Açai brand Oakberry seeking franchise partners for UK rollout, Clapham site to open before end of year: Açai brand Oakberry has told Propel it is seeking franchise partners to roll out across the UK, and is set to open a site in Clapham, south London, before the end of the year. Oakberry – which was founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2016 and has grown to 600 locations in 35 countries – made its UK debut in 2022, in Brighton. In the last two months, it has taken its estate here to three with two London openings – in Rathbone Place and Portobello Road. “Oakberry is a franchise model, and we are looking to identify a select group of partners to work with us to roll out the brand across the UK,” Angela Bernardes, national sales and marketing director for Oakberry UK, the brand’s master franchisee for the territory, told Propel. “Our UK launch has been strong and we’ve seen consistent growth over the last 12 months. People are resharing their bowls of açaí on Instagram all the time and it’s great to see the building momentum in the UK. I can reveal we are also launching in Clapham this year. Each shop will have its own concept. We don’t want to put a number on it, but people from all across the UK have fallen in love with our bowls when travelling abroad, so we want to bring our brand to as many people as possible.” Oakberry, which has also opened sites in Belfast and Dublin this year, also had a significant estate of company-owned stores, mainly in Brazil and the US. Bernardes added: “Açai has gained popularity due to its reputation as a superfood with numerous health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and is considered a nutritious choice for those seeking a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, açai bowls and smoothies have become trendy and Instagram-worthy, driving their popularity among health-conscious consumers and influencers. Oakberry sources only the finest açai berries, sustainably farmed in their very own location, which is the only açai on the market that is certified 100% organic, vegan, non-genetically modified, organic and free of artificial preservatives, food colourings and syrups.” Oakberry 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 kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

Premium subscribers to receive updated Premium Database of Multi-Site Companies and access to videos from Propel Talent and Training Conference tomorrow: Premium subscribers are to receive the updated Premium Database of Multi-Site Companies and access to the videos from the Propel Talent and Training Conference tomorrow (Friday, 27 October). The updated Propel Multi-Site Database, which is produced in association with Virgate, will be sent at midday. Cafe and bakery concepts are among the 46 new multi-site companies being added to the next edition. It features Paris Baguette, a South Korean multinational chain of bakery-cafés that made its debut in the UK last year and is ramping up its franchise partner recruitment as it looks to expand in London. Midlands bakery Butterwick was started in 2017 by husband-and-wife duo Ryan and Fiona Scarborough, who originally began as wedding cake specialists, and it will open its 12th site early next year, in Melton Mowbray. Plus, Cheese and Pickle Co, owned by the Davis family, has opened a new cafe, deli and kitchen in Houghton-le-Spring. 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 tomorrow at 9am. Premium subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the New Openings Database; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database; and the Who's Who of UK Food and Beverage. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email 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.

Entry deadline extended for Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards: The deadline has been extended for entries to the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards. The awards, in their sixth year, recognise outstanding marketing and innovation in the sector. The closing date for entries is now 11.59pm on Friday, 3 November. Awards are open to restaurant, bar and foodservice outlets. There are 14 categories: Best Communications; Best New Product Development; Best New Website; Best New/Improved Visual Identity; Best Digital Engagement; Best Use of Technology; Best Community or Charitable Initiative; Best Use of Data, Insight or Research; Innovation of the Year; Campaign of the Year; Launch Campaign of the Year; Marketer of the Year; Innovator of the Year and Future Marketing Leader of the Year. To recognise the important relationship between agencies and their foodservice clients, the awards will recognise both the operator and all agencies involved in the delivery of campaigns and projects. Past winners have recognised more than 50 brands and agencies including McDonald’s, Honest Burgers, Brewhouse & Kitchen, BrewDog, Turtle Bay, Fuller’s, Wagamama, Gail’s Bakery, YO!, Grind, Rick Stein, Searcy’s, Boxpark, PizzaExpress, Greggs and The Breakfast Club. Finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony on Wednesday, 25 January, in London. The awards will be delivered alongside the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Summit. Awards co-founder James Hacon said: “As the sector continues to react to the aftermath of unprecedented trading challenges over the last few years, we are seeing leaders start to refocus from survival alone to thriving with improved customer experience, enhanced brand innovation and evolving business models. Marketing, strategy, development and innovation roles are becoming increasingly important to the leadership mix. These awards continue recognising the success of brilliant brands, talented teams and individuals.” Propel managing director Paul Charity added: “We launched this event six years ago and have had thousands of people from across Europe attend the various segments. The awards recognise the very best within the spheres of foodservice marketing and innovation.” Categories, entry information and judges can be found here.

Asma Khan – the most important thing about building and leading a team is to be empathetic: Indian-born British chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Asma Khan, who operates Darjeeling Express in London’s Carnaby, has said that the most important thing about building and leading a team in a restaurant is to be empathetic. Speaking at this month’s Propel Talent and Training Conference, she said that as a leader of a team, you “need to let people know that they matter”. She said: “One of the big divisions in India is religion. I’m the only Muslim, all my entire kitchen is Hindu. It has different festivals from me, but we celebrate every festival. Half my team is strict vegetarian, and yet they all have to cook the meat. Because all of us put our ego, our religion, all our other sensibilities outside the door when they come into the restaurant, because they understand that we are a team. Things like there being a spiritual prayer that they have to go for, which is only done by the female, the matriarch. They stayed and they worked because we had a really heavy shift. And one of them told me: ‘This is my temple and for me you're my goddess. I don't need to go and pray anywhere else’. This is the mindset that has happened over a very short time because people understood that I put my ego out. I put all my sensibilities of what is right, what is wrong, who is who, outside. The problem is when you bring to the table your arrogance, and your sense of ‘this is my restaurant, we're going to do it this way’. You immediately put that person on the fringe. They clock in and clock out – that's it. It's a very simple thing, it's about showing interest in who they are. You’ve got to open up your heart. As long as you do that, things will work out in the end. You have to be patient and not allow each person to feel in any way different from the other. Your teams will be a team because of your ability to treat them equally.” On creating a culture beyond one site, Khan said: “You do one team at a time, and that has a ripple effect. You take that person from that team, or you bring in people from another team, immerse them in this whole experience so that they can go back and learn. This is how we all learn. We learn by watching, by being a part of it by observing. This is our everyday life, and you can do that with your teams.” Khan’s presentation will be among those from the Propel Talent & Training Conference sent to Premium subscribers at 9am tomorrow (Friday, 27 October). 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. 

The Columbo Group’s The Parakeet among 18 additions to Michelin Guide: The Parakeet in London’s Notting Hill, which was opened by The Columbo Group in March this year, is one of 18 additions to the Michelin Guide this month. The 60-cover culinary-led pub and dining room offers a menu of locally sourced, seasonal dishes. The kitchen is led by ex-Brat chef Ben Allen and sous-chef Ed Jennings, with dishes influenced by Allen’s experience at Brat and the two-Michelin star Steirereck in Austria. The Parakeet is among nine venues in London that have been added to the guide. They also include Brazilian restaurant Bossa, Italian concept Archway, Counter 71, Elodie, Italian restaurant Giulia, grill concept Humo, Spanish restaurant Mountain and Swedish-Asian influenced restaurant Studio Frantzén. Also added were Dublin restaurant Amy Austin, which is tucked to one side at the entrance to the Drury Street multi-storey car park, and two Edinburgh venues – Eòrna and Skua. The other additions were Fish Shop in Ballater; Bramley in Abbeyleix; Cowley Manor in Cowley; Locanda on the Weir in Porlock; New Coast Kitchen in Croyde and Touring Club in Penarth.

Meat-eating drops to lowest point since 1970s: Britons are eating less meat than at any point since the 1970s as the cost-of-living crisis and the rise of veganism and vegetarianism lowers demand. The Times reported consumption at home fell 12.5% to an average of 854g a week in the year to March 2022, down from 976g the previous year and 949g in the year before the pandemic, according to new figures. Consumers are ditching beef, pork and lamb faster than other meat. Over the past decade, consumption of these products has fallen 26%, while chicken and other meat are down 11%. Overall, meat consumption at home is 14% lower than in 2012. People are also buying fewer burgers, kebabs and meat pies from takeaways at a weekly average of 27g per person, less than half of what it was in 2012. However, this drop is likely to have been exaggerated by the impact of the pandemic when people had meals delivered. Consumption of fish also fell, with the average person reporting eating only 135g a week, down from 148g before the pandemic. The price of meat has risen dramatically since the pandemic. The cost of a steak is up 10% in the past year and chicken by 9%. Consumers appear to be responding to this by not only by eating less meat but by moving to cheaper cuts. Recent YouGov polling also suggested that one in eight people are vegan or vegetarian. Many have given up meat on health grounds; others because they believe it to be better for the environment.

Boxpark reports revenue up 35% and Ebitda by 14% on pre-covid levels as it adapts to post-pandemic environment: Boxpark has reported continued year-on-year revenue growth with sales 35% higher for the year ending 30 April 2023 than pre-covid, at £20.5m. The group said revenue had been robust despite macroeconomic pressures, as it effectively adapted its customer offering to adjust for the change in work patterns post-pandemic and decline of commuters, exacerbated by the rail strikes. Boxpark said its high-profile events supplemented by each venue delivering circa 600 events per year has bolstered sales, helping to combat these pressures. Its venues have also hosted live concerts with musicians such as Fatboy Slim and launched its Black Card Sessions concept; intimate live music gigs featuring emerging artists. The group said it has had to manage significant cost increases such as spiking supplier prices and material cost inflation as part of the supply chain. As a result, the group’s Ebitda of £5.0m is 14% ahead of the £4.4m reported in the year ending April 2020. The group said it has continued to invest heavily in technology to improve the customer experience and drive revenues, with members of its Black Card loyalty scheme rising by a quarter (26%) to 1.3 million customers in the year to April 2023. Members are given special food and drink offers, as well as priority access to popular, high-profile events and exclusivity to certain events. Boxpark has also continued to invest in people with the number of employees rising by 9% during the period. The group has also strengthened its senior management team and board by appointing Paul Thandi, former chief executive of The NEC Birmingham, as its new chairman. The group said it plans to open an average of two or three sites per annum over the next five years in London and other major UK cities. Boxpark Liverpool and Boxhall City in London are set to open first in 2024 and the group has also announced its plans to open a Boxhall site in Bristol and another Boxpark scheme in Birmingham. Chief executive Simon Champion said: “We are pleased with our results in this period, delivering growth in like-for-like sales. We’ve successfully navigated a challenging trading environment with high-cost inflation, a stress on consumer spending, and changing patterns of consumers going out. Our results are testament that our agile and resilient approach is working but we still need to remain cautious in such a tough market. While we anticipate these macro challenges to continue for now, we are optimistic about the future prospects for the business.”

Buzz Bingo now has a business that is ‘the right scale and shape’ as revenue approaches £200m, seeing growth in younger customers: Buzz Bingo chief executive Dominic Mansour has said it now has a business that is “the right scale and shape” as it reported revenue approached £200m. Buzz Bingo's community numbers more than 1.1 million active club members, with 82 clubs in operation. The business reported revenue increased to £195,101,000 for the year ending 14 January 2023 compared with £139,800,000 the previous year. Underlying Ebitda rose from £10.2m to £30.5m while pre-tax losses rose from £51,873,000 to £53,648,000 following significant restructuring costs. The group's retail estate experienced an increased number of new customers on a weekly basis, according to the company, with half of those aged between 18 and 35. Mansour said: “We've come out of an extremely challenging period and, while rising inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis remains a concern for the entire industry, we have been heartened by the growth in new, younger customers with an ongoing interest in exploring different forms of leisure and entertainment, both online and across our retail clubs.” Buzz Bingo noted that it has focused on driving efficiencies across the business and will continue to do so through to the end of 2023. It restructured its head office operations in the last quarter of 2022, while April 2023 also saw the permanent closure of nine retail locations. Mansour added: “In common with the entire leisure and hospitality sector, we have had to accept the economic headwinds of inflation and rising costs. We have met those challenges head-on, moving quickly to reduce and control costs so we can secure a sustainable and successful long-term future for our business. Having completed our efficiency drive ahead of schedule, our focus is now moving on to growing our omnichannel business and we’re beginning to realise that growth across the business. We now have a business that is the right scale and shape and also has the right protections in place for customers. This is the perfect springboard to continue our push to be the nation's number one choice for Bingo.”

Zambrero plans second Birmingham site: Zambrero, Australia's largest Mexican quick-service franchise, which received £143m in equity financing to open more restaurants in Britain and Ireland earlier this year, is planning to open a second site in Birmingham. Earlier this week, the business confirmed it will make its debut in the Midlands, on Wednesday, 15 November. It will open a site at 5 Colmore Row, Birmingham, after signing a ten-year lease with landlord, Hortons' Estate, on the unit, which is part of The Grand in Birmingham. Propel understands that Zambrero has also lined up an opening in the city’s Bullring scheme, in the site currently housing the Indian Streatery pop-up. Earlier this summer, Zambrero, which operates circa 250 sites worldwide, secured its first site in the north west, in Manchester. The business secured the site formerly occupied by Greggs in Piccadilly Gardens, on a new 15-year lease. Earlier this year, Zambrero opened in Reading, on the former William Hill site in Queen Victoria Street. Zambrero also operates four sites in London and a site in Chelmsford. The brand, which is led in the UK by chief executive Emily Teh, opened its debut UK site in Kentish Town in 2021. 

Fuller’s receives £500,000 insurance payout: Fuller’s has received a £500,000 payout from Aviva after the insurer admitted liability in a dispute over covid-19-related business interruption cover, a London court has heard. The Insurance Post reported that on the first day of a nine-day hearing regarding a host of business interruption disputes, Jeffrey Gruder KC told the court that Aviva was no longer disputing that cover had been triggered by the covid-19 pandemic closures. The £500,000 sum represents half of the £1m limit carried by the non-damage prevention of access cover in the pub company’s policy, which, according to Gruder, Aviva now accepts is “indisputably due”. Aviva is one of two insurers that is currently being sued by Fuller’s, the other being Liberty Mutual, which still maintains that the cover in its policy was not triggered. Each insurer took 50% of the risk. However, other issues remain in dispute between Fuller’s and both insurers, including how many multiples of the £1m limit the business is entitled to. Should Fuller’s succeed in making the argument that it is entitled to separate limits for each of its hundreds of premises, the sum it could recoup from its insurers could prove to be significantly more than what it has already received. 

Greater Manchester McDonald’s franchisee sees profit fall as costs escalate despite record turnover of £68m: McDonald’s franchisee Edge Restaurants, which operates 17 sites in the Greater Manchester area, has reported turnover increased 17% to a record £67,869,310 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £58,001,925 the year before due to the continued growth of delivery and the acquisition of four sites. Pre-tax profit was down to £2,459,383 from £7,330,866 the previous year as costs increased by £5m. Gross profit margin was down to 64.90% compared with 67.32% the year before and was “in line with expectations”. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors 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 the acquisition of four restaurants in August 2022 alongside continued growth in delivery sales within our existing restaurants.” The business did not receive any government grants (2021: £459,303). Dividends of £1,767,500 were paid (2021: £777,000). Edge Restaurants is owned by Mark and Corinna Nuttall. 

FoodCo opens Muffin Break in Cheltenham as it gears up for next chapter of growth: FoodCo has opened its 67th Muffin Break in the UK, in Cheltenham, as it gears up for its next chapter of growth. Located in the High Street, the opening of the new cafe has seen Muffin Break invest £280,000 in the fit-out of the store, creating 15 jobs. Joshua Nixon, head of estates of FoodCo UK, said: “The exciting response from customers at our other bakery cafes has been remarkable, and we've dedicated ourselves to finding the perfect location in Cheltenham.” Muffin Break’s new store in Cheltenham sets the stage for a new chapter in FoodCo’s growth with plans to open additional bakery cafes, as the business actively looks for new locations and franchisees across England. In addition to this latest Muffin Break opening, this year, FoodCo opened its 20th Jamaica Blue cafe as part of its planned expansion for the UK, in Cornmarket, Belfast. FoodCo opened the first Muffin Break bakery cafe in the UK in 2001.

Prison-themed immersive experience Alcotraz heading to Cardiff: Prison-themed immersive experience Alcotraz, operated by Inventive Productions, is to make its debut in Wales, with an opening in Cardiff. The opening in the Brewery Quarter on Friday, 24 November, follows sites in London, Manchester, Liverpool and Brighton, under the concept that promises “an immersive, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience”. The new “Alcotraz: Cell Block Nine-One” will accommodate 46 inmates for public experiences or private venue hire. Guests are tasked with smuggling liquor past The Warden and getting it into the hands of some of Alcotraz’s longest-serving inmates, who then transform the contraband into bespoke cocktails. In advance of visiting, guests will be able to create their own unique criminal record from the Department of Justice before being secretly instructed by “bootleggers” on the inside to smuggle their liquor into Alcotraz. Sam Shearman, creator of Alcotraz, and founder of Inventive Productions, said: “We are excited to open our first Welsh location. Since opening in 2017 in London, Alcotraz has entertained audiences looking for a unique experience. Since London, we have opened three more sites around the country and cannot wait to launch Alcotraz in Cardiff. We hope that Alcotraz will become a great addition to an already thriving entertainment city.”

Individual Restaurants to launch Piccolino’s ‘most elegant dining experience to date’ with £2m Wilmslow opening: Individual Restaurants is to open a new site for its Italian restaurant brand Piccolino, in Wilmslow next month. The company has invested £2m into the venue in Swan Street in the Cheshire town for its 20th Piccolino restaurant. Piccolino Grande will be able to seat up to 220 guests in the main restaurant space and will be the brand’s “most elegant dining experience to date”. There will also be a winterised Tuscan terrace for outdoor dining throughout the year. Piccolino said an exclusive new menu has been designed specifically for Wilmslow to give every guest an “unforgettable exploration in flavour and theatre”. Diners will be immersed in the creation of dishes at their table, “with the freshest seafood prepared and filleted table-side”, Tuscan steaks sourced from Italy, hand-made fresh pasta dishes in parmesan wheels and Neapolitan pizza. Drinks will include wine while there will also be weekend and evening entertainment inside the restaurant. Andrew Garton, chief executive at Individual Restaurants, told the Manchester Evening News: “Our Wilmslow restaurant is set to become the most sought after dining destination for Italian escapism in Cheshire and the north west. This opening marks a new era of elegant dining as we promise the most authentic Italian culinary experience, combined with charming hospitality in a magnificent setting. We look forward to taking diners on an unforgettable Italian journey through flavour, provenance and culinary craftsmanship.”

Loci Pubs to open fourth London pub next month: North west London operator Loci Pubs will open its fourth site in the capital, in Kensal Rise, next month. The company, founded by brothers Ben and Ed Robson, along with their business partners and friends Adam Gostyn and Scott Soteriou, will reopen the William IV pub in Harrow Road. The William IV is the fourth addition to the group, after the launch of The Alliance in West Hampstead in May last year, and continues the company’s mission to create “beautiful, buzzy pubs that soon become a neighbourhood hub for locals, families, and businesses”. It will feature The Clarence room, a “beautifully designed and self-contained events space” with its own bar and access to the garden, which can host around 40 people for dinner and 80 people standing. Fifteen bedrooms upstairs offering bed and breakfast will each be refurbished in stages, before being relaunched early next year. The business also operates The Clifton in St John’s Wood, and The Duke of Hamilton in Hampstead. Ben Robson said: “We're excited to introduce The William, our newest addition in Kensal Rise. It's more than just a pub; it's a celebration of the vibrant Kensal Rise neighbourhood. At Loci Pubs, we believe in creating welcoming spaces where the local spirit thrives. Here's to community and connection at The William.”

Z Hotels to open new Leicester Square site after securing £23m loan: Z Hotels is to open a new flagship site in London’s Leicester Square, after securing a £23m co-loan from OakNorth and ASK Partners. The funds will be used to acquire and refurbish a five-storey vacant office building adjacent to Leicester Square and convert it into Z Hotels’ new 85-room hotel. Founded by Bev King, Z Hotels launched its “compact luxury” accommodation model in London with the opening of Z Soho in 2011. Since then, the hotel chain has experienced continued success with 14 sites now operational across London, Liverpool, Bath, and Glasgow. The new transaction follows OakNorth's previous funding to the group in June to refinance an existing loan and fund the construction of an additional 20 rooms at its Piccadilly location. ASK also provided funding for the group's Trafalgar Square hotel. The latest facility marks the inaugural co-loan from OakNorth and ASK Partners to Z Hotels and will be used to acquire and refurbish a mixed-use building, consisting of a ground and basement floor with restaurant/retail use and four storeys of office use accommodation above ground floor, plus a fifth-floor attic. King said: “Our guests predominantly want to spend a couple of nights in a city centre location either for business or pleasure, to explore the city, and to sleep in generously designed surroundings. This new site situated on Leicester Square's doorstep embodies this demand perfectly, providing our residents with compact but well-designed bedrooms at affordable prices. Our relationship with OakNorth and ASK now spans multiple transactions and we see them both as key funding partners that we know we can rely on to support our ambitious growth targets.”

Heineken UK sales volumes fall as price of pint rises: Heineken sold less beer in the UK in the third quarter of the year, as the price of a pint rose by nearly 10% and the wet summer discouraged drinkers. However, the company said inflation-driven price increases are tapering off after its own cost pressures eased. The Birra Moretti-owner said it pushed prices up by a “high single digit” percentage in Britain, which made up for a fall in sales volumes. Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink said “adverse weather in July and August” played a role in the lower sales volume. He said Heineken had been gaining market share in pubs, but that there was “more to do” in off-sales. The Dutch brewer, which also makes Amstel lager and Strongbow cider, saw total revenues increase by 2% for the third quarter of 2023 to €9.6bn (£8.4bn). Net revenues saw organic growth of 4.5%. Van den Brink said: “While inflation-led pricing is tapering, we observe a slowdown of consumer demand in various markets facing challenging macroeconomic conditions. In this context, we will stay the course on executing our strategy, remain vigilant on costs and focus on rebalancing our growth.”

TGI Fridays launches ‘build your own’ two-course menu: TGI Fridays has launched Uptown and Downtown menus, offering guests the chance to “build their own” two course menu “from a list of favourites”. The Downtown menu starts at £13.99 for two courses, offering appetisers such as mac and cheese bites or halloumi sticks, with main options including the Big City Dog, chicken quesadilla, or the roasted pepper and tomato pasta. The “bigger appetites” Uptown menu starts from £18.99. Appetisers including mozzarella dippers, Fridays Corndogs, or the boneless hot wings can be paired with mains such as the Fridays’ Glazed Burger. The Uptown and Downtown menus are available Sunday through Thursday, all day.

Chelsea gets boost with Cadogan's £235m Gaumont development: The former Gaumont cinema site in the King’s Road in London’s Chelsea is being reborn as a £235m commercial and cultural centre with offices, 47 apartments, a rooftop bar and a 600-seater Curzon picturehouse. The Evening Standard reported the 220,000 square-foot mixed use development at 196-222 King’s Road – known as The Gaumont – is local landlord Cadogan’s biggest scheme since the Duke of York Square project 15 years ago. The site was home to the original 1930s Gaumont Palace Theatre, which has had its art deco facade renovated. The Gaumont is expected to open in phases, with the rooftop bar and retail units set to launch early next year, followed by the remaining spaces in the summer. The final phase of openings will coincide with the unveiling of a public art installation. Cadogan chief executive Hugh Seaborn said: “The purpose of this project has always been to reinvigorate the King’s Road’s distinct character and contribute to its rich legacy, while seeing it enter a new era – from the independent ‘creative cluster’, cinema, major new public art commission to the beautifully restored façade. There are many other plans underway such as finding space for immersive cultural pop-ups, a ‘pub theatre’ and the right new operator to keep institutions like the 151 Club alive. The Gaumont is a major part of a wider revitalisation plan for one of the world’s most famous high streets.”

Sushi Daily rolls out new loyalty programme: International sushi franchise Sushi Daily has rolled out its new loyalty programme “Sushi Daily Club”, where members can collect stamps on orders to redeem free sushi. Following a trial earlier this year, where Sushi Daily delivered a positive sales uplift in all kiosks on the trial and increased customer satisfaction, Sushi Daily Club is now available for UK consumers nationwide. Once signed up, Sushi Daily Club members can collect virtual “stamps” with every pack of sushi purchased, by entering the code inside sushi packs when logged into their account. Upon collecting six stamps, members will be rewarded with one six-piece box of Maki for free. To mark the launch, new members who sign up to the club before 19 November 2023 can redeem one six-piece box of Maki with their first click-and-collect order. Members can start collecting stamps however they buy their food, be that from one of the 163 independently run Sushi Daily kiosks in Waitrose and Asda, via click-and-collect on Sushi Daily’s website or third-party delivery platforms. Romy Miller, global brand director at KellyDeli, Sushi Daily’s parent company, said: “We’re delighted to roll out the Sushi Daily Club for all customers in the UK as we received fantastic feedback and saw a positive increase in like-for-like sales during the initial trial. Not only are we able to reward our loyal customers with more of what they love – high-quality sushi – but the Sushi Daily Club helps us develop as a business by providing valuable data on customer preferences, which helps guide innovation around our new menus and marketing.”

Wirefox adds third site to growing Marram collection: Northern Irish private investment company Wirefox has acquired the Ducks Inn in East Lothian, Scotland, as part of its Marram hotel collection, expanding its leisure portfolio across the UK and Ireland. The privately-owned hotel in East Lothian was acquired for an undisclosed sum. Wirefox has now closed the hotel to undertake a full renovation, which is expected to be complete by summer 2024, with the venue ready to reopen under a new brand. Last year, Wirefox acquired Northern Ireland hotel, The Bushmills Inn, through its Marram Hotels business. In October 2022, Wirefox also acquired The Ardgowan Hotel in St Andrews, expanding the Marram leisure portfolio to Scotland. Kathryn Robinson, investment director at Wirefox, said: “As we grow the Marram collection, we’re looking for properties with unique and authentic character that we can transform. For golfers, the hotel is the ideal base in East Lothian, with 21 courses in close proximity, many of which have hosted championships and qualifiers for The Open. Plans are already underway to revitalise the offering, taking inspiration from the surrounding environment.” Ruaridh Macdonald, hospitality director at Wirefox, added: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming both new and returning customers to the rejuvenated hotel, bar and restaurant when we relaunch next year. As with Bushmills and Ardgowan, our approach will be to deliver an authentic experience that is as unique as the landscape that surrounds it. East Lothian is famed not only for its world class golf courses but also its coastline, wildlife and local attractions. To match this with world class hospitality will attract domestic and international travellers alike – whether they love golf or just want to enjoy everything East Lothian has to offer.”

Levan co-founders to launch Peckham wine bar: Mark Gurney and Matt Bushnell, co-founders of London restaurant Levan, are opening a new wine bar in Peckham. Bar Levan will open next month in the Blenheim Grove space that was previously home to their casual bistro-diner Larry’s. Gurney and Bushnell told Hot Dinners the venture has been inspired by Parisian bars such as Aux Deux Amis and Septime La Cave. There will be a focus on organic and biodynamic wine, which will also be available for takeaway, alongside a menu of snacks. The food will include rillettes, charcuterie, cheese, mussels on crisps and a Croque Monsieur. They're also hoping to relaunch Strictly Bangers, the music and wine night that took over their ex Salon venue from time to time, as well as hosting guest chef takeovers. Earlier this month, Gurney, Bushnell and former business partner Nicholas Balfe announced they were dividing the business. After a six-year partnership, the trio made the collective decision to part ways. It will allow Bushnell and Gurney to focus on the businesses in London and Balfe to continue the work he’s been doing at Holm in Somerset.

Nichols appoints new CFO, James Nichols to stand down from board: Nichols, the listed diversified soft drinks group, has announced Richard Newman will join its board as a director with effect from 29 January 2024 before becoming its new chief financial officer and company secretary in March 2024. David Taylor, who is currently acting as interim chief financial officer and company secretary, will step down from the group’s board at the same time in March “following a smooth transition of responsibilities”. The company said Newman brings extensive and relevant UK public company financial experience having held a number of senior plc roles and most recently, between 2021 and 2023, as chief financial officer at AIM-listed Accrol Group Holdings. He joined Cadbury in 1996 progressing to finance and IT director for Ireland and then group financial controller. At the same time, the company said that after 18 years with Nichols, both in executive positions and as a non-executive director, James Nichols has decided that he wishes to pursue a fresh challenge and will leave the board and the business with effect from 24 October 2023. It is expected that a new representative of the Nichols family will be appointed as a non-executive director in due course. Liz McMeikan, non-executive chair of Nichols, said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank James for his significant contribution over the past 18 years and we wish him well and every success for the future. Following a thorough search process, we are delighted that Richard will be joining the business and the board next year. Richard brings a wealth of highly relevant experience to the group and I have every confidence that he will make a substantial contribution to the group’s continued development and growth.”

New restaurant concepts sign up for Cwmbran scheme: Cwmbran Leisure, a popular leisure destination in South Wales, has reached full occupancy with the addition of two new restaurants. World buffet, Legend, will take over unit two, formerly let to Dolce Vita Italian, and Yes Baba, a Turkish restaurant, will occupy unit 3a. The development is part of LCP Group’s expansion after acquiring the leisure scheme in early 2023, just a year after its ownership of Cwmbran Centre. The Cwmbran Centre has also expanded its offering with a national sports and gym operator set to take over the former House of Fraser unit, along with new openings like Caffe Nero-owned brand Coffee#1 and Dunelm.

Liverpool operators open new all-day restaurant: Liverpool father and son operators, Donato and Antonio Cillo, have opened a new all-day restaurant in the city. The duo, who are behind the Italian Quarter in the city centre, have launched Botanico in south Liverpool. It has opened in the former Il Ristorante by Crust site in Woolton Village, offering a full brunch menu followed by afternoon tea and a bistro evening menu. It also has an all-day pizza offering and fresh bakery section, where bread and pastries are made in house each day. Botanico has a capacity of 90 in the main restaurant plus 30 in a dedicated tea room and has created 25 jobs. The Cillos have operated venues such as Brunchin, Hey Farina, P&D Gran Caffe and Antonietta Cakes and Gelato in Liverpool’s Italian quarter since 2010. Donato, originally from Potenza in Basilicata, previously had his own restaurant in Italy. He originally came to Liverpool a few times a year as a consultant to train staff at the Il Forno restaurant in Duke Street, before deciding to start his own business in the city.