New Byron owner – ‘strategy is to revive heritage hospitality businesses, focus on restoring Byron to relevance and profitability’: Niyamo Capital, the new owner of Byron, has said it is focused on restoring the better burger brand to “relevance and profitability” – and the acquisition is a major step in its strategy to revive “heritage hospitality businesses” through operational restructuring, technology integration and global market expansion. Propel revealed in October that Byron had staved off a further restructuring after raising additional equity to continue to “rebuild and grow”. At the weekend, it was revealed Niyamo Capital, which was founded and is led by 21-year-old entrepreneur Akshat Tibrewala, was behind the new investment in the seven-strong Byron. Niyamo has invested circa £2.5m for a majority stake in Byron, with Calveton UK remaining as minority investor. The pair said the collaboration marks an alignment of “youthful vision and seasoned industry expertise” – aimed at restoring “one of Britain’s most recognisable dining names to relevance and profitability”. Under Niyamo’s leadership, Byron’s next phase will focus on “sustainable, data-driven growth while modernising the guest experience and revamping the menu”. Niyamo said efforts are already underway to streamline UK operations. It said: “The culinary direction will evolve to introduce new formats and flavours while staying true to Byron’s core identity of serving proper burgers. Simultaneously, Byron is investing in technology, including CRM systems, loyalty platforms and cloud kitchens, to improve reach and customer experience.” The investment firm said brand equity will be rebuilt through a refreshed visual identity and “social-first storytelling to connect with digitally engaged audiences”. It said: “A combination of targeted UK growth and international expansion, including flagship openings in Dubai and other global hospitality centres, will position Byron for its next wave of relevance.” Tibrewala said: “Today, we’re opening a new chapter: one that honours the brand’s soul while building a stronger financial and operational foundation for the future. By addressing the structural inefficiencies that challenged the brand in the past, from high rents and overheads to shifting consumer behaviour, we’re positioning Byron for long-term resilience. At the same time, we’re reintroducing the brand to a new generation of diners who value authenticity, digital convenience, and meaningful experiences.” Niyamo Capital currently manages assets across hospitality, technology and lifestyle ventures across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It said it is now focused on expanding into key global markets such as Dubai, “targeting the next generation of diners, particularly Generation Z, who are reshaping dining trends through social media and experiential culture”. Tibrewala said he sees the UK as the ideal base for this expansion, given its growing influence among “younger, experience-driven audiences”. 

 

Dishoom co-founder Kavi Thakrar among speakers at 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Kavi Thakrar, co-founder of Dishoom, will be among the speakers at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Thakrar will talk to Mark Stretton, chief executive of Fleet Street Communications, about what drives Dishoom – the tenets of the brand, the importance of poetry, why the hospitality imperative always trumps growth and what bringing “seva” to every guest means. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its eighth edition, and tickets are on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are open for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 20 and 21 January at Hilton Bankside in London. A bigger venue allows for a dual-stage format, meaning more content than ever before. The conference will focus on technology, marcomms strategies, proposition, brand building, the latest market insights, digital developments and diversification of revenue streams. It is designed for customer focused chief executives, senior marketers, technology and innovation teams, as well as investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. For the full speaker schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £950 plus VAT for the two days. Propel Premium Club subscribers receive a 20% discount. To book, email: rmi@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (5 December). The database will show the details of 182 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 11,986-word report on the 182 new additions to the database. It 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 cafe bakery sector such as Little Julie’s, launching in London’s Holland Park, Paris Baguette, the South Korean bakery brand opening its second UK site, in Westfield London, and north west coffee shop concept Parliament Square Coffee opening a new flagship location in Liverpool. 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 and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Longbow Venues founder – rate hikes are ‘unsustainable for UK pubs, restaurants and hotels’: Rob Hattersley, founder and managing director of Peak District operator Longbow Venues, has said the Budget delivered “yet another attack on pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses already at breaking point”. He revealed the rateable value on one of his pubs will rise from £49,000 to £205,000 – a 318% increase. Hattersley said the sharp rise directly contradicts the government’s repeated promises to support British businesses and reform the business rates system. He said: “A 318% increase is nothing short of another attack on businesses that simply cannot absorb these costs. We cannot just pass these costs on to guests. People are already watching their spending, and we are doing everything we can to keep prices fair and accessible. Businesses like ours are being squeezed from every direction. Hospitality has been absorbing hit after hit – rising wages, rising energy, rising duty, rising tax – all while guests are spending less. This Budget feels like a stab in the back for an industry that employs millions and keeps local communities alive. The chancellor said she wished to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. Right now, what we are seeing is the opposite. Independent pubs and restaurants are being priced out of existence.” Longbow Venues currently operates six sites, and The Charleston in Bakewell will open in early 2026. Hattersley warned rural destinations such as the Peak District, which rely heavily on small, independent businesses, will be hit hardest. He added: “Hospitality does not want handouts; we want a fair playing field. Without immediate action, the closures already happening across the country will only accelerate.”

 

UKHospitality Scotland – ‘changes to visitor levy legislation welcome but need to work for businesses’: UKHospitality Scotland has said changes to the country’s visitor levy legislation are “welcome but need to work for businesses”. The Scottish government will bring forward changes to give councils the power to set flat rate charges for the levy. This will be in addition to the option to use a percentage fee. The government said it will also clarify how the levy is to be applied to sales via third parties, such as booking platforms. While it remains opposed to visitor levies, UKHospitality Scotland said these changes are positive and recognise the concerns with the current legislation that businesses have raised. Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “UKHospitality Scotland highlighted at the outset that a flat rate charge would be simpler, easier to administer and less costly to business, than a percentage. Given the current legislation is unworkable, we welcome the Scottish government is being pragmatic in working with industry to address the challenges. This is a key step towards fixing the problematic existing legislation and we look forward to engaging with the Scottish government, opposition parties and councils on the proposed changes. While these changes are positive, we remain opposed to the introduction of charges on guests and visitors. At a time when the country desperately needs economic growth, making holidaying and visiting Scotland more expensive through tax is counter intuitive and I would encourage local authorities to consider the impacts of a levy carefully.”

 

Shaftesbury Capital reports buoyant West End footfall and occupancy: Shaftesbury Capital has said it saw buoyant footfall and occupancy across its West End portfolio in the three months to 31 October 2025, and said its estate is well positioned for the Christmas trading period and beyond. The real estate investment trust reported strong year-to-date leasing activity, with 367 transactions securing £30.2m of new contracted rent – 9% ahead of December 2024 estimated rental values and 14% above previous passing rents. In the second half alone, Shaftesbury said 174 deals worth £11m were signed, continuing the trend of rental uplifts. Occupancy remained high, with just 2.6% of estimated rental values available to let and a further 1.5% under offer. Shaftesbury highlighted robust trading conditions across its West End portfolio, supported by strong footfall and new openings in Covent Garden, Soho, Carnaby Street and Chinatown. Flagship launches included Harry’s Bar, premium sushi concept Sushinoya and Burro, a new concept from the team behind Trullo in Covent Garden. Shaftesbury Capital chief executive Ian Hawksworth said: “Our West End estates are busy and vibrant through this important trading period, with high occupancy, footfall and sales volumes. As customers continue to prioritise the highest quality locations, enduring demand for our exceptional portfolio together with strong performance and a healthy leasing pipeline give us confidence in our medium-term targets.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a Central London hotel that is looking for a director of sales. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “Responsibilities include identifying and growing new business, developing long-term client relationships, organising in-market sales tours, acting as the market-segment specialist and working closely with the general manager while reporting to the vice-president of sales. The ideal candidate will be an experienced hotel sales director with strong industry knowledge, exceptional negotiation and business development skills.” The salary is up to £75,000. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

 

Plan Burrito – ‘we’re looking for brand dominance’, five openings lined up in next six months and in talks on 13 prospective locations: Tex Mex franchise Plan Burrito has told Propel “we’re looking for brand dominance” as it lines up five openings in the next six months and said it is in talks on 13 prospective locations. Plan Burrito was founded in 2015 by former industrial pipe fitter Stephen Hopper, after finding himself disappointed at the high street Tex-Mex offerings. It has since grown to 15 locations, with Treforest set to open later this month for its second Welsh location – the first having opened last month in Swansea. This will be followed by Stevenage in January and Lincoln in February, with further launches planned for Crawley in April and west London in May. An additional 13 prospective locations are “in various stages of discussions”. Speaking at the Propel Franchisor Showcase, Hopper said: “We realised early on franchising was the quickest way to get brand dominance, and that’s effectively what we’re looking for. We opened our first franchise site in 2022, and we’re at 15 now, so we’re going like the clappers. We opened six in as many months in 2023 and then decided to slow it down to increase our support and bring some experienced helping hands in.” Hopper previously said the business has the potential for 500 UK sites long-term and 100 by 2028 but has revised those targets slightly. He said: “Having 100 by 2030 is realistic. If we get a couple of area development investors or master license holders, we can blow that target out of the water due to the low start-up costs. Total potential is 250-300. We would also be open to master licence discussions for international expansion. We’re open to conversations with multi and single unit franchisees. We’re in discussions with some master franchisees and open to talking to others.” The Plan Burrito franchise currently offers two models – restaurant and grab and go – but Hopper said he is open to exploring kiosks to go into food courts. The company is seeking high footfall locations, such as universities and travel hubs, with units of 800 to 1,200 square feet – offering a “low-cost labour model with no extraction”. Plan Burrito was one of ten up-and-coming food and beverage franchisors which presented at the Propel Franchisor Showcase. All ten videos from the Showcase are being sent to Propel subscribers, with the Plan Burrito video going out at 9am today (Wednesday, 3 December).

 

London Japanese secures first Scottish site, set to sign second overseas partner: Gluten-free, London Japanese pancake concept CA Japanese Pancakes has secured its first Scottish site and is set to sign its second overseas partner. Propel revealed in September that the concept, which is led by Marco Molone and currently operates sites in London’s Victoria and Chiswick, has signed its first international franchise partner, in Munich, Germany. It is now closing in on a deal to expand to expand to Bucharest, Romania, as well as securing a site for its first site in Scotland, in Edinburgh. Molone said: “In just a few years, CA Japanese Pancakes has moved from a ‘London foodie idea’ to an emerging international brand. We started with a tiny flagship in Victoria, added our neighbourhood site in Chiswick, and then took the first step outside the UK with a franchise signed in Munich. This week, we’ve received the franchise deposit for Edinburgh, so CA Japanese Pancakes is officially coming to Scotland. At the same time, we are in the final stages of agreeing a franchise in Bucharest, opening our first door into eastern Europe. The plan from here is very clear. In the UK, the next milestone is a company-owned flagship in Soho. Alongside that, franchising becomes our main growth engine, working with a small number of strong local partners in cities like Munich, Edinburgh and Bucharest. Gluten-free and dairy-free Japanese soufflé pancakes are still a blue ocean in Europe. Each new store is not only a profitable local business, but also a mini flagship for the category and for our business.”

 

Just Eat Takeaway founder resigns as CEO just weeks after Prosus deal: Just Eat Takeaway founder Jitse Groen has resigned as chief executive of the delivery company and will be succeeded by Roberto Gandolfo, effective from 1 January 2026. Gandolfo is currently chair of Just Eat Takeaway’s supervisory board and is also head of Prosus Europe, the South-African technology investor that acquired Just Eat Takeaway in October in a £3.6bn deal with the aim of establishing a global delivery giant. Groen founded Just Eat in 2000, growing it from a student-led idea into a takeaway food delivery giant that now has operations in 16 countries. He said: “After a quarter-century as founder and chief executive of Just Eat Takeaway, I am leaving. I am immensely proud of what our team has built, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey.” Gandolfo is a senior executive and entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in technology and platform businesses. He joined Prosus in 2025 after more than a decade at iFood, where he served as chief executive. Under his leadership, the platform scaled from one million to 120 million profitable monthly orders, reached more than 60 million annual customers and expanded to a network of 400,000 merchant partners and 400,000 couriers. Fabricio Bloisi, chief executive of Prosus, will replace Gandolfo as chair of the delivery company’s supervisory board. Bloisi said: “Very few founders can claim to have built a company that reaches this level of scale, impact and relevance. Jitse’s contribution will remain a defining part of Just Eat Takeaway’s history and future. As Just Eat Takeaway enters this next phase under Prosus ownership, our focus is on execution and delivery for our customers and partners. We will move fast to transform Just Eat Takeaway through a focus on product, customer and innovation.”

 

MJMK Restaurants hires Ben Hedley as marketing director: London restaurant operator MJMK Restaurants – which is behind Casa do Frango, AngloThai, KOL, Lisboeta and Fonda – has hired Ben Hedley, formerly of Burger & Lobster and Chotto Matte, as its new marketing director. Hedley has been working as a consultant for the past two years, after a brief stint as global marketing director at Chotto Matte, the Nikkei cuisine concept founded by Kurt Zdesar. Prior to that, he co-founded Neyba, the “multi-cuisine kitchen and grocer” concept, with Burger & Lobster founder Misha Zelman. Previous to that, Hedley was director of marketing global for Burger & Lobster for more than three years. He also spent more than two years overseeing sales and marketing at The Fat Duck Group. In September, MJMK Restaurants opened contemporary Portuguese restaurant Luso to replace Lisboeta at 30 Charlotte Street in London’s Fitzrovia. Earlier this year, the business, which was founded in 2018 by Jake Kasumov and Marco Mendes, told Propel it would focus on its existing UK estate over the coming 12 months but had begun to explore opportunities in the US, Middle East and Far East.

 

Jenki – ‘our new Canary Wharf site has been strongest launch to date’: London matcha bar concept Jenki has told Propel its new site in Canary Wharf has been its “strongest launch to date”. Founded in 2020 by Claudia and Otto Boyer, the business opened the venue at Unit 92 in Jubilee Place – its fifth in total – last month. Jenki said it had a record opening with more than 1,000 customers served on launch day. Jenki said it continued to see “exceptional growth” at its Spitalfields location – its longest-standing store – achieving more than 40% like-for-like growth across the summer, “demonstrating both sustained loyalty and increased demand”. The business, which is preparing to open its sixth site, at Battersea Power Station, said its iced matcha latte has remained its best-performing product, “reinforcing our focus on high-quality matcha and customer appetite for premium, functional beverages”. It comes as Jenki was awarded matcha brand of the year 2025 at the European Coffee & Hospitality Awards in Berlin.

 

SSP to expand F&B footprint at Belfast International: SSP Group, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, will open a series of new and refreshed units as part of Belfast International airport’s £100m investment programme. The airport said it has embarked on a five-year journey to transform passenger experiences, with improvements already underway such as its new state-of-the-art security hall. In the next phase of the redevelopment, SSP will invest in and grow its existing operations to nine units to deliver a “greater range of food and beverage outlets offering something for everyone”. SSP said it will operate a diverse airside and landside portfolio including a new casual dining restaurant alongside grab-and-go options such as Soul & Grain from its own portfolio, Starbucks and Burger King. These will be complemented by several other new and refreshed units. This includes the airport bar, The Lagan, which will increase its capacity and be given a new look, and a new 300-cover premium bar and kitchen concept. Kari Daniels, chief executive of SSP UK & Ireland, said: “We have worked with Belfast International airport for more than two decades, so we’re excited to be growing our footprint together once again at such a pivotal moment in the airport's history. The changes we're making as part of its redevelopment will showcase the best Northern Ireland has to offer for those living in and visiting the city.”

 

Nando’s lodges plans for new Lancashire restaurant: Nando’s has lodged plans for a new restaurant in Chorley, Lancashire. The company has submitted an application to Chorley Council to open the site in Market Walk. Last month, Nando’s said it is set to open 14 new restaurants in its current financial year, to the end of February 2026. It came as the company reported revenue grew 8% to £1.48bn for the year to 23 February 2025, up from £1.36bn in 2024, as “strong customer demand” helped drive an increase in sales volumes. Meanwhile, operating profit more than doubled to £146.6m for the year from £59.8m, boosted by stronger sales and a one-off receipt. However, it said increased cost pressures will affect its performance for the current financial year.

 

Shake Shack confirms plans to open in Manchester: US better burger brand Shake Shack has confirmed it will make its debut in the north west, with an opening in Manchester, next March. Propel revealed last month that the brand was to open in the former Costa Coffee site in the Great Hall area of the Trafford Centre after agreeing a deal with landlord Pradera Lateral. Richard Franks, business director at Shake Shack UK, said: “Manchester's a city that does things proper; it's full of heart, graft and great taste. We’re so pumped to be growing Shake Shack across the UK, and to be opening our first northern site, at the Trafford Centre.” Last month, Shake Shack opened on the former Giraffe Stop site on the mezzanine level at King’s Cross station, for its 18th UK venue.

 

Urban Leisure Group to open tenth site next spring: Urban Leisure Group (ULG) is to open its tenth site next spring.  It has secured a 7,500 square-foot all-day space as the anchor hospitality site in the new Brent Cross Town development, in north west London, on Neighbourhood Square. With a mix of indoor dining and alfresco seating, the new site will offer a social hub open from morning through to late night. Guests can expect “seasonal dishes, excellent wines and cocktails and a large selection of beers on tap, all served in ULG’s signature informal, design-led setting”. The venue will also feature a retail section, selling beer, wine, gifts and other provisions. An events programme will run throughout the year, and the space will also be available for private hire. “We’re delighted to be joining the Brent Cross community,” said ULG director Hezi Yechiel. “Our venues are designed to bring the neighbourhood together over great food and drink and the shared love of the local. We’re excited to offer a space where people can expect quality dishes and drinks, connection, relaxation and a great time.”

 

East Midlands airport to launch new F&B offers with £2.5m investment: East Midlands airport is to invest £2.5m on upgrading its departure lounge this winter, with new stores and restaurants, including a Terracotta Italian Kitchen opening from HMSHost. The new Terracotta Italian Kitchen will replace the Big Table Group-owned Frankie & Benny’s in the departure lounge, which has occupied one of the largest airport units for many years. It will be the second site opened under Terracotta Italian Kitchen, joining a sister site at London Stansted, “offering a modern take on Italian cuisine”. With capacity for 185 customers, the restaurant area at the East Midlands airport’s Terracotta Italian Kitchen will be slightly reduced to provide more space for people passing by in the main lounge. Meanwhile, the airport’s Pork & Pickle unit, which offers sandwiches, paninis, cakes and drinks, is undergoing a refurbishment to “revitalise the concept”, along with refreshing the menu and providing more grab and go options. East Midlands Airport’s commercial director Adam Andrews said: “We’re about halfway through our £120m five-year investment programme and have already seen some really significant improvements. Now we have more exciting changes taking place over the winter months in our departure lounge to bring a new shopping, eating and drinking experience from next Easter.”

 

Federal Café to open in Leeds this month for fourth site: Manchester cafe concept Federal Café will open its first site outside the city, in Leeds, this month. Propel revealed in July that the three-strong Federal Café, which was founded by Claudio Ribeiro in 2014, had taken a ground floor retail unit at 34 Boar Lane. The new 1,500 square-foot venue will seat 70 guests and will launch on Monday, 15 December. Ribeiro said: “Leeds shares so much of the energy we love about Manchester a thriving independent scene and a genuine passion for great food and coffee. Bringing Federal to Yorkshire feels like the perfect next chapter.” In April, Propel revealed Federal Cafe, which offers Australian and New Zealand-inspired brunch dishes, had appointed advisors as it looks to secure new backing to ramp up its expansion plans. It is understood to be working with Will Baxter and Payam Keyghobadi, of Dow Schofield Watts London, on reviewing its options, as it looks at the next stage of its growth journey. Federal Café is also believed to be gearing up to open a fourth site in Manchester in a “super-prime location”. Ribeiro previously said the concept has the potential to grow to more than 50 locations and become a UK-wide business.

 

Jimmy’s Killer Prawns returns to Leicester: South Africa-based Jimmy’s Killer Prawns has made its return to Leicester with a new opening in the city, taking its UK estate to four sites. The brand’s original UK location, at 58a London Road in Leicester, closed last year, but now the brand has reopened at a new site at 123 London Road. The brand, which launched in 1991 and made its UK debut in 2021, opened in a former Barclays Bank, that was most recently a shisha bar, at 235 Derby Road, Nottingham, earlier this year. The venue joined the Jimmy’s Killer Prawns locations at 13-25 Liverpool Road in Manchester and 262 Warwick Road in Birmingham. On the Leicester reopening, the business said: “This opening marks an important milestone in our growth strategy as we reintroduce our signature seafood experience to one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities. Our Leicester restaurant brings: our famous killer prawns and seafood platters; fresh, flavour-packed meals at exceptional value; a warm, family-friendly dining environment; and new jobs and local investment in the community.”

 

London pasta restaurant concept Padella to open third site: London pasta restaurant concept Padella is to open its third site. The concept, founded by Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda, is launching in Kingly Street in Soho in the spring after agreeing a deal with landlord Shaftesbury Capital. Siadatan and Frieda launched Padella in 2016 in Borough Market before opening a restaurant in Shoreditch in 2020. Spanning two floors, the Kingly Street site will have a ground floor restaurant and a downstairs bar and private dining room for up to eight guests. The restaurant will have 80 covers in total. The duo said: “We have always felt the energy of Soho was a perfect fit for Padella and we’ve spent a long time looking for the right space.” Siadatan and Frieda also co-founded Italian restaurant Trullo in Highbury, which opened in 2010. Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, added: “Padella is reflective of the style and calibre of concepts that call Carnaby Street and Soho home. It is a perfect fit for the neighbourhood; a high quality and distinctive restaurant that will undoubtedly prove a popular addition.”

 

North west padel operator Ignite Padel opens third site: North west padel operator Ignite Padel has opened its third site – and second in Liverpool. The centre, comprising six indoor courts and four outdoor covered courts, has launched in Speke. Ignite Padel opened its first site in Liverpool in April, in Queens Drive, with six floodlit outdoor courts. Another site in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire Oaks was launched in September. Stephen Broad, partner at Ignite Padel, said: “We initially looked at building 12 courts in total but had a change of heart for several reasons. Firstly, we wanted to be able to offer more viewing spaces for big tournaments with the International Padel Federation. We also want the local community to be able to use the centre as a hub for a range of different services. Our aim for this Speke site is for it to be a 24-hour site also. Initially when we first open, it will operate from 6am to midnight every day.” At the time of the Ellesmere Port opening, Ignite Padel said it plans to add three more across the region within the next 12 months.

 

Bristol operator opens third site: Bristol operator Giles Coram has opened his third site. Coram and the team behind Caper & Cure and Carmen Street Wine in the city have launched a new bottle shop. Opened next door to Carmen Street Wine and creating an additional 30 covers, Carmen Street Wine Bar & Bottleshop offers bottles to take away, purchase online or drink on site. There is also a menu of produce-led bar snacks, seasonal small plates, charcuterie and cheese. These include moules mariniere, pate en croute and freshly baked madeleines, alongside cheese and house pickles and chutney. At the heart of the space is a large oak table, designed to seat up to 20 guests for special wine tastings, private events and communal dinners. Guests can choose a seat around this or one of the four smaller bistro tables. They are guided by a team headed up by sommelier Holly Purnell-Swan, with the wine list featuring predominantly low-intervention European bottles. Coram said: “As part of this expansion, we’re now importing directly from wineries, which has been a long-term goal of mine. Currently importing from Alto de Pioz near Madrid and Les Gragnotes near Perpignan, in the new year, we’re excited to broaden our portfolio even further, with our sights set on northern Italy for our next direct import partnership.” 

 

Team behind Goodbye Horses launches new wine bar in London’s Islington: The founders of Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery, Alex Young and George de Vos, have opened Stable Wines, a new wine shop and bar, in Islington. Based just off the Essex Road, the wine bar offers an “ever-changing selection of bottles, each handpicked by wine director Nathalie Nelles and general manager Fred Clelland”. Downstairs, in what was once a bank vault, is a room for private diners. The venue also offers a changing menu of artisanal cured meat and cheese, joined by a Goodbye Horses’ staple – the cheese toastie. Young said: “We’re drawn to the unexpected, things that surprise. This lost greenhouse off Essex Road, hiding a staircase to a labyrinthian cellar, is exactly that.” De Vos said: “Wine and food, of course, are a central part of Stable Wines, but so is the sound, light and feel of the space. It’s a place to taste, linger, and slip out of the world for a moment.”

 

Family-owned property investment firm acquires Newcastle’s Pitcher & Piano site: Family-owned property investment firm Cable Properties has acquired the freehold of the Pitcher & Piano site on Newcastle’s Quayside for a sum in excess of the £5.595m guide price. The property comprises 10,885 square feet across the ground, first and part of the second floor. It has capacity for 500 customers on the ground floor and 150 on the first floor, alongside a separate external terrace. The property is fully let to Marston’s Estates on a 35-year lease from 1 March 2014. Peter Atkinson, director in Savills’ Newcastle investment team, which acted for vendor Savills Investment Management on the sale, said: “Pitcher & Piano is prominently located in a unique waterfront setting within one of the city’s prime leisure pitch’s and let on a long lease to a proven tenant. This sought after deal underlines the confidence in the city’s leisure offer and positive long-term prospects for prime real estate in the city.”

 

Ukrainian coffee concept to open third London site: Ukrainian coffee concept Kava has secured its third site in London. Founded by Andrii and Mariia Denysenko, Kava “brings the best specialty coffee experience from Kyiv’s coffee industry”. Kava has a site in Great Portland Street and is also opening in Shoreditch. Now, the business has secured unit 15 in The Sidings at London’s Waterloo station. Kava stated: “Our passion for coffee comes together with ten years of experience in hospitality. We only work with ethically sourced coffee beans, and we aim to become a carbon-negative coffee company.” Dan Brown, of Restaurant Property, acted on behalf of Kava on the Waterloo deal.

 

Greggs opens new Outlet shop in Swindon: Food-to-go retailer Greggs has opened a new Outlet shop in Swindon, Wiltshire. The store, at 78 Cricklade Road, gives customers access to a wide range of discounted Greggs products. The opening marks the latest step in Greggs’ long-standing commitment to tackling food waste and building stronger communities through its nationwide Outlet initiative. First established in 1974, the scheme redistributes surplus food products, typically priced at around 50% less than in a standard Greggs shop, helping customers stretch household budgets while reducing waste. Reducing food waste remains a key priority for Greggs. In 2024, Outlet customers purchased 2.8 million sweet products, 2.7 million sandwiches and 2.4 million savoury items, representing a 17% increase on 2023, with 45% of surplus stock redistributed. Earlier this month, Greggs began trialling a smaller shop format named “Bitesize Greggs”. The company said the format enables the group to offer its products to more customers in high-footfall, prime locations that are constrained by space. The first Bitesize Greggs has opened in Sevenoaks railway station in Kent.

 

IHG Hotels & Resorts opens Hotel Indigo in Torquay: IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened a Hotel Indigo in Torquay. The hotel, in Torbay Road, offers 153 rooms and suites, including 115 standard rooms, 35 premium rooms and three luxury suites. The Root & Reef Bistro serves “the ocean’s freshest catch and the finest Devonshire produce” while The Cast rooftop bar, opening in spring 2026, will offer handcrafted cocktails, small plates and views of the English Riviera. The dog-friendly hotel is also home to a state-of-the-art wellness suite, with treatment rooms and a fitness centre. James Farley, general manager at Hotel Indigo Torquay, said: “We are delighted to introduce the Hotel Indigo brand to the heart of Torquay. This thoughtfully designed hotel combines a relaxed coastal ambience with a refined, design-led aesthetic and a strong connection to the local community, perfectly reflecting the spirit of the English Riviera.”