Popeyes UK CEO – average weekly sales remain way above our expectations, taking our time with franchising: Tom Crowley, chief executive of Popeyes UK, the fast-growing quick service restaurant chicken brand, has told Propel that average weekly sales remain “way above our expectations”. He added across the 27-strong business “we are seeing this continue on all recent openings right across the UK”. Last week, the business secured £50m of additional funding from Stonegate Group-backer TDR Capital, to accelerate its restaurant opening programme in the UK. The brand opened its first store in Stratford in November 2021. Earlier this year, it opened its first drive-thru restaurant in Rotherham, which it said broke multiple sales records for the global brand with a portfolio of more than 4,000 locations. Crowley said: “We’ve seen incredible opening sales in Rotherham and Northampton, both surpassing the opening records set by Stratford. We see drive-thru as a key development format for the future.” Propel revealed earlier this summer that Popeyes had begun the search for a head of franchise, who will be “key in driving the exponential growth of Popeyes UK”. Crowley said: “We are taking our time with franchising. We are looking for the right long-term partners who share our passion for the Popeyes product, people and long-term brand goals. Our development plan will largely remain company stores for now.” On the brand’s initial target of having 350 sites here within ten years. Crowley said: “We never really discuss the total number of restaurants possible in the UK, our focus remains solely on operating our existing stores flawlessly and the next restaurant we are about to open (Cardiff Bay drive-thru in August). Of course, if the business continues to perform the way it has over the last two years, then we see significant opportunity for the brand right across the UK.” Popeyes recently confirmed plans to open a first site in central Manchester and a site in central Glasgow is close to being completed on. Propel also understands Popeyes plans to open a drive-thru site in Bury Road, Salford, opposite an existing Tim Hortons site; while it has also been linked with opening a drive-thru site at the Barrhead Retail Park, on the outskirts of Glasgow. Popeyes made its debut in France earlier this year, at Gare du Nord, Paris. Four further sites have since opened in France – two restaurants and two delivery kitchens – as the brand's expansion across the Channel echoes its growth strategy here. At the end of 2021, Napaqaro, a leading casual dining restaurant operator in France, signed a master franchise agreement to launch and roll out Popeyes in France and Monaco. The operator of the circa 190-strong Buffalo Grill brand, which is chaired by Azzurri Group chairman Harvey Smyth, has been backed since 2017 by TDR. Crowley will be speaking at the Propel Multi-Club summer conference and party, which takes place on Wednesday, 6 September at the Doubletree by Hilton, Oxford Belfry. Crowley will discuss the brand’s entry into the UK market, the evolution of its offer, its marketing strategy and its expansion plans. More than 400 people have already booked to attend and just a few places remain. Operators can book up to three free places. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to book your places.

Turtle Bay to speak at Propel Talent & Training Conference, open for bookings: Jo Cole, people director, and Olajide Alabi, equality, inclusion and well-being partner at Turtle Bay, will be among the speakers at the Propel Talent & Training Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Tuesday, 3 October at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Cole and Alabi will discuss the impact of the group’s Four Days at The Bay initiative, and the investment the business has made in its equality, inclusion and wellness programme. The conference will showcase examples of outstanding people culture among companies within the sector and how the industry is attracting talent. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers and can be booked by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

Latest edition of Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book shows 68% of companies in profit, up from 60% six months ago: The Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, to be sent to Premium subscribers on Friday (11 August), shows 68% of the 745 largest sector companies are now in profit, up from 60% six months ago. The Blue Book shows 509 companies in profit and 236 reporting losses. when 68% of companies also reported a profit. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Premium subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; and the Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage. This month, Propel will launch the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database – the first time that profiles of 100 of the top food and beverage franchisees have been available in one place in the UK. The go-to database, which will be released on Wednesday, 16 August and features many of the big franchise operators running Costa Coffee, McDonald’s and Domino’s sites, brings together a wealth of information on an increasingly important part of the market, and the first edition will feature more than 32,000 words of content. The sixth major database exclusive to Premium subscribers, it will be sent out bi-monthly, including new entries and updates to existing entries. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around the company’s background, site numbers and board make-up. 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 being given exclusive access to the recording and slides to Propel Multi-Club Conferences. They 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.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an established independent restaurant in London that is looking for a general manager. The venue consists of 140 covers inclusive of a terrace with a private dining room. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This role is more of a partnership, and the business is looking for a general manager who can manage the business from a 360-degree perspective: team leadership, guest experience, ordering, purchasing, recruitment, learning and development, financial reporting, and commerciality. You will deliver on team culture and run a place where people want to work. You will demonstrate the ability to be creative and think outside of the box. The owner is very open to new ideas.” The is up to £55,000. For more information, email kate@corecruitment.com.

McDonald’s UK takes control of south coast franchisee: McDonald’s UK has taken control of another one of its franchisees, South Coast Foods, which operates 24 sites, Propel understands. Last April, McDonald’s UK took control of its largest UK franchisee, the 43-strong Appt Corporation, after completing a deal to buy out founder Atul Pathak’s shares. Propel now understands that McDonald’s has completed a deal to become the major shareholder in its joint venture with South Coast Foods, which was founded in 2008 by Grant Copper with the purchase of 14 restaurants. It has subsequently grown to 24 restaurants including a delivery kitchen in Fratton, near Portsmouth. The business, which operates sites across the south of England, posted a pre-tax profit of £8,248,842 in the year to 31 December 2021 (2020: £1,384,570), while turnover broke through the £100m mark for the first time, standing at £114,571,814 compared with £74,421,875 the year before. In April last year, the company opened a standalone delivery kitchen, at the time McDonald’s second, at Partnership Park in Fratton. The Hanwell-based Appt Corporation was founded in 2003 by Pathak, and had grown to 43 sites, which stretch from north to west London as well as into Berkshire. McDonald’s UK paid £29,150,000 to buy out the remaining stake in its 50-50 joint venture with Appt Corporation. McDonald’s features in the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, which 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 latest version features 210 businesses. 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.

Tim Martin lambasts Daily Mail over ‘alarmist’ and ‘misleading’ JD Wetherspoon pub closures article: JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has lambasted the Daily Mail over an “alarmist” article that wrongly suggested “dozens of pubs across Britain were earmarked for closure”. Wetherspoon said the piece on Tuesday (1 August), which said Wetherspoon had closed 29 pubs this year, was “misleading”. Wetherspoon pointed out of the 28 pubs in question (not 29), 15 have been sold to other pub or restaurant companies and are already open, or are due to reopen soon, following temporary closure. Wetherspoon stated: “Describing pubs that are open as closed is inaccurate and alarmist. In general, the headline ‘Wetherspoons closes more pubs with dozens of boozers across Britain earmarked for closure’ and the article created a misleading impression.” Wetherspoon pointed out the remaining 13 pubs in question were leaseholds and the lease had either expired, or the location had been earmarked by the landlord for redevelopment. Examples include Doncaster airport, which had closed and therefore so had the Wetherspoon pub, and Orpington, where the landlord plans to redevelop the shopping centre. In Basildon, where Wetherspoon surrendered its lease to the landlord, which is planning a major redevelopment in the town centre, the pub company has acquired a larger, freehold site that is due to open in about a year. The article said a recent Wetherspoon trading update “suggests the closures were due to difficult trading circumstances for the hospitality industry in recent years”, but Wetherspoon said the statement made no such comment. The company said the majority of the Wetherspoon pubs in question “had another [Wetherspoon] pub nearby”. Martin said: “Pub disposals are a sensitive issue. Hyperbole and exaggeration from the Daily Mail have created unnecessary alarm. Wetherspoon’s annualised sales are now approximately £2bn, the highest ever level, and are more than £100m per annum more than in the year before the pandemic. Profits, as we said in our recent trading statement, are increasing and employment is also at a record level. That is certainly not the impression the Daily Mail article gave.”

Signature Group facing ‘hugely significant’ macroeconomic headwinds as business reports aggregated losses over the past three years of more than £2.2m despite government support: Signature Group has warned the company is facing “hugely significant” macroeconomic headwinds as the business reported aggregated losses over the past three years are more than £2.2m despite government support. The company, which is owned by Nic Wood and operates 24 sites in Scotland, said covid has “left a lasting legacy on the hospitality industry”. It comes as the business reported turnover increased to £28,116,248 for the year ending 31 October 2022 compared with £11,822,382 the previous year. It made a pre-tax profit of £951,310 compared with a loss of £222,409 the year before. In his report accompanying the accounts, director Rory Forrest stated: “The group returned to profitability in the period and the directors were satisfied with the financial performance in the context of the turbulent climate endured over the year. However, the return to profitability was underpinned by covid-related government support, with the reduced VAT rate of 12.5% and 100% business rates relief both being in force until 31 March 2022. Additionally, £0.25m of covid related grants were received in the period. This support was designed to stimulate a recovery in the hospitality sector and while welcomed, the group's aggregated loss after tax over the past three-year period is in excess of £2.2m. Covid has left a lasting legacy on the hospitality industry and the group is still adapting to the changes in customer habits and preferences. As we progress through FY23, the operating environment remains exceptionally challenging. Industry-wide staffing shortages and significant inflationary pressures across the cost base, specifically in respect of employee, food and utility costs, are hugely problematic. Couple these factors with diminishing levels of consumer disposable income, it is clear to see the group's immediate future will be tough. However, the directors are confident the group has a strong team in place to overcome the hugely significant macroeconomic headwinds currently being experienced.” No dividend was paid (2021: nil).

Roxy Leisure eyes Glasgow opening: Roxy Leisure, the operator of the Roxy Lanes and Roxy Ball Room concepts, is planning to open a site in Glasgow. The business is understood to have applied to open a Roxy Ball Room site on the former JJB Sports unit in the city’s Argyle Street. Earlier this month, Propel reported Roxy Leisure had reapplied to open a site in York. The company had previously submitted plans to open a Roxy Lanes venue at a vacant site in St Mary’s Square in the city’s Coppergate Centre. It has now submitted a licensing and planning application for a Roxy Ball Room in Stonebow House, in the city. It would be the 20th site for the Roxy Leisure group, further to its most recent launches in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Cardiff and Leicester, with its next site set to open in Cheltenham in September. Roxy Leisure was founded by brothers Matt and Ben Jones with the first site opening in Leeds during 2013. Last month, the company opened the first site for its King Pins family bowling concept. It opened the site in Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo, offering 15 lanes of ten pin bowling and four lanes of duck pin bowling alongside shuffleboard, ice free curling, a batting cage, karaoke and arcade games. It also offers pizza from PLY and Asian street food from Little Bao Boy alongside its own dessert kiosk, Royal Treats. In April, Matt Jones told Propel the company had another four King Pins sites in major cities and shopping centres in legals and would target six sites within the next two years.

Lennox secures third site for fledgling Wessex Pub Company, plans new Italian concept: Andy Lennox, the founder of the Koh Thai brand, has secured a third site for his fledgling Wessex Pub Company, The Good Yard pub in Broadstone, Dorset, Propel has learned. The Good Yard, the seventh site for Lennox’s Fired Up Collective overall, joins The Old Thatch in Wimborne and The Greyhound in Corfe Castle. The new site will open at the end of September, offering an “eclectic fusion of modern sophistication and rustic charm”. Lennox, chief executive of Fired Up Collective, which was founded in 2020, said: “We are thrilled to launch The Goods Yard pub in the heart of Broadstone, as a little sister to our beloved pub in Wimborne. Our vision is to create a welcoming space that embraces the essence of traditional pubs while offering a unique and elevated experience for our patrons.” Vikki Slade, Broadstone councillor and leader of Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council, added: “The Goods Yard is a fantastic addition to our local scene. Fired Up Collective's dedication to quality and community engagement, as exemplified by The Old Thatch in Wimborne, aligns perfectly with our town's values, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact this establishment will have on our area.” Fired Up also operates the pan-African Zim Braai concept and the three-strong Nusara Thai brand. On the latter, the first opened on the former Koh Thai site in Christchurch in November 2020, while further sites have since been added in Poole and Wimborne. Lennox told Propel that he planned to open a fourth Nusara site in Bournemouth before the end of the year. At the same time, the business plans to launch a new Italian restaurant concept called La Bocca. Lennox said the first site would open in Dorset in the new year. 

Seven Bro7ers launches £250,000 fundraise to support bar expansion plans: Manchester brewer and retailer Seven Bro7hers has launched a £250,000 fundraise to support its expansion plans, including the opening of new bars. The business – founded in 2014 by McAvoy brothers Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg – has returned to crowdfunding platform Crowdcube as it looks to grow. Seven Bro7thers is offering 2.04% equity in return for the investment, giving the business a pre-money valuation of £12m. Seven Bro7thers operates five bars and is due to open two more venues in 2023. The company plans to use the funds to open further sites, expand production and build a team to help the company secure a new home. The business generated revenue of £5,052,000 in 2022 with Ebitda of minus £374,000. The pitch stated: “Seven Bro7thers is looking to capitalise on near-term opportunities including increased supermarket presence, greater footfall at our Manchester airport site, and new retail locations opening in 2023. Your investment will also help us increase our can and keg production capacity to meet this demand. Looking forward, we have ambitious plans to build a new permanent home in the heart of Manchester, creating a craft beer destination for fans of artisan products for generations to come. Your investment will also help us launch this process, helping resource the team we need to expand.” The business has previously raised more than £1m on Crowdcube during two separate crowdfunding campaigns in 2019 and 2020.

Wetherby Whaler reports price of fish stabilising and turnover exceeds pre-covid levels: Yorkshire fish and chip restaurant operator Wetherby Whaler, which is owned by Better Fish, has reported turnover increased to £11,491,717 for the year ending 31 October 2022 compared with £9,696,073 the previous year. Revenue also exceeded the £10,827,215 reported for the year ending 31 October 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic. Pre-tax profit was down to £1,513,753 from £2,263,278 the year before, mainly due to the increase in costs although the business said the price of fish “is showing signs of stabilising”. Restaurant sales were up to £5,502,273 (2021: £2,300,298) while revenue from takeaway fell to £5,989,444 (2021: £7,395,775). Gross margin was 65% (2021: 71%), which was down due to the increase in costs of raw materials. The company said these costs were being continually monitored at both a local and central level. The group added restaurant sales have closed the gap between takeaway sales as a result of there being fewer restaurant closures post-pandemic. The company had cash at bank of £2,250,000 (2021: £1,859,000) and no debt (2021: £153,000) at the year end. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Raw material prices of fish have eased in the last few months and are showing signs of stabilising, but potato prices remain prone to inflation. Unprecedented high energy costs remain under review and wage inflation also requires close monitoring and control. Despite the pressures seen, the directors remain optimistic that with its loyal customer base the company will continue trading profitability and are committed to creating long-term value.” The business received government grants of £30,000 (2021: £780,171). Dividends of £700,000 were paid (2021: £700,000).

Greene King opens 36th Hive pub following £700,000 investment: Brewer and retailer Greene King has opened its 36th Hive pub. The Coach & Horses in Wideopen, Tyne and Wear, which was previously known as The Traveller’s Rest, has reopened under the format after a £700,000 investment. As part of its transformation, The Coach & Horses has been overhauled both inside and out – expanding and upgrading its space and facilities. The pub is operated by franchisees Lindsay Leadbitter and Chris Bennett, who are brother and sister. Together, the pair have 47 years’ experience of managing and running pubs and other hospitality businesses. Aimed at those with experience of running a pub, the Hive Pubs franchise agreement gives licensees a ready-to-trade pub for £5,000 ingoing cost. Franchisees get a minimum guaranteed income of £20,000 as well as a percentage of food and drink sales and a share of the profits in their pub.

Lancashire leisure group puts fine dining venue with rooms up for sale to focus on Michelin-starred restaurant: Lancashire leisure group Casteron Leisure as put Hipping Hall, its fine dining restaurant with letting rooms in Kirkby Lonsdale, up for sale to focus on its Michelin-starred restaurant. The property, which operated under the business’ Wildsmiths Hotels concept, is being marketed by Christie & Co. Hipping Hall consists of a three AA-rosette restaurant with 15 guest rooms spread over three buildings, including the main house, cottage and recently completed stable rooms. Owner Andrew Wildsmith bought Hipping Hall in 2005 and, after nearly 20 years of trading, closed the business on 24 July. He has decided to sell to focus on his Michelin star restaurant, The Forest Side. Wildsmith said: “It has been a pleasure bringing guests to this beautiful part of the world over the last two decades and providing them with first-class hospitality. Hipping Hall still holds so much potential, and I look forward to seeing what’s next for this magnificent building.” Joel Osbourne, broker at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, added: “There is also a parcel of land, available by separate negotiation, which offers scope for development, subject to the necessary planning permissions.” The Forest Side, on the outskirts of Grasmere, has held a Michelin star since 2016.

Belfast hotel reports turnover exceeds pre-covid levels: The Galgorm Manor Hotel in Belfast has reported turnover increased to £33,628,617 for the year ending 31 October 2022 compared with £18,895,428 the year before. Revenue also exceeded the £24,523,090 reported for the year ending 31 October 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic. Pre-tax profit was up to £6,615,538 from £4,409,793 the previous year (2019: profit of £4,229,633). Net assets at the year end were up to £18,934,095 (2021: £15,124,426). The business did not receive any government grants (2021: £4,722,256). A dividend of £1.7m was paid (2021: £1.5m).

Georgian-inspired small-plates restaurant and subterranean cocktail bar to open in London’s Fitzrovia: A Georgian-inspired small-plates restaurant and subterranean cocktail bar is launching in London this autumn. Kink(all)y will launch in Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, and is the brainchild of Diana Militski. Over the years and across many visits to Georgia, she fell in love with the country’s culinary culture and in particular, a local dish called khinkali: a twisted dumpling traditionally filled with beef, pork or lamb and a touch of parsley. At Kink(all)y, chef David Chelidze will create versions of these dumplings, with fillings including wagyu beef, butternut squash and black truffle; and pheasant in a wild mushroom broth. Alongside the selection of signature khinkali will be small plates inspired by Georgia’s ancient food culture such as aubergine carpaccio with tahini sauce; and tomato ceviche in a spicy and sesame sauce. Downstairs will be Bar Kinky, its subterranean cocktail bar. Militski said: “Georgia has one of the most fascinating gastronomic traditions in the world – but its food is so under-represented in the west, and London is no exception. We think it’s time for Londoners to share the khinkali experience – but with some really boundary-pushing flavours. Meanwhile, Bar Kinky will bring something special to London’s cocktail scene.”

 

Kensington hotel narrows losses as impact from pandemic continues: The Royal Garden Hotel in London’s Kensington has reported turnover increased to £15,813,260 for the year ending 30 September 2022 compared with £1,654,147 the year before as the business continued to be impacted by the covid pandemic. For the year ending 30 September 2019 – the last full year before the pandemic – the hotel turned over £35,974,631. Pre-tax losses narrowed to £5,711,677 from £9,323,574 the previous year (2019: profit of £4,343,568). The hotel reopened in April 2022 and reported occupancy of 46% between then and the end of the period. Average room rate increased to £290 from £212 the year before following investment into the Park Wing. No dividend was paid (2021: nil).

 

Devon waterside village inn goes on market for £3.7m: A waterside inn in Devon has been put up for sale for offers in the region of £3.7m. The Ship Inn, in the village of Noss Mayo, has been owned by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Charles Bullock since 2007, and run with their son Charlie. After investing heavily in the business during over the last 16 years, the couple have decided now is the time to pull up anchor and make plans for their retirement. The Ship Inn is a free house that features a bar, which can accommodate 60 covers. On the first floor there are dining areas with views over the Yealm Estuary that accommodate 85 covers. Beside the estuary and the inn’s own private pier, the garden and patio outside accommodates a further 200 guests and includes an external kiosk serving pizza, ice-cream and soft drinks throughout the day. An external dining room called The Glasshouse provides an additional 20-cover private dining and drinking area. In the upper floors of the inn, the current private accommodation includes a two-bedroom self-contained flat with lounge, kitchen and family bathroom. There is also three further bedrooms, with a shared bathroom, and a large office space. The property is being marketed by Colliers.

Woodhead Restaurant Group opens Gallic-inspired concept in Fitzrovia for fifth site: Woodhead Restaurant Group, the London business led by Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau, has open its fifth site in the capital, in Fitzrovia. The group, which owns and runs the Clipstone, Portland and The Quality Chop House sites, has opened the Gallic-inspired concept at 64 Goodge Street, under the addresses’ name. The 1,600 square-foot restaurant provides 34 covers and a private dining room for an additional ten. Taking its inspiration from a combination of traditional French bistros and British farmhouses, the restaurant features an open kitchen and separate bar. Executive chef Stuart Andrew has developed the menu in homage to traditional French cuisine, including snail “bon bons”, rabbit niçoise, lobster vol-au-vent, and gateau marjolaine. The wine list places great emphasis on classics, focusing particularly on the Burgundy region. Lander said: “We are thrilled to have expanded our presence in Fitzrovia with 64 Goodge Street. A thriving neighbourhood that has gone from strength to strength in the eight years since we made our debut in the area with Portland, Fitzrovia is the perfect home for our latest concept. 64 Goodge Street will offer excellent quality food, wine, and service in a relaxed but polished setting. The difference will be the menu; our head chef Stuart has drawn on his formative years in Paris to create something more Gallic in its influence, a slightly more elevated experience than its much-loved neighbourhood stablemate Clipstone.” Woodhead Restaurant Group, which also owns a wine bar and a shop in the capital, opened Portland in Great Portland Street at the start of 2015 and secured a Michelin star in September of the same year. Davis Coffer Lyons acted on behalf of landlord Shaftesbury Capital on the Goodge Street deal.

Cheshire hotel group reports trading ‘strong’ in 2023 but leisure market becoming ‘difficult’ as people cut back on short stay breaks: Boutique Hotel Group – which operates Nunsmere Hall, Peckforton Castle and Inglewood Manor in Cheshire – has reported trading in 2023 has been “strong” but the leisure market has become “difficult” as people cut back on short stay breaks. Turnover increased to £12,737,622 for the year ending 31 October 2022 compared with £7,246,733 the previous year. Revenue also exceeded the £11,501,443 reported for the year ending 31 October 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic. Pre-tax profit was up to £1,820,125 from £1,300,029 the year before (2019: profit of £1,599,566). Occupancy increased to 74% from 69% the previous year. The group, which is owned by the Naylor family, is beginning a three-year refurbishment programme of all its bedrooms. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Staffing last year was our biggest challenge with a shortage of chefs, housekeepers and food and beverage casual staff. We relied heavily on expensive agency staff to fill the gaps in the team. We have managed to now recruit the majority of our job vacancies and had huge success in recruiting international workers. So far trading in 2023 has been strong but we have seen the leisure market become difficult as people seem to be currently cutting back on the short stay away in the UK as the cost-of-living crisis continues. Our costs with regards to food and drink have been increasing sharply and we have had challenges sourcing certain products. This is an area that we continue to monitor closely and look for alternate products.” Dividends of £518,000 were paid (2021: £405,600).

 

Scottish chef Nick Nairn launches new restaurant two years after devastating fire: Scottish chef Nick Nairn has opened his new restaurant in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. Nairn’s has launched in Henderson Street, replacing Nick’s, which was destroyed in a fire in 2021. Nairn and his wife Julia have renovated the space that features an outdoor terrace. The restaurant offers a range of snacks, small and big plates plus sharing dishes. The daily changing menu includes the likes of venison roe haunch and purple kale with an umami rich venison sauce; and seared stone bass with creamed curried mussels and a cavolo nero. With a focus on well-being, Nairn has implemented a four-day working week and employed a dedicated person to develop and cook staff meals. In September, two new Nairn’s stores – Cook by Nick and Home by Julia – will follow. The stores will be entwined with the restaurant, with products and ingredients showcased there. Cook by Nick will sell “restaurant quality” specialist and artisan ingredients alongside a personally curated butcher and fishmonger counter. Home by Julia is an extension of the homeware store located at the couple’s Nick’s at Port of Menteith restaurant. The husband-and-wife team also operate Nick Nairn Cook School and restaurant on the shores of the nearby Lake of Menteith and The Kailyard by Nick Nairn restaurant at the Doubletree Hilton in Dunblane.

City Spice executive chef set to launch debut solo venture: Niaz Caan, executive chef of City Spice in London’s Brick Lane, is set to launch his debut solo venture. Caan will open the Calcutta-inspired Paro at the Lyceum Theatre in Wellington Street, Covent Garden, in September, featuring a 120-cover restaurant and a separate bar area. Having also just launched his first book, “Vegan – An Indian Cookbook”, Paro will offer an extensive vegan curry menu alongside meat and fish options. Its à la carte and pre-theatre menus will centre around small plates and sharing dishes that offer “a modern interpretation of traditional Indian flavours of West Bengal”, with the likes of mango chickpea chaat; toddy shop tiger prawns; and signature slow-roasted lamb shanks with saffron, charred garlic and coriander.