Yummy Pub Co reports a +14.82% like-for-like sales increase in December trading: Yummy Pub Co, the London-based operator of six sites, has reported like-for-like sales growth in December of 14.82%. In a communication to the business, Tim Foster, co-founder of Yummy, described the performance as “exceptional results in a hugely competitive market”. Foster added: “Our December results reflect an amazing run-rate in the performance of our business which is now in its tenth year. We decided at the beginning of last year to stop expanding to avoid the distractions of new sites, having opened a site in December of 2014 and again in 2015, steady ourselves and our offer as we are completely self-funded in our growth so far. Increased cost pressures, mostly from business rates inflation and Brexit meant we had to analyse every spend and controls in the business. I believe we have become truly innovative again and the most pleasing result is a 20.88% spend in labour in the December period, a phenomenal result of controls and the work-life balance we strive for in the business. I’m proud to say we didn’t have chefs working anything over 50 hour weeks across the board and the same can be said for our front-of-house teams. We’re incredibly proud of these results. A huge thanks goes to Ashley Moore who joined us in early November 2017 to strengthen my direct team in operations and he has been an absolute asset to the performance of the business. We are just at the first stages of truly revolutionising our communications and clarity in Yummy, delivering colour, fun, innovation in bite-size pieces.” 

Work begins on Bistrot Pierre hotel in Plymouth: Work has begun on a boutique hotel that is opening in Royal William Yard in Plymouth next year. The hotel, which will be run by the Bistrot Pierre, will be based at the grade II listed building opposite the venue. Building is set to be completed in spring 2018. Similar to its restaurant and hotel combinations in Ilkley and Stratford-upon-Avon, the historic building will have 14 bedrooms, all with their own en-suite bathrooms. The site will also have an expansive garden area with decking overlooking Plymouth Sound.