Exclusive – Arc Inspirations reports record December with 20% like-for-like sales growth, plans Scottish debut among 2024 launches: Arc Inspirations, the premium bar operator, has reported a record December with 20% like-for-like sales growth, Propel has learned. The Banyan, Box and Manahatta operator said a series of successful new openings had contributed to the company’s best Christmas. Like-for-like sales for the four weeks to the end of 2023 were up by 19.9% compared with December 2022, with all brands outperforming FY23 – up 30% at Box, 24% at Manahatta and 10% at Banyan. Recent openings Box Nottingham (up 77%), Manahatta Sheffield (up 48%) and Box Brindleyplace in Birmingham (up 25%) all significantly exceeded forecasts. In addition, 12 of the company’s 21 sites recorded their best ever sales week during the week commencing 11 December. Co-founder and chief executive Martin Wolstencroft said: “Total sales grew 54% over the festive period, which is a remarkable performance and one that I am delighted with. This gives us confidence in our brands, our teams and the market to accelerate our growth, with two Manahattas planned for opening this summer, in Edinburgh and Liverpool. To deliver these record sales is testament to the passion, commitment and flair shown by our teams, and great credit must go to our team in all departments who have pulled together to launch four new sites in the last year and delivered the best Christmas performance ever.” Next in Arc’s growth plan will be its debut Scottish site, with Manahatta Edinburgh set to be the brand’s tenth location and Arc’s 21st overall. It also operates six Banyan and five Box venues. Arc is also eyeing further launches in London, Liverpool, and Cardiff in 2024, creating around 300 jobs, as it works towards a target of 50 sites by 2030. Arc Inspirations features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £40,813,939 for the year ending 26 March 2023 is the 221st 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.

 

Propel’s Multi-Site Database improved for 2024 with unique segmentation: Propel’s leading database, the Multi-Site Database, which provides the details of more than 3,000 multi-site operators, has been redesigned so Premium subscribers will be able to search the data segmented into key industry sectors. This new straightforward segmentation will allow users to search quickly in key categories such as pubs and bars, cafe bakery, quick service restaurants, casual dining, fine dining, hotel and experiential leisure. Subscribers will be able to drill down into the details and updates for these specific areas – so, for example, the circa 640 multi-site operators in the pubs and bars sector and 150 operators in the experiential leisure area can be examined in a stand-alone format. This new functionality will be available later this month when the latest Multi-Site Database is released on Friday, 26 January at midday. An updated Multi-Site Database is published every month, with an average of 50 or so companies added each month. Phil Pemberton, Propel’s director of premium services, said: “The new ability to segment this vital information is unique to the industry and is an element that our Premium subscribers requested. It will provide even more clarity and search capability to each segment of the sector.” A Propel Premium subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. 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. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up. The Premium subscription service currently has more than 4,000 subscribers.

 

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 one speakers include: Andreia Harwood, marketing director – EMEA at Wingstop; Sam Bourke, marketing director at Fuller’s; Sarah Collins, head of marketing at the Rick Stein Group; Jessica Wight, marketing director at Bistrot Pierre; François Blouin and Claire Diemer, chief executive and director of qualitative studies respectively at Foodservice Vision; Katy Moses, managing director at insight consultancy KAM; Lina Olea, marketing director at Wireless Social; Jack Jolly, senior marketing manager at Mission Mars and founder of H!JACK; Charles Spence, professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford; Amanda Mason, head of marketing at Roadchef; James Coldrey-Mobbs, sales and marketing director at East Coast Concepts; Anthony Pender, co-founder of Our Yummy Collection; Natalie Waldron, of Natalie Waldron Design; Dan Burns, of Natural Selection Design; Matt Preisinger, marketing and brand director at Brewhouse & Kitchen; Thom and James Elliot, co-founders of Pizza Pilgrims; Siobhan Lloyd, marketing manager at 200 Degrees Coffee; Julius Wiesenhütter, founder at GetViola; Megan Burton-Brown, marketing director at Tortilla; Simon Potts, chief executive of the Alchemist; and Natasha Sideris, founder and chief executive of Tashas Group. 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.

 

Exclusive – ETM Group and Maven Leisure target further openings in 2024 following ‘buoyant’ Christmas trading including record weeks for both: ETM Group and Maven Leisure have targeted further openings in 2024 following “buoyant” Christmas trading, Propel has learned. The businesses, both led by chief executive Ed Martin, said it achieved strong trading weeks last month, “buoyed by festive experiences and sporting action”. ETM Group revenue for the four-week period ended 31 December 2023 delivered a like-for-like increase of 24.6%, while Maven Leisure delivered a like-for-like increase of 61.1%, and there were record trading weeks for both groups. Martin said: “To achieve such strong like-for-like growth, not least during the most competitive season across the festive period, represents a tremendous effort and I’m very proud of both the ETM Group and Maven Leisure teams. To do so, lapping a World Cup December in our sports estate demonstrates the depth and attractiveness of our offer. I believe this reflects how our investment into our dining and sporting-led experiences is resonating with customers in a challenging environment when people are cutting back on eating out. From state-of-the-art sports pubs including the newly launched Northwood in Angel to traditional pub venues such as The Jugged Hare, and premium rooftop destinations including Wagtail and Aviary; we are committed to creating memorable experiences across the portfolio. Our revenue growth during the Christmas weeks sets us in good stead for the year ahead, as we target further venue openings and a fantastic opportunity to establish our venues as the place to watch sports in London with Euro 2024 on the horizon.” It follows both ETM Group and Maven Leisure reporting years of “significant growth” in November, as revealed by Propel. For the year ended 26 February 2023, the ten-strong ETM Group reported revenue of £27.9m versus £21.6m in 2022, with like-for-like sales up 16% and Ebitda of £2.5m (2022: £1.5m). Maven, which operates four bars and restaurants in central London, reported turnover for the same period of £6m, with Ebitda of £100,000 versus a loss of £900,000 the previous year.

 

Greggs CEO – consumer behaviour around value has become more cemented, no plans currently to up prices: Roisin Currie, chief executive of food-to-go operator Greggs, has said that consumer behaviour around value and how far they can stretch their money has become more cemented during the cost-of-living crisis, and the business has no plans currently to up its prices. Currie was talking after the circa 2,475-strong business reported a 9.4% increase in like-for-like sales in its fourth quarter, with continued growth in transaction numbers and reduced contribution from price inflation. She said: “Consumers have certainly become savvier and want to make sure they get the best value possible, and I think that has cemented over the course of the cost-of-living crisis. Therefore, it is a great focus for us in terms of making sure that we retain those value credentials and bring new products to market. Our strong like-for-like sales performance demonstrates the popularity of the Greggs brand.” Currie said the business has “no plans currently” to up prices as it expects a more stable cost base over the year ahead. However, she added that it would be “a long time before we see deflation” that would allow the group to start reducing prices. While Greggs highlighted wage inflation as a potential challenge, Currie stated that “higher rates of pay across the economy will also provide support to consumer incomes”. The company plans to open between 140 and 160 outlets on a net basis in 2024. Currie said it would keep looking at expanding across retail parks, travel sites and roadside locations, plus industrial estates. She added: “Where there’s any location where you can’t currently access a Greggs easily, we want to try and get into that location.” The business also plans to continue rolling out evening opening hours on a targeted basis, with extended hours currently available in around 1,200 of its shops. Currie reiterated the business had been “softly exploring” potential international expansion plans, but reaffirmed the company was “very focused on the UK opportunity as a priority”. Last year, the company said it expected to top 3,000 stores in the UK in the coming years and Currie stated “we are nowhere near peak Greggs”.

 

BrewDog defends decision to stop paying real living wage as it looks to reverse losses: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has defended its decision to no longer pay the real living wage as it looks to reverse losses. The company said from April it will pay the government’s national living wage rate of £11.44 per hour. In a letter issued to staff, leaked on social media platform X, BrewDog described the move as “important” and “necessary” as it warned about its trading loss last year. It said: “Even with a strong performance over Christmas, as a wider business, there is no hiding from the fact that in 2023 we made a trading loss. Despite many efforts in the past 12 months to reduce our spending, we still need to find more ways to get this business back to profitability and the financial stability that is needed. Inevitably, this does mean making some hard decisions.” From 14 April, BrewDog will be using the new national living wage, which will rise by nearly 10%. If the company opted to continue to pay staff the real living wage, which is based on the cost of living, their pay would have risen to £12 per hour. Staff in London will not be impacted by the change and they will remain on an £11.95 per hour pay. A BrewDog spokesperson told Propel: “As a result of the changes we’re making – and despite unprecedented challenges in the hospitality sector – our staff outside London will be getting a 4.95% increase in base pay, and crew currently working in London will be paid 4.5% above the national living wage. We have always been fully committed to doing the best we can for our people, and our benefits package is far more generous than the industry average. Last year, we gave more than £350,000 to our bars team via our unique profit share programme. Our team also benefits from a unique bonus scheme that sees all crew members receive an additional £1 an hour for the month for surpassing customer service standards. In addition, we offer signature benefits like ‘pawternity’ leave and paid sabbaticals after five years of service. We are proud to be one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work, and we were named a Top UK Employer by the UK Top Employers Institute.”

 

Foodco UK begins sale of equity stores to franchisees, looking to add up to 20 stores in 2024 including high street locations: Foodco UK has begun the sale of the majority of its equity stores to its franchisees and is looking to add up to 20 stores in 2024, with high street locations now being targeted, Propel has learned. Foodco operates 66 sites in the UK under Muffin Break and 20 under Jamaica Blue. It launched here in 2001 as the UK arm of the Australian Foodco business, which was founded in 1989 and has more than 550 locations across eight countries. Foodco Group chief executive Michael Arbuckle told Propel: “Foodco is fundamentally a franchise business for two coffee brands, Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue. As sites became available to us over the last few years, we took them on in the expectation that franchisees would be interested in them once the post-covid economy had settled down. This enabled us, for example, to open four stores in Northern Ireland in 2023, where previously we had no presence. We are now delighted the demand from our franchisees to invest in new Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue stores is such that we are able to franchise all these equity stores, in addition to the pipeline of 12 to 20 stores that we want to open in 2024. Our franchisees have contributed enormously to increasing revenue by 40% year on year across both of our brands, and we are looking forward to another excellent year. Traditionally, we are positioned in shopping centres and will continue with that site strategy, and we are also now actively looking for more high street locations too.” In its accounts for the year ending 30 June 2023, Muffin Break said: “Following the reporting period, the company decided to franchise the majority of stores under direct company management. As at the date of this report [19 December 2023], three stores have been sold to a franchisee.” In its accounts for the same period, Jamaica Blue said: “Following the reporting period, the company decided to franchise the majority of Jamaica Blue stores under direct company management. As at the date of this report [19 December 2023], five stores have been sold to franchisees.” Muffin Break’s turnover rose from £6,987,510 in 2022 to £8,270,758. Its pre-tax profit rose slightly from £1,113,800 to £1,145,525. Dividends of £750,000 were paid (2022: nil). Jamaica Blue’s turnover rose from £3,302,992 in 2022 to £4,795,969. Its pre-tax profit of £1,594,063 turned into a loss of £771,995. It made a £148,260 loss on disposal of fixed assets (2022: £8,202) and saw a £1,852,674 loan due to Foodco UK written off.

 

Junkyard Golf Club pays almost £3m in dividends, profits almost halved: Crazy golf brand Junkyard Golf Club paid almost £3m in dividends in the year to 31 March 2023. It made payments of £2,870,000 compared with £1,197,433 in 2022. Its turnover rose slightly in the year, from £18,397,277 to £18,727,096. Of this, golf revenue was down from £10,146,865 in 2022 to £9,698,929, while drinks revenue was up from £7,687,354 to £8,147,790. Its pre-tax profit was almost halved, from £7,532,345 to £3,783,510. Administrative expenses shot up from £7,949,031 to £11,023,590 while average employee numbers rose from 275 to 306. Director Matthew Lake said: “The principal risks to the business are the cost-of-living increases, compounded by a likely recession, with inflation, utility and grocery prices negatively affecting customer confidence and leisure spend. Business stock and energy costs have also increased. The directors feel the business is broadly insulated from these risks due to existing energy contracts and a pre-existing commitment to providing a real living wage, which have been factored into current forecasts. The business model offers a low spend per head activity that historically has been protected by its key demographic. This sentiment is borne out through market data and a was proven to be the case through difficult covid-related trading periods.” Junkyard Golf opened its latest venue in August 2023, a £2m site in the former Shaka Zulu restaurant in Camden Market. This added to its locations in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Oxford and Shoreditch, with a Birmingham site and a US debut in Las Vegas also being planned.

 

Good Food Society to launch second Hovarda site: The Good Food Society, led by Levent Büyükuğur and Sanjay Nandi, will launch a second site for its Mediterranean concept, Hovarda, later this year, in London’s Canary Wharf. The 139-cover restaurant and terrace will occupy the water level deck of a purpose-built pavilion situated on the water at the centre of Wood Wharf. Hovarda Canary Wharf will feature a communal kitchen island, a mix of banquettes and sofa seating and a bar counter facing DJs who will play throughout the evening. The menu will feature dishes from the coastlines of Greece and Turkey, with a light range of family-style hot and cold meze plates followed by main dishes such as red prawn orzo with a bisque sauce, chilli oil and marjoram; octopus served over a fava bean puree with onion and fennel marmalade; and lamb kleftiko with sauteed oyster mushrooms. The bar will serve spirits and cocktails inspired by Mediterranean notes, using ingredients such as citrus fruit, basil, cinnamon and honey. Stuart Fyfe, managing director retail leasing at Canary Wharf Group, said: “After my first visit to Hovarda in Soho, I knew Canary Wharf needed a stylish, late-night venue to enhance our vibrant dining and nightlife scene. Its delicious food, creative cocktails, DJ entertainment and chic crowd are sure to be a hit.” Hovarda first launched in Soho in 2017 as a third concept for Good Food Society. It also operates Italian restaurant Frescobaldi in Mayfair and previously ran Turkish restaurant Yosma in Marylebone. Yosma closed in 2019 ahead of a planned move to Soho, but is no longer listed on the company’s website.

 

Losses increase at Donald Trump’s Scottish golf course despite ‘best performing year to date’: Losses have increased at Donald Trump’s Scottish golf course despite its “best performing year to date” – this coming months after the former US president was found to have inflated its value. Trump International Golf Club Scotland, which owns a resort near Aberdeen, posted a pre-tax loss of £738,344 in the year to 31 December 2022 compared with a loss of £696,845 in 2021. This after the course said it benefited from the return of guests following covid lockdowns, with increased sales across golf green fees, membership, accommodation and hotel services. Revenue jumped to £3,593,122, from £2,070,487 in 2021 but the company was dragged to a loss after racking up £1.5m in administrative expenses. The company said: “Year-end trading results reflect an improvement on the prior year with turnover increasing 74% and gross profit exceeding £1m, representing its best performing year to date.” No dividend was paid (2022: nil). Last year, a New York judge ruled Trump and his company were liable for the “false valuation” of the course. Prosecutors had argued that the value of the Aberdeenshire course was inflated by more than £160m but Trump denied any wrongdoing. Trump International, which opened in 2012, was built on 2,000 acres of coastal land overlooking the North Sea. Trump claimed it would be the “world’s greatest golf course” and last year it was crowned the best golf course in Scotland at the World Golf Awards. The former president’s sons, Donald Jr and Eric, are listed as sole directors but the ultimate owner is The Donald J Trump Revocable Trust. The course is heavily indebted to Trump, holding interest-free loans of almost £48m from the former president. Accounts for Golf Recreation Scotland, which owns the larger Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire, are overdue. That company posted losses of £14.7m in 2021. Trump’s golf courses, which together received more than £1m in government covid support, have also blamed inflation and soaring energy prices for their challenges. Despite this, Trump has set out plans to build a second golf course in Aberdeenshire. The new MacLeod course will be named after his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. The business said it acquired two additional properties during the year, “further enhancing development opportunities within the estate”. It added: “Ownership remains committed to the long-term vision for the resort and confidently foresees the positive fiscal improvement trend continuing in the medium and longer term, with the golf course now fully established as a world-class destination.”

 

Coffee#1 set to open in Fleet: Coffee#1, the Caffe Nero-owned business, is set to open in Fleet, Hampshire, for its 118th UK site. It will open in the former Halifax Bank site at 130 Fleet Road on Friday, 19 January, creating nine jobs. The interior of the dog-friendly cafe will reflect local historical facts, figures and folklore and also have shelves packed with books. Coffee#1 area manager Dan Marlow said: “We are delighted to be opening our next coffee shop in Fleet. It’s in a great location with a warm community feel and I am sure Coffee#1 will fit right in. We pride ourselves on creating a cosy space where customers can relax and take their time where they are served great food, delicious cakes and, of course, great coffee.” Coffee#1 opened its first store in 2001 and joined The Caffè Nero Group in January 2019. The business recorded a first ever £1m sales week for the seven days from 23 October 2023, 8% higher than the company’s previous record and underpinned by weekly customer numbers above 275,000 for the first time.

 

Company behind London restaurant Wiltons sees turnover rise but profits fall: London restaurant operator Wiltons Holdings – operator of Wiltons and Franco’s in Jermyn Street – saw its turnover rise but profit fall in the year to 31 March 2023. Its turnover was up from £6,795,873 in 2022 to £8,588,814 but its pre-tax profit dropped from £511,111 to £393,764. The year also saw the business operate all-day cafe and wine bar Locket’s in St James’ Street, which it shut towards the end of the period, in February 2023. The company received no government grants compared with £175,663 in 2022. No dividends were paid (2022: nil). Director Andrew Steel said it was “a successful year for the group” and that the directors “are satisfied with the performance of the business”. The group has operated both Wiltons and Franco’s – believed to have been one of the first Italian restaurants in London – for more than 70 years. 

 

West Yorkshire indoor climbing business set to invest £5m in opening eighth site, including biggest climbing wall in Europe: West Yorkshire indoor climbing business Depot Climbing is set to invest £8m in opening its eighth site. The largest indoor climbing wall in Europe form part of the plans for the 50,864 square-foot site at Southmoor Industrial Estate in Wythenshawe, in the south of Manchester, reports Insider Media. Director Steve Dunning said: “Following the success of our Trafford Park site, we want to develop a facility that will be genuinely world class. The high-quality space at Southmoor Industrial Estate allows us to build a climbing centre to International Federation of Sport Climbing standards so that both beginners and Olympic hopefuls alike can enjoy climbing under the same roof. Big Depot Manchester will set a new standard for climbing facilities in the UK and will become a destination for climbers from across the country, given the excellent transport and access links that this location provides.” As well as its other Manchester venue, the company operates three sites in Leeds alongside further locations in Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham.

 

Young’s to reopen Camden pub next month following extensive refurbishment: Young’s will reopen The Constitution in Camden, north west London, next month following an extensive refurbishment. The St Pancras Way pub, acquired by Young’s in 2020, has undergone a complete transformation, including the addition of a new rooftop terrace. With the pub set across three floors, the first floor will be home to the new 32-cover rooftop terrace overlooking Regent’s Canal, complete with a retractable roof. Head chef Jay Bond’s menu will focus on seasonal British produce from local suppliers, ranging from bar nibbles and small plates to pies and sharing seafood stews, alongside meat-free options. The bar will offer a selection of local craft beer and ales, alongside cocktails made using homegrown herbs and syrups. Young’s chief executive Simon Dodd said: “We are delighted to be bringing back The Constitution and re-establishing it within its local community. A much-loved landmark on Regent’s Canal, the pub has undergone a huge transformation, but its core values remain the same.”

 

London mezcal bar owner set to launch third fundraising round: London mezcal bar owner Thea Cumming is set to launch her third fundraising round, Propel has learned. Cumming, who operates Dona in Stoke Newington as well as owning the Dangerous Don mezcal brand, is crowdfunding with Seedrs, with the round going live on Tuesday, 6 February. “This is a step away from what they have done in the past, opening up the ability for the public to invest in the brand,” a company spokespersonlp said. Cumming said she got into bourbon while working at a barbecue restaurant run by her friend, Pitt Cue, while she was a student in London. She then travelled the US, visiting various bourbon distilleries, before ending up in Mexico, where she was introduced to mezcal. She decided there and then she was going to set up her own mezcal brand and named it after her dad’s nickname when he was at university. She opened Dona, located at 92 Stoke Newington High Street, in 2019 with Lucie Massey.

 

Yorkshire gym owners launch new concept with second site: Yorkshire gym owners Chris Cummins and Harry Morse have launched a new concept with their second site. The duo, who operate a CrossFit gym in a converted mill on the outskirts of Skipton, have opened XO Fitness, a state-of-the-art hybrid training concept within The Moors shopping complex in Ilkley. The 4,500 square-foot premises offers hybrid training, cross fit, sweat classes, personal and small group fitness training. The venture has been backed by local entrepreneur Philip Davies, managing director of vitamins and health supplement supplier, Health and Wellbeing Brands, reports BDaily. Cummins, a former competitor in the Hyrox World Fitness Championships extreme fitness racing challenge, said: “XO is a highly refined hybrid fitness offering and Ilkley is the perfect location to launch our boutique fitness concept. We believe it is among the first of its kind outside London.”

 

Cardiff multi-site operators to shut sustainable, wood-fired restaurant in city centre: Cardiff multi-site operators Deb and Phill Lewis are shutting their sustainable, wood-fired restaurant, Kindle, in the city centre. The venue, in an old warden’s house in Sophia Gardens, opened in September 2021 after the husband-and-wife team raised an initial £43,000 with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. In a statement on Instagram, the Lewis’ said because of a “number of factors” being faced by the industry as a whole, they cannot “maintain it any longer”. They said: “We are extremely proud of our achievement in transforming the old, abandoned building, serving thousands of people during its time. This decision is in no way a reflection of the outstanding food produced by the kitchen team or sensational service by the front of house team, but a reflection of the current industry struggles and a worrying pattern as we see multiple business closures up and down the country.” The Lewis’ are also behind Neapolitan pizzeria concept, Dusty’s, and Nook, a small plates and natural wine bistro in Canton that opened in 2019.

 

Hotel operator increases revenue and narrows losses, vacates Ruislip property: Pantheon Hotels and Leisure, owned by Shalil and Nor Fazlina Bhattessa, increased its revenue and narrowed its losses in the year to 31 March 2023. It also vacated The Barn Hotel in Ruislip, north west London, in September 2023, having sold it the previous year but been able to continue operating from there. The sale left the business operating just the Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood, Essex. The company’s turnover increased from £3,723,712 in 2022 to £4,158,071 during the period, while its pre-tax loss narrowed from £1,986,511 to £271,832.

 

Former Larry’s duo to open Japanese izakaya-inspired restaurant at former Nest site in Hackney: Jack O’Connor and Joshua Ralphs, who met while working at Larry’s in Peckham – where O’Connor was head chef – are set to open a Japanese izakaya-inspired restaurant at the former Nest site in Hackney. The duo will open Big Night on Thursday (11 January) in the unit at 177 Morning Lane vacated when Nest moved from Hackney to a larger spot in Shoreditch last summer. The pair have also worked at London venues such as Flor, Lasdun and Jolene, reports Hot Dinners. Big Night takes its inspiration from Japanese izakayas but will cook seasonal British produce over a charcoal grill. “The tables will be communal, you’ll be asking your neighbour to pass the chilli oil and cheering the whole table with a round of shots and sauerkraut,” the duo said. New York-inspired Larry’s was replaced by Bar Leven at Unit 5 12-16 Blenheim Grove in Peckham in October.

 

Krispy Kreme to open new UK flagship site in London’s Oxford Street early in 2024: Krispy Kreme, the doughnut retailer, has confirmed it will open its new UK flagship site in London’s Oxford Street early in 2024. The business secured the 2,783 square-foot store, at 25-27 Oxford Street and arranged over two floors, in October last year. It will be the first in the UK to feature the brand’s “Hotlight” theatre – providing customers with “a unique immersive experience” in which they can try Krispy Kreme’s hot doughnuts straight off the line. Ben Scott, head of growth at Krispy Kreme UK & Ireland, said: “We are opening a unique new flagship store in early 2024. This amazing store will bring hot original glaze doughnuts back to central London for the first time in 20 years, winding back the years to when we delighted our first UK customers in Harrods, Knightsbridge. We’ve come a long way since then, but the joy of sharing a hot original glaze remains one of the best expressions of our amazing brand, and it will be at the heart of everything we do at Oxford Street.” It comes after Krispy Kreme saw out 2023 with two new airport locations, in Gatwick and Stansted.