes of Ipoh to Penang”. Dishes at its other sites include signature rare beef pho and Grandma Hainanese chicken rice, reports Hot Dinners.

 

Madame Pho owner to open second location for his Vietnamese coffee concept and ninth overall: Belfast operator William Chan, who is behind the seven-strong Madame Pho Vietnamese noodle business, is set to open a second site for his Vietnamese coffee concept, Phin, and ninth overall. Chan will open a Phin, named after the coffee filter used to make Vietnamese coffee and based around traditional south east Asian flavours, at 5 Wellington Place in the city. It comes after Chan, who launched Madame Pho in 2020, opened his first Phin site in 2024, in the city’s Ormeau Road. He said: “When we decided to open our second Phin, we were really clear on one thing – the second location had to help us reach more people. Phin has always been about sharing Asian food and culture with as many people as possible, so for us, the city centre just made sense. It’s where everyone passes through. We want this space to be more than just about serving coffee; we want to be able to host more events and collaborate with our community as we look to bring an authentic taste of Vietnam into the city centre. This is where the next chapter really begins.”

 

Co-founder of London’s Four Legs partners with Philadelphia chef for new pizza venture: Ed McIlroy, co-founder of London burger concept Four Legs, has partnered with Philadelphia chef Joe Beddia for a new pizza venture in the capital. McIlroy, who with business partner Jamie Allan is also behind Tollingtons fish bar and The Plimsoll pub in north London, will this spring launch Bar Etna at 47 Newington Green. Opening in the former site of Italian restaurant Nino’s, the pizzeria will offer pizzas with toppings changing with the seasons, alongside dishes like aubergine parmigiana, meatballs and soft serves. Drinks will include a selection of house spritzes, negronis on tap and low-intervention wine, reports Hot Dinners. Beddia, whose first opening in Philadelphia, Pizzeria Beddia, was this year awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, said: “Opening in London is a dream come true. I can’t wait to introduce London to what real pizza tastes like.”

 

London menswear brand opens listening bar: London menswear brand Percival has opened a listening bar in Soho. Percival has partnered with whisky brand Monkey Shoulder to launch Percival 2.0 within its store at 7 Marshall Street. The bar shelves are lined with vinyl records and equipped with custom-configured KEF speakers, encouraging customers to “listen and linger”. The partnership follows the launch of Monkey Shoulder Records last year, where the brand curated the ultimate listening experience at both KEF Music Gallery London and The Hoxton. James Eisen, brand manager at Monkey Shoulder, said: “Following the success of Monkey Shoulder Records, which was inspired by the resurgence of listening bars and record store culture, we are delighted to have joined forces with Percival to rollout a full-sensory experience in its Soho store.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts to reopen Hotel Indigo in London’s Shepherd’s Bush next month following transformation: IHG Hotels & Resorts will reopen its Hotel Indigo in London’s Shepherd’s Bush next month following a complete transformation. Once home to the BBC’s Kensington House recording studios, the building’s design will pay homage to its rich musical heritage – where legends David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley once recorded. The hotel will feature 231 bedrooms, including a collection of suites, an all-day restaurant with an open kitchen, a neighbourhood bar and flexible co-working spaces. An urban spa will follow later in the year.