Exclusive – Heavenly Desserts co-founder eyeing 100 sites by end of 2026, smaller scale kiosk format to attract more franchisees, open to further menu collaborations: Yousif Aslam, co-founder of Heavenly Desserts, has told Propel he is eyeing an estate of 100 sites by the end of 2026. The dessert restaurant franchise opened its landmark 50th site in August with a launch in Aberdeen’s Union Street and closed out 2023 on 54 stores. He recently posted on social media that the first quarter of 2024 will see seven further openings – in Glasgow Fort, Sutton Coldfield, Shirley, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Middlesborough and London's Elephant & Castle. “We wanted to do 12 in 2023 and we fell slightly short and finished up with nine, but that was still more than our competitors so is still worth celebrating, especially with the economy being the way it is,” said Aslam, who founded the business with Mohammed Imran. “Those that didn’t open this year will be among those we open in the early stages of 2024. It was a proud moment when we opened our 50th store and now we’re looking at 100 as our next mountain, and I think we can reach that number in the next 24-36 months. We have a strong pipeline for 2024 – we’re hoping to add 15 more both in the UK and internationally. We’ll probably focus on London for the rest of 2024 after our initial tranche of openings. Wales is a big target area for us as we see it as a very underdeveloped market, and we’re also looking at southern and coastal areas in England. Scotland has really taken us by surprise, and we see a lot of growth potential there too.” In terms of growing its overseas estate, which currently sits at a single site in Toronto, Aslam said: “Canada has been a learning curve for us and our second site there is in build. Pakistan has been more of a challenge than we envisaged and is not yet operational. It’s taking a bit longer to set up but we’re seeing the benefits in the delay and making sure we get it right. We’re hoping to open in both Karachi and Lahore in the next four to six months. India is very much on the cards too.” The business also earlier this month launched its first new smaller-scale kiosk-led “Pico” restaurant, at Livingston in West Lothian. “Opening smaller kiosk-led stores is something we wanted to do pre covid but the market didn’t feel right, but we came across a good opportunity in Livingston,” Aslam said. “We’ve had to shrink the menu and create more of a grab-and-go offering with smaller portions, and the price is reflective of that. We will fine-tune it as we grow it further. I don’t think it will become a significant part of our estate as we’re essentially about creating dessert experiences for guests, but it does open up new opportunities. It means we can attract more franchise partners who have less capital to put up. We went fully franchised 18 months ago and it has been a good decision, it means we can be solely focused on franchise growth.” Aslam also revealed Heavenly Desserts has opted to continue its menu collaboration with healthy fast food chain Itsu, which launched in June 2023. “Both sides enjoyed the Itsu link up and the customers loved it, so it is a core part of our menu now,” he added. “I’m not against doing any other menu collaborations, and we’ve got a very exciting beverage one coming in the first or second quarter of 2024.”

 

Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit 2024 open for bookings: Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its sixth edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are now open for the two-day conference, as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 23 and 24 January at One Moorgate Place in London. The conference will focus on marcomms strategies, proposition and concept development, the latest market insights, technology and digital developments, diversification of revenue streams and how brands are adapting to the new normal. It is designed for marketing, development and innovation teams, as well as senior executives and investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. Day two speakers include: Jenny Packwood, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at KFC UK; Andre Johnstone, sales and marketing director at Urban Pubs & Bars; Hannah Clark, UK head of marketing at Sticks ‘n’ Sushi; Romy Miller, global brand director at KellyDeli; Sarah McDermott, marketing director at BrewDog Bars; Mark Stretton, co-founder and managing director at Fleet Street; Pret A Manger chief executive Pano Christou; Elior chief executive Catherine Roe; Emma Banks, vice-president of food and beverage strategy at Hilton UK & Ireland; Paul Flatters, chief executive of insight agency Trajectory; Victoria Page, purpose and ESG lead at Fleet Street; Jonathan Doughty, managing director at Viklari Consulting; Fiona Richmond, head of regional food at Scotland Food & Drink; Mikala Kofoed Rasmussen, senior manager at Wonderful Copenhagen; Marta Pogroszewska, managing director at Gail’s Bakery; Rory Sutherland, vice-chairman of Ogilvy; Eljesa Saciri, general manager at The Zetter Marylebone; Michael Ingemann, chairman of Think Hospitality; Hilari Voorthuis, global food and beverage manager at Fairmont Hotel & Resorts; Sven Sallaerts, co-founder of Younique Concepts; Marcus Denison-Smith, chief marketing officer at Honest Burgers; Tom Patrick, marketing director at Banana Tree; Libby Andrews, marketing director at Pho Restaurants; Ali Alt Recanati, co-founder and brand and marketing director at Farmer J; Dan Brookman, chief executive of Airship and Toggle; Ben Webb, managing director at 3Stories; Joel Robinson, digital and technology director at Azzurri Group; Maya Orr, managing director at Connect Management; Rameez Al Aghbar, brand partnerships – quick service restaurants lead at TikTok; Anthony Knight, sales and marketing director at Incipio Group; Lynsey Benton, brand and franchising manager at I am Doner; Myles Doran, former commercial director at Revolution Bars Group and managing director at Hospitality Inc; and Supersonic founder Mark McCulloch. For the full schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £295 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £550 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £395 plus VAT for one day and £700 plus VAT for two. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jo Charity at Propel on jo.charity@propelinfo.com.

Job of the Day: COREcruitment is working with a leading investment business looking for a managing director to buy and build new casual dining concepts within its dynamic and diverse portfolio. The client currently has several businesses within its portfolio in the retail, e-commerce and food sectors, with a strong focus on creative, sustainable and modern offers. The successful candidate will have experience with major growth and exits with reputable brands. The role is London-based, and the client is offering a competitive salary plus equity share, benefits and a bonus package. For more information and to apply, contact emma@corecruitment.com.

 

Dubai-based investor further ups his stake in Revolution Bars Group: A Dubai-based investor who became the largest shareholder in Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, at the end of last year has further upped his stake in the business. Propel understands that Eldose Babu has taken his shareholding in the Rob Pitcher-led business from just over 15.3% to 16.2%. Prior to the end of the year, Babu had lifted his stake in the company from 7% to more than 12% in just few weeks, to become the company’s biggest shareholder. Babu came to attention last October when he acquired a 3.2% stake in Saga, becoming one of the top three shareholders in the British holiday group. In October, Pitcher told Propel that Revolution Bars Group was focused on operating prudently over the next 12-18 months while the cost-of-living crisis “hopefully abates”. It came after the group said in its preliminary results that the late-night hospitality industry was facing “very challenging” times as the business swung to a yearly loss and revealed a drop in sales, although it has seen an improvement in more recent trading.

Judy Joo envisages ‘five to seven’ Seoul Bird sites in London, exploring further licensing deals: Chef Judy Joo has said she envisages opening “five to seven” owned sites under her Korean concept, Seoul Bird, in London before exploring taking the brand to other cities in the UK. Joo currently operates Seoul Bird sites in Westfield London and Canary Wharf, and last year launched licensed sites at the Barclays arena in New York, home to the Brooklyn Nets basketball team, and in the food hall of an MGM hotel and casino in Las Vegas. She told The Times: “We created this concept with the idea to take it and franchise it, and with the idea that there is an exit behind it. This is not Michelin star cooking, it is £13 a head. It is something that we need to be able to teach other people to do in order to get it to scale, make it a global brand and to then, eventually, sell it.” At the same time, she is in talks with hospitality companies such as Levys and North Delaware, which operate food brands at stadiums and other venues in the US and UK, about adopting the brand at more of their sites. She said: “The arena game also spills into the airport game, so we are looking at airports. Operating in airports is between 30% and 35% more expensive than operating on a high street, so you have to bring in an operator who is seasoned there, and that has multiple units in the airport already.” The financial contribution that licensing deals can make for young ventures is also significant, Joo said. “It is a good way to get some revenue with very little effort,” she added. “We get a one-off licensing fee in the beginning and we scrape off the top-line revenue, so it’s a great way for us to keep our cashflow healthy without having to operate, and all of the costs associated with it. We are also [based] across the pond, so it’s not really possible for us to operate on our own in the United States at this point. You need a team there. Once we get to scale, perhaps we will start doing that and open up Seoul Bird USA. Until then, I am happy with these small units, which are generating a good amount. It is not huge, but it helps us with our costs in the UK.”

Banana Tree set to make north west debut: Banana Tree, the Big Table Group-owned, fast-casual pan-Asian brand, is to make its debut in the north west later this year with an opening in Greater Manchester, Propel has learned. The 18-strong brand is to open on the current Café Rouge site in Salford Quays later this spring. Last month, Alan Morgan, Big Table Group chief executive told Propel he believed the company can grow Banana Tree to a “Las Iguanas-sized business in 18-24 months”. The Bella Italia and Café Rouge operator currently operates 50 sites under its Las Iguanas brand. Last September, the Epiris-backed Big Table Group acquired Banana Tree and has since grown the brand from nine to 18 sites, with most recent Café Rouge conversions in Henley, Bath and Greenwich. Morgan told Propel: “I reckon we can get Banana Tree to a Las Iguanas-sized business in 18-24 months. And that will be a mix of new sites, which we are looking for at the moment, and conversions.” Banana Tree Restaurants features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £13,551,895 for the year ending 30 April 2022 is the 509th 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.

Patty & Bun to make international debut: Patty & Bun, the better burger concept led by Joe Grossmann which underwent a restructure last year, is to make its international debut in the Middle East. The eight-strong business is understood to have signed a franchise deal with Big Belly Hospitality to launch a site in Dubai later this year. It is thought the group, which has worked with Shelley Sandzer on the move, hopes to eventually open a number of sites in the region. Last summer, the business secured approval to undergo a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA). The business, which was founded by Grossmann in 2012, worked with specialist insolvency firm Valentine & Co on the process after being impacted by rising costs and the ongoing train strikes. The process led to the closure of its site in Old Compton Street, while its site in Borough High Street is also on the market.  It currently operates seven sites in London and one in Brighton, plus concessions in the two Swingers sites in the capital and the recent Lane7 opening in Victoria.

KFC and Costa franchisee falls to loss in ‘challenging’ trading conditions: Auriga Holdings, which trades under 15 KFC franchised restaurants and 12 Costa Coffee franchise sites and receives a small amount of income from leased properties, has reported turnover fell to £31,951,452 for the year ending 31 March 2023 compared with £32,358,148 the year before. Ebitda was down to £1,957,000 from £6,005,000 the previous year. The business posted a pre-tax loss of £376,402 compared with a profit of £3,901,842 the year before. In his report accompanying the accounts, director Ahmad Bashir stated: The group is subject to the difficult trading conditions that are affecting much of the high street, such as the increase in staff costs and energy prices and the current economic climate means it is challenging times.” The business did not receive any government grants (2022: £332,756). No dividend was paid (2022: nil).

Zia Lucia confirms debut regional site, will mark start of national rollout: London pizzeria concept Zia Lucia has confirmed it will open its regional debut site in Reading later this year, which will mark the start of its national rollout. As revealed by Propel in November, the nine-strong company is opening on the Ask Italian site in Mary’s Butts, in Reading town centre. It has signed a 15-year lease for the 1,173 square-foot property. Founded in 2016 by Italian born Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D’Angelo, Zia Lucia said the opening in Reading will mark the start of its national rollout, as it looks to open up to ten sites throughout the UK over the next three years following the “significant success of its neighbourhood London restaurants”. Colin Doyle, managing director of Zia Lucia, said: “This opening represents a huge milestone for us as a company and it is the natural next step to fulfil for our bigger vision to become the leading pizza brand in the UK and beyond.” In June last year, the business said it was aiming to open up to ten sites by 2026, with an initial focus on the south, east and south west of England. Zia Lucia instructed Savills to assist with its expansion outside of London and into the rest of the UK. Restaurant and Leisure surveyor at Savills Jessica Hill said: “We are delighted to be helping Zia Lucia, a hugely successful pizza brand in London, with their national expansion. Reading is a location that many London brands have chosen to support their growth outside of the capital.”

Caravan lines up Manchester opening: London restaurant, bar and coffee-roasting concept Caravan has lined up an opening in Manchester, which would mark a regional debut for the Active Partners-backed business. Propel understands that the company has applied to open a site in the Goods Yard section of the St John’s regeneration scheme in the city. At last year’s Casual Dining Show, Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder of Caravan, said she was excited at the restaurant, bar and coffee-roasting concept’s expansion plans outside of London and was looking at what the next stage of investment might look like. “We’re about to do something outside of London for the first time,” she said. “It’s going to be in a fantastic city rich in music and sport history that doesn’t begin with ‘L’. It’s a growing part of the city, which is riskier than going into a more established place, but we’re excited to be part of its growth. I’m really excited at the prospect of getting outside London, but not on a massive roll out or to scale up.” Last October, the business opened its largest site to date, in London’s Covent Garden, in the new workspace Grainhouse in Drury Lane. Spanning two floors, the opening, the group’s eighth in total, features terrace dining, a lower ground floor for all-day bar and dining and the group’s largest private hire and events space to date.

Mission Mars appoints Alex Ford as MD of Bars division: Mission Mars, the BGF-backed operator of Albert’s Schloss and the Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana brand, has appointed Alex Ford, formerly of Oakman Group, as the new managing director of its bars division. Ford joins the Roy Ellis-led business after ten years at Oakman, which he joined as an operations director in 2014 before being promoted to managing director in 2021. He also previously had stints at Greene King and Mitchells & Butlers (M&B). Last month, Mission Mars reported that its like-for-like sales for the year to the end of September 2023 were 15% ahead of their comparable market segments in the Peach Coffer Tracker for the same period. The company, which has 28 venues across the UK including three Albert’s Schloss bars and 23 Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, said wet and dry revenue for FY23 totalled £67.4m (FY22 £44.3m), with its Albert’s Schloss brand contributing £32.1m (FY22 £21.6m) and Rudy’s £29.3m (FY22 £16.1m). Albert’s Schloss is set to open its first venue in London later this spring and said work is progressing well on the former Rainforest Cafe site on Shaftesbury Avenue. The company told Propel: “We’re delighted to share the news that Alex Ford will be joining Mission Mars as managing director of the Bars Division. The appointment comes at a key time for the group, with Albert’s Schloss Shaftesbury Avenue set to open in spring.”

Simon Rimmer’s original Greens site amongst trio of high-profile closures: Chef Simon Rimmer has closed his Didsbury-based restaurant Greens with immediate effect after 33 years, one of a trio of high-profile closures of independent restaurants over the past 24 hours. Rimmer said the decision had come after the landlord increased the rent by around 35% and that rising costs had also played a part in leading to the business becoming “unviable”. He said: “It’s a heart-breaking day. I’d like to thank every single member of staff that’s worked with us, every single customer who has come through the doors, our amazing suppliers, neighbours, friends and anybody who has ever set food inside the door.” Rimmer and business partner Simon Connolly opened Greens in West Didsbury, Manchester, in 1990. A second Greens opened on Sale’s Stanley Square in the summer of 2022 and will continue to operate. At the same time, chef Tony Rodd has closed Copper & Ink in London’s Blackheath. The 2015 MasterChef semi-finalist opened the modern British restaurant five years ago with his wife Becky. Posting the news on X, Rodd said: “We have agonised over making this decision and spent much of the Christmas break trying desperately to find a way to save the restaurant, but to no avail.” It follows the announcement yesterday evening from chef James Allcock of the closure of his Pig and Whistle restaurant in Beverly, Yorkshire, after six years of trading. He said: “After a December of a record day, record week and record month, it’s better to burn out bright than fade away, and that’s why I’ve come to the gut-wrenching hardest decision of my life to unfortunately close.”

Pret franchisee Exultant Group adds two more sites: Pret A Manger franchisee Exultant Group has added two more sites to its growing estate. The business, which is led by Mizan Syed, has taken on the Pret sites in Lands Lane, Leeds, and in Northumberland Street, Newcastle. Exultant has added eight Pret sites to its business over the last 12 months. Founded in 2014, Exultant Group’s portfolio includes circa 35 Pizza Hut Delivery restaurants and several Anytime Fitness sites. In the last year, it has also added nine new Pizza Hut sites to its portfolio.

Surrey golf club operator reports turnover hits record £21.3m despite course disruption: Alexander Fraser Holdings, which owns and operates Foxhills Golf and Country Club and Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey, has reported turnover increased 16.5% to £21,311,317 for the year ending 31 March 2023 compared with £18,297,868 the previous year. Ebitda decreased to £5,265,257 from £5,475,210) “as a result of additional rates levied following the opening of the new leisure facilities in May 2021, along with significant increases in energy costs”. Pre-tax profit was down to £4,282,414 from £4,618,238 the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The aviation fuel pipeline that serves Heathrow airport runs under the golf courses at Foxhills. During the year the pipeline was replaced, causing holes to close, which had an impact on our golf and ancillary incomes in Foxhills. The company is investing in improving our online presence and customer booking experience and improving our use of technology. The company also has undertaken the first phase of multi-year improvements to the golf courses. The driving range was upgraded and one of the putting greens doubled in size. The club at Foxhills is drawing up a three-year tennis plan that will see the introduction of padel tennis, pickle ball and an upgrade of the tennis courts.” The business did not receive any government grants (2022: £200,226). A dividend of £759,397 was paid (2022: £528,278).

Freehold site let to Rekom UK on market for £2.95m: The freehold investment in a Swansea-based bar let to Rekom UK has been placed on the market, with an asking price of £2.95m. The Proud Mary site is located in Swansea city centre, in a grade II-listed property laid out over six storeys. The majority of the building is let to Rekom at a current rent of £231,000 per annum. Offers are sought in excess of £2,950,000 for the freehold interest, reflecting a net initial yield of 7.31% assuming purchaser’s costs of 7.07%. EJ Hales is marketing the freehold interest in the site. Rekom is focusing on the growth of its bar brands – Heidi’s and Proud Mary – coupled with a cluster approach in major cities. A longer-term solution for its big box sites is still being evolved. Both its Pryzm sites in Plymouth and Watford closed after New Year’s Eve.

Speciality coffee shop Kiss the Hippo secures seventh site: London-based speciality coffee shop Kiss the Hippo has lined up its seventh opening in the capital, in Covent Garden. Propel has learned that the business has secured the former The Espresso Room site in New Row for an opening this spring. At the end of last year, the business, which was founded in 2018 by Can Eren, opened its latest site in Chelsea, within the Sloane Stanley Estate. Kiss The Hippo opened a 600 square-foot café at 285 Fulham Road – joining its two Fitzrovia locations and one each in Shoreditch, King’s Cross and Richmond. The Espresso Room continues to operate a site in Bloomsbury. Hanover Green acted for Shaftesbury on the Covent Garden deal.

Dinosaur-themed restaurant chain Jurassic Grill closes English sites: Jurassic Grill, the four-strong, dinosaur-themed restaurant concept, has closed its three sites in England. In October, Propel reported that the business had been put up for sale by its owners. Property advisors Blacks Business Brokers were instructed to market Jurassic Alive, the chain’s parent company, with a guide price of £1.3m. The business was founded in 2019 by Jozef Mordawska and Natalie Matts, in Kettering. It subsequently expanded with restaurants at Rushden Lakes in Northamptonshire; Whiteley, near Fareham in Hampshire; and Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands. The latter site remains open today and is taking bookings online. It is understood to be separately owned to the English restaurants. In a message to staff, seen by the Northants Telegraph, Jozef Mordawska said: “It is with deep regret that we have to announce that as of today, 01/01/2024, Jurassic Alive has ceased trading. You will be contacted in due course by an insolvency practitioner with more information on how to claim any wages owed. To clarify, the branches closing will be Whiteley, Kettering and Rushden Lakes, effective immediately. We thank you for all of your dedication and commitment to Jurassic Grill and wish you all the best in the future.” Jurassic Alive posted turnover of £1.59m and gross profit of £1.05m in its latest financial year.

Takeaway concept Thai Time opens third site: Thai Time, the south east-based takeaway concept, has opened its third site, in Horsham, West Sussex. The business, which is led by Mark Williams, has opened on the former T&S Cakes unit in the town’s East Street. It also operates sites in Arundel, West Sussex and Forest Row, East Sussex. It is also thought to be looking at opportunities in Dorking. The company said: “In everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo. The way we challenge this is by creating food with no compromise, no substitution, 100% honest, authentic Thai cuisine, using fresh local produce to serve food that guests will want to return to week after week.”

Black Country pub group Bathams reports turnover and profit boost but revenue remains below pre-covid levels: Family brewer and pub operator Bathams, which has been in operation for nearly 150 years, has reported turnover increased to £6,198,956 for the year ending 30 June 2023 compared with £5,281,435 the previous year. However, revenue remained below the £6,235,187 for the year ending 30 June 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic. Pre-tax profit was up to £1,667,710 from £1,082,524 the year before (2019: profit of £1,713,115). A dividend of £500,388 was paid (2022: £500,388). Founded in 1877 by Daniel Batham, the company is now in its sixth generation of ownership by the family and runs 12 pubs around the Black Country, while supplying beer to establishments across the country.

Archer Hotel Capital completes £215m Hoxton hotels acquisition: Archer Hotel Capital has completed the acquisition of the Hoxton Hotels in London’s Shoreditch and Holborn, in a deal valued at circa £215m, from Norlake Hospitality. The hotels, the 210-room Hoxton Shoreditch and the 220-room Hoxton Holborn, will continue to be managed by Ennismore. Dominic Seyrling, managing director of Archer Hotel Capital, said: “We are delighted to return to London with two high-quality assets with strong brand recognition in the market and in highly sought-after locations. As Europe’s leading hotel market, London remains a key city for Archer’s long-term strategic vision. We are equally pleased to enter a new operating relationship with Ennismore, which has set the benchmark in the lifestyle space over the last decade.” Archer Hotel Capital is a specialist European hotel investment vehicle jointly owned by affiliates of APG Asset Management and GIC. It was established in December 2018 and owns 11 hotels across Europe with a gross asset value of circa €2bn and revenues of nearly €400m.

Buzz Bingo owner ICG picks bankers for sale: The owner of one of Britain’s biggest bingo businesses has picked bankers to oversee an auction this year. Sky News reports that Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has asked Nomura to prepare a sale process for Buzz Bingo, which it has owned since 2021. The timing of an auction and ICG’s price expectations were unclear, with one insider saying that the launch of an attempt to find new owners would be dependent upon market conditions. Buzz Bingo operates more than 80 clubs across the country and has a prominent digital presence. The company was acquired by ICG from Caledonia Investments for a “nominal sum” during the pandemic. It accounts show post-tax losses of £17.9m in the year to 14 January 2023 compared to a loss in the prior year of more than £40m. They also disclosed additional financial support from ICG of £12m, while borrowing facilities with ICG and Barclays were extended to 2027. Last summer, another bingo operator, Majestic Bingo, fell into administration, with a rescue deal for parts of the business struck in November. ICG declined to comment.

Indian restaurant concept Noir opens Manchester site, plans overseas launch: Indian restaurant concept Noir, which launched in east London at the end of 2022, has opened its second site, in Manchester. The concept, which is led by Ardy Ardakani, has opened a 350-cover site at 3rd Avenue, in Manchester’s Trafford Park. The new site is spread over two floors and comprises two shisha lounges, 350 seats and private dining. Former Hero Brands franchise director Nil Naik, who set up his own franchise consultancy last year, is working with Noir, which launched its first site in South Woodford.  Talking about the concept last year, he said: “Noir’s first restaurant in London has already massively exceeded all expectations and is already gaining momentum, popularity and attention. Its second location will certainly raise a lot more eyebrows, with its 350-cover restaurant serving sensational, fine-dining Indian cuisine, with the addition of separate high-end Shisha lounges to complement the offering.” Ardakani has also intimated that the business is looking to launch internationally and that openings in Dubai, Iraq and Iran are being explored.

Croeso Pubs confirms plans for first ‘community pub’: Cardiff operator Croeso Pubs has confirmed it has acquired its seventh site in the Welsh capital, with plans to invest £400,000 to refurbish what will become the group’s first “community pub”. Propel revealed last month, that the six-strong business, led by Craig Davies and Simon Little, had secured the leasehold interest of The Discovery in Roath. The pub, formerly run by Knife and Fork Food, will undergo a “major” refurbishment this month. Davies said: “When we heard the lease was up for sale in June we didn’t hesitate. It’s always been a popular gastro pub for the locals, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to sample some of the best locally sourced food and drink.” Little added: “We are enjoying huge success at our establishments in central Cardiff and Cardiff Bay. The Discovery has huge potential to be a bustling community pub and it’s fantastic to add it to the Croeso pubs family.” Last spring, Propel revealed that Knife and Fork Food, which operated a collection of gastropubs based in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, had placed its six leasehold sites on the market. It is thought that out of the six sites, The Conway and 29 Park Place, both in Cardiff, remain available.