Kebhouze targets 15-20 London sites over next four years and eventual UK estate of 40-45 stores, aiming to be a ‘new kind of kebab chain’: Kebhouze, the international kebab house brand, has told Propel it is targeting 15-20 London sites over the next four years and an eventual UK estate of 40-45 stores. Kebhouze launched in Italy in December 2021 and has opened more than 20 stores there over two years, plus one in Spain. Kebhouze made its UK debut in December with its largest site yet, over three storeys in London’s Oxford Street, also offering interactive arcade games and table football. “We decided to move to the UK as kebabs are more ingrained into the UK culture due to the different demographics and it is more multicultural compared with Italy,” co-founder Giulio Paternò told Propel. “Our plan is to develop and expand all over the country and we hope to open a second site by the end of this year. I think we’ll need to open at least five in London before moving out, with the end of 2025 or start of 2026 for a first regional site. We’re looking to go into all parts of the UK but most will be in London. I think we can open 15-20 in London over the next four years – we’re focusing on launching in a new market for now, but after that, our growth will be faster. I think we can have up to 40-45 stores across the UK as kebabs are something you can put almost anywhere. There’s a vacuum in the market, we’ve seen the opportunity, and we want to take it.” Paternò said having launched in “one of the busiest periods of the year in one of the busiest streets in the world”, the store has been “packed since the first day” and had “amazing feedback”. He said: “We chose a busy high street and a three-storey store with a big mascot on the roof so it’d be very visible and easier to make people aware of our arrival. Of course, not all will be that big, but we’re currently looking at locations and are very well positioned in high streets and shopping centres. Opening a new brand in a city like London is not so easy because it’s full of so many brands and big chains that are key players all over the world – it’s like the Champions League of the food industry – but we are very happy because a lot of people have chosen to come to us. Our idea was to launch a new kind of kebab chain. We noticed there were very few kebab chains compared with burgers and pizzas, for example, but wanted to make it more similar to traditional fast food in terms of things like packaging. We also offer a kids meal and we’re aiming for a family-orientated format. Most importantly, we had some good feedback from the Muslim community in London.” Following this, and coinciding with the start of Ramadan, Kebhouze took the decision to move to a 100% halal menu. “All our kebab meats have always been halal, but in Italy we had a few ingredients that weren’t, which in London we have removed,” Paternò said. “We’re watching everything that happens in our London store for changes we might want to make to what we offer in Italy. We’re focusing on the UK and Italy as our main markets. France and the Netherlands could be good markets for us, and the US could be interesting, but not at the moment.”

Punch Pubs MD Robin Belither and COO Andy Spencer to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club members: Punch Pubs & Co managing director Robin Belither and chief operating officer Andy Spencer will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Tuesday, 14 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Spencer and Belither will talk about building the company’s managed partnerships division from scratch, the journey the division has been on, its successes, learnings and what comes next. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places. 

 

Premium Club members to receive next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality today: Premium Club members will receive the next edition of the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality today (Friday, 15 March) at midday. This month’s edition includes 866 companies and more than 232,000 words of content. There are 36 updated entries and 11 new companies. 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 Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Clubs members 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 that are Premium Club members 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 Premium Club 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 Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a restaurant business with sites in the UK and Europe that is seeking an operations director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The business is looking to open three sites in the USA, and therefore it is keen to get a business operator to grow into that role overseas. With a net turnover of more than £25m a year, this independent group is looking for an autonomous operations director with creative flair and genuine interest in building a long-term opportunity. You must come from a background in a luxury or high-profile restaurant business. As operations director, you will steer the business through a time of expansion, while not taking your eye off the existing, very strong operations. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial awareness and have been involved in openings, acquisitions and financial growth. You will work directly with the managing director, financial and commercial directors and you’ll be solely responsible for all operations, company image and delivery of product.” The salary is up to £190,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email stuart@corecruitment.com.

 

McDonald’s – opportunity is significant for ‘large, more satiating-type burger’, UK showing strong momentum: Ian Borden, McDonald’s chief financial officer, has said that the brand sees an opportunity around introducing a large burger on to its menu. Speaking at the UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference, Borden said: “I think it is worth highlighting the opportunity we see around a large burger. And it's a good example of how I think we are more precisely understanding consumer need and then getting after that consumer need and I’ll call it a one-way approach. So, we've tried to get after this opportunity for a number of years because we thought the opportunity was about a premium burger, which was wrong. And we weren’t successful. We now understand what the opportunity is for a large more satiating-type burger. That opportunity is significant. It's consistent across many of our large markets. And we have innovated a couple of products that we’re in the process of piloting. We're going to pilot those products in two or three of what we call market zeros. We're then going to – if those products work – scale one solution to that opportunity globally where in the past you would have seen us probably try and get after that opportunity in 20 different markets in 20 different ways and then you don't have the ability to build a global equity that you can drive at scale.” Borden said the business continued to see strong momentum in the UK. He said: “I think on the markets where we're seeing particularly strong momentum, I think those big markets would be Canada, Germany and the UK. I think if you look in Europe, which is obviously the centre point of where we own and operate markets, most of those mid-sized markets in Europe continue to perform really, really well.”

 

Canadian premium hot dog and chips brand planning UK launch starting with flagship London location: Canadian premium hot dog and chips brand New York Fries is planning a UK launch, starting with a flagship London location. Agent P-Three has been retained by the Toronto-based business to launch the brand in the UK, starting with a flagship in central London. New York Fries was first born as a stall in New York in 1983, with founders Jay and Hal Gould loving the fries so much they bought the Canadian rights and started building locations in food courts across Canada. The first Canadian location opened in 1984 and the brand now has more than 130 sites in Canada, the Middle East and US. In 2024, New York Fries returned to the US with locations in New York and New Jersey. The business is now seeking its first sites in London, with prime high footfall locations in London in addition to premium shopping centre food court locations top of the list. Harriet Gidney, director at P-Three, said: “Bringing an international brand to London is always fun and we are looking forward to securing flagship locations in high footfall locations for New York Fries. The brand is well loved on the other side of the Atlantic and we are sure they will get a great reception here too.” New York Fries described itself as a “premium fresh-cut fries and hot dog brand” that uses “the highest quality ingredients” and “differentiates itself by using unique cooking process that delivers fries fast and fresh”.

 

Des Gunewardena to open new concept in Canary Wharf: Des Gunewardena, co-founder and former chief executive of restaurant group D&D London, has signed a deal with Canary Wharf Group (CWG) to open a new concept in Canary Wharf in the fourth quarter of 2024. The new venture will see 9,500 square foot of space transformed into a venue comprising indoor restaurants and bars with private dining spaces, alongside outdoor terraces providing diners with views overlooking Canada Square Park. Further details are to be announced closer to the venue's planned opening. This will be the second new restaurant from Gunewardena since his departure from D&D, after the announcement last December of a new flagship restaurant, bar and event space at The Royal Exchange. Gunewardena said: “Canary Wharf is growing and it’s changing. No longer just about work, it is increasingly a part of London people are choosing to live, and to visit for its shops, restaurants, art and culture. This is why a number of leading restaurateurs have chosen to open here post-covid – and why I am very excited about becoming part of the Canary Wharf scene.” In 2023, Canary Wharf had more than 67.2 million people visit. This year, CWG said it continued to see strong growth and interest across retail, leisure, and hospitality with 97% occupancy and sales at an all-time high. Stuart Fyfe, managing director of retail, leisure and hospitality, CWG, said: “The past few years have been truly transformative for Canary Wharf, as it has blossomed into a dynamic and vibrant hub. We have enjoyed collaborating with Des, an icon of the industry, throughout this. We are absolutely delighted to welcome his innovative new concept, which will undoubtedly enrich the area's already fantastic food and drink scene. With Des’ experience and his amazing vison for the new concept, it is guaranteed to be a huge success. We look forward to developing our long-term relationship with this exciting new project.”

 

Stonegate hires new operations director for Craft Union division, introduces bingo concept at Slug & Lettuce sites: Stonegate, the UK’s biggest pub company, has hired a new operations director for its Craft Union division, Propel has learned. Lucy Barker joins from Punch Pubs, where she spent four and a half years in the same role, and where she was responsible for 250 leased and tenanted pubs in the south. She previously spent a year with Bourne Leisure as head of food and beverage business development, four years with Casual Dining Group as operations director, and five years with Whitbread in various roles including senior change programme manager, central operations project manager and regional operations manager. In November. Stonegate chief executive David McDowall told Propel the business is very proud of the performance of its Craft Union division and that the business was opening “eight or so a month” under the format. He added: “The model is working well and we’re at circa 560 at the moment. There’s quite significant growth still. Craft Union is about value, sport and community. When we get that right, and when we select and partner with the right operator, the model is an absolute dream. We’re very excited about continuing to do more.” Meanwhile, Stonegate’s Slug & Lettuce brand has introduced a bingo concept to selected sites. The “Flamingo Bingo” nights are taking place on selected Fridays each month at 18 venues across the UK. Flamingo Bingo features classic bingo ball machines and a DJ set “to get guests up and dancing”. Entry is free, but guests are encouraged to book in advance, as spaces are limited. Becky Southern, head of marketing for Slug & Lettuce, said: “Our goal is to provide guests with a unique blend of bingo and fun late-night entertainment and a chance to come together to experience something different and exciting on their Friday nights out.”

Deliveroo boss says food price inflation easing after takeaway costs climbed, strikes causing ‘minimal impact’: Deliveroo chief executive Will Shu has said the “weight of inflation” is starting to reduce, after the company revealed that higher food prices helped drive up average takeaway spending. Speaking following the company’s full-year results, Shu said some consumers started viewing food delivery as non-essential when the cost-of-living crisis worsened. He told the PA news agency: “At the end of the day, what happened last year and at the tail end of 2022 is that things got unaffordable for certain segments of consumers. They want food delivery, but what was a regular way of living their lives became somewhat discretionary.” Food inflation was outpacing wage inflation by about two to one, which squeezed consumer spending power, he said. But he said “the weight of inflation is coming down and it is now getting closer to parity with wage inflation”, which would be “positive” for the group. The average cost per takeaway order increased by 6% from £22.90 to £24.30, which was due to price inflation and optimising consumer fees last year. Shu also claimed Deliveroo has not been affected by delivery riders going on strike in recent weeks over pay and working conditions. He said the strikes were sector-wide, and added: “We think the vast majority of riders worked and wanted to work, therefore we experienced minimal impact.” But he stressed that the company takes “very seriously” any issues raised by riders. “We have a rider engagement team, we meet with riders in person, we also work with the GNB Union to make sure riders have a formal voice in the company,” he said. Deliveroo, which operates in ten countries and works with around 135,000 riders across the world, has faced court battles over the employment status and rights of its riders. In the UK, the Supreme Court ruled last year that riders are not employees of Deliveroo, and therefore are not workers entitled to trade union rights such as collective bargaining. The group reported narrowed losses in 2023 to £31.8m from £294.1m. It said the number of orders decreased by 3% year-on-year to 290 million, But the annual gross transaction value, which means the total cost of people’s food baskets plus delivery and consumer fees, rose by 3% to £7.1bn.

Danieli Group secures Wigan site for Stack concept: North east operator Danieli Group has secured a site in Wigan for its fast-growing Stack concept. Stack, which repurposes empty buildings along with building container village outlets, is to take over the former Debenhams store at Wigan’s Grand Arcade. The proposed development will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 people and will offer a mix of bars and street food outlets, as well as providing a range of live music and entertainment. The plan will see the creation of a new frontage on to Concert Square and will create 140 jobs. “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Stack to Wigan,” said Stack managing director Neill Winch. “The Grand Arcade is a stunning location with a rich history, and we believe that Stack will be a perfect fit for its vibrant atmosphere and growing community. We are committed to creating a space that not only entertains but also fosters a sense of belonging and community, and we can't wait to welcome Wigan residents and visitors through our doors.” Launching in Newcastle in 2018, Stack is currently operating at Seaburn in Sunderland but has openings in Lincoln, Manchester, Durham, Northampton, Carlisle and Bishop Auckland in the pipeline, as well as two outlets planned in Newcastle. Last month, Danieli Group posted sales of £11.34m for the year ended 30 April 2023 in a period that saw it restructure ahead of a national roll-out for the Stack format. The original Stack in Newcastle’s Pilgrim Street closed in 2022 to make way for the new HM Revenue & Customs office development.

Claude Bosi opens neighbourhood French bistro concept in London’s Chelsea: Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi has opened his new neighbourhood French bistro concept in London’s Chelsea. Bosi and wife Lucy have launched Josephine at 315 Fulham Road having previously agreed a deal with landlord the Sloane Stanley Estate. The 2,633 square-foot restaurant space pays homage to the Bosi family, offering classics such as French onion soup, Oeuf en geleé, Salade Lyonnaise, and Leek Vinaigrette. A variety of wine is also on offer, including Josephine’s very own label and a rotating monthly wine speciality. The 76-cover space includes a semi-private dining area, seating up to 20 guests. Claude Bosi said: “We're incredibly excited to bring a little piece of Lyon to Chelsea with the opening of Josephine. This restaurant is a very personal project for us, an ode to my grandmother and the traditional Bouchons of Lyon that have always held a special place in our hearts. With Josephine, we hope to create a welcoming space that we hope locals, Londoners, and friends from afar will want to keep coming back to.” Claude Bosi is also behind two Michelin-starred Fulham restaurant, Claude Bosi at Bibendum; Socca, a French-Mediterranean restaurant in Mayfair; and Brooklands, the rooftop restaurant and bar at The Peninsula London. Miles Commercial and Levy Real Estate represent the Sloane Stanley Estate. 

JKS hires new MD for retail range: JKS Restaurants has hired a new managing director of UK and international markets for its retail range, Gymkhana Fine Foods, which launched in October. Ishen Paran joins from oat drink company Oatly, where over six years he built the UK team from scratch, taking the brand from £8m to £100m-plus in net revenue and establishing oat milk across the UK. Before that, he spent four years helping to take Bear from a challenger to number one within the kid’s fruit snacking category. Gymkhana Fine Foods offers a range of premium Indian products from two-Michelin star Indian restaurant Gymkhana, in London’s Mayfair. The brand also launched nationwide with Ocado at the end of 2023 with Ocado and closed a $3m seed funding round, led by CAVU Consumer Partners, to further help its retail expansion internationally. Paran said: “Gymkhana Fine Foods has created an unrivalled retail proposition, from product quality to brand authenticity and relevance. The brand's retail positioning to date shows a positive incremental impact on the category – this without fully activating the potential of the brand and future innovation. It is incredibly exciting to be joining at the start of this journey and I can’t wait to help build a great team and culture so we can deliver on the mission to re-imagine Indian food at home.”

 

Family-owned Cheshire hotel business owes almost £14m to creditors, several expressions of interest received for marketed sites: Family-owned Cheshire hotel business Flat Cap Hotels, which went into administration in January, owes more than £14m to its creditors, new documents have revealed. There have also been several expressions of interest received for its two sites marketed by administrators Begbies Traynor – The Vicarage in Cranage and The Bridge in Prestbury – ahead of today’s deadline (Friday, 15 March). According to a new report by the administrators, Flat Cap Hotels’ secured creditor, Europa UK Debt III (Lux), is owed about £13.5m. It said Europa will receive a distribution but there will be a multimillion-pound shortfall, reports Insider Media. A statement of affairs document put together by the directors estimates unsecured creditors total almost £350,000, including about £259,000 owed to trade creditors who are not expected to make a recovery. Flat Cap was founded by brothers Oliver and Dominic Heywood, the third generation in a family line of hotel owners, in 2015. Their third site, The Courthouse in Knutsford, has ceased trading. The administrators have previously said that the business, established with the aim of safeguarding grade II-listed venues in Cheshire, entered administration due to a “challenging economic environment”.

 

Sheffield bakery and cafe business set for growth after rescue from administration: Sheffield bakery and café business Forge Bakehouse is set for growth after being rescued from administration last year. The business, which has four sites plus a bakery in Sheffield, was restructured in December, with CPLG, headed by original Forge Bakehouse owner Craig Guest, at the helm. It has now taken on more than 20 new team members to meet increased demand, and Liva Guest, who runs the business in partnership with husband Craig, expects the workforce to keep growing as the business continues to grow. “We are very pleased to be able to say that we now have a team that is empowered to take Forge Bakehouse to the next level,” she told Insider Media. “Throughout 2024, we will be launching some exciting new business collaborations with other well-established city businesses, which will strengthen our business as we continue to grow. We are featuring the same high-quality ingredients we used when Forge Bakehouse first launched more than 11 years ago, and we are equally proud that we are creating the next generation of Sheffield specialist bakers to work in collaboration with our amazing front of house teams.”

 

Young’s reopens Camden pub four years after acquiring it: Young’s has reopened The Constitution in Camden, north west London, four years after acquiring it. The St Pancras Way pub, which dates to 1858 and was acquired by Young’s from Pubs of Distinction 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 a new 32-cover rooftop terrace overlooking Regent’s Canal, complete with a retractable roof. Young’s chief executive Simon Dodd said: “After four years of waiting, Young’s is really excited to be opening The Constitution in Camden. The team has not only restored its heritage but has also evolved it for the many years ahead. It holds a special place for me as it was the first acquisition I made in Young’s.”

Drinks company AG Barr to cut up to 160 jobs as part of business overhaul: Drinks company AG Barr is to cut up to 160 jobs as part of an overhaul of its operations. The business said the roles will be cut through the closure of direct sales operations at three sites across the UK and the closure of the Leeds office for its energy drink brand, Boost. AG Barr said it is changing how it sells its products to independent retailers and convenience stores following a review. It will shift from its current telesales-supported model of delivering directly to store, towards a field sales operation through its existing wholesale channels. As a result, it plans to close Barr Soft Drinks direct sales operations at its sites in Moston, Greater Manchester; Wednesbury near Birmingham; and Dagenham, east London. The move will hit up to 160 jobs, and is expected to be completed by the end of June. The company also expects to create a number of new field sales roles, it said. The company said it also plans cuts as part of a shake-up at Boost, the energy drinks business it bought in December 2022 for up to £32m. AG Barr said it plans to integrate Boost into its Barr Soft Drinks operation by the end of the year, in a move which will affect 35 workers and shut Boost’s Leeds office. “The proposals are subject to full and proper consultation with impacted employees over the coming months,” AG Barr added. “The company will do everything possible to support those affected throughout the process.”

Parkdean Resorts signs Age-friendly Employer Pledge: Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has become the first holiday park operator to sign the Age-friendly Employer Pledge, a nationwide programme for employers who recognise the importance and value of older workers. Established by the Centre for Ageing Better, the programme was launched to make workplaces more age-friendly and aid sector-wide skills shortages in light of record vacancies. By signing the pledge, Parkdean Resorts has committed to take action where necessary to ensure that its recruitment, development and retention procedures are inclusive for those looking to get back into work or kickstart a new career later in life. The business already works with the Department for Work and Pensions to welcome over-50s to its 66 UK holiday parks to learn about careers with Parkdean Resorts, followed by customer service training and a guaranteed interview. Additionally, it is now a member of Rest Less, the digital community for 50 to 70-year-olds, and advertises all its vacancies on the platform. Becky Cain, well-being and inclusion manager at Parkdean Resorts, said: “With over-50s making up 21% of our workforce, we’re delighted to be signing the Age-friendly Employer Pledge to showcase the huge amount of experience, knowledge, and mentorship they bring to the team. Whether they’re looking to get back into work after time out or are after a whole new career, we can offer over-50s all the support and training they need to succeed. You don’t need years of experience to work at our parks – just reliability, a can-do attitude, and the drive to work as part of a team.” Last month, Propel exclusively revealed that Parkdean had appointed Kirk Davis as its new chief financial officer, succeeding Ian Kellett.

Loch Lomond hotel invests £2m in new restaurant, deli and food shop: Cameron House, the five-star resort in Loch Lomond, is to open a new restaurant. Launching on Monday (18 March), La Vista will offer “modern all-day dining” alongside a deli and food shop. Formerly The Boat House, Cameron House has invested £2m in transforming the space with a 138-cover restaurant, informal Mercato with a dining area for 50 guests and a private dining room for up to 24 people. An alfresco terrace launching in the summer will provide an additional 120 covers. Head chef Mark Pawsey’s menu will “celebrate authentic Italian cuisine and feature dishes rooted in traditional recipes executed with modern flair”. The menu will be divided into small aperitivo plates and cicchetti, larger signature mains, handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza. Accompanying the menu will be a concise list of crafted cocktails and spritz, including a dedicated negroni menu, and an extensive wine list including some from select Italian regions. The Mercato will offer an array of Italian produce and bespoke hampers, from store cupboard ingredients to cured meat and Italian cheese alongside wine from 200-year-old winemaker, Tosti1820. Michael Lavizani, resort director at Cameron House Resort, said: “We are delighted to unveil our newest dining experience, La Vista, at Cameron House. Reflecting on the rich history of the estate, the restaurant takes inspiration from the breath-taking vistas of Loch Lomond and the adventures of Tobias Smollett, the renowned Scottish author whose family once owned Cameron House hotel. La Vista celebrates the vibrant culinary heritage of Italy, curated by our skilled chefs and management team.”

 

Apple Butter Cafe concept opens second site: All-day-dining concept Apple Butter Cafe has opened its second site. Owned by Qatar-based hospitality company Adara Group, Apple Butter Cafe launched its first site in Monmouth Street, in London’s Seven Dials, in 2020. Propel revealed in November that Apple Butter Cafe had secured a site at 4-5 Langham Place, near Oxford Circus, for its second venue, which has now opened. Offering an all-day dining experience, the venue has 75 seats and includes its signature apple tree installation planted in the centre of the space. Founded by brothers Saleh and Mohammad Alayan alongside Faycal Abdel Khalek, the concept offers “a signature blend of speciality coffee, gourmet delights and Middle Eastern-inspired desserts”. The Adara Group also operates a number of coffee shops in the Middle East. Zack Azulay, of Restaurant Property, acted on the Langham Place deal.

Wigan to get new Hampton by Hilton hotel as part of £135m shopping centre redevelopment: Wigan is set to get a new Hampton by Hilton hotel as part of a £135m redevelopment of a former shopping centre. The 144-bedroom hotel will be included in the redevelopment of what was the Galleries Shopping Centre after development partner Cityheart signed a franchise agreement with Hilton. The six-storey hotel will be located off Market Street in Wigan’s town centre and will be managed and operated by Leaf Hospitality. The hotel will also feature a gym overlooking the new square plus dining space on the ground floor. Graham Dodd, managing director development at Hilton UK & Ireland, said: “Our partnership with Wigan Council marks an exciting new chapter, as part of Hilton’s growing presence in the north west. We were impressed by the council and Cityheart’s vision to provide a thriving new retail, leisure, commercial and residential destination and are excited to be part of Wigan’s transformation.”

Welsh fitness instructor opens second gym and plans further launches: Welsh fitness instructor Jamie Bowen, from Conwy, has opened his second gym and plans further launches. Bowen started out with a mobile fitness instruction business during lockdown, storing and shipping equipment out to customers for use at home. Once restrictions eased and demand, he opened Ignite gym in Llandudno’s Oxford Road. A second site has now been established in Church Road in Rhos on Sea, and further new openings are on the cards. Bowen told Insider Media he sold is car to fund his first unit and that the business had “snowballed from there”. He added: “This year has really started well. January is always a really busy time, and we get people of all ages.”

 

Petersham Nurseries battling to save its evening opening: Petersham Nurseries, in Richmond, south west London, has appealed against a council order that would block evening opening. It follows a protracted 18-year stand-off between the restaurant and Richmond Council, reports Hardens. For some years, Petersham Nurseries has offered candle-lit supper club evening meals on a pre-booked basis after agreeing an “evening management plan” with the council. The venue has now launched a campaign to “Save Our Restaurant” and protect its employees’ jobs, calling on supporters to sign a petition. According to its website, the main objection to evening opening in what is primarily a residential area is the “perceived noise and disturbance from staff, customers and vehicles”. But, the restaurant said: “It is important to note that we have been hosting supper clubs under temporary licences for more than ten years and are not aware of any complaints or notifications of noise disturbances from neighbours or other members of the public to Richmond Council.” Petersham Nurseries once held a Michelin star under founding chef Skye Gyngell and has held a Green Michelin in recognition of its sustainable practices since 2021.

 

Former Culpeper Family Hospitality Group MD and head chef launches new Leeds neighbourhood bistro following £110,000 investment: Sandy Jarvis, former managing director and head chef at pub operator The Culpeper Family Hospitality Group, has launched a new neighbourhood bistro in Leeds following a £110,000 investment. He has opened Bavette in the former Little Monk restaurant and bar site at 4-6 Town Street in Horsforth after receiving the cash injection from Reward Finance Group. It is the first venture from Jarvis and his husband, restaurant manager and sommelier Clément Cousin, formerly of Brawn and The Buxton. Jarvis has also previously worked as a commis chef at Racine in Knightsbridge, while Cousin is a former restaurant manager at Family Hospitality Group, where he met Jarvis. “Having both worked in the hospitality industry most of our lives, we decided it was time to look into opening our own venture,” Jarvis said. “The bistro is ideally located in the centre of Horsforth's thriving bar and restaurant scene and will offer a seasonally led menu of dishes to cater for around 36 covers. We’re excited to have launched our first bistro and we plan to succeed in an area of business that we are hugely knowledgeable and passionate about.” Having opened the Culpeper, where he led the kitchen during the first 18 months as head chef, in 2014, Jarvis became a partner and joined the Culpeper Family Hospitality Group as operations director in 2017, before becoming the group’s first managing director a year later.

Award-winning bar concept Three Sheets opens second site: Multi-award-winning cocktail bar concept Three Sheets has opened a second site, in London’s Soho. Founded in 2016 by brothers Max and Noel Venning, Three Sheets opened its debut site in Dalston. The new site has opened in Manette Street. According to the brothers, the new spot – which opens in the morning for coffee and pastries before rolling into lunch, dinner and drinks – offers a different cocktail menu from its sister bar while retaining the pair’s signature style. To accompany the wine and cocktails, ex-Lyle’s chef and butcher William Blank has developed a menu of dishes that captures the “nostalgia of British classics” such as salt beef sandwiches, croquettes, triple cooked chips and fresh oysters. The original Three Sheets site in Dalston has been nominated as one of the top ten international cocktail bars for six years in a row at the “Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards”. In 2018, the brothers also launched local neighbourhood cocktail bar and restaurant Little Mercies in Crouch End. Tony Farley, of the Found Agency, acted on the Soho deal.

New Sunderland leisure scheme featuring restaurant from Hairy Bikers star to open this summer: A new Sunderland leisure and events scheme featuring a restaurant from Hairy Bikers star Si King is set to open this summer. The £2m Sheepfolds destination will launch in a grade II-listed former stables, housing eight individual operators plus large outdoor spaces. King will open his first permanent restaurant there, while coffee shop and brewing workshop concept Resinn and independent pizza company Scream for Pizza Group have also been confirmed as tenants. So too has Asian restaurant Hidden Lotus, from former Gordon Ramsay alumni Tamer Hassan, while other confirmed tenants include The Calabash Tree, Vito's Osteria, Speyside Distillery and Ember. Rochelle Richardson, financial director at BDN, the Sunderland business behind the scheme, said: “We have taken our time to deliver a venue that this city deserves – it is looking incredible and we can't wait to see the fitout move forward in time to open our doors this summer.”

New DoubleTree by Hilton hotel set to open at Sheffield United FC’s stadium this summer: A new DoubleTree by Hilton hotel is set to open at Sheffield United FC’s Brammall Lane stadium this summer. The DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield City hotel, from Leaf Hospitality, is expected to create 100 jobs and will be the third Hilton branded property in the area, joining DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park and Hampton by Hilton Sheffield. The 155-room hotel will include a penthouse suite, a fitness centre and events space for up to 300 guests, while a lounge bar will provide pre and post-match facilities for football fans. Richard Farrar, managing director of Leaf Hospitality, said: “We are delighted to embark on this exciting project at Bramall Lane on behalf the club. The DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield City conversion will elevate the hospitality experience for visitors and fans alike.” Stephen Bettis, chief executive at Sheffield United FC, added: “This new addition will further enhance the matchday experience for our supporters and contribute to the ongoing development of the S2 area.”

Plans approved to convert Liverpool’s former magistrates’ court into four-star boutique hotel with bar and restaurant: Plans to convert Liverpool’s former magistrates’ court into a four-star boutique hotel with a bar, restaurant and courtyard garden have been approved. VSHF Developments plans to breathe new life into the building that dates to about 1850 and fronts on to Dale Street. The property comprises the courthouse, built in 1855, and the fire station, built in 1897, which both span five floors. Under the plans, 91 bedrooms will be created, alongside a new-build containing 20-bedrooms, a garden lounge and a residents’ gym and sauna. A public bar and restaurant would front on to Dale Street, while former cells will be converted into bespoke themed short stay rooms. A series of function rooms will utilise the courtrooms on the first floor, reports Insider Media.