Story of the Day:
Former Hero Brands operations manager who helped grow GDK to 100-plus sites sees similar growth potential for Lucky B’s: Former Hero Brands group operations manager David Moffat, who helped grow German Doner Kebab (GDK) to 100-plus sites, has told Propel he sees similar growth potential for the new brand he is working with, Lucky B’s. Moffat, who also headed up operations at Hell Yeah Hospitality Group and was previously with the likes of Stonegate Group, Gondola Leisure and Crolla’s Gelateria, earlier this month became become head of franchising at Lucky B’s, a hot chicken concept based in Glasgow. Founded by friends Giancarlo Celino and Toni Dobrenko, it opened its debut site in the Giffnock area of Glasgow in September 2022 and is now preparing to open its first franchise site, on Paisley Road West in the city’s Cardonald area. “When I joined GDK it had nine sites and when I left it had more than 100,” Moffat told Propel. “If we get it right, we could open 100-plus Lucky B’s over five years. We have three in the pipeline and up to 25 expressions of interest. We’re in the final stages of securing a site in London and will also be opening in Birmingham and Bradford, we’ve had a lot of interest. We also hope to have a mobile unit in Glasgow up and running by the end of 2024. Giffnock is a test site and Paisley Road West will be the first franchise store. The first franchisees are a father and son team (Usman and Sohail Ghafu) who used to run four Subway stores in Glasgow, and they have three stores earmarked. We’re looking for single and multi-site franchisees and want to get in as an entry level brand for new franchisees, like GDK. We can offer take out only stores, dine in stores and food court/shopping mall kiosks. The menu is fully halal and works in all markets.” Celino, who runs three Catch Fish and Chips restaurants in Glasgow, and Dobrenko, who owns Toni’s Pizzeria in the city, came up with the idea for Lucky B’s when travelling in the deep south of the US, where “hot chicken” is huge. The chicken pieces are deep fried and trebled coated in hot sauce, with levels of spice then added as toppings. There are also plans to franchise Catch Fish and Chips next, under a parent company alongside Lucky B’s.
Industry News:
Peach Pubs brand director Chris Stagg to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club members: Chris Stagg, who heads up the Revolution Bars Group-owned Peach Pubs, 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. Stagg will speak about evolving and growing the business under new ownership, standing out in the premium pub market and creating an award-winning culture. 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.
Propel’s updated Multi-Site Database to be released on Thursday, 28 March, with seven category segmentation including 906 casual dining restaurant operators: The next Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate, providing details of more than 3,000 multi-site operators, will be released on Thursday, 28 March, at midday, to Premium Club members – and companies are now searchable in seven main segments. The database features 906 (30%) restaurant operators from the casual dining sector, 761 (25%) pub and bar operators, 504 (16%) cafe bakery operators, 415 (13%) quick service restaurant operators, 249 (8%) hotel operators, 188 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 52 (2%) fine dining restaurant operators. The database is updated each month – this edition includes 16 new companies and brings the total to 3,075. Premium Club 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 Hospitality. Plus, all 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 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 a supplier.
Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.
UKHospitality welcomes government’s £60m apprenticeships boost but urges further reform to a ‘structurally broken system’: UKHospitality has welcomed the government’s new £60m apprenticeships boost but urged further reform of what it says is a “structurally broken system”. Prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced a major package of reforms to support small business, including investing £60m in enabling 20,000 more apprenticeships, primarily for younger people. The government will fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses from 1 April by paying the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 21, which it said will reduce costs and burdens for businesses and deliver more opportunities for young people. It is intended that this will remove the need for small employers to meet some of the cost of training. From the start of April, the government will also increase the amount of funding that employers paying the apprenticeship levy can pass onto other businesses. Apprenticeships can currently be funded by a levy paying employer transferring up to 25% of their unused levy to a different employer. Under the new measures, large employers who pay the levy will be able to transfer up to 50% of their funds to support other businesses, including smaller firms, to take on apprentices. This will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hire more apprentices by reducing costs while unlocking more opportunities for young people. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The changes to apprenticeships announced are very positive. Removing the fee for non-levy payers and expanding the definition of SMEs will all benefit smaller businesses. Increasing the levy transfer amount to 50% will free up more funds to be used for training, rather than being left unused. Overall, there is much to be pleased about, and these changes will benefit both businesses and employees. However, the reality is that the entire apprenticeship system is structurally broken. The levy itself needs reform to allow businesses more flexibility with funding, and I would urge the government to make that a central pillar of its skills agenda.” Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, called the announcement a “welcome step forward” and also called for a “broader journey of reform”. She added: “It’s imperative we empower businesses, like our pubs and brewers, to fully utilise levy funds for growing and developing their workforce. This need is especially acute in the beer and pub sector, where a flexible, effective apprenticeship and skills levy can become a significant part of combatting the significant issues in recruitment we continue to face.”
BBPA – Martyn’s Law must ‘ensure safety of patrons without overly burdening low-risk venues’: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has said that new laws intended to scale up preparedness for terrorist attacks must “ensure the safety of patrons without overly burdening low-risk venues” such as countryside pubs. The BBPA was responding to the government’s consultation on Martyn’s Law, named in tribute to Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. The consultation, launched last month to seek feedback from businesses, came to an end yesterday (Monday, 18 March). Under the proposed law, premises will be considered “standard tier” if they have a capacity of 100 to 799 or “enhanced tier” with a capacity of 800 or more. The BBPA said it welcomed the “more proportionate approach” for standard tier venues but called for a risk-based approach to “ensure the safety of patrons without overly burdening low-risk venues, such as rural pubs, with unnecessary regulations”. The trade body said it would work with the government to ensure pubs have suitable security measures without adding “new layers of cost and regulation onto low-risk venues”. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “We fully support the objectives of Martyn’s Law and recognise the importance taking appropriate preparedness measures. It is also crucial though to consider the diverse landscape of our pubs, particularly those in rural areas with little chance of being targeted. We must ensure that any regulations introduced are proportionate and practical, avoiding unnecessary burdens on businesses already facing numerous challenges.” UKHospitality, in its response to the consultation last month, said Martyn’s Law must be enacted in a flexible way that gets the balance right between practicality and safety. Chief executive Kate Nicholls reiterated this, saying the government’s “commendable” approach to the standard tier should also be reflected in the enhanced tier so the law is “implemented in a more proportionate and less burdensome way for all venues”. She added: “There can be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to something as complex and important as this and we hope to continue working with the Home Office on developing sector-specific guidance at the relevant time.”
Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a luxury country estate and golf course in Hertfordshire that is seeking a head of sales. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be responsible for finding new business to add to their expanding portfolio and identify strategies to grow the business, develop strategic account plans, manage the sales team, attend networking events, work closely with local organisations, and more.” The salary is up to £70,000 and the position is based in Hertfordshire. For more information, email david@corecruitment.com.
Company News:
Stonegate Group hires MDs for Managed and Publican Partners businesses, Frazer Grimbleby promoted to Craft Union MD, Nick Andrews to retire: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has hired Carol Campbell as managing director of its circa 760-strong Managed business and Lee Reed as the new managing director of its circa 3,100-strong Publican Partners tenanted and leased division, as well as promoting Frazer Grimbleby to managing director for its circa 600-strong Craft Union business. Campbell was most recently retail director at Wickes and previously held senior roles at Walmart, Aldi and Woolworths, both in the UK and internationally. She will join the TDR Capital-backed Stonegate as managing director for its Managed business, which includes the Slug & Lettuce, Be At One and Popworld brands, as well as a large unbranded estate. Reed joins the company’s tenanted and leased division from Papa Johns, where he was senior operations director UK and international. Prior to this, he spent nearly a decade at KFC in a variety of roles, including director of franchise operations, and began his career with M&S. Grimbleby, meanwhile, has been promoted to the role of managing director for Stonegate’s Craft Union business, its operator-led managed format. Grimbleby has held several roles within the business, most recently as director of Craft Union. The company said that the managing director position is a new role reflecting the “continued strong growth of the Craft Union division and into which Stonegate is investing heavily as part of its conversion strategy”. All three will formally join the company’s operating board with effect from 8 April 2024. The appointments of Reed and Grimbleby to the operating board follow the decision by Nick Andrews to retire. Andrews has spent nearly a decade at Stonegate, having joined in 2015 to oversee the Managed Pub business and most recently led both the Craft Union and Publican Partners businesses. He also played a critical role in leading the integration of the legacy Stonegate and Ei Group businesses and has since been instrumental in driving the successful evolution of both Craft Union and Publican Partners. The company said Andrews will continue to play a key role in the business over the coming months to support a smooth handover. Propel revealed last month that Helen Charlesworth was to step down as managing director of Stonegate’s managed pub business at Stonegate Group. She will leave the business on 28 March after eight years with the group. David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Group said: “I am thrilled to announce these new hires and appointments to the operating board, which is a hugely significant and exciting milestone for our business. In Carol and Lee, we have hired exciting talent whose skills and experience from their respective sectors will provide a fresh perspective for our Managed and Pub Partners businesses. Frazer’s promotion is incredibly well-deserved and reflects stellar performance and the significant growth potential of the Craft Union business. I’d like to thank Nick for his considerable contribution to the business, in particular the work he has done to develop Craft Union, which is now so key to our overall growth strategy. He still has a critical role to play in our business over the months ahead before enjoying his well-earned retirement. Above all, the new operating board structure reflects the equal significance of our three business units, compliments our strategy and provides the right platform to deliver our new mission of ‘Bringing People Together through our passion for great pubs, bars, and venues’.
Stonegate features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £1,611,000,000 for the year ending 25 September 2022 is the seventh 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.
Six Company taking expansion ‘one site at a time’ where model generates 12-month ROI: Rob Wirszycz, chairman of Six Company, the company behind the Six by Nico restaurant business, has told Propel that the business is taking a step-by-step approach to the expansion of its core Six by Nico brand and sees additional roll-out opportunities for its “explore” concepts. The company currently operates 15 sites throughout the UK and Ireland under the Six by Nico brand (20 in total), with Oxford and a second Edinburgh opening in the first half of this year, followed by a further three in the second half. Wirszycz said: “The format is flexible for between 30-100 covers, but operationally, has to be on one floor with an open kitchen. We are providing a six-course food and drink experience served within two hours, turning out literally thousands of dishes and drinks, with each seat turning over four times a day. Our recent Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff openings are doing really well, designed on a ‘grand dining room’ approach that has been done down extremely well with customers, with each on track to deliver a return on investment in 12 months.” In terms of mapping out the UK for the brand, Wirszycz said the company is ambitious for growth but going “one by one”. He said: “With our Six by Nico database standing at over 900,000 and our ever-changing six-week menu cycle being 99% reservation driven, a big part of the future strategy is to ‘double up’ in cities after the successful launch of our second Manchester and Glasgow units.” As well as the Six by Nico expansion, the company has three new concepts – the Somewhere by Nico bar; brunch cafe Valaria; and Sole Club, a posh “chippie and speakeasy” small plate fish restaurant. These are being brought to market, initially in their home city of Glasgow. Wirszycz said: “We want to offer our Six by Nico customers additional experiences. As an example, we have spent two years developing Somewhere by Nico, an experiential cocktail-led similar model to Six by Nico with a fixed price, changing menu and so on. It opened this week in Glasgow, and we are completely sold out for the first eight weeks. We are excited to bring this to Edinburgh in early summer and three other locations by the end of the year.”
Des Gunewardena – new venture will focus on landmark sites, third venue to be announced next month: Des Gunewardena, co-founder and former chief executive of restaurant group D&D London, has told Propel that his new venture will focus on “landmark sites”. He said that there is still a ready supply of attractive sites in the capital and that his third new venue should be announced next month. Gunewardena left D&D London in September 2022 after 16 years with the business. Last December, he announced he is to open a new restaurant and bar venue at The Royal Exchange, in the City, this May. Last week, he announced he had signed a deal with Canary Wharf Group (CWG) to open a new concept in Canary Wharf in the fourth quarter of 2024, on the former D&D site, Plateau. Gunewardena told Propel: “For my first few ventures, London will be the focus, though I have considered and continue to review opportunities in other UK cities. The current property market in central London for strong and new restaurant concepts remains good for tenants. There is still a ready supply of attractive sites. Competition though is starting to increase, particularly from overseas operators in prime locations. My new group will continue to focus on what I know best, i.e., landmark sites. These tend to be larger. Our first venture will be at the Royal Exchange, which is around 6,500 square feet, including the new outdoor terrace in front of the building. Canada Square in Canary Wharf is a 9,500 square-foot space. And our third venture, which should be announced next month, will be substantially larger than that. All three new locations will feature not just restaurants but also bars, events spaces and live entertainment.” Gunewardena didn’t confirm what his new business would be called, although Propel understands he has trademarked the name The D3 Collective. He said: “I am building teams for each of the ventures with some key individuals, who are likely to be involved across all our venues. What I am not doing, however, is building a big head office. Central support functions will evolve only as and when our ventures need them.” On the opening in Canary Wharf, he said: “The food the venue will serve is different from anything that D&D (or indeed Conran) has done, and so is a new direction for me. The interior, I hope, will also be something special. We plan to announce more details about the food, design, people involved and so on when everything has been finalised.”
Nightcap share price remains flat following trading update: Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini and the Barrio Familia group of 46 bars – saw its share price remain flat following its trading update for the 26 weeks ending 31 December 2023. Its price remained flat at 4.16p per share at the close of the markets. On Monday morning, Nightcap said trading is expected to remain challenging for the remainder of the financial year before seeing a gradual recovery later in 2024. The company stated: “As announced on 20 February 2024, trading since the start of 2024 has been challenging, in line with reports from across the hospitality sector; we expect this to continue until the end of FY2024. We then expect the start of a gradual recovery later on this year as lower inflation, lower energy costs, lower interest rates and higher disposable income begin to embed in the economy and improve the financial outlook for our customer base. The group is trading in line with market expectations.” This followed Nightcap reporting revenue increased 42.1% to £33.4m for the 26-week period compared with £23.5m the previous year “driven by the acquisition of Dirty Martini, the successful collaboration with The Piano Works over the Christmas period and the maturing of sites opened in the previous year”. Adjusted Ebitda increased 5% to £2.1m from £2m the year before “despite the train strikes and higher than expected Dirty Martini integration costs”. Like-for-like sales fell 10.0% in the period, which the company said was largely due to the ongoing train strikes and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Pre-tax losses rose to £1.8m from £0.9m the year before.
Rosa’s Thai secures Bristol site: Rosa’s Thai, the TriSpan-backed business, has added to its 2024 openings pipeline after completing a deal on a site in Bristol. The Gavin Adair-led business, which recently opened its 40th site, in Richmond, on the ex-Bone Daddies site in Hill Street, will open on the corner of Baldwin Street and Marsh Street in Bristol, in what used to be a Co-Op shop and post office, later this year. Earlier this month, Propel reported that the business was set to open in Norwich after securing the split of the former Byron in the city’s Chantry Place. It is taking 3,100 square feet of space and joining the likes of Wagamama and The Real Greek on Chantry Square. It is thought that Franco Manca is taking the other part of the site. Rosa’s also has an opening in Cheltenham lined up – it will take on the ex-TM Lewin site at 16 Promenade in the town, with an opening scheduled for the end of the first half of 2024 – and a site in Reading. Thomas Rose, of P-Three, acts for Rosa’s.
Harts Group to add to Battersea Power Station presence with the opening of Two Drops site: Harts Group – the London restaurant company that owns Barrafina, Quo Vadis, Casa Pastor and Parrillan – is to open a further site at Battersea Power Station with the opening of bar concept Two Drops next month (26 April). Last week, the business confirmed its El Pastor site in Battersea will also open next month. Propel revealed in August 2023 that Harts Group would be opening the new site in Circus Road West in Battersea Power Station. It will have 63 covers in total. Inside will be a long bar with stools, high tables of eight designed to be shared, a drinking shelf to stand at and a reception area with wingback chairs. Outside will be a sheltered riverside terrace seating 20. Two Drops will build on the casual offering served at The Drop, the group’s neighbourhood bar serving wines, beers, baps and other items, within the Victorian stone arches of Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross. The business said: “At Battersea, the humble cheese toastie will take pride of place on the menu, whether as a bar snack, moreish lunch or speedy evening meal. Generously buttered sourdough slices will be filled with Jurarégal – a cheese made from raw cow’s milk in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France – and toasted until golden. Toastie fillings will include salt beef, pickled gherkin and horseradish; smoked haddock & English mustard; and marmite and shallot. Two Drops will also have a revolving special toastie, designed in collaboration with the team’s favourite chefs, brands or producers.” Crispin Somerville, managing director of The Drop, Quo Vadis and El Pastor, said: “In Two Drops, we are creating a cosy and welcoming bolthole where we’ve focused on all the details to make hunkering down here in day or night-time – hungry, thirsty or both – an absolute delight.”
Wild Tavern founders acquire third site: George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev, the co-founders of Mediterranean restaurant Wild Tavern, are set to open a third site for the concept, Propel has learned. The duo, who are also behind surf and turf restaurant group Burger & Lobster and steak chain Goodmans, opened the first Wild Tavern in Chelsea’s Elystan Street in December 2019. They followed that up with an opening in Notting Hill, at 202 Westbourne Grove, last year. Now Weinstein and Demichev have acquired the lease of 300 King’s Road in Chelsea, which was previously occupied by 28-50 Wine Bar & Kitchen, and before that better burger brand Byron. Restaurant Property is believed to have acted on the deal.
Pizza Pilgrims eyes debut site in Wales: Pizza Pilgrims, the pizzeria brand, is planning to open its first site in Wales after lining up an opening in Cardiff. The 24-strong, Imbiba-backed business hopes to open at 1-4 High Street, formerly home to RBS bank, on the corner with Duke Street, opposite Cardiff Castle. The Gavin Smith-led business is launching in London’s Euston in May and has “multiple other exciting locations agreed”. Last month, Tom Smith joined the business as its operations director. He joined from Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the US fried chicken quick-service restaurant brand, where for the past two years, as head of operations, he has overseen the opening of multiple restaurants. Smith also previously held senior roles at Tesla, Papa John’s, Starbucks and Greene King. Earlier this month, Pizza Pilgrims became a certified B-Corp. These are companies verified as meeting the high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. The company said: “After turning ten years old in August 2023, Pizza Pilgrims is embarking on the next stage of its exciting journey, with B-Corp at the heart of all that it does.”
KFC launches first lunchtime meal deal: KFC has launched its first lunchtime meal deal. Priced at £5.49, customers are able to choose between a Kentucky Mayo Twister Wrap or a Fillet Burger, a packet of Walkers MAX crisps or a milk chocolate chip cookie, and then either a carbonated drink or bottle of water. The deal is available Monday to Friday from opening until 3pm. KFC stated: “Love a KFC for lunch as much as we do, but during a work break? Good news! KFC is now workplace appropriate, for when finger lickin’ is not. Sure, we’re famous for our buckets and sharing meals, but we get it – sometimes you just need to grab and go. Whether you need a quick bite on the move or a sit-down snack, reward your taste buds with a super portable lunch deal at an awesome price. No mess, no stress. Just an amazing meal deal from £5.49 (weekdays only and until 3pm).” KFC said it has launched the deal following research that revealed despite 75% of commuters buying lunch during the working week, one in three people felt judged by their lunch choices. A further third of people also believe that buying from a quick service restaurant is not currently appropriate for lunch, with 11% of those who don’t buy a meal deal saying they would if their favourite restaurant offered one. Of those who buy lunch out at least once a week, nearly two-fifths (37%) buy a meal deal most of the time, and a similar proportion (39%) buy one occasionally. When it comes to meal deal options, 32% are looking for more hot food options and 29% want tastier food. More than two-thirds of lunch-goers (69%) prefer either crisps or cookies as their snack, which is why KFC said it is offering crisps or a cookie as part of the deal.
Luxury holiday park operator pays dividend of almost £60m following previous payment error post-acquisition, agrees loan extension: Luxury holiday park operator Haulfryn Group has paid a dividend of almost £60m following a previous payment error post-acquisition. In April 2022, the company was acquired by a newly established holding company, Suffolk Street Holdings (SSHL), at which point the company’s existing shareholders received one share in SSHL. In 2022, the group declared total dividends of £756,000, but following a payment error, both the group and its new parent company sought legal advice. They were advised that given the “unlawful nature of the 2022 distributions”, these may be susceptible to “a claim of reimbursement against the company’s shareholders and a claim of breach of duty against the company’s directors”. A resolution reached in February 2024 agreed to waive and release all claims in respect of the distributions and a dividend of £59,805,833 was approved. In its accounts for the year ending 31 January 2023, the company said the payments made in error were in breach of the facility agreement with its bank. “The bank continues to be supportive and have provided a waiver in respect of this breach,” director Patrick Howard said. “Furthermore, the facility agreement that existed at the year end, and was due to expire in September 2023, was renewed for a further two years from August 2023, with an option to extend for a further year by mutual agreement.” It comes as the business reported turnover of £42,141,000 for the period (including £10,986,000 from discontinued operations), down from £74,907,000 in 2022 (including £37,966,000 from discontinued operations). A pre-tax profit of £6,313,000 in 2022 (including £2,426,000 from discontinued operations) turned into a loss of £4,356,000 (including £1,698,000 from discontinued operations). “The reduction is as a result of the disposal of the trade and assets of 13 parks by the company on 25 May 2022 to Haulfryn Limited, at the time a company under common control,” Howard added. “Therefore, the income statement represents a full year’s trading of the eight retained parks and only four months trading of the 13 parks that were disposed of. ln addition, the loss is stated after the deduction £2.5m of exceptional costs that were incurred to facilitate the demerger. The largest element of revenue is holiday home and park home sales, although the current year saw significant growth in accommodation hire income.” He added that the directors expect trade will continue to be buoyed by favourable market conditions, “of which the group is well positioned to take advantage”. A £368,000 loss on disposal of assets was reported (2022: loss of £328,000). No government grants were received compared with £724,000 in 2022.
Rolled ice cream concept founder launches experiential events agency: Rolled ice cream concept Pan-n-Ice founder Henry Milroy has launched a new experiential events agency, Rolled Minds. Pan-n-Ice was founded in 2015 when Milroy, then a student, went travelling in Thailand and discovered the concept, which involves pouring a base liquid onto a frozen metal pan and adding fresh ingredients, which is then rolled up using a scraping device similar to those used to de-ice car windows. It has three UK locations and last year launched a franchise programme to assist with its expansion plans. “After a decade of transforming events with Pan-n-Ice’s unique ice cream roll experiences, I’m excited to unveil my latest venture,” Milroy said. “Rolling Minds is born from ten years of passion, creativity, and insights, ready to revolutionise the event industry. We’re not just planning events; we’re crafting unforgettable experiences, from food and drink to delivering the entire project. From immersive brand activations to seamless corporate gatherings, we pride ourselves on our blend of intuition and planning – putting our hearts and minds into bringing projects to life. Founded with a vision to redefine the events landscape, Rolling Minds was born as an ode to our sister company Pan-n-Ice, known for its world-famous rolled ice cream. It was only right that we incorporate our heritage within our company name.” Pan-n-Ice launched its first franchise location last summer in London’s Argyll Street but it is now listed as permanently closed. Milroy told Propel in June 2023 that he saw a runway for “hundreds of international sites in the Middle East and America” and was seeking development partners. He added that while there is potential space for the UK too with the right partner, the right climates for the concept are abroad.
Team behind award-winning Medlar restaurant to open first new site in 13 years: Joe Mercer Nairne and David O’Connor, who own the award-winning Medlar restaurant in London’s Chelsea, are to open their first new venue in 13 years in Belgravia, this summer. The pair, which opened Medlar on the King’s Road in 2011, is set bring Cornus, a new dining concept, to the rooftop unit at Grosvenor’s Ice Factory Originally built in 1830 for Shingleton’s Ice Company, The Ice Factory is a repurposed warehouse which includes one of the only rooftop terraces in the area. In its nearly 200-year history, it has been adapted as a coachwork, power station and motor repair centre. The future fit out of the Cornus restaurant, which includes a gasless kitchen, will be part funded through a loan from Grosvenor. The opening of the critically acclaimed Medlar was also supported by Grosvenor’s Tenant Investment Fund. Further announcements regarding the appointment of a chef and the concept will follow. O’Connor said: “We can offer Belgravia a unique, independent high-end restaurant, that would represent one of the most important hospitality openings of the year and help solidify Eccleston Yards and the Ice Factory as a destination. The aim is for the restaurant to become an institution over time and compete with the very best London has to offer. We plan to instil our strong customer service philosophy, creating repeat business, and attach a world-class wine program with our network of highly skilled sommeliers. Whilst top level food is almost a prerequisite, it is this front of house philosophy that creates destination venues that stand the test of time.” Josh Leon, Central London Restaurant Lead at Savills, who acted on the deal, said: “A fourth floor restaurant is an unusual proposition requiring an operator with imagination and pulling power, both of which Joe and David possess as proven over many years at Medlar which is consistently one of London’s best restaurants”.
Aquarium operator pays dividend of almost £4m as turnover hits record £16.6m: Aquarium operator Deep Sea Leisure paid a dividend of almost £4m as it saw turnover increase to a record £16.6m. The company reported turnover increased to £16,579,000 for the year ending 31 October 2023 compared with £15,739,000 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was down to £3,043,000 from £3,845,000 the year before. Visitor numbers increased in the year by 25,747 to 957,763 (2022: 932,016) and average spend per visitor was £17.31 (2022: £16.89). The company said it plans to continue its programme of refurbishment having revamped its Hastings and Portsmouth sites during the period. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The year operated as normal with good visitor attendance across all sites. Costs were affected by inflation and in particular electricity costs due to the war in Ukraine. Cash flow and costs were carefully managed throughout the year, ensuring cash balances were maximised and costs were kept to a minimum.” A dividend of £3,924,000 was paid (2022: nil), which was the main reason for the cash position decreasing by £3,905,000 to £12,524,000 (2022; £16,429,000) and net assets falling by £990,000 to £25,118,000 (2022; £26,108,000), a 3.8% decrease. Deep-Sea Leisure owns and operates the Deep Sea World and Blue Planet aquariums. The Deep Sea World site in North Queensferry in Scotland features an underwater safari with the longest underwater walkway in Europe.
Ukrainian cherry liqueur bar concept makes UK debut: Ukrainian cherry liqueur bar concept Piana Vyshania has made its UK debut, in London. The first Piana Vyshania (meaning “drunk cherry”) opened in 2015, in Lviv’s Rynok Square, offering the traditional Ukrainian drink, made with cherries and cognac, alongside cheese and chocolate-based snacks. According to its website, the business has opened more than 60 bars across Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, but the new site, at 10 Moor Street in London, is its first venture into Western Europe. It also offers a franchise business as well as selling cherry liqueur-related products online. A spokesperson for the venue told MyLondon: “Our team are mostly Ukrainians, who will happily share some stories and secrets about the traditional drink. We look forward to welcoming you so you can enjoy the lively atmosphere of London life with a glass of authentic Ukrainian cherry liqueur.” Piana Vyshania’s UK business was incorporated in September 2023, with Bohdan Mysiuk as its director.
Kingdom Taverns sees slight rise in turnover but drop in profit, both lag behind pre-pandemic levels: Scottish pub company Kingdom Taverns saw a slight rise in turnover in the year to 31 July 2023 but a drop in profit, with both still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels. Turnover was up from £4,703,180 in 2022 to £4,931,385 while a pre-tax profit of £613,282 dropped to £118,537. This compares to turnover of £5,703,016 and a profit of £1,193,301 reported in the last full year pre-covid, ending 31 July 2019. No dividends were paid (2022: nil). Average employee numbers grew from 82 to 96 during the year. Director Edward Melville said the group is well placed to take advantage of opportunities that may arise during the year. Founded in 1991 and located in Fife, Kingdom Taverns manages and leases an estate of 27 pubs across Scotland.
Cloud kitchen retail concept launches restaurant incubator programme: Cloud kitchen retail concept The Co-Kitchens has launched a restaurant incubator programme. Having launched its first UK venue last year in Dalston, east London, The Co-Kitchens offers shared kitchen spaces with a front of house that allows customers to collect takeaways from automated lockers. Successful applications to the programme will enter a six-month programme to launch and test their business ideas. Businesses will also benefit from the expertise of The Co-Kitchens founder, Shahzad Bhatti, who has founded a number of ventures in London and Dubai and has mentored hundreds of start-ups. Throughout the programme, successful applicants will be assisted with developing menus, operations and marketing strategy throughout the first three months. The concepts will then be launched into The Co-Kitchens Dalston venue for three months, where rent will be covered and customer feedback and data will be monitored. Bhatti said: “Navigating the food and beverage industry is renowned for its challenges. With the ongoing demand for eating on the go supporting the growth of the takeaway market, we’re extremely excited to launch the incubator programme and help chefs looking to build their own business get a foot in the door.”
The Fabulous Restaurant Group opens brasserie concept Shanghai Noir: The team behind Westminster's fine dining Indian restaurant Yaatra has opened a new Indo-Chinese brasserie concept. Fabulous Restaurant Group, founded by Tina English, has launched Shanghai Noir on the lower ground level of the Old Westminster Fire Station. The venue harks back to the heyday of 1920s and 1930s Shanghai, when the burgeoning Asian city became known as The Paris of the East”. The menus, curated by executive chef Amit Bagyal, previously at Benares and Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, and head chef Velino Goes, previously at Kanishka by Atul Kochhar and JKS Group, offers a “daring reinterpretation on the sharp, spicy fusion of flavours that has been experiencing a recent spike in popularity in the US”. Mains include a chef’s selection in which the hottest chilli in the world, Bhot Jolakhiya, is prepared with spatchcock chicken and served with a Glenmorangie fire sauce. Meanwhile soup, noodles and more familiar Chinese-rooted dishes are given a “surprising Shanghai Noir spin”.
Burrito franchise opens in Southend: Burrito franchise Plan Burrito has opened in Southend for its 11th site. First time franchisees Riju Varghese, who is a qualified chef, and Sharon Riju are preparing to open their first restaurant, in the former Warren James jewellers in the Essex town’s High Street. “He has always dreamed of running a restaurant like this, so we’re doing it now,” Sharon told the Southend Echo. “We’ve been thinking about doing this for ten years, and now our kids are at school, we have the time to pursue it. We’ll offer sit-down meals, takeaways, kids’ meals and, eventually, deliveries. We always spend our summers here (in Southend), so we know it well and are quite comfortable here. The high street has a busy footfall and affordable rent, so it ticked all the boxes. It’s in the perfect spot, with the college behind and lots of people walking by in the summer.” Founded by Stephen Hopper in 2015, Plan Burrito more than tripled in size from three sites to ten last year with openings in Hitchin, Guildford, Leamington Spa, Ramsgate, Norwich, Shrewsbury and Canterbury. In January, Propel reported that the brand was also planning to launch in the former Bagel Bros unit on Gillingham’s High Street, but the store has not yet opened.
BaxterStorey to open cafe and events space at new Bristol development: Contract catering company BaxterStorey is set to open a new cafe and events space at CEG’s EQ scheme in Bristol. The BaxterStorey café kitchen will be on the ground floor and will be known as Press in a nod to the former print operation at the site, opening in mid-April. It will also operate a 50-seater auditorium and a variety of break-out spaces including a rooftop business lounge and events space with a communal terrace. Louise Denton, managing director at BaxterStorey, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with CEG to bring an exciting hospitality venue to Bristol. They have a long-standing agenda of enhancing the workspace experience through sustainable initiatives, and their strong community focus aligns with our own values. We look forward to bringing our craft and creativity to EQ and to help grow it to be the destination of choice for memorable hospitality experiences.”
Canadian hotel group plans Edinburgh location for fifth UK site: Canadian hotel group Sandman is planning to build a 238-bed hotel at Edinburgh airport for its fifth UK site. Sandman currently owns and operate 68 properties, with a further nine under construction, and is looking to build its new location in Edinburgh airport’s south west corner. In the UK and Ireland, it has hotels Aberdeen, Glasgow, Newcastle and at London Gatwick airport. A previous application in principle was granted in 2019 but the new plan includes changes to the number of storeys and rooms. The previous plans included a four-storey, 180-bed unbranded hotel. It is now seeking planning permission for a six-storey, 238-bed hotel with conference facilities, a pool and a gym, as well as a two-storey restaurant with 57 associated parking spaces.
Newcastle nightclub ceases trading and will be put up for sale: Newcastle nightclub Chinawhite has closed for good and will be put up for sale, its operators say. The Fenkle Street club, located in the former Assembly Rooms, had faced having its licence revoked after council officials and Northumbria Police accused its bosses of mismanagement. A delayed licensing hearing to decide the venue’s fate has now been pushed back to June in the hope that a new firm can take over the site and offer “clarity” about its future, reports Chronicle Live. Operator Lykos Leisure confirmed that the club has now ceased trading, that it has no intention of reopening the venue in any format, and that it will be put on the market. Barrister Charles Holland told the council’s licensing sub-committee: “Following careful deliberations, Lykos has come to the conclusion that they do not wish to continue to trade in a situation where the responsible authorities have lost faith in them and would wish to see their licence revoked. Trading conditions are tough enough for the hospitality industry at present and continued operations in these circumstances represent a challenge too far.” He said it would be a “waste of time” for city authorities to seek to revoke a licence that the owners do not want to operate. He added that Lykos Leisure “doesn’t accept that there were deficiencies in its management” and was “not seeking to hide” that it wanted to protect its own asset and make it easier to sell.
Blend Family confirm May opening for ‘Europe’s biggest purpose-built food hall’: Blend Family, the team behind Liverpool’s GPO food market and Kargo MKT in Salford’s Media City, have confirmed a May launch for what has been described as “Europe’s biggest purpose-built food hall”. Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield is set to 27,000 square feet in size, spread over three floors and featuring more than 24 kitchens. As previously reported, 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 previously said he was keen to showcase Asian cuisine within the venue. 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.”
