The Halal Guys sees potential for 50-plus UK sites as it seeks opportunities outside London: US street food brand The Halal Guys has told Propel it sees the potential for 50-plus UK sites as it seeks opportunities outside of London. The business, which has more than 100 sites globally, opened its second site here in November, at 6 High Road in Wood Green, north London. It initially launched in the UK in March 2019, with master franchisee ITICO F+B opening a debut site in London’s Leicester Square, and a second site opened in Earl’s Court six months later, but the Leicester Square site closed the following summer. “We’re excited about our recent expansion with the opening of our second site in the UK,” Margaret Carrera, chief development officer at The Halal Guys, told Propel. “As for our plans moving forward, we’re constantly exploring opportunities for growth and evaluating various locations, and we’re always looking for promising locations to expand our presence further in the UK in the coming years. The UK presents a significant opportunity for The Halal Guys, and we envisage having 50-plus units. We are continuously analysing market dynamics to determine the best approach. We’re open to exploring opportunities beyond London and evaluating other cities or regions that align with our growth strategy. The UK sites are under a multi-unit franchisee. As for our franchising strategy in the UK, we’re continuously evaluating multi-unit franchisees in the UK market, and we’re in the process of evaluating additional franchise opportunities in the UK.” Carrera said trading at The Halal Guys’ second UK site has been “fantastic” since opening, and the business is “pleased with the performance and support from our patrons”. Founded in 1990 by Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed, The Halal Guys is now franchising worldwide via a new fast casual/quick service restaurant format. Carrera said the business is also looking to expand into the GCC region and is seeking the right partners to take the business there. “The Halal Guys offers a comprehensive franchise opportunity backed by our proven business model,” she added. “We’re committed to providing a robust franchise package that aligns with the growth objectives of both our brand and potential franchisees.”

 

Sir Tim Martin to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024, open for bookings: Sir Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024. The conference takes place on Thursday, 21 March, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington, and is open for bookings. Sir Tim talks to Propel’s editorial advisor Katherine Doggrell about the current state of the UK pub market, the continued growth of Wetherspoon, and the evolution of its offer. They will also be joined by Emma Gibson, one of the company’s “employee directors”, to discuss the group’s approach to corporate governance. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Propel’s next Multi-Site Database to be released on Friday with new seven category segmentation: The next Propel Multi-Site Database will be released on Friday (26 January) at midday to Premium members – and in a ground-breaking move, sees companies now searchable in seven main segments. The database, produced in association with Virgate, provides details of more than 3,000 multi-site operators. But following feedback from subscribers, companies will now be searchable in seven main segments – allowing users to search quickly in key categories and allowing them to drill down into the details and updates for these specific areas. The biggest segment is casual dining, which consists of 900 companies and they make up 28% of the database. There are 758 companies in the pubs and bars segment (25% of the database total), 497 in café bakery (16% of total), 408 quick service restaurant companies (14%), 247 hotel business (8%), 187 experiential leisure operators (7%) and 50 fine dining companies (2%). The database is updated each month – this edition includes 20 new companies and brings the total to 3,047. Premium members also receive access to five other databases: 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 Who’s Who of UK Food & Beverage. 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 four 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.

 

Hugh Osmond – British hospitality needed a shake out and it is happening: High Osmond, founder of Various Eateries and Punch Taverns, has told Propel that British hospitality needed a “shake out”, but that eating and drinking out is not going away and, once the economy recovers, it “will come back strongly”. Osmond, who also helped build PizzaExpress into one of Britain’s biggest restaurant chains, said: “I do think some of the extreme pressures on hospitality are starting to abate, but very few people, if anyone, seem to be making the margins that they were pre-2020, and it could take a very long time for those levels of profitability to return. To be honest, British hospitality needed a shake out, and it is happening. But eating and drinking out is not going away and, once the economy recovers, hospitality will come back strongly. However, I do think the price point in full-service establishments will have to change to reflect permanently higher labour costs – I hope we can move the offering up the quality curve so customers get a better experience, pay more for it, and the industry pay rates can then improve accordingly. In my opinion, the middle of the road, high street restaurant with a 50-plus item menu, taking £15,000 per week, is a dead concept and may never return. So, the investors who have picked up previously flourishing casual dining chains in this market are not going to enjoy the experience.” He also believes technology will play an increasingly significant role. Osmond said: “A direct effect of increasing the minimum wage will be more businesses looking to replace staff with tech. Tech in hospitality has so far been pretty basic, and we should expect this to change.” Last month, Various Eateries, the Coppa Club and Noci operator, said it was raising £10m with the aim of rolling out ten new Noci and three new Coppa sites over the next 18 months.

 

NTIA calls for VAT cut for all sector businesses to save night-time economy from collapse: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called for a VAT cut for all sector businesses to save the night-time economy from collapse. It said while slicing VAT is the most effective way to provide immediate relief, any measures “must not unfairly discriminate against any businesses, as they did with wet-led businesses during the pandemic”. Instead, the NTIA has urged the government to deliver a tax cut that would include admission tickets, food, soft drinks and alcohol. The trade body said previous VAT cuts have excluded and marginalised of many businesses, and any further such moves must be all-encompassing. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “A comprehensive and inclusive VAT cut is absolutely essential to prevent the collapse of our industry. It deeply saddens me to witness the devastating impact this crisis has had, with businesses closing down, individuals losing their life savings and stability, families enduring financial struggles, and many people experiencing mental health issues. The government needs to clearly communicate its intentions and show some level of consideration for all business owners and employees who may face further challenges in the year ahead.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a luxury country hotel on the outskirts of London that is seeking a food and beverage director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be overseeing the food and beverage outlets along with training and developing the heads of department. The main duties will include being responsible for the smooth running of all the food and beverage outlets along with the private events, managing and training staff to the highest level, working closely with all departments to ensure the best results are met, and assuming responsibility of the operations and financial results.” The salary is up to £65,000 and the position is based in Surrey. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

 

Licensing update: John Gaunt & Partners licensing solicitors has just published its latest licensing update. This month, partner Tim Shield comments on the high level of enforcement activity. He also highlights some of the current news stories. The full update can be accessed here.

 

Popeyes UK to double estate this year, to make transport hub debut: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick-service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, has confirmed plans to open 30 new sites across the country this year, including opening its debut transport hub site. The brand, which entered the UK in November 2021, currently has 38 locations, including five drive-thrus, plus seven delivery kitchens across the UK. The new openings will take its total number of restaurants to more than 60 by December. New restaurants in Ilford and Hammersmith will open today (Tuesday, 23 January) and Monday (29 January) respectively. Other openings this year include in Bishop Auckland, Exeter, Bury, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Nottingham, Swansea and Birmingham. The latter, which will be a delivery kitchen, will be the brand’s first site in the city. Popeyes, which is set to roll out its breakfast menu nationwide next month, will also open its first travel hub restaurant in London’s Waterloo station this year. The brand currently employs more than 2,300 people in the UK and, through the new openings, aims to generate a further 2,000 jobs across 2024. Tom Byng, chief development officer at Popeyes, said: “We opened our first store in November 2021, to huge hype and acclaim, and customer appetite shows no sign of slowing down. We’re excited to be giving even more people their first taste of New Orleans as we double our estate in 2024. We’re particularly proud of our geographical spread of expansion, including our first travel hub restaurant in Waterloo station.” Earlier this month, TDR Capital increased its shareholding in Popeyes UK, taking effective control from dual investor Ring International Holdings, which remains invested on a minority basis. Last year, parent company Restaurants Brands International said system-wide sales across Popeyes UK reached $39m (£31.4m) in the year to 30 June 2023. In a presentation on its brands – which include Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Firehouse Subs – the company said Popeyes in the UK had generated those sales from 26 sites, ranking it fifth among its international markets. When it launched in Britain, the business said it was planning 350 UK sites within ten years.

 

Ennismore lines up UK debut for Hyde brand among global 2024 pipeline of 15 new hotels and more than 50 restaurants and bars: Gleneagles and Hoxton hotels owner Ennismore has lined up a UK debut for its Hyde brand, among a global 2024 pipeline of 15 new hotels and more than 50 restaurants and bars. Hyde London City will open this summer in a grade II-listed building in Old Bailey, near the historic Central Criminal Court. It will have 111 rooms set across seven storeys, a Turkish restaurant and a subterranean cocktail and record bar. Also launching in mid-2024 will be an opening in Edinburgh for Ennismore’s The Hoxton brand, located in the city’s Haymarket neighbourhood, featuring 214 rooms, a restaurant, event spaces and three-bedroom self-contained apartments. New restaurants opening this year will include Japanese-influenced Niko at Hyde and neighbourhood Italian restaurant Patatino at The Hoxton Edinburgh. Elsewhere, it will be opening hotels in Vienna, Jakarta, Copenhagen, Nice, Dubai and Barcelona, plus resorts and venues in Istanbul, Jeddah, Dubai and Paris. A new “Dis-loyalty” scheme will see guests benefit from 50% off all new Lifestyle Collection hotel openings in the first three months and 10% off at restaurants and bars; plus 20% off for first-time stays at 80-plus hotels, 10% off return visits and a free barista-made drink every day of the year. Gaurav Bhushan, co-chief executive of Ennismore, said: “Ennismore has a unique position within the industry with an eco-system of experiences built around hotels, all-inclusive resorts, restaurants and bars, branded residences and co-working. Our growth over the next few years shows us that there is a strong desire and demand for lifestyle and leisure brands in all regions.” Ennismore – a joint venture with Accor in which Accor holds a majority shareholding – has an existing network of 144 hotels and resorts, 77 “iconic venues” and more than 300 restaurants and bars.

 

Fireaway closes crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £530,000: Fast pizza brand Fireaway, the Mario Aleppo-led business, has closed its crowdfunding campaign after securing £532,336.45 from 904 investors. The new funding will be used to expand its central operations and brand reach and enhance its technology platform. Fireaway, which has 166 sites, has been offering 2.47% equity in return for the investment, giving the business a pre-money valuation of £20,049,056. “A huge thank you to everyone that has invested and wants to be part of our exciting future as we take over the pizza industry,” the business said. “All funds will be invested in growing our business and generating additional value for investors. 2024 is set to be another bumper year for Fireaway as we continue to open new stores, both locally and globally, as well as innovate our menu and tech stack.” Last week, Fireaway reported a record December, which it said followed a 32% like-for-like increase in total franchise store sales for the 12 months ending December 2023. Fireaway features in the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The database is updated every two months, and the latest version features 225 businesses. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

The Pig Hotels owner to open first pub: Home Grown Hotels, the parent company of Pig Hotels, is to open its first pub this summer after acquiring Barnsley House, a luxury spa hotel in the Cotswolds which has its own pub. Next month, The Pig team will start work to turn the property into an operation reminiscent of The Pig concept, with a view to opening this summer as “The Pig and The Village Pub”. Called The Boot, the pub that comes as part of the package is described on Barnsley House’s website as a “Cotswolds country inn, with hearty pub fare that’s a cut above what you might expect”. It also promises a selection of “premium wine and classic beer”, with the latter served in “bespoke pewter tankards”. Home Grown Hotels chairman Robin Hutson said: “We are thrilled to have acquired Barnsley House, it has been in my peripheral vision for many years as a possible acquisition, always thinking it would make a perfect Pig, and we are excited to have our first pub too.” Since Denver-based private equity firm KSL Capital Partners acquired a stake in parent company Home Grown Hotels in April 2022, The Pig has added two further sites to take its portfolio to ten. The Pig on the Farm is due to open at 16th century farmhouse Thornton Manor, in Stratford-upon-Avon, this year, while The Pig at Groombridge will open in a moated manor house on the East Sussex/Kent border in 2025.

 

The Electric Group reports record profit as audience numbers increase for live music, eyes further expansion: The Electric Group, which operates some of the UK’s leading music venues, has reported record profit as audiences return in numbers to live musical performances. The business – which owns music venues in London, Bristol, Newcastle and Sheffield – said it had seen its profit almost double in 12 months. It recorded profit of just over £1m (Ebitda £1,042,849) in the financial year 2022. The company, which is a is a joint venture between co-founders Dominic Madden and Jake Lewis, said: “The following year, as the demand for live music performances rocketed, the company recorded profit of almost £2m for the financial year 2023 (Ebitda: £1,975,413). The year before covid (FY2019) the company posted Ebitda profit of £1,461,412. These positive figures reflect the company’s earnings at just two of its venues. Since then, other Electric Music Group venues have opened or are in the process of opening. The success is great news for the live entertainment industry as a whole and shows footfall has actually increased way beyond expectations.” The Electric Group said it is now looking to expand its operations across the UK at select venues in and out of London. The business, which operates venues including Electric Brixton, SWX Bristol and NX Newcastle, and owns the freehold of the Leadmill in Sheffield, said it is currently assessing the viability of three new venues that fit its criteria and expansion plans in 2024-25. It also said that plans are underway for a refurbishment to keep the Sheffield Leadmill “at the heart of culture in the city for years to come”. Electric Group said it invested £7m in extensive refurbishments of Bristol’s SWX and Newcastle’s NX in 2022. Madden said: “We are delighted with the outstanding financial results of our company. Although we have had some unique challenges to deal with in the post covid era, including dealing with the catastrophic arson attack at SWX Bristol, the demand for live music and our curated approach to music programming of events is unabated. We look forward to the continuing organic development and success of all our venues.”

 

Seven Bro7thers closes Liverpool site ‘for foreseeable future’: Manchester brewer and retailer Seven Bro7hers has closed its Liverpool beerhouse but said it could reopen the site, in Wolstenholme Square, at a future date. The site opened in May 2022, its fourth beerhouse in its portfolio and the first expansion outside its home city. However, a notice on the Liverpool site’s portal on the company’s website reads: “Unfortunately, we are closed for the foreseeable future.” The company blamed rising costs, inflation, and “the lack of government support for the hospitality sector”. In a statement, co-founder Keith McAvoy told The Business Desk: “In this current economic climate, we have to consider our business as a whole and review the success and affordability of all of our sites – we have now taken the unfortunate decision to temporarily close our Liverpool beerhouse. With rising costs, inflation and the lack of government support for the hospitality sector, for the time being, remaining open isn’t sustainable. We have not ruled out reopening in the future.” The company’s four other beerhouses, and two pop-up locations, remain open. Seven Bro7hers was founded in 2014 by McAvoy and his brothers, Guy, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit and Greg, inspired by their dad’s home brewing in their cellar. The brothers run beerhouses in Middlewood Locks, Salford and Ancoats, in Manchester, and also operate a taproom bar in their brewery. In July 2020, they opened a bar at Manchester airport’s T2 departure lounge, and in May 2021, they opened a beerhouse in the heart of MediaCityUK.

 

Tiger Tiger owner begins disposal of sites to improve profitability, makes £15m loss: Bar, restaurant and nightclub operator Eden Gardens Entertainment, which owns London nightclub Tiger Tiger, said it has begun a programme of disposal of some of its sites to improve profitability, with some negotiations at advanced stages, as at December 2023. It comes after the business – which also operates Zoo Bar in London, Cargo in Leeds and Florpia in Manchester – made a pre-tax loss of £15,461,533 in the period from 1 December 2021 to 31 December 2022, compared with a profit of £408,419 in the year to 30 November 2021. Administrative expenses rose by almost £9m to £20,235,235 while costs grew by more than £2m to £4,382,330. Turnover was up from £13,139,337 in 2021 to £22,389,353 in the period. No dividends were paid (2021: £280,000). Government grants of £16,609 were received compared with £608,599 in 2021. 

 

US-inspired burger concept opens seventh site: US-inspired burger concept 12th Street Burgers has opened its seventh site, at Chatham Maritime Marina in Kent. The restaurant, at Unit 7 on Jetty 5, Chatham Quays Dock Head Road, joins its other sites in Milton Keynes, Southend, West Ealing, Collier Row, Enfield and Wood Green. The restaurant has covers for 55 diners and also offers takeaway and delivery. 

 

GuestHouse to open fourth hotel this summer alongside third site for new restaurant concept: Boutique hotel group GuestHouse – owned by brothers Tristan, James, and Tom Guest – will open its fourth hotel this summer, alongside a third site for its new restaurant concept. The hotel will open at 124 Kings Road in Brighton, which will also be the next location for the group’s Pearly Cow restaurant brand, which launched last year at its York and Margate hotels. It comes after the business saw its turnover increase from £4,117,000 to £6,211,000 during the year to 31 March 2023 from the opening of its second hotel. During the year, in December 2022, the group opened its second hotel, in York, adding to its debut site, in Bath. Post year-end, it opened a third hotel, in Margate, to be followed by the Brighton site this summer. The group also reported its pre-tax losses grew during the period, from £3,131,000 to £3,675,000, due to ongoing investments into the group. It received no government grants compared with £151,000 in 2022. No dividends were paid (2022: nil). Tristan Guest said: “Group turnover levels increased mostly as a result of the opening of a second hotel. Net losses also increased due to continued investment in the group. This includes significant investment in the operating entities as well as the ongoing development of new sites. The GuestHouse hotels boast excellent restaurants and bars. Capitalising on this, the group has launched a new restaurant concept, trialled initially in York, with the idea of creating destination restaurants. Management is attentive to arising potential growth opportunities and is open to appropriate expansion.”

 

Flying Horse lines up fourth London site: London all-day brunch concept Flying Horse is to open a fourth site in the capital. The business, which was founded by Jack Bradshaw and Phillip Way in 2018, will open at Holywell Lane, in Shoreditch. The company opened its first site in Hackney before opening further sites in White City in 2019, and on the corner of Golborne Road and Portobello Market in 2021.

 

Cumbria McDonald’s franchisee sells all 13 restaurants following founder’s death and makes almost £10m profit on disposal: Cumbria McDonald’s franchisee HBN Restaurants has sold all 13 of its restaurants following the death of its founder and made almost £10m profit on the disposal. The business was founded in 1985 by Chris Nicholls, who joined the company as a trainee manager in Manchester in 1985, rising through the ranks to operations manager for the north west, where he was responsible for 50 restaurants. In 2001, Nicholls acquired his first restaurant, in Carlisle, and grew his estate to 13, mainly in Cumbria. Nicholls passed away in May 2022, at which point his widow, Sue Nicholls, became sole director. In the company’s accounts for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2023, the business said the director had agreed to sell all its restaurants. Seven of these were disposed of by way of a contract dated 30 March 2023, and post year-end, the remaining six were sold on 24 April 2023. “The director is considering options for continuing the business operations of the company by reviewing different ventures that are currently available,” the business said. The accounts included £9,839,435 gain on disposal of operations, with its pre-tax profit climbing to £9,619,607 during the period from £5,412,847 in the year to 31 December 2021. Turnover rose from £48,785,240 to £67,576,293. Costs rose by more than £15m and administrative expenses by more than £8m. Dividends of £1,873,028 were paid (2021: £817,183). No government grants were received compared with £97,534 in 2021. 

 

Team behind Madre concept to open new Manchester restaurant: The team behind the Madre restaurant in Manchester is set to open a further venue in the city this spring. Medlock Canteen will open in the South Tower, Deansgate Square, in the city’s Owen Street. The new restaurant is inspired by “down-to-earth American diners and Parisian bistros with a menu centred around dishes ‘you know and love to eat’.” Madre, the taco restaurant and bar concept from the founders of the Liverpool restaurants Belzan and Volpi and London’s Breddos Tacos, opened a permanent site in Manchester last summer, in the city’s Chorlton Street, as part of the Kampus scheme. The Madre collaboration started in 2018, when Belzan founders Sam Grainger, Owain Williams and Chris Edwards hosted a collaboration event with Dudhia and Chris Whitney, of Breddos Tacos in Liverpool, which sold out in less than an hour. Since then, Madre has been operating at the Escape to Freight Island food hall and entertainment complex in Manchester.

 

One Devonshire Gardens head chef set to launch first solo venture: Gary Townsend, head chef at Glasgow’s three AA Rosette One Devonshire Gardens for the last six years, is set to launch his first solo restaurant venture. He will launch Elements in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden, in the former Monadh Kitchen site at 19 New Kirk Road, this spring. The 40-cover restaurant will serve an evolving tasting menu and á la carte option for evening service, with the addition of a smaller four course menu at lunch. It will also have a carefully curated wine list featuring new and old-world wine, including organic and vegan bottlings, as well as a selection of premium non-alcoholic offerings. “Opening my own restaurant has been a lifelong dream and has taken nearly two years of planning,” Townsend said. “My vision for Elements was always for us to be situated in the heart of a welcoming and tightknit community. Bearsden has always felt like my home from home, and I couldn’t think of a better location for us to be in.” Townsend has also worked in the kitchens at the likes of L’Enclume, Restaurant San Bains, Hibiscus, The Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart and the Michelin-starred Cameron House.

 

Former ‘best chef in Italy’ makes UK restaurant debut: Emanuele Pollini, voted best chef in Italy by Italian food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso in 2020, has made his UK restaurant debut. Pollini, who has worked under Michelin-starred chefs such as Vincenzo Cammerucci, Martin Berasategui and Carlo Cracco, has launched Pollini at Ladbroke Hall, at 79 Barlby Road in west London. The 65-cover restaurant showcases Italian cuisine influenced by Pollini’s childhood on the Adriatic Coast and the Alps. The à la carte menu consists of stuzzichini, antipasti, primi and secondi, and there is also a set ‘Artist Lunch’ menu offering two courses for £24 and three courses for £28. Highlights from this include Prosciutto Di San Daniele Nebrodok (24-month aged ham from Siciliy) and Pesto Di Cicerchia (Umbrian wild chickpea purée, baby radish and spring onion oil). Other dishes include Lasagna della Graziella, a contemporary interpretation of his mother’s classic lasagna, and Fritto Misto di Mare, a fried assortment of fish, red mullet, plaice, baby squid and wild tiger prawn served with caper aioli. There is also a wine menu curated by sommelier Romain Audrerie, and specialist cocktails. Ladbroke Hall also hosts sell-out Friday Jazz Dinners with an exclusive Pollini set menu, while this spring will see the opening of a garden and alfresco terrace.

 

Blend Family to open flagship food hall in Sheffield this spring: Blend Family, the team behind Liverpool’s GPO food market and Kargo MKT in Salford’s Media City, has begun work on its fifth site, the Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield. Set to open this spring, the site, which is situated at Henry’s Corner in the centre of Sheffield, will feature a new food hall, cookery school and rooftop bar. The food hall will be run by the Blend Family, which is also behind Sheffield’s Cutlery Works food court and the award-winning former Milestone gastropub. Independent Sheffield food and drink companies will be trading on-site, with the intention of showcasing local pop-up chefs and vendors.⁠⁠ Blend Family, formerly Milestone Group, was founded by Matt Bigland alongside his wife and business partner, Nina Patel Bigland.⁠ Matt Bigland said he was keen to showcase Asian cuisine within Cambridge Street Collective. He said: “In our top floor, along with a rooftop bar, we want to offer experiential dining. We’re aiming to bring in things that I’ve seen in China. It’ll be a bit like glamping with barbecues, hotpot and dim sum, and it’ll be fun.”