Consumer spending in hospitality holding up well despite cost-of-living crisis: Consumer spending in hospitality is holding up well despite the cost-of-living crisis, according to CGA by NIQ’s new BrandTrack Plus research. BrandTrack Plus is CGA by NIQ’s new research tool that combines consumers’ out-of-home preferences with card spending data to deliver analysis of engagement with key hospitality brands. The insight in its launch edition shows 6.5 pence in every pound of consumers’ spending between January and July 2023 went on out-of-home eating and drinking, an increase from 6.2 pence in the same period last year. The entertainment/leisure and travel categories also increased their share of spending, in a sign that consumers remain keen to prioritise hospitality experiences even when money is tight. Typically, consumers that visit Nando’s spend over a quarter of their restaurant budget there (27%) and 73% at other competitor restaurant brands. Ego (21%) and Pizza Hut (19%) rank second and third for restaurant groups, with the highest level of consumer spending at brand relative to their competitors, while Dishoom, Hickory’s and Hawksmoor score highest for both guest satisfaction and net promoter score. Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director – hospitality operators and foo, EMEA, said: “It’s encouraging to see that hospitality venues have increased their share of consumers’ spending this year, and it’s testament to the compelling experiences offered by Britain’s restaurants, pubs and bars. But in a competitive and fast-changing market, there is no room for complacency. Our data consistently shows the close correlation between satisfaction and sales, so all brands need to stay laser-focused on guest experiences and the fundamentals of hospitality.”

 

Heartwood Collection CEO Richard Ferrier to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2023, three free places per company for operators: Richard Ferrier, chief executive of the Heartwood Collection, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2023. The conference takes place on Thursday, 16 November, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington, and is open for bookings. The all-day conference will focus on “progress in an era of strong headwinds”. Ferrier will discuss rebranding the business, growing a premium pub estate, moving into the competitive letting rooms sector and growing in a challenging market. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Growing entertainment concepts among new editions to The New Openings Database featuring 894 site openings: Premium subscribers will receive The New Openings Database on Friday (6 October), at midday. The database will feature We Do Play, the team behind trampolining brand Flip Out and crazy golf concept Putt Putt Noodle, which is set to open a new Flip Out site in Bradford. Indoor family activity brand Oxygen has opened its new site in Rayleigh, Essex. Meanwhile, Ballerz, the new competitive socialising concept backed by ex-professional footballers – including Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora – is planning to launch its first site later this year, in Bluewater, Kent. The database will show the details of 894 site openings, 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 Premium subscribers will also receive a 44,000-word report on the new additions to the database. Premium subscribers also receive access to five 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; the Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage; and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. 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.

 

Industry reports year-on-year growth ahead of inflation in September: Hospitality saw a surge in like-for-like sales in September, according to data from people, productivity and payroll system, S4labour. Overall, the sector experienced a 9.6% increase in year-on-year sales – ahead of the rate of inflation. London led the charge with an 11.5% boost, with growth underpinned by a 16.7% increase in food sales. Outside the capital there was also robust growth, with a 9.1% increase in like-for-like sales compared with the same period last year. Richard Hartley, chief growth officer at S4labour, said: “These figures come as a much-needed boost to the UK’s hospitality sector and are ahead of inflation levels for the first time in a while. The good weather in September likely helped with this resurgence in consumer confidence for dining out. As we move into the final quarter of 2023, we should be cautiously optimistic about sustaining this upward trajectory.”

 

UKHospitality calls for expansion of Youth Mobility Scheme: UKHospitality is urging the government to expand its Youth Mobility Scheme to more countries. It comes as the Migration Advisory Committee failed to recommend chefs, among other hospitality roles, be included on the Shortage Occupation List in its latest review. The committee did, however, take up UKHospitality’s request to reclassify sommeliers as eligible for the skilled worker visa route. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Expanding the Youth Mobility Scheme has been a long-standing ask to help the sector recruit. It’s imperative the government implements this recommendation from its own advisory body in order to help hospitality businesses recruit. This is particularly important in light of the committee’s refusal to add chefs to the Shortage Occupation List, which demonstrates a lack of understanding and outdated perception of chef roles in hospitality. The pandemic significantly exacerbated chef shortages by wiping out two years’ worth of newly trained chefs, and this should have been taken into account. The Shortage Occupation List is specifically designed to bridge gaps caused by a shortage, and the committee’s refusal to add more hospitality roles is holding the sector back from reaching its full potential.”

 

NTIA urges private sector security regulator to reconsider process for accrediting training providers: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has urged the Security Industry Authority (SIA) – the private sector security regulator – to reconsider its process for accrediting training providers after a BBC investigation uncovered security guards are fraudulently obtaining work licences after attending sham training courses. An undercover reporter from File on 4 paid extra to complete a mandatory six-day course in a day and a half, missing crucial first-aid training. On one course, he was told to fill in timesheets for all six days and given answers to multiple-choice questions. The SIA said it was now working with the organisations that oversee these training companies to further investigate the BBC material and would be referring the matter to the police. The findings come eight years after another BBC investigation revealed security guards could be fraudulently buying qualifications for cash. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “The necessary qualifications for obtaining an SIA licence to work within the sector have been overshadowed by a small number of unscrupulous training operators. In light of the compelling evidence presented by the BBC, I strongly encourage the SIA to reconsider its current process for accrediting training providers. This is a pivotal moment to revamp the system and restore public trust in the sector.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a growing property company that is seeking a non-executive director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “As a key member of the board, you will play a crucial role in providing strategic guidance, growth and independent advice to the executive team. This role is aimed at a founder, chief executive or managing director within the real estate, hotels or property industry, with previous experience gaining investment, sustainability and steady growth.” The salary is up to £80,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email emma@corecruitment.com. 

 

Greggs not planning further price increases this year as food inflation eases, NLW rise will put wage bill up at least 5.5%, working on overseas trial: Roisin Currie, chief executive of food-to-go retailer Greggs, has said the business is not planning any further price increases this year with food inflation starting to ease. The business put through 5p-10p increases on some items in June and increased prices twice in 2022. Speaking following the company’s third quarter trading update, Currie said she hoped the worst was over in terms of food inflation, but said the business faced rising costs in other areas. Currie said: “Food prices are coming down, particularly around dairy and vegetable oil, but we’re still getting inflation in our protein items. There’s still a bit of volatility in energy. With inflation in these areas easing, there are no plans to put any price rises through in the short-term. However, 40% of our costs are wages, so the increase in the National Living Wage will put those costs up by at least another 5.5%. That won’t have any impact on hiring new staff though.” With Greggs on track for a record net number of openings in 2023, Currie said the pipeline for 2024 was “looking strong” as the business looks to move into more locations “where it is under-represented”. “It’s about making sure we’re in the most convenient locations for our customers,” she said. “So we want to be in retail parks, travel hubs, supermarkets, roadside locations – all those places that people can easily get to us.” Greggs has recently opened a 24-hour drive-thru in Bolton, and Currie said the group will “see how that delivers” before looking at further round-the-clock operations outside of airports. Currie said the business could make a fresh bid to launch overseas, 15 years after it abandoned a foray into Belgium to concentrate on the UK market. But she added any expansion abroad would start with a number of small trials and would not be drawn on which markets. “We are doing research around markets, the customer proposition, the demographics, where we think Greggs would work,” she said. “When we start to gain confidence in a market that we think is right for us then we will update on that.” Currie said the company had not seen any changes in consumer behaviour but customers are more cost-conscious. She added: “We benefit from the fact that we now trade right through the day and we have continued to strengthen our hot food offer. We launched a new flatbread range in the summer, which has done really well, and that’s now available as a hot offer.” Currie said its delivery trial with Uber Eats this summer had been a “resounding success”, and as a result, delivery via the platform will have been rolled out to 500 stores by the end of the month. 

Tortilla CEO – London ‘very buoyant’ but life tougher in the regions, consumers will remember brands they felt were ripping them off: Richard Morris, chief executive of Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has told Propel that trading in London is “very buoyant”, and while life has been tougher in the regions, trade was starting to pick up again. Speaking following the company’s interim results, Morris said the business had also held its nerve on price, which he believes will benefit the business in the long run as consumers “remember the brands they felt were ripping them off”. Morris said: “We’ve always been confident in London and we showed that by buying Chilango – that’s been a roaring success. The five we have converted have seen a massive boost in like-for-like performance but the couple that remain as Chilango are doing good numbers. Our London estate is performing very well – it’s very buoyant – but it’s been tougher in the regions. Some of the bigger cities have been quiet, but we have seen an improvement in the last couple of weeks. The return of university students is helping.” Last month, Tortilla introduced its Sunsets offer where customers can enjoy a full evening meal after 5pm for £10, plus a £2.50 “happy hour” offer, from 5-8pm daily (or all day Thursday-Saturday in Scotland) for Tortilla Club loyalty members when they eat in. Morris said the initiative was already driving evening sales, and while delivery was a big part of the business, “it’s nice to see the restaurant full of people enjoying themselves”. He added: “It also gives us an opportunity to showcase our new menu items, and where else in London, or most other places, can you get a margarita for £2.50?” Morris said the business tries to pay slightly above the National Living Wage, so an increase to £11 shouldn’t have a major impact. He added: “We do pass on wage increases in pricing, but we’re mindful of doing that at the moment. As we are at the lower end of the market when it comes to price, we think we have a little bit of leeway if we need it. However, I’m a firm believer in keeping costs as low as possible for the consumer – when the dust settles people will remember the brands where they felt they were being ripped off.” The business has also launched a trial of its first digital concept site by refurbishing its London Wall outlet and installing kiosks, and Morris said the early results were “promising”. Its hourly sales record has increased by 37%, and during the peak-day average lunch period (12pm-2pm), sales have increased from £2,200 to £2,600. Morris also said the business was continuing conversations around expanding into Europe but wanted to make sure it was “fully ready” before launching. “We’re working on that in the background and hopefully getting into a position where we can announce something next year ,” he added. “It remains a key strategic focus for the business and there’s plenty of opportunity – but we have to make sure we get it right. There’s a lot of good UK business that haven’t made it when it comes to conquering Europe.” Morris also confirmed Jason Thomas had left his position as chief operating officer to pursue other opportunities, with new managing director Andy Naylor leading the business in the UK. 

 

Pho builds openings pipeline, Libby Andrews to return as marketing director: Vietnamese street food restaurant group Pho has added sites in Fulham Broadway and Glasgow to its openings pipeline, while Libby Andrews is set to return to the business as its marketing director, Propel has learned. Pho, which is backed by TriSpan and led by Patrick Marrinan, has secured the ex-Bodeans site in Fulham Broadway and the former Moss Bros site in Renfield Street, Glasgow. The former is scheduled to open before the end of the year. It is also reviewing several other potential locations across the country. The 40-strong business recently opened its second restaurant in Liverpool, on the ground floor of the former NatWest building in the city’s Castle Street. Next month will see the return of Andrews, who initially helped build the business from nine to 33 restaurants in the UK. Andrews has spent the past 16 months as marketing director of the Piper-backed Turtle Bay Restaurants and previously spent nine years at Pho, including three years as its marketing director. Andrews said: “I have loved and believed in this brand since I started working with Pho’s founders in 2010, and I am excited to return for the next phase of growth.” The return of Andrews follows the departure of Joss Mostert, formerly of the Big Table Group and Wagamama, who joined Pho as its marketing director last summer. 

 

Chaiiwala secures investment partnership to assist global growth plans: Indian street food franchise Chaiiwala has secured an investment partnership to help with its global expansion plans. It has partnered with investment firm Lote Global as part of a long-term plan to accelerate its domestic and international expansion to 500 stores, including “a keen focus on key growth markets” such as the US, Canada and the Middle East. It is now looking to enhance its operational capabilities, supply chain facilities and digital experiences in those markets. Chaiiwala has a portfolio of 90 stores across the world, with plans to hit 100 by the end of 2023, including new openings in the UAE and Canada. It made history as the UK’s first drive-thru business serving Indian street food with the opening of its Bolton store last year. Chief executive Muhummed Ibrahim said: “We are pleased to welcome Lote Global to the team as we solidify our position as the leading Indian street food business and shape the Chaiiwala brand for its next global chapter. We believe we have found the ideal partner to expedite our vision of reaching 500 stores by 2026. The extensive experience and knowledge of the Lote Global team in key growth markets, such as the US and the Middle East, will be invaluable as we embark on this pivotal phase of our journey. We have already laid the groundwork for our expansion in these crucial markets and have confidence that our partners will help us seize the significant global opportunity that lies ahead.” Wasim Choudhury, chief executive of Lote Global Investments, added: “We are focused on supporting the Chaiiwala team build on its successes and drive geographic, format and channel expansion. Our investment is a demonstration of our belief and confidence in Chaiiwala and its potential to become a truly global brand.” Chaiiwala 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 215 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.

 

The Columbo Group reports record turnover: The Columbo Group, led by Steve Ball and Riz Shaikh, has reported record turnover for the year ending 31 December 2022. The ten-strong group saw revenue grow from £22,086,048 in 2021 to £40,239,741 during the period. Its pre-tax profit also grew from £3,806,332 in 2021 to £4,264,045. Chief executive Ball, who before partnering with Sheikh was behind iconic London nightclub Fabric, told Propel that current trading was “much in line with 2022”. Since the year end, the group has reopened The Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town, which it acquired for £3m in October 2022, as The Parakeet.

 

Harris + Hoole ends Tesco partnership but continues to operate standalone stores, with strong openings pipeline: Harris + Hoole, owned by Caffe Nero, has ended its partnership with Tesco – which will see more than 25 locations shut – but has said it continues to operate its standalone stores and has a “strong openings pipeline”. It will close 19 of its Tesco franchises in the coming months following the ending of a contract between the two companies, with seven more to close next year. But 16 branches will remain open – including London sites at Crouch End, East Sheen, Fleet Street, Imperial Wharf, Mortimer Street, New Cavendish Street, St Margaret’s, Twickenham and Uxbridge. Its Amersham, Chichester, Farnham, Guildford, Harpenden, Henley and Stansted airport locations will also remain open. A Harris + Hoole spokesperson told The Sun: “Harris + Hoole has a strong store opening and growth plan for 2023 and beyond, focused on standalone stores in locations that best appeal to our target customer market. Following the conclusion of our existing agreement with Tesco, both parties have decided to pursue separate strategies. The first of our new stores has already opened, with several more in the pipeline. Our pipeline for our high street stores remains strong.” Harris + Hoole was set up in Tesco following an investment from the supermarket in 2012 and sold to Caffè Nero in 2016.

 

Malhotra Group reports ‘strong year’ for leisure division with Ebitda up 55%: North east pub, restaurant and hotel operator Malhotra Group has reported a “strong year” for its leisure division as the company bounced back from the pandemic and pressed forward with its planned expansion programme. Revenue in the leisure division rose to £8.8m for the year ending 31 March 2023 compared with £8.8m the year before, with Ebitda up 55% to £2.8m. Malhotra noted that wet sales have been “more buoyant” and its hotels also had a “strong year” against a challenging backdrop of customers having less disposable income. Projects within the division include the refurbishment of the basement at Leila Lilys at Gray Street to create a private dining area. The company is also behind plans for a 21-room aparthotel with bar and restaurant facilities on the corner of Mosley Street and Pilgrim Street in Newcastle. The family-run company, which also operates in the property and care home sectors, saw overall turnover increase from £41.3m to £47.1m, while Ebitda was up slightly from £13.4m to £13.5m. Operating profit also increased to £10.4m, up from £8.3m. Chairman Meenu Malhotra said: “Two of the sectors in which we operate were hardest hit by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns – care and hospitality. The fact we have been able to build on our strong position this year to move forward is down to our highly experienced management team, the diversity of our assets and our continued investment in quality across all of our business segments.” Chief executive Bunty Malhotra added: “The headwinds we are facing will undoubtedly continue to impact our group, but our resilience, strong balance sheet and ability to generate cash across our divisions mean we are able to navigate these challenges, but are not immune to them.”

 

Various Eateries opens third Noci site: Various Eateries, the Coppa Club operator, has opened a third site under its Noci concept, in London’s Shoreditch. Located in The Bower at 211 Old Street, it offers fresh, handmade pasta, Sicilian street-food inspired snacks, seasonal Italian small plates and cocktails. It follows a debut venue, which opened in Islington Green in 2021, and a second site, which launched in Battersea Power Station earlier this year. With 100 covers inside and a further 30 on the outdoor terrace, new to its autumn menu are brown shrimp and ricotta ravioli with spring onions, cayenne pepper and lemon butter sauce; and porcini and shimeji mushroom tagliatelle with baby balsamic onions and mascarpone. There is also a selection of Italian wines from independent producers, with an emphasis on low-intervention methods, alongside Noci’s signature spritz menu.

 

Greenall set to open second London pub: Jack Greenall, a scion of the Greenall Whitley brewing family, is set to open a second London pub. He and wife Poppy Greenall will next month reopen the Walmer Castle in Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, which was once owned by David Beckham and Guy Ritchie, and more recently by hotelier Piers Adam. It is a second pub for Greenall’s Wren Pubs vehicle following the renovation and reopening of The Surprise in Chelsea in 2021. Greenall, who is also a former operations manager at Upham Pub Group, also operated The Pheasant near Hungerford, Berkshire, before selling it to Young’s last year. Spread over three floors, the Walmer Castle will have a bar on the ground floor plus private event spaces on the first and second floors. There will also be an ever-changing cultural event series in the private rooms. A menu of British seasonal dishes from chef Luaan van der Watt will focus on provenance and high-quality produce, while drinks will include a range of draft beer, cider and wine. The Walmer Castle dates to 1845 and is named after the castle in Kent which, in the 18th century, became the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

 

JD Wetherspoon’s reignited £15m plans for Wolverhampton pub featuring company museum get go-ahead: JD Wetherspoon’s reignited £15m plans to transform Wolverhampton’s The Moon Under Water pub, including a company museum, have been given the green light by the city council. Wetherspoon was originally granted planning permission by the authority in March 2020 to redevelop the Lichfield Street venue and add an extra floor to the building. The company submitted a revised planning application in June to establish a heritage centre in the basement as well as convert the first, second and third floors into a 72-bedroom hotel. Approval has been granted for the new proposal, which will also see the creation of a refurbished and enlarged pub on the ground floor and external first floor rear garden terrace. Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon aims to develop a hotel and heritage centre on the site as well as carry out work to the pub itself. The company aims to invest £15m.” The 40,000 square-foot space above the pub has been empty for more than 30 years after being home to a Co-op store.

 

Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen partners with Bath Rugby to become ‘official sports bar’: Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen, the joint venture between St Austell Brewery and the directors of ETM Group, has become the “official sports bar” of Bath Rugby. Located in Brunel Square in the city, the venue features more than 30 screens and two rooftop terraces. As part of the partnership, Bath Rugby season ticket holders and club members will receive a 20% discount on all food and beverages at Ludo on game days. Becoming an extension to Bath Rugby, Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen will show all matches (except those on PRTV Live), displaying the colours of Bath Rugby on matchdays too. Ed Martin, chief executive of Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen, said: “With the city having such a profound heritage and affinity with the game of rugby union and the Blue, Black and White’s being so iconic in the sporting world, we are immensely proud of our partnership.” Tom Giles, head of business development at Bath Rugby, added: “Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen is a unique venue and we trust its team to offer our supporters a great experience.”

 

Yorkshire hotel group narrows losses as turnover increases: Yorkshire hotel group BH Hotels narrowed its losses as turnover increased in the year ending 29 June 2022. In only its second year of filing full accounts, the business saw its pre-tax loss narrow slightly to £1,026,028 from £1,074,808 in 2021. Turnover in the period rose from £6,608,606 to £7,065,594. It received £7,054 in government grants compared with £403,299 in 2021. No dividends were paid (2021: nil). James Houlston founded BH Group at the start of the century, initially as a development company working on office, retail and residential schemes, before it pivoted more towards hospitality in 2018. Since then, its portfolio has included Hotel Indigo in Manchester, Hampton by Hilton in Blackpool, The Swan in Newby Bridge and St Michaels Resort in Falmouth, as well as restaurants Mamucium in Manchester, Brassserie on the Bay and The Garden Kitchen, both In Falmouth. Houlston, in his statement accompanying the accounts, said: “The group expects to grow turnover and operating profit in future periods now that the extensions at The Swan Hotel (Newby Bridge) and St Michael’s Falmouth have been completed and work is well underway on an extension at the group’s Blackpool site. With the completion of the extension works, management intends to consolidate and strengthen the group’s financial position.”

 

Bob Bob Ricard team to launch rotisserie chicken concept this month: Restaurant group Bob Bob Ricard will open its new rotisserie chicken concept, BeBe Bob, this month. Propel revealed in June that Bob Bob Ricard planned to open a new site under the name BeBe Bob in Golden Square, Soho, in the former Folie site that closed in the spring. BeBe Bob will launch on Wednesday, 18 October, specialising in rotisserie chicken, “with well-priced fine wine and champagne to match”. Two varieties of chicken from different regions in France will lie at the heart of the menu, cooked rotisserie-style and served whole at the table with a chicken jus, and carved in view of guests to feed two. There will also be a handful of “elevated” sides and sauces, including truffle French fries and sauteed kale. The venue will have 56 covers in total, including 12 seats at the bar. The group, known for its fine French and British food, small wine mark-ups and “press for champagne” buttons, currently has two sites in the capital, in Soho and the City. Last August, Bob Bob Ricard secured funds from lender ThinCats to help it expand its presence in the UK as well as abroad. It plans to open more restaurants here as well as exploring potential markets in Japan, including opening a restaurant in Tokyo this year.

 

Roxy Leisure opens Cheltenham site: Roxy Leisure, the operator of the Roxy Lanes and Roxy Ball Room concepts, has opened a site in Cheltenham. The Foresight-backed group has launched the Roxy Lanes venue at 105-107 High Street in the Gloucestershire town. The site features a range of activities including ten-pin bowling, American pool, air hockey, duckpin bowling, a batting cage, karaoke, basketball, shuffleboard, darts and more than 50 arcade games. The venue also serves the brand’s updated food menu, which features premium Italian focaccia pizza and Roxy Dogs made with bratwurst sausages and brioche buns. Cheltenham is the 17th site in total for the group, which operates six Roxy Lanes sites across the UK. Propel reported in August that it is planning to open a Roxy Ball Room on the former JJB Sports unit in Glasgow’s Argyle Street and had reapplied to open a site in York, having previously submitted plans to open a Roxy Lanes venue at a vacant site in St Mary’s Square.

Sticks’n’Sushi to open in Kingston next week for 12th site: Sushi chain Sticks’n’Sushi will open in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, next week for its 12th site. Propel revealed in March that the business had applied to open a site across the ground and first floor of the town’s The Bentall Centre. It will now open on Monday, 11 October, offering favourites such as Hotate Ceviche (scallops with miso, chilli, coriander, red onion, celery and tiger’s milk), Ebi Bites and set menus with a combination of traditional sushi, salads and grilled yakitori sticks. The food menu is complemented by a drinks list including cocktails, sake and Japanese teas. Set over two floors with a large external terrace, the 220-cover restaurant is located on the corner of Wood Street and Clarence Street, featuring an open kitchen and private dining room. Collection will be available from opening and delivery from 16 October. As well as ten sites in Greater London, Sticks’n’Sushi also operates restaurants in Oxford and Cambridge.

 

West Highlands and Isle of Skye hotel owner reports ‘solid’ trading in 2023: West Highlands and Isle of Skye hotel owner Perle Hotels has reported “solid” trading so far in 2023. It comes as the business reported turnover increased to £8,883,527 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £6,361,705 the previous year. Ebitda remained flat at £2.7m as higher turnover was offset by government support being withdrawn and significant inflation pressures that “affected all cost lines”. Pre-tax profit was up slightly to £1,223,493 from £1,206,757 the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Post the year-end, the business has had a solid start to 2023 and we remain optimistic about the outlook both in the near term as well as beyond. The company continues to invest heavily in its people and its properties.” No dividend was paid (2021: nil). The company owns four hotels – the Perle in Oban, the Marmalade Hotel and Bosville Hotel in Skye and the Glencoe House Hotel in Glencoe.

Cheshire Mexican franchise concept set to open third site: Cheshire Mexican franchise concept Burrito Picante is set to open a third site, in Stoke-on-Trent. The business was founded in 2016 and launched its first restaurant in Altrincham, before a second opened in Glossop Road, Sheffield, earlier this year. It is now set to open in Stoke-on-Trent, offering “tasty but affordable” tacos, burritos and quesadillas, although a location has not yet been confirmed, reports Stoke-on-Trent Live. “Burrito Picante is now expanding and we have a variety of new franchise opportunities right now in several locations,” the business said. “At Burrito Picante, we urge our customers to rediscover Mexican cuisine in all its forms, offering a range of tasty, balanced and affordable dishes for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Our range of delicious dishes allows customers to choose their favourite Mexican dish and our customisable options truly allow you to make your meal your own.”