Wadworth to build new brewery: Wadworth, the family brewer and regional pub operator, has announced that it intends to build a new brewery. Seeking to build on the brewing legacy that the firm established in 1875, Wadworth is looking to the future as it plans a new state of the art facility that protects the company’s history and heritage for the long term. Chief executive Chris Welham said: “We are hugely proud of our Wiltshire roots and the great beers that we provide for our customers. In this modern world, we need to be ever more flexible as a brewer to meet changing market demand and also ensure that we are geared up for the long-term development of the company. After a thorough review of our 1885 brewery and our plant and equipment, we have determined that it is coming to the end of its useful life. The building itself poses a number of challenges and we need our plant to be set up to be much more agile to brew beer in a variety of production sizes. Wrapping all of this up has led us to the conclusion that we are best placed building a new brewery that will enable us to safeguard our brewing legacy for years to come. There remains a great deal to do, to tie things down more accurately in a host of areas in terms of location, cost and resources. The plans for a new brewery will take some time and we will continue to brew as normal until a new facility comes online. We would ideally like to have commissioned a new facility within three to four years from now. Rest assured, our future remains as a brewer and a regional pub operator. As a key Wiltshire employer, this is an exciting time in the development of Wadworth and the future of the business.”

Las Iguanas to add five sites: Casual Dining Group plans to expand Las Iguanas, the Latin American restaurant chain launched in Bristol 28 years ago, The Times has reported. The newspaper stated: “While many well-known restaurant brands have retrenched or failed, Las Iguanas plans to open about five new sites a year across the UK and has started opening franchises overseas. The chain, which is owned by Casual Dining Group, has 57 outlets as far afield as Aberdeen and Torquay. These include two franchised sites at Center Parcs at Longleat and Woburn.”

PPHE Hotel Group buys London site for proposed hotel: PPHE Hotel Group, the international hospitality real estate group which owns, co-owns and develops has acquired the freehold interest in a site located in London SE1 with a view to developing the site into a hotel, subject to planning permission being obtained. The company stated: “The site was acquired from a third party seller at a total investment of £12 million (excluding taxes and associated costs) funded from the group’s existing cash. The group acted quickly to secure this attractive opportunity, which is situated near to Park Plaza London Waterloo. The acquisition is aligned to PPHE Hotel Group’s proven development strategy of targeting real estate in prime locations and attractive geographies where there is significant upside potential to drive growth and long-term value through both the property portfolio and operations.”

Propel Premium members to receive ten days of exclusive videos from Multi Club Conference, ‘Black Friday’ offer: Propel Premium subscribers will receive a daily video for ten days starting on Wednesday (4 December) featuring sector operators speaking at the final Multi Club Conference of 2019. The videos feature a spectrum of company leaders sharing insights into their strategies and plans, while industry experts look at some of the key trends that are shaping the sector. Videos will include Christie & Co head of valuation Stephen Owens; Andrew Ball, of sector accountancy specialist haysmacintyre; Alison Vickers, owner of Auriac Associates and former business development director for YO!, who is working with Dum Dum Donuts, Island Poke, Barburrito and Black Sheep Coffee; Bibendum chief executive Michael Saunders; Ali Aneizi, founder of Tamweel; Lorraine Copes, head of procurement at Corbin & King; Ed Devenport, co-founder of Incipio Group; Loui Blake, managing director of the UK’s largest vegan restaurant Erpingham House and co-founder of Kalifornia Kitchen; Wagamama and Hakkasan founder Alan Yau; and Andy Lewis-Pratt, who launched Xscape and is now chief executive of Market Halls. Videos will send out each day at 5pm and 2pm on a Friday. Meanwhile, Propel Premium subscribers also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before our 6am send-out, discounts to attend Propel conferences and events, and regular columns from Propel insights editor Mark Wingett. They also receive access to our database of multi-site companies, which has grown to 1,500 businesses. An annual premium subscription costs £345 plus VAT for operators and £445 plus VAT for suppliers – plus £50 each for additional team members. However, in a Propel ‘Black Friday’ offer, anyone subscribing on Monday (2 December) before 5pm can choose two colleagues to receive the service for free. Email anne.steele@propelinfo.com