Propel Newsletter Archive Page

Loungers – ‘open-minded’ to acquisition opportunities, determined to double-down on Lounge performance: Alex Reilley, chairman of café bar operator Loungers, has told Propel that on the back of the group’s new management structure, the business is “open-minded” to looking at acquisition opportunities. In April, Propel revealed Loungers had promoted Justin Carter to group managing director, with Kate Eastwood hired as managing director of its Lounge concept, joining Lucy Knowles, managing director of Cosy Club. The company, which achieved record revenue of £353.5m for the 53-week period to 21 April 2024, said the introduction of Carter “frees up (chief executive) Nick Collins to focus more strategically as the business grows” and “creates a structure that can easily incorporate additional brands”. Asked if this implies the business is open to looking at acquisition opportunities, Reilley told Propel: “We’re open-minded – if the right opportunity presented itself, why not?” Reilley said that when it comes to the group’s 226-strong Lounge concept, the company was “doubling down for future growth”. He said: “The performance of Lounge has been stellar for a number of years now and it feels like we are experiencing fewer growing pains as we get bigger. This is despite opening a record number of Lounges last year and often having three or four openings in a single month. We are in a great place, but instead of taking it easy and believing we have truly arrived, we are determined to double-down and work tirelessly on finding ways to get even better.” The company’s Costero Lounge in Paignton, Devon, recently became the first Lounge to deliver weekly sales of more than £100,000. Reilley said: “At the beginning of the new financial year, we acquired the Pitcher and Piano sites on Bristol harbourside and in the centre of Sheffield. The former is currently being converted into Ritorno Lounge, which will open in mid-July, and will be our largest and most ambitious Lounge to date. Following the success of Costero Lounge in Paignton, which was another large site (a former Harvester), we are particularly excited about the prospects for Ritorno and the opportunities that exist for us to open bigger Lounges in very high footfall locations.” Reilley said the next few months are also a “really exciting time” for its 35-strong Cosy Club as “we look to build on the success to date and unlock the true potential of the brand”. He said: “I believe that it is time for the brand to further distance itself from Lounge and to assume a slightly more premium position on the high street.” There are currently two Cosy Clubs in the pipeline (including the aforementioned site in Sheffield) and the company anticipates opening one or two Cosy Clubs per year on an ongoing basis. The company’s current rent to revenue ratio is 4.3%.

Industry News:

Propel to release new 35,000-word report on experiential leisure market on Thursday, 1 August: A new report produced by Propel on the fast-growing experiential leisure sector will be available to purchase on Thursday, 1 August. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes more than 190 companies, 3,500 sites and a 35,000-word report. Paul Charity, Propel’s managing director, said: “Experiential leisure concepts are expanding rapidly within the UK hospitality industry and in a number of cases growing into key overseas markets. The sector is proving relatively attractive not least because it offer quite high barriers to entry in a number of cases and strong margins. This report delivers an exhaustive overview to all those interested in this exciting sector.” The report will be released on Thursday, 1 August at 9am and is available for £595 plus VAT. Existing Premium Club members can receive it on Thursday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium members on Tuesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.

Boparan Restaurant Group CEO Satnam Leihal to speak at Propel summer conference and party, three free places per company for operators: Satnam Leihal, chief executive of Boparan Restaurant Group, 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. Leihal will talk to Propel group editor Mark Wingett about the company’s portfolio of brands, including the continued growth of Slim Chickens, the repurposing of Giraffe as international travel hub specialist, the rejuvenation of Carluccio's, Fishworks and Cinnamon Club, and how the business continues to seek new opportunities for growth. 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. To book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com. A room can also be booked for the evening. For more details, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club members to receive two updated databases this week: Premium Club members are to receive two updated databases this week. The updated UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database will be sent to Premium subscribers today (Wednesday, 10 July) at midday, featuring ten new entries. The database now has 150 entries and more than 66,000 words of content. Among the new entries are Starbucks franchisee Cafe Fortune, Black Sheep Coffee franchisee Coff33 and Subway franchisee Quick Serv. Premium Club members will also receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (12 July), at midday. It will feature 44 updated accounts and 21 new companies for a total of 947. Of these, 591 are in profit and 349 have reported a loss. Premium Club members also receive access to four other databases: the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; the New Openings Database; and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. Plus, all Premium Club 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.

AA B&B of the Year winners revealed: Mallard Grange in Ripon, North Yorkshire, has been voted AA B&B of the Year for 2024 in England. The Auld Kirk in Ballater took the award for Scotland, and Bryn Derwen in Llandudno landed the Welsh award. In the awards’ 28th year, Restaurant with Rooms of the Year was won by Boys Hall in Ashford, Kent (England), Mingary Castle in Kilchoan (Scotland) and The Checkers in Montgomery (Wales). Inn of the Year awards went to The Cartford Inn in Little Ecclestone, Lancashire (England), Kildrummy Inn in Aberdeenshire (Scotland) and Y Talbot in Tregaron (Wales). Simon Numphud, managing director at AA Hotel & Hospitality Services, said: “This year, we have a very rich B&B scene across the UK, showcasing an extraordinary level of individuality and the very highest standards of hospitality. The calibre of the nine worthy winners represents the very best from across Scotland, Wales and England.”

Company News:

Exclusive – Lussmanns secures two new sites, to make return to London: Lussmanns, the independent brasserie group backed by sector investor Luke Johnson, has secured two new sites, including one in Highgate, which will see the company make its return to London, Propel has learned. More than 20 years since opening in North Kensington and after a two-decade absence from London, the five-strong Lussmanns is returning to the capital in late August after securing the Cote site in Highgate High Street. The 130-cover restaurant will feature a café-style area and a bar, serving beer from Hertfordshire’s Mad Squirrel brewery and Lussmanns own Garden Gin. It will also feature a 30-seater walled garden. Lussmanns will follow this with the opening of a seventh restaurant, in Woburn, Bedfordshire, in October. The company has secured a grade II-listed building which was previously occupied by a Loch Fyne restaurant. Situated on the Woburn Estate, it also boasts a 70-metre garden. Lussmans founder and managing director Andrei Lussmann told Propel the business was focused on measured expansion. He said like-for-like sales were up 3.5% in the year to date, and up 5% in the group’s third quarter to the end of May. Lussmanns, which was the first small restaurant group outside London to be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) in 2014 and has won numerous awards for its sustainability, currently operates sites in St Albans, Hitchin, Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Hertford. Lussmann said: “Opening a restaurant in London feels like we’re coming home as that’s where it all started, in North Kensington in 2002.” The sale of the Highgate site by Côte follows the disposal of its site in Hampstead to Giggling Squid. A Côte spokesperson told Propel: “We are in the early stages of an exciting three-year major investment programme to dramatically update our restaurants. We are preparing for the next wave of refurbishments and also looking at two new, larger, city centre sites, to grow the business further. As part of this ongoing investment process, we are continually looking at the best options for all sites and have made the tough decision to close Highgate and Hampstead. This obviously has implications for some team members. and we are supporting them through this. We are very grateful for all of their hard work and dedication, as well as our guests who have supported us over the years.”

Kuwaiti burger brand HBR plans UK launch: Kuwaiti burger brand HBR, which is owned by the Al Thiqa Food Group Company (TFGC), is planning to make its debut in the UK, in London, this September, Propel has learned. TFGC, which operates three sites in Kuwait under the smash burger concept, is understood to be planning an opening in Eccleston Street, Belgravia. The company said: “HBR is a cool smashed burger concept that serves a specific purpose – ‘smashing good’ food and a fun time! We offer a short-listed menu of mouth-watering items prepared with the best ingredients. Our motto is ‘the food will bring you back, the vibe will make you stay’, and that’s how we want each customer to feel when they visit us.” TFGC is a Kuwaiti-owned enterprise that owns, operates and distributes some of the leading brands in Kuwait, the Middle East, and the UK. The company currently operates the TomTom Coffee House in Belgravia.

Sticks’n’Sushi secures site in London’s Islington: Japanese premium restaurant group Sticks‘n’Sushi, in which McWin, the backer of Gail’s and Big Mamma Group, acquired a majority stake earlier this year, is to further add to its presence in London with an opening in Islington, Propel has learned. The company, which currently operates 13 sites in the UK – 11 in London, plus sites in Cambridge and Oxford – has secured the former Neighbourhood site in Upper Street for an opening this September. It will mark Sticks‘n’Sushi’s first venture into north London and is part of its growth strategy to extend its reach into the capital’s residential neighbourhoods, following the opening of Richmond in May. The new 120-cover, double-fronted, 3,500 square-foot restaurant will feature a large open plan dining room, kitchen counter, lounge and bar, along with outdoor seating. Andreas Karlsson, Sticks’n’Sushi group chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Sticks’n’Sushi and our exceptional guest experience to north London this September, creating 50 jobs. Islington’s Upper Street is a prime location and bustling dining destination, a perfect addition for our energetic and contemporary brand.” In February, Sticks‘n’Sushi secured a new £22m loan from OakNorth to support its growth plans. The new loan, alongside funding from McWin, will aid the company’s plan to accelerate its growth in its existing markets and also enter new markets over the next five years. Rob Meadows, of DCL, acted on the Islington deal.

Sunset Hospitality Group plans triple London opening: Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), the UAE-based hospitality group, is planning a triple opening in London later this year. Propel understands that SHG, which operates 58 venues in 17 countries, plans to open cocktail bar Luum, restaurant Amelie and the Japan-inspired restaurant Sachi between Belgravia and Knightsbridge. Luum is described as “a vibrant yet sophisticated cocktail bar…with Latin American romanticism”. SHG, which previously explored launching its Black Tap burger concept in London, also previously operated Sushisamba in the UK. At the end of last year, investment firm Shamal Holding completed the acquisition of Sushisamba Group, taking full controlling interest in the award-winning fusion restaurant brand Sushisamba. As part of the new structure, and having already owned 50% of Sushisamba since 2014, Shamal Holding took full controlling interest in the brand and its operational activities across all international locations. SHG retained full ownership and management of Sushisamba Dubai and management of Sushisamba Abu Dhabi.

Roux Waterside Inn falls to loss as overheads increase ‘apace’, opens culinary school and museum dedicated to founder: Roux Waterside Inn, the three Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, founded by the late Michel Roux in 1972, has reported turnover increased slightly to £9,063,983 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £9,016,417 the previous year. The company posted a pre-tax loss of £180,917 compared with a profit of £814,077 the year before. The business completed the development of an adjacent property – Old Tan House – that features offices, a culinary school, video studio and museum-library dedicated to Roux. The group also operates brasserie and cocktail bar Skindles, which it acquired in December 2021, in nearby Taplow. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The group continues to be busy across all fronts with sales showing a modest growth on 2022. It is very pleasing to note that our customers remain happy to ‘buck the trend’ and to pay a premium price for a product and service that is a real challenge to our competition. Unfortunately, the overheads of the group have been increasing apace, with a notable increase in staffing costs being the dominating factor. The group has introduced a tronc system of payroll in both trading operations and has a generous pay structure to attract and retain the highest quality of staff. We have also been pleased to improve working conditions for our loyal team and have therefore adapted to the demands of our staff and market expectations in general. The inevitable increase in staffing costs, as well as energy and food costs, are just part of the seemingly ever-increasing cost base of the group’s operations, which then affects our overall profitability. The culinary school was launched in the second half of 2023, and courses since the launch have grown both in number, popularity and diversity. As anticipated at the beginning of 2023, the group’s cash reserves fell to fund both operations and the completion of the Old Tan House development. As in many previous years, our activities continue to be fully supported by the Roux family.” The company did not receive any government grants (2022: £20,500). No dividend was paid (2022: nil).

Wendy’s to enter two new European markets, including Ireland: Wendy’s has signed two new development agreements with franchisees in the Republic of Ireland and Romania. It said these franchisees plan to support the brand’s expansion goals to develop hundreds of restaurants across Europe over the next decade, beginning in 2025. The company said it is also actively recruiting well-established franchisee candidates in European markets to help expand its restaurant footprint across the continent. Wendy’s re-entered the UK in 2021, which it said serves as the foothold for growth across Europe. The company expects to see up to 50 restaurants in the market by year-end and said it was in a great position to continue growing the brand in the UK to 400 restaurants over time. Wendy'’ continues to expand its brand presence across the UK, alongside its franchisees, including in the north, with a restaurant opening in Liverpool this summer. The company said it had also significantly invested in local resources to support its growth across Europe, including a “robust supply chain, regional operations teams, and world-class marketing and creative agency partners”. EJ Wunch, president, international for The Wendy’s Company, said: “We are continuing our journey to become a brand of increased global significance, and Europe is a high-priority, strategic growth market to expand Wendy’s presence internationally. To accelerate our momentum, we are focused on building relationships with franchisees who share our ambition to grow and scale Wendy’s restaurant footprint across the continent.”

Hall & Woodhouse begins work on new multimillion-pound restaurant and bar: Dorset brewer and retailer Hall & Woodhouse has begun construction on a new multimillion-pound restaurant and bar, due to open in Crowthorne, Berkshire, in early 2025. The company is to deliver a two-storey restaurant and bar for up to 150 covers. The new offering will also create 40 full-time jobs. The company said Hall & Woodhouse Crowthorne will be a gateway building to the new residential estate, Buckler’s Park, near to Buckler’s Forest. The business said: “The purpose-built restaurant and bar will comprise five different multi-functioning spaces. These areas consist of a dedicated bar, a pantry/café for coffee and cakes through to relaxed dining and drinks, a vibrant dining space, an extensive outdoor terrace, and a large attractive garden.” Mark James, property director of Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We are so passionate about providing a warm, welcoming offering that reflects the local environment and its heritage. Hall & Woodhouse Crowthorne will have a contemporary style, but with a warm feel and lots of colour and character.” With sustainability in mind, solar roof panels will be installed to generate enough green energy to run the building’s heating system. Additionally, the building will feature LED lighting, sustainable waste disposal, upcycled materials and furniture, and plenty of outdoor bike parking.

Digital hospitality platform Numa Group acquires UK aparthotel brand Native Places: Digital hospitality platform Numa Group has acquired UK lifestyle aparthotel brand Native Places from Native Holdings for an undisclosed sum. Native Residential will continue as part of Native Holdings and will focus on growing under its build-to-rent, co-living, mixed use and commercial assets under the leadership of founder Guy Nixon. Headquartered in London, Native Places has more than 800 units across seven small to medium-scale serviced aparthotels in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Numa Group recently reached €2bn in real estate assets under management and manages more than 6,500 rooms across 34 major cities in 14 European countries. Christian Gaiser, chief executive and co-founder of Numa Group, said: “Our mission is to redefine the hospitality landscape, tailoring it to the demands of contemporary consumers. We are at the forefront of digitising and elevating the entire travel experience, continuously seeking innovative ways to deepen the connection between our guests and their preferred urban destinations. This collaboration marks another significant step forward in Numa’s ambition to expand across Europe and secure a dominant foothold in the UK market.” Olivia Immesi, who joined Native Places as managing director in 2021 and was appointed chief executive in 2023, will continue to lead the brand.

Cadogan Hotels reports slower rate of growth as demand normalises and hotel capacity in London increases: Cadogan Hotels has reported a slower rate of growth in the year to 31 December 2023 as demand normalised and hotel capacity in London increased. The company – which owns and operates The Cadogan Hotel and 11 Cadogan Gardens Hotel in London’s Chelsea, along with some serviced apartments – saw its turnover increase from £22,926,097 in 2022 to £24,462,045. Its pre-tax profit dropped from £5,474,149 to £4,982,562. No dividends were paid (2022: nil). “Like most of the hotel industry, our hotels experienced a strong bounce back in demand during 2022, which allowed strong increases in room rates,” said director John Gordon. “The last 12 months experienced a slower rate of growth as demand normalised and hotel capacity in London increased. The period was also marked by continuing high inflation in the cost of labour, food, services and utilities.” The company also reported a £833,796 reversal of impairment loss (2022: £1,483,865). Capital expenditure was £300,000, “reflecting the good condition of the hotels and apartments following major refurbishments in recent years”. The group had cash balances of £5.6m at the end of the year (2022: £4.5m) and no borrowings, while net assets at 31 December 2023 were £96.8m (2022: £93.1m).

York operator set to open third site for his steakhouse concept and fifth overall: York operator Oscar Akgul is set to open a third site for his steakhouse concept and fifth overall. He will open his third Cut & Craft restaurant later this year, in Manchester, joining its sites in York and Leeds. Akgul also operates two Lucia wine bar and restaurants, in York and Beverley. Located on the corner of Mosley Street and York Street, the new Cut & Craft will be housed within the former Manchester and Salford Bank, a grade II-listed building dating to 1862, taking over the former banking room. With a focus on quality steak and sustainable seafood, the restaurant will also offer oysters, Exmoor caviar, hand-cut beef tartare, grilled monkfish, king scallops and grilled lamb cutlets. “Manchester is soon to have The Cut & Craft, and in all honesty, we simply cannot wait,” Akgul said. “Working closely with the local authorities to bring back this rare building to its glorious days, filled with history and its original features including vaults. Once this is completed, I believe we’ll make Manchester proud, as well as all the people who’ve worked on this amazing restoration project.” The restoration project is in collaboration with ecosystem developer, Bruntwood SciTech. Adam Bowers, of onepoint2, acted on the Manchester deal.

Ennsimore to open Turkish restaurant within Hyde Hotels’ first UK outpost in collaboration with Selin Kiazim: Gleneagles and Hoxton hotels owner Ennismore is set to open a new Turkish restaurant within its first UK outpost for its Hyde brand. Hyde London City will open later this summer at 15 Old Bailey, and within it will be Leydi, an Istanbul-inspired restaurant created in collaboration with chef Selin Kiazim. The 90-cover restaurant will offer breakfast options such as böreks and tahini, stuffed lavash rolls and egg dishes such as menemen. Lunch dishes will include house-made döner with freshly baked lavash and dayboat seafood fried in a semolina crust and served with green chilli and coriander ezme. Evening menu highlights will feature mezes like muhammara, baked hummus with pastirma and smoked aubergine, all complemented by freshly fired Turkish bread. Head chef Halil Simsek, who previously worked alongside Kiazim at her restaurant Oklava, has also worked at Ristorante Italia di Massimo Bottura, Toi and Must in Istanbul. Among the drinks will be wine from Turkey, Lebanon, Greece and cocktails with a touch of spice and smoke. “Istanbul, like London, has that frenetic energy of a port town, where cultures and flavours mingle and develop,” said Kiazim. “My vision for Leydi is to create a stage for this rich culinary tradition.”

Future of several of Birmingham’s best-known LGBTQIA+ venues and festivals secured following management buyout: The future of several of Birmingham’s best-known LGBTQIA+ venues and festivals has been secured following a management buyout deal. GB Holdings (UK) and The Nightingale, which is one of the region’s most popular LGBTQIA+ venues, had posted two notices of intention to appoint administrators in the space of a month. Administrators at FRP Advisory were appointed for both businesses this week and then the pair were liquidated. Lawrence Barton, described as the owner of GB Holdings (UK) on the company’s website and also Birmingham’s night-time economy advisor, has acquired the companies in a management buyout deal and has transferred the interests including the venues to Develop Excellence. The deal has sparked a review of the business to improve the offering and usage of the spaces, with ambitions of securing the long-term future of the buildings as cultural assets. It protects more than 80 jobs and brings the businesses under the direction of Terence Runcorn and Gillian Barton. Runcorn was part of both the GB Holdings team in charge of operations and a director of The Nightingale. GB Holdings’ website had claimed to own The Nightingale; The Village Inn, one of Birmingham’s oldest LGBTQ+ spaces; The Loft Bar & Kitchen, located next to the Hippodrome; the Solihull Summer Fest; and the Paric Festival, the largest Irish music and culture event at Birmingham’s Irish Centre. A spokesperson told The Business Desk: “GB Holdings and The Nightingale have gone into administration. Both companies have been liquidated, with business interests including the venues transferred to Develop Excellence as part of a rescue deal struck by Lawrence Barton, which amounts to a management buyout.”

Deckers reports ‘strong’ sales as post-covid recovery continues: Deckers Hospitality Group, which owns hotels and restaurants across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire alongside a butchery, events and retail drinks business, has reported “strong” sales as its post-covid recovery continues. Its turnover increased from £34,560,426 to £40,571,592 in the year to 30 September 2023. Of this, £34,852,695 came from wholesale (2022: £29,201,676) and £5,670,445 from pub and hotel operations (2022: £5,339,334). Its pre-tax profit fell from £421,026 to £274,204 as costs rose by more than £5m. “Deckers continued its recovery post covid-19, with the group seeing a 17% increase in sales,” said director Victoria Cosgrove. “Except for the butchery, all areas of the group had good sales growth. The Royal Toby Hotel benefited from the return of more corporate hotel customers. The final stage of the Royal Toby Hotel refurbishment was completed in March 2024. Throughout the year the group faced high food and drink inflation with numerous supplier price rises. The group has already secured future energy contracts with a decrease in energy costs starting November 2024. An interest rate cap is in place to protect against future base rate rises. Actual sales performance, along with forecast sales, remain strong.” Net assets increased by £214,000 to £5,548,000 while capital expenditure was £537,000. The group used part of a £400,000 HSBC green loan to help fund solar panels on the roof of the Royal Toby Hotel plus several electric vehicles and charging stations. No dividend was paid (2022: £25,000). No government grants were received (2022: £24,000).

Nottingham operators open second site for self-service bar concept, in Manchester: Nottingham operators Sam and Tom Benjamin have opened a second site for their self-service bar concept, The Tap House, in Manchester. The venue has launched in the Circle Square development, spanning two floors under the Vita Living East building, and also has an outside space. The venue offers 24 varieties of beer, specialising in local breweries and hard-to-source brews, and 16 varieties of wine, along with pizza by the slice. The brothers established the concept in Nottingham in 2019, which sees guests assigned a personalised tab card. This card is then used to activate the dispensing machines on the “beer wall”. When finished, punters settle their tab and hand back the card. Tom Benjamin told the Manchester Evening News: “Perfect pints you can pour yourself. Delicious pizza by the slice. Wine you’ll love and adore. We’re excited to open the doors and see The Tap House concept come to life here at Circle Square.” The Benjamins are also behind Another? Wine Bar in Nottingham.

Greater Manchester bar and live music venue to open in Wigan for second site: Greater Manchester bar and live music venue Bask is set to open its second site, in Wigan. The venue, named Bask Live, will launch in the former Indiependence building in King Street West, which closed in February, reports Manchester World. Bask was founded by music promoter Benji Taylor and co-owned with Simon Silcock, a Wigan native. The original Bask location in Stockport, which opened in 2022, blends a speakeasy-style atmosphere with live music and has hosted acts like The Lightning Seeds, The Zutons and Liam Fray from the Courteeners. Initially, Taylor envisioned a vegan restaurant for the Stockport site. However, due to issues with installing an extraction fan in the venue, the concept evolved into Bask, which operates as a breakfast and lunch spot by day and transforms into a bar and live music venue by night. Unlike the Stockport venue, Bask Live won’t open during the daytime. Instead, it will focus on evening entertainment, including live music and comedy. Taylor said: “The plan was to always do a second one because Simon is from Wigan, and the next bar was always going to be there. Indiependence came up and we had a chat about it, went and had a look at it and decided to go with it.” Bask Live is set to open later this summer.

Rooftop Indian restaurant and bar opens at Sheffield city centre hotel: Indian restaurant and bar, Governor Gupta, has opened on the top floor of Sheffield city centre’s new Radisson Blu Hotel. Named after the Sanskrit word for guardian, the rooftop venue is inspired by the northern Indian adda culture, offering classic Indian snacks and flavours alongside tandoor chophouse specialties and hand-crafted cocktails. The hotel, within the Heart of the City scheme, has 154 rooms, multifunctional meeting spaces and a gym, as well as an outdoor terrace. Cllr Ben Miskell, chair of the transport, regeneration and climate policy committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Governor Gupta is another fantastic addition to Sheffield city centre. Just like the Radisson Blu hotel itself, the venue is another fine example of how our Heart of the City development scheme is driving positive change and widening the offer of our city centre.”

East Midlands operator begins expansion with Beeston opening: East Midlands operator Belfry Inns has begun expanding with the opening of its second site. Owner Gemma Knowles, who is following her dream to run a chain of bespoke pubs and restaurants, has launched Tony’s Bar and Grill in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, in memory of her father. Tony’s, which is based in the former home of the Lounge Bar & Restaurant in Chilwell Road, serves street food, burgers, pizza and steak, together with wine, craft beer and freshly prepared cocktails. Knowles, who has worked in hotels and restaurants since the age of 14, said her children have always encouraged her to follow her dreams, which led to her creating Belfry Inns. Last year she bought country pub, the Dog in Pentrich, near Ripley in Derbyshire. The Lounge Bar and Restaurant closed in January after 20 years in the same family. The premises have been fully refurbished, inside and out. Knowles’ father Tony died in 2020 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She told Nottinghamshire Live. “My dad was my inspiration, so it felt fitting to name the restaurant after him and he loved a good craft beer.”

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