Soho House Group launches early-stage investment vehicle: The backers of Soho House Group, including Richard Caring and Ron Burkle, have launched early-stage investment vehicle Cabinet Ventures, Propel has learned. It is believed the new business is headed by Soho House chief operating officer Martin Kuczmarski and is looking to invest in, and become a strategic partner for, drinks startups at the “intersection of wellness and culture”. The London and Los Angeles-based business said it “loves the disruptors, the unapologetically new generation of makers unafraid to address emerging consumer needs”. Caring and Burkle, who both own stakes in Soho House, are listed as directors in Cabinet Ventures. The company’s portfolio already includes three drinks businesses –Lady A’s rosé; London-based, female-founded RTD coffee company Bottleshot Brew; and Soho Lager, a brand developed by Soho House and Forest Road Brewery. Lady A is described as a “true Côtes de Provence rosé by Chateau La Coste”, while Lady A is a nickname Soho House founder Nick Jones gave Markus Anderson, one of its longest-standing team members. Billionaire Burkle acquired a 60% stake in Soho House Group for about £250m in 2012, which reduced Caring’s stake in the global luxury clubs business to circa 30%. Soho House will launch 180 House at 180 Strand in London this spring. The site will have two floors of members’ space along with a restaurant, bar and rooftop pool. Underneath will be Soho Works, a workspace designed for Soho House members. 180 Strand will be the flagship Soho Works site, with other locations being added in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong.

More than 300 readers sign up to Propel Premium, join now and save money: More than 300 readers have now signed up to Propel Premium – while those joining the new-look Propel Premium Club can save money by receiving a pair of free tickets to one of four conferences in 2020. 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 insights editor Mark Wingett. Subscribers also receive access to our database of multi-site companies, which has grown to 1,500 businesses. Meanwhile, subscribers to the new-look Propel Premium Club will be able to choose to use a pair of free tickets to one of the following conferences – The Delivery Conference (Tuesday, 21 April), The Finance and Investment Conference (Thursday, 14 May), The Casual Dining Summit (Monday, 12 October) or The New Concept Conference (Monday, 19 October). The normal cost of two tickets to these events is £490 plus VAT for operators and £690 plus VAT for suppliers. An annual premium subscription costs £395 plus VAT for operators and £495 plus VAT for suppliers. Email anne.steele@propelinfo.com

Hospitality sector bucks national trend to deliver 15% growth in apprenticeships: The UK’s hospitality sector has delivered 15% growth in the past year, bucking the national trend in other sectors. Speaking at the Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase in the House of Commons, UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls called on the government to ensure support to address hard-to-fill vacancies and review the Apprenticeship Levy to guarantee it met the changing needs of businesses. She said: “Hospitality has created half a million new jobs during the past decade and has potential to create hundreds of thousands more over the next ten years. Apprenticeships are a key part of that job creation and starts in the sector increased 15% last year while many other sectors experienced decline. They provide career progression and are key to getting people off entry-level wages. We still face labour shortages, though, particularly in hard-to-fill vacancies, and businesses need appropriate support from government if they are going to achieve more. The Apprenticeship Levy needs reviewing to increase flexibility and make sure it is appropriate for businesses of all sizes.” Meanwhile, UKHospitality has welcomed the Scottish parliament’s vote against scrapping the uniform business rate. Executive director for Scotland Willie Macleod said: “This decision is sensible and pragmatic. It is likely business rates for businesses would have sky-rocketed, with the result already-squeezed businesses may have failed.”

Research reveals positive change in perception of hospitality careers: More than three-quarters (76%) of parents and more than half (55%) of teachers believe jobs in hospitality offer a long-term career route that will help young people develop lifelong skills, according to new research from HIT Training. The company’s report – Don’t Waste: The Future Of Hospitality – surveyed 1,000 parents and 500 teachers. More than four-fifths (86%) of parents said food subjects should be on the curriculum, while almost two-fifths (38%) of teachers believe schools don’t provide enough advice about jobs in hospitality. One-fifth of teachers surveyed said they had seen an increase in pupils asking for information about jobs in hospitality in recent years. However, more than one-third (35%) of parents still believe hospitality careers have antisocial working hours and more than one-quarter (26%) think it’s a “stopgap” between school and university. HIT Training managing director Jill Whittaker said: “We know there’s still a lack of understanding about what careers this industry can offer in terms of progression, satisfaction and reward, which has resulted in a number of barriers preventing new talent entering the industry. However, there’s a huge opportunity for employers to maximise these encouraging perceptions from parents and teachers to attract and retain top talent. Key ways employers can do this is by ensuring they’re making effective work experience opportunities available, forging stronger relationships with schools to offer first-hand hospitality experiences and providing more sector-specific information to schools and parents. The aim of these initiatives is to shine a spotlight on the industry and showcase the different roles and progression opportunities available.”

CMA issues initial enforcement order against Just Eat and Takeaway.com deal: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered Just Eat and Takeaway.com to keep their businesses separate until an investigation into potential breaches of competition rules is complete. The CMA issued an initial enforcement order on Tuesday (4 February) against the companies, with Takeaway.com set to take over Just Eat in a £5.6m all-share merger. The order is preliminary to a decision, with no set deadline, on whether to launch a full merger inquiry. The two businesses must continue operating under separate management and branding until the investigation is complete. The CMA investigation launched last month centres on whether Takeaway.com might have re-entered the UK market, which it quit in 2016. Takeaway.com previously said that wasn’t the case. On Friday (31 January), Takeaway.com declared its takeover of Just Eat unconditional. Its all-share offer for Just Eat, worth 916p per share, beat a rival 800p-per-share cash bid from technology investment giant Prosus. On Friday, Takeaway.com said 92.2% of Just Eat shareholders had tendered shares to its offer. Takeaway.com said it intended to start a squeeze-out process to acquire the rest.

Iberian private chef experience launches in the UK offering ‘more than 100 Michelin stars’: Supper Stars, a private chef experience based in Portugal and Spain, is to launch in the UK this month offering “more than 100 Michelin stars”. The experience offers signature fine dining menus in homes or other private venues cooked by chefs from some of the world’s best restaurants, including Noma, The Fat Duck and El Bulli. Supper Stars co-founder Tiago Ribeiro said: “The UK is one of the most exciting gastronomic destinations in the world, with incredible produce, a real mixture of cultures and a genuine appetite and enthusiasm for great food. After three years in Portugal and Spain, we couldn’t think of a better location for Supper Stars expansion. Our chefs’ experiences cover more than 100 Michelin stars and we can’t wait to bring the most creative, elevated restaurant-quality food to kitchens nationwide.” Ribeiro and Margarida Correia launched Supper Stars in Portugal in 2017. 

BrewDog appoints chief executive for US business: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has appointed Jason Block as chief executive of its US business. Block replaces Allison Green, who has returned to England to join retailer B&M as group people director. Block’s experience includes six years at clothing maker and retailer Homage, where he was president. He left that role in 2018 and co-founded Innerspace, a co-working space aimed at health professionals, with Columbus developer and entrepreneur Brett Kaufman. Regarding his BrewDog appointment, Block told Columbus Business First: “In the US there’s more of an entrepreneurial and startup mentality. Working with a young team with big growth goals and opportunities to expand into different geographies was something I was interested in doing and have had some experience doing.” Block is the third chief executive of BrewDog’s US operations in less than a year. Tanisha Robinson held the role for almost two years before leaving last spring to launch a CBD drinks startup. Green, who had been with BrewDog since 2016, took over from Robinson in March.

McManus joins TRG leisure division as people director: Jacqui McManus has joined The Restaurant Group (TRG) as people director of its leisure division, Propel has learned. McManus was previously culture and people development director at TGI Friday’s UK, a role she held for seven years having joined in 2008 as director of operations for London. A TRG spokesman told Propel: “Jacqui is highly experienced and has a proven track record of leading cultural change and improvement programmes focusing on retention and growth.” McManus will report to new leisure division chief executive Mark Chambers when he joins in March. In October, McManus was one of four TGI Friday’s UK senior directors, including chief executive Karen Forrester, who decided to step down. Chief financial officer Stuart Greener and operations director Cain Savazzi also decided to leave. Forrester left TGI Friday’s UK in December and has been replaced by former Virgin Active chief executive Robert Cook.

Young’s acquires Camden pub: London pub operator Young’s has acquired The Constitution in Camden. The transaction included the simultaneous acquisition of the leasehold interest from Pubs of Distinction and the freehold of the St Pancras Way property from an investor. Young’s acquisition manager Brendan Brammer said: “We are delighted to acquire this property, which has canal frontage, a large external trading area and is in the heart of an area that continues to see significant urban regeneration. We intend to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment of the site ready for summer trading.” Fleurets director Ed Sandall, who brokered the deal, added: “This transaction reflects an opportunistic deal, which resulted in three happy parties. There is a lack of good-quality stock on the market, meaning we’re having to dig deeper and be more creative for our clients.”

PizzaExpress appoints Haas to new retail and product director role: Christian Haas has joined PizzaExpress in the newly created role of retail and product director, Propel has learned. Haas, who spent 14 years at Waitrose, most recently leading its category management function, has also joined PizzaExpress’ UK and Ireland leadership team. Leading a newly formed team, the company said Haas’ role had been created to bring “additional cross-departmental synergies across product-related functions while driving end-to-end quality, efficiency and innovation”. His focus at the Hony Capital-owned chain will include retail, food and beverage, and supply chain. He will also oversee quality, safety and wellness. PizzaExpress managing director Zoe Bowley told Propel: “The appointment of Christian Haas as retail and product director will enable us to make a significant positive difference to our customer offer and assist us in optimising our FutureExpress roll-out.” Haas said: “I am delighted to join PizzaExpress at an exciting, pivotal time for the business. It’s clear our customers love the brand and I look forward to working with the talented teams within the business to maximise PizzaExpress’ potential in line with its FutureExpress strategy.”

Dinner by Heston in Melbourne ‘underpaid staff by at least £2.3m’: Melbourne restaurant Dinner by Heston owes its staff at least $AS4.5m (£2.3m) in unpaid wages after systematically underpaying its workers since opening in 2015, according to a creditors’ report. Tipsy Cake, which owns Dinner by Heston and uses chef Heston Blumenthal’s name under licence, is under external administration from BRI Ferrier, which estimates the company’s debt at £4.1m, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. This has been caused by “underpayment of employee entitlements over a period of four years from commencement of business until circa June 2019, when the employment arrangements were changed to comply with employment legislation”. As it isn’t a crime under Australian law, employees underpaid by restaurants usually have to resort to civil action to claim any back pay. The country’s Fair Work Ombudsman launched an inquiry into Tipsy Cake’s wage practices after a Sydney Morning Herald investigation into unpaid overtime. The company appointed liquidators just before Christmas after missing a deadline to pay wages owed. Tipsy Cake uses Heston Blumenthal’s name under licence but he does not own the restaurant. The BRI Ferrier report also revealed Crown Casino, the restaurant’s nominal landlord, charged only $1 (52p) per year in rent, while spending $1m per year licensing the Dinner by Heston intellectual property, including its name and recipes. Crown Casino stated: “Tipsy Cake has asked the court to appoint a liquidator on the basis it is insolvent. In these circumstances, Crown has taken steps to bring the tenancy to an end.” Blumenthal launched the Dinner by Heston concept at London’s Mandarin Oriental hotel in Hyde Park in 2011.

Sale agreed for leasehold of Fitzrovia pub previously operated by Faucet Inn: A sale has been agreed for the leasehold of The Northumberland Arms in London, which was operated by Faucet Inn before the company went into administration earlier this year. The property in Tottenham Court Road was put on the market in November with a guide price of offers in excess of £385,000. Acting on behalf of administrators FRP Advisory, agent Fleurets was marketing the site. In their latest progress report, administrators Geoffrey Rowley and Jason Baker, of FRP Advisory, reported a “cash offer in line with the valuation” had been accepted, subject to contract”. The administrators said secured creditor RoundShield, which is owed £200,000, is expected to suffer a significant shortfall in its lending. The level of distribution to unsecured creditors will depend on the outcome of the assignment of The Northumberland Arms lease. There are no preferential creditors. As previously reported, the Faucet Inn business and assets were sold in a pre-pack agreement to Golden Brick Pubs and Freshwater Pub Co, which both list Faucet Inn founder Steve Cox as sole director. As well as The Northumberland Arms, Faucet Inn also operated Neighbourhood in Stratford, the lease of which was previously sold. Faucet Inn also operated other leasehold sites, which had become unprofitable and subsequently closed. These losses, together with contingent liabilities crystallising from the closed sites, meant continued trading was untenable and the directors sought professional advice, resulting in the appointment of administrators.

Di Maggio’s Group reports slight turnover dip: Scottish restaurant operator Di Maggio’s Group has reported turnover was down slightly to £36.5m for the year ending 28 April 2019, compared with £36.8m the previous year. Pre-tax profit increased to £3.9m, compared with £3.6m the previous year. The company received £872,000 from an insurance claim after one of its restaurants was destroyed in a fire in November 2018. Gross profit margin improved to 71.8% from 70.5% the previous year. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The directors are satisfied with the financial performance during the period. At the period end shareholders’ funds totalled £16.4m, compared with £13.9m the year before. The directors continue to look for suitable restaurant sites to expand the group’s business.” The company operates 22 restaurants.

Deltic Group launches chef apprenticeship programme: Bar and nightclub company The Deltic Group has launched a chef apprenticeship scheme through its partnership with HIT Training. The company’s core apprenticeship scheme began in 2017 and the chef proposition has been added following the launch of the business’s Eden brand, which includes all-day dining. The chef apprenticeship scheme combines workshops and on-the-job training. The Deltic Group employs more than 1,800 people aged 16 to 25 at its 54 clubs and bars. HR director Zoe Pacyna-Wood said: “We feel it’s more important than ever we continue to bring young people into the leisure industry and show it can provide a stable, exciting and rewarding career.”

Smoky Boys BBQ heads to Yorkshire for fourth site: Halal barbecue and burger brand Smoky Boys BBQ has headed to Yorkshire for its fourth site. The company has opened at the Xscape centre in Castleford offering vegetarian options alongside its signature meat dishes. The restaurant is run by husband and wife Usman Salim and Siddra Khatoon. Jason Warren, general manager of Xscape Yorkshire, told BDaily: “It is always great to welcome another opening but, when it’s a first for Yorkshire, it’s even better.” Smoky Boys BBQ operates sites in Amersham in Buckinghamshire, Hounslow in west London and Watford in Hertfordshire.

Team behind The Assembly in Leeds eyes further expansion: The team behind The Assembly street food concept in Leeds is planning further expansion with a site lined up in Manchester, Propel has learned. PopCity, which is the brainchild of commercial property expert Nick Gregory and restaurateur Richard Sweet, is understood to have applied to open a site under The Assembly name on the former Pitcher & Piano unit opposite Bridgewater Hall. Propel understands Gregory and Sweet are also eyeing an opening in Reading for the concept, which they launched in Leeds at the end of 2018. The venue opened in the former Carpe Diem underground club following a £2.5m investment and features a collective of local businesses offering craft beer and street food.

Cattle Grid founder secures Lavender Hill site for next opening: Steve Novak, founder of steakhouse concept Cattle Grid, will add to his south London estate with an opening in Lavender Hill, Clapham. Novak has secured the former Valentina Foods site at 281 Lavender Hill for a venue that will be pitched between his wine bar Heidi in Balham and pub The Earlsfield. The new site is scheduled to open next month. Novak also operates The Charlotte in Southwark and the last remaining Cattle Grid site in Windsor. Marc Rogers, of MKR Property, acted on behalf of Novak on the Lavender Hill deal, while Matt Gilson, of CBRE, acted for landlord Mitchells & Butlers.

Rockfish gets go-ahead for Sidmouth site: Rockfish, the south west-based seafood restaurant group run by Mitch Tonks, has been given the go-ahead to open a site in Sidmouth, Devon. The company has had plans to convert historic Drill Hall approved by East Devon District Council, which means the sale of the building to Rockfish by the council can now be concluded. Rockfish plans to invest more than £1m in the venture, which will create 40 jobs, reports Devon Live. Tonks said: “Drill Hall has been empty for a long time. It has features we are looking to retain and enhance as part of our scheme so we can bring the building back to its former glory. Sidmouth is a wonderful seaside town that fits our ethos of fresh fish eaten by the sea.” Rockfish operates eight sites having launched in Dartmouth, Devon, in 2010.

Restaurateur reveals more details of brasserie and wine bar opening at former Green’s site in St James’s: Restaurateur François O’Neill has revealed more details of the brasserie and wine bar he will open at the former site of Green’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar in St James’s, central London, this spring. O’Neill’s father Hugh launched Brasserie St Quentin in Knightsbridge in 1980 with his cousin Quentin Crewe, a former Evening Standard restaurant critic. François O’Neill took over the restaurant in 2008, turning it into Brompton Bar & Grill. Matthew Ryle, a finalist in Masterchef: The Professionals in 2018, will head the kitchen at Maison François, which will open in Duke Street featuring an in-house bakery, dispensary bar and a menu of brasserie classics, handmade pasta dishes, and fish and meat cooked over a wood-fired grill. Downstairs wine bar Frank’s will offer more than 250 bottles and a 16-cover private room. Interiors will feature art deco chandeliers and a 1970s-inspired bronze clock above the open kitchen. François said: “Brasserie St Quentin is a hard act to follow but I’m looking forward to putting my own stamp on the brasserie tradition.” Simon Parker Bowles closed Green’s in 2016 after landlord The Crown Estate announced redevelopment plans.

JKS Restaurants to reopen Gymkhana this month: JKS Restaurants, led by Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina Sethi, will reopen Michelin-starred restaurant Gymkhana on Tuesday, 18 February. The venue in Albemarle Street, Mayfair, has undergone a major refurbishment following a blaze in June. Executive chef Jitin Joshi will continue to lead the kitchen with new dishes including game bird baida roti alongside new cocktails and a “gin flavour map”. Redesign of the interiors has been spearheaded by new JKS Restaurants design director Samuel Hosker and feature jade tones, polished timber and metallic accents paired with printed fabrics. The ground-floor space will be inspired by mansions in Kolkata and Pondicherry, with leather booth seating and Edwardian-inspired banquettes. Original Gymkhana features will combine with new wall hangings, photography and taxidermy to “preserve the clubhouse feel”. The ground-floor bar will be inspired by an Edwardian drawing room cabinet, while the basement has been remodelled to allow for a “club lounge feel”. The bar has been reconfigured to a jewel box shape, while the private dining vaults have also been remodelled. JKS Restaurants also backs Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Trishna in Marylebone, Indian restaurant and bar concept Brigadiers in the City of London, and leading concepts such as Hoppers and Bao. Its portfolio also includes delivery brand Motu and Iranian-influenced restaurant Berenjak.

Multi-site operators scoop five accolades at Star Pubs & Bars awards: Multi-site operators scooped five of the 16 accolades at Star Pubs & Bars’ 2019 Star Awards. They were Rose Hanison for The Black Horse in Norwich (best bar team); Belle Pubs & Restaurants for Griffin Belle in London (live sports venue); Kate Hayden and Paul Warriner for The Extraordinary Hare in Oxfordshire (most family friendly); Matthew Muszynski for The Salisbury Ale House in Manchester (pint perfection); and Whiting & Hammond for The Blue Ball in Surrey (best soft drinks). Judges noted particular advances in the company’s food, soft drinks, spirits and wine categories. Star Pubs & Bars managing director Lawson Mountstevens said: “Licensees are stepping up their game to deliver fantastic experiences across all categories and occasions. With 2,500 pubs in the Star Pubs & Bars estate, the competition was intense.”

Junkyard Bar & Kitchen to close West Bridgford site, on Sunday: Nottingham-based operator Junkbars is to close Junkyard Bar & Kitchen in West Bridgford. In November, Junkbars relaunched the Lady Bay venue as its second Junkyard site after admitting its pizza concept, Holy Calzone, had “failed to perform”. However, the venue will now close permanently on Sunday (9 February). Director Nigel Garlick said: “We are trying to remain positive and it’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly. People have lost their jobs and many local suppliers and services we worked with will lose out too. There were some signs of success after the rebrand but, being realistic, it’s still a way off and we’re a small group without huge resources. We’ve decided to focus on our three other, more successful sites. This includes a refurbishment of The Herbert Kilpin with a new beer and food menu in March and lots more beer-related activity at Junkyard. We loved being in Lady Bay. We’re sure it could work for someone else with the right offering but we have to be realistic and getting out now prevents putting our other bars at risk down the line.” The other Junkyard Bar & Kitchen is in Nottingham city centre, while Junkbars also operates Boilermaker and The Herbert Kilpin in the city.

Carlsberg reports full-year UK volume down by ‘high single digits’: Carlsberg has reported total volume fell by “high single digits” in the UK for the year ending 31 December 2019 as it grew market share. Regarding its UK performance, the company stated: “A key focus in 2019 was the relaunch of the Carlsberg brand. During the year, price/mix showed good progress and our market share improved compared with the exit level of 2018. Volumes declined by high single-digit percentages, affected by tough comparables, lower volumes of Carlsberg Pilsner due to higher pricing of the brand, and decline of the Carlsberg Export line extension.” Overall, reported net revenue grew 5.4% to DKK65,902m (£7,472m), with reported volume growth of 0.1%. Tuborg volume grew 2%, Grimbergen rose 3%, 1664 Blanc increased 29%, while Carlsberg was down 3%. Craft and speciality volume was up 16%, while alcohol-free brew volumes rose 7%. The company has initiated a 12-month share-buyback programme of DKK5.0bn. Chief executive Cees ’t Hart said: “We saw healthy top-line growth, strong margin improvement and strong cash flow. In recent years we’ve strengthened our business considerably and we’ll continue to execute on our SAIL’22 priorities and further reinforce our Funding The Journey culture to support long-term growth and value creation for shareholders.”

Costa Coffee voted UK’s ‘favourite coffee shop chain’ for tenth year running: Costa Coffee, which is owned by Coca-Cola, has been voted the UK’s favourite coffee shop chain – by Allegra’s independent panel of more than 4,000 consumers – for the tenth year running. Allegra said in the past decade the UK’s coffee shop market had expanded to more than 25,000 outlets and more than doubled in value to £10.5bn. Neil Lake, Costa Coffee managing director for UK and Ireland, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and means a lot, especially as it’s voted for by consumers. We’re looking forward to the next decade.” Allegra Group founder and chief executive Jeffrey Young added: “Coffee shops have become a crucial part of the UK’s social fabric and Costa Coffee’s contribution to the industry has been immense.”

London hotel launches ‘ultimate family suite’ in partnership with children’s bedroom designer: Central London hotel Park Plaza London Riverbank has launched an “ultimate family suite” in partnership with children’s bedroom designer Room To Grow. The room, which features chalk-board walls and trunks “full of treasure” including interactive games and a projector, follows research that found two-fifths (40%) of children are “bored” on holiday, with almost three-quarters (71%) of adults believing hotel rooms are designed with only “grown-ups in mind”. The research found families’ main concern when staying at a hotel were ensuring children were entertained. The two-bedroom suite includes “child-approved” design elements alongside services such as a family concierge, who will tailor a personalised itinerary. Children can choose one of four themes for their soft furnishings – superhero, princess, sport and enchanted forest. Rob Flinter, general manager of Park Plaza London Riverbank, said: “As a parent, I can relate to the struggles some parents contend with on holiday. It was interesting to hear their own suggestions for a family hotel suite and I’m delighted we have been able to include a lot of their ideas.” Park Plaza Hotels is owned by PPHE Hotel Group.

Verdant Leisure acquires tenth site: Holiday park operator Verdant Leisure, which is backed by Palatine Private Equity, has acquired its tenth site. The Lancaster-headquartered company has added Erigmore Estate in Perthshire to its portfolio for its second holiday park purchase in the past 18 months. It also marks the sixth bolt-on deal since Palatine Private Equity started backing the business in April 2016. James Painter, investment director at Palatine Private Equity, said: “Buy and build is a key part of Verdant’s growth strategy. We continue to see strong demand from British holidaymakers for staycations.” Verdant Leisure was founded in September 2010 following a management buy-in of Dunham Leisure, owner of Pease Bay and Thurston Manor Leisure Parks in Scotland. It now operates more than 3,000 pitches of privately owned lodges, holiday homes, holiday lettings and touring facilities.