Big Table Group to test fast-casual concepts through pop-ups: The Big Table Group – the operator of Las Iguanas, Banana Tree, Café Rouge and Bella Italia – is to test fast-casual versions of its existing brands, through the launch of a number of pop-ups, Propel has learned. It is thought the testing could also include some of the “dark” brands that the business will inherit when it completes the acquisition of The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) leisure division later this month. Last month, Propel revealed the Alan Morgan-led business had appointed Johanna Selin – formerly of Marks & Spencer, Wagamama, Pret and Coco Di Mama – to the new role of head of new concept development to help the group test new concepts in the fast casual space, including its pasta delivery concept Super Nonna. Propel understands the group’s exploration of the fast-casual space will involve either creating some of its own concepts, rolling out some of its existing dark brands or buying another brand. Morgan told Propel: “Johanna’s job is to do the first two. She is creating fast casual versions of some of our existing brands. And we’ll also have a look at getting Super Nonna out in a pop-up format to see if customers are interested in it before we then go and take sites and do it. I'm hopeful we’ll have a location fairly soon where we might try two or three pop-ups in it, to help us understand what would happen if we did a fast casual version of Banana Tree, or a fast casual version of Las Iguanas, or Super Nonna, and put all three next to each other for the consumers to choose. Equally I've got some strongly performing dark brands coming over from TRG. There are some seriously decent numbers coming out of their dark brands, which includes Stacks and Bird Box. What we'll do is we’ll create these pop-ups to start to just test if the customer is presented with all of these at once, what would be their first choice. There is a market at present where short-term leases on units are available to try this. At this stage, it’s purely research to stay in the game while we're waiting to decide if we buy something else and what we evolve? Johanna’s role is really simple, go and play with some of our brands, some of our products. So, if we did a version of a Banana Tree, it doesn't have to be called Banana Tree, it could be something else.” Big Table Group features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £206,170,246 for the year to 30 October 2022 is the 44th 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 kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

Premium subscribers to receive two databases and access to videos from Propel Talent and Training Conference this week: Propel Premium subscribers are to receive two databases this week. The updated Propel Multi-Site Database, which is produced in association with Virgate, will be released on Friday (27 October), at midday. It will include 46 new multi-site companies. Before that, the updated UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database will be sent to Premium subscribers at midday on Wednesday (25 September). Ten new companies have been added, taking the total to 110 businesses featured. Premium subscribers are also to receive access to all the videos from this month’s Propel Talent and Training Conference. They will be sent 13 videos on Friday at 9am. Premium subscribers also receive access to four other databases: the New Openings Database; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the Who’s Who of UK Food & Beverage; and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor 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 kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription. 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.

 

David McDowall to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2023, three free places per company for operators: David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Group, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2023. More than 300 people have already booked for the conference, which 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”. McDowall will discuss evolving the UK’s biggest pub business during a cost-of-living crisis, simplifying its structure and providing it the right tools to continue to thrive. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

KFC launches job networking ‘members club’ for young people: KFC is set to launch an inclusive “members club” giving young people access to the skills, connections and opportunities to land their first job. The Kentucky Club will hold its first pop-up event at Compound Birmingham, in Water Street, on Friday (27 October), and is open to 16 to 24-year-olds of all backgrounds. The free one-day event will feature inspirational talks, including from YouTubers Nella Rose and Luke Vernon, alongside skills workshops and job support from partners UK Youth, Apprentice Nation, 4Skills and LadBible. Attendees will also get to watch and take part in a special live recording of the 3 Shots of Tequila podcast, and there will also be a DJ set from KISSSTOY presenter Tinea Taylor. It follows the roll-out of “Hatch”, a youth employability programme from KFC and UK Youth, which will help some 6,000 young people who have faced barriers to employment land their first job. With under-25s accounting for nearly 40% of the city’s population, and with the number of young people out of work greater than the national average, Birmingham was seen as the ideal location to host the first Kentucky Club event. Meg Farren, general manager at KFC UK & Ireland, said: “At KFC we believe every young person who wants a job should be able to get one. But without the right connections, experience or even background, getting that first job can feel impossible for so many young people today. The Kentucky Club will offer the networking, mentoring, skills development and access to jobs and opportunities that you may get from traditional members clubs, but without the exclusivity or price tag!” Tickets for the event are available through Eventbrite.

 

Emeny – pub closures will increase tenfold without business rates relief: Pub and restaurant closures will increase tenfold without business rates relief, Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s has warned, as companies brace for a surge in their tax bill. Emeny warned high numbers of pub closures in 2023 would only speed up without a drastic intervention from the government. He told The Telegraph: “The number of pub closures and restaurant closures that have happened so far this year will be multiplied tenfold, if the government doesn’t extend the business rates relief for small businesses.” More pubs closed in the first half of this year than during the whole of 2022 as publicans struggle with the soaring cost of food, energy and wages. Inflation stood at 6.7% in September, signalling that gross business rates bills in England will rise by as much as £2bn next April without action from the government, according to advisory group Altus. Emeny said: “You’ll see further pub closures until the government finds a more equitable way of raising tax through business rates. The tax burden on pubs is simply enormous. We, as a sector, account for 0.5% of UK revenue, but we pay 2.5% of UK business rates, so we’re disproportionately paying our way.” Despite stubborn inflationary pressures and the prospect of soaring tax bills, he said he believes pubs have an “innate, incredible ability to evolve and survive”, regardless. Emeny said Fuller’s pubs have not been as badly affected during the cost-of-living crisis because its pubs attract more affluent customers. “We’ve consciously built a business in the wealthier parts of Britain,” Emeny said. While it has raised prices due to inflation, he said it has tried to keep them “as low as we possibly can”. Despite soaring inflation, he said people are drinking more expensive lager and ale when they visit Fuller’s pubs. He added Fuller’s would not be stocking beer made by brewers who have weakened their strength recently to save on tax. Emeny said: “A customer falls in love with a particular brand because of the flavour and how it’s brewed. And if you start tinkering with the brew, you do so at your own jeopardy and risk. I’m not a fan of this at all.”

Zócalo has ‘big ambitions’ for UK expansion as it makes its debut here: Zócalo’s master franchisee for the UK has told Propel it has “big ambitions” for expansion here as it makes its debut on these shores. The Sweden-based Mexican fast-food franchise chain, which was founded in 2002, has since grown to 25 restaurants in Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. Pritesh and Shiv Amlani signed as master franchisees for the UK in April last year, with the aim of expanding and placing Zócalo “among the leading Mexican food concepts in the UK in the next few years”. They have just opened their first UK site, at 21 Great Windmill Street in London’s Soho with Andre Martin and former professional footballer Jose Fonte, their first Zócalo UK franchisees. “Andre and Jose are our first franchisees and we are working on an expansion plan for the region,” Amlani said. “We have big expansion plans, we are looking to expand across the whole of the UK. We have bigger plans for regional franchisees, taking on ten-plus stores.” Fonte, who won 50 international caps for Portugal alongside playing for the likes of Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham, said: “We are thrilled to embark on this exhilarating new venture, and we couldn't be more excited to unveil the very first Zócalo franchise in the UK.” Martins added: “Since meeting José in 2018, this partnership represents a true meeting of minds, blending our shared passion for culinary excellence and the vibrant spirit of Mexico. Collaborating with Pritesh and Shiv amplifies our excitement for this new opportunity – their dedication and vision for success make them the perfect allies on this thrilling journey.”

 

Paris Baguette set to sign first UK franchisees: Paris Baguette, the South Korean bakery cafe chain that made its debut in the UK last year, will sign its first franchisees here later this week, Propel has learned. Paris Baguette, which now has more than 4,000 stores across ten countries, is set to sign an agreement with Wayne and Jamie Stevenson, of BH Property Brother’s. Propel understands the first two cafes under the new agreement will open next year in Canary Wharf and South Kensington. Propel revealed in April that the brand planned to go down the franchise route in the UK. It currently operates company-owned sites at Kensington High Street and Battersea Power Station, which opened in October and November 2022 respectively. It plans to operate 20 locations across the country by 2026, ahead of more ambitious plans to reach 200 sites here by 2036. Earlier this year, the business said: “Following the successful launch of its first stores in London at the iconic Battersea Power Station and in Kensington High Street, Paris Baguette is seeking franchise partners in the areas within a few miles of Battersea and High Street Kensington. The two flagship stores in prime locations in London were opened at the end of 2022 and are already achieving a high level of sales. Paris Baguette’s franchise model has been particularly successful in the US, where there are more than 125 franchise stores. The business is opening a new store every week and several stores are producing annual revenues upwards of $5m, while Paris Baguette is ranked 25th in the US Franchise Times Top 500 list.” The business was offering franchises for an upfront fee of £50,000 for one site or £40,000 for multiple sites, with the overall investment to take on a franchise expected to be about £330,000. There is also an ongoing royalty of 5%, while loan facilities are available at HSBC.

 

Wendy’s opens third UK drive-thru site: Wendy’s, the third-largest quick service restaurant chain in the US, has opened its third site with UK franchisee Blank Table, and third drive-thru site here, in Peterborough. The brand, which relaunched in the UK in summer 2021, has opened the drive-thru site at the entrance to the new £30m Bourges View business park, in the city’s Maskew Avenue. It is the second drive-thru site to be opened under the brand by franchisee Blank Table. Its first one opened in Brampton Hut near Huntingdon. Blank Table also operates a Wendy’s restaurant at the Horsefair Shopping Centre, in Wisbech. On the Peterborough opening, Carl Morris, managing director of Blank Table, said: “We believe this Wendy's restaurant will be a fantastic addition to the community. Our restaurant boasts a modern and welcoming atmosphere with comfortable seating, stylish decor, and a layout designed to enhance the overall dining experience and customers can experience the convenience of modern technology with self-order kiosks and mobile ordering options.” Last week, Propel revealed Wendy’s had promoted Michael Clarke to managing director of its UK operation. Clarke joined the business, which relaunched in the UK in summer 2021, in April 2020 as director of UK operations to oversee its re-entry into the UK market. He previously spent more than four years at a business development manager at Pizza Hut Restaurants UK. Prior to that, he spent nearly a year and a half as head of operations at pizza concept Firezza. Earlier this month, Propel reported Wendy’s saw turnover for its UK business increase to £21,266,567 in the year to 31 December 2022 (2021: £6,864,280) on the back of new site openings. The brand currently operates 30 sites in the UK, through a mixture of restaurants (20 sites) and delivery kitchens. It has further openings lined up in Guildford and Cambridge.

 

Sixes secures Oxford opening as it eyes further international markets: Sixes, the cricket-based competitive socialising concept from the founders of Mac & Wild, will open its tenth site in the UK, in Oxford, Propel has learned. Sixes, which earlier this summer made its debut in the US, has secured space on the rooftop of the John Lewis store in the Westgate scheme in the city. On Tuesday (24 October), it will open its ninth UK site, at Westquay, Southampton. In June, the business opened at Grandscape, a shopping and entertainment destination in Dallas, Texas, which marked its first international site. Earlier that same month, 4CAST Investment Group – which includes England international cricketers Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer – invested in Sixes to aid its expansion in the UK and internationally. Created by Calum Mackinnon and Andy Waugh, Sixes opened its inaugural site in Fulham in December 2020. There are now four sites across London, plus further locations in Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton and Leicester. It comes after Waugh told City AM the business has global ambitions. He said: “We are looking to open more sites in the US but globally we’ve had 400 franchise opportunities around the world. So, we have signed on India [Delhi and Mumbai] and South Africa, we have [other] partners that we have signed on and we’re looking for ones in Australia and New Zealand – basically anywhere that wants to have this kind of operation.” AG&G acted on the Oxford deal.

 

McDonald’s UK appoints James Thorne as new chief people officer: McDonald’s UK has appointed James Thorne as its new chief people officer, Propel has learned. Thorne, who has been with McDonald’s for more than 15 years, has been promoted to senior vice-president, chief people officer and will lead the brand’s people teams across the UK and Ireland. He replaces Rebecca Dodd in the role. Thorne most recently served as senior director, HR business partner: international markets – field and corporate at McDonald’s, where the business said he has been instrumental in evolving its people brand standards for its internationally operated markets segment, working cross functionally with markets, segment and global colleagues. Prior to his current role, he served as international developmental licensing Europe people lead where he “significantly influenced positive gains in engagement with the people functions partnership”. McDonald’s UK said: “Since joining in 2007, James has held various roles across the people function, and throughout his time, he has proven himself a highly collaborative, business-oriented HR partner, who is committed to continuous improvement and learning for himself and those he works with. His desire for personal growth brought him recognition by the CIPD in 2022 as a chartered fellow.”

 

Adventure Leisure planning four new openings in 2024 including Northern Ireland debut: Adventure Leisure, a subsidiary of Burhill Group (BGL), is set to open four new sites in 2024, including its debut venue in Northern Ireland, Propel has learned. It comes as Adventure Leisure prepares to open the second venue under its Bunkers concept, in Romford, east London next month. The venue, which will based at The Brewery, will span 20,000 square feet and represent an investment of almost £2m. Opening on Thursday, 9 November, it is set to become Adventure Leisure’s largest indoor venue and will host two 12-hole crazy golf courses as well as activities such as axe throwing, pool, shuffleboard, beer pong, classic arcade games and virtual reality zones. There will be a new food menu and full bar serving innovative cocktails and drinks. The opening will take Adventure Leisure’s portfolio to 23 sites with further expansion planned in 2024 and 2025. Andrew Scholey, operations and development director at Adventure Leisure, told Propel: “We have four planned for next year. A site in Northern Ireland is in legals and we have two other locations at the final stages of negotiations.” Adventure Leisure also operates sites under the Mulligan golf concept. BGL also operates venues under the Ninja Warrior and Total Ninja concepts along with ten golf clubs. 

Kent McDonald’s franchisee falls to loss despite record turnover of £114m: McDonald’s franchisee PA Crocker, which operates 21 restaurants across Kent, has reported turnover increased 10.2% to a record £114,038,955 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £103,496,043 the year before. The business made a pre-tax loss of £892,382 compared with a profit of £8,379,283 the previous year as costs climbed, particularly in the second half of the year. Gross profit margin fell to 64.96% compared with 69.14% the year before, which was “in line with expectations”. Net assets stood at £9.45m, down from £11.90m the previous year. In his report accompanying the accounts, franchisee Peter Crocker stated: “Store and delivery sales profitability, although strong in the first half of 2022, has been impacted in the second half of the year by among other things the increase in VAT within the hospitality sector back to the standard rate of 20% from 1 April 2022, a volatile supply chain and rising costs base. The growth in sales is predominantly due to continued growth in delivery sales and the acquisition of two stores during the year. 2023 will continue to be impacted from ever-volatile external environments, with consumer trends likely changing ever more frequently due to on-going economic challenges.” The business did not receive any government grants (2021: £182,454). A dividend of £1,280,000 was paid (2021: £2,000,000). Crocker ran several petrol station businesses before becoming a McDonald’s franchise in 1995 and employs more than 3,200 staff.

 

Ottolenghi secures Hampstead site, appoints new COO: Ottolenghi, founded by Yotam Ottolenghi in 2002, is set to open a new restaurant and deli in London's Hampstead. Open all day, it will offer coffee, pastries and hot breakfast, signature salads for lunch and á la carte dinners with cocktails. Located in the ex-Carluccio’s site at 32-34 Rosslyn Hill, it will have Ottolenghi's largest terrace to date, with 26 covers. It will be the group's eighth deli and restaurant across the capital. Shelley Sandzer acted on the deal. Meanwhile, Ottolenghi has appointed Michael Farquhar, formerly of D&D London, as its new chief operating officer. Farquhar stepped down as operations director at D&D London this summer, after more than six and half years with the business. Farquhar joined D&D London at the start of 2017 as operations director, a new role within the business at the time, with the responsibility of managing all UK operations. He was previously global operations director at Cé La Vi Group in Singapore, where he led the operations team. 

 

KFC franchisee reports ‘reasonable’ year as turnover increases but profit drops: KFC franchisee Caskade Group has reported a “reasonable” performance as turnover increased but profit dropped in the year to 31 December 2022. Turnover was up from £43,889,927 in 2021 to £46,091,254 but its pre-tax profit fell from £4,637,000 to £394,976 as costs rose by almost £3.5m. Government grants of £8,826 were received compared with £23,416 in 2021. No dividends were paid (2021: £100,000). “Despite the disturbance caused during the year due to the continuing pandemic and the consequential sales and supply chain impacts, the business during this year has delivered a reasonable performance,” director Hamid Ali said. Founded in 1984, Caskade Group has grown to operate more than 50 KFC stores in the UK, as well as several Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants. It also operates restaurants in the Netherlands and Malaysia and owns a hotel in Birmingham.

Art deco JD Wetherspoon in Forest Hill closes: The venue regarded as London’s “grandest” JD Wetherspoon, based inside a converted 1920s Forest Hill cinema, has permanently closed. The Capitol closed last week after Wetherspoon made the “commercial decision” to shut the site. The iconic pub was located at the former Capitol cinema, described as a “rare survival” of a complete 1920s art deco picture house. JD Wetherspoon announced the premises had been put up for sale in September 2022 prompting a wave of appreciation for the unique pub on social media. 

 

Dubai-based hospitality company Addmind confirms UK debut with Clap launch in Knightsbridge: Addmind Hospitality, the Dubai-based restaurant and bar operator, has confirmed it will make its UK debut after securing a site in London’s Knightsbridge. As revealed by Propel in July, Addmind, which was founded by chief executive Tony Habre in 2021, will open the flagship rooftop restaurant and lounge space at the K1 development in Basil Street for its Japanese concept, Clap. At the helm of the kitchen is culinary director chef Renald Epie, and his dishes will include sea bass amapeño, and pistachio crusted baby chicken with yuzu and daikon. Drinks will focus on a range of Japanese-inspired cocktails. Addmind has also secured a 1,600 square-foot ground floor space to operate a Japanese café that will open in the first quarter of 2024. Addmind opened its first bar in Beirut in 2001 and has since expanded to more than 20 brands, with a portfolio of venues spanning the Middle East. It currently operates three sites under the Clap concept – in Dubai, Beirut and Riyadh. Its other brands include White Club, Bazaar, Iris, Bar Du Port, La Mezcaleria and Sucre. It is now looking to expand further into Europe. Habre said: “Bringing Clap to London is an exhilarating milestone for Addmind. We are thrilled to introduce this Beirut-born concept to the vibrant city of London. We hope Clap will be a great addition to the London culinary scene, and we are proud of the concept and the community it has created.” Kit Alexander, of Etch, and Michael Webb, of Distrkt, acted on the Knightsbridge deal.

 

Domino’s Ireland looking to grow business with ‘lot of appetite from franchisees’ and ‘huge amount of opportunity in underpenetrated areas’: Domino’s Ireland has said it is looking to grow its business, with a “lot of appetite from franchisees” and a “huge amount of opportunity in underpenetrated areas”. Managing director Annelie McCaffrey said the business, which counts 2,500 staff across 60 stores in the Republic and 35 in Northern Ireland, is putting together a plan to grow its business across the island. With system sales of £41.4m (€47.8m) in the first half of 2023, up 13.7% on the previous year, McCaffrey said Domino’s Ireland is looking to hire 600 staff, including team, driver and managerial roles, ahead of the busy Christmas period. She said Domino’s Ireland, which has operated on the island since 1991, also has “an exciting pipeline of outlets to help satisfy Domino’s franchisees appetite for pizza”. “Recruitment is massive for them at the moment,” McCaffrey, who joined the business as marketing director in 2021 before landing the top job in November last year, told the Irish independent. “We have opened seven stores in the past year, which is above our target. We are just about to start putting down what next year and the next five years looks like. There is a lot of appetite with our franchisees and a huge amount of opportunity in underpenetrated areas in Ireland that we can establish ourselves in.” The group is also trialling a premium “Italiano” range in 13 Irish stores, looking at “more diverse” toppings such as goats cheese, prosciutto and salami. The trial, which concludes this year, is not happening in other markets. Domino’s Ireland has also been investing in enhancing its capacity and has completed the first phase of an €8.9m supply chain centre in County Kildare. McCaffrey is a former head of marketing and communications EMEA at Primark, while her husband, chef Dave Coffey, owns The Sussex Restaurant in Dublin alongside The 105 Café and Café 31.

 

Nikkei concept that caught Grace Dent’s eye looking to grow when conditions are right: A Nikkei cuisine concept that caught acclaimed food critic Grace Dent’s eye has said it’s looking to grow, but only when the conditions are right to do so. Bamboo Mat was founded in London in 2021 by Victor Rosca and Denis Gobjila, who met while working for Chotto Matte, which has pioneered Nikkei cuisine in the UK. After Rosca left to work for Sushi Samba, Roka, and Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, the pair teamed up again to found their own business. A friend’s seafood restaurant, John Dory in Leyton High Street, had been unable to open again after covid, and the pair took over the lease. “We opened in May 2021, and at the end of the month we had a review from Grace Dent, and after that it went crazy,” Gobjila told Propel. “It was non-stop. We were doing 50 to 60 covers a day in a nine-table restaurant, turning a table around three or four times in an evening, which was hard. We had set out to grow organically, but we had to completely change our minds about what we were doing very quickly and recapitalise everything. We needed a bigger kitchen to create new dishes too.” That led to the pair opening a second site, in Stratford, which opened in December 2022, offering 60 seats inside plus about 22 outside. They would like to keep growing but have found themselves hamstrung by the same challenges facing so many in the industry. “We definitely want to grow as we have a good concept, but until the current economic and political climate improves, nothing is going to change. We would like to expand overseas too, and Victor has been to look at some places in Spain, but we will stay here until things are calmer and it’s more realistic. In the meantime, we’ll build our profile and grow our sales.”

 

Hotel group pays out almost £2m in dividends after profits soar, actively seeking to add to portfolio: Hotel group Seacare Hospitality has paid out almost £2m in dividends after its profits soared in the year ending 31 March 2023 and said it is actively seeking to add to its portfolio. The group owns 13 hotels, with an Aberdeen site opening during the period to add to its locations in Cardiff, Cheltenham, Eastbourne, Manchester, Inverness, Leeds, Scarborough, Dundee, Dumfries, Carmarthen, Knowsley and Perth. Its pre-tax profit rose from £1,719,242 in 2022 to £6,089,200 off turnover of £25,385,295, which was up from £15,244,332 in 2022. Dividends of £1,840,500 were paid (2022: £400,000). No government grants were received (2022: £327,697). Director Ching Chuan Leow, in his statement accompanying the report, said: “The directors look forward to the group remaining profitable in the foreseeable future. The group is actively seeking opportunities to add to its hotel portfolio in the coming year and to invest into the existing portfolio where an adequate return on investment exists.”

Former Bread Ahead and Quo Vadis bakers looking to open new bakery: Former Bread Ahead and Quo Vadis bakers Florin Grama and Felix Ortona Coles are looking to raise £20,000 through a crowdfunding campaign to open a new bakery. They are hoping to open Tarn Bakery at 83 Hazellville Road in north London early next year. The duo met while working at St Barts restaurant in Smithfield, with Grama also having worked for Pophams, Flor and Bread Ahead, and Coles having also been at Merchant’s Tavern and Quo Vadis. Their campaign has so far raised almost £13,000. Rewards range from a free coffee and pastry for donating £10 to a dinner party for eight for donating £1,200 or more. “The mission is to bake delicious goods using UK grown wheat and ingredients from small producers,” Grama told Hot Dinners. “We aim to stand against the broken food system, which is littered with a lack of transparency, heavily processed products, underpaid producers, excessive food waste, and a disconnection between farmer and consumer. We hope to build a community that connects our customers with our farmers, celebrating beautiful produce and nutritious and nourishing food. Our purpose is to make you happy with sourdough, pastries and plenty of savoury options.”

 

Edinburgh restaurant group reports turnover and Ebitda boost, repays £1m CBILS: Edinburgh restaurant group Castlegate Investments has reported turnover increased to £6,861,622 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £4,256,889 the previous year. The company, which operates The Witchery by the Castle in Castlehill, saw pre-tax profit rise to £1,835,741 compared with £1,454,104 the year before. Ebitda increased to £2,080,000 from £1,684,000 the previous year. Gross profit margin was up from 43% to 45%. During the period, the company repaid the £1m it borrowed through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. A dividend of £340,000 was paid (2021: £240,000). The business also previously operated The Tower Restaurant, which closed in June 2020, on the rooftop of the National Museum of Scotland.

 

Manorview launches community hub: Scottish independent hotel group Manorview has launched its first community hub – offering the people of Coatbridge a safe place to stay warm, get some food and relax. The Hub, based in Main Street in Coatbridge, launches this week with a half-term holiday club for children offering books, games, hot drinks and a bite to eat during challenging times for families. It forms part of the mission statement at Manorview Foundation, Manorview’s registered charity, to make life better through hospitality. Manorview founder Steve Graham said: “Though this is the very beginning of the work we want to deliver for communities. It was previously a function and private events space, and after months of trying to get access to other public properties, we decided just to transform a space we already owned. It was vital to us that it felt warm and welcoming, and we hope it brings great comfort to the people of Coatbridge.” The Hub has a lounge area with a TV and iPad station, an entertainment centre with Xbox and PlayStation consoles, a café and a comfortable seating area. Manorview has covered the cost of creating The Hub so the Manorview Foundation can use all funds it raises to deliver vital community services. Additional activities to support communities in other areas are also planned, including kids’ Christmas parties with a meal, visit from Santa and gift at eight other Manorview venues. After half-term, The Hub will be open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12pm-4pm, with no booking or payment needed. Graham added: “We still have so much to achieve, but we feel fortunate that we can use our business experience, knowledge and resources to make a positive difference.”

 

Company behind four-star Buckinghamshire hotel returns to profit as turnover hits record levels following £6m refurbishment: The company behind the four-star Horwood House Hotel, near Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, has reported record turnover of £6,407,450 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £3,113,389 the previous year following the competition of its £6m refurbishment. The business posted a pre-tax profit of £238,034 compared with a loss of £484,477 the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “We continued to promote the hotel to its new target client base and the revenue shows the refurbishment was very effective as we broke records for Horwood House Hotel despite the market slowdown. The biggest challenge was the late bookings of residential conferences but these were converted by the strengthened sales team. Even though we delivered fewer weddings, these were at a higher overall revenue due to the repositioning. The spa was in its first full year of operation and, while we were yet to establish ourselves in that market, it was a very promising first year of promoting ourselves into the leisure market. The food and beverage operation was finally stabilised and has a strong base from which we can build the reputation from.” The business did not receive any government grants (2021: £177,737).

 

Leicestershire brewery comes under new ownership: The founder of Leicestershire brewery Parish Brewery has stepped down with the new owners looking to push forward with “exciting plans for the future”. After 40 years at the helm, Baz Parish has decided to pass the baton on to new owners in directors Bruce Cooper and Charlie Gamble. The pair have created The Parish Brewing Company, which will continue trading as Parish Brewery. Established in 1983 in a 400-year-old converted stable block in rural east Leicestershire's Burrough on the Hill, Parish Brewery now has a 20-barrel plant brewing more than 5,000 pints per brew. Cooper told Insider Media: “We've been advocates of Baz and his brewing prowess for many years, so when he mentioned wanting to take a step back, we saw an opportunity to carry on his legacy. There is huge mileage and heritage in the products and we are seeing a renaissance in cask conditioned beer. Well looked after, there's nothing quite like a pint of real ale. As people understand it more, there is a genuine appreciation of the process. We're excited about bringing the Parish Brewery into 2023 and have some exciting plans for the future.” In the coming months, new brews are planned to expand the businesses’ cask conditioned beer portfolio. Parish Brewery will also be rolling out a new look, with an e-commerce website in development to enable customers to explore the range and buy beer online.

 

Yorkshire cold coffee concept partners with Salt Brewery for second site: Yorkshire cold coffee concept Hubb has partnered with Salt Brewery, part of Ossett Brewing Group, for its second site. Hubb was launched earlier this summer by Dr Nadir Zairi in Dean Clough, Halifax’s mixed-use mill complex. It offers cold brews including nitro coffee – which is infused with nitrogen to give it a silkier texture – alongside freshly baked cookies and pastries and soft serve ice cream. It has now partnered with Salt to open Leeds’ first nitro coffee spot, at the Salt Leeds taproom in East Parade. Called Salt x Hubb, it will also offer a menu of thick cut sandwiches alongside Salt’s selection of craft beer, cask ale, artisan wine and on-tap cocktails. The collaboration will also see the bar area expanded to span the full length of the venue, creating a dedicated space for Hubb. Zairi, who is former Salt managing director, said: “I am excited to be teaming back up with my Salt family and bringing the Hubb nitro coffee concept to Leeds. By joining our craft coffee concept with Salt’s craft beer and cocktails offering, we are showcasing the evolution of the modern venue, catering to everyone from 7am to midnight.” 

Business behind four-star hotel near Cardiff goes into administration: The business behind a four-star hotel and wedding venue on the outskirts of Cardiff has gone into administration. Miskin Manor Hotel, set in 25 acres of grounds in the Welsh countryside, has 42 bedrooms, leisure club, restaurant and function facilities. The hotel is operated by RCA Hotels, which has now been placed into administration due to “cash flow pressures”. Gareth Harris and Diana Frangou, of RSM UK, were appointed joint administrators of RCA Hotels, trading as Miskin Manor Hotel. Now the joint administrators intend to stabilise the business with a view to continue trading the hotel while the venue and business is marketed for sale as a going concern, reports Insider Media. Frangou said: “Due to cash flow pressures, the directors took the hard decision to place the company into administration. Regretfully, and since taking on the administration, certain operational difficulties at the hotel have resulted in an unavoidable cancellation of some key events at the venue in the very short term. We are seeking to resolve this promptly and to start trading again as soon as possible. The joint administrators' immediate strategy is to stabilise the operating position to enable the hotel to trade while it is marketed for sale as a going concern. We are aware of interest already in the hotel from potential buyers.” Earlier this year, the new lease for Miskin Manor Hotel was brought to market with a guide price of £700,000 and an annual rent of £300,000.

Yorkshire operators acquire second pub: Yorkshire operators Steve Mortimer, Fay Howell and Oliver Renton have acquired their second pub together. The trio, who also operate the Turkey Inn in Kayleigh, have reopened The Staveley Arms in North Stanley, near Ripon. The 16th century pub has launched following a refurbishment, reports Bdaily. “I’ve worked in the industry for more than 20 years and The Staveley Arms has it all,” said Renton. “Internally and externally it’s an amazing venue offering so much space and opportunity – the beer garden alone can accommodate 80 customers. It’s a traditional country pub, the fires will be roaring, walkers and dogs will be welcome all year round, and there will always be a good choice of Yorkshire ale available.”