Heavenly Desserts sets long term target of up to 250 UK sites, second international site imminent and kiosk roll-out set to be ramped up: Heavenly Desserts’ new national operations manager has told Propel the brand has set a long-term target of up to 250 UK sites, and that its second international opening is imminent. Earlier this year, co-founder Yousif Aslam told Propel he was aiming to grow his circa 57-strong brand to 100 sites by the end of 2026, with 15 set to open this year. The next phase of expansion will be led by Wesley Williams, who was hired to head up its UK operations earlier this month. “In the UK, we can see potentially 200-250 locations here, and the reason we believe that is achievable is we see great potential with the kiosk format (which launched in Livingston at the end of last year),” he said. “Livingston is building very nicely – we’ve been well really well received by the community and have really engaged partners on board who really want to grow the business further. The next phase of development with our kiosks will be really refining how people interact with them, and we have learned that they fit really well anywhere. This will really help us kick on with our growth within the UK.” Williams said the business is getting a lot of kiosk-specific requests from franchisees and sees high footfall locations like London, Manchester and Birmingham as ideal for them. “We’ve got a big presence in the UK now and the gaps are getting slightly smaller where we can fit, but that’s what the kiosk model is for,” he said. “The big city presence is where we’re looking to kick on with them, but that’s not to say we can’t do it in smaller locations too. I’d love to see five more kiosks open by the end of the year, and we’re confident we can certainly roll one or two more out by then. We’re looking at about 30% of the estate being kiosks as we also want our guests to enjoy the experience of eating in our beautiful restaurants – we’re not going to flood the market with kiosks, balance is key.” Heavenly Desserts has so far this year opened in Sutton Coldfield, Glasgow Fort and Milton Keynes, with a Shirley site opening shortly – followed by Dundee and two further London locations, at Ealing and Elephant & Castle. Later this year will come Middlesbrough, Basingstoke, Bedford, Croydon, Reading and the Merry Hill shopping centre. Further afield, its second international site – and second in Canada – will open in the coming months in the city of Pickering, in Southern Ontario. This will be followed by further international openings in Karachi and Lahore (Pakistan), New Delhi (India) and Hamburg (Germany). “On the international front, we’ve got a lot of irons in the fire,” Williams said. “We’ve secured and locked down more development in Canada and also secured Pakistan and India. We’ve also secured our first European site outside of the UK, which will be in Germany, so we’re all guns blazing on the international front this year.” Williams added that Heavenly Desserts would “absolutely” look at concepts like drive-thrus and travel hubs in the future but added: “While growth is always exciting and key for the further development of the brand, our primary strategy is to ensure we maintain a strong focus on our current estate and partners.” Heavenly Desserts 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 260 businesses. 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.

 

Fulham Shore chief executive Marcel Khan to speak at Propel summer conference and party, three free places per company for operators: Marcel Khan, chief executive of Fulham Shore, the Franco Manca and The Real Greek operator, will be among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference and summer party on Thursday, 5 September, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry. The all-day conference will focus on “new ideas and directions in an era of strong headwinds” and will be followed in the evening by the summer party, with a barbecue and four hours of live music, including the UK’s best Ed Sheeran Tribute Act, The Ed Sheeran Experience; the UK’s top Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow tribute acts joining forces, Scott Borley and Daniel Hadfield; and the famous house band at Piano Works. Khan will talk about earning consumer loyalty “one meal at a time”, why expansion for the two brands will be a “marathon and not a sprint” and looking to continue to create value for customers. For the full speaker schedule, click here. There are up to three free places per company for operators, but Premium subscribers can have up to four places. A room can also be booked for the evening. For more details and to book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality to be released tomorrow featuring 876 companies: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club members tomorrow (Friday, 21 June), at midday. This month’s edition includes 876 companies and more than 236,000 words of content. The database features 58 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 Propel paid-for events including 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 are also 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.

 

Sector businesses ‘continuing to struggle on daily basis’ despite inflation falling back to 2%: Sector businesses are “continuing to struggle on a daily basis” despite inflation falling back to the 2% target for the first time in nearly three years, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned. Office for National Statistics figures show the consumer prices index dropped to 2% in May, down from 2.3% in April. It marks the first time inflation has been at the Bank of England’s target since July 2021, before the cost-of-living crisis saw inflation shoot up – at one stage hitting levels not seen for 40 years. Services price inflation – which, according to the bank, gives a better picture of medium-term inflation risks – fell 0.2 points to 5.7%, but did not drop as low as the 5.5% expected by economists. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “Hitting the 2% inflation target might seem like a win, but for businesses and consumers on the ground, it’s a different story. This achievement hasn’t yet brought real benefits to those who need it most. The harsh reality is that the struggle continues daily, and we must keep supporting those affected to ensure a true economic recovery that reaches every sector of society.” UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls added: “Inflation coming down to 2% and hitting the Bank of England’s target is the strongest signal yet for interest rates to be cut. It’s clear that the economy is heading in the right direction, which should give confidence to the bank that now is the time to begin easing the sustained pressure from high interest rates on businesses and consumers. We need to remember that costs remain high for hospitality businesses and beginning to reduce the cost burden for the sector needs to be a priority for any incoming government.” Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “With energy and food and drink costs 25% higher than in 2022, the cost of doing business remains challenging.” Despite inflation easing, most economists believe the Bank of England will hold interest rates at 5.25% today (Thursday, 20 June), with the general election denting hopes of a reduction before the nation head to the polls on Thursday, 4 July.

 

Young’s CEO – it is getting easier to control margins, people still want to premiumise: Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, has told Propel that it is “getting easier to control our margins” after the business ended its financial year to 1 April 2024 with its food margin negative. He said: “One of the things we’re most proud of is our operating margin at 14.7%. With everything that’s been thrown at the team, to deliver that is great, and that’s based on our rigorous approach to conversion. It is getting easier to control our margins. Outside of the national living wage, which we can’t really control, our food margin is now negative. We ended the year at minus 1% on food, and that’s on a basket of goods we measure every month. Food has actually gone into negative territory in terms of inflation. On drinks, we’ve just redone our drinks tenders, which are two years, and with consumer prices index inflation falling, that’s going to help. Outside of that, there is energy, which increases slightly this year, and then the following year it goes down again. It does feel like we are getting back to normal, and on the people front, we are in a better place than we were a few years ago.” He said sales of Guinness were up 29% on the previous year, higher than top-selling beers such as Estrella and Peroni — with the volume in the 12 months to April more than a fifth higher than the year before. Dodd said customers were also using an “on-and-off approach”, where they interspersed drinking a normal Guinness with the non-alcoholic version. He said: “People are still wanting to premiumise, whether that is Guinness or cocktails.” He said that from a small base, the no/low category generated 147% sales growth last year. He said: “The main reason for that is we put Estrella Free Damm into more than 100 pubs, and that’s working really well for us. That and a combination of Guinness Zero in cans, which is doing extremely well, and zero cocktails is driving that growth. It’s still a small base but I think people are in that repertoire drinking now.” Dodd: City Pubs will accelerate our growth by about five years – see Company News.

 

UKHospitality welcomes SNP’s commitment to lowering the rate of VAT for hospitality: UKHospitality has welcomed the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) commitment to lowering the rate of VAT for hospitality. The party’s manifesto, delivered by first minster and party leader John Swinney, includes a promise to reform the levy, reducing it for hospitality and tourism. A lower rate of VAT for hospitality has been a key ask of UKHospitality, with the trade body saying it can deliver growth, more jobs and lower prices. Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “Lowering the rate of VAT for hospitality has been a long-standing ask of UKHospitality’s and I’m pleased to see the SNP commit to that in its manifesto. We urge the SNP to work with the UK government to make the case for this change to VAT, which would drive economic growth, create new jobs and keep prices low for consumers. This needs to be part of wider work to create a sustainable tax burden for both businesses and consumers. At the moment, the tax burden in Scotland is too high and it’s affecting our ability to recruit talent. UKHospitality Scotland also supports the call for a devolved migration system. A Scotland specific visa would enable sectors with skills shortages, like hospitality, to recruit the essential workers they need. Fundamentally, we need both the Scottish and UK governments to work constructively to deliver a regulatory and tax environment that helps hospitality thrive. Mirroring in Scotland any positive changes to business rates in England must be part of that.”

 

More than a third of pubs and restaurants relying on pen and paper for event bookings: More than a third of pubs and restaurants are still relying on pen and paper for event bookings, according to new research from KAM. The survey said despite 60% of UK hospitality operators saying large bookings and events are important to business, 34% of restaurants and 39% still track event bookings the old-fashioned way. Event planners interviewed expressed frustration about slow communication and response time from venues and being handed over to multiple contacts. Hidden costs potentially affecting the final budget added to their frustrations. Operators, meanwhile, emphasised the importance collating and housing pre-orders, with 50% stating that reducing food waste is a priority. “Venues can maximise event bookings in the summer months to fill seasonal outdoor spaces and take advantage of major cultural and sporting events,” said John Karemy, marketing manager for booking platform Tripleseat UK, which has partnered with KAM for a new event management guide.

 

Last chance to enter sector charity football tournament: Wireless Social, the Access Group-owned provider of guest Wi-Fi, analytics and marketing solutions, is seeking men’s and women’s teams to sign up to its annual charity football tournament, Hospitality Kicks. With Access Hospitality kickstarting the fundraising with a £20,000 donation, hopes are high that funds can eclipse the £25,000 raised for charity last year. Now in its second year, the tournament – raising money for the Licensed Trade Charity and Only a Pavement Away among other charities – will take place on Tuesday (25 June) at Wythenshawe Sports Ground in Manchester. The tournament – won last year by the Licensed Trade Charity (men’s) and Snowfox Group/YO Sushi (women’s) – is a seven-a-side format with three subs allowed per game. Every match will be refereed by a professional official. To enter a team, visit the Hospitality Kicks website and register your interest. Entries will close tomorrow (Friday, 21 June).

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a growing hospitality business that is looking for a logistics and dispatch manager to join the team. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will play a fundamental role in shaping the future of the supply chain and logistics operation as the company undergoes an exciting growth journey. You will be responsible for using data analytics, managing inventory and implementing strategies to drive innovation through the supply chain process.” The salary is up to £50,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com.

 

Ex-Itsu CEO acquires stake in Roti King: Ganan Kanagathurai, former chief executive of Itsu, has acquired a stake in Roti King and become the Malaysian restaurant concept’s chairman, Propel has learned. Kanagathurai, formerly of Tesco Ventures, joined the Julian Metcalfe-founded Itsu as its UK chief financial officer in 2016 before being promoted to chief executive. He stepped down from Itsu last year. He is also a non-executive director at Bubba Oasis, the all-day restaurant and bar concept. Propel understands that he is now the co-owner of Roti King, which was founded by Malaysian chef Sugen Gopal, who opened the first permanent site under the concept in London, in Doric Way near Euston in 2014, following its original location inside the Oriental City food hall (now Bang Bang Oriental) in Colindale. Roti King subsequently launched sites in Lower Marsh, Waterloo and in the Circus West Village part of the Battersea Power Station development. The company is set to open a fourth site later this year, and its first in the City, in Artillery Lane, just off Bishopsgate. The two-storey restaurant will offer Rot King’s traditional menu that includes roti canai served with beef rendang, dahl and either fish, mutton or chicken kari. There will also be stuffed roti (spinach and cheese, chicken or lamb) alongside rice and noodle dishes such as Mee Goreng – stir-fried egg noodles with egg, chicken, prawns, peanuts and tofu. The concept encourages guests to eat with their hands and experience the food as they would on the streets of Malaysia.

 

Young’s CEO – we are going to put our foot on the ball for a bit, City Pubs will accelerate our growth by about five years: Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, has told Propel that when it comes to further acquisitions, the company is going to “put our foot on the ball for a bit and consolidate”. Dodd was speaking after the company said the 55-strong City Pub Group business it acquired earlier this year for £162m contributed £7.2m revenue and Ebitda of £1.7m for the four-weeks of ownership during the year to 1 April 2024. During the year, the company also invested £36.5m on eight freehold acquisitions. Dodd said: “The City deal is transformational for Young’s. It’s going to accelerate our growth by about five years. And this year, we’ll be heading towards £500m of sales and a property valuation of more than £1bn. Not only have we invested in buying City, but we bought eight freeholds and continued to invest in our core estate. We know this is the right thing to do long term. They are a risk but those investments – like doubling the size of the Guinea Grill – have gone off like a rocket, and that’s what you need to do in a business – keep evolving and keep pushing boundaries. We normally buy eight pubs a year and last year we bought 60. So, using a football analogy we are going to put our foot on the ball for a bit and consolidate. Last year, we invested more than ever in our core estate, which totalled 164 weeks of closure. That affects your like-for-likes by about half a percent, so, we’ve got all that to benefit from this year. We’re going to consolidate City, get to know the eight acquisitions and run the business for a year without buying a lot more pubs. In a year’s time, we\ll be on the lookout again.” When it comes to a regional breakdown of the group’s performance, the Home Counties-based sites were found to have the most challenging time. Dodd said: “Central London versus last year on a like-for-like basis we were 6.4% up. In east London, they were 4.8% up, and our heartland of south west London was up 3.3%. If I was to pick out a straggler, it would be the Home Counties, which was slightly negative (down 1.2%). But that's where we have massive pub gardens, and it hasn’t been sunny since September last year. All areas are in growth, and the West Country was up 6.9%, driven a lot by accommodation. We are growing outside London, but London is definitely leading the way. This Sunday we were 31% up on the Sunday from last year, and we were 42% up on the previous Sunday. The England game tonight (Thursday, 20 June) – 5pm in the City – getting out of work is going to be rammed, so we’re expecting a really big day. A combination of England being one of the favourites for the Euro’ and the weather finally turning means it feels like some momentum can be built. A dry July and August will see like-for-likes in the sector accelerate and we are optimistic about the road ahead.”

Mark Davies joins Stonegate as a non-executive director: Stonegate Pub Company, the UK’s largest pub company, has hired Mark Davies, formerly chief executive of Hawthorn Leisure, as a non-executive director, Propel has learned. Davies is currently the chief executive of Primary Health Properties, the FTSE 250 UK real estate investment trust, and a non-executive director of Palace Capital, a regional focused REIT. He was previously a co-founder and chief executive of NewRiver REIT and Hawthorn, which was sold to Admiral Taverns in 2021 for £222.3m. He was also a non-executive director of the British Beer & Pub Association from 2020-2022, and formerly chair of Ballie Ballerson, the Imbiba-backed, ball pit cocktail bar operator. Stonegate said his appointment comes at a time of “significant progress” for the business as it progresses with its operational improvement initiatives, including its asset optimisation programme, “reviewing its entire estate on a site-by-site basis to ensure that customers have the right pub in the right format to serve their communities”. Davies said: “Stonegate is a business that communities around the UK interact with on a daily basis. I’m looking forward to working with the board to help ensure that our portfolio serves these communities, and the group’s wider stakeholders, in the best possible way.” David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Pub Group, said Davies’expertise in managing large property portfolios will be invaluable as the group progresses its asset optimisation programme. He added: “His appointment adds to a real sense of momentum at Stonegate.”

 

Mediterranean restaurant brand acquires lease of former Il Borro Tuscan Bistro site for UK debut: Mediterranean restaurant brand Nammos has acquired the lease of the former Il Borro Tuscan Bistro site in London’s Mayfair. Nammos London is set to open in the first half of 2025, at 15 Berkeley Street, for its UK debut. The brand, which started in Mykonos and has expanded to Limassol, Cannes and Dubai, originally earmarked a site at 13-17 Montpelier Street in Knightsbridge for its UK debut, but this location did not open. Propel understands the Knightsbridge site remains under the ownership of Nammos’ parent company, Admo Lifestyle Holding, which is reviewing alternative options for the building. Admo chief executive Sanjay Nandi said: “We are delighted to introduce Nammos to London, marking our first urban venture for the brand. Establishing our presence in Mayfair, the heart of upscale dining and vibrant city life, represents an exciting milestone for us. We are eager to bring the extraordinary Mediterranean flair of the Nammos experience to the discerning London audience and contribute to the dynamic culinary scene in this incredible city that I call my home.” Meanwhile, Propel understands that Il Borro Tuscan Bistro “remains dedicated to the London market” and will “continue to explore new opportunities within the city”. The Mayfair restaurant was opened in 2021 by Omar Saideh, owner of the Dubai-based Orange Hospitality Group. The concept originated in the Ferragamo family’s Il Borro Estate in Tuscany and offered traditional Italian dishes using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

 

Taiwanese bubble tea brand Chatime appoints new CEO as it looks to add 1,000 new sites globally: Taiwanese bubble tea brand Chatime has appointed Carlos Antonius as its new global chief executive as it seeks to open 1,000 new stores worldwide across the next three years. The company, which currently operates around 1,500 sites globally, including circa 30 in the UK, plans to reach 2,500 outlets globally by 2027. Antonius has served as Chatime Australia’s chief executive, leading the repositioning of the Chatime brand in Australia, enabling it to be the largest brand in the category with 200 Australian locations. He has more than 30 years of experience across retail and franchise business sectors, both nationally and internationally. His previous roles included business development director of Nando’s. He said: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to lead Chatime into the next phase of growth, and I look forward to executing our growth strategy and collaborating with the board, our leadership team, and our partners to realise our brand’s full potential.”

Promoted content – meet UTOPIA, led by the refugee entrepreneur making London taste better: With her Syrian-inspired street food, McCain Streets Ahead alumni Hind Danoun shares her journey to trading at three markets and looking to the future with a bricks-and-mortar site. To find out more, click here.

 

Manchester dessert concept opens first franchise site, seeking partners across the UK: Manchester dessert concept Cheat Daze has opened its first franchise site and is seeking partners to expand across the UK. Cheat Daze was co-founded in 2022 by Muhammed Abdullah and launched at 197 Mauldeth Road in Burnage. Cheat Daze has now opened a second site with a launch at 42 Woodford Road in Bramhall, Stockport, and will follow that soon with a further store in Salford. Cheat Daze is seeking both single and multi-unit operators, with average start-up costs for franchisees of £72,500, with investment required up to £92,500. This includes a franchise fee of £12,500, fit out costs, training and support, although a £1,500 deposit will be required to secure a territory. Franchise consultant Paul Tough, managing director of Franchise Options and former operations and projects manager at Whitbread, said: “It’s great that 12 months of hard work has culminated in the first Cheat Daze franchise opening in Bramhall. What an exciting business this is, full of energy and enthusiasm with an attention to detail that is second to none. It’s a great business opportunity, requires small retail unit (300-500 square feet), low fit-out costs and is a great return on investment!”

Netflix to open first two permanent immersive entertainment venues in 2025: Netflix has confirmed plans for at least two entertainment concept venues, called Netflix House, to open at shopping centres in Dallas and near Philadelphia, next year. The company said the two new venues would offer screenings of Netflix shows as well as foodservice and merchandise. Last October, the streaming TV business said it planned to open the first two in the US in 2025 and then expand the concept around the world. Netflix has been experimenting with pop-up fan experiences for a few years and has introduced more than 50 in 25 cities around the world. They include a night of drinks and dancing inspired by period drama Bridgerton that has travelled to several cities, as well as a pop-up Netflix store at the Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles. Marian Lee, Netflix’s chief marketing officer, said: “At Netflix House, you will be able to enjoy regularly updated immersive experiences, indulge in retail therapy, and get a taste – literally – of your favourite Netflix series and films through unique food and drink offerings. We’ve launched more than 50 experiences in 25 cities, and Netflix House represents the next generation of our distinctive offerings.” Both locations will occupy former department stores, each spanning footprints of more than 100,000 square feet. Outside of the venues will be sculptures and a mural mash-up of characters from popular Netflix titles. Visitors then can grab some food at a restaurant “inspired by Netflix shows from around the world” and head to a shop “where you can buy that Stranger Things’ Hellfire Club T-shirt you’ve always wanted”.

 

Former Domino’s worker becomes brand’s first female ‘homegrown hero’: Former Domino’s worker Lucy Harman has become the brand’s first female “homegrown hero” as she prepares to launch her debut store. Domino’s Homegrown Heroes programme allows current and former team members the opportunity to own stores and become part of the franchisee system for a minimum investment of £70,000, borrowing the rest. They can expect to make a profit of an average of £160,000 a year before interest payments and other costs, Domino’s said. Harman said she has worked for Domino’s since leaving 16 years ago and has just sunk her life savings into the business. Her first Domino’s franchise, in Hayling Island, Hampshire, will open on Monday (24 June). “I started out, age 16, doing two evenings a week on the phones and making pizzas,” she told The Times. “I’m a hands-on person so I loved the hustle, but as I was promoted to shift manager and then store manager, I realised that I also really enjoyed the extra responsibility and building a team. You have to work to get where you want to be – I’m used to working 70 hours a week. I’m going to drive this shop to its maximum potential, but I don’t want to stop there. Within two years I hope I’ll be able to move on and acquire a second one, at least. I want to be a role model for my family and for other people, to show that even if you have got kids at home, you can follow your dreams.” Andrew Rennie, Domino’s UK chief executive, said more than 90% of its franchisees started out making pizzas or as delivery drivers. “Franchisees like Lucy know the business inside out,” he added.

 

Popeyes UK to launch third Scottish restaurant for 18th opening of 2024: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, will later this summer launch its third restaurant in Scotland for its 18th opening of 2024. The outlet will open in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, following previous launches in the country in Aberdeen and Barrhead. The new restaurant will be situated at 108-110 Sauchiehall Street and seat up to 80 people for dine in, with takeaway also available. The offer will include Popeyes’ breakfast menu, with items such as the Big Cajun breakfast roll, Brekkie wraps, Cajun hash browns and Nutella-topped buttermilk biscuits. Popeyes UK chief executive Tom Crowley said: “Since we opened in Barrhead last autumn, we’ve been asked for a city centre restaurant, and we are thrilled to announce that Popeyes will be opening in the heart of Glasgow this summer. Opening in Scotland has been key for us since we first landed in the UK, and we’re looking forward to welcoming a fantastic new crowd to our next location.”

 

Açai brand Oakberry opens seventh UK site: Açai brand Oakberry has opened its seventh UK site. Oakberry has opened at West One in Oxford Street for its fifth London location. The company also has sites in Portobello Road, Rathbone Place, Wandsworth and Hammersmith Broadway in the capital, as well as regional locations in Brighton and Belfast. Oakberry was founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2016 and has grown to 600 locations in 35 countries. It launched in the UK in 2022, and earlier this year said it was planning “many more openings” here in 2024.

 

Caravan secures B-Corp status: Caravan, the restaurant, bar and coffee-roasting concept, has become a certified B-Corp. These are companies verified as meeting the high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder of Caravan, said: “We are so thrilled to have achieved B-Corp for both our coffee and our restaurant businesses. It has been a three-year journey, and we are delighted to be part of a community focusing on their impact, both on people and the planet.” The business, which operates seven eponymous sites across London, plus a flagship roastery, and the restaurant Vardo in Chelsea, will make its regional debut in Manchester later this summer. In March, Harper-Hinton told Propel that Caravan had begun discussions on funding options for 2024-25 and said further regional locations are definitely on the cards, alongside other London locations.

 

Kent seafood business set to open beachfront brewery for sixth site: Kent seafood business, the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company, is set to open a beachfront brewery and taproom for its sixth site in the seaside town. With planning permission secured, the company plans to open the “nano brewery” next month in an abandoned former art studio, if Canterbury City Council also approves its licensing bid. Head brewer Will Green said Whitstable Oyster Brewing will offer new beers alongside monthly, seasonal and one-off brews. “We are hoping to have a small, licenced area at the front of the building where people will be able to purchase our beers directly from the brewery,” he told Kent Online. “It will have six beer lines and we are only going to be selling our beer and merchandise inside. It is not going to be a full bar, but more of a tasting space where people can try ultra-fresh beer and observe the equipment and processes of the brewery. We have started brewing already to sell beer through our two taprooms and are hoping to start selling to other bars and restaurants in Kent in the autumn or winter. If we get our licence approved for the brewery, we hope to open hopefully about July once we have finished work on the interior.” The company also operates seafood restaurant Royal Native Oyster Stores, beach bar and restaurant The Lobster Shack, beach shack The Forge, the Hotel Continental and wedding venue East Quay Venue – all in Whitstable – as well as supplying its oysters to various restaurants and fishmongers throughout London and Kent.

 

Dundee’s £130m Eden Project development given green light: Planning permission has been granted for Dundee’s £130m Eden Project. The visitor attraction will be based at the former gasworks site to the north of East Dock Street. The attraction will feature three venues, including one housed inside the gas holder to the south-eastern corner of the site, reports the BBC. The charity's Cornwall site, billed as “the largest indoor rainforest in the world”, attracts about a million visitors a year. “We will allow ourselves a moment of celebration, but we are well aware there is still lots to do to make Eden Project Dundee a reality,” said Blair Parkin, the Eden Project’s chief experience development officer. “We will now concentrate on working with all our partners, progressing the design, securing investment and continuing to deliver our community programmes in the city.” The Dundee attraction will combine exhibits, performances, learning, play, immersive experiences, horticulture, live music and art. There will also be food, beverage and retail spaces. Additional plans include Gathering Meadows, a space to the south of the site, which includes an external live events space with a capacity of up to 6,000 people.

 

Hospitality group owned by Indian businessman set to open new riverside nightclub in Inverness: A hospitality group owned by Indian businessman Sanjay Narang is set to open a new riverside nightclub in Inverness. Mars Hospitality Group owns a wide portfolio of restaurants, cake shops, hotels and air catering units in Mumbai. Narang started building a Scottish portfolio in 2019 after he and his sister enjoyed a hiking holiday to the Highlands and relocated to Glengarry, establishing the Black Sheep Hotel Group. This consists of The Whispering Pine Lodge in Kilmonivaig, Rokerby Manor in Invergarry and The Cluanie Inn in Wester Ross, as well as the Tiger on the Wall restaurant at the Strathness House Hotel. The group is now seeking permission for a change of use of existing office accommodation at 6 Ardross Terrace, which would see the three-storey property converted into five holiday let accommodation units on the first and second floors. A nightclub/bar with dance floor would also be created on the ground floor in the rear half of the building, accessed via its own door from Ardross Terrace.

 

Whitbread set to open sixth Premier Inn hotel in York: Whitbread is set to open its sixth Premier Inn hotel in York. Work has completed on a new 188-bed hotel in Foss Islands Road, close to York city centre. Whitbread previously signed a lease agreement for 25 years on the building, formerly a retail warehouse leased by Carpetright. The hotel features energy-saving technology such as air source heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation systems, LED lighting, photovoltaic panels and electric vehicle charging points, reports Insider Media. Jamie Philips, fund manager for UK Property PAIF at developers CBRE IM, said: “Tourism supports a significant number of jobs in York, and given the strength of the city as a destination for tourists, combined with its current undersupply of hotel beds, the addition of a new modern and sustainable hotel will help to bolster York’s businesses and economy.” Whitbread also operates Premier Inn hotels at Blossom Street South, Blossom Street North, York North West (White Rose Close), York North (Shipton Road) and York South West (Bilbrough Top services on the A64).