Lane7 to make move into family entertainment centre market: Boutique bowling company, Lane7, is moving in to the family entertainment centre market with new concept – “Level X”. The concept “will bring together the best in games and tech to create a space that’s as fun for adults as it is the kids”. Level X will offer activities such as bowling, mini-golf, interactive darts, e-carts, e-sports, batting cages, arcades and a VR zone that will include the latest roaming VR tech. Chief executive Tim Wilks told Propel the sites for Level X would be about 50,000 square foot – two or three times bigger than those of Lane7. The company had used its Gutterball venue in South Shields to develop various aspects of the concept and now plans to expand it UK-wide. Three sites have already been confirmed for Level X with a further five in negotiation ahead of launching this summer. The first locations include the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow and Captain Cook Square in Middlesbrough. Wilks said the idea was to put the customer in control of the experience with visitors having a wrist band they would load credit on that they would scan in order to play the various games. He added the use of technology would allow staff to concentrate on guests and provide “value added service”. Each site will have its “own identity and experience” to fit into its location. “Level X is all about merging the games you loved as a kid with cool tech elements to elevate the experience,” Wilks said. “We’ve been all over the world looking for the latest and best games with a particular focus on tech and I’m confident we can bring products the UK market has never have experienced before. The venues themselves are bigger than we’ve ever launched before and the fit outs will be fantastic – with loads of colour, different zones and huge attention to the detail.” Wilks said the rollout of Level X would be accompanied by further sites for its 11-strong Lane7 brand. “We’ve traded decently since reopening in April so we’re in a fairly strong financial position to allow us to crack on,” he added.

Two days to go before release of updated Premium Database of Multi-Site Companies, 87 businesses being added: A total of 87 new multi-site companies, operating 918 sites, have been added to the next edition of the Propel Premium Database of Multi-Site Companies, which will be released on Friday (28 January), at midday. The updated Propel Multi-Site Database, which is produced in association with Virgate, includes a number of brands growing through franchise, expanding cocktail bar concepts and regional restaurant and coffee shop operators. Premium subscribers will also receive a 6,500-word report on the new additions to the database. The comprehensive database is updated monthly and provides company names, the people in charge, how many sites each firm operates, its trading name and its registered name at Companies House if different. It features more than 2,000 companies. Premium subscribers will also receive the sixth edition of the New Openings Database, which is produced in association with StarStock, on Friday, 4 February, at midday. It focuses on newly announced openings and upcoming launches in the sector and is updated every month. The sixth edition also includes a 26,300-word report on the new additions to the database. Premium subscribers also receive access to another database – the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is produced in association with Mapal Group. The Blue Book, which is also updated monthly, provides an insight into UK operator turnover and profitability over five years, profit conversion and directors’ earnings. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £895 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £445 plus VAT for operators and £545 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription. Subscribers also receive access to Propel’s library of lockdown videos and Friday Wrap interviews and now also have access to a curated video library of the sector’s finest leaders and entrepreneurs, offering their insights on running outstanding businesses in the sector. Premium subscribers also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before our 6am send-out, regular video content and regular exclusive columns from Propel group editor Mark Wingett.

Diogenes the Dog founder launches petition to extend skilled worker visa programme: Sunny Hodge, founder of Elephant & Castle wine bar and cafe Diogenes the Dog and Battersea-based low-intervention wine bar Aspen & Meursault, has launched a petition to extend the skilled worker visa programme. Hodge is pushing for it to include non-managerial key hospitality positions such as sommeliers, cocktail bartenders and maître d’s to help address the sector’s staff shortage. With the current programme open to dancers, choreographers and orchestral musicians, the list overlooks the contributions made to the hospitality industry by skilled and officially qualified workers, Hodge argued. He said: “Roles such as sommeliers, cocktail bartenders and maître d’s are careers that take years to develop skill and knowledge in. They are non-managerial, highly skilled positions where the UK now faces severe shortages due to Brexit and the pandemic. Many of these skilled workers came from the EU and have left Britain due to hospitality closures and industry uncertainty. Our industry is recovering, but many are operationally unable to open due to UK-wide skilled labour shortages. While this petition isn’t a silver bullet to solve all our issues, it will go some way to helping bring the industry back from the brink.” Hodge launched Diogenes the Dog in late 2018 before opening Aspen & Meursault in August last year. The petition can be signed here.

BBPA – longer term solution urgently needed to carbon dioxide shortage to avoid seriously hindering sector’s recovery: The sector urgently needs a longer term solution to the carbon dioxide shortage to avoid seriously hindering the industry’s recovery, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has warned. A supply chain crisis was averted last year when the government stepped in to broker a three-month price-fixing deal between carbon dioxide producers and industry – but that expires at the end of the month. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “As the threat of further disruption to the availability of carbon dioxide continues to grow, so does the potential impact on brewers and pubs. We continue to liaise with suppliers and are urging the government to support those manufacturing processes we depend on for the majority of our carbon dioxide. The sector urgently needs a longer term solution to avoid further, sudden outages – particularly as energy prices are likely to remain high for some time. After a devastating winter period for our pubs and brewers, ongoing supply chain disruption could add to the burden of additional costs or seriously hinder our recovery as a sector. However, beer drinkers and pub goers can rest assured there is still plenty of beer to go round.” 

Shaftesbury boss – London must be positioned as an unrivalled destination if it is to recover from the pandemic: London must be positioned as an unrivalled destination if it is to recover from the pandemic, according to Brian Bickell, chief executive of West End landlord Shaftesbury. He said not only will this drive economic recovery that will support levelling up across the UK, but also allow the “reinvention and future-proofing of London far beyond the immediate post-pandemic recovery”. He believes a key starting point would be simplifying and streamlining the visitor visa application process, as well as addressing the challenges Europeans face now EU identity cards are not accepted for travel. Bickell added: “An important element of making our city an attractive destination is a strong, well-connected transport network. The government should be collaborating with Transport for London and other stakeholders to secure the prosperous future of London’s transport network. We’d like to see them agree to a sustainable funding plan that will increase the use of public transport to drive productivity, increase footfall, encourage capital investments, and help the city to achieve its clean air goals. In short, the government should be doing all in its power to encourage both international and domestic visitors into this city to experience the incredible destinations and experiences we have to offer – including the world-class cuisine, global fashion hub and leading music scene we have here in the heart of London.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a beer brand that is looking to add a production director. A COREcruitment spokesman said: “This is a leadership position to oversee the beer production processes. Your responsibilities in the role will be to create and communicate a clear vision for the future to inspire and drive the business to achieve and surpass business goals and objectives. You will also be working collaboratively with the senior leadership team to drive efficiencies across the broader supply chain.” The position is paying up to £180,000 base salary. For more information and to apply, email mikey@corecruitment.com

 

Roxie Steak & Wine brings in advisors to explore options: London-based steak specialist Roxie Steak & Wine is working with advisors to explore its funding options going forward, which could include a sale of the business, Propel has learned. Roxie Steak & Wine currently owns five sites across south London, in Earlsfield, Putney, Wimbledon, Fulham and Twickenham. The latter two are currently temporarily closed. Propel understands Roxie Steak & Wine is working with Hilco Global on its options, which could involve a restructure of the business. It is thought offers are being sought for the business by Tuesday, 8 February. It is understood the business was profitable pre-covid, with group turnover for the year to 31 March 2020 believed to be circa £3.8m. The Richard Hollway-led business was launched in 2011, and five years ago was believed to have turned down investment interest from a number of private equity firms and investors. 

Pesto seeing ‘phenomenal’ trading: Neil Gatt, owner of Italian restaurant business Pesto, has told Propel that trading has been “phenomenal” so far in its current financial year. Gatt, who owns the business with wife Sara, said plans to grow the business, which operates ten restaurants throughout the north west and Midlands, remain “very much our intention”, but the difficulty was finding the right quality of site. He said: “Over the years we have learned precisely what characteristics make a great Pesto site and we are not prepared to compromise on that. So we wait patiently for the right opportunities to grow our business. Over the last six months we have been giving our new senior team members – managing director Menesh Modhwadia and financial director Jeremy Booth – the chance to get themselves fully immersed in the business and hopefully this coming 12 months will see opportunities coming our way for growth. Trading during our first six months of this financial year has been phenomenal and January has continued in the same vein, which is very pleasing.” Gatt spoke after Pesto reported turnover increased slightly to £9.4m for the year ending 30 June 2021 from £9.3m the year before despite its sites being shut for most of the year due to restrictions. Pesto was able to retain its workforce throughout the pandemic due to support received from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and business grants. The business reported a pre-tax profit of £1m versus a loss of £1.1m the previous year. 

Chik’n returns to the expansion trail, four new sites lined up: Chik’n, the fried chicken concept backed by Sir Charles Dunstone, is to return to the expansion trail, with four new sites in London lined up for this year already, Propel has learned. The John Nelson-led business is understood to have lined up openings in Camden, Notting Hill Gate, Putney and Wimbledon. Propel understands the brand, which currently operates sites in Angel, Soho and Marylebone, is set to open at 88 Notting Hill Gate. It is also believed to have secured the former O’Neills site in The Broadway, Wimbledon. Propel revealed earlier this month Chik’n had appointed Peter Gibson, formerly of Nando’s and Flat Iron, as its new property director. Last year, Propel revealed Dunstone, the backer of Five Guys UK, had become the majority backer of Chik’n, with plans to ramp up its rollout. Chik’n also currently operates out of dark kitchens in Battersea, Park Royal and Wandsworth. Paul Tallentyre, of Davis Coffer Lyons, acted on the Wimbledon deal.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt brand Yolé seeks franchisees for UK roll out: Yolé, the world’s first no-sugar ice cream and frozen yogurt brand, which launched in the UK last year, has begun a search for franchisees as it seeks to expand across the country. The business is looking for franchisees to take on at least three sites each, as it targets expanding into every major UK city. The brand, which is owned by Milad Nawaz and Salman Qureshi, made its debut here with openings in Lakeside and Canary Wharf. It has now added sites in Covent Garden, Shaftesbury Avenue and, most recently, Westfield London. A further site is lined up to open in Shoreditch next month. The UK expansion comes after the brand established a presence in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Cambodia, and Indonesia. This is all part of the brand’s global expansion which will feature more stores across the UK as well as in Europe, and North America in the next year. A Yolé spokesman said: “London was a great area for us to start but we’d like to take our product across the UK. We’d like to sign up new franchises to at least three stores to help us make Yolé a major name in the UK dessert market.”

Richoux brand to begin relaunch next month under new leadership, expansion planned: Richoux, the brand saved out of administration last year, is to relaunch next month in London’s Piccadilly, under the leadership of chefs Jamie Butler and Lewis Spencer. Last year, Propel revealed Naveen Handa, of leisure company The Cairn Group, acquired the Richoux brand and its intellectual property out of administration, and subsequently purchased the site in Piccadilly. The site will reopen on Wednesday, 23 February, with a menu paying homage to “the grand brasseries of Paris and their paired back classic dishes, while focusing on impeccably-sourced produce, prepared simply to let each ingredient sing”. From late spring, Richoux, which will also feature a bar, will launch dedicated breakfast and afternoon tea menus. Butler and Spencer, who will drawing on their combined experiences at leading restaurants including two-starred L’Enclume, three-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York and two-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, said: “We are excited to be opening such an iconic British institution. It’s quite unbelievable that our first venture together as chef partners will be in a restaurant with such a high reputation as Richoux. After having the privilege of working under some of the finest chefs in the world, we can’t wait to take the next step in our careers, using the skills we have learned to bring a little slice of luxury at affordable prices back to Piccadilly.” The brand, which had sites in Piccadilly and Mayfair, was part of Dining Street and its two subsidiaries, Richoux and Newultra, which was placed into administration last year. Handa is part of the family that owns The Cairn Group, which has grown to a portfolio of 32 hotels and more than 30 bars and restaurants across the UK. Handa, who also backs East Coast Concepts and is a partner in the joint venture behind Vapiano UK, plans to expand Richoux in the UK and internationally. Propel understands he plans to return the brand to Mayfair on a new site.

Westbury Street Holdings CEO acquires Oxfordshire pub: Alastair Storey, chief executive of Westbury Street Holdings (WSH), the parent company of hospitality brands including Caterlink, Holroyd Howe, Benugo, Portico and Searcys, has acquired the Star Inn in Sparsholt, Oxfordshire. Storey, who acquired the pub for an undisclosed sum off a guide price of £975,000, will operate the business alongside Berkshire-based restaurant and cookery school the Woodspeen. The 80-cover Star Inns, which has a detached converted barn providing eight letting bedrooms, was renovated and refurbished when it was bought by Ian and Caron Williams nine years ago. The property also has 100 covers outside. Peter Brunt, from Colliers' hotel agency team, who brokered the deal, said: “The Star Inn has been wonderfully crafted into an attractive pub and lettings business known for its quality food and drink offering by Caron and Ian. I wish them both a very happy retirement and look forward to seeing what Alastair and the Woodspeen team do with the business.”

PizzaExpress opens first new site of 2022 with Cranleigh return: PizzaExpress has opened its first site of 2022, in the Surrey village of Cranleigh. It marks a return for the business to what is claimed to be England’s largest village after shutting its branch there last year as part of its company voluntary arrangement. The new restaurant, located in the former NatWest premises in High Street, seats more than 150 people. The opening is part of a three-year programme by PizzaExpress to open 50 new restaurants.

Lucky Penny appoints new head of operations, plans further expansion across north west: Liverpool-based hospitality consultancy Lucky Penny has appointed local bar and restaurant manager Adam Keegan to head up its next phase of expansion across the north west. Keegan has joined as head of operations to oversee the evolution of their current sites and the development of new venues in the region. Keegan has previously worked at Liverpool’s three Maray sites, Tribeca Bars’ Neon Jamon, Little Italy, Berrington’s and the former Baby Elephant in Woolton. He said: “Lucky Penny want to expand on a big scale in the coming years and bring new venues forward with a range of concepts. I’m delighted to be joining a set of people with such ambition in helping to bring their exciting plans to fruition.” Lucky Penny is operated by Steven Burgess and Josh Moore, who run Liverpool venues Abditory and BoBo and were also involved in the Love Lane Brewery, while Burgess co-founded Camp & Furnace. It is currently bringing forward multiple schemes across the region, including another two Liverpool venues and one in the Lake District. Burgess said: “With a background in managing some of the best venues in Liverpool, Adam brings a wealth of experience, food and wine knowledge and incredible customer service. In the very short time he has been with us, we have already seen a massive difference in the performance of our staff and the uptake at our venues, and we are delighted he’s part of our growing team.”

Whitbread to launch two further Bar + Blocks, four more to follow this year: Whitbread has continued its London expansion for its Bar + Block steakhouse brand with two further sites, taking its portfolio to 20 nationwide and six in the capital. Joining its sister restaurants in King’s Cross, Aldgate, Wimbledon and Southwark will be Bar + Block Hammersmith, in mid-February, and Paddington, in early March. The Hammersmith venue, within the Premier Inn hotel in Shepherds Bush Road, will offer 136 covers and a 44-cover bar, while the Paddington venue, at the Premier Inn in North Wharf Road, will feature 140 covers and a 77-cover bar. Menus at both will follow the steakhouse’s all-day trading format with a focus on high-quality 30-day aged steaks, hand-cut to order at an accessible price point. Other menu options include fresh burgers ground on-site, salads, grills, and grazing plates. Rebecca Donaldson, commercial marketing director at Whitbread, said: “We are delighted to be starting 2022 with two new Bar + Block openings in London as we continue to grow and develop the brand nationwide. With two key central locations close to transport hubs, we are confident our mix of high quality expertly sourced aged steaks and accessible price point will appeal to locals as well as visitors to the city.” This follows the opening of Bar + Block’s second Scottish site, in Edinburgh in December, with Whitbread planning a further four UK sites later this year.

North west-based brothers take on third lease with Star Pubs & Bars, plan further expansion: North west-based brothers Chris and Jon Nevin have taken on their third Star Pubs & Bars lease in two years. A joint £500,000 investment with the Heineken-owned group will see The Farmer’s Arms in Burscough get a new garden room for up to 60 people, adding to the existing 80 internal covers. Building work is expected to start this week, with a view to reopening the pub in early April. The food offering will use local produce throughout the menu, complemented by weekend specials. In spite of opening their first pub as the first lockdown started, the siblings have increasing trade by £1m at The Golden Lion in Rainford, and by a similar amount at The Bay Horse in Worsthorne. Chris said: “We could immediately see the pub’s potential and that it would work well with our vision for our pubs, food, drink and service model. We will continue to add further businesses to our portfolio, and these will not only be in destination and village sites. We will also be moving into further hospitality segments that we have experience of operating within, where we know we can add value and differentiation over current managed pub company offers.” The majority of Star Pubs & Bars' 2,400 pubs are leased out to small businesses and entrepreneurs, including around 140 on a managed operator agreement.

Wellfound set to replace Whyte & Brown in Carnaby Street with second Marsha site: Wellfound, the Imbiba-backed restaurant and bar company formerly known as Wright & Bell, has replaced one former chicken restaurant with another at its Carnaby Street site. The site used to operate as free-range chicken specialists Whyte & Brown, which closed for the last time this month. From Monday, 14 February, it will reopen as Marsha, which will also focus on free-range chicken dishes such as crispy chicken skins in seasoning, chicken hearts in blankets, sauteed chicken livers and buttermilk gochujang wings. It will also offer a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes, including bang bang cauliflower with gochujang sauce and grilled spring cabbage with smoked romesco, tahini and almonds. It will be a second Marsha site for Wellfound, having opened the first in Gabriel’s Wharf, near Waterloo on the South Bank, last April – named after the former marshland it was built on. Wellfound, which last year placed its Kitty Hawk and Lino businesses into administration, also operates bar and restaurant Green Room on the South Bank.

Punch teams up with the Queen’s butcher for Fireside Pub Co sites: Punch Pubs & Co, the Fortress Investment Group business, has agreed a new partnership with the Queen’s butcher, Aubrey Allen, to supply the growing group of pubs under its fledgling Fireside Pub Co concept. The new partnership sees the third-generation family butchers supplying Punch’s Fireside pubs – which are part of a new concept designed to bring guests “only the most honest ingredients, freshly prepared, beautifully presented, and served with the finest drinks in simply stunning locations”. Fireside sites include the Pied Bull in Newton le Willows, Merseyside, and The Fily near Brockenhurst, in the New Forest. Russell Danks, director of marketing and strategy at Punch, said: “Beautiful British pubs, run by teams passionate about carefully curated dishes and the perfect tipple. Fireside now takes that to another level through our partnership with Aubrey Allen. At Punch, our concepts focus on bringing together brilliant people with the Great British pub to ensure the very best guest proposition to serve their local communities. It’s about pubs being at the very best.”

Japanese souffle pancake concept Fuwa Fuwa doubles up with Soho opening: Fuwa Fuwa, which serves up Japanese souffle pancake with a variety of sweet toppings, has opened its second site, in London’s Soho. Fuwa Fuwa, meaning “light and fluffy” in Japanese, also has a site in Bloomsbury, where it sells iced milk tea, matcha latte and a variety of tea alongside the pancakes. The new site, at 57a Dean Street, will offer toppings such as caramel popcorn, chocolate honeycomb crunch and Nutella with strawberries.

Former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant to launch debut venture: Former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant, Reece Elliott, has partnered with established Sheffield restaurant, Raffina, to launch his debut venture. Elliott, 24, impressed judges on the BBC TV show in 2020, having previously scooped second place in Junior Masterchef of Great Britain at 19 years old. The new phase of the restaurant comes as Raffina marks almost a year in business, having launched in May 2021. Situated in Ecclesall Road, Raffina by Reece Elliott will offer a relaxed, refined dining experience. Its menu will launch in March and offer Italian-inspired food, delivered with a modern twist. Elliott has more than eight years of culinary experience, including as chef at the three-rosette Cavendish Hotel in Baslow, Derbyshire, which has been his home for the past three years. Elliott said: “Running my own kitchen, designing my own menu and having my own team is now a reality, and I couldn’t think of a better location to start this new venture. As a Sheffield-based chef, this is a real landmark opportunity for me and my team to deliver the best culinary expertise within the area.”

Point A Hotels expands outside UK with Ireland launch: Independent budget-boutique hotel chain Point A Hotels has opened its tenth hotel and first in Ireland, in Dublin’s Parnell Street. The 141-bedroom site is also its first outside the UK, with seven in London and one each in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Rooms, which start at €90 a night, include luxury beds and toiletries, power showers, smart TVs and mood lighting. The hotel also has a bar serving traditional Irish snacks, meals and cocktails, plus an open-plan lounge and reception area. Nic Wenn, managing director of Point A Hotels, said: “We’re thrilled to finally be offering our customers a new city to explore and indulge in. At Point A, we wanted to bring a hotel to Dublin that has unbeatable value in an unrivalled location, and this is really what embodies Point A Parnell Street.” The Point A brand is jointly owned by hospitality and property business Queensway Group and charitable foundation Wellcome Trust.

Wine bar debut for online merchant: Dan Long, from online natural wine merchant Natty Boy Wines, has opened his debut wine bar and shop, in London’s Dalston Junction. Dan’s, based at 2-4 Tottenham Road, offers wine by the glass, including more than 600 featured on the Natty Boys website, with a £15 corkage fee. It will also offer a selection of small plates and cheeses, and monthly guided tastings are planned. Long has previously worked selling fine wine in Australia, as well as at Sydney wine bar Love, Tilly Devine.

Stint appoints new chief technology and product officers: Student work platform Stint has appointed a new chief technology officer and chief product officer. As chief technology officer, Jason Atlas will ensure Stint’s in-house technology continues to evolve to support the business’ growth plans. New chief people officer Mark Harris, meanwhile, will be responsible for strategic product direction and team leadership across product management. The appointments follow the recent arrival of Harry Lang as chief marketing officer, as Stint looks to drive forward its ambitious growth plans in 2022. Its app connects operators with students looking for short, flexible shifts and currently has more than 115,000 signed up, and has worked with more than 1,400 hospitality businesses.

Hot Stone team’s rebranded second site reopens in London’s Fitzrovia: Rai, a new “creative and multi-course concept” from the team behind Islington’s Hot Stone, has opened in Fitzrovia. The Windmill Street site was formerly known as Omakese Fitzrovia, which specialised in a six-course seafood menu, but has now been rebranded as Rai, focusing on both Japanese and British cuisine. Created by and named after founder Shrabaneswor Rai and executive chef Padam Raj Rai, Rai’s multi-course omakase-style tasting menus fuse traditional Japanese dishes with ingredients from the UK and beyond. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, Rai’s seasonal tasting menus are priced at £130 per person and begin with a light snack such as homemade tofu marinated in ten years-aged soy and topped with ponzu caviar. Included on the main menu are hand-dived Orkney scallop sashimi with British parsnip, plum, spicy miso foam and home-made tsukemono, and marinated Chilean seabass with goats cheese and broccoli puree. Among the desserts are Chef Padam’s signature wagyu chocolate with rosemary, thyme, cranberries, pistachio, yuzu and mixed berries – made with fat from the wagyu that would otherwise be wasted. Guests finish with petit fours of organic white chocolate with yuzu, and organic dark chocolate with 12-year-old Yamazaki whisky. Included on the drinks list is sake by the glass and a range of Japanese spirits, such as seven-year-old Ryoma rum, Nikka Coffey gin and a number of Suntory whiskies.

London-based Indian street food restaurant doubles up with Leicester opening: Indian street food restaurant Saffron Street, based in Ilford, east London, has doubled up with a second site in Leicester. The second Saffron Street, which is opening as a franchise via a local Leicester family, has launched in the London Road site of former bar The Lansdowne. The menu includes Indo-Chinese fusion items such as chilli paneer, gobi lasooni and dhamaka prawns, while among the desserts are rasmalai cake, tiramisu milk cake and fried kulfi falooda. The curry offering includes bhuna gosht, daal makhani and a chicken biryani served in bamboo, while there’s also a selection of thalis, such as chandi chowk and lamb musallam.