Exclusive – Bill’s returns to expansion trail as H1 lfl sales climb 3.4%: Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed group, is to return to the expansion trail with a new iteration of its restaurant format, Propel has learned. Following the trial of two new cafe bar concepts earlier this year in Newbury and St Albans, the circa 45-strong company will open up two new sites before Christmas in Milton Keynes and Street in Somerset and is in the process of securing a pipeline of properties for 2025 and beyond. The company is understood to have acquired the ex-Frankie & Benny's site in the Clarks Village shopping outlet in Street, and the former Cafe Rouge site in the Centre MK shopping scheme. Bill's managing director Tom James told Propel that the new sites will take learnings from the two café bar concepts launched earlier this year, in terms of technology – the ability to order via QR code, but it will be an evolved version of the group’s “already successful restaurant format”. He declined to put a number of how many sites Bill’s could potentially open. At one time, the brand operated more than 80 sites across the UK, and James didn’t rule out re-entering towns and cities that the business had previously operated in. He said: “It is not about the number of sites but about finding the right sites.” He said the company was looking to open in multiple new locations over the next two years following a strong trading performance in the first half of 2024. The company said that having delivered record sales in 2023 with Ebitda up 45% on 2022, it had shown no signs of slowing down in the first six months of 2024. It said sales increased 3.4% on a like-for-like basis in the first half of the year, while Ebitda climbed a further 51% versus the same period in 2023. Caring said: “We have a winning formula, and the numbers speak for themselves. Bill’s has always been a popular brand and we are seeing its full potential being realised with an industry-leading offer and experience. With the creation of hundreds of new jobs, and the chance to offer the Bill’s experience to more guests across the country, it is a very exciting time for the business”. James said: “After an incredible amount of hard work from the team, we are now seeing a continued trend of positive results and feel the time is right to grow. Our relentless focus on the guest experience has driven the charge forwards with our ethos of ‘everyone leaves happy’, and we are collectively very excited about the future of the business.” Caring acquired a controlling stake in the then two-strong Bill's in 2008, and the business at one time grew to circa 80 sites. However, the impact of covid and increasing costs across the sector saw its estate cut to 45 sites over the past few years. Last February, Caring, who has invested £5.6m into the business since 2018, said Bill’s had “turned a corner” with a new leadership team led by James. Caring reportedly kicked off the £1bn sale of his The Ivy Collection business earlier this year. On whether the serial sector investor had had any approaches for Bill's or was looking to explore options for the business, the company told Propel earlier this year: “We are concentrating on the new concept and openings.” Bill’s features in the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality, one of six databases available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The latest edition, which was sent today (Friday, 23 August), features full profiles of 878 of the UK’s top operators, listed in alphabetical order. The companies 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. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

Stonegate chief commercial officer Melissa Wisdom steps down: Stonegate Group, the David McDowall-led, TDR Capital-backed business, has announced Melissa Wisdom has stepped down as chief commercial officer. Wisdom, who was promoted to the role in June last year, is leaving the business to join electronic cigarette company Juul Labs as UK managing director and head of European business. Stonegate said since joining the business in 2021, Wisdom had been “integral to a number of key initiatives, especially in the areas of innovation and supplier partnerships”. Wisdom joined Stonegate from Diageo, initially leading the development of the group’s premium food offer, before moving to the role of sales and marketing director in March 2022. She became chief commercial officer, which included her brief as sales and marketing director with a broader commercial remit following Suzanne Baker’s retirement. McDowall said: “I would like to thank Melissa for her support and commitment over recent years. She has been a fantastic colleague, and we wish her every success in her new senior role, which is testament to her many skills and proven track record. We are carefully considering how we can best position our commercial and marketing functions for continued success moving forward.”

Royal China site loses licence over illegal employment breaches: The Royal China restaurant in London’s Baker Street has been fined £360,000 and its licence to sell alcohol revoked after a Home Office raid earlier this year found nine members of staff working illegally. Westminster Council has also banned the restaurant at 24-26 Baker Street from serving hot food after 11pm and playing music following the licensing hearing. The May raid on the restaurant was the third since 2018. The first two had resulted in fines totalling £110,000. One immigration officer described the venue as “the worst licensed premises” in Westminster, and in its report to the council, the Home Office also detailed the exploitation of staff. It said: “One worker reported that they worked washing dishes 11 hours per day, six days per week, earning £400 a week (around £6 per hour compared with the minimum wage of £11.44 per hour).” The Royal China group has six branches in London, including the Royal China Club flagship, which is also in Baker Street. None of the other venues have been subject to investigation. The company did not send a representative to the licensing hearing and has not made any statement on the issue.

Fourpure Brewing Co to consolidate brewing operations to north of England: Fourpure Brewing Co, owned by craft beer portfolio business In Good Company, is to consolidate its brewing operations by moving it from Bermondsey in London to its sister brewery in the north of England. The move will commence in mid-September and will see production relocated to Magic Rock’s brewing facility in Huddersfield, which is also owned by In Good Company. This will include the closure of Fourpure’s taproom on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, with In Good Company actively looking for a new home for the taproom in the capital. While Fourpure said its sales are up 41.7% year on year, the decision to relocate has been made “to future proof the business amidst a challenging time for the craft beer and hospitality industries”. In Good company said the consolidation will mean a significant increase in capacity in Huddersfield, as well as growing the brewing team on the ground at that location – ensuring continuity in supply of the range of Fourpure products. In Good Company chief executive Steve Cox said: “It is with huge sadness that we’ll leave the brewery and taproom that has been Fourpure’s home since 2013. As well as ensuring delivery of all commitments to our customers and partners, our absolute priority is to protect jobs. Staff on our London brewing team will obviously be affected by this decision and there will be opportunities for certain roles to relocate to Huddersfield as part of the expansion of that site. However, we appreciate this won’t be possible for everyone. Our wider team based in London, which is not physically involved in the brewing or the taproom – including the sales, marketing and finance teams – will be unaffected.”