Gavin Adair – Rosa’s Thai Cafe ‘consistently trading well above Coffer Peach Tracker, super property deals all over the place’: Rosa’s Thai Cafe managing director Gavin Adair has told Propel the company is consistently trading well above the Peach Tracker and is finding “super property deals all over”. The company set up by husband-and-wife team Saiphin and Alex Moore sold a majority stake to private equity firm TriSpan in June, with Adair leading the group’s next phase of growth. Speaking in his first interview since the investment, he said: “We’re trading well above the Peach Tracker and have been for pretty much as long as I can remember. We’re trading against some really big comparables from last year. It’s not price-driven – it’s partly cover-driven and partly delivery-driven out of our existing estate. It’s really encouraging we’ve stayed in significant, positive like-for-like territory, consistently well above Peach, but we’re not resting on our laurels. It’s a difficult market but we don’t want to take price – customers are going to be increasingly under pressure for some time – so the challenge is to keep that going and keep finding the right sites to drive the overall growth, which will be significant with the number of sites we have lined up.” Rosa’s Thai Cafe launched its latest site at One Tower Bridge last month, the fourth opening since Adair joined about 12 months ago. The company has a site lined up in the Albert Docks area of Liverpool, which will act as a “bulkhead for a cluster of restaurants in the north west”. Adair said: “There are deals that are super all over the place but the big risk is to try to go too fast and not control the quality.” Of the company’s new investors, Adair said: “TriSpan is just as excited as I am by the company’s potential. Our business plan is obviously to grow the business by building on the success we’ve had to date. It’s early days but I think TriSpan will be a great partner because it doesn’t want growth for growth’s sake and genuinely seems to buy into my strategy, which is to focus on our teams’ happiness that will, in turn, increase our customers’ happiness and that of our investors. It’s a difficult time in the sector as a whole but we are confident it’s a good time to have invested.” Read the full, exclusive interview with Gavin Adair in the next issue of Propel Quarterly magazine

Shortlist unveiled for Wireless Social Women’s Entrepreneur of the Year: The shortlist for the Wireless Social Women’s Entrepreneur of the Year has been unveiled. The shortlist, which has been selected from industry nominations, is Nisha Katona (Mowgli), Yasmine Larizadeh (Good Life Eatery), Pranee Laurillard (Giggling Squid), Mel Marriott (Darwin & Wallace), Raquel de Oliveira (Ceviche) and Joycelyn Neve (Seafood Pub Company). The winner will be announced at the Women’s Entrepreneur Conference, which takes place on Tuesday, 4 September at One Moorgate Place, London. Speakers at the conference are Wahaca founder Thomasina Miers (“How to ascertain if your business idea is genius or madness”); Mowgli founder Nisha Katona (“From barrister to bunny chow: why risk it all for restaurants?”); Sophie Bathgate, of Sophie’s Steakhouse (“What I would do differently next time”); Artizian founder Alison Frith (“How to market a startup”); Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars founder Mary Mclaughlin (“Growing an idea from startup to sustainable”); Eve Bugler, founder of BabaBoom (“How to keep the joy when it’s all on your shoulders”); Jane O’Riordan, founder of The Dynamo (“The importance of patience”); Sally Jackson, owner of The Pink Pig Farm (“The ten hardest lessons I’ve learned”); Christine Winton, of Siam Eatery (“Can you have work-life balance when you start a business?”); Vanessa Hall, co-founder of Jack & Alice (“The importance of staying true to your values when you start and expand your business”); and Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder of Caravan (“Why people are key to your success”). Wireless Social chief executive Julian Ross said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this award for the UK’s top women entrepreneurs – they are making an incredible contribution to the vitality of the UK foodservice scene and recognition is long overdue.” Event co-organiser Ann Elliott added: “Female entrepreneurs are making an enormous contribution to the hospitality sector – but we need even more of them. The conference is intended as a showcase for some of the sector’s best female entrepreneurs and to encourage even more of them to take the plunge.” Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “If our sector is to truly serve its market, we need more companies led by women at senior levels. We hope companies send their brightest female talent to the conference to pick up inspiration and develop their entrepreneurial talent. We also believe it’s a great opportunity for male colleagues to gain insights into female entrepreneurial skills.” Tickets, which are £195 plus VAT for Propel Premium subscribers, £245 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers, can be booked by emailing anne.steele@propelinfo.com or calling her on 01444 817691.

Operators invited to take part in haysmacintyre’s Hospitality Index in association with Propel, the biggest in sector: Operators are invited to take part in the fifth annual haysmacintyre UK Hospitality Index. The index, for multi-site pub, restaurant and foodservice operators, is the sector’s biggest benchmarking survey with more than 110 companies taking part last year. Covering trading, staffing, capital and funding, and property, the Index will deliver quality financial data and benchmarking intelligence to help hospitality businesses understand their sector’s key metrics and how they compare and can improve operations. To complete the survey and receive the final report, click here. The survey closes on Thursday, 30 August and information provided will be reproduced anonymously in this year’s Index, which will be launched at the Propel Multi Club Conference on Thursday, 1 November. Data and comments will not be attributed to respondents unless permitted.

Hotel investment in north of England rises to £482m in first half: Hotel investment volumes in the north of England reached about £482m in the first half of 2018, about 59% higher than the £304m total in the same period last year. Agent Savills has reported portfolio sales accounted for about £320m of transactions in the first half of the year, while individual hotel sales accounted for £162m. The total spend was dominated by UK investors (67%), including the portfolio purchase of four Ibis Styles hotels from Carillion by Starboard Hotels. This was followed by investors based in Israel (17%), Canada (9%), France (4%), the US (2%) and South Africa (1%). In terms of individual hotel transactions, Savills highlighted Lothbury Investment Management’s £44m acquisition of Malmaison in York, Accor’s £20m purchase of Novotel in Liverpool city centre, and Rockspring Property Investment Managers’ £15m acquisition of Holiday Inn in York among the key deals in the period. Tom Cunningham, hotels director at Savills Manchester, told The Business Desk: “Hotels in the north of England remain attractive to UK-based and global investors looking outside London thanks to the prices and returns available. Occupancy rates are also robust across the region, particularly in the larger towns and cities, and investment volumes look set to remain strong throughout the remainder of this year and beyond.”

D&D London to launch Bluebird in New York next month for debut US restaurant: Restaurant operator D&D London is to launch its Bluebird brand in New York next month. The venue will open in Manhattan on Wednesday, 5 September in a 10,400 square foot space on the third floor of the Time Warner Centre, near Central Park. D&D London chairman and chief executive Des Gunewardena said the opening would mark a new international era for Bluebird as the brand looked to expand across the world. He said the sister site would bring the “buzz and familiar charm” of the Chelsea original to New York. The venue will consist of an 88-cover cafe, 102-cover restaurant, private dining room, bar and lounge. Led by executive chef Nicolas Houlbert, Bluebird’s menu will combine influences from both sides of the Atlantic and change with the seasons. British classics such as fish and chips will remain on the menu alongside a British take on American Cobb salad. Desserts will include an almond and sour cherry Chelsea bun and an orange marmalade Bakewell tart with yogurt sorbet. The drinks list will feature British and American cocktails, beer and wine. Gunewardena said: “Bluebird is quintessentially British – celebrated for its buzz, glamour and food in London – and we are thrilled to be bringing this to New York City.” D&D London plans to open another restaurant in New York next year, in the Hudson Yards development. Gunewardena and David Loewi founded the company in 2006 following a buyout of Conran Restaurants, a deal that included the original Bluebird in King’s Road. A second Bluebird opened in White City in April.

Street Feast launches Hawker Union in north London for sixth site: Street Feast, which is operated by London Union, has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Hawker Union in Wood Green, north London. Previously a derelict warehouse, the site off Silsoe Road has been transformed into a contemporary food market concept. The 700-capacity Hawker Union offers 1,200 square metres of transformable space with feasting tables, pool tables, trampolines and a large outdoor space for events. It features six traders including Caribbean chicken from White Men Can’t Jerk, Portuguese pregos by Growlers, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza from Fundi, and nitro-frozen ice cream from Chin Chin Labs. Street Feast sales and events director Emma Howe said: “We are so excited to launch our sixth Street Feast venue and share our contemporary street market concept with the people of north London. Hawker Union is a fantastic venue brimming with character and we can’t wait to display our flexibility and creative approach through private and corporate events.” 

BrewDog ordered to pay £12,000 to worker sacked for deteriorating eyesight: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has been ordered to a pay a former employee £12,000 after sacking him due to his deteriorating eyesight. James Ross began working for the Aberdeenshire-based company in July 2016 but less than six months later his eyesight started to deteriorate due to Stargardt disease. BrewDog dismissed Ross in May last year branding it a “massive health and safety risk” if he was allowed to continue to work at the company’s site. Ross was awarded £12,405 after an employment tribunal ruled he was subject to unlawful discrimination due to his disability. He told the Herald: “The way BrewDog dealt with my condition was really poor for a company of its size. The management just didn’t seem to have a clue how to deal with it – they just wanted to end it.”

Community groups buy two Ei Group pubs: Two Ei Group pubs have been saved from closure after being bought by their regulars. The White Horse, between Leeds and York, and The Duke of Wellington, near Lincoln, have both been acquired from the UK’s largest leased and tenanted pub company by local community groups. The venues faced an uncertain future but the sales ensure they will remain as pubs for the foreseeable future. Ei Publican Partnerships sold The White Horse in Main Street, Church Fenton, after reaching an agreement with Church Fenton Community Hub. The group borrowed £355,000 from the Public Work Loans Board to buy the pub, which dates to 1881. Ei Publican Partnerships agreed a similar deal with Leasingham Community Benefit Society, which has bought the village’s only pub, The Duke of Wellington, for £232,000. The Lincoln Road site, which was designated an asset of community value, temporarily protecting it from change-of-use or demolition, will now be reopened by the residents’ group.

Disco Bars Group diversifies into pubs after taking on Admiral Taverns site in Stoke: Midlands-based Disco Bars Group, led by Peter Terry, has launched its first pub after taking on an Admiral Taverns site. The company’s focus had been on the nightclub sector before it opened craft ale, gin and whiskey bar Ebenezers in Nantwich, Cheshire, in December. Now it is trying its hand in the pub industry after reopening The John Marston in the surburb of Blurton in Stoke-on-Trent. The pub in Longton Hall Road has been refurbished and features six television screens and outside seating. Terry told the Stoke Sentinel: “I have been working with clubs and wanted to see if we could restore a community pub that had seen some terrible times. We’ve carried out the renovation with Admiral Taverns and secured the financial viability for the future. We saw the opportunity to take over a pub and turn it around – it is another string to the bow.” Disco Bars Group operates ten other sites including its Society Bar concept.

Wadworth installs bar on aircraft carrier: Devizes-based brewer and retailer Wadworth has installed a bar on aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in a joint project with the Royal Navy. The Queen’s Head is housed in an upgraded senior rates’ mess and features its own hand-painted sign. The bar stocks bottled Wadworth beer alongside specially brewed Carrier Ale. Wadworth has installed the bar as part of a mess refurbishment project with HMS Queen Elizabeth in conjunction with funding from The Royal Navy And Royal Marines Charity, The Nuffield Trust, BAE Systems and RN Rebalancing Lives. The new mess will cater primarily to senior rates and provide a dedicated area to relax and socialise in at sea. Wadworth chief executive Chris Welham said: “It has been a long time in the planning, well before the carrier was commissioned last year. The mess looks great and will provide a relaxing environment and some fine beer.”

Redcomb Pubs relaunches Alphabet in Islington: Multi-site operator Redcomb Pubs, founded by Dan Shotton and Mark Draper, has relaunched its Alphabet bar restaurant in Islington, north London. Formerly located in Soho’s Beak Street, the 180-cover venue has reopened in Upper Street offering Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates, hand-pressed flatbread and tagine. Alphabet also offers 26 cocktails and music at weekends. Signature dishes include Moroccan-spiced chicken wings with lemon and saffron, while there are kebabs, superfood and summer salads, and daily changing specials. The cocktail menu has been developed by Redcomb operations manager Chris Edwards. Alongside sister venue the Lockhouse in Paddington, Alphabet falls under Redcomb Pubs’ urban social division, which represents a key focus of expansion for the company with future projects in the pipeline. Redcomb Pubs currently operates 16 pubs and bars in London and surrounding counties, incorporating a number of pubs with rooms.

Edinburgh-based cocktail bar operator takes on Admiral Taverns pub for third site: Iain McPherson, who co-owns Edinburgh cocktail bars Panda & Sons and Hoot The Redeemer, has taken on an Admiral Taverns pub for his third site in the city. McPherson has teamed up with Kyle Jamieson to reopen the former Parlour pub in Duke Street, Leith, as the Nauticus, focusing on the area’s heritage as a key port with inspiration from the spice trade, gin craze, wine and sherry imports and the whisky boom. Almost 90% of stock is Scottish. McPherson told the Edinburgh Evening News: “We are delighted to showcase and support so many local suppliers. Leith is the most evolving area of Edinburgh at the moment and we want to highlight seasonal Scottish food and drink.” Jamieson said: “We wanted to create a stylish but comfortable pub where people of all ages can enjoy best-in-class Scottish produce. It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to create our vision for the pub.” Admiral Taverns business development manager David Balmanno added: “I would like to congratulate Kyle and Iain on their transformation of the pub. They have a strong vision for the Nauticus and have turned it into a real asset for the community.”

Atlas shuts Wellington Pizza Pub sites in Leeds and Manchester: Leeds-based Atlas Pub Co has closed Wellington Pizza Pub sites in Leeds and Manchester. The Wellington Pizza Pub, formerly Buca di Pizza, has ceased trading in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, and Lloyd Street, Manchester. The Chapel Allerton restaurant opened in 2017 in grade II-listed Stratford House as a sister branch to the brand’s city centre restaurant in Wellington Street. However, it has now closed due to “difficult trading conditions”. The Wellington Street restaurant remains open, as do branches in Hull and Beverley. Atlas Pub Co still holds the lease on the Chapel Allerton building and is speaking to the landlord about its next steps. Geoff Thornton, who owns the business with brother Nick, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The casual dining market is struggling a lot at the moment and our Chapel Allerton site struggled to make ends meet. We invested in it for more than a year to try to get traction but decided to focus our energies on the city site as it remains much more successful. We therefore transferred all our staff to the city and continue to trade there.” The business, initially called Buca di Pizza when the Wellington Street branch opened in 2014, changed its name in May this year following a legal challenge by an American chain with a similar name.

Coffee and dessert bar concept Bru makes Welsh debut with Cardiff opening, fourth site in total: Coffee and dessert bar concept Bru has made its Welsh debut after opening in Cardiff – its fourth site in total. Owner Noman Qaiser has opened the venue in David Street. It sells freshly made gelato ice cream made from an Italian recipe alongside specially crafted blends of coffee. The dessert menu features a range of waffles, milkshakes, sundaes and cookie dough. Bru also sells breakfast dishes and sandwiches, reports Wales Online. Bru’s other sites are in Harrow, Leicester and Walthamstow.

Tom Kerridge to launch debut London restaurant next month: Two Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge is to launch his debut London restaurant next month. “British brasserie” Kerridge’s Bar & Grill will open on the ground floor of the 283-bedroom Corinthia Hotel, Whitehall, on Monday, 10 September replacing restaurant Massimo. Kerridge’s career to date has focused on pubs in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where he operates two Michelin-starred The Hand And Flowers, Michelin-starred The Coach, and The Butcher’s Tap, a joint venture with Greene King. The 90-cover Kerridge’s Bar & Grill will have its own bar, while a rotisserie will be used to roast meat, fish and vegetables in front of diners. Fridges will line the wall showcasing meat supplied by The Butcher’s Tap, while the venue will also feature an 18-cover private dining room with its own open kitchen. Dishes on the menu will include Cornish crab vol au vent with avocado, green apple and crab bisque, and brown butter tart with buttermilk ice cream. Kerridge told the Evening Standard: “We are looking forward to doing what we do best – quality British cooking that is modern and exciting.”

The Headstart Group reveals Italian direction for upcoming Hessle restaurant: The Headstart Group has revealed its new restaurant in Hessle, East Yorkshire, will specialise in pasta, pizza and all things Italian when it opens this autumn. The company first announced its plans for Cucina 1884 in June, when it said it would shut its Hull restaurant Dock Street Kitchen. It will be replaced by 1884 Marina – set to open later this month – and further details have now been released for the Hessle venture. Cucina 1884, which will be on the corner of Ferriby Road in the former HU13 Kitchen premises, will specialise in small plates of pasta, wood-fired pizza and authentic ingredients imported from Italy. Director Jane Cook told the Hull Daily Mail: “The 1884 brand is a hallmark for great food and drink, impeccable service and for standing out as something different. We’ve been looking for an opportunity to bring all that to the villages west of Hull and the result is Cucina 1884.” Cucina 1884 will be the company’s first restaurant outside the city centre, while plans are in place to open a fourth branch at an unspecified location.

Greene King offers free gin for rhubarb: Brewer and retailer Greene King is offering free gin in more than 250 pubs this weekend in exchange for an unusual currency – rhubarb. Customers who visit one of 250 Greene King pubs on Saturday (18 August) and the following day will be able to swap the seasonal vegetable for a chilled glass of Whitley Neill rhubarb and ginger gin with tonic. The unconventional offer has been launched to meet the rising demand for unique and quirky flavour combinations and botanicals in gin. Greene King Locals marketing director Sue Thomas-Taylor said: “Everyone loves a gin and tonic on a British summer day, and there’s no denying a chilled glass you haven’t had to pay for tastes even better! Our pubs are looking forward to welcoming gin lovers to enjoy a taste of rhubarb goodness on the house this weekend!” Only one drink is permitted per person, while the offer is only available while stocks last.

Reuben brothers add to hotel portfolio with Soho deal: Billionaire tycoons David and Simon Reuben have acquired a site in Soho from UK-based Shiva Hotels with plans to develop a hotel. The brothers have bought 47, 48 and 49-50 Poland Street and land to the rear of 54-55 Great Marlborough Street. The site currently comprises three retail and office buildings totalling 53,000 square feet and comes with planning consent for a hotel with a restaurant and bar. The hotel would consist of more than 74,000 square feet on two basement levels, a ground floor and six upper levels. The brothers plan to operate the hotel under a long lease, reports Dealmakerz. The Reubens own a portfolio of hotels such as the Lingfield Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club. They plan to open a 154-bedroom Hilton Garden Inn featuring a 400-capacity hospitality suite at Doncaster Racecourse this year.

The Cat’s Pyjamas opens fourth site, in Harrogate: Indian kitchen and craft beer concept The Cat’s Pyjamas has opened its fourth site, in Harrogate, Yorkshire. Owner Alison White has launched the restaurant in Albert Street at a former Prezzo site. She told the Harrogate Advertiser: “I haven’t inflated my prices for Harrogate like so many do. Good-quality, affordable food in a modern setting with great service is what we try to deliver.” The Cat’s Pyjamas’ other restaurants are in Headingley, Leeds and York. Its menu includes Punjabi tandoori chicken, coconut chilli prawn curry, chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh. The company has secured a fifth site, in Sheffield, after signing a lease for a venue in Ecclesall Road in June.

Nottinghamshire-based operators get go-ahead for fourth site with expansion of Gincident concept: Nottinghamshire-based operators John Noble and Max Harman have got the go-ahead to open their fourth site. They have been granted permission to start expansion of their Gincident concept by opening a gin bar in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter in the Strand Arcade, off Sadler Gate. Noble and Harman launched Gincident in Nottingham in September last year. The concept features a “ginventory” of about 150 gins, each paired with a tonic and garnish by botanical brewery Fentimans, alongside cocktails, wine, prosecco, champagne and draught lager. The gin is offered in three strengths – ginnocent, gindulgent and ginsanity. They told Derbyshire Live: “We can’t wait to move into our new home on such a beautiful little street, meet the neighbours and welcome Derby gin fanatics.” Noble and Harman also run the Three Crowns pub and wine and cocktail bar BarSix in the village of Ruddington, near Nottingham.

Gunpowder opens Tower Bridge site: Harneet and Devina Baweja, the restaurateurs behind home-style Indian kitchen Gunpowder, have launched a second site for their concept. Gunpowder has opened at the One Tower Bridge development and features bakery and wine bar concept Custard. Gunpowder is a 60-cover, Calcutta-inspired restaurant offering dishes such as Madras-style chicken lollipop and Bengali fish fingers with crisps. Custard is on the ground floor and operates as a 40-cover bakery by day specialising in savouries, pastries and sandwiches from across the Indian subcontinent alongside coffee by Ozone Coffee Roasters. The venue transforms into a wine bar at night. Harneet Baweja told Hot Dinners: “We have a great location at Tower Bridge and I want to recreate the relaxed atmosphere of the old coffee houses of Kolkata.” The debut Gunpowder is in White’s Row, Spitalfields. The Bawejas recently announced the closure of their Himalayan concept, Madame D’s, and Raj-influenced Gul and Sepoy, both in Shoreditch, in order to focus on Gunpowder.

Icestone Gelato opens in Newcastle: Dessert restaurant operator Icestone Gelato has opened a site in Newcastle. The company has launched the venue in Westgate Road. Icestone Gelato makes its own gelato daily and serves a selection of waffles, cookie dough, crepes, fondue, profiteroles, cheesecakes, milkshakes, smoothies and mocktails. The menu also has a “back to school” section, which features traditional school puddings with custard. Icestone Gelato was launched in Yorkshire and has sites across the Midlands and the north.