The Alchemist – seeing growth in key trading days, midweek activity slower in regional cities, secures Monument site: Simon Potts, chief executive of bar and restaurant brand The Alchemist, has told Propel that current trading is “okay” if “somewhat polarised” with stronger numbers in central London, Manchester and the Scottish cities, while midweek activity is “inevitably slower in regional cities”. It comes as the business, which operates 24 sites in the UK, is set to further increase its presence in London, with an opening in the City in Monument. Set to open in January 2025, the business is to invest £1.9m in the new 5,549 square-foot bar and restaurant at 16-18 Eastcheap. The Alchemist Monument, which will span both ground and basement levels, with a capacity of 115 covers internally, will join six other London venues in the portfolio, in Battersea, Bevis Marks, Canary Wharf, Old Street, St Martin's Lane and Victoria. On trading performance in London, Potts told Propel: “We’ve definitely seen a pick up on midweek corporate activity and working patterns seem quite settled now – certainly in the City. What I like about this location is that it also has a great weekend profile as it's sited between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, with the Sky Garden opposite. The area is really well established as a food and beverage destination and I believe we'll augment the great hospitality already on offer.” On the wider trading picture, Potts said: “Trading is okay, somewhat polarised – with stronger numbers in central London, Manchester and the Scottish cities. We've been sensible in our pricing over the last 12-18 months, prioritising the long-term relationship we've built up over the last 14 years with our guests, over short term inflation busting jumps – and have worked hard to focus operational minds on delivering value for experience. We're seeing growth in key trading days, not least Saturdays as well as other big calendar dates, bank holidays etc. Midweek activity is inevitably slower in regional cities as discretionary spending is squeezed, but we're realistic about the pressures facing the consumer more generally at present and recognise that we're working through a cycle, which I'd expect to be moving up and out of as the second half of the year unfolds.” The company made its international debut in Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz scheme last spring. Potts said: “Berlin is now into it second year – the economic picture in Germany is very similar to that of the UK – but again, at key periods we are trading well and consistently; the user seems very engaged with our offer and while we've certainly got room to grow volumes, the trading profile is as we'd hoped for in our first foray.” In February, the company set out plans to open ten new sites over the next three years after securing a £15m loan from OakNorth. The new funding will aid The Alchemist’s expansion plans and refinance existing debt. In terms of its pipeline, Potts said the company remains active and “interested in site procurement both in the UK and in Germany”. He said: “We're keen, as ever – and as everyone else is, that new locations are robust and established in terms of surety of footfall and environment around us – and will be patient to ensure we deliver on that criteria.”

Incipio Group’s people team among speakers at Propel’s Talent & Training Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club members: Josie Adam, Jenni Haywood and Dominique Macaly, who head up Incipio Group’s people team, will be among the speakers at Propel’s Talent & Training Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Tuesday, 1 October at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. The conference will showcase examples of outstanding people culture among companies within the sector and how the industry is attracting talent. Adam, Haywood and Macaly will talk to Abi Dunn, founder of Sixty Eight People, about the incredible culture they have created at Incipio and their new strategy for the company’s upcoming flagship Olympia project. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £345 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers. Premium Club members get a 20% discount. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

Propel’s next Multi-Site Database to be released on Friday with seven category segmentation including 778 operators from pub and bar sector: Premium Club members are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database on Friday (26 July). The Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate, provides details of 3,200 multi-site operators and is now searchable in seven main segments. The database features 937 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 778 (24%) pub and bar operators, 532 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 436 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 261 (8%) hotel operators, 200 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month and this edition includes 50 new companies. New additions to the pub and bar sector include Balfour Hospitality, which has ten pubs across the UK; Open Brewers, a Lancashire multiple pub operator; and Bask, which is due to open its second bar and live music venue. Premium Club members also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Clubs members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including the Talent and Training Conference (1 October), Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025) and Excellence in Pub Retail (May 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.

UKHospitality – Skills England a ‘positive step’: UKHospitality has called the new Labour government’s introduction of Skills England as a body to “boost the nation’s skills” as a “positive step”. Skills England will bring together central and local government, businesses, training providers and unions to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions, providing strategic oversight of the post-16 skills system. It aims to support local areas to develop the skilled workforces they need and work with the Migration Advisory Committee to help reduce reliance on overseas workers. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The establishment of Skills England is a positive step that brings skills and education together under a single organisation to help drive economic growth and upskill the current and future workforce. Given the right circumstances, the hospitality sector is capable of delivering growth of 6% per year, and a focus on skills is central to this ambition. The sector is already the third largest employer in the UK, providing 3.5 million people with jobs, so it’s vital that our voice is represented within the new body. We are pleased to see the commitment of the new body to broaden the types of training that the apprenticeship levy can be spent, which will allow us to deliver a hospitality skills passport. However, we also need to see a focus on how apprenticeship delivery can be improved for the benefit of both workers and businesses and a focus on pre-apprenticeship training.” Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, added: “A fully-joined up skills strategy, that takes accounts of employers’ needs will be vital for growth, but whilst the ability to recognise local skills shortages will be important, it is equally key that the skills landscape is consistent and accessible on a national basis too. Skilled staff need to know that their qualifications and training are fully transportable, whichever part of the country they choose to work in.”

NTIA – escalating noise complaints jeopardise future of night-time economy: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said it fears escalating noise complaints are jeopardising the future of the night-time economy. A recent Freedom of Information request from 20 London councils revealed a 53% rise in noise complaints in the capital, from 2,440 in 2018 to 3,732 in the 2022-23 period. Alongside this rise, noise abatement notices increased from 34 in 2018 to 51 in 2022-23. The NTIA said this is a nationwide issue and that it is pushing for a cooperative approach between operators, licensing and planning departments, ensuring businesses are fairly represented in noise and nuisance complaints without community bias. It said changes in planning must safeguard social and cultural businesses, with a focus on coexistence, and that a clear framework for decision makers is essential for implementing effective mitigations during planning and development. “The substantial increase in noise complaints and noise abatement notices highlights a growing challenge our industry cannot tackle alone,” NTIA chief executive Michael Kill added. “These figures not only show a shift in community tolerance but also underscore the urgent need for balanced urban planning and licensing that supports both residents and businesses. The night-time economy is a vital part of the UK’s and London’s cultural and economic landscape. Central and local governments must act immediately to address these issues, as part of the planning reform process, which took centre stage within the King’s Speech.” 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a branded hotel group, with a large collection of properties around the world that has plans for growth, which is looking for a director of quality. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will operate across a broad spectrum of services, practices, people and premises to embed quality excellence at all levels. You will develop and introduce the tools and programmes to inform and improve the quality model. Through coaching individuals and teams, along with extensive data analysis, you will ensure brand programming is activated and enlivened in all guests contact areas and act as a brand guardian and advocate while taking accountability on quality delivery.” The salary is up to £110,000 and the position is based in Berkshire. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

Promoted content – meet Samarkand Palav, the Uzbekistan street food concept freshening up London: Akbar and Sanobar, the husband-and-wife duo, recently opened their street food business Samarkand Palav with the help of McCain’s Streets Ahead Programme, celebrating the unique cuisine of Uzbekistan. If their unique story and passion doesn’t grab your attention, their food certainly will. To find out more, click here.

Karali Group paid £3.5m to acquire 46 Taco Bell sites out of administration: Karali Group, owner of Crosstown, the artisan doughnut and specialty coffee brand, paid a total consideration of £3.5m to acquire 46 Taco Bell sites out of administration last month, becoming one of the biggest Taco Bell franchisees in the UK in the process, Propel has learned. Propel revealed last month that Karali had acquired the 46 sites, which were previously operated by the Caskade Group. Karali Group is led by Salim Janmohamed and Karim Janmohamed and is a diversified, multinational hospitality and real estate platform operating franchises in the fast-food, casual dining and hospitality sectors. The company previously operated 74 Burger King restaurants, which were acquired by Burger King UK in October 2022. It also has the rights to operate concepts including El Taco Loco, Dirty Dog Shack, Roosters, Sticky Sisters and Cafe Italiano. As at the date of the administration, T Bello Group, the holding company behind the 46 Taco Bell sites, was the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the UK, operating 51 restaurants with further development sites in the pipeline. The business employed approximately 650 staff. Funding for its expansion and trading was provided by a number of external funders including multiple asset finance providers, as well as cross-funding from related wider group companies. Begbies Traynor, administrators of T Bello Group and T Bello UK, said: “Despite management information reporting positive Ebitda performance, the companies suffered severe liquidity challenges throughout 2023 and into the first and second quarter of 2024 primarily due to significant asset finance obligations and lower than forecast gross sales receipts, compounded by a major aggregator temporarily removing the Taco Bell brand from its platform. This led to a significant build-up of arrears across a number of different creditors. We understand that as at June 2024 the amount of circa £3m is owed to Taco Bell by the TB Group, with arrears of unpaid tax of circa £500,000 to HM Revenue & Customs. In addition, the TB Group was in arrears with regards to repayments due to the bank and substantial amounts were owed to the wider group's primary energy provider. It is understood that the financial difficulties suffered by the companies were primarily due to significant monthly repayments of asset finance liabilities of circa £300,000, comprising multiple store fit¬outs costs and catering equipment entered into to fund an aggressive expansion strategy. Ebitda generated was not sufficient to meet the debt obligations and, we understand, was being partially funded by the Caskade Group, a related group of companies. On 13 June 2024, the bank served a demand against the companies in the total amount of £12,054,760 for repayment of the facilities provided by it. The companies failed to satisfy the demand, which resulted in the bank taking steps to appoint administrators.”

Board games cafe concept Draughts looking to seek investment next year to support expansion, set to open third London site: Board games cafe concept Draughts is to open its third London site and is looking to secure investment next year as it explores wider expansion in the UK and potentially the US, Propel has learned. Draughts founder Nick Curci said the business was about to start design and fit-out on the new venue, which should welcome customers towards the end of this year or at the start of 2025. Curci told Propel he and business partner Jason Chung were also looking at a fourth site, which would either be in London or Manchester. Curci, who is originally from New York, worked as an account director for a digital agency before launching Draughts in 2014 after coming up with the idea “as a way to get people away from their mobile phones”. The first site opened in Haggerston, which has capacity for up to 210 inside plus an outside space. The company’s Waterloo venue opened in 2018 and was expanded last year to add another 70 covers, taking capacity to more than 200. Between the two venues, there are about 2,000 games for people to choose from. Curci said: “2023 was a great year and back to pre-covid figures and 2024 has been on a par with that. We took the decision last year to expand Waterloo rather than add another site because we felt it made better business sense given the economic climate. We were having a wait-list of 400 people there. That popularity also shows the demand for the concept is there. We think there’s opportunity in other cities but we need a busy environment because the spend per head is relatively low. We think we could have three or four in London. Then we’ve been looking at Manchester and perhaps we could have two venues there. Then there are places like Liverpool, which are probably more suited to just the one site. We think there is also an opportunity in the US in particular. All our sites so far have been self-financed but I think in 2025 we’ll look to raise some investment to support our plans. Margins are being squeezed tighter and tighter but we will strive to continue to improve the experience for our customers.” 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. Existing Premium Club members can receive the report 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.

The Sushi Co lines up four more openings: The Sushi Co, the concept backed by Raheel Choudhary, former Papa John’s International Franchisee of the Year, has lined up four new openings for the remainder of this year. The company, which currently operates 21 sites, the majority within the M25, has secured a site in Brighton’s Western Road as well as three in London – in Hampstead (the former Oddbins unit at 64 Rosslyn Hill), Kensington and Highbury. A spokesman for The Sushi Co said: “At The Sushi Co, we follow the path less trodden to seek out the highest quality ingredients for our live sushi kitchens, without compromising the environment that they come from. Our dedicated team works with a small hand-picked and highly accredited group of suppliers that deliver vibrant, eye-catching and flavoursome ingredients to our kitchens daily. Once our team takes hold of these fresh ingredients, we follow authentic Japanese processes to prepare our handmade Minutes Fresh Sushi. We’re proud to take all the necessary extra steps to provide great quality sushi while doing our bit to be responsible in how we go about it.”

Michael Farquhar steps down as Ottolenghi Group COO: Michael Farquhar, formerly of D&D London, has stepped down as chief operating officer of London restaurant and deli operator Ottolenghi Group, after less than a year in the role, Propel has learned. Farquhar joined Ottolenghi Group last September after stepping down as operations director at D&D London after more than six and half years with the business. Farquhar joined D&D London at the start of 2017 as operations director, a new role within the business at the time, with the responsibility of managing all UK operations. He was previously global operations director at Cé La Vi Group in Singapore, where he led the operations team. Last week, Propel revealed that Emilio Foa had stepped down as chief executive of Ottolenghi Group, after two years in the role. Foa joined the company in spring 2022 after more than three and a half years as chief executive of furniture and home accessories retailer OKA. Ottolenghi co-founder Cornelia Staeubli will step into the chief executive role of the company, which operates six sites under its eponymous brand and the Nopi and Rovi restaurants in London. Earlier this year Ottolenghi Group made its regional debut with an opening in Oxfordshire, on the former Le Pain Quotidien site in Pringle Drive, Bicester Village. At the end of last year, Propel reported Ottolenghi Group was planning a further opening in the capital, in Richmond. 

Krispy Kreme sells stake in Insomnia Cookies: Krispy Kreme has sold its majority stake in Insomnia Cookies, which made its UK debut with a double opening in Manchester last year, to investment firms Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners, in a deal that values the late-night bakery brand at $350m (£271.1m). This is double the valuation of the business when Krispy Kreme acquired it in 2018. The transaction saw Krispy Kreme receive $127.4m with an additional $45m expected following Insomnia Cookies’ refinancing of intercompany debt. The move follows Krispy Kreme’s announcement in 2023 of its intention to explore strategic alternatives for Insomnia Cookies, including the possibility of an all-cash sale. Krispy Kreme said it will use the proceeds of the deal to bolster its fresh doughnut business, enhance availability and reduce debt. Krispy Kreme president and chief executive, Josh Charlesworth, said: “As we build a bigger and better Krispy Kreme, this transaction allows us to focus on our core strategy of producing, selling and distributing fresh doughnuts daily while also further strengthening our balance sheet.” Krispy Kreme retains a 34% minority stake in Insomnia Cookies, which has 250 locations worldwide. The bakery offers a variety of ice cream, cookies and sweet treats. The brand currently operates three UK sites in and around Manchester, but has as yet not moved out of that area. It has been looking at city centre sites in high footfall locations near to the “late-night action” and student suburbs. Last August, Ben Lacey, UK managing director of Insomnia Cookies, told Propel that the brand’s ambition is to have a “national presence across the UK including every major city and town, as well as London”. Propel understands that Insomnia Cookies has lined up an opening on the former Simmonite butchers shop, in Sheffield’s Division Street, which would stay open until 3am. The brand has also secured a site at 16 Angel Row in Nottingham city centre

Tampopo eyeing further expansion and well placed for further growth: Pan-Asian restaurant business Tampopo has said it is eyeing further expansion and is well placed for further growth. The David Fox-led business, which operates a total of six sites across Manchester and London, opened its second site in the capital, in Wimbledon, last summer. During 2023-24, the business achieved growth of 16% and is now considering further sites in the north west, or Greater London areas in 2024-25, reports Insider Media “Our second London restaurant in Wimbledon has helped boost our growth this year and it’s been an excellent opportunity to establish the Tampopo brand in new markets as we look to further our expansion journey,” Fox said. “We have been around for 27 years and, although it’s a challenging time for the industry, our heritage, experience of the sector, and our commitment to our customers and what they want, makes us well placed for further growth.” Tampopo has also introduced a new menu across its sites following around 12 months of research and development, including trips to the Far East, plus feedback from guests. “In an ever more competitive marketplace, travel, research and development are vital to ensure we continue to focus on what our customers want,” Fox said. “We are constantly evolving, just like our customers adapt their dining habits. We remain the same Tampopo at heart, but we never stand still, and that is what the industry needs to thrive. We’ve taken inspiration from restaurants in some of the most exciting global cities in the world like Hong Kong and Bangkok.” New large plates include Thai crispy whole sea bream and Yamato fillet steak, plus on the breakfast and brunch menu there is Thai-style omelettes and bubble waffle served with honey, chicken, bacon and a fried egg.

Mary Brown’s Chicken to open second UK site tomorrow: Canadian quick service restaurant brand Mary Brown’s Chicken, known as MB Chicken internationally, will open its second UK site tomorrow (Wednesday, 24 July). The brand, which has more than 250 locations in Canada, made its UK debut in March with the launch of a store in Lisburn Leisure Park in Northern Ireland. MB Chicken is now gearing up to open within the SSE Arena, formally known as The Odyssey, in Belfast – offering its Big Mary chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, ‘taters and bone-in signature chicken alongside treats such as halloumi fries and shakes. Dylan Powell, vice-president of international development at MB Chicken, said: “We are excited to announce that MB Chicken is crossing the road from Lisburn to Belfast as we continue our UK expansion plans.” In March, Powell told Propel the business was aiming to have its first UK mainland site open this summer and an estate of ten here by the end of 2024. He also there was no reason why it can’t grow to be bigger here than in Canada, where he said MB Chicken has the potential to grow to 500 sites.

EL&N to make Berlin debut: Cafe and lifestyle brand EL&N is to make its debut in Berlin later this year. The business, which made its debut in Germany last year, with an opening in Dusseldorf, will open in Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz scheme, complete with an external terrace area. Alexandra Miller, who founded EL&N in 2017, said: “The choice of Potsdamer Platz as the location for our latest café is perfect. The Playce’s dynamic atmosphere and modern architecture provide the ideal backdrop for our concept, which aims to enrich and celebrate life through good food and aesthetics.” EL&N will join The Alchemist at the Potsdamer Platz, while Lane7 will make its international debut at the scheme this summer. Propel reported earlier this month that travel concession operator Lagardère Travel Retail is set to launch EL&N in Cambodia as part of a new 12-year contract at Techo International airport, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open in the first half of 2025. Lagardère Travel Retail was appointed EL&N’s exclusive franchise partner for travel locations in February last year. In May, Propel revealed EL&N was looking to ramp up its international expansion plans and had begun the process of securing new partners across the globe. The business currently operates circa 40 sites across 12 countries. New territories under consideration are thought to include the US, Japan, India and further parts of Europe. The business is also further increasing its presence in the UK with openings in Westfield London and a debut EL&N Deli & Bakery in Covent Garden, which opens next Wednesday (31 July). 

First Restaurant Group acquires sixth pub with rooms: London operator First Restaurant Group has acquired its sixth pub with rooms, in Kentish Town. The company has completed on a new leasehold interest for the Lady Hamilton in a deal brokered by Fleurets. First Restaurant Group managing director Mitch Tillman said: “We will be reverting back to the pubs original name from 1885 – ‘The Old Farmhouse’ and will be bringing a rustic style back with ‘cosy farmhouse style’ pub interiors that will extend upstairs to the boutique bedrooms.” Work will start on the pub in August with the property reopening in early October and the bedrooms to follow early 2025. Elysia Wilson-Gunn, divisional director of Fleurets, added: “During its time on the market, we’ve had a huge level of interest with several offers being put forward. We are excited to see the building be restored to its former glory.”

Former Star Pubs & Bars business development manager opens fourth site for new pub company and second with Greene King: Former Star Pubs & Bars business development manager Colin Coogan and business partner Austin Whelan have opened a fourth site as part of their growing operation, Doolin Rock Pub Company, and second with Greene King Pub Partners. Coogan and Whelan have taken on The Waggon & Horses in Newmarket following a £300,000 investment by Greene King to transform the pub both inside and out. As a Doolin Rock Pub Company pub, The Waggon & Horses provides a “premium mainstream” offer and a sports offer with a particular focus on horse racing. The launch follows the opening of The Acorn in Barking with Greene King in August 2023, alongside The Derby in Oval and Prince of Wales in Surbiton in the company’s portfolio. Coogan and Whelan said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with Greene King Pub Partners by opening our second pub with the business and we look forward to continued expansion with it in the future.” Dan Robinson, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, added: “It’s excellent to see our partnership with Colin and Austin continue to flourish and I am excited to see how we continue to help them grow the Waggon & Horses and their overall operation going forward.”

Company behind London’s Hippodrome Casino reports record revenue but profit drops, customer base remains resilient and business well positioned for future growth: The company behind the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square reported record revenue but a drop in profit in the year to 31 December 2023, with its customer base remaining resilient and the business well positioned for future growth. Turnover grew from what was a record £111,332,353 in 2022 to a new high of £117,839,629 during the period. Pre-tax profit fell from £10,105,918 to £9,197,660 while Ebitda was down from £18.5m to £15.9m. A total of 1,611,467 customers came through its doors, up from £1,501,931 in 2022, while average employee numbers were up from 659 to 706. The company paid a total of £45.6m (2022: £43.6m) in taxes, which accounted for 38% (2022: 39%) of its turnover. No dividends were paid (2022: nil). “The business continues to perform strongly despite inflationary pressures on costs, increases in interest rates and cautious consumer sentiment,” director Matthew King said. “Turnover grew 6% on the prior year, with solid revenue from our gaming offers and full-year trading figures in our two new restaurants, which opened in late 2022.” A new “secret bar”, Archive & Myth, opened in June 2024, while the company has received planning permission to extend its roof terrace to include additional gaming and a hospitality space with up to 200 covers, with work expected to start in 2025. “We expect the business to continue to perform strongly in 2024, despite the uncertain economic environment,” King added. “Although there is still some uncertainty in. the economy, particularly with respect cost of living and interest rates, which feed directly to varying degrees into the consumer spending patterns upon which we rely, there is some evidence that a recovery is in progress. Our core market and customer base remains resilient and with key projects planned and underway we are well positioned for future growth.” As well as its Heliot Steak House and Chop Chop restaurants, the casino operates nine bars and a Crepeaffaire cafe. Since opening in 2012, the company said it has welcomed more than 17 million visitors, with an 11% share of the UK casino market, and has paid out a total of £11m in jackpot winnings. On an annual basis, it serves 500,000 pints, 200,000 cocktails, 50,000 bottles of wine, 30,000 steaks, 14,000 dim sum and 7,000 crepes.

Kibou opens sixth site: Kibou Restaurants, the Japanese concept led by Regent Inns founder David Franks, has opened its sixth site. Kibou has opened in the former Wilding unit at 11-12 Little Clarendon Street in the Jericho neighbourhood of Oxford – joining its venues in Cambridge, Cheltenham, Battersea, Clifton and Solihull. The 100-cover bar and restaurant features a dining room with views over an open sushi kitchen, and a cocktail lounge with a cocktail and spirits bar. There is also an additional 40 covers within a Japanese-inspired walled courtyard, and a private dining room with space for up to 12 covers. The menu includes “moriawase” sushi and sashimi platters, fresh seafood, wagyu, hot Japanese sharers and bowls of ramen, while the stand-alone bar serves signature Japanese-inspired cocktails and Japanese whisky, sake and beer. Imogen Gautama-Whelan, general manager at Kibou Oxford, said: “We’ve received tremendous support from the local community since announcing our move here, and are thrilled to now be a firm fixture within this bustling neighbourhood.”

Wagamama opens most sustainable restaurant yet with launch at Somerset shopping outlet: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, has opened its new restaurant, in Clarks Village shopping outlet in Street, Somerset. The venue marks Wagamama’s most sustainable restaurant to date. A total of 13 tables have been crafted from recycled chopsticks and all furniture is made from 80%-plus recycled or re-used materials. The restaurant, which has 172 covers including 40 external, is Wagamama’s 167th restaurant to open in the UK and has created 60 jobs. Sita Wood, head of regional marketing at Wagamama, said: “We are excited to have opened our new restaurant in Clarks Village and are proud this as our most sustainable restaurant yet.” Wagamama, which this month launched its first loyalty programme and brunch menu, has opened restaurants in Chatham, Dundee, Epsom, Glasgow, Walton-on-Thames, Watford and Wolverhampton already this year. The brand has targeted ten new openings in 2024.

Matt Healy to launch second restaurant, eyes further expansion: Matt Healy, who gained fame as a finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016, is set to open a second Forde restaurant, in Ilkley, and is keen to expand the concept further. It is set to open in the West Yorkshire town’s The Moors shopping centre this September, joining his debut Forde site, which opened in nearby Horsforth in 2016. The new 40-cover restaurant will follow a similar concept to the first – which offers brunch and coffee during the day and Yorkshire charcuterie, local cheese, small plates, and fine wine by night – but with a few enhancements due to the larger space. “It’s always been on the cards to grow the concept,” Healy told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “We weren’t forcing the issue – if the right place came up in the right part of town, we'd investigate further. Fortunately enough, my wife and I were in Ilkley getting knives sharpened when we decided to have a little drive around, and we found this perfect little spot. I’m very excited to get a second bigger site and to cast the net a bit wider on what we do and try and get a different demographic over there. What I want to do is, as the concept grows, have a core menu – any Forde you go into, you’ll get the same charcuterie board, or cheese board, whatever dish that may be. And then we’ll change the rest of the menu to fit the site, to fit the town, the city that we go into. The Ilkley site will be different in a sense that it’s bigger and we can offer more, but the core of what we offer will be the same as Horsforth – really lovely small plates, a banging Sunday roast, great cocktails and great wine.”

Former musical theatre actor brings his sing-along piano and cocktail bar concept to the UK: Former musical theatre actor Matt Colagiuri is bringing his sing-along piano and cocktail bar concept to the UK. Colagiuri will tomorrow (Wednesday, 24 July) open Downstairs at Betty’s, named after his piano singalong-loving grandmother, at 15 Charlotte Lane in Edinburgh. He is transporting the concept, which he developed when he moved to Portugal in the late 2010s, from its original home in Lisbon. It will be a “no microphone, no spotlight, no judgment” place where people can “come together to connect and sing to their hearts’ content, and where the pianist plays requests”. Colagiuri has partnered with Stefan Creran, formerly of Nightcap and Lucky Liquor, who will be crafting classic cocktails to sit alongside an offer of wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. There will also be a small snack menu featuring local cheese from Ian Mellis and charcuterie. Downstairs at Betty’s will be open Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 1am, with a pianist performing from 6.30pm to midnight over two shifts.

Odeon to launch new Luxe Suite concept at Norwich site: MC-owned Odeon Cinemas Group, Europe's largest cinema operator, will launch its new Luxe Suite concept at its site in Norwich. It will become Odeon’s largest Luxe cinema and the first to showcase its new VIP screen offering, with two premium recliner seats in a private cocooned space, combined with a pre-show, deliver-to-seat food and beverage service. Norwich is one of two Odeon cinemas in line for a Luxe refurbishment this year, the other being in Uxbridge, west London. Suzie Welch, managing director UK & Ireland at Oden Cinemas Group, said: “We are delighted to have made a series of investments into expanding and upgrading our cinema estate. Offering an unbeatable combination of luxury and comfort with our much-loved food and beverage menu, we look forward to welcoming guests to kick back and immerse themselves in the magic of cinema in style.” The investments come ahead of a strong film slate in the second half of 2024, with Inside Out 2 already on track to become Odeon’s biggest animated film since the pandemic.

Slim Chickens opens in Basingstoke: US brand Slim Chickens, which is being rolled out in the UK by Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), has opened a new restaurant in Basingstoke. The 3,503 square-foot unit is on the ground floor of the Hampshire town’s Festival Place, offering seating for more than 85 diners, having previously agreed a deal with landlord Sovereign Centros from CBRE. Ben Blore, head of operations at Slim Chickens, added: “The opening marks a key next step in our continued expansion across the UK, with Festival Place making the perfect home for the new restaurant.” Lunson Mitchenall and GCW represent Festival Place.