Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference open for bookings, Humble Crumble founder Kim Innes to speak: The Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference takes place on Thursday, 4 June at Park Plaza Victoria London. The all-day conference, which is organised in conjunction with Ann Elliott, will feature an all-female line-up of sector leaders. These include Kim Innes, founder and chief executive of Humble Crumble, discussing her journey and why she recommends “The Lean Startup”, which advocates the test-feedback-loop process. 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 3,572 operators and 20 new companies today: Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Multi-Site Database today (Friday, 24 April), at 12pm. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,572 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,028 (29%) casual dining operators, 808 (23%) pub and bar operators, 639 (18%) cafe bakery operators, 502 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 296 (8%) hotel operators, 242 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 55 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 20 new companies. The database includes new companies in the pub and bar sector such as Once Upon A Vine, the Yorkshire wine shop, bar and tasting room concept, and Saviour Bars, a group of independent “free house” venues. 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 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Propel Premium Opinion – Market Halls CEO explains why food halls are shaping the future of social-led dining: Dan Hills, the chief executive of Market Halls, will explain why food halls are shaping the future of social-led dining in today’s (Friday, 24 April), Propel Premium Opinion. In the piece, Hills also explores how food halls are becoming part of a wider cultural blueprint. Also in today’s Premium Opinion, which will be sent at 5pm, Geof Collyer, founder of Lavender Bank Partners, looks at the contributors to growth since pre-pandemic for the eight largest quick service restaurant groups in the UK – including Greggs, McDonald’s, Costa Coffee and KFC – and how they have performed relative to a similar size cohort of managed pub groups, with surprising results. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, ponders the future of hospitality in a post-Sir Keir Starmer world and why it will not be defined solely by who takes over, but by how they choose to lead while Propel managing editor Paul Bishop talks to Andy Oliver, co-founder of the award-winning Kolae and Som Saa restaurants, about building the business back up after a fire closed the latter site for six months, and what lies ahead. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

April Tube strike causes London hospitality bookings to drop by 10%: April’s Tube strikes have caused London hospitality bookings to drop by 10%, new research from sector software business Access Hospitality has shown. A second Tube strike this month came into effect at midday yesterday (Thursday, 23 April) and will run to midday today (Friday, 24 April). This will be followed by further strikes from 19-20 May, 21-22 May, 16-17 June and 18-19 June. Access Hospitality has analysed data from its DesignMyNight data platform and revealed that during the first 24-hour strike earlier this week (21-22 April), there was a 10% drop in bookings for venues across London, while cancellations increased by 26%. Managing director Champa Magesh said: “The data paints a clear picture: when London’s transport network grinds to a halt, so does its social scene. Bars and restaurants rely heavily on footfall and last-minute bookings, both of which were severely impacted. The impact on hospitality is evident.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an event venue in London that is seeking an executive head chef. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This is an opportunity to take ownership of a creative, experience-driven concept, where food plays a central role in a unique, entertainment-led environment. There is a strong mix of à la carte fine-dining and private events, corporate dining, canapés and private hire packages.” The salary is up to £65.000. For more information, email yasmin@corecruitment.com

 

Young’s CEO – ‘not seen any trading down on food or drink’, expects a few more single site acquisitions within London this year: Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, has told Propel that the pub company has not experienced any impact on consumer spending from the war in Iran, and on the back of its recent acquisition of Cubitt House, expects “a few more single site acquisitions within London this year”. It comes as Young’s reported a 4.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2026, with total managed house revenue up 4.6%. The company said trading for the full year is expected to be “in line with management’s expectations”. On any impact from the war in Iran on its plans for the year, Dodd told Propel: “We haven’t changed our plans at all, the investments will continue as per our strategy. The recent success of investments at Half Moon Putney, Bath Brew House and The Bear in Oxshott show us that consumers are still going to the pub, especially when the sun shines. As for consumer spending, there has been no difference. Consumers are still choosing premium drinks – spritz, cocktails, Jubel (we have a new flavour launching next week), Hawkstone and Asahi are all performing exceptionally well. We haven’t currently seen any trading down on food or drink.” This week, the business completed the acquisition of London gastropub operator Cubitt House for circa £29m, which comprises eight pubs and one in development. On further growth opportunities for the 290-strong business, Dodd said: “We will look to grow sensibly over the next few years and are always looking at opportunities to grow the business to our target of circa 350 pubs. Cubitt House will keep us busy for the next few months, but I do expect a few more single site acquisitions within London this year.”

Exclusive – Redefining Dining Co ‘entering structured rollout phase’ for Cattle & Co concept: Redefining Dining Co, the South Wales hospitality group behind The Welsh House, Salvatore’s Pizzeria and The Wine House, has told Propel that it is “entering a structured rollout phase” for its four-strong Cattle & Co smokehouse concept. The 12-strong Redefining Dining Co acquired the then two-strong Cattle & Co in February last year and has subsequently added two further sites under the concept. The group told Propel that it plans ten additional sites, initially under the concept, stretching across Wales, the Midlands and the south west. Redefining Dining Co said it is advancing the rollout of Cattle & Co following a period of repositioning. The company said since the acquisition of the concept, it has delivered a full operational and commercial transformation, including a rebrand, menu optimisation and the implementation of structured operating systems. The group said the concept is now trading with “greater consistency and stronger commercial performance”. To support the next phase of growth, Redefining Dining Co has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Nathan Evans, formerly of Haven and Coffee#1, as chief operating officer. Evans will oversee operational delivery across the group, with a focus on “consistency, scalability, and performance as the business continues to expand”. The company said it is now entering a structured rollout phase, targeting a mix of high street and hospitality-led locations across the UK. The group said: “The next stage of growth will also include preparations for entry into the franchise market, with the model built around repeatable unit economics and clearly defined operating systems.” Evans said: “We’ve focused on building a strong operational foundation first by redefining the concept, strengthening the team and ensuring consistency across sites. The next step is scaling the business in a structured way, and the rollout of Cattle & Co represents a key part of that strategy.” Redefining Dining Co operates five sites under The Welsh House concept.

 

Ardent Pub Group MD – ‘year-on-year growth has given us the confidence to plan for up to seven more pubs, with three close to being signed off’: Year-on-year growth at Ardent Pub Group – formerly JKS Pubs – has given the London business the confidence to plan for up to seven more pubs, with three close to being signed off, founder and managing director Dominic Jacobs has told Propel. Ardent, which rebranded from JKS in December and has backing from a US investor, currently has three sites – The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea, The George in Fitzrovia and The Hound in Chiswick. Propel columnist Glynn Davis, in conversation with Jacobs in today’s (Friday, 24 April) Friday Opinion, wrote: “Ardent Group is 50% up on its business case that was put to its new investors recently, and Jacobs says it is enjoying 30% year-on-year growth across its three sites. This has given him the confidence to plan for up to seven more pubs, and he reveals three are close to being signed off.” In the column, Jacobs also tells Davis that his pubs have “never been hotter in the US” as social media followings help certain pubs “effectively become brands” – as Davis explores the opportunity for pubs to tap into the demand from international visitors by introducing their own merchandise ranges. You can read more of Davis’ thoughts in Friday Opinion, which will be sent out today at 11am.

 

Stonegate Pub Partners completes 160 development schemes in first half of financial year: Stonegate Group’s leased and tenanted division, Pub Partners, has said it has completed 160 development schemes in the first half of its financial year, underlining its “continued commitment to investing in its pubs and supporting publicans to drive sustainable growth”. The business said the development programme has focused on targeted, high-impact improvements across the estate, including upgrades to pub interiors and exteriors, enhancements to outdoor trading spaces and projects designed to help “publicans maximise sales opportunities and elevate the guest experience”. Stonegate said the investment forms part of a wider £40m investment planned across the year. The company said: “Performance data shows that invested pubs are consistently outperforming both non-invested sites within the estate and the wider market, highlighting the tangible returns from targeted capital expenditure and the continued strength of the Pub Partners model.” Stonegate said tthe strength of the leased and tenanted business is reflected in continued demand for its pubs, with an average of seven applicants for every pub let and publican tenure at its strongest level to date. Dan Castle, managing director of Stonegate Pub Partners, said: “We are committed to always being a long-term partner to our publicans, and our performance in the first half of the year reflects that continued focus. Completing 160 development schemes in just six months demonstrates both the pace at which our teams are working with publicans to invest in our businesses, and the importance we place on helping them succeed. What's particularly encouraging is the clear correlation between investment and pub performance.” Stonegate chief executive David McDowall 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.

 

Nando’s to open 500th site in Uk and Ireland next week: Nando’s will open its 500th site in the UK and Ireland on Wednesday (29 April) in Leatherhead, Surrey. The 72-cover restaurant in the town’s Church Street will be headed up by general manager Robeal Fisaheye, who has worked for the brand for more than 12 years, starting as a griller in Tooting, south London. He will head up a team of 38 “Nandocas”, 30 of which are new hires. Since opening in the UK in 1992 in Ealing, West London, Nando's has grown to 427 restaurants in England, 35 in Scotland, 14 in Wales, 11 in Northern Ireland and 13 in the Republic of Ireland. The business now employs more than 20,000 people (Nandocas) in the UK, with 77% of new hires aged between 16-24 years old and more than 1,500 of these starting their first job. More than 1,300 “Nandocas” have worked for the business for ten or more years, with more than 100 of them having worked at Nando's for in excess of 20 years. The company has also enrolled more than 900 apprentices across its operational and central support functions. Mark Standish, Nando's chief executive UK and Ireland, told Propel: “Opening our 500th restaurant in the UK and Ireland is a proud moment for Nando's, and one that belongs to all our people – past and present – who have each played their part in reaching this incredible milestone. When we open a restaurant, it's not just about great food, it's about bringing people together and becoming part of the local community.  We're proud to create jobs, support local causes and make a real difference in the places we call home.” 

 

Wren Pubs hires Rupert Clevely as non-executive chairman: Wren Pubs, the independent London hospitality group founded by Jack Greenall, has hired Rupert Clevely, founder of Geronimo Inns and Hippo Inns, as its new non-executive chairman, as it prepares for its next phase of expansion. Clevely brings significant experience in building and scaling premium pub businesses. He founded Geronimo Inns in 1995, growing it into one of London’s leading food-led pub groups before its sale to Young’s. He later established Hippo Inns in partnership with Enterprise Inns and has been involved in a number of other hospitality ventures, including as an early-stage investor and chairman of Pizza Pilgrims. In his new role, Wren Pubs said Clevely will work closely with Greenall to support the strategic growth of the business, providing guidance as the group expands its footprint. Wren Pubs operates The Carpenter's Arms, The Walmer Castle and The Surprise and recently announced it will open its fourth pub in Sloane Square, taking over the former Botanist site, later this year. Clevely said: “Jack has built something very compelling with Wren – a business with a clear identity and strong fundamentals. My role is to be there as a sounding board – to offer perspective, share experience, and, hopefully, help avoid a few of the mistakes I made along the way.” Greenall added: “Rupert is one of the most respected figures in the industry and brings invaluable experience at exactly the right time for us. As we look to grow Wren in a considered way, cherishing our existing pubs while developing new ones, his perspective and support will be hugely important, both strategically and operationally.”

 

Almost a third of Domino’s shareholders oppose new remuneration policy: Almost a third of Domino’s Pizza Group shareholders have opposed the company’s new remuneration policy at its annual general meeting (AGM). A total of 29.93% of shareholders voted against the policy, which has been updated in line with the company’s normal three-year cycle. Concerns included “excessive potential pay” with the policy introducing a hybrid long-term share plan that could allow the chief executive to receive up to 175% of their annual salary. Domino’s stated: “As part of this process, the remuneration committee engaged in an extensive consultation process regarding its proposals with shareholders representing approximately 75% of the share capital. The board considers the approved amendments to the remuneration policy ensure the policy is better aligned with the company's strategy and provides for performance-based remuneration structures that enable the company to recruit, motivate and retain world-class leadership to drive long-term shareholder value. The remuneration policy was approved with 70.07% of votes in favour. However, 29.93% of votes cast were against the resolution. The remuneration committee will consult with shareholders to ensure it fully understands their views and will reflect on further feedback. In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the board will publish an update within six months of the AGM.” Domino’s reported the first quarter of 2026 represented an encouraging start to the year, with positive total system sales, like‑for‑like sales and order growth compared with the same period last year. The company said total system sales increased by 5.8%, including like‑for‑like growth of 4.5%, while total orders rose by 2.3%, with like‑for‑like orders up 0.9%.

 

Individual Restaurants unveils new design for Piccolino as it marks 25th anniversary: Individual Restaurants has unveiled a new chapter for Piccolino with a new design, as the brand marks its 25th anniversary. The company said evolving the brand responds to a “clear shift in how guests choose to spend their time, with expectations higher and competition sharper”. The Piccolino restaurant in Chester is the first to unveil the new look, which will be rolled out across the 21-strong estate. The new design introduces “a more elevated yet relaxed aesthetic”. Toni Dennan, sales and marketing director at Individual Restaurants, said: “Piccolino has always been about more than just food. For 25 years, it’s been a place where people come together to celebrate, connect and create memories. This evolution is about honouring that legacy while shaping the next chapter. Dining out today is about experience, about how a place makes you feel. With Chester, we’ve created something that feels more contemporary, more expressive and more in tune with modern occasions; while staying true to everything our guests love about Piccolino.” Earlier this week, Individual Restaurants relaunched Club IR, the group’s loyalty platform, with a renewed focus on “long-term value, meaningful rewards and experience-led benefits” including the return of cashback.

 

Padel operator targets £5m revenue and 20 sites by year end: Vida del Padel, which currently operates six sites across the country, is stepping up its expansion plans after refurbishing its first venue as part of a wider growth push. The Business Desk reports that Vida del Padel will relaunch its Lincoln site on Saturday, 2 May following a significant upgrade, as the business looks to strengthen its position in a fast-growing market. The company, founded in 2025, is targeting 20 sites by the end of 2026. Vida del Padel said it has already attracted more than 120,000 players and is generating around £2m in annual revenue, with plans to exceed £5m over the next year. The business was set up by Ross Carlin, Cory Skrzypkowski and Jan Skrzypkowski after discovering padel overseas, and has grown without external investment. The Lincoln relaunch forms part of a strategy to invest in existing locations while continuing to roll out new sites, particularly in regional markets. Vida del Padel said the venue is designed to function as both a sports facility and a social space, targeting a mix of experienced players and newcomers as interest in padel continues to rise in the UK.

 

Hotel group reports ‘remarkable year of progress’ with record turnover of £27.2m: Hotel group London Town Group of Companies has reported a “remarkable year of progress” as it reported turnover increased to a record £27,175,203 for the year ending 30 June 2025 compared with £26,802,095 the previous year. Pre-tax profit fell to £641,932 from £2,748,707 as administrative expenses and costs rose by circa £1m each. The company operates circa 20 hotels across the UK including Indigo Paddington, Comfort Inn Bayswater and Notting Hill, and Mercure Hyde Park, Kensington, Paddington and Nottingham. The group also has a commercial portfolio, mainly in Kenya, which generated rent of £2,046,447 (2024: £2,510,100). In his report accompanying the accounts, director Koolesh Shah said: “This year, we focused on repositioning our current assets to maximise their long-term value and market appeal. Key among these efforts is the Mercure Paddington, where we have obtained planning approval for a significant redevelopment. This strategic enhancement will allow us to elevate the property’s status and align it with the evolving demands of the London market, enhancing both guest experience and asset value. The company has shown remarkable progress this year, reinforcing its resilience and adaptability. This year's financial success has been underpinned by several strategic initiatives aimed at elevating customer experiences, optimising asset performance and expanding our presence within key markets. Our hotel operations, particularly within the London estate, have continued to benefit from the uptrend in both domestic and international tourism, as well as our investments in customer-focused technology.” The company, which was established in 1984, had net asset value of £148.6m (2024: £148.2m). No dividends were paid (2024: nil).

 

Chickpea Group to open tenth site, and first in Hampshire, next month: Chickpea Group, the hospitality business founded by siblings Ethan and Jordan Davids along with Tommy Tullis, will open its tenth site, and first in Hampshire, next month. The group will open The Great Decoy in the village of Hurstbourne Tarrant. Previously known as The George & Dragon, the pub has been renamed by the Chickpea team following research into the area’s wartime history. During the Second World War, the site of the pub and the surrounding countryside was used as part of a network of decoy sites designed to mislead enemy aircraft by drawing bombing raids away from strategic targets. The pub has undergone an extensive renovation over several months, transforming the space into a pub with rooms and utilising the many cosy nooks and corners. There will be space for around 90 covers inside and a further 60 outside, while upstairs will be eight bedrooms. The menu will feature a mix of Chickpea favourites, including its pies made by the team at sister pub, The Pembroke Arms in Wilton. There will also be Quarr Cross Venison steak frites with peppercorn sauce and beer battered fish and chips with smashed peas and curry sauce. Ethan Davids said: “The Decoy will be everything one expects from a country pub with bedrooms. More broadly, the Great Decoy marks our ongoing commitment to constant but considered growth. The pub is the beating heart of rural living, which is why we get such a buzz from bringing them back to life.”

 

Team behind Maray to open new bar concept in Chester: QVO Hospitality, the parent company of north west, Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar concept Maray, is to open a new destination bar in Chester called Café Barbette. The site will open in Chester’s Northgate scheme, joining the group’s latest Maray site, which opened last year. On Café Barbette, the company said: “Inspired by the relaxed charm of a European café and elevated by the precision of a destination bar, this is a venue designed to shift seamlessly on weekends from easy-going daytime drinks to a vibrant, music-led evening atmosphere. Expect a curated wine list, punchy cocktails and a simple, elegant, produce-led menu, built for sharing and all delivered with real attention to detail.” QVO Hospitality operates a group of restaurants and bars across the north west that also comprises Buyers Club, a neighbourhood bar and pizza and pasta kitchen in Liverpool, and The One O’Clock Gun, an independent pub at the Royal Albert Dock in the city. The original Maray site opened in Liverpool’s Bold Street in 2014, followed by its second site, at the Royal Albert Dock in 2019, and third, in Manchester city centre, in 2022.

 

Upmarket hotel operator narrows losses as turnover grows to record £17.7m: Luxury Family Hotels, the trading name of MBO Hotels, which runs five upmarket destination hotels, has reported turnover grew to a record £17,674,822 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £15,463,524 the year before. Loss before taxation was £7,502,700 compared with £8,149,364 the previous year. The company operates Fowey Hall in Cornwall, Moonfleet Manor in Dorset, New Park Manor in the New Forest, and The Ickworth and Woolley Grange, both in Suffolk. The company stated: “Fowey Hall, Moofleet Manor and New Park Manor have all been refurbished and provided positive impact on revenue, profit and guest satisfaction. Woolley Grange and The Ickworth refurbishments started in 2025 and are continuing.” Revpar increased to £154 from £139 the year before. Rooms revenue was up to £10,176,000 from £8,751,000 the previous year. No dividend was paid (2023: nil).

 

Hotel operator Kabannas places two sites on market: Hotel operator Kabannas, which was founded in 2023 and backed by Whitebridge Ventures, has placed its sites in Liverpool and Newcastle on the market, with offers in excess of £7.5m sought for the pair.  Offering 216 bed spaces across a range of flexible rooms, Kabannas Liverpool is a 48-bedroom hybrid hotel in the city’s Cavern Quarter, which has recently undergone a significant refurbishment, upgrading its rooms as well as food and beverage zones. Also recently refurbished, Kabannas Newcastle is a 52-room hybrid hotel at Carliol Square, which offers 233 bed spaces as well as food and beverage facilities. Kabannas Liverpool is on the market with a freehold asking price of offers in excess of £4.5m, and Kabannas Newcastle is on the market with a leasehold asking price of offers in excess of £3m. The two hotels are available individually or as a package. Christie & Co is marketing the hotels. Kabannas is currently refurbishing its other hotel, in London St Pancras, and its set to open a site in Edinburgh.

 

London artisan ice cream business to open second parlour: London artisan ice cream business Ice Cream Union is to open its second parlour. Established 20 years ago by Alex Fubini, the company began life serving directly from its warehouse in Bermondsey, supplying pubs, restaurants and hotels across the capital. In 2019, the business opened its first parlour, in Pavilion Road in Chelsea. Now, a second will open in June, in Ganton Street, Soho. The venue will offer a rotating menu of ice cream including signature flavours such as banana split and Dulce de Leche, alongside seasonal fruit sorbet and new creations. Fubini said: “We are excited to be bringing our ice cream to guests in Soho. We want to create a space with a central island thus breaking the boundary between server and customer offering a relaxed environment to discover our range of flavours.”

  

Former Noble Inns team to open second pub: Antidote Project, the vehicle from Maria and Scott Hunter, who were previously behind the Noble Inns group, is gearing up to open a second pub. Antidote Project is set to open The Piglet on the site of the Ye Olde Whyte Lyon in Orpington, south east London, in June. The site is set to be “a farm-to-fork pub rooted in great produce”. At the end of 2021, the Hunters opened The Pig’s Head in Clapham Old Town – “an independent, farm-to-fork pub” – that works primarily with regenerative farms to “ensure the food on our guests’ plates is as good and as sustainable as possible”. Noble Inns currently operates The Albion, The Pig & Butcher, The Princess of Shoreditch and Bistro Sablé in London.

 

Northern Ireland bubble tea brand looking to expand to rest of UK through franchising: Northern Ireland bubble tea brand Teahouse Boba is looking to expand to the rest of UK through franchising. Describing itself as the premium bubble tea brand and Asian food franchise in Northern Ireland, Teahouse Boba was founded in Belfast in 2019. The company, which has a flagship store in the city as well as a franchise location in Dungannon, was among the exhibitors at last weekend’s International Franchise Show at London’s ExCel. Founders James and Wenwen Strickland said: “Growing up in China, we were always drawn to the vibrant flavours, playful tapioca pearls, and the joy that bubble tea brought to every moment. Inspired by this, we set out to share that same joy with our community in Northern Ireland. Tea House Boba is more than bubble tea – our menu includes premium Asian street food items that drive additional revenue and keep customers longer. We partner with specialist UK suppliers to give franchisees access to quality ingredients they couldn't source independently.” The company said its revenue mix is 80-85% beverages, 10-15% Asian street food and 3-5% retail and other.

 

Suffolk boutique hotel Caister Hall acquired by technology training business, Michelin-starred restaurant to remain open: Suffolk boutique hotel Caister Hall has been acquired by technology training business Quadmark Group, which plans to convert it into a learning hub for its teams and clients. Current owners Brasted’s, which purchased the 20-bedroom hotel in 2021, said it will honour existing bookings, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall will remain open as usual. The Norfolk catering and events company said the decision to leave Caistor Hall was due to the “extremely difficult issues” facing the hospitality industry, compounded by planning restrictions at the site. “It is against this background that we have taken the decision that the best course of action for our business is to leave Caistor Hall,” said Nick Mills, Brasted’s managing director. “We are disappointed we have not been able to realise the dreams and objectives we had for the hotel and its 32 acres. This has generated the need for a new direction for this beautiful Georgian property, and we are delighted and reassured the new owners will preserve its wonderful heritage.” Helen Earl, chief executive of Quadmark, who grew up in Norfolk, added: “I have always loved Caistor Hall, so the opportunity to bring it into our business was incredibly special. I am very conscious that Caistor Hall is a much-loved landmark in Norfolk and we are committed to preserving its character and heritage. At the same time, we’re excited to create a learning hub that brings people from around the world into the region and contributes positively to the local economy.”