Exclusive – Ole & Steen begins search for new group CEO after Jason Cotta departure: Danish bakery brand Ole & Steen has begun the search for a new group chief executive after the departure of Jason Cotta, after four years in the role, Propel has learned. Cotta, the former managing director UK and Ireland for Costa Coffee, joined Ole & Steen, which operates 26 sites in the UK, in August 2019. He had been with Costa since 2010, and also spent time as managing director of its international business that operated through a network of 750 company-owned and franchise stores. He has also held senior executive positions at Travelodge and TGI Friday’s. Ole & Steen told Propel: “Ole & Steen has been through an intense growth journey over the past five years, where the company has doubled in size and successfully established itself firmly in both Denmark and internationally in London and New York. The board of directors and Jason Cotta have jointly agreed that a group chief executive with a different profile will be better suited to Ole & Steen's strategic needs in the future. Going forward, the strategic focus will be on improving operating results across markets and continuing the work to build a leading bakery chain that delivers Danish quality baked goods to customers in Denmark and internationally. Jason has played a key role in the company's development so far and the board of directors would like to thank him for his significant contribution to the company since 2019. The board of directors has initiated the process of recruiting a new group chief executive. In the meantime, Jesper Mark Dixen, current group chief commercial officer of Ole & Steen, will serve as group chief executive.” In May, David Campbell, the former chief executive of Wagamama and PizzaExpress, was appointed chairman of Danish Bake Holding, the parent company of Ole & Steen. More recently, Ole & Steen strengthened its management team with the appointments of Stuart Cockburn, as its new operations director, and Beth Clarke, as its new head of people.

Sponsored message – Santa Maria’s new Nachos solution for pub and bar operators to elevate your plate: Santa Maria has launched its latest solution – Nachos – to help pub and bar operators enhance their menu offering and drive revenue. With 83% of consumers ordering nachos when eating out and the Mexican dish featuring on 80% of pub and bar menus in the UK, the Nachos solution helps operators that don’t already offer nachos easily bring them on to their menus, and enables operators who do already offer them “to take their nacho recipes to the next level”. The solution includes a range of nacho recipes that tap into the mega trends of customisation, experience and indulgence. The recipes all follow a three-step formula of base, toppings, and garnish, making them easy for any operator to create in their kitchen. Santa Maria’s taste creator, Barnaby MacAdam, said: “Not only are nachos incredibly popular, they are versatile too, and are easily scaled through loading up or down. They typically represent good value to the consumer while at the same time being affordable to create in the kitchen. Our Santa Maria products along with our recipe combinations bring bang-on flavours and quality to the table so operators can justify a slightly higher price point on the menu, resulting in a decent profit margin.” To download the Nachos solution, click here. If you have a sponsored message you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

Premium subscribers to receive new edition of The New Openings Database on Friday featuring 107 site openings: Premium subscribers will receive The New Openings Database on Friday (3 November), at midday. The database will show the details of 107 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 7,600-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 kai.kirkman@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. 

Another 750 pubs set to close in first half of 2024 without government intervention, report warns: Another 750 pubs are set to close in the first half of 2024 as energy costs, business rates and taxes push them to the brink, according to new research. The report by Frontier Economics suggests energy bills 300% higher than pre-pandemic levels combined with tax pressures are the reason for the “dire” economic climate facing the beer and pub sector. It warned unless chancellor Jeremy Hunt acts in the autumn statement, the sector faces not just sky-high energy bills, but the double hammer blow of a £12,000 business rates increase and a beer tax hike of unknown size, which many pubs will fail to survive. With pub closures in England, Wales and Scotland already having spiked by 75% in the first half of 2023, the continuation of that trend will result in around 750 pubs calling last orders for the final time in the first half of next year. As a result, the British Beer & Pub Association is urgently calling on the government to extend small business rates relief, rule out an increase in beer duty and implement the recommendations of Ofgem’s review of the non-domestic energy market. Energy prices remain the number one reason for pub closures. Despite this, the government significantly scaled back support for pubs earlier this year, with energy bills estimated to be almost £20,000 higher over a year as a result. There has been a 43% overall cost increase for pubs since 2019, however, the Frontier Economics report outlines that beer prices have only increased in cost by 12% in the same period. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “The government must intervene to stop the decimation of our sector.” Tim Black, associate director of Frontier Economics, added: “The sector is working to mitigate and adapt, but some business failure is inevitable.”

Bank of England ‘to keep interest rates on hold to tame inflation’: Interest rates will remain at 5.25% when the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee meets on Thursday (2 November), according to latest forecasts. A run of softer economic data in the weeks since September has heightened money market expectations to near-certainty that the nine-strong group, led by the governor, Andrew Bailey, will keep key borrowing costs on hold, reports The Times. A separate poll of City analysts by Reuters indicated that 61 out of 73 expected the bank to follow its counterparts in America and Europe with a second back-to-back pause after last month’s knife-edge vote. HSBC analysts said: “We and the market are fairly comfortable that the bank will keep the rate on hold. That’s not to say that the inflation threat has fully been conquered or that further hikes should be ruled out.” The base rate has been lifted from a low of 0.1% in December 2021 to a 15-year high of 5.25% through 14 consecutive rises designed to wrestle runaway inflation back to the 2% target. Consumer price inflation stayed well above that at 6.7% in September, but warning signs are flashing over the health of the broader economy. The UK manufacturing and services sectors both contracted again this month according to S&P Global’s purchasing managers’ index, retail sales were down 0.9%, the labour market is stalling and consumer confidence has weakened. Investors will be watching for changes to the language employed in the MPC’s monetary policy statement for clues to its next move. A softening of tone would all but confirm that interest rates have peaked and could prompt traders to bring forward their expectations for rate cuts.

London’s night czar urges government to do more to support hospitality sector as capital’s night-time industry ‘roars back into life’: London’s night czar Amy Lamé has urged the government to do more to help the culture and hospitality industries as the capital’s night-time industry “roars back into life”. The mayor’s Night Time Enterprise Zones have helped support the capital’s high streets with Bromley seeing an increase in visitors of 127% after 9pm. Vauxhall has seen visitor numbers increase by 28% and Woolwich has seen footfall increase by 23%. Across the weekend of October 14-15, ridership figures from Transport for London show more than 107,000 entries and exits took place at stations on the night tube and night overground between 12.30am and 4.30am on the Friday night. On the Saturday night, the first night of Madonna’s world tour at the O2, there were more than 145,000 entries and exits during night tube hours. However, the hospitality industry is facing significant pressures including staff shortages, the spiralling costs of doing business, and concerns about insecure leases and licensing issues. As the sector’s “golden quarter” begins, Lamé is urging ministers to do more to help businesses deal with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and ensure they can reap the benefits of these vital winter months into the new year – including scrapping VAT-free shopping to attract international visitors. Lamé said: “London’s nightlife is the best in the world. There are so many fantastic events and venues to experience, and I’m delighted that in recent months we’ve seen our capital roaring back from the impact of the pandemic. However, our nightlife, culture and hospitality industries are still facing significant challenges. We’re committed to doing all we can to provide our support as we build a more prosperous London for all, but we need ministers to urgently step forward to provide the assistance so these vital businesses can reap the benefits of the vital ‘golden quarter’.”

Costa Express making nearly eight times the profit of its cafes: Costa Express machines churned out a profit of £70m last year – nearly eight times the earnings of its 2,500 UK cafes. Costa is now owned by Coca-Cola, but the Costa Express phenomenon goes back to two entrepreneurial friends who came up with the concept more than a quarter of a century ago, inspired by the photocopier – the manufacturer installed the machine free of charge in return for a slice of the takings, reports The Sunday Times. Retail consultant Martyn Dawes and business associate Scott Martin, then working for Unilever, realised they could do the same with coffee. With their proof of concept up and running, they persuaded Neil Wallace, a partner at the private equity firm Primary Capital, to invest – and Coffee Nation, the forerunner to Costa Express, was born. Within five years, they had nearly 1,000 machines installed across the country. The company’s rapid success began sparking interest from potential buyers. Wallace’s fund sold its stake for a tidy profit in 2007, and a few years later, Whitbread, which owned Costa at the time, came knocking. In 2011, it bought the business for £60m and Costa Express was born. In 2019, it got an even bigger owner when Coca-Cola bought Costa from Whitbread for nearly $5bn. For the US giant, the fast-growing Express business was a key attraction. Starbucks and Pret A Manger are belatedly expanding in the market, while EG Group has rolled out 200 self-service machines across its forecourts and supermarkets. But others refuse to get involved. A Caffè Nero spokesperson said: “[Our] beans are ground by the barista, who hand-prepare the coffee, steams the milk and pours it for the customer. We believe it delivers a better-quality cup of coffee.” Food-to-go operator Greggs said it also has no plans to switch to self-service machines.

Pret US president – the long-term aim is 3,000 sites across the country: Pret A Manger US president Jorrie Bruffe has said the long-term aim is for the business to have up to 3,000 sites across the country as it makes its “second coming”. Last week, Pret announced a joint venture with current franchisee Dallas International. Under the new agreement, Dallas International will assume control of 50 out of the 58 stores in the US, located in the New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC markets and exclusive rights to open new shops in these cities. With the help of Dallas International, Pret hopes to nearly quintuple its US portfolio to 300 stores by 2028. It comes after many of its sites shut during the covid-19 pandemic. Between 2021 and 2022, Pret US closed 30% of its portfolio and saw a 21% reduction in sales, as store count dwindled from 80 to 56. But the company has been focused on expanding beyond even 2019 levels. “I don’t know if I would describe it as a comeback so much as a second coming,” Bruffe told Nation’s Restaurant News. “I think we're better than we were before: we’re stronger with better foundations. We really used covid to pull back a little bit so that we could have this springboard towards growth. We’re excited about the future.” Pret has been reopening stores that were closed during the pandemic, including the reopening of its Chicago location last week. Under Dallas International, the brand will also be opening its first Los Angeles stores outside of the airport, and will be building out in suburban areas as well, with a focus on transportation hubs and places where businesses and students congregate. “In the long term, we see ourselves being 2,000-3,000 locations and having a strong presence across the country,” Bruffe said. “I really think there's unlimited potential since soup, salad, sandwiches, and coffee appeals to everyone. I don't think there's really any limit there as far as appeal for fresh, great food and organic coffee.” Pret 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.

David Page sets up new sector-focused investment venture: Industry veteran David Page has set up a new sector-focused investment venture, Propel has learned. Earlier this year, Page oversaw the £93.4bn sale of Fulham Shore, the owner of the Franco Manca and The Real Greek brands, to global food company Toridoll Holdings Corporation, and partner restaurant sector specialist fund Capdesia. Since the deal, Page, the former chairman and chief executive of PizzaExpress, has been working as an adviser to Fulham Shore and Toridoll on the UK hospitality market. Propel understands that Page, who co-founded Clapham House, which included Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Bombay Bicycle Club and Tootsies, before selling to Nando's, is now also looking to invest in and help up-and-coming businesses in the sector. The MeatLiquor shareholder is believed to have set up a new company – 1952 Projects – (Page turned 71 this year), and is understood to have already been scouting out new ventures both in the UK and overseas. Propel understands Page has already looked at ramen, noodle and grill restaurant businesses where he believes there are opportunities to invest and grow fledgling concepts.

Midlands gourmet chicken wings concept targets 50 sites by 2025 as it eyes national expansion: Midlands gourmet chicken wings concept Wingtrapp has targeted 50 sites by 2025 as it eyes national expansion. Wingtrapp launched in Leicester in 2018 before adding its second location and first franchise site in 2022, in Birmingham. Further sites have followed this year, in Nottingham and Coventry, and co-founder Firoz Hafeji said a number of franchises are in the pipeline for opening in the next 12 months. “It took us the best part of four years to solidify our concept and set up the right foundations and infrastructure to allow us to franchise, but the vision was always to become a franchise brand and to be recognised nationally,” he told whichfranchise. “Our target is to open 50 branches by the end of 2025. Over the last 18 months, we have set up franchise stores in and around the Midlands, and our next step is to continue this growth with stores opening up from Scotland in the north, and beyond London down south.” Hafeji, whose background is in the corporate sector, is one of three friends who co-founded the business, and is responsible for franchising, product development and brand growth. “Our biggest achievement, looking back at where we started, having had little experience in the food industry, having overcome countless challenges, is to now be in a position where we successfully service four branches from our distribution centre,” he said. “We have made many mistakes, and we felt these mistakes were needed before we started to franchise to allow all future partners a successful journey. Our target market is 18 to 35-year-olds, and we recognise that wings is an up-and-coming market in the UK. Our USP is our sauces – we offer 13 unique flavours to allow customers to experience our offerings again and again without getting bored of the same flavours each time.” Wingtrapp is seeking single and multi-unit franchise partners to help it grow, with an average start-up cost of between £150,000 and £175,000, including license fee but excluding VAT. It also offers a training programme and support both pre and post opening.

Lucky Voice to invest £1.6m on new Waterloo site: Lucky Voice, the social entertainment brand. Is to invest £1.6m on a new site in London’s Waterloo, which will open next spring, Propel has learned. The new 3,200 square-foot unit will open in The Sidings scheme at Waterloo station. Lucky Voice Waterloo will be the brand’s fifth London venue, joining sites in Soho, Islington, Holborn and Liverpool Street, with additional bars in Brighton and Dubai. The venue will be the brand’s first London site to open south of the river, and aims to bring an “immersive late-night experience to the heart of the South Bank in Waterloo station with a 2:30am licence”. Charlie Elek, managing director at Lucky Voice, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our fifth London venue in London & Continental Railways’ The Sidings development. Opening in high profile locations near major transport hubs is a key part of our growth strategy, and this destination location on the South Bank, The Sidings, ticks all the right boxes for us.” The site will feature eight karaoke booths, a late-night bar with DJ, VIP karaoke pod, and large 20-person pod for larger corporate groups. The venue’s interior scheme will take inspiration from its location right underneath platforms 20-24 of the station. Elek said: “Our mission is to combine karaoke with great service, technology and food and drink, and Waterloo promises to be our most exciting venue yet in terms of guest experience. As well as offering a high-quality, varied range of delicious sharing dishes, including pizza, tacos, and small plates, we’ll also continue to innovate when it comes to technology. We recently introduced ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ – an interactive gaming function that gives guests the option to allow our new software to take charge of their experiences, randomly selecting the songs and the singers, and pairing people up for duets to add an additional layer of engagement.” The company said sales data from its most recent opening in Liverpool Street revealed that it was Lucky Voice’s best launch ever, with record first month revenue – 12% up on the previous record held by its Holborn site in 2019. 

Derby Brewing Co’s pub business placed into administration: Brewer and retailer Derby Brewing Co has placed its pub arm, Real Brewing Pub Company, into administration. The company said its brewery will not be affected and will continue to operate going forward with two of its sites – the Hole in the Wall, Mickleover; and NOTSA, Aston on Trent – continuing to be operated by Derby Brewing under a new pub company. The company’s two freehold sites The Greyhound, Friar Gate; and Derby Brewing Tap House, Derwent Street; are to be sold to clear arrears. Both will remain open and be sold as going concerns, safeguarding jobs and are now being marketed by the administrator. Three of the group’s other sites – The Clubhouse, Derby; The Pig in Lichfield; and The Pointing Dogs, Matlock – will close with immediate effect. The company said: “It has been an extremely challenging trading environment over the last couple of years, including the pandemic, increased loan burdens on the back of this, ongoing recruitment challenges, soaring interest rates, supplier cost increases, cost-of-living crisis resulting in reduced trade and huge increases in the cost base with uncapped energy contracts. In spite of these challenges we had a plan in place to continue to steer through this. However, the business has HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) arrears predominantly from the pandemic. Like many in the industry, HMRC had been working with us. However, this recently changed and the debt was demanded to be paid back within a short period, which meant we could no longer continue to trade. Thankfully in all cases staff will be paid and there will be an opportunity to continue Derby Brewing’s story albeit in a different and smaller guise.” Paul Harris, managing director of Derby Brewing, said: “It is with huge regret that we have been unable to steer the business through this extremely challenging period. We have unfortunately joined a growing list of operators to close previously successful businesses. The final nail in the coffin was a combination of the government allowing energy contracts five-fold previous levels to remain in place once their 50% support was removed and the in our view unreasonable behaviour from HMRC. We are extremely sad for the team members who have lost their jobs and the dismantling of a business we as a family have built over nearly 20 years.”

Jamie Oliver opens first 100% vegetarian restaurant: Chef Jamie Oliver has opened his first 100% vegetarian restaurant, in India. Oliver's international business, which now comprises more than 70 sites, opened the new site under its Jamie Oliver Kitchen brand in Ahmedabad. The site in the Palladium Mall is his very first to be 100% vegetarian, and joins the 24 other restaurants operated under the chef’s different concepts across nine cities in India by franchise partner Dolomite Restaurants. Jasper Reid, director of Dolomite Restaurants, said: “Ahmedabad is the global launch site for our vegetarian outlet. We have spent eight years studying the market. Ahmedabad has a very big vegetarian community. There is also a percentage of the community in the city that wants to come to only an all-vegetarian restaurant. We hope it works. Maybe the next restaurant we plan in Ahmedabad, Vadodara or Surat could be a mix of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.” Jamie Oliver’s restaurant business’s longer-term goal is to have more than 200 international sites by 2027. As part of that expansion, the group is looking to open further sites in India, with Dolomite Restaurants. Earlier this year, Reid intimated that Jamie Oliver's restaurant estate could reach more than 200 sites in India over time. Oliver will make his much-anticipated return to the London restaurant scene next month, when Jamie Oliver Catherine Street opens in the centre of Covent Garden, next door to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. It will see the chef return to the UK restaurant scene after the collapse of his Jamie's Italian chain.

Macdonald Hotels reports trading continues to improve as it returns to profit following property sales: Macdonald Hotels, which operates 28 hotels and nine resorts, has reported trading has continued to improve with the business in a strong cash position having undergone a £51.3m refinancing. It comes as the business reported turnover increased to £121,927,000 for the year ending 29 September 2022 compared with £66,829,000 the previous year. The company made a pre-tax profit of £49,262,000 compared with a loss of £5,705,000 the year before after a gain on sale of £45.8m from the sale of its Manchester and Holyrood hotels. Since the year end, the business has sold a further site and the deals allowed the group to repay £94.1m of its banking facility. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “On 16 February 2023, we completed the sale of our Macdonald Ansty Hotel. This was shortly followed by the successful refinancing of our existing debt, signing a £51.3m, five-year facility with Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays. Both of these events marked progress in the implementation of our strategy as we seek to develop many of the sites within our remaining portfolio. With trading continuing to improve through September 2023 and the strong cash position, the directors have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.” No dividend was paid (2021: nil).

Indian street food concept My Delhi eyes national expansion after opening first site outside north east: Indian street food concept My Delhi is eyeing national expansion after opening the first site outside its north east heartland. Owners Shah and Elahi Amin, Gaurav Dayal and Garry and Neha Goyal have launched the venue in the former Zizzi site at 26 Belvoir Street in Leicester, which closed in 2020. It is the third branch for My Delhi, which followed its debut site in Newcastle by opening a second, in Sunderland, last summer. Elahi Amin said: “Following the successful launch of our venues in Newcastle and Sunderland, we are now in the process of delivering the next phase of growth that will see us open sites in a number of UK cities, with Leicester being the first outside of the north east. While we have ambitious plans to expand across the country, our focus is on providing the highest quality Indian food and therefore our growth strategy remains controlled and focused.” My Delhi was supported by Newcastle law firm Mincoffs Solicitors on the deal.

Showcase Cinemas operator narrows losses but turnover remains below pre-covid levels: The UK arm of the company behind Showcase Cinemas saw pre-tax losses narrow to £3,047,010 for the year ending 29 December from £11,519,967 the year before as it builds back from the pandemic. NATL Amusements (UK), which also operates the Cinema De Lux brand, saw turnover increase to £83,866,378 compared with £55,895,618 the previous year as attendance levels rose 55%. But the figure was still below the £105,799,659 reported in 2019 – the last year before the covid pandemic. In a statement accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “While all of the theatres have reopened as of the end of May 2021, the company continues to face ongoing challenges with few blockbuster film releases, competition from streaming platforms and the simultaneous launching of films on those streaming services, as well as changes in consumer movie-going behaviour.” The business, which operates 17 sites, received £84,300 in government grants (2021: £3,567,457). No dividend was paid (2021: nil).

Searcy’s appoints new executive chef for restaurants: Restaurateur and events caterer Searcy’s has appointed Thomas Piat as its new executive chef for restaurants. Having graduated with a degree in culinary arts from the Ecole Hôtelière de Paris in 2005, Piat’s career in hospitality spans 20 years. He has worked in some of the top international establishments, from the Mandarin Oriental in London to Jòia with Hélène Darroze in Paris, and spent ten years in New York and London with chef Daniel Boulud. Prior to joining Searcy’s, he spent three years in Florida, working as a private chef in Miami before becoming the executive chef of Palm Beach members club, Carriage House. Working across Searcy’s collection of nine restaurants and bars, Piat has launched autumn menus for the Searcy’s Brasserie in St Pancras. Piat will also lead on the menu concepts for Searcy’s upcoming openings, as well as the recently launched Battersea champagne bar. Piat said: “With a rich history of more than 175 years at the heart of London’s hospitality scene, Searcy’s is committed to only using impeccably sourced, seasonal British produce, which I hope to blend with elements of my heritage, utilising French and international flavours and cooking techniques to make the ingredients really shine.”

East Sussex McDonald's franchisee falls to loss despite turnover increasing to record £35m: East Sussex McDonald's franchisee DNP Restaurants has reported turnover increased 8% to a record £35,040,710 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £32,365,170 the previous year. The business, which operates eight restaurants, posted a pre-tax loss of £813,524 compared with a profit of £3,028,574 the year before as costs climbed by more than £4m. Gross profit margin was down 7.08% due to increased food costs. During the period one store was upgraded as part of the McDonald’s “Experience of the Future” programme. In his report accompanying the accounts, franchisee David Padmore stated: “Sales through digital channels, including McDelivery, mobile and self-order kiosks have increased during the year. However, food cost inflation is at its highest level in more than 40 years and energy costs have continued to increase, which has affected the financial performance of the company. Government support packages such as the 50% business rates relief in the retail and hospitality industry and rent assistance from the franchisor have helped soften the impact. The company will be reviewing its prices to reduce the impact of food cost inflation, while still offering great value and quality.” The business did not receive any government grants (2021: £512,575). A dividend of £800,000 was paid (2021: £800,000). Padmore became a McDonald’s franchisee in 2006.

Former L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele chef to launch new venture: Elio Barbone, who has spent the past ten years working in some of the world’s best pizzerias, is to open a new pizza restaurant in London's East Finchley in partnership with Antonio Pellone. The site at 42 High Road will open at the end of next month under the name Pizzeria Pellone. It is the second site under the Pellone name, but the first operated by Barbone, who previously worked at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele. The first site in Battersea is now generating sales of circa £1.2m per year. Barbone, who was also a shareholder and executive chef of Pizzeria da Michele in Amsterdam, said: “We're starting to trade together because we see a big opportunity under his name ‘Pellone’. He is trading the first branch alone in Battersea but we are now planning a big development together.” Emma Wright, of CDG Leisure, acted on the East Finchley deal.

Fuller’s receives approval for its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets: Fuller’s has received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Fuller’s has committed to reducing absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 42% by FY2030 from a FY2020 base year. The company has also committed to reducing absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 25% within the same timeframe. Fuller’s has already made progress on its journey to achieving the targets. In 2021, it committed to only source electricity from 100% renewable sources. In April 2022, Fuller’s announced it had already reduced electricity by 13% and gas by 14% versus the baseline year. When The Admiralty in London’s Trafalgar Square reopened in April 2023, it became Fuller’s first pub to be powered by 100% renewable electricity – eliminating the use of gas and reducing the site’s electricity demand by more than 40%. Over the past two years, Fuller’s has increased recycling from 35% to 59% in its managed pubs and hotels and ensured zero waste is sent to landfill. The SBTi is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emission reduction targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net zero emissions before 2050. Oliver Rosevear, Fuller’s sustainability director, said: “In 2021 we announced that we would achieve net zero by 2040 – with a commitment to achieve net zero for operational emissions by 2030. Through our Life is too good to waste programme, we have made some real progress on this journey.”

Family-owned hotel group reports turnover exceeds pre-covid levels: Family-owned Ashley Hotels has reported turnover increased to £8,641,527 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £4,772,691 the previous year. Revenue also exceeded the £7,842,681 reported for the year ending 31 December 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic. Pre-tax profit was up to £1,079,497 from £494,360 the previous year (2019: profit of £762,473) after the company received an insurance claim of £945,692 (2021: nil). In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The group continues to seek to grow by the continued investment in the hotels. The impact of the covid-19 pandemic is now fully behind the group. However, the cost-of-living crisis and high interest rates is causing wider economic disruption in the UK.” Net assets at the year end increased to £11.1m (2021: £10.4m). The group received government grants of £31,150 (2021: £344,483). A dividend of £241,505 was paid (2021: £208,000). The company operates four hotels – in London, Salisbury, Rockingham and Farnborough. The origins of Ashley Hotels date to 1994 when director Karim Hirji acquired his first hotel in a partnership, the Flora Hotel in London’s Earls Court. Following that he moved on to other ventures including Kensington Manor Hotel and Mira Hotel, both in London. In 1999, Kirim ventured out on his own, acquiring Quality Hotel St Albans and Best Western Andover hotels, and subsequently The Victoria Inn in London’s Belgrave Road. Having been incorporated in 2013, Ashley Hotels is owned and operated by the Hirji family, between Karim, his wife Nurjahan and their two children Zamir and Alim, both of whom are actively involved in the operations of the business.

Pan-Asian London restaurant Gilgamesh set to make comeback: Pan-Asian London restaurant Gilgamesh is set to make a comeback. The Babylonian-themed venue closed in 2018, managing to last more than a decade. At the time of its opening in the Stables Market in Camden, it was London’s largest restaurant, and also had one of the world’s longest bars. Now it is making its return, this time to Covent Garden, reports London on the Inside. The new restaurant in Upper St Martin’s Lane will span a multi-level space and will have a menu featuring dishes from across Japan, China and south east Asia, including sushi, salads, dim sum, and robata plates. The restaurant is due to open in December.

Co-owner of North Yorkshire Michelin-acclaimed restaurant to open village pub: Sam Varley, co-owner of Bantam – the Michelin-acclaimed restaurant in Helmsley, North Yorkshire – is to open a pub. Varley is reopening The Owl in the village of Hawnby in the heart of the North York Moors next month. Dishes will include Barnsley chop, puy lentils and green sauce; roast cod, girolles and beans; and pot roast grouse with trimmings. After university in Scotland, Varley left for Australia to work at the Fitzrovia Restaurant in the St Kilda area of Melbourne. Returning to the UK, he worked at Duck Soup in Soho, before leading the team at sister restaurant Raw Duck. He then moved to Naughty Piglets in Brixton before joining James Ferguson to open the Kinneuchar Inn in Fife and then three years ago launched Bantam, which is also listed in the top 100 local restaurants nationwide in the Good Food Guide. Varley said: “I love pubs and I’m concerned about the rate at which they close. I think they are an important part of society that we are losing. I’m excited to help to preserve such a fantastic one in such an amazing location.” Jamie Savile, who runs the Hawnby Estate, which owns the pub, added: “Sam’s CV speaks for itself. We are extremely fortunate to have him cooking here in Hawnby, with the surrounding area now becoming a real culinary hotspot.”

Whitbread submits revised plans for new Premier Inn in St Ives: Whitbread has submitted revised plans for a new Premier Inn in St Ives to Cornwall Council following community feedback on its initial proposals. The company said the new hotel in Trewidden Road has been reduced in scale, from 100 bedrooms to 90, with reduced height and massing of the building, plus a revised design using natural materials. Louise Woodruff, property acquisitions manager at Whitbread, told Business Live: “Following months of meaningful consultation and engagement with the St Ives community and stakeholders at Cornwall Council, we have made some significant changes to our plans. The feedback we have received has helped to create an improved design for the site.” Whitbread’s team has also been working to address concerns around parking and traffic impact. The Premier Inn owner said if granted planning permission, the new hotel is expected to create around 30 permanent year-round jobs and deliver £10m investment into the local economy.

York gin maker lodges plans for new distillery with ‘immersive experience’: York gin maker Hooting Owl Distillery has submitted plans for a new home within the city's walls. The business has lodged plans to redevelop a long-vacant venue in Rougier Street, the former Society Lounge and Bar, which closed during lockdown in 2020. The proposed location, which will be named “The Hooting Owl & Curious Cat Distillery”, will be developed to allow for expansion and to offer visitors “an immersive experience” with a large distillation area, event space and a speakeasy gin lounge. Visitors will be able to sample the in-house range of craft gin, rum and vodka. The venue will also feature an upstairs event space holding 60. If planning permission is granted, the business expects to open The Hooting Owl & Curious Cat Distillery in early 2024, relocating from its current base in Barmby Moor, near Pocklington. Hooting Owl Distillery was founded in 2018 by craft distiller and former soldier Dominic M'Benga – who incorporates botanicals in his spirits that represent The Royal Yorkshire Regiment and donates a proportion of the company's profits to veteran causes. He said: “This is an exciting time as we grow and expand. We intend to stay true to our roots, producing high-quality, small batch spirits.”