Morley’s chicken shop reaches 100-site landmark as it looks to ramp up expansion through franchising and eyes possible global growth: Morley’s chicken shop has reached the 100-site landmark as it looks to ramp up its expansion through franchising and is eyeing possible global growth. Morley’s was founded in 1985 when Kannalingam (Indran) Selvendran opened his debut restaurant/takeaway in Sydenham, south London, before moving to a takeout model with limited seating. It has now launched its 100th store, opening in the former Buon Appetitio unit in St James’s Street, Brighton. “The sky is the limit really,” chief executive Shan Selvendran told Propel. “Our growth has been organic up to now, but we’re looking to ramp up our franchise offer. We have targeted a global reach within the next few years and are currently in discussions with parties in the Middle East and Asia. We’re south London born and bred but we’re venturing out of London now – we launched in Birmingham with a first franchise site for footballer Jerome Sinclair. We have recently been featured on the new release of the Rye Lane movie, which was featured in the Sundance Festival, in addition to being the set to Tribeca 2020 winner short film No More Wings. In previous years, British rapper Stormzy has used our store as the location for his chart topping track ‘Big For Your Boots’, and we have even been showcased to a sell-out crowd at The O2, with a set designed specifically as a Morley’s store for the hip hop duo Krept and Konan. Our dad, who founded the business, passed away in 2002, and it is now run by his sons – we want to continue his legacy by building the brand with community at its core.” Morley’s will feature in the next Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, which will be released later this month. The database is an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK and is available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The database is updated every two months and the last edition featured 185 companies. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

One day to go before next edition of The New Openings Database release, to show details on 110 new sites, 5,000-word report included: The next edition of The New Openings Database will show the details of 110 newly announced site openings and upcoming launches for Premium subscribers when it is published tomorrow (Thursday, 6 April), at midday, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. It will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis, and the next edition features growing restaurant and bakery brands, niche cuisine, and expanding experiential concepts. Premium subscribers will also receive a 5,000-word report on the new additions to the database. Premium subscribers also receive access to four other databases: the Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; and the Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription. Premium subscribers are also to be given exclusive access to the recording and slides to Propel Multi-Club Conferences. Premium subscribers also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before; regular video content and regular exclusive columns from Propel group editor Mark Wingett.

 

Heineken launches Spain’s best-selling draught beer into UK on-trade at ‘accessible price point’: Global brewer Heineken has launched Spain’s best-selling draught beer into the UK on-trade at what it said will be an “accessible price point”. Cruzcampo, a 4.4% ABV lager, will be available exclusively on draught, “helping operators tap into a rising trend for Spanish lager in the UK”. According to CGA data, Spanish lager is in 73% growth and accounts for one in every five pints sold in the UK on-trade. Matt Saltzstein, Heineken UK beer brand unit director, said: “The launch of Cruzcampo will see Heineken UK continue its commitment to support the on-trade, helping operators meet consumer needs. Holidaymakers returning from Spain, particularly from the Cruzcampo home of Seville, have been calling for the brand to be brought to the UK and even reached out on social media asking for it to be launched here. Offering a premium quality experience but at an accessible price point on the bar is critical to meeting these demands. Cruzcampo is an affordable trade up option for lager drinkers who enjoy discovering new experiences.” The launch of Cruzcampo will be backed by a UK-wide multimillion-pound marketing campaign across TV and social media.

 

COREcruitment to host LGBTQAI+ networking event: COREcruitment has partnered with NYX/Leonardo Hotels for its next LGBTQIA+ networking event. It will be hosted at NYX Holborn in London on Wednesday, 26 April. The guest speaker will be Rebecca Paisis, director of operations and event planning at Pride in London. Spaces can be reserved by clicking here or emailing elouise@corecruitment.com.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a museum in the south west of England that is looking for a general manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be responsible for overseeing the museum operations, the restaurant, and the kitchen. Due to the history of this venue, you must be fluent in Afrikaans. Your main duties will include building and managing a team across multiple departments, being the point of contact for customers and employees, managing the site maintenance and museum instillations, developing and implementing business models and plans, full management of suppliers, and running the museum and site budget. You will have extensive knowledge of South African history and be able to resolve issues in a calm and strategic manner.” The salary is up to £80,000. For more information, email emma@corecruitment.com.

 

Selby – current underlying sales at Wahaca good, but battle against costs ongoing: Mark Selby, co-founder of Mexican restaurant brand Wahaca, has told Propel that the group’s current underlying sales are “pretty good” but progress is being hampered by the “ongoing battling against all other costs”. Selby said: “Food inflation doesn’t seem to be getting a lot better at the moment. I think everyone is on tenterhooks not quite knowing what’s going to happen. We are predominantly happy with our underlying sales. It was a better beginning of the year than we thought, and we are hoping that growth will carry on. We also hope the government – around everything from employee issues to thinking through utilities properly and opening up the employee market more – will provide some support to the industry. We have also invested a lot of money into our employee engagement piece we started about a year ago. For example, anyone who’s been with us for two years has been sent to Mexico to experience the country and the food. However, there is still a real shortage of supply in terms of people, which isn’t going away. What we are trying to make sure is the people we do get, we train well and retain by giving them exciting milestones and the right development.” In terms of expansion for the 19-strong business, Selby added: “We are looking. We are in contract/heads of terms negotiations on a couple of sites at the moment. I don’t think the overall economy is necessarily in a brilliant place, but I think strategically for us, we have proved the business is working well and think there’s lots of opportunities still there, but it has to be the right deal. We are looking for the core brand and DF Tacos, plus Market Halls, which is going really well, and we are looking at more opportunities there. We are also exploring interesting opportunities around DF that have come our way.” It comes as the business reported turnover for the year to 26 June 2022 of £39,214,000. (2021: £17,710,000). Adjusted operating profit was £5.7m (2021: £2.2m), while pre-tax profit stood at £3,020,000 (2021: £25,711,000).

Scoffs Group appoints Jim Williamson as new CFO: Scoffs Group, the largest Costa Coffee franchisee in the UK, has appointed Jim Williamson as its new chief financial officer, Propel has learned. The company said Williamson will lead its end-to-end financial operations and prepare the business “for our accelerated growth ambitions”, as well as joining its management board. Williamson previously worked for England Golf as its finance director and has built and led finance and general management functions across many organisations including Travis Perkins, Coles Supermarkets in Australia, Marks & Spencer and Costa Coffee. Paul Turner, chief operating officer at Scoffs Group, said: “Jim joins at a crucial time as we continue our journey to become a leading multi-franchise business. We’re confident Jim will build on Scoff’s strong financial foundation, while developing capabilities that further strengthen the group’s competitive advantage as we continue to grow our Costa business and launch into other brands.” Antony Tagliamonti, chief executive at Scoffs Group, said: “Jim’s appointment is a significant milestone on our journey. He supports us with the strategic skill and experience we need to level up Scoffs as we gear ourselves for the next phase of our exciting future.” Williamson added: “Scoffs Group is a business I’ve admired since first meeting Antony and the rest of the team during my time at Costa Coffee. The company has such a proud history of growth, as well as a tremendously bright future ahead.” Scoffs Group is the UK’s largest Costa Coffee individual franchise partner, along with Miss Millie’s fried chicken and further blue-chip partnerships “to be announced soon”.

 

Aubaine trading above pre-pandemic levels, signs Saudi Arabia licence agreement: Aubaine, the all-day French restaurant and bakery business, has reported it is currently trading above pre-covid levels as it builds back from the pandemic. The group, which operates six restaurants and a deli in London, also revealed it has signed a licence agreement in Saudi Arabia having announced plans last year to grow internationally. It comes as the business reported turnover increased to £6,532,326 for the year ending 27 March 2022 compared with £1,284,962 the previous year when trade was severely impacted by the pandemic. For the year ending 29 March 2020, when the group operated seven restaurants and the final few weeks of trade were also impacted by the pandemic, the business turned over £9,439,880. Ebitda stood at £254,655. Pre-tax losses narrowed to £311,434 from £2,013,997 the year before (2020: profit of £3,521,875). In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “As the year progressed, sales momentum grew across our different formats to deliver a creditable performance despite the unprecedent challenges. This momentum has continued into the current financial year with trading above pre-pandemic levels, confirming the constant appeal of our restaurants and customers’ desire to continue to go out. Furthermore, we have started building on our brand core strengths to grow internationally. A licence agreement was signed for Saudi Arabia during this financial year and more to follow in the Middle East, Europe, hotels and transport hubs.” The group received government grants of £142,179 (2021: £1,844,538).

 

Former McDonald’s head of HR’s franchise operation reports £60m revenue as profits increase: Former McDonald’s head of HR Mark Blundell’s franchise operation reported revenue of £60m for the year ending 31 March 2022, as profits increased. His company, Blundell’s of Liverpool, reported turnover of £60,793,874 for the period, up from £39775,821 in 2021. Pre-tax profits increased from £3,742,649 in 2021 to £4,084,638. The company received £67,862 in government grants compared with £2,396,594 in 2021. It paid £240,000 in equity dividends (2021: £114,000). Its balance sheet shows net assets of £7,420,864, an increase of £2,934,420 on 2021. Blundell spent 12 years with McDonald’s in various roles, including regional director of operations and head of national operations, before setting up his own McDonald’s franchise in 2012. He started out with a branch in Rice Lane that same year and has now grown his estate to 13 sites, employing more than 1,600 staff. In his statement accompanying the accounts, Blundell said: “The demand for home delivery foods ready to eat has increased. The company will continue to push delivery and digital offerings.”

 

Chipotle plans Twickenham opening: US brand Chipotle is set to further enhance its presence in London “villages”, with an opening in Twickenham, Propel has learned. The brand, which operates 14 sites in the UK – 13 in London and one in Watford – is set to open on the former Caffe Nero in London Road, Twickenham. Last summer, the company opened its first regional site in the UK, in Watford. It followed that with an opening near the end of the year, in West Hampstead. The business has also been linked with an opening in East Dulwich. Earlier this year, the business said that it needs to build its brand awareness in the UK to reach the required sales and profit levels here and admitted that it may never manage it.

 

Adil Restaurants sees profits and turnover soar, driven by drive-thru and delivery demand: Burger King franchisee Adil Restaurants saw its profits and turnover soar in the year ending 31 March 2022, driven by drive-thru and delivery demand at its circa 15 restaurants. Turnover increased from £12,585,173 in 2021 to £18,636,186. Pre-tax profit grew from £2,154,746 in 2021 to £3,448,115, while Ebitda rose from £2,155,963 to £3,907,048. Turnover from rent went up from £551,035 in 2021 to £659,870, while net assets increased from £17,525,034 to £20,735,307. No dividends were paid and the company received £115,250 in government grants (2021: £1,452,940). Director Mohammed Adil, in his statement accompanying the accounts, said: “The directors are pleased to report an increase in turnover and profits following a strong recovery off the back of a challenging period of closures due to the covid-19 outbreak. The results for the year are encouraging and demonstrate the resilience of the Burger King brand as well as the British economy. The majority of stores within the company’s portfolio have experienced year-on-year sales growth due to an increased demand in our drive-thru stores and home deliveries. The increase in sales at these stores have assisted in increasing the Ebitda, with the simplified store menu also continuing to increase the profitability of the company. As a result of the impact of covid-19, the company has identified the importance and strength of both the offering of delivery and operating drive-thru stores. The director continues to look for future store openings which will maximise these opportunities.” Adil Restaurants is part of Adil Group, which was founded by Adil in 1969 when he opened its first Wimpy restaurant. Headquartered in Wembley, north west London, it is also a KFC, Costa Coffee and Taco Bell franchisee. Employing more than 3,500 people, it has also operated hotels and gyms and has a large property investment portfolio. Adil Restaurants features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £18,636,186 is the 293rd highest in the database. Its pre-tax profit of £3,448,115 is the 156th highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Elite Bistros shuffles management team, Matt Shaw confirmed as MD: Elite Bistros, the restaurant and pub group founded by chef Gary Usher, has announced several changes to its senior management team, including the confirmation of Matt Shaw as its new managing director. Shaw, the group’s former training and compliance manager, previously part owned and operated three restaurants in south Manchester and was head of hospitality at Trafford & Stockport College. The group’s former managing director Claire Wright has become the company’s head of finance. Meanwhile, Usher said Richard Sharples remains the company’s executive chef, with Ryan Howarth group head chef and events, while sales manager Ashley Whittingham-Orford has moved into operations. Usher said: “Matt was originally my head chef in a restaurant and we’ve kept in touch and followed each other’s careers with great interest. Matt brings such a wealth of experience to this position and a level of professionalism I’ve always admired. He’s ambitious like I am. He’s keen to get this business running in the best way possible for the most prosperous future for all of us. Already he’s made some amazing changes and it’s exciting to see where we are and now heading. We’re in a positive position, and with these changes, we’re excited to see what happens and keep growing in the right way.” On Wright, Usher said she remained “paramount to the business”, and moving to oversee the group’s finances was “where her specialities lie”. The company opened its first pub, The White Horse in Churton, Cheshire, last month. Elite Bistros’ sites also include Sticky Walnut in Hoole, Chester; Burnt Truffle in Heswall on the Wirral; Hispi in Didsbury, south Manchester; Wreckfish in Liverpool; Pinion in Prescot; and Kala in Manchester.

 

Chicken Cottage hits 50-site landmark with double opening: Halal fast food company Chicken Cottage has hit the 50-site landmark with a double opening in London. Sites number 49 and 50 have opened at 205 Waldergrave Road in Teddington and 209 Fore Street in Edmonton. The company said: “It was a busy week as we opened Chicken Cottage stores in both Teddington and Edmonton. This brings the number of Chicken Cottage stores in the UK to 50 – congratulations to the entire team!” The first Chicken Cottage opened in 1994 in Wembley, north west London. The company is wholly owned by TI Global Holdings, incorporated in Malaysia. Earlier this year, it appointed Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusuf, who was previously based in Kuala Lumpur and has sat on the board of various Malaysian companies, as its new head of global development.

 

Burger & Sauce signs five new franchisees as it plans expansion to Liverpool and Sheffield: Burger franchise concept Burger & Sauce has signed five new franchisees to open restaurants in the Midlands plus Liverpool and Sheffield before the end of the year. Franchise director Anthony Round said: “Burger & Sauce continues to expand, and we are delighted to welcome five new franchisees who are on board to support our mission to bring our burgers to more customers around the Midlands and now further north.” Burger & Sauce opened its first restaurant during the pandemic, with its first restaurant turning over £1.5m in its first year. The concept now has 11 sites across the Midlands. “This is just the beginning,” Round said. “We have experienced huge demand for our product and are now welcoming applications from more franchisees.” Burger & Sauce has already targeted reaching 20 sites by the end of 2023.

 

Bruce Group reports Ebitda boost as turnover nears pre-pandemic levels: Scottish pub group Bruce Group, which operates 15 managed and two tenanted sites around Edinburgh and Fife, has reported turnover increased to £11,014,189 for the year ending 30 June 2022 compared with £1,369,314 the previous year when the business was severely impacted by covid restrictions. Revenue was not far off the £11,594,615 reported for the year ending 30 June 2019 – the last full year before the pandemic. Ebitda grew to £2,410,063 (2021: £593,904). The business made a pre-tax profit of £3,593,004 compared with a loss of £72,377 the year before following a gain of £1,718,850 on the re-evaluation of its estate (2019: profit of £2,022,759). The company opened a new site in Edinburgh’s Old Town last month. In July last year, the business acquired The Drovers Inn in Inverarnan, Loch Lomond, off an asking price of more than £3m. The directors said they believed the property would provide “an excellent return on investment”. A dividend of £82,000 was paid (2021: £60,000).

 

Banana Tree opens first site with Big Table Group: Banana Tree, the fast-casual pan-Asian brand, has opened its tenth site and the first since it was acquired last September by the Big Table Group, the Las Iguanas and Bella Italia operator. As previously revealed by Propel, the Anne Chow-led business has opened on the former Café Rouge in Wellington Street, Covent Garden. It is the first of four Café Rouge sites Big Table Group has lined up to be converted to the Banana Tree brand. It will be followed by the Café Rouges at the O2 Arena, and then sites in Reigate and Haywards Heath. Last month, Alan Morgan, chief executive of Big Table Group, told Propel that Banana Tree was “performing well”, and the company is “excited about the new sites” set to open under the concept. Morgan said: “Banana Tree is performing well and in line with what we expected when we purchased it. Anne and the team have fitted in brilliantly with the wider Big Table team and we are excited about the new sites we are opening soon.” 

 

Midlands-based burger concept Burger Boi lines up Worcester opening: Midlands-based burger concept Burger Boi is set to further enhance its presence in the region with an opening in Worcester. The eight-strong group plans to open a new store at the Shrub Hill Retail Park, off Tallow Hill, in a former unit left empty by mobile phone shop Carphone Warehouse. It comes after it recently opened a site in Wellingborough Road, Northampton. It has also lined up an opening in Curzon Street, Derby. The company has previously said it is looking to open 15 to 20 franchise sites across the UK over the next few years. The “Californian smashed burger” concept is led by founder Surj Bassi and head of development Wayne Timbrell.

 

London aparthotel brand lines up five new openings over next two years: London aparthotel brand Native Places is lining up five new openings over next two years. It will open an additional property in London, bringing its total of design-led aparthotels in the capital to four, while new destinations will include Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff and Oxford. Native’s current portfolio includes six properties across London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and later this year, it will launch its seventh aparthotel and fourth property in London. The King’s Wardrobe, once a storehouse for the King’s state and ceremonial robes, will rebrand as Native St Paul’s. It follows a successful year for the brand, which saw revenue up by 4% more than predicted in 2022, with direct bookings up 24.2% from 2021. It also saw an increase in average length of stay in 2022 from 1.5 days to 2.5-3 days. Managing director Olivia Immesi said: “This is an exciting time for Native Places as we expand operations further across the UK. The future of aparthotels worldwide, and in particular in the UK, is significant, and we are seeing a pent-up demand for extended stays.” Native Places is also developing “both convenient and experiential food and beverage concepts” to match the demands of its guests. Earlier this year, it launched a ‘Brekkie in a Bag’ initiative, where guests receive freshly baked pastries, juice and fruit on each day of their stay at no extra cost. This follows the launch of a partnership with Wahca co-founder Thomasina Miers, who created sustainable recipes exclusively for Native Place guests to make use of during their stay. Immesi added: “It is imperative for aparthotel and hotel brands to adapt and engage guests with food and beverage concepts that offer both convenience and experience, especially in response to the rise of food ordering apps.”

 

Thai operator to open new dim sum restaurant in Harrods: Thai operator Eddie Lim is set to open a new dim sum restaurant in Harrods. Lim, owner of Thai concept Mango Tree, which operates a restaurant at Harrods and another in Belgravia, has also previously launched Asian street food concept Bao Kitchen within the London department store. This spring, he will open The Dim Sum Terrace on the fourth floor, with its terrace offering one of only two outdoor spaces within the store. Inspired by the teahouses of China, the menu will offer dim sum with a range of styles and fillings, before introducing a cocktail menu in the evenings. The menu also features Cantonese options such as pork sui long bao topped with vinegar pearls and filled with a rich broth; chunky prawn-filled dumplings in a spicy XO sauce; and barbecue pork char siu bao in a soft bun. Lim said: “Our aim with The Dim Sum Terrace is to create something that feels both innovative and surprising but also familiar. The menu aims to evoke memories of your first-time trying dim sum, while also creating new memories as diners explore our take on classic dishes and new flavour combinations.”

 

Wagamama to open flagship restaurant at Battersea Power Station development this month: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, will open a new flagship restaurant at the Battersea Power Station development in London this month. Based in Prospect Way, the venue will have 150 covers and create 75 jobs. Opening on Monday, 17 April, it will be the brand’s 157th UK site. The menu, which will offer 50% plant-based dishes, will include Wagamama’s traditional rice bowls, noodles and curries. General Manager Anastasia Kozinova said: “We are excited to open in such an iconic part of London.”

 

Former Fenn chef to launch solo venture: Former Fenn and St Leonards chef Joe Laker is to launch his first solo venture this summer in London’s Shoreditch. Laker is launching Counter 71 – a chef’s table restaurant serving 16 covers a night, and Lowcountry, a bar paying homage to the cocktail culture of the American South, this June, at 71 Nile Street. Fenn was most recently head chef at Fenn until 2022, and before that at Anglo, St Leonards and Roots. Counter 71 is Laker’s “culinary ode to the British Isles, offering a tasting menu that depicts the minimalist style he has honed through years within contemporary kitchens”. Named after the area that spans from mid-coast Georgia to North Carolina, famed for its bourbon and rye, the 28-cover Lowcountry will be headed up by Savannah-born mixologist Ryan Sheehan, and highlight American whiskey and its prominence throughout the ages. 

 

Vine Hotels narrows losses as it reports ‘significant recovery’, bookings at record levels: Vine Hotels, which is co-owned by former BBC boss Greg Dyke, has reported it has “significantly recovered” following the covid lockdowns with bookings and demand at record levels. The business saw turnover increase 250% to £6,311,080 for the year ending 31 March 2022 compared with £1,795,954 the year before when trade was severely impacted by covid restrictions. For the year ending 30 March 2020, when the final few weeks of trade were impacted by the pandemic, the group turned over £7,248,612. Pre-tax losses narrowed to £64,237 from £1,712,463 the previous year (2020: loss of £324,314). In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Despite the inevitable and global negative impact of the pandemic, the directors are now of the view that there is a significant potential for very positive trading in a post-pandemic buoyant market. Bookings and demand are at record levels. The company has a very strong market presence in the specialist functions market, particularly in relation to weddings.” The company said it has no plans to add to its portfolio of 13 hotels, which includes the Doubletree By Hilton Sheffield Park in Sheffield and the Best Western York House in Eastbourne. Vine Hotels received £196,190 in government grants (2021: £904,961). No dividend was paid (2021: £581,022).

 

Just Eat for Business adds YO! and Coqfighter to lunchtime offering as office orders grow by 56%: Just Eat for Business has added sushi brand YO! and fried chicken concept Coqfighter to its lunchtime offering, as the business reports 56% growth in its office catering orders over the past year. The brands join the likes of Franco Manca, Pasta Evangelists, Pizza Pilgrims and Tortilla as lunchtime options on the service, offering the likes of Coqfighter’s honey ginger buffalo burger and smacked cucumbers, or YO!’s katsu curry and gyoza. Matt Ephgrave, managing director at Just Eat for Business, said: “The return to the office remains a prominent theme in the UK even in 2023, and we know that business leaders are still continually looking for fresh and exciting ways to reward and motivate their employees in the workplace. For many, food is one of the best ways. That’s why I’m delighted to announce the arrival of YO! And Coqfighter, two quality and well-loved vendors. At Just Eat for Business, we are constantly looking for new ways to bring people together, and through welcoming a variety of new vendors, we hope to reach as many employees as possible.”

 

Indoor climbing company Boulders eyes further expansion as it prepares to open third site: Indoor climbing company Boulders is eyeing further expansion as it prepares to open its third site – and second in Wales – this month. The site will launch in Culverhouse Cross, on the outskirts of Cardiff. The venue will contain bouldering walls, a dedicated kids’ zone with party facilities, a specialist training space and a large viewing area and cafe. It adds to the company’s sites in Cardiff and Cheltenham. Co-founder Ollie Noakes said: “In 2008, we opened the first dedicated climbing facility in Cardiff. It’s been a mad journey over the past nearly 15 years. We opened our second facility in Cheltenham in 2020 and we’re already looking for additional sites. It feels great to be opening our third facility in our home city.”

Scottish hotel operator reports turnover almost back to pre-pandemic levels as profits increase: Scottish hotel operator Brudloff Hotels has reported turnover almost back to pre-pandemic levels for the year ending 31 March 2022, as profits increased. The company, which currently has four hotels and a wine shop in the north east of Scotland, reported turnover of £4,071,015 for the period. This was up from £2,364,595 in 2021 and almost back to the £4,307,348 reported for the year before the pandemic, ending 31 March 2019. Its pre-tax profits rose from £702,251 in 2021 to £830,745 (2019: loss of £341,232). The company received £43,953 in governments grants compared with £445,257 in 2021. It paid £200,000 in ordinary dividends. Director Robert Smith, in his statement accompanying the accounts, said: “Turnover in Shetland is higher than normal this year and will be next year, principally because of the building of a wind farm in Shetland, completion of which will be during 2024. Aberdeen has remained similar, with P&J Live, the entertainment complex within a five-minute walk of the Craighaar hotel, replacing any reduction in oil business. Covid has been the overriding factor from March 2020 through to the end of March 2022, but throughout this financial year we continued to control costs, take advantage of any government assistance and enjoyed a higher-than-expected turnover. The policy of the company going forward is to consolidate and improve our existing hotels.”

 

Wolverhampton hotel owner expands operations with golf club deal: Aspen Leisure, which owns The Mount Hotel on the outskirts of Wolverhampton, has expanded its operations with the acquisition of a golf club. As part of the deal, Perton Park Golf Club will be rebranded as The Mount Golf & Country Club. The site is to be upgraded by Aspen Leisure, including creating an entertainment destination driving range, improving and expanding the gym and leisure facilities, and maintaining the dinosaur adventure golf course. Scott Bernard, director of The Mount Hotel, said: “Our plans to develop The Mount Golf & Country Club will create an exceptional golfing experience for our guests, with top-quality facilities and entertainment options, as well as enhancing the facilities for Perton's current members and making the facility a one-stop leisure destination for both golfers and families.” Aspen Leisure intends to provide transport between the two sites, allowing hotel guests to use the driving range and clubhouse sports bar facilities.