Ole & Steen UK MD – ‘data from retail partnerships will help shape expansion plans, as trading momentum builds’: Ole & Steen UK managing director Graham Hollinshead has told Propel that the data from the Danish bakery brand’s retail partnerships will help shape its expansion plans, as trading momentum builds. Hollinshead said a new partnership with Ocado, which was announced last week, has the potential to be a “big step change”, boosting both performance and brand awareness well beyond the 26-strong business’ current London and the south east heartland. Last November, the company also entered a new in-store bakery partnership with Waitrose, which was initially rolled out to 35 of the retailer’s stores, but is now being expanded to 50 sites across the south east. “With Ocado alone we’re reaching around 80% of UK households, which for us is huge,” Hollinshead said. He also said the data generated through retail distribution will also help shape the brand’s expansion plans. “It gives us another bit of ammo in the arsenal to see where the brand is resonating,” he said. Hollinshead said the company has entered 2026 in “a really good place”, with strong trading, rising loyalty engagement and a clearer roadmap for sustainable expansion. He said the brand’s refocused strategy, launched two years ago, had delivered “real momentum”, driven by simplicity and clarity rather than radical reinvention. “The market is super challenging, but we’re seeing meaningful improvements in like‑for‑like sales,” he said. “We’ve significantly grown loyalty membership, which tells me customers are coming back. We’ve earned the right to grow. We’re not going to chase numbers for the sake of it. New sites must be golden bricks. You’ve got to look at every opening as if it’s the last one you’ll ever do.” Hollinshead said Ole & Steen has refined its understanding of what “good” looks like across formats – from market‑town stores with ample seating to smaller London units such as London Bridge and The Strand. Cost control has also strengthened, and despite wider cost pressures, Hollinshead said the business is “in a really good space” and believes a new site is likely to open later this year.

 

Sponsored message – winning strategies for hospitality venues this World Cup: Late-night World Cup matches and special licensing rules should create a major boost for hospitality businesses – but success depends on preparation. Capify’s Summer of Sport Playbook is full of tips and information, including which matches are covered by the one-off late licence legislation. There’s also advice on big screens and key matches, along with a calendar of other sporting events to draw in the crowds. Download your free copy here. Check your eligibility here and explore how you could fund any investment needed to make this a standout summer of sport. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Stonegate chief executive David McDowall to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings: David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Group, will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Tuesday, 19 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. McDowall will talk about the continued evolution of the UK’s largest pub company, as it looks to become a “partnership-led pub portfolio”. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £345 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers while Premium Unlimited Plus subscribers receive four free tickets to the conference. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Punch Pubs CEO – ‘economic and social impact report designed to give government hard evidence of sector’s broader contribution to British life’: Andy Spencer, chief executive of Punch Pubs & Co, has told Propel its economic and social impact report is designed to give government hard evidence of the sector’s broader contribution to British life and help current and future publicans understand the role of a true community pub. This week, Punch, which operates circa 1,300 community pubs, published new research showing the average pub contributes up to £1.3m in economic and social value to its local community. The report – The Public’s House: The True Economic & Social Value of Pubs – in partnership with Northumbria University, revealed Punch’s own estate delivers £1.7bn in total economic and social value to the UK economy each year. Reflecting on the findings, Spencer told Propel: “We’ve always believed our pubs play a significant part in their communities but getting the results on paper was an important moment for us. It’s easy to talk about job creation and hard economic value. What’s more nuanced – and more difficult – is putting proper evidence behind the social role that pubs play.” Spencer said the business would present the findings to the government, adding: “I’m sure – and it’s been demonstrated recently – that government see pubs as playing a unique role. But it is important we give MPs the tools, the hard evidence and data to allow them to make that point more firmly.” Spencer said while current trading is “encouraging”, guests “continue to lack the confidence to spend” and need compelling reasons to visit – “whether through sport, activities or deeper community links – many of the very same factors highlighted in the report”. Spencer said the company remains active in the acquisitions market and is excited about the opportunity provided by the World Cup this summer. He added: “What we saw during the last Euros was increasingly that trade moved toward businesses that were really creating an occasion around the football.”

 

Soho Estates sets out plan for new visitor attraction in London’s Leicester Square: Landlord Soho Estates has set out its plans for LSX – a new visitor attraction in London’s Leicester Square. The company said it has been developing plans for an “exciting mixed-use redevelopment” of 17-21 Leicester Square and the surrounding buildings in Bear Street and Cranbourn Street. The site is currently occupied by Burger King, Pizza Hut and Market Place Food Hall fronting Leicester Square. Soho Estates said the buildings across the site are “dated and inefficient and fail to reflect the importance of this globally recognised location”. The company said: “We are developing proposals for a new visitor attraction, alongside food and beverage outlets, intended to strengthen Leicester Square’s role as a major visitor and cultural destination. The main public entrance to the visitor attraction would be located in Cranbourn Street, close to Leicester Square underground station, helping to manage visitor flows and minimise pressure on the square during busy periods and major events. The design draws inspiration from the West End’s cinema and theatre heritage, with a sculptural façade inspired by a stage curtain. A rotating LED screen facing Leicester Square will display a mix of community, arts, and cultural programming as well as commercial content. At the top of the building, a rooftop restaurant with terraces will offer new views across Leicester Square and beyond. At street level, there will be places to eat and drink, which could include a food court, restaurants or casual dining options. The project would be privately funded.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a shared work office space business that is looking for a commercial director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The business is looking for an entrepreneurial and commercial individual who is commercial astute, ideally with a strong shared office space experience, marketing and sales background and proven results in strategic growth and development. The role involves identifying and attracting brands and businesses to partner with for mutual success. The position will report to and support the chief executive, and the individual must be well versed in presenting business strategy at complex board level.” The salary is up to £120,000 and the position is based in London. For more information email stuart@corecruitment.com

 

Samyukta Nair – ‘Nipotina has been a valuable learning curve’, ‘bringing Socca back would be a pleasure, but timing would have to be right’: Samyukta Nair, the restaurateur behind Jamavar, Bombay Bustle, MiMi Mei Fair and Nipotina in London, has said opening the latter concept has been a “valuable learning curve”. Nair will next month open Miko Mei Fair in the space below MiMi Mei Fair in London’s Mayfair. Her last opening was Nipotina, in November 2024, which saw Nair take a first step into the world of Italian cuisine. She told Propel: “Nipotina gave us the chance to explore a different cuisine with a broader and more accessible style of dining. It’s been a learning curve, as any concept really is, particularly in the current climate when guest behaviour is evolving and the market is more sensible, but it’s been valuable. What’s been really encouraging is the response to the food has really resonated. Italian cuisine is inherently quite comforting and generous, and people know it and some people connect with it, but we’ve approached it with the same mindset we approach everything with – detailed, disciplined, considered – so it feels like a well-rounded experience.” A month after opening Nipotina, Nair took the decision to close Socca, the upmarket bistro that she opened with chef Claude Bossi in 2023. “Socca was very much a product of its time,” she said. “It resonated strongly with the pre-Brexit audience – a largely international, free-flowing diaspora of people who frequented Mayfair for power lunches and leisure lunches. The realities of the market have also shifted quite significantly, so Claude and I, rather than forcing it to be something it wasn’t, decided to close it with clarity, and that will also be a partnership I am very proud of. We remain very good friends, and you can never say never, but the timing would have to be right to bring anything back. If given the opportunity, it would be an absolute pleasure.”

 

Italian bar and kitchen concept Veeno falls into administration: Veeno, the Italian bar and kitchen concept with six UK sites, has been placed into administration on the back of rising costs. Veeno, which has sites in Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Reading and Chester, was formed in 2013. The concept takes its inspiration from the Caruso and Minini family vineyard in Sicily, established by Antonio Caruso, great-grandfather to Veeno’s founder, Nino Caruso. At one point, Veeno grew to 12 company-owned sites and five franchise sites. In March 2019, nine of the restaurant sites were subsequently bought out of administration via a pre-pack administration deal by a consortium led by Rodrigue Trouillet, a former Walt Disney media and entertainment executive who had joined the company as commercial director and new business partner in November 2018. David Kemp and Richard Hunt, of Exigen Group, have now been appointed as joint administrators for Vintage Corporation, Veeno’s operating company. Nino Caruso told The Sun: “Like many businesses in the UK casual dining sector, we have faced a combination of well-documented market pressures in recent years, including rising operating costs and challenges within the property landscape. This process allows us to address those factors, realign the business, and ensure a more sustainable foundation for the future.”

 

Chop Wok Express signs development deals for Scotland and Qatar: Chop Wok Express, the wrap and noodle brand, has signed development deals for Scotland and Qatar. Propel revealed in December 2024 that the then 11-strong business had secured a master franchise deal for India. The franchise business, which now has ten restaurants with eight more “coming soon” has now signed two more expansion deals. Founder Andy Dulay said: “A fantastic 2025 and 2026 so far has seen us expand into many more towns and cities and nations beyond England, with deals having been done in Scotland, India and Qatar. With formats now developing into kiosks and trailers, the Chop Wok Express franchise is now a platform reachable by many and all. Immensely thankful to those that decided to take the journey with Chop Wok Express, and as ever, huge gratitude to Chop Wok Express India. With dozens more new franchisees confirmed, it really is now a game of how much more can we achieve!”

 

Chaiiwala further strengthens London presence with Park Royal launch: Indian street food brand Chaiiwala has further strengthened its presence in London with an opening in Park Royal. The outlet – located next to Central Middlesex Hospital, at unit 1, Visram House in Acton Lane – has 35 covers. Founded in Leicester in 2015, Chaiiwala operates circa 115 sites across the UK, 23 in Canada and a handful in Dubai. The brand has an ambitious strategy to reach 500 global locations within the next ten years, with a strong focus on expanding across the UK including strengthening its presence in key urban locations and cities such as London where it operates circa 20 sites. Co-founder Sohail Ali said: “Park Royal is a fantastic location for us. With its proximity to major retail and healthcare destinations, this café allows us to serve a diverse mix of customers. This opening is another step forward in our ambition to make Chaiiwala a household name. We’re excited to bring our authentic street food menu and world-famous Karak chaii to even more consumers in the capital and continue building our presence across London.”

 

Caprinos launches Detroit-style pizza range to support expansion into new location types: Fast growing pizza brand Caprinos has launched its first range of Detroit-style pizzas to support its expansion into new location types. Founded by Khalil Rehman and Gul Nawaz in 2014, Caprinos has grown to more than 120 locations across the UK and serves in excess of ten million customers a year. The range of Detroit-style pizzas uses a new dough recipe that has been exclusively developed in house, which can be prebaked on site and finished off with sauce and toppings. The new flavours include Cheesy Detroit, Pepperoni Detroit, Asian Style Detroit and Veggie Detroit. Caprinos said this will enable it to offer a quick service restaurant-style (QSR) proposition to drive growth during the day and expand into new location types such as food markets, travel hubs, hospitals and shopping centres. The range will initially roll-out as a trial across 11 locations for Caprinos to further refine the proposition, ahead of a planned national roll-out later this year. In the future, Caprinos said it may also explore kiosk-style formats serving its Detroit-style range, “offering a low capex, quick to construct format for franchisees to scale with the brand”. This will support the group’s ambitious expansion strategy, which is targeting 200 locations by 2030. Nawaz and Rehman said: “This is one of the most exciting product launches in our history and reflects exactly what Caprinos is about: pushing the boundaries with innovative products that have the potential to truly disrupt the industry and bring joy to consumers.” In January, Rehman told Propel that Caprinos was planning to launch a new pizza style to break into new location types as it aims to open 20 sites in 2026.

   

Mission Mars confirms Chester site for Rudy’s: Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, the Mission Mars-owned brand, has confirmed it will open a site in Chester. Propel revealed in February that Mission Mars was lining up a site in the city for Rudy’s, and the company has revealed it will launch in the former Carluccio’s premises in Bridge Street this summer. The venue will span two floors, offering more than 170 covers, and marks the 39th Rudy’s restaurant to date. Neal Bates, managing director of Rudy’s, said: “Since opening our first pizzeria in Ancoats in 2015, the north west has believed in us every step of the way. Chester feels like a natural next chapter, a city with great character and an amazing food scene that we can’t wait to be part of.” Last week, Mission Mars reported revenue was up 12% to a record £63.9m in the first half of its financial year between October 2025 and April 2026. Rudy’s contributed £35.1m (2025: £29.0m) and the four-strong Albert’s Schloss contributed £26.4m (2025: £25.3m).

 

Family-run north east bakery brand Dicksons sees turnover increase to £19.3m, but losses grow: Family-run north east bakery brand Dicksons has reported turnover increased to £19,300,029 for the year ending 30 June 2025 compared with £18,650,181 the previous year. Pre-tax losses grew to £404,618 from £78,700 the year before as cost of sales rose by almost £1m. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Performance was hampered by cost pressures. The scale of changes to national insurance and the national living wage were not expected. Adding to this, the temporary slowing of food inflation cane to an abrupt halt as beef prices climbed from the third quarter onwards, a trend that has continued into 2026. Wholesale turnover fell against the prior year, and though customers and lines were retained, general consumption weakened. Price rises could not be avoided due to the increased costs faced. We will introduce more ready-to-eat salad and protein options and follow a process of small continuous improvements to some of our most loved products to eat at home. 2025 saw us open the first of the sites we've been working towards that incorporates our new branding and design. This site has performed very well but we believe we can build on this. The latest site, opened in late-January 2026 [in Sunderland], included a new service platform that enables us to spend more time with our customers, allowing us to further improve the quality and range of products we offer.” No dividend was paid (2024: nil). Founded in 1953, Dicksons, which operates 34 sites, also has a wholesale business supplying major supermarkets.

 

Simon Ward-Nicholson joins Cirque du Soleil as VP guest experience and hospitality: Simon Ward-Nicholson, formerly of SSP, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Ole & Steen, has joined Cirque du Soleil, a world-leading live entertainment and experiences company, as its new vice president of guest experience and hospitality. Ward-Nicholson joins Cirque du Soleil after a year and a half as vice-president of global operations for F1 Arcade, the Formula 1-licenced experiential brand. Before that, he spent two and a half years as group food and beverage director at the world’s largest commercial theatre company, Ambassador Theatre Group. He was previously operations director at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. Prior to that, he was managing director of hospitality group Unlocked Brands, and before that, he was managing director of Danish baker Ole & Steen. Before that, he spent four years at travel concessions company SSP, with stints as concept development director and operations director, and he has also been operations director at BaxterStorey and Corney & Barrow Bars.

 

Atis to launch first customer app next month: London healthy bowl concept Atis is set to launch its first customer app next month. Built entirely in-house over the past 18 months, the app is powered by Atis’ proprietary technology, giving the brand full control over click-and-collect ordering, loyalty and the end-to-end customer journey. The 16-strong business said that at a time when many restaurant groups rely on third-party providers, the move “signals a broader shift towards operators taking greater ownership of their digital infrastructure”. Around 50% of all Atis orders are currently placed digitally. Phil Honer, co-founder of Atis, said: “This is a huge milestone for us as we continue to invest in the customer experience. Building our technology platform in-house gives us the flexibility to innovate faster and create a more personalised experience for our customers. While this will never replace human interaction, it allows for us to give our customers another choice in how they order. The app, coupled with our loyalty programme, really is a big moment for us and we are excited for customers to start using it.” Earlier this year, the company, founded in 2019 by Eleanor Warder and Honer, secured a 3,600 square-foot location at The Broadway mixed-use development in St James’s Park for its next opening, in June.

 

Wingers opens 24th site: Buttermilk fried chicken restaurant brand Wingers has opened in Leighton Buzzard for its 24th site. The new branch is located at 12 Friday Street, creating at least ten new jobs. Co-founder Amran Sunner said: “We’re very excited to be expanding in the local community and bringing bold, fresh flavours to Bedfordshire. This launch is another big step in our mission to bring proper chicken to every local neighbourhood in the UK. Wingers was built to be a proper local neighbourhood chicken brand. We’re now at 24 stores and doing it the right way: great sites, strong operators, and a brand people actually care about.” Wingers, founded during the covid pandemic by Amran, Dylan and Bill Sunner, last month accelerated its openings target to 50 sites by the end of 2026.

 

Dan Williams-Smith swaps Cote for Travelodge: Dan Williams-Smith, formerly of Cote and Pizza Hut Restaurants, has joined Travelodge as its new regional director of operations. Williams-Smith joined the budget hotel group after four and half years at Cote, the French brasserie brand, which was acquired by The Kararli Group last October, including three and half years as its operations director. Before that, he spent 13 years at Pizza Hut, including six years as an area manager. Last month, Travelodge reported a “solid start to 2026” following a “strong second half recovery” in the year to 31 December 2025. It reported revenue growth of 0.7% to £1,044.3m (2024: £1,036m) for the year, driven by contributions from new and maturing hotels, and continued good performance from its Spanish business. A strong second half recovery, following challenging market conditions in the first half, saw UK like-for-like revenue available per room up 1.8%, driven by positive events schedule and ongoing investments in customer propositions.

 

London egg-free cake concept opens in Dagenham for 24th site: London egg-free cake concept Cakes & Bakes has opened in Dagenham, east London, for its 24th site. It has opened at 10 Station Parade in Heathway, offering “fresh cakes and baked and sweet treats”. Director Jaisekhar Kothandaraman said: “The launch of our 24th Cakes & Bakes store in Dagenham Heath marks another proud milestone in our journey of becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing cake franchise brands. As we grow nationwide, this new opening reinforces our vision of scaling a trusted and loved brand across the UK while maintaining the same exceptional taste and service our customers value.” In February, Cakes & Bakes said it is aiming for 40 franchise locations by the end of 2026, with seven already in the pipeline.

 

Supernova operator BVC Hospitality hires Charlotte Huynh as group people director: BVC Hospitality, the company behind North Audley Cantine, Crème, 74 Duke and the Supernova smashburger concept, has hired Charlotte Huynh, formerly of State of Play Hospitality and Open House, as its new group people director. Huynh joins BVC after three years as head of people at State of Play Hospitality UK, the Bounce and Hijingo operator. Before that, she spent five years at Open House, the Boxcar and Dining Theory operator, including two years as its director of people. She has also had stints at ETM Group and Cote Restaurants. Earlier this year, BVC continued the roll out of its concepts overseas with new openings for Supernova, North Audley Cantine and Crème. The business opened its first Supernova site in Qatar, in Doha’s Centro Mall, in partnership with MH Al Mana Holding. A site in Abu Dhabi is also planned in partnership with Belhasa Hospitality, which has already recently brought North Audley Cantine and JKS Hospitality’s Berenjak to the region. At the same time, BVC opened a site under its dessert shop concept, Crème, in Doha. Crème operates two sites in London, plus outlets in Paris, Bahrain and Dubai.

 

Arcade Food Hall – Covent Garden opening is ‘defining moment’ for the brand: Food-hall operator and brand incubator Arcade has said that its new site in London's Covent Garden, which will open next month (Friday, 15 May), is a “defining moment” for the brand and “a milestone in showcasing the full potential of what Arcade can be”. Arcade, which already operates sites in the Battersea Power Station development and Centre Point in Tottenham Court Road, will open its new 12,000 square-foot site at 6 Bedford Street, formerly home to a TGI Fridays. The new Arcade will be home to a chef-led Greek-Cypriot taverna and a new Mexican taqueria concept, with full details on both to be announced shortly. Manna, London's original smash burger concept, will have its own dedicated space and counter, while Studio Coffee is Arcade Create's first coffee concept, founded in partnership with Rich Woods. Established Arcade brands completing the line-up include Solis, Tata Eatery, Gracey’s, Hero and Plaza Khao Gaeng. Simon Allison, formerly of Caprice Holdings and Bill’s Restaurants, and Arcade’s new marketing director, said: “The opening of Arcade Covent Garden is a defining moment for our brand. This isn’t just our third location – it’s a milestone in showcasing the full potential of what Arcade can be. Covent Garden, with its rich mix of history and modernity, feels like the perfect setting for this next chapter. Expect bold new food brands, immersive design, and an elevated guest experience that reflects the spirit of this iconic area.” Last year, Arcade took its brands outside the UK for the first time, with the launch of Manna in Dubai, and has further plans this year for openings in the Middle East. Propel understands that the brand platform is focusing on the growth of Manna, Solis, Gracey's, Studio Coffee, Hero and a Greek Cypriot brand, which is currently being incubated.

 

Welsh restaurant group Fire & Wine grows footprint with new bakery and deli in Cardiff: Welsh restaurant group Fire & Wine has grown its footprint with the opening of a new bakery and deli in Cardiff. Park Side Bakery & Deli has launched in Lakeside and is part of a portfolio that includes Park Side Kitchen and Bodega in Cardiff, and The Priory Hotel & Restaurant in Caerleon. The new site, located next to Park Side Kitchen at the Amber Vista development in Cardiff, expands the offer beyond brunch, coffee and all-day dining. Now, there is a dedicated bakery and deli space designed around in-house baking, fresh takeaway food and grab-and-go options. The launch follows Fire & Wine Group’s earlier decision to close Ballers Pizza in the adjoining unit. The business is instead shifting focus towards pop-ups and event-led appearances “better suited to the Ballers format”. The new opening comes as chef Grady Atkins steps into a new group-wide role, having been promoted to group executive chef. Atkins joined The Priory as head chef in September 2025, bringing more than 30 years of experience across Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels and independent restaurants. Now, he is overseeing menu development across the Fire & Wine Group. Co-owner Sophie Martinez said: “Park Side has had such a lovely response in Lakeside and opening the bakery and deli has been a brilliant next step. We’re excited to lean into developing new products in the bakery with the seasons. With Grady now overseeing menu development across Fire & Wine Group, it gives us an opportunity to keep raising the bar across every site, while making sure each concept still has its own distinct feel.”

 

Beannchor Group looks to expand ramen business: Northern Ireland hospitality group Beannchor has said it has ambitions to grow its Japanese-themed food brand. The business is relocating its first branch of Ragin Ramen from its original spot in Church Lane, Belfast, to a new unit on Ann Street, which is due to open in June. Beannchor is the parent company of Belfast hotels The Merchant and Bullitt, as well as a string of pubs and the ten-strong pizza chain Little Wing. Luke Wolsey, director of Beannchor Group, told the Belfast Telegraph: “Work has commenced on a new, larger Ragin Ramen in Ann Street, which will replace the original unit on Church Lane when it opens – this is planned for June 2026. The feedback from the current and original Church Lane location has been very encouraging, and we hope to build on this.” He said there were “aspirations” to open more branches in the future “but it’s important to bed down Ann Street before exploring longer term expansion”. As well as Little Wing and Ragin Ramen, the company has also developed chicken restaurant Yardbird as a food brand within the group. Wolsey said: “Creating and building unique food and beverage offerings has always been a focus, and this will continue as we look to the future.” Writing on LinkedIn, group finance director James Sinton said the opening on Ann Street “feels like a real inflection point for Ragin Ramen”. He said: “The feedback on Church Lane has been incredibly encouraging, and we see this as the beginning of a broader growth trajectory.”

 

Yorkshire Subway franchisee acquires fourth site, trialling self-service kiosks: Yorkshire Subway franchisee Umud Bilyal has acquired his fourth site with the brand. The former commercial management apprentice has been a franchisee with Subway since 2023 through his Umud’s Ventures business. His latest site is at IUnit 6 in Barnsley Interchange, Eldon Street, Barnsley. Bilyal said: “I’ve just acquired my fourth Subway franchise, in Barnsley Interchange. What started as a single opportunity has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of today. I’m grateful to now employ over 35 amazing people, who are the backbone of everything we do. This achievement isn’t just about expansion – it’s about building teams, creating opportunities and learning every step of the way. Still early in the journey, and there’s a lot more to come.” At the same time, Bilyal is trialling self-service kiosks at one of his other locations in the town, at Peel Park. He added: “We’re proud to introduce a new trial self-service kiosk, bringing a modern, convenient and greater experience to our customers. This new concept allows guests to customise their orders seamlessly and enjoy a smoother, more efficient service. Come and check it out at Barnsley Peel Park Subway and be among the first to try this exciting new way to order.”

   

Scottish hospitality group SimpsInns reports turnover and profit boost: Scottish hospitality group SimpsInns has reported turnover nudged up to £11,061,812 for the year ending 31 July 2025 compared with £10,755,639 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was up to £1,578,538 from £1,264,841 the year before. During the year, the company continued its project to add 17 bedrooms to The Waterside Hotel in West Kilbride. The group acknowledged the scheme, which was completed in September 2025, had a knock-on effect on footfall and guest experience at various stages of construction, but was confident the result will generate “a significant upturn in all areas of the business”. A spa has been added to the property while the wedding and event space will undergo a significant upgrade in the autumn. Meanwhile, The Gailes Hotel in Gailes is undergoing a refurbishment to modernise all 40 standard bedrooms. In his report accompanying the accounts, director Malcolm Simpson stated: “Food and beverage continues to be a tough market to operate in due to the rising cost of goods as well as increased competition and shifts in consumer spending. However, our leisure club continues to grow in membership, and our golf driving range at The Gailes Hotel has seen another year of growth in footfall and revenue. Our bedrooms continue to maintain strong occupancy and average room rates. The spa at The Gailes Hotel showed substantial year-on-year growth. The wedding market in Ayrshire is extremely competitive, and we are continually reviewing our offering and adapting to the changing demands of the client, with a rise in twilight weddings and smaller guest numbers with more bespoke offerings.” The group, which also operates Old Loans Inn in Troon, paid dividends of £72,000 (2024: £106,897).

 

Northern Ireland gym concept opens third site: Northern Ireland gym concept Club 24 Fitness has opened a third site. Club 24 Fitness has opened at St Anne's Square in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, representing a £1.5m investment and joining its sites in Bangor and Lisburn. The 18,000 square-foot facility provides a 24/7 service for its members, with membership starting at £35 per month. Founded by local entrepreneur Gary Brown, Club 24 Fitness has opened three gyms in just four years. He said: “The opening of Club 24 Belfast is an exciting milestone for us. Our goal has always been to create a community-driven gym that is inclusive, designed to meet the needs of modern lifestyles, and one that delivers a premium fitness experience without the premium price tag. Over the past few years, we’ve seen how people are using gyms differently. Fitness is becoming part of everyday life, not just something you do a few times a week. Members are looking for flexibility, convenience and a space where they can focus on their well-being on their own terms. This approach has shaped every part of Club 24. Everything is designed to give people control over how, when and where they exercise.”

 

London private members’ club group reports turnover dip in ‘challenging’ environment: Home House Collection, which operates two private members’ clubs in London, has reported revenue fell 2.7% to £22,065,990 for the year ending 31 December 2025 compared with £22,683,912 the previous year. The group, which operates Home House Club in Portman Square and Home Grown Club in Great Cumberland Place, posted EBITDA of £3.0m compared with £3.7m the year before. Pre-tax profit was down to £564,285 from £667,549 the previous year. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased slightly from 49% to 48%. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Despite a challenging environment, Home House Collection has proven resilient to difficult market conditions. This was a year of significant investment in both Home House and Home Grown. Despite the reduction in revenue overall, primarily driven by food and beverage sales, Home House saw solid growth in its private events business, and Home Grown had its strongest performance ever in bedroom sales. The primary cause of the reduced margins was the significant increases in national insurance and minimum wage. The group had an operating cash inflow of £1.5m, from which loan amortisation of £1.6m was made. Our regular assessment of team's happiness scored us above average, and the 360-degree reviews conducted on all managers earlier in the year has supported their personal development. The range of offerings to members continues to be refined. Home House Collection will continue to grow its community while working to retain and hire the very best talent available.” No dividend was paid (2024: nil).

 

Global travel retailer Avolta launches second UK site for Italian restaurant concept: Global travel retailer Avolta has opened a second UK site for its Italian restaurant concept Terracotta, at East Midlands airport. Located in the departure lounge, the restaurant provides seating for up to 185 customers, an open kitchen, central bar and terraced area. Avolta, which has already launched the concept at sister airport Stansted, now operates all food and beverage outlets at East Midlands airport. The opening is the latest in a range of developments at the airport aimed at improving the customer experience. East Midlands airport commercial director Adam Andrews said: “Our collaborative partnership with Avolta as our single food and beverage operator is central to delivering a consistent, high‑performing portfolio across the terminal, ensuring our commercial estate continues to grow in line with our long‑term strategic ambition.”