Utopian Leisure collapse leaves Barclays with £6.85m shortfall: The collapse of Utopian Leisure, the north east operator of restaurants and nightclubs led by former Ultimate Leisure boss Bob Senior, has left Barclays with an estimated £6.86m shortfall on its circa £7.6m of lending to the company. A report by Deloitte, which oversaw a pre-pack administration, reveals that three of the company’s four sites – Fat Buddha and Loveshack in Durham, Box in Belfast and Sam Jacks, Newcastle – were loss-making and required significant capital expenditure to return to generating profit. The company had a £4.46m impairment on its assets in 2013 and made a loss of £419,557 in the first six months of 2014. A discreet marketing exercise undertaken by Deloitte resulted in a single offer of £50,000 for the lease of Loveshack. Existing management, led by Senior, acquired the assets of the business for £511,502 through two new vehicles, Hot Buddha and Ulysses Leisure. The sale came with an “anti-embarrassment clause” whereby the administration estate will benefit from 90% of any upside achieved in a further sale by Ulysses in the six months after the date of transaction. Of the sale to Utopian assets to Bob Senior’s companies in a pre-pack, administrator Daniel Butters said: “We are pleased to have completed a sale of the trading entities of the Utopian Leisure Group. The structure of the transaction allows the trading subsidiaries and the licensed venues to operate as usual and all employees to be retained.”

Customer calorie behaviour unclear, warns ALMR: The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has questioned whether proposed calorie labelling on alcohol drinks would be a sensible move – The Royal Society for Public Health published a survey last week stating that two-thirds of respondents are in favour of the move. ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The licensed hospitality sector is already playing its part in helping government to address a range of health-related issues through the Responsibility Deal, as well as ensuring appropriate and relevant information is provided to customers. It is vital that we take a holistic approach to health rather than examining issues in isolation. The link between calories and consumption is far from clear-cut when it comes to eating out. Calorie labelling may impact on behaviour when food is viewed as fuel, but there is already evidence that this is not the case when people are celebrating or on an evening out. Customers will often save calories in some areas in order to indulge in others. What we do not want is a scenario whereby customers, particularly young women, are forgoing food in order to save calories for drinking or turning to higher strength products such as spirits in order to reduce calorie intake. We simply don’t know enough about customer behaviour to be sure that calorie labelling will not encourage harmful patterns of consumption.”

Norwich pub sells 32% abv beer as a shot: A Norwich pub has side-stepped the rules regarding beers and spirits by selling a 32% abv beer it produced, a traditional German Eisbock, as a shot, thanks to Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards. Called ‘Not-Beer’, it’s being sold for £3 a shot in a brandy glass. A spokesman for Norfolk Trading Standards said: “Because of the law, beers and ciders have to be sold in prescribed measures – half pints and pints. But we provided advice to the publican so that he can display and sell the product in a way that still complies with the law.”

Punch Taverns multi-site operators networking event takes place this evening: A high-level Punch Taverns networking evening for multi-site operators takes place this evening (Monday 3 November) at Fuller’s Parcel Yard site in King’s Cross, London. Senior executives from Punch will be present to discuss opportunities within the estate with multi-site operators looking to expand. Anyone who would like to attend should email partner resourcing consultant James Watts on james.watts@punchtaverns.com

Mountain Range Restaurants eyes growth to 15 sites as it explores funding options: Mountain Range Restaurants, the pub and restaurant operator led by Greg Mangham and chaired by Stephen May that serves an Alpine-influenced menu, is looking to expand to 15 sites within two years. It is understood that talks are underway with various funding partners to support the growth strategy. Meanwhile, the company has joined the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers. A spokesman said: “We see joining the ALMR as another stage in the company’s further integration into the leisure and hospitality arena. We see the ALMR as pivotal in helping to broaden the company’s profile whilst offering the support the business needs in developing its team members. The aim is to grow to 15 within the next 18 months to two years, either through individual or group acquisitions.” Mountain Range added its fourth site last month when it acquired The Chequers at Slaugham, West Sussex, from Laine Pub Company.

New Inventive Bar Company starts growth pipeline: New Inventive Bar Company, the Revolution vodka bar and Revolucion de Cuba operator led by Mark McQuater, has begun to build a property pipeline to grow its estate. The company, which has spent the last 18 months reinvesting in its existing estate, is understood to be eyeing a site in Glasgow for a possible Revolucion de Cuba opening. The company has begun recruiting staff to fill management roles at new sites. 

Draft House beat “serious competition” to secure sixth site: Draft House, led by Charlie McVeigh and backed by Luke Johnson, beat “serious competition” to secure its sixth site – The Birdcage in Bethnal Green. Agent AG&G marketed the free-of-tie lease at offers in excess of £150,000. The rent payable is £105,000 a year with the lease running to 2022. “There was serious competition,” said AG&G’s Michael Penfold. “The food offer will be an upmarket version of pie, mash, peas and liquor. They are also introducing optics cocktails created by Max Chater of Bump Caves, alongside craft beers.” McVeigh believes Draft House is on track to grow the business by 60% over the next year. “We are now set to enter a very exciting period for the company,” he said. “We have completed on The Birdcage, which we hope to open in November. Profit levels and sales have continued to be strong over the year.”

Boutique hotel firm open new £1.5m gastro-pub: The boutique hotel business Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle has branched out by opening a second venture, a new £1.5m gastro-pub called St Mary’s Inn, converted from a one-time hospital administration building near Stannington village in Northumberland. The gastro-pub also offers 11 bedrooms. The venue has five dining areas offering, each ensuite bedroom has been designed to have its own identity, and there is a private rooftop suntrap courtyard. General manager Victor Castro-Quiroga said: “We wanted to create something very special when we open St Mary’s Inn – a brand new pub with its own character and personality.”

Chef Mark Hix opens Hix Academy: Celebrity chef and restaurateur Mark Hix has opened the Hix Academy restaurant at Weymouth College. Students studying catering and hospitality and apprentice chefs will receive expert on-the-job training at the academy, with chefs and members of staff from Hix’s other restaurants. College principal Liz Myles said: “The Hix Academy is the first of its kind, putting the needs of employers at the centre of learner provision and ensuring that students can learn from the best and aspire to the best.”

Gordon Ramsay explores sale of 50% stake in restaurant business: Chef Gordon Ramsay is exploring the sale of a 50% stake in his restaurant business, according to The Sunday Times. Ramsay is working with advisers at BDO to find an investor willing to fund the expansion of the business, which is valued at around £80m. Last year, Kavalake, the holding company for the restaurants, delivered Ebitda of £5m on sales of £45m. During the recession, Ramsay personally injected millions into the business to stave off administration. 

Stonegate closes Liverpool Living Room after 14 years: The Living Room bar and restaurant on Victoria Street in Liverpool, owned by Stonegate Pub Company has closed its door after 14 years, leaving the chain with just six outlets, in Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. The closure came after a review of the business by Stonegate. A spokesman said: “The company operates 17 pubs within the city, employing around 350 people, and will relocate staff where possible.” The closure of the Liverpool branch was greeted with nostalgia by former patrons, with the bar’s former PR, Carolyn Hughes, writing on her Facebook page: “It is very rare to go into any credible bar in Liverpool and not find at least one member of staff who is a former Living Room employee.” Living Room was founded by Living Ventures, and sold in 2007. It passed through several hands, until in August last year Stonegate Pub Company bought 13 Living Room sites from PBR Leisure. Since then a number have been converted to Stonegate’s Missoula Montana and Slug & Lettuce brands, while Gordon Ramsay taking over the former Living Room site just off Regent Street for a Bread Street Kitchen site. One former site, in Chester, has been reacquired by Living Ventures for its Botanist brand.

Luminar to open new £1.25m Ashford nightclub on 5 December: The UK’s largest nightclub operator, The Luminar Group will open a new £1.25m nightclub in Ashford, Kent on Friday 5 December. The new venue Cameo replaces Luminar’s other nightclub in the town, Liquid, which was located at The Flourmills, Easthill and closed at the end of September. Luminar has signed a 25-year lease on new premises in Station Street, formerly trading as Hustle. Cameo will feature three dance arenas, the latest light and sound technology and high quality entertainment. The Luminar Group already has successful Cameo clubs in Eastbourne and Bournemouth. The new club is currently recruiting 60 new employees, including bar staff, VIP hosts, security, DJs, marketing and promotional staff.

Rob Gutmann defends Death Row Diner name: The team behind the Death Row Diner, which opened in Hope Street, Liverpool last week and hit a barrage of criticism over its name, has urged people to visit it before deciding whether its branding was merely an attempt to shock. The restaurant, set up by the serial bar entrepreneur Rob Gutmann who also owns Motel and Yardbird, released a lengthy statement explaining its ethos. “A condemned man not merely granted his ultimate meal, but allowed to enjoy it in a special restaurant/diner. Food is also about context.” The restaurant said it wanted to create something “a bit surreal, a bit cartoon, a bit graphic novel. Did we consider this idea might make many feel uncomfortable? Yeah, we definitely did. Didn’t think that was a problem though. Come pay us a visit. See what you make of our efforts. Give a diner a break. You win. We win. Everyone wins. Except the chickens.”

Fuller’s launches interactive media campaign today: London brewer and retailer Fuller’s is to start a new interactive social media campaign today (3 November) that will enable customers to get a free refill of London Pride, simply by tweeting a picture of their empty London Pride branded glass with the hash tag #EmptyPint. The #EmptyPint twitter offer will be redeemable in the vast majority of Fuller’s managed pubs within the M25. London Pride customers who tweet a photo of their empty London Pride pint glass, with the hashtag, will receive a direct message with a unique code. This code can be redeemed at the bar for their next pint of London Pride or a draught soft drink. The #EmptyPint offer will run from today to Sunday 16 November. The inspiration for the campaign came from the popular empty pint poster that has formed a key part of the Made of London advertising campaign and this particular social media element will be supported in its own right with an outdoor poster campaign featuring six sheet and 48 sheet posters, adverts in London media and paid for promotion on Twitter.

Starbucks to deliver smartphone orders in 2015: Starbucks will start delivering food and beverages smartphone orders in selected markets in 2015. Delivery will be made available as part of the revamped Starbucks Rewards loyalty programme, which is being introduced through the company’s new Mobile Order and Pay app. The app lets customers pre-order products they can pick up a later time and is being tested in the US next month. A wider rollout is planned in the second half of 2015 with Starbucks calling it the “single most important technology innovation” it will introduce in the year. Starbucks’ chief executive, Howard Schultz, said the company was in the midst of navigating consumer shifts away from bricks-and-mortar stores but also into higher consumption of food outside of the home. He said: “Imagine the ability to create a standing order that Starbucks delivered hot or iced to your desk daily, that’s our version of ecommerce on steroids. What you’re going to see in the years ahead will be a rapid acceleration in mobile device purchases and a continued significant migration away from bricks-and-mortar commerce. There is obviously a huge prize there and that’s why we’re seeing so much activity around the payment space from all kinds of companies.”

Media City restaurant owner opens second venue: The owner of Penelope’s Kitchen in MediaCityUK in Manchester, Carla Tomlinson, has opened a second venue called Love Conquers All nearby in a former shipping container. The new venue is a licensed coffee house with organic coffee, artisan teas and independent beers, wines and seasonal cocktails including a MediaCityUK-inspired bellini menu and “quirky” cocktails served in coffee cups. Tomlinson, who opened Penelope’s Kitchen a year ago, said: “MediaCityUK offered me the use of the former shipping container and I knew immediately I could create a truly independent haven that would give employees and residents exactly what they wanted. They have worked with me every step of the way from coffee tasting to creating artwork. Love Conquers All is a true MediaCityUK communal project, everything has been sourced onsite or locally.” Tomlinson also plans to build up the production catering side of her business through Penelope’s Kitchen, after a successful three months supplying the cast and 70-strong crew of Dragons’ Den during filming of the latest series at MediaCityUK’s The Pie Factory. Production catering now makes up 30% of the business, Tomlinson said.

Costa franchisee Cuppacoff acquires Brigg site: Cuppacoff, the regional franchisee for Costa Coffee, has acquired the former Poundstretcher store in Wrawby Street, Brigg, Lincolnshire. The company has submitted a planning application to North Lincolnshire Council for a 64-cover, 26-table shop, while a small number of tables are also proposed for the area immediately outside the shop on Wrawby Street, allowing customers to enjoy drinks outdoors. 

Wetherspoon plans hotel rooms for Barnstaple outlet: JD Wetherspoon has submitted plans for hotel rooms on the first, second and third floors above its Watergate pub on The Strand in Barnstaple, Devon. Wetherspoon took over the riverside premises in 2008 and initially left the upper floors vacant, with many of the upper floors windows removed and sealed. If the plans are approved, they will all be restored. Company spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “The pub’s been there for a number of years and it’s very successful. If there’s space in one of our pubs, we’re always keen to look at the possibility of providing hotel provision. People know our pubs, so when we provide accommodation it tends to be very popular.” He said the rooms would appeal to people looking for “good quality, affordable accommodation in a pub environment”.

Historic Nottingham pub re-opens after £1.4m renovation funded by Heritage Lottery Fund: A historic pub which was a former Victorian music hall has reopened after a £1.4m renovation to expand into underground floors and caves – The Malt Cross, in Nottingham, has had its basement levels and caverns turned into a music and arts venue. It is now run as a social enterprise by a Christian charity which was given £1.38m by the Heritage Lottery Fund to carry out the renovation. Heritage worker Rebecca Wood said the new facilities are for the community to take advantage of. The space beneath the city centre pub has been converted into recording studios and an art gallery.

Bar learns of council’s compulsory purchase plan through its neighbour: The Fridge Bar in Brixton, South London, one of the capital’s best-known independent venues, has launched an angry attack on Lambeth Council after learning from its neighbour that the council was planning a compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the bar’s premises. The compulsory purchase order is part of a £50m scheme to develop a “town hall campus” in Brixton, including new homes and space for start-up businesses. The Fridge Bar, which is based in Town Hall Parade, next to the Electric Brixton venue, claims to be “the best bar and basement club in London”. In a statement on the Urban75 website, the club said it would be “vigorously” fighting the proposed CPO. The statement said: “Perhaps when the full story of what is behind this emerges some will have raised eyebrows and others will be plain disgusted. We will reserve commenting further for now.”

Premier Inn appoints PR firm for launch of tech-focused hotel brand: Premier Inn has appointed Clarity PR to handle the launch of its tech-focused hotel brand hub by Premier Inn. The new brand launches its flagship outlet, London Covent Garden hub by Premier Inn, in St Martin’s Lane, Central London this month. Guests wishing to stay at the hotel will be able to use a special app, available in iOS and Android versions, to check availability and book a room, as well as control various settings in their room, such as changing the channel on the smart TV, or adjusting the room temperature and lights from their smartphone.

Las Iguanas repeats ‘community present project’ Christmas fundraiser: The Las Iguanas restaurant chain is repeating its “Parties make Presents” initiative, which raised more than £20,000 last year to give Christmas toys to children in need. Each of the chain’s 39 branches has chosen a charity in its own community, such as a children’s centre, women’s refuge, hospital or hospice, which will benefit from the local fund. For every party of ten or more customers at the restaurants booking either of the two special Christmas menus, Las Iguanas will donate £5 to the Community Present Project. The Entertainer, the UK’s largest family-run independent toy retailer, has promised to match Las Iguanas’s contribution and supply gifts from its award-winning range, which will be delivered to the chosen charity the week before Christmas. Lucy Harwood, head of brand at Las Iguanas, said: “Last year we raised over £20,000 to help Santa and deliver toys, play equipment and craft materials to local children’s charities, hospices and hospitals. This year we hope to smash last year’s total.”

Coal Bar and Grill unveils tenth opening and first of six in 2015: Coal Grill and Grill, led by founder and chief executive John Gater, will open its tenth restaurant in the new Regent Circus development in Swindon at the end of January 2015. This will be the first of six restaurants due to open in 2015 for the brand. Coal Grill and Bar’s restaurant and signature cocktail bar will occupy a 3,500 square foot of space and create 30 jobs. Gater said: “The location of our restaurant opening in Swindon provides us with the perfect mix of shopping and leisure facilities. We have experienced great success in opening in locations with the combination of the two which provides a platform for trading across the day.” The company is comfortably on target to be operating 16 branches by the end of 2015, with sites already in discussion for 2016 and 2017, it added.

CAMRA urges pubco adjudicator be extended to Scotland: CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is urging the Scottish government to match England and Wales’s plans to introduce a Pubs Code and Adjudicator to protect Scotland’s pub trade – following a survey that 99% of Scottish tied licensees would support this. The independently commissioned survey also uncovered the fact that 64.5% of Scottish tied pub company licensees earn less than £15,000 a year and 74% of licensees consider themselves worse off as a result of the tie. “Pubs across Scotland are currently under threat from big tied pub companies who are strangling the life out of the Scottish pub trade by charging sky-high rents and exorbitant beer prices. Licensees tied to the large pub companies have no choice but to buy all of their beer from their landlord and at a price of their pub company’s choosing,” said CAMRA national chairman, and Edinburgh local Colin Valentine. “Despite over 1,000 pubs in Scotland being tied to the large pub companies, measures to protect hard-working licensees as part of the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill are not currently being introduced in Scotland. Scotland is losing two pubs every week according to the latest closure figures – highlighting the urgent need for action, before it’s too late. The evidence unmistakably shows that not only is there the same need for an adjudicator in Scotland as there is in other parts of the UK, but also that tied licensees in Scotland want to see the system put in place. It’s for this reason that passing a legislative consent motion is clearly the first step in addressing the many issues facing tied pub licensees in Scotland.”

McDonald’s makes second bid for restaurant by A5 roundabout: McDonald’s is making a second bid for a restaurant just off a roundabout on the A5 through Hinckley, Leicestershire. In May 2013 Hinckley and Bosworth Council’s planning committee refused an application to build a McDonald’s and a car repair centre on the site, near to the Dodwells roundabout on the A5, over concerns for the safety of drivers who were heading in and out of the site. Now McDonald’s has applied again, for a two-storey restaurant and drive-through with parking and landscaping at the edge of Dodwells Bridge and the Hinckley Fields Industrial Estates and Harrowbrook Industrial Estate. The new proposal, which McDonald’s says will not affect the town’s existing McDonald’s restaurant, no longer features the car repair centre and the access has been altered.

Pub developer takes down “Hotel 96” sign after outcry from Liverpool fans: The developer currently refurbishing the derelict Cabbage Hall pub near Anfield football ground has taken down a sign featuring Liverpool and Everton shirts forming the number 96, a reference to the victims of the Hillsborough stadium disaster, after an outcry from Liverpool fans. The sign appeared to read “Hotel 96” above the words “The Cabbage Hall bar and restaurant”. Dales Management, the company behind the revamp, said it had not meant to cause any offence and the mistake was down to a misunderstanding. The fire-damaged former pub, which was popular with Liverpool football fans, is being brought back to life as a 69-room hotel complex.

Bradford restaurant owners buy lease after more than 30 years: The owners of one of Bradford’s longest-running Italian restaurants are planning a refurbishment for the site after buying the lease of their premises for £120,000. Mamma Mia has occupied the 4,300 square foot ground floor of the four-storey building at 3 Upper Piccadilly since the Massimo family founded it more than 30 years ago. Owners Gianni and Nella Massimo said the restaurant will now undergo a six-month refurbishment costing £80,000. Gianni Massimo said: “We had the opportunity to buy the lease on financially attractive terms, and doing so has given us significantly more flexibility over using the premises. The transaction also means we can now hand the business and its site on to our eldest son, who already works with us, alongside our nephew, who has been with us since he was a young boy, when we’re ready to do so.” The Massimos, originally from Naples, were advised on acquiring the lease by Simon Mydlowski, a partner in the commercial property team of Yorkshire law firm Gordons. Funding was partly supplied by HSBC. The lease was sold by the Johal family.

Meantime launches beer made from hops grown in urban hop farm: London craft brewer Meantime Brewing Company is launching a brand new beer made using hops grown on its urban hop farm. The farm, situated on the banks of the River Thames, directly on the Greenwich Meridian Line, is the first permanent hop farm in London for over 100 years. The Thames Hop IPA has been created to reflect the true “flavour” of the capital. The new brew goes on sale today and will be available in 330ml long neck bottles at a hand-picked selection of pubs and restaurants across London, through Meantime’s Online Store and at the Brewery shop. Earlier this year, Meantime planted a total of 48 hop roots in 12 hand-crafted wooden planters on a site situated next to the O2 and across the river from Canary Wharf.

Cafe pair beat ten other candidates to acquire second venue: A couple have taken on a second cafe after beating ten other candidates to acquire the former Attic cafe in Berkhamsted High Street, Herts. Jon Warbrick and his wife Amy already run the Cafe in the Woods, in Wendover Woods. The Warbricks have renamed their new venture, above the Home & Colonial store, the Cafe in the Attic. Warbrick said: “We are absolutely delighted. We want to breathe fresh life and energy into the business and food will be right at the heart of everything.” The couple, who have owned the Cafe in the Woods for eight years, have also kept on several of the former Attic Cafe staff who feared their jobs would be at risk after the cafe’s initial closure, at the beginning of October. Warbrick said: “There was a really well-liked team here before, so why change it?” The cafe was previously owned by James Hannaway, who owns The Rex cinema in Berkhamsted.

Trust Inns loses bid to demolish Uttoxeter pub and build 28 houses: Trust Inns, the north west of England-based tenanted pub operator owed by Trevor Hemmings and led by Lynne D’Arcy, has lost its appeal over a bid to demolish the Park pub-restaurant in New Road, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and built 28 houses in its place. The application was turned down by East Staffordshire Council’s planning committee, and that decision has now been upheld by a government planning inspector. The pub has now been saved for the third time as it also risked being demolished for the A50 growth corridor. Martin Blencowe, chairman of East Staffordshire Borough Council’s planning committee, told The Uttoxeter Advertiser newspaper: “I am absolutely delighted at the findings of the planning inspectorate in support of the planning committee refusal. The decision has taken on board the feelings of the local community and not just dwelt on housing numbers and data. Uttoxeter has embraced development on its sites in the Local Plan so to have this one refused shows we are heading in the right direction.” 

MarLu buys 22 TGI Friday’s as part of refranchising initiative: MarLu Investment Group has agreed to buy 22 TGI Friday’s restaurants in the US as part of an initiative by TGI Friday’s private equity owners – the UK arm is also currently on the market. MarLu, a multiconcept franchise group and management company, said the TGI Friday’s units were located primarily in Colorado and Texas. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “This purchase recognises our long-term confidence in the Friday’s brand and the strategic direction the company is headed,” Tony Lutfi, MarLu’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “Friday’s fits perfectly into our already strong network of brands, and we look forward to capitalising on the many opportunities we see for growth and expansion,” Lutfi said.

Customer at Oxo Tower restaurant tried to claim free cocktail with Oxo cube wrappers: A customer at the Harvey Nichols-owned upmarket Oxo Tower restaurant on the South Bank in London tried to claim a free cocktail by presenting ten Oxo cube wrappers, having fallen for a spoof on the Reddit website. A year ago one user of Reddit posted “advice” for visiting tourists that said: “Keep it to yourself, but you can get a free cocktail at the bar at the top of the Oxo tower if you take ten wrappers from Oxo cubes with you. Oxo cubes are about £3 a pack and are useful in cooking anyway; everyone’s a winner! You get a different cocktail depending on the wrapper type – beef is different to vegetable stock for example. They rotate these choices weekly but they’re all pretty cheap cocktails, don’t expect too much.” While most people accepted the advice as a joke, one Reddit user who reposted the words on his blog said last week he had been contacted by the restaurant and asked to remove the claim, after one person did in fact try to cash in with a pile of silver wrappers. The joke was commended by other Redditors, with one saying: “Bravo! Truly splendid work, a year in the making. I vote that we continue to promulgate this factlet until they finally relent and honour it.”