Beds and Bars reports turnover and Ebitda boost despite terrorism attacks: Beds and Bars, the pan-European hostel operator led by Keith Knowles, has reported a boost to turnover and group Ebitda in a year that saw terrorism attacks and disruption in two key markets – Paris and Brussels. Group turnover increased by 5% year-on-year, rising to £41.9m in the year to the end of March 2016 compared to £39.7m in the year before. Group Ebitda on a like-for-like basis increased year-on-year to £4.57m, up 26% on a like-for-like basis compared to the year before. In its annual accounts, the company stated: “The group has enjoyed a strong performance for the year under review. This was against a backdrop of the terrible events in Paris in November 2015 and Brussels in March 2016. The impact of the terrorist atrocities has largely only affected the business within those countries itself for the time being, proving the resilience of our business model and spread of risk. We have also met the challenges of a weakening euro exchange rate as well as general economic uncertainty. After adjusting for the fact that 2016 financial year saw the first full year of rental payments, Ebitda still rose 14% year-on-year. In June 2015, the group increased its shareholding in the Barcelona company to 50% thereby assuming full control from an accounting consolidation perspective. The sale and leaseback of our Barcelona hostel was completed in the financial year which has removed any residual impact on the group from our Spanish bankers. The completion of these negotiations has secured the future of the business and we are beginning to see the fruits of this in these results as well as going forward. We continue to invest in our estate and have commissioned works in the current year to our Flying Horse site where we are adding beds for the first time and Village site, which we planning to double in size as well as refurbish the bar area. We have also begun the roll-out of our new Belushi’s bar concept in Shepherd’s Bush and will spread this across the network in due course. Despite the political, economic and competitive pressures the group is well positioned to continue to grow in the next few years and is looking to expand its reach in Europe and the rest of the world.” A total of 49% of Beds and Bars revenue comes from food and beverage, which is 37% more than the industry average. The company added: “This is a strong indicator that the company is focused and succeeding in providing a premium social experience for its guests, which research shows is one of the most important factors that consumers have when deciding where to stay. The group has over ten million user interactions through web and social interface every year.”

Itinerary unveiled for third Craft Beer Retail Study Tour: The itinerary has been unveiled for the third Propel and Thinking Drinkers Craft Beer Retail Study Tour. The event, which this year focuses on east London, takes place on Thursday, 26 January and will visit six of London’s leading craft beer retailers and a cider specialist during the seven-hour tour. It starts at Urban Pubs and Bars’ ping-pong concept Bat and Ball at Westfield Stratford. The tour will then visit Tap East in Stratford, the brewpub operated by Mike Hill and Richard Dinwoodie, the duo previously behind Utobeer. The next stop will be Mason & Company, a specialist craft beer bar and deli at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The tour will then head to brewery and pizza venue Crate Brewery and fresh tank beer venue Howling Hops, both based at Queen’s Yard. It will continue to artisan pizza and cider brand The Stable, which is 76% owned by Fuller’s, in Whitechapel before finishing at Dinerama in Great Eastern Street, the street food craft beer concept run by Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey. The tour will again be led by Thinking Drinkers, award-winning beer writers Ben McFarland and Tom Sandham, who will provide the latest craft beer facts and figures, market segmentation and analysis, and spot up-and-coming trends. The day includes travel between venues by coach. Tickets are £345 plus VAT for Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) members and £395 plus VAT for non-ALMR members. Email anne.steele@propelinfo.com to book or for more details.

CAMRA calls for permanent pub protection as 2,000 pubs get Asset of Community Value protection: Permanent measures to keep pub doors open need to be introduced now, according to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), as it marks 2,000 campaigning groups across England successfully listing their local pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). Since legislation was introduced in May 2015 which removed Permitted Development Rights from pubs nominated as ACVs, community groups have spent countless hours fighting tooth and nail to ensure their locals are registered, and are therefore subjected to the regular planning application process. Without being registered, pubs can be demolished or converted overnight without public consultation. ACVs can be granted on any building that has a proven strong community focus, but pubs have had by far the biggest take up from local communities. Out of just under 4,000 ACVs on buildings such as libraries, community centres, post offices, half of them have been granted for pubs. CAMRA is calling on the Government to cut out this frustrating process, which puts a huge burden on local communities and councils, who deal with this lengthy and clunky procedure. Instead, they believe that placing pubs in a class of their own so that owners must always seek planning permission before converting or demolishing a local will provide permanent security for locals. Colin Valentine, CAMRA’s national chairman, said: “It is heartening that so many communities across England have spent so much time going through the process of nominating their pub as an Asset of Community Value. This shows a huge appetite for protecting pubs, which are more than just businesses – they are invaluable landmarks in our communities. Unfortunately, the ACV process can be time-consuming, fraught with difficulties and at the end of the day is only a temporary measure – listings must be renewed every five years to maintain protection. It simply doesn’t make sense that pub-goers have to jump through these extra hoops when it is clear that so many communities overwhelmingly want a say on the future of their much-loved pub. All we are asking for is a level playing field where a planning application on a pub has to go through the full planning process.”

Crowdcube co-founder predicts strong 2017: Crowdcube co-founder Luke Lang has predicted a strong 2017 with more businesses coming back to the platform for new funding rounds. Lang told Insider the company’s own raise on the site had been a highlight for 2016. Crowdcube secured £6.7m from more than 3,700 investors, alongside further backing from Balderton Capital. The amount raised on the platform since its launch in 2011 also passed the £200m mark in December. Lang said there had been some uncertainty immediately following the Brexit vote, but activity on the platform had quickly bounced back and was likely to remain strong in the year ahead. “The run up to the referendum provided a distraction but things seem to have calmed down now,” he said. “Investment in the second half was actually higher than the first and some of the stand-out raises were in the last six months. There has been a large number of Series A deals in the last 18 to 24 months – we’re approaching 50 £1m-plus deals, many venture capital backed. Many will be returning to Crowdcube for Series B and C rounds.”

Draft House reports 7.6% like-for-likes in December: Draft House, the London-based craft beer operator led by Charlie McVeigh and backed by Luke Johnson, has reported sales for the four weeks to 25 December were up 70% on last year, and up 7.6% on a like-for-like basis. The company reported ‘numerous company records fell’ including a record take for one day of £15,000 at Draft House Chancery.

Manchester-based Mission Mars reports like-for-likes up 32% in December: Revolution Bars Group co-founder Roy Ellis has reported this Manchester-based Mission Mars saw 32% like-for-like sales growth in the six weeks leading up to New Year’s Day – sales were £700,000 up on last year. Ellis told Propel: “Christmas fell very nicely this year with two mad Fridays in trading terms. If we took the last week of November out of the figures, we’d be up even more in like-for-like terms. There was excellent trading in December – people had lots off time-off between Christmas and New Year to fill.” Ellis reported that his pub business, Flying Pig & Lobster, saw like-for-like sales up 6% with total sales up 55% thanks to the opening of a new site. In October, Ellis reported that Mission Mars has hit annual turnover of £23m, three years after launch. The company, a joint venture between The Trof Group founders Adelaide Winter and Joel Wilkinson and Revolution Bars founders Ellis and Neil Macleod, has nine sites. The four pubs in the group are turning over £45,000 a week, while three of its late-night businesses are averaging close to £100,000 a week. Its other concept, Albert’s Schloss, the £3.5m bar, restaurant and live entertainment concept that opened last October in Manchester, has averaged £250,000 a week since launch in October 2015.

Feng Sushi turns Ebitda positive: Feng Sushi, the eat-in and takeaway Japanese food business which has investment from sector entrepreneur Luke Johnson has reported it has turned Ebitda positive. The company filed abbreviated accounts for the year to 29 May 2016 which provided limited information but stated: “This has been the first full financial period under the control of the new management team and the directors are pleased with significant improvements seen during the year under review. Costs have been reviewed and rationalised, a loss-making site has been successfully disposed of and the entire financial function has been enhanced in respect of personnel, systems and controls. Ebitda and profit have been improved materially, and the business is now Ebitda positive having been Ebitda negative in the previous year. The above, combined with the fact the new site in West London is already trading positively, means the directors are confident of an increasingly positive outlook for the forthcoming year.” The abbreviated accounts show a shareholders deficit of £734,989 compared to £529,769 the year before.

Ego Restaurants reports turnover and profit boost: Ego Restaurants, led by James Horler and backed by Luke Johnson, has reported turnover rose 22% to £10,846,359 in the year to 31 March 2016, up from £8,867,621 the year before. Profit before tax rose to £639,310 compared to £320,871 the year before. The company opened four new pub sites in the final nine months of 2016. The company stated: “Unit Ebitda had increased by £405,000 in the year, a significant improvement and has set the foundations for further growth in 2016-2017.”

Starbucks introduces new range of capsules in UK stores: Starbucks has introduced a new range of espresso capsules to its stores, including Fairtrade Espresso Roast and three single origin espresso coffees – Guatemala Antigua, Kenya, and Colombia. With the UK coffee market currently worth over £1 billion, the at-home coffee market continues to grow as consumers seek great coffee in the comfort of their homes. Single-serve coffee currently outpaces growth of the coffee category by 13%, driven by Nespresso compatible capsules, which are seeing 79% year-on-year growth. The introduction of the capsules range in stores coincides with an investment in an industry-leading recycling programme. Customers will be able to recycle their used capsules by collecting a free recycling bag in Starbucks stores or via Starbucks online store, which can hold up to 75 capsules, before being returned to a Starbucks store or posted free of charge. To make it convenient for customers, all Nespresso compatible capsules will be accepted and recycled. Duncan Moir, vice president of channel development, Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “As modern lifestyles continue to drive demand for convenience, it is not surprising that the single-serve coffee category is growing so quickly, and our espresso capsules can deliver that premium coffee experience at home. We recognise that we have a responsibility to help reduce waste and we have invested in an effective capsule recycling programme for a wide range of used capsules, which is important for our customers. It’s fantastic to launch the range in UK Starbucks stores today and we look forward to bringing our espresso capsules to more customers across Europe next year.”

Laine Pub Company Aeronaut pub in Acton suffers major fire on New Year’s Eve: Laine Pub Company’s Aeronaut pub in Action suffered a major fire on New Year’s Eve, with the fire breaking out 30 minutes after midnight. Chief executive Gavin George said: “In the early hours of New Year’s Day, fire spread through our unique and lovely pub – The Aeronaut – causing horrendous damage. Thanks to the professionalism and courage of the general manager, his staff and his door team, a venue full of New Year’s revellers was evacuated in a matter of seconds. Whilst the site has procedures and training in place to deal with an eventually such as this, I am extremely proud of the team and the action they took, because the reality of the situation must have been very frightening. The police and fire services were fantastic in managing the subsequent situation, and I’m very grateful to them for containing the blaze and ensuring the safety of the area. I’m very sorry for our customers whose New Year’s celebrations were cut short and who had to witness such a sight. We have received so many messages of sympathy and support from the Acton community and our wider customer base, it is clear just how much love there is for this gem of a pub. The Aeronaut certainly has always been close to my heart and I will do everything within my power to ensure that it rises again in the shortest possible time.”

Remarkable Pubs reports 7.5% like-for-likes in December: London-focused Remarkable Pubs has reported a 7.5% increase in like-for-like sales in December. Elton Mouna, managing director of the 14-strong company, said: “We are in the enviable position of having a really top-notch general manager at the helm of each of our 14 pubs. Their planning and their hard work collectively delivered 7.5% like-for-like December drinks growth. Our general managers own ‘business within the business’, their food franchises, collectively grew like-for-like sales by 4%.” 

Patisserie Valerie chief executive sees £210,000 earnings rise: Patisserie Valerie chief executive Paul May’s earnings increased by £210,000 to £499,000 in 2016, according to the company’s annual report which covers the period up to the end of September 2016. Finance director Chris March was paid £340,000, up from £208,000 the year before. Executive chairman Luke Johnson’s emoluments were pegged at £60,000 as were those of non-executive director James Horler who earned £35,000 and fellow non-executive director Lee Ginsberg who eared £50,000.

Barworks opens twelfth site: Barworks, the central London bar and pub operator, has opened its twelfth site latest site – Fountain & Ink – on Stamford Street, Southwark. Formerly trading as Dr.Inks, the site was occupied in the late 1800s by Henry Charles “Inky” Stephens, whose father Dr Henry Stephens invented an indelible “blue-black writing fluid” which was to become famous as Stephens’ Ink and form the foundation of a successful worldwide company for over 150 years. The site was acquired in late September 2016 and has undergone a major refurbishment which allowed re-opening two weeks before Christmas. It was the third Barworks opening of 2016 and followed The Griffin and The Commercial Tavern, both in Shoreditch. This is Barworks first site south of the river. Barworks’ managing director Marc Francis-Baum told Propel: “We pushed to get the site opened before Christmas and were very pleased to achieve that. Despite the faint smell of fresh paint, the refurbished bar was very well-received and the two weeks of trade we got before Christmas were excellent. We are offering a rotating line up of 17 draft beers, showcasing the best craft breweries in the UK and around the world, with a further selection of over 95 bottles and cans. A wide range of artisan spirits including over 30 different whiskies, a Sake menu with beer and food matchings, and a carefully curated wine list featuring quality wines from around the globe and proudly serving English Sparkling wine. We are also serving Roman style (thin and crispy) sourdough pizzas. Our own slow fermented dough is hand stretched to order and baked with traditional toppings using quality Italian ingredients. The menu also includes a selection of pizza bianca and fresh ideas such as a Morrocan braised lamb, olives, feta and harissa.”

Piper – we believe there’s scope for 500 Lounge sites: Piper Private Equity, which sold its stake in cafe-bar chain Loungers to Lion Capital for £137m before Christmas, has stated it believes there is scope for 500 Loungers sites in the UK. Piper invested £16m in Loungers in April 2012 when the business comprised 20 Lounges and three Cosy Club sites across the UK. Over the past four years, the company has more than quadrupled the number of sites to 94, opening 20 sites a year since 2014 and creating employment for almost 2,000 people. The business is planning to open its 100th site by April 2017 and has a further 20 in the pipeline for the following year. Loungers was founded in Bristol in 2002 by a trio of long-standing friends, Alex Reilley, Jake Bishop and Dave Reid, who saw an opportunity to create a new chain of informal, neighbourhood all-day cafe-bars. Their idea was to provide customers with a ‘third space’ between work and home to meet, chat, eat and drink – a more attractive and appealing alternative to the surrounding local pubs and coffee bars. The team behind the brand will continue their involvement in its next stage of growth. Alex Reilley will stay on as chairman of the group. Nick Collins, who joined as finance director in 2012 and became chief executive in 2015, will continue to run the business together with Justin Carter who joined as COO in 2015. Jake Bishop will remain as managing director of Cosy Club. Alex Reilley, co-founder of Loungers, said: “The Piper team have been absolutely brilliant for Loungers and we’ve enjoyed a wonderful partnership with them over the last five years. Piper’s experience, support and expertise have proved invaluable in assisting the management team to rapidly grow the business while protecting and enhancing the special culture that exists within Loungers. It has been a real pleasure and a lot of fun sharing Loungers with Piper, who exit with the business in a truly excellent place. From these strong foundations we look forward to the next phase of growth with Lion Capital, who share our excitement and passion about the future and have the experience to help us continue fulfilling our potential.” Chris Curry, of Piper, said: “Loungers is an exceptional business with a highly driven and energetic management team. Its customers are incredibly loyal and love the casual, informal and slightly quirky style of the Lounges and Cosy Clubs, and the quality and value of what they offer. When we invested in the business we believed Loungers had the potential to fill the gap between pubs and coffee shops and we are proud to have proven that to be the case. There remains enormous scope for growth, with over 500 sites identified in the UK for the Lounge brand alone.”

Pod launches new winter menu with extra healthy options: Healthy fast food chain Pod has launched a new winter menu targeted at customers wishing to get in shape in 2017. The launch introduces a five day eating plan. With 17 new dishes, this is Pod’s largest ever menu launch. It further diversifies their customer’s choices with two new hot lunch categories; three hot wraps and a duo of new ‘Gym Bowls’ cooked with grains, vegetables, protein and flavourful spices. Each of Pod’s Hot Pods have been improved and the hot lunch range will also see new soups and hoisin duck bao buns. Pod’s new menu has a range of gluten free, dairy free and vegan options. They have also strengthened their British provenance with new, high quality, free range chicken in their hot lunches. Pod’s executive chairman John Postlethwaite said: “This menu is our best work yet at proving that healthy and ‘free from’ food can be absolutely delicious. The taste and quality of our food has had an upgrade and we’re proud to be getting Londoners back on track with their diets as they return from the Christmas break.”

Wetherspoon to sell Cardiff site: JD Wetherspoon is to sell its Central Bar in Cardiff. The pub, on Windsor Place off Queen Street in the city centre, will continue to remain open and trade as a Wetherspoon pub until it is sold. It is being marketed to other pub operators so is expected to continue as a pub after it is sold, although that is not guaranteed. Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We can confirm that The Central Bar is up for sale. At present there have been no offers and the pub will remain trading as a Wetherspoon outlet until an offer is accepted. This does not affect any other Wetherspoon pubs in the city.” There are around 50 people working at the pub. Wetherspoon has had a ongoing programme of pub sales over the past year. In May it put 40 pubs across the UK on the market, adding to 34 it had already put up for sale in November 2015.

Star Pubs & Bars launches e-learning modules for anyone interested in leasing a pub: Star Pubs & Bars, the pub division of Heineken, is making free e-learning available to all interested in taking a pub or working in the industry, regardless of whether or not this is with the company. The initiative includes three modules covering running a leased pub, finance and business planning and pub legislation which can be readily accessed on the company’s website www.starpubs.co.uk. The training is designed for those thinking of taking their first leased pub as well as for existing licensees wanting to update their knowledge and multiple operators looking to develop key staff. The company anticipates that it will also be useful for those taking pubs on assignment who often miss out on the initial support and guidance provided by pub companies to direct recruits.The launch is believed to be a first in the leased sector and coincides with the rise in interest in taking on a pub that Star Pubs & Bars traditionally sees in January. Lawson Mountstevens, Star Pubs & Bars managing director, said: “Well-informed applicants are better equipped to ask the right questions when they are considering a pub, produce a robust business plan for their favoured site and to hit the ground running when they start. Ultimately, confident, well-trained licensees create stronger and more sustainable pub businesses. We hope this move will benefit the pub industry as a whole.” Star Pubs & Bars intends to add more modules to the range on offer over time.

Stuart Inns launches ‘Duck Deli’ at Long Melford site: An innovative West Suffolk pub has launched another new strand to its business with the opening of its own delicatessen. The Swan at Long Melford has a history of groundbreaking ideas and its latest is to offer for sale some of the best products used within the dishes served in its restaurant, at its new “Duck Deli”. Stuart Inns, which operates the Swan alongside the Hadleigh Ram and Lavenham Greyhound, all leased from Greene King, is owned by the Macmillan family – Andrew Macmillan, daughter Lorna Pissarro and sons Oliver and Iain Macmillan. Lorna Pissarro, marketing director, said: “By making available food and drink from the same suppliers we use ourselves we feel we are giving people the chance to take home a little part of what they enjoy so much while at the pub. We are really excited by the potential for ‘Duck Deli’ which is full of foodie delights. For years customers have told us they want to try the delicious products we use in their own dishes.” Clive Chesser, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: “The Long Melford Swan has an outstanding reputation locally and at Greene King we always look to support pubs who want to innovate. Duck Deli looks fantastic with an outstanding range of products on offer and this shows what can be achieved when a pub looks beyond the usual parameters and thinks about what would really excite customers.” Duck Deli is one among several recent changes at the Swan which have also included the introduction of a garden dining room, three boutique bedrooms, and a new “chef’s pantry”, a dining experience positioned close to the kitchens so that the chefs can introduce the dishes as they are served.

Mail on Sunday tips Restaurant Group share as a buy in 2017: The Mail on Sunday has tipped the Restaurant Group’s shares as a buy for 2017. It stated: “Last year was dreadful for The Restaurant Group, Britain’s biggest casual dining business whose eateries include Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito, Coast to Coast and Garfunkel’s. The shares more than halved from 685.5p to 324.5p, as like-for-like sales declined, profits fell and the company admitted pricing and menu mistakes at Frankie & Benny’s, its biggest chain. But the group has taken radical action. Several longstanding directors have left and a new team is in place, led by Andy McCue, former boss at bookmaker Paddy Power, where he oversaw the merger with Betfair, delivering record profits along the way. A strategic review had already started before McCue joined and further news on progress should accompany the full-year results in March. Analysts do not expect a quick fix – profits are forecast to fall from £87 million to £77 million with a further decline pencilled in for 2017. But the group is expected to hold the dividend at 17.4p, putting the shares on a generous, 5.4% yield. Casual dining chains are likely to come under pressure in 2017 from rising wages, increasing food bills and the prospect of falling economic growth. But McCue is smart and is determined to grasp the nettle at The Restaurant Group. At 324.5p, the shares are too cheap. Buy.”

Burger King plans switch to antibiotic free chickens in US: Burger King plans to switch to chicken raised without antibiotics considered “critically important” to human medicine, making it the latest company to move over health concerns. Owner Restaurant Brands International said it aims to make the change in US stores in 2017 and in Canada in 2018. An estimated 70% of antibiotics that are important to fighting human infections and ensuring the safety of invasive procedures such as surgeries are sold for use in meat and dairy production. Concern has been growing among scientists, public health experts, consumers and shareholders that the overuse of such drugs is contributing to rising numbers of life-threatening human infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria dubbed “superbugs”.

New halal burger concept to launch in South Wales: A new halal burger concept is set to launch in Newport, South Wales. Burger & Co is scheduled to open in Commercial Street early this year, focusing on the halal burger market and with buns and meat sourced as locally as possible. The restaurant will offer a range of beef, chicken, lamb and vegetarian options and is the brainchild of Shazad Ahmed, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Ashraf. Ahmed told the South Wales Argus: “Our tagline is ‘eat meat, drink, repeat’. We will be serving a large selection of familiar and unique side dishes, such as barbecue wings and spicy sweetcorn. In addition, we will also be serving freakshakes and mocktails. I have a passion for good food and saw a gap in the market. I would often travel as far as London and Manchester for halal burgers and steaks and couldn’t understand why no-one had introduced the concept to Newport. I want people to be able to enjoy gourmet, high-end food in their own city.”

Former Sofra chef to launch Turkish restaurant in Lincoln: A former chef at London-based Turkish restaurant company Sofra is to launch his first venture, in Lincoln. Kubilay Yilmaz is opening Mad Turk Restaurant this month in Wigford Way on the former site of Chicken Cottage. Yilmaz has agreed a deal with the landlord, property surveyors Banks Long & Co. The site is being refurbished and restructured to seat 70 to 90 people, serving traditional Turkish and Mediterranean dishes. Yilmaz told the Lincolnite: “This is our first project. It’s going to be traditional Turkish food made on a wood charcoal grill. Lincoln doesn’t have a Turkish restaurant and we want to bring those traditional Turkish Mediterranean dinners to the city.”

Somerset-based restaurateurs to launch barbecue concept: Somerset-based restaurateurs Dimitri Karnachoritis and Harvey Mihalas are set to launch new concept Ola BarbeQue. The barbeque-themed venue will open in Nunney Catch, near Frome, on Saturday, 14 January at a site formerly occupied by The Catch fish and chip restaurant. Karnachoritis and Mihalas also operate No6 Restaurant in Midsomer Norton but hope to concentrate on expanding the Ola BarbeQue concept. Mihalas told Somerset Live: “It’s going to be all about the meat. Lamb chops, pork chops, kebabs, you name it, we’ll have it. Of course we also have vegetarian options. One of our most exciting dishes will be a beef soup that is hugely popular in Greece. We’re not sure what to call it yet as we haven’t figured out a way of translating it! We’ve invested a great deal of time and effort into this to make sure it works. This is just the start – we hope it will take off and over the course of the year we can open a few more restaurants.”

Krispy Kreme to open store at new Ipswich shopping centre: Krispy Kreme will open a store next month at the redeveloped Buttermarket shopping centre in Ipswich. The chain will join Wagamama, better burger brand Byron, The Restaurant Group-owned Coast to Coast, Loungers brand Cosy Club, Prezzo and a Revolution bar, which all opened in recent months, with plans for two further restaurants to come. The newly redeveloped complex also features a 12-screen Empire cinema. Krispy Kreme will open its store on Tuesday, 7 February. Krispy Kreme UK chief marketing officer Judith Denby told the Ipswich Star: “We are extremely excited to be bringing the joy of Krispy Kreme to Ipswich in February and can’t wait to welcome busy shoppers to grab their dozens.” In October, Krispy Kreme UK confirmed the sale of 100% of share capital to Krispy Kreme Group, its US-based brand owner. The company said it would continue its strategy of “delivering profitable growth through the opening of new retail stores and self-serve cabinets across the UK and Republic of Ireland and driving core sales growth across the existing estate”. Krispy Kreme UK operates more than 70 stores across Britain.

Hospitality Jobs UK hires David Salisbury as non-executive director: Hospitality Jobs UK (HJUK), the online advertising job board for the hospitality and catering sectors, has announced the appointment of David Salisbury as a non-executive director. Founder of Salisbury Pubs, established in 1999 by David and his wife Becky, he brings a wealth of experience to the team. His appointment takes effect from 1 January. Dawn Redman, founder of HJUK, said: “Bringing David on board is absolutely the right decision, with his passion and unrivalled knowledge of the industry. His understanding of the challenges of being an operator and their wants and needs, he can add valuable knowledge and experience to our existing portfolio of experts, who are already making a significant difference to the way companies recruit within Hospitality.” David Salisbury added: “Having worked within the pub and bar sector for over 30 years, I was delighted to be approached by HJUK and to join their team as non-executive director. I am committed to supporting their growth and, in doing so, make a difference to the way they support the industry. With partnerships with the ALMR, HIT Training, CPL Online and Propel, HJUK is not just an advertising job board – it is a hub of information.”