Exclusive – JD Wetherspoon debut site at Haven ‘just the start’ of partnership between brands: Simon Palethorpe, managing director at holiday park operator Haven, has told Propel the forthcoming JD Wetherspoon site at its Primrose Valley holiday park in North Yorkshire is “just the beginning” of a partnership between the two brands. Haven announced last week it has signed an exclusive agreement with Wetherspoon to operate at its parks. Haven said the agreement means it is the first and only UK holiday park operator to enter a commercial partnership with the pub company, which operates more than 830 pubs in the UK and Ireland. “Primrose Valley is just the start,” Palethorpe told Propel. “We’ve big plans, so watch this space. We are thrilled to bring the Wetherspoon experience to Primrose Valley, and during 2024 we’ll be talking to our guests and holiday-home owners to understand their views. All our initial research said that our customers love the Wetherspoon proposition, so we’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds. There is a very large overlap in our audiences and both brands benefit from very high levels of brand recognition and brand trust, so Wetherspoon and Haven just feel like a natural fit. Wetherspoon is a well-established and much-loved UK operator offering great value for money, and the partnership reflects Haven’s commitment to providing terrific value and service. We’re focused on making this partnership phenomenally successful, working with Wetherspoon on an exclusive basis, so we’re not looking to partner with others right now.” Palethorpe told Propel last year that Haven is also looking to roll out more Chopstix and Slim Chickens sites at its holiday parks, as well as possibly introducing new brands. Giving an update on this, he added: “For the 2024 season, we will be opening a further three Chopstix, a new Burger King, Papa John’s and another award-winning Cook’s Fish & Chips. That’s on top of three Burger Kings, two Chopstix, two Papa John’s and two Slim Chickens in 2023. Our guests and owners love the brands we’ve been introducing to our parks, so there is a lot more to come. We are also continuing to open more of our own brand pop-ups this year. There’s no doubt that Haven is unparalleled in the sector, with its range of food and beverage options for holidaymakers and holiday homeowners.”

Next Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage to be released on Friday featuring 838 companies, record 57 additions: The next Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage will be released on Friday (19 January), at midday. A record 57 companies have been added to the database, which now features 838 companies. This month’s edition will also include 142 updated entries. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. Propel is evolving its Premium subscription offer by launching Premium Club on Thursday, 1 February. All circa 4,000 existing subscribers automatically become members. The launch of Premium Club comes with even more benefits. All subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to five Propel paid-for events – The Excellence in Pub Retailing Conference (14 May), Social Media for Profit (18 July), the Talent and Training Conference (1 October) and Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025). Operators will also be able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club members receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club members will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. Premium Club members also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across 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.

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; Heleri Rande, partner at Think Hospitality; 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; Peter Critchley, UK chief executive at Trison; Siobhan Lloyd, head of marketing at 200 Degrees Coffee; Julius Wiesenhütter, co-founder and chief executive of GetViola; Megan Burton-Brown, marketing director at Tortilla; Joe Cripps, managing director of Feed it Back; Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine; Laura Lewis, marketing director at Arc Inspirations; Joanna Richardson, marketing director at Heartwood Collection; Vikki O’Neil, global marketing director at Vapiano; 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.

BII urges chancellor to support sector after survey shows 75% of pubs operated unprofitably in 2023, with revenue flat or down for 62%: The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has written to the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, after its latest survey showed 75% of pubs operated unprofitably in 2023, with revenue flat or down for 62%. Its letter calls for vital investment in pubs at the budget on 6 March, and follows a survey of its 13,000 UK members. The letter outlines that many pubs are still facing two to three times the cost of energy versus previous contracts, and that food and drink costs have risen by 40% over the last 24 months. It also states that pubs have had to increase wages to attract staff at all levels, with a 40% rise in the national living wage since 2020 impacting on every level of role. It asks Hunt to ensure pubs face a fair and proportionate level of taxation, with a reduction in VAT on all pub sales, and to maintain the current level of business rates relief, with a long-term pubs specific multiplier. BII chief executive Steve Alton said: “Our members’ pubs continue to face a cost of business crisis, driven by exceptional cost increases in energy, staffing, food and drink supply. These short-term pressures are undermining long-term, viable businesses in every community, stifling investment and growth, with many now at risk of failure. The chancellor has recognised the vital role of pubs in our communities, and we now ask him to invest in pubs to secure their viable future for generations to come. This investment can be delivered via fair taxation through a reduction in VAT for all pub sales, which will deliver a meaningful investment that will have immediate impact, allowing pubs to plan, invest and deliver future growth, benefiting the economy and communities across the UK.”

Simon Stenning – total market revenue to overtake pre-covid levels by more than £5bn in 2024 but volumes still suppressed: Sector analyst and FutureFoodservice founder Simon Stenning has forecast total market revenue to overtake pre-covid levels by more than £5bn in 2024 but volumes are still suppressed. As part of his new “2030 Vision, the Future of Foodservice 2024 to 2027” report, Stenning said as consumers retain both a value-seeking, and treating, mindset, the polarisation between “social refuelling and premiumised experiential dining will continue to grow”, leading to “almost tectonic shifts in the market”. He added the challenges for foodservice operators that remain in 2024 will lead to more independent businesses closing, and yet well-funded and managed, branded businesses will survive, and potentially thrive, as the economy improves and as consumers build confidence and disposable incomes. It said: “Forecasts are for the total market revenue to overtake 2019 pre-covid levels by more than £5bn. However, volumes are still suppressed, following societal changes post-covid, with footfall on high streets and shopping malls, tube traffic, and inbound tourism remaining below 2019 levels. Revenue growth has therefore come from inflation-driven price rises, and will continue to do so, although the report forecasts volume to increase over the course of the next few years. Successful brands across all sectors manage to navigate their way through the conundrum of falling inflation but increasing business costs. Menu pricing decisions will be taken very carefully, as consumers expect prices to be falling. Calculations for the market in 2023, which provides the base for forecasts for 2024, recognised that consumers shrugged off the cost-of-living crisis in the first half of the year, but the second half proved harder as housing costs started increasing as cheap fixed-rate mortgages came to an end. The economy is expected to remain stagnant during the first half of 2024, but then improve during the second half; this period should also see the Bank of England start to bring down the base rate, improving the situation for many households. Fast food continues to expand and thrive, as it delivers value, convenience and improving food quality and appeal for consumers. Delivery from fast food brands also supports this growth, as delivered food solutions are a long-term consumer trend. The ‘Pleasure Principle’ operators, concepts, and sectors that thrive will do so as they deliver to increasingly high expectations from consumers for an experience and quality that matches their investments of time and money.” Despite the current economic challenges of the cost of doing business, the report forecasts for the market to grow in 2024 and onwards to 2030. 

Former Geronimo Inns and VQ backer Richard Northcott passes away: Richard Northcott, serial entrepreneur, and former backer of Geronimo Inns, Cirrus Inns and VQ, including the 24-hour eating-and-drinking concept, has passed away, aged 77. Northcott founded Dodge City, the DIY chain with more than 30 stores in the UK, which was sold to Woolworth in 1981, and changed its name to B&Q. He was also the chairman of Theo Fennell and Pet City, which became Pets at Home. He was a director and investor in Geronimo Inns, until its circa £60m acquisition by Young’s at the end of 2010. He was also a director and investor in Cirrus Inns, the 22-strong premium pub business, which merged with Channel Islands and West Country brewer and retailer Liberation Group at the end of 2022. Northcott, who was the producer of the film 9½ Weeks, was also the chairman and majority investor in VQ, which currently operates sites in Chelsea, Bloomsbury and the City.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a food business that is undergoing another expansion phase that is seeking a wholesale sales manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be responsible for kick-starting the business-to-business side of the business and driving sales with foodservice wholesalers. This is a new position within the business, and the company is looking for a resilient, ambitious, and hungry wholesale sales manager who it can build the team around.” The salary is up to £60,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com.

Exclusive – Simmons Bars festive like-for-like sales up 16%, close to announcing first regional site: Simmons Bars, the London cocktail bar operator, has told Propel that its Christmas trading was “extremely strong”, and that it hopes to announce its first acquisition outside of London “very soon”. The 26-strong company said its total sales were up 25% on the prior year for the four-week period ending 31 December 2023 with like-for-like sales up 16%. The Nick Campbell-led company, which is backed by Lonsdale Capital Partners, also said it “hit two back-to-back record weeks” and more than 15 site level records were broken across the group during the festive season. The company said: “The record-breaking levels sales were also delivered with great customer feedback, with net promoter scores of more than 70, proving the continued strength of the brand and excellent effort and focus from our teams on delivering exceptional customer service. The group's recent opening in Shoreditch performed very well during its first Christmas and we're excited to see the venue continue to grow in 2024. We're currently fully focused on our national expansion plans and hope to announce our first acquisition outside of London very soon.”

Laine Pub Company ‘well positioned to take advantage of improving trading conditions’ following ‘challenging’ year: Laine Pub Company has said it is “well positioned to take advantage of improving trading conditions” in FY24 following a “challenging” period for the business. It comes as the company reported turnover increased to £52,703,000 for the year ending 13 August 2023 compared with £51,109,000 the previous year. Ebitda reduced to £3,915,000 from £6,623,000, mainly due to cost pressures. The company posted a pre-tax loss of £1,967,000 compared with a profit of £2,115,000 the year before. During the period, the company acquired Redchurch Brewery in Harlow, Essex, for its Laine Brewing Company business. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The performance of the pub and beer businesses have been impacted in FY23 by significant inflationary pressures influencing customers' spending patterns and impacting the costs of operation. A wetter than average summer in FY23 and continued transportation disruption throughout the year provided additional challenges to trade. Despite these factors, Laine’s differentiated proposition allowed the business to deliver a credible performance in a challenging environment, and leaves it well positioned to take advantage of improving trading conditions in FY24.” The business did not receive any government grants (2022: £21,000). No dividend was paid (2022: nil). The group – which operates 56 pubs across Brighton, Birmingham and London – also operates four sites under its Mash Inns partnership with Stonegate.

Wingstop adds Watford site to openings pipeline: Lemon Pepper Holdings, the company behind the rollout of Wingstop in the UK, has added a site in Watford to its openings pipeline. Propel understands that the 39-strong business is set to replace Honest Burgers in the town’s Market Street, with an opening scheduled for later this year. Last month, Propel revealed Lemon Pepper Holdings has lined up an opening in the Lakeside shopping scheme, Essex, for this year. The company, which recently opened a second site for Wingstop in Edinburgh, has taken a unit that forms the corner of a newly created food and beverage area on the ground floor of the scheme, opposite anchor tenants such as JD Sports. Wingstop will open its largest UK site yet – at Westfield Stratford City in London, in the first quarter. Propel understands Wingstop has taken over the ex-Home Run House site previously operated by Passyunk Avenue until this summer. Lemon Pepper Holdings already has Wingstop openings for this year lined up in Hounslow, Wood Green, Clapham, Croydon Leisure Park and Merry Hill. It is thought to have several more due to exchange or complete over the next two months. Richard Negus, of AG&G, acted on the Watford deal. Wingstop UK features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £21,370,720 for the year ending 27 March 2022 is the 370th 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.

Boss Pizza secures first franchisee, set to open four new stores: Franchise pizza concept Boss Pizza, founded during the pandemic by Ajmal Mushtaq, has secured its first franchisee, who is set to open four new stores in the near future. Muhammad Ali, whose 20 years within the UK fast-food industry includes managerial and consultancy roles with McDonald’s and German Doner Kebab, has become master franchisee for the London and Dubai regions. Having graduated from Hamburg University with a master’s in marketing, Ali’s roles at McDonald’s included overseeing recruitment, training and operational efficiency at several stores. He subsequently established a franchise for US brand Tennessee Fried Chicken and was a director at McQueen’s Hospitality Institute in Dubai before returning to the UK to act as a consultant focusing on store development for German Doner Kebab. Ali said: “A defining moment arose when I secured the master franchise for Boss Pizza London. Our joint vision propels the brand towards national development, marked by the imminent launch of four new stores in London.” Ali’s first store opening will be at 307 Uxbridge Road in Acton, west London. Mushtaq added: “Muhammad’s strategic mindset and a proven track record makes him the perfect partner for Boss Pizza’s journey to becoming nationally recognised brand. Consumers are demanding higher quality food, more competitive price points as well as faster delivery. Boss Pizza is well placed to meet these consumer demands.” Mushtaq founded Boss Pizza as a pandemic project while he was unable to open his restaurant, Mushtaqs, in Hamilton, Scotland. He has since sold the restaurant – which at 20 by 12 metres, he claims has the UK’s largest takeaway kitchen – to focus on Boss Pizza. The concept currently has locations in Hamilton and Larkhall but has targeted 100 sites by 2026 as it looks to expand through franchising.

Fireaway reports record December as it closes in on £500,000 crowdfunding target: Fast pizza brand Fireaway, the Mario Aleppo-led business, has reported a record December as it closes in on its £500,000 crowdfunding target. The circa 166-strong business launched the campaign last month to expand its central operations and brand reach and enhance its technology platform. A total of 742 investors have so far pledged funds, with the campaign standing at £450,361 with five days left. Fireaway is offering 2.43% equity in return for the investment, giving the business a pre-money valuation of £20,049,056. “We are truly grateful to all those that have made the choice to be part of our exciting future as we look to take over the pizza industry,” the business said in an update. “While December is usually a strong month for our industry, we saw an exception 32% increase in total franchise store sales for the 12 months ending December 2023 (versus the 12 months ending December 2022). New store builds continue as planned, as does the roll-out of new products, the latest being the launch of our vegan products in January 2024, with more planned for the end of the first quarter of 2024.” Fireaway also has locations under construction in Turkey and Portugal.

Stonegate appoints Sam Hughes as Slug & Lettuce operations director: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has appointed Sam Hughes, formerly of BrewDog, as the new operations director of its 80-strong Slug & Lettuce brand, Propel has learned. Hughes, who starts at Stonegate this week, has been with BrewDog for nine years, including the past three as operations director of its bars division. She also previously worked at G1 Group. Last month, Stonegate completed a £638m refinancing of a 1,034-strong pub portfolio, with debt provided by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Stonegate stated: “The portfolio comprises 944 leased and tenanted and 90 free-of-tie freehold pubs outside the unique securitisation group, delivering £77m of Ebitda for the 52 weeks ended 24 September 2023.”

Only Food & Courses co-founder and former Knoops head of operations launches fundraise for new food and music cafe concept: Hospitality consultant Martyn Barrett – founder of Only Food & Courses and former Knoops head of operations – is raising funds to help fine-tune his new food and music concept, Cafe Cliches. Barrett, who is also a former operations manager at SSP and director at Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, is fundraising on Crowdfunder, with investments securing rewards such as a complimentary meal and drinks at Cafe Cliches, lunch for two at Cafe Boheme Soho, VIP status with complimentary deliveries, and tickets to a major UK festival. “To drive and nurture our organisation's progress and development, we are actively pursuing £50,000 with a minimum ticket of £250,” Barrett told Propel. “This funding will be strategically distributed to several vital areas that are essential for our ongoing success like capex, branding, sites and PR. Cafe Cliches is a culinary venture that has made waves in the UK and beyond for its ability to adapt flexibly to culinary and musical preferences, be it through pop-up locations, permanent venues, home events or festivals. With our unique take on emerging trends and creative variations of traditional café dishes, we pride ourselves on offering a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience.” Also on the team is former Patisserie Valerie managing director Paolo Peretti, as a non-executive director. It has also partnered with artificial intelligence-enabled social media management platform, Kendal AI, to help enhance its customer satisfaction and engagement.

Karen Bosher joins Livelyhood as non-executive director: Karen Bosher, former chair of Greene King’s Venture Brands, has joined independent south London pub group Livelyhood as a non-executive director. Bosher stepped down as managing director of Greene King’s Premium, Urban and Venture Brands division at the end of 2022 to pursue other interests. Bosher, who was previously at JJB Sports and Mothercare, originally joined Greene King in 2013 as an operations director for its local pubs division. She also had stints as business unit director for Greene King’s London pubs, and for its Metropolitan Pub Company arm. She also ran the Locals division after the departure of chief operating officer Richard Lewis in 2019. In February 2020, she was appointed managing director of the pub company’s Premium, Urban and Venture Brands division and joined Greene King’s executive board. In 2022, she was named European Diversity Champion of the Year at the European Diversity Awards. Livelyhood, which is owned by Sarah Wall, currently operates seven pubs across south London, including The Faber Fox in Crystal Palace; The Old Frizzle in Wimbledon; The Mere Scribbler in Streatham and The Artful Duke in Bromley. 

Wafflemeister planning further expansion as it reports record product sales: Wafflemeister, the Belgian waffle operator, is planning further sites in 2024 as it reported record product sales. The company sold more than 53 million waffles in 2023 – the most the brand has sold since its inception nearly 15 years ago. This has been achieved through the wholesale, retail and foodservice markets, with presence across the education, healthcare and hospitality sectors. The company also has more than 25 branded outlets across the UK in high-profile locations such as Alton Towers, Legoland, Oxford Street and Butlin’s Bognor Regis. Wafflemeister secured its first UK retail listing last year, with its Belgian and toasting waffles available in Waitrose stores across the country. Wafflemeister also forged a nationwide distribution agreement with Costco, marking its first move into European retail market. In December, Wafflemeister signed an exclusive deal to be the official food partner for Millie Bobby Brown at the New York launch of her coffee brand – Florence By Mills Coffee. This move saw Wafflemeister showcase its products to the US market for the first time. Commercial director Jon White said: “We have had an unreal year. Not only have we seen growth across all areas of our business but we’ve partnered with some of the most incredible people and brands globally. We’re not stopping here though; we’ve got some brilliant plans in the pipeline for this year including a new retail listing, new innovative products as well as new sites.”

McDonald’s operator turns a loss after costs bite: Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire McDonald’s operator Fun & Fries, owned by Jacqueline Moore since 2003, turned a loss in the year to 31 December 2022 after costs increased. A pre-tax profit of £1,223,179 in 2021 turned into a loss of £110,783 as costs rose by more than £3m. The company’s turnover rose from £19,825,607 to £22,946,271. Dividends of £138,00 were paid (2021: £130,000). No government grants were received (2021: £21,953). Moore said: “Turnover for the year increased by 15.74%, with an increase in gross profit of 1.14% compared with the previous year. In common with many other similar businesses and industries, the war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on raw product costs, fuel costs and utility costs, with labour costs also increasing considerably along with other overheads, with the result that the year’s trading produced an operating loss of £77,858. The director believes the trading environment in which the company operates will continue to be challenging but remains optimistic regarding future trading and is committed to increasing both future turnover and profitability and to continuing the company’s reinvestment programme.”

Doughnut concept Project D makes airport debut for fourth site: Derbyshire doughnut concept Project D has made its airport debut for its fourth site. It has opened in Terminal 2 at Heathrow airport – adding to its sites in Sheffield, York and Nottingham. Project D was founded in 2018 by Max Poynton and friends Matthew Bond and James Watts. Last summer, the business completed a successful £400,000 fundraise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube to support its expansion plans.

Focus Hotels Management reports sites ‘trading well’ as revenue and pre-tax profit exceeds pre-covid levels: Focus Hotels Management, which manages more than 1,700 rooms across the UK, has said all its sites are “trading well” as it reported revenue and pre-tax profit exceeded pre-covid levels. Turnover increased to £17,136,924 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £8,828,297 the previous year. Revenue also exceeded the £15,672,669 reported for the year ending 31 December 2019 – the last full year before the pandemic. Pre-tax profit was up to £268,184 from £137,716 the year before (2019: profit of £207,450). Occupancy increased to 69.4% from 44.1% the previous year with average room rate up to £85.03 from £76.83 and revpar rising to £59.01 from £45.70. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “We continue to seek profitable opportunities to expand operations, and have the infrastructure in place to facilitate development opportunities to increase profitability in the coming years at minimal marginal cost. All of the hotels are fully open and trading well.” The business did not receive any government grants (2021: £448,664). No dividend was paid (2021: nil).

London Trocadero owner’s hotel concept heading to Manchester for first site outside capital: London Trocadero owner Asif Aziz’s lifestyle hotel concept Zedwell is heading to Manchester for its first site outside the capital. Zedwell, which operates hotels in Piccadilly Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Greenwich, is owned by Aziz’s Criterion Capital group, which also owns the Criterion Building in Piccadilly Circus. Criterion has had plans approved for a new 187-room hotel in the Royal Buildings on the corner of Mosley Street and Market Street, in Piccadilly Gardens, which Criterion acquired last year. Plans will see the upper four floors of the building converted into a hotel, while the ground floor space will be unaffected. The new hotel is one of nine currently under construction, which will be opened by 2026, taking the total to 12 hotels and more than 4,500 rooms. Aziz said: “The work started in early January and projected opening is the first quarter of 2026. Bringing Zedwell to Manchester was always in the plan, and now we have found the perfect location. The new Zedwell hotel will be targeting short-term stays and people travelling through Manchester.”

Bubbleology opens in Swindon: Bubbleology, the London bubble tea bar operator, has opened in Swindon for its 33rd UK site. It has opened a kiosk near the John Lewis store in the Wiltshire town’s Designer Outlet centre. A Bubbleology spokesman said: “We offer a wide variety of flavours, brewing our bases with organic jasmine and organic Assam tea. With a range of milk alternatives to choose from, as well as light versions of our drinks, become your own mixologist and customise every drink to your own taste.” Last year, Bubbleology struck a retail partnership with Asda that saw its make-at-home bubble tea kits launched into the supermarket chain’s stores nationwide. Bubbleology also has a kiosk within the Asda store in Bletchley, Milton Keynes.

Indian hotel group makes UK debut with Derbyshire deal: Indian hotel group Deventure Hotels & Resorts has made its UK debut after acquiring a site in Derbyshire. New Bath Hotel, near Matlock Bath, set within 4.5 acres on the edge of the Peak District National Park, features 54 bedrooms, with bar, restaurant and conferencing facilities, as well as a spa. There is also a spring water fed open-air swimming pool. A spokesperson for Deventure Hotels & Resorts said: “We are happy that the New Bath Hotel & Spa marks our inaugural venture in the UK. Nestled in a perfect location with a rich history, it boasts unique features such as the 1930s outdoor pool and a 19th-century indoor pool, both fed by natural spring water. Despite the current need for service enhancements, we recognise the immense potential of this business. Our strategic plan includes a comprehensive refurbishment, with a planned relaunch scheduled ahead of the summer season in 2024. This marks the beginning of our journey to further expand and establish a significant presence in the British hospitality market.” Gavin Webb, associate director at Christie & Co, handled the sale.