We Do Play co-founder – Flip Out thriving, new concept Activate will be UK ‘game changer’, experiential sector ripe for consolidation: Richard Beese, the co-founder of multi-concept experiential leisure operator We Do Play, has revealed a pipeline of openings both in the UK and internationally for its adventure play brand Flip Out. In a wide-ranging interview exclusively for Propel’s Premium Club members today (Friday, 4 October), he also discusses the company’s plans for rolling out fast-growing Canadian active play concept Activate in the UK and when it will debut here. “When I visited it in Canada I was blown away by the responsiveness of the technology and fun of the gameplay,” said Beese. “The customer demographic was so wide as well, it really does appeal to everybody.” With 30 sites planned, he is already in discussion with landlords in major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and multiple London sites. Beese also explores the development trajectory of We Do Play’s golfing concept Putt Putt Social and reflects on the creation and sale of the Boom Battle Bar brand. Examining the experiential sector as whole, he said it is ripe for consolidation. “There is scope for operators like ourselves to acquire smaller companies with cool concepts, benefit from economies of scale and build some substantial businesses,” he added. Beese shares more of his thoughts in today’s Premium Opinion, which will be sent to Premium Club members at 5pm. This week’s Premium Opinion also sees Propel group editor Mark Wingett explore the acquisition of a majority stake in Chopstix by European operator QSRP, while UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls explains how it has been using the political party season to lobby for support for the sector. By joining Propel Premium Club, members get access to essential insight through opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first, watch vital video content and get event discounts. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up. 

 

Premium Club members to receive updated segmented Multi-Site Database today, videos from Talent & Training Conference to be sent on Friday, 18 October: Premium Club members are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database today (Friday, 4 October). The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,246 multi-site operators and is now searchable in seven main segments. The database features 958 (30%) operators from the casual dining sector, 782 (24%) pub and bar operators, 544 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 442 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 266 (8%) hotel operators, 200 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 16 new companies. Premium Club members will also be sent the videos from this week’s Talent & Training Conference on Friday, 18 October, at 9am. Members will be able to unlock insights from speakers including Kathryn York, chief people officer at KFC UK and Ireland, and Ceri Gott, chief growth and culture officer at Hawksmoor. 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 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.

 

UK hospitality sales 25.7% lower due to heavy rain and down 8.2% due to extreme heat on like-for-like days between 2022 and 2023: UK hospitality sales were 25.7% lower due to heavy rain and down 8.2% due to extreme heat on like-for-like days between 2022 and 2023, according to new data from CGA. The study, commissioned by the Zero Carbon Forum to show the effects of extreme weather on hospitality sales, showed that on 18 February 2022, Storm Eunice hit the UK and sales were 25.7% lower than on the same day in 2023. Furthermore, on 19 July 2022, the UK recorded 40-degree temperatures and sales were 8.2% lower than on the same day in 2023. Zero Carbon Forum founder Mark Chapman said: “The data makes it clear that it’s critical for hospitality and brewing businesses that want to survive now and thrive in the future to join forces and urgently support actions that reduce carbon and support regeneration in order to build resilience. We’ve asked our members to support initiatives that prioritise supplier engagement so that we can rapidly reduce the negative impact of the sector and ensure we maintain a planet that we can eat, drink and brew beer on.” It comes as the forum hosted its bi-annual CEO/CFO Roundtable in London to discuss what action the sector can take individually and collectively to build resilience across the supply chain in the face of new climate-related risks. The event highlighted the need for the hospitality and brewing industries to work together with their suppliers to reduce scope 3 emissions. “Our data shows that members are taking positive steps to reduce the carbon emissions within their direct control – scopes 1 and 2,” Chapman added. “However, 78% of the sector's emissions are in the food and drink we serve. These scope 3 emissions are found within the supply chain. They cannot be tackled individually, and the only way we will see meaningful reductions is to ensure the supply chain and our members work together.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a London restaurant brand that is seeking a head of sales and marketing. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The company is looking for an entrepreneurial individual with a passion for the industry. They will drive sales and marketing strategy and grow new business for the portfolio, develop and implement a comprehensive sales and marketing plan, craft a comprehensive growth marketing strategy to achieve revenue goals, lead marketing and PR initiatives, manage internal and external partnerships to maintain strong market presence, and more.” The package is up to £85,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email abbie@corecruitment.com.

 

Exclusive – Lisa Buckley steps down as CEO of Ninja Warrior operator Leisure TV Rights: Lisa Buckley has stepped down as chief executive of Ninja Warrior operator Leisure TV Rights (LTR) after two and a half years in the role, Propel has learned. Buckley, the former Wagamama UK operations director and Côte Brasserie managing director, who was appointed LTR’s chief executive in February 2022, has stepped down to “pursue new opportunities”. She joined the Imbiba-backed business in January 2021, when it had one Ninja Warrior UK adventure park, and during that time has built the company's portfolio to five Ninja Warrior sites throughout the UK, including its latest Teesside opening in July, which has been LTR’s most successful opening to date with record opening sales. Managing director Dawid Kaminski will lead the business for its next stages of growth and continue to work with ITV to strengthen the portfolio. Kaminski, a former operations director at Côte Brasserie and Wagamama, was promoted to managing director last November after joining LTR in 2022 as people and operations director. The LTR board, led by Darrel Connell, partner at Imbiba, said: “We are extremely grateful for all Lisa has contributed to LTR and her leadership has been incremental in growing the sales to where the business is today and implementing the team around her. We wish her every success in her next chapter.” The business is understood to have new concepts and openings in the pipeline, including “The Chase” interactive experience, in partnership with ITV Studios. A new report has been produced by Propel on the fast-growing experiential leisure sector. 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 180 companies, 3,500 sites and a 35,000-word report. The report is available to Premium Club members. 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.

 

Boparan Restaurant Group – sales and Ebitda ‘continuing to grow strongly during first three quarters of 2024’, 24-month development pipeline for Slim Chickens in UK: Boparan Restaurant Group – the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Giraffe brands – has told Propel that sales and Ebitda have “continued to grow strongly during the first three quarters of 2024”. BRG also revealed it also has a 24-month development pipeline for Slim Chickens in the UK. It comes as the group, which also operates brands including Giraffe, Cinnamon Collection and Fishworks, revealed that group system sales exceeded £250m for the year ending 31 December 2023. Sales across the group were up £8.4m (6.2%) with underlying Ebitda up by £3.7m (28%). Finance director David Sayer said: “Sales and Ebitda have continued to grow strongly during the first three quarters of 2024, with explosive growth in international airports with Giraffe becoming a travel hub specialist. We have a 24-month development pipeline for Slim Chickens in the UK and partnerships signed in Europe, with Berlin having opened in August 2024.”

 

Stonegate unveils new Social Pub & Kitchen brand following £5m investment: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has unveiled its new Social Pub & Kitchen brand following a circa £5m investment. Although Social Pub & Kitchen has been a part of the managed Stonegate portfolio since 2022, the brand is being introduced to consumers for the first time, with newly transformed pubs and refreshed branding. There are 127 pubs operating under the brand and the group said the refurbishments will continue into FY25, not only enhancing its managed estate but also creating more than 300 jobs across the UK. Recent refurbished Social Pub & Kitchen sites include Gosta Green and Bristol Pear in Birmingham, The Anchor in Bristol, The City Arms in Oxford and Off The Wall in Chester – with a focus on delivering premium entertainment including live sport screenings. Stonegate said no two Social Pub & Kitchen pubs are the same, with each refurbishment tailored to the local area and preferences, including partnerships with local artists and football teams. Bottomless brunches are another key offering, over two hours and with a varied menu of dishes and drinks. The pubs are also part of Stonegate’s MiXR app, where users can access exclusive deals, locate their nearest Stonegate venue and redeem points for rewards. James Metcalfe, marketing director at Stonegate Group, said: “It’s exciting to introduce Social Pub & Kitchen to the public as a brand that offers an inclusive, fun and individually crafted pub experience. We’ve thoughtfully invested in each site to ensure they are well-positioned for success, providing every pub with its own unique character while maintaining a strong, cohesive identity that celebrates exciting new food innovation, awesome draught beer and best in class sports experience. Social Pub & Kitchen is set to become a standout format in the UK’s pub landscape, with more exciting developments on the horizon.”

 

Oodles confirms debut oversea sites will open next week, plans to roll out across UAE and Gulf region: Indo-Chinese brand Oodles has confirmed its debut oversea sites will open next week, ahead of plans to roll out across the UAE and Gulf region. Propel revealed last month that the franchise business, which has grown to 45 UK sites since launching in Leicester in 2010, would open its first international location this month. It will now launch on Friday, 11 October in Dubai’s Motor City. Fahim Khan, Oodles’ head of franchise development, added: “In the fourth quarter of last year, we sat in the boardroom discussing the ambitious targets for 2024, and one thing was crystal clear: Oodles was ready for international expansion. Fast forward to the first quarter of 2024 – in February, we flew out to the UAE scoping out locations and finalised our first site. This is just the beginning though. Soon, we’ll be rolling out the Oodles franchise across the UAE and the GCC.” Oodles has a long-term target of 100 UK sites.

 

Big Mamma Group makes Belgium debut: Big Mamma Group, the McWin-backed restaurant group, has made its debut in Belgium with an opening in Brussels. As flagged up by Propel in August, Big Mamma Group, which operates 26 restaurants across Europe, has opened its new site – Barracuda – in the city’s Place Flagey, a building that previously served as a BNP Paribas Fortis bank. Earlier this week, the company confirmed it will make its regional UK debut in Birmingham in November. As revealed by Propel in June, Big Mamma Group will open on the former Vinoteca site at the Paradise development, 2 Chamberlain Square. Called La Bellezza, the restaurant will open on Friday, 29 November. McWin, the investment firm of food industry entrepreneurs Henry McGovern and Steven Winegar, acquired a majority stake in the Big Mamma Group last September. The long-term investment, made out of the McWin Restaurant Fund, saw Big Mamma Group valued at €270m. The investment will help the business expand further and the company plans to open a new Italian restaurant and bar in the St Michael’s scheme in Manchester, having also lined up an opening in London’s Canary Wharf.

 

One of Domino’s biggest UK franchisees makes almost £1m from disposing of several subsidiaries, turnover drops by more than £40m: One of Domino’s biggest UK franchisees, Bansols Beta, made almost £1m from disposing of several of its subsidiaries in the year to 31 December 2023 and saw its turnover drop by more than £40m. In its accounts for the period, the group said: “On 28 February 2023, the group sold its 100% interest in the ordinary share capital of Sandy Lane Ventures for a consideration of £6,162,129 to MSG Food Service, a company controlled by the director Moonpal Grewal. The profit of Sandy Lane Ventures up to the date of disposal was £127,305, and for its last financial year was £1,323,000. On 28 February 2023, the group sold its 55% interest in the ordinary share capital of ML Ventures for a consideration of £1,970,548 to MLV Holdco, a company controlled by Grewal. The profit of ML Ventures up to the date of disposal was £54,794, and for its last financial year was £725,324. On 28 February 2023, the group sold its 75% interest in the ordinary share capital of Third State Pizza Company for a consideration of £12,198,989 to Third State Pizza Holdings, a company controlled by Grewal, and therefore lost control over this entity and its subsidiary companies, MSG Cornwall, Hascombe Heath and Dorset Pizza. The loss of Third State Pizza Company and its subsidiary companies, MSG Cornwall, Hascombe Heath and Dorset Pizza up to the date of disposal was £16,109, and for its last financial year was a profit of £2,369,108.” The group made £995,072 in gains on disposal – £496,711 from Sandy Lane Ventures, £410,370 from ML Ventures and £87,991 from Third State Pizza. The group’s turnover for the period dropped from £101,364,698 in 2022 to £59,355,063. Pre-tax profit was also down, from £5,325,182 in 2022 to £4,194,439. Costs were reduced by almost £30m, from £75,362,229 to £45,607,451, while administration expenses were almost halved, from £20,320,452 to £10,466,732. Dividends of £2,378,195 were paid (2022: £2,920,200).

 

Punch acquires third pub this week: Punch Pubs & Co, which is backed by Fortress Investment Group, has acquired its third pub this week by adding The Salmon in Totton to its portfolio. The pub, which first opened its doors in 1962, will be taken on by Shane Light, son of former publican Eric Light, who is thought to be Hampshire’s longest-serving landlord. Punch Pubs head of estate development and acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “The Salmon Leap is the definition of a community pub which has built up an excellent reputation within Totton. I am certain that under the helm of Shane and his partner Sanna, the pub will continue to thrive with the support of Punch’s industry-leading investment and support for many years to come.” Operations manager Jay Pearce added: “I am thrilled that Eric has passed down his valuable hospitality traits to Shane, who I know will continue to run an epic pub business. It is also great to hear that Shane and Sanna will retain The Salmon Leap’s existing team, and I’m excited to be working alongside them to continue building a successful future here.” Earlier this week, Punch Pubs acquired the Grey Horses Inn in Carlton-in-Lindrick, near Worksop in Nottinghamshire, and The Straw Bear pub in the Peterborough suburb of Whittlesey. It also hired James Croft, formerly of Ei Group and Valiant Pub Company, as its new group strategy and commercial director.

 

Lane7 partners with Moment Factory to bring augmented gaming to UK: Boutique bowling company Lane7 has partnered with international multimedia studio business Moment Factory to introduce an immersive, real-life gaming experience to the UK. Launching this autumn, Lane7’s Birmingham location will be the first to offer two augmented games playgrounds, featuring six different multiplayer games, powered by Moment Factory’s interactive, tracking and projection technologies. Inspired by retro-gaming, players of all ages can “experience a new kind of entertainment where video games are brought off the screen and into the real world”. The new games blend physical activity with digital interaction, using advanced projection technology “to create immersive environments unlike anything currently available outside of North America”. Following the Birmingham launch, there are plans to roll out the augmented games across Lane7’s venues nationwide. Headquartered in Montreal, since its inception in 2001, Moment Factory has created more than 550 unique projects worldwide, including the Lumina Night Walks, the Aura series and The Messi Experience. Lane7 currently operates 17 entertainment venues in the UK through its eponymous brand, boutique bowling and gaming venue Gutterball, and two Level X format venues aimed at families and the youth market. Propel revealed last month that Lane7 is seeking to grow its European portfolio by some ten venues over the next two years, while also having a pipeline of nine new venues in the UK on track to open in 2025.

 

Lancashire KFC franchisee reports threefold increase in Ebitda, pays £1m in dividends: Lancashire KFC franchisee 1st Rate Investments reported a threefold increase in Ebitda for the year to 24 December 2023. The business, which operates 22 stores in the north west, saw its Ebitda grow from £444,179 in 2022 to £1,332,816. It narrowed its pre-tax loss from £1,409,287 in 2022 to £846,930. The company’s turnover was up from £38,149,258 to £40,360,297, which it said was “primarily due to price increases”. No dividends were paid during the year (2022: nil), but post year-end, a dividend of £1m was distributed.

 

Essex McDonald’s franchisee reports £12m turnover boost driven by four new store openings: Essex McDonald’s franchisee AFA Restaurants has reported a £12m turnover boost in the year to 31 December 2023 driven by four new store openings. The business, owned by Ahmet Mustafa, grew its revenue from £60,503,254 in 2022 to £72,031,628 during the period. Pre-tax losses more than doubled from £54,781 to £138,168 as costs rose by almost £5m and administration expenses by more than £5m. Dividends of £110,788 were paid (2022: £86,904). “Despite an improvement in turnover, significant costs pressures have led to a fall in gross profit margins,” Mustafa said. “Sales growth was driven by the opening of four new stores, alongside growth in revenue from digital channels. 2023 saw the business continue to expand its operations, with three new stores acquired under business facilities lease agreements and a delivery kitchen opened in the year. The business remains optimistic regarding future trading and continues to reinvest in its existing stores. During the year, the company completed major refurbishment projects at two of these sites. The net assets of the company were £6.80m (2022: £6.97m) at the balance sheet date, reflecting the solid position of the company from a solvency and liquidity point of view, and this strong balance sheet is the foundation on which the company can continue to grow and prosper. In 2023, the workforce was expanded to 1,879 (2022: 1,473) employees, reflecting growth and a commitment to job creation. Staff satisfaction was reported to have exceeded 90%, demonstrating a dedication to maintaining a positive and supportive work environment.” Post year-end, in September 2024, Mustafa added store number 19 to his estate with an opening in Chelmer Village, Chelmsford.

 

Boulebar Group lines up second UK site: Sweden-based Boulebar Group, which made its UK debut last year on London’s South Bank, will open its second site in the capital, in Spitalfields, next month. The new site, at 7 Frying Pan Alley, will comprise a full-size pétanque arena downstairs, featuring ten indoor courts. The company told Propel last month that it is planning multiple sites in London ahead of growth in major cities across the UK. Founded in 2000 by Henrik Kruse, the group combines street food and drinks with the French game of boulebar – which is similar to lawn bowls. It currently has 13 sites spread across Malmö, Gothenburg, Örebro, Stockholm and Copenhagen. The brand’s head of marketing, Elle Rankin, said: “Boulebar Group has seen rapid growth over the last six years, launching in two nations (Denmark and the UK) and coming out of the pandemic strongly. Our aim for the business is to have a Boulebar in every major city worldwide. Our reception into new markets has been strong historically, and our London launch in the UK has exceeded expectations, so we know we have a product that guests want to experience and return to.” Boulebar Group’s business here, Boulebar UK, is led by chief executive Alec Feakes, head of property Rich Willing and general manager Ollie Rudge.

 

Burger & Sauce lodges plans for second Nottingham site: Burger franchise concept Burger & Sauce has lodged plans for its second Nottingham site. The company made its debut in the city in September 2022 with an opening in Alfreton Road in the suburb of Radford. Now Burger & Sauce has submitted an application to open in Clumber Street, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Burger & Sauce plans to open in the unit previously occupied by clothing retailer Levi’s, which moved to the Victoria Centre in autumn 2023. Burger & Sauce currently operates 17 sites and has targeted 20 by the end of this year and 50 by the end of 2025. Among the sites listed on its website as “coming soon” are Sheffield, Manchester and the Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands. Founder Saad Masood opened the first Burger & Sauce restaurant during the pandemic, which turned over more than £1.5m in its first year.

 

Andrew Brownsword Hotels falls to £2.5m loss, pays £12.5m in dividends: Andrew Brownsword Hotels, the operator of 13 UK sites including four Adobe hotels and several manor houses and country inns, fell to a loss in the year to 31 December 2023. The company, owned by Christina and Andrew Brownsword, saw a pre-tax profit of £668,762 in 2022 turn into a loss of £2,548,505. This was off turnover of £10,998,431, up slightly from £10,734,288 in 2022. Of this, £7,397,125 came from hotel accommodation (2022: £7,281,364), £2,012,325 from food and beverage (2022: £1,942,038) and £1,221,192 from management fees (2022: £1,161,613). No government grants were received (2022: £26,900) while dividends of £12.5m were paid (2022: nil). Net assets at the period end were £38,785,746 (2022: £53,851,371).

 

MFA Group restructures operations as it acquires pub from M&B, set to expand Triple Two coffee business: MFA Group, which is behind MFA Bowl and acquired the Triple Two coffee business out of administration earlier this year, has restructured its operations to create three divisions to support its growth, Propel has learned. The new divisions are family entertainment including ten pin bowling, coffee shops and pubs and bars. It comes as the group adds to its pub estate with the acquisition of a site in north west London from Mitchells & Butlers. MFA Group has bought The Earl of Derby in Kilburn for an undisclosed sum and the pub will be refurbished shortly. Having acquired the Triple Two business in June and rebranded two Daisy Grey coffee shops in London, in Keston and Beckenham, Triple Two is set for further growth. Further coffee shops in Ealing and Finchley are in legals, and it is expected they will be added to the group shortly. MFA Group has plans to grow the Triple Two business to a 30-strong estate across Greater London. The group also operates five MFA Bowl centres, including its flagship in Jersey, and continues to seek opportunities to expand.

 

Açai brand Oakberry extends regional footprint for tenth UK site: Açai brand Oakberry has extended its regional footprint here for its tenth UK site. It has opened at Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre for its fifth regional site, joining its locations in Bristol’s Cabot Circus, plus others in Brighton and Belfast. It also has five London sites – in Clapham Junction, Bond Street, Hammersmith, Portobello Road and Rathbone Place. Oakberry, which was founded in Brazil in 2016 and has grown to 600 locations in 35 countries, launched in the UK in 2022. “We’re excited to announce the successful opening of our new location in Bullring Birmingham,” a company spokesman said. “And this is just the beginning – another opening is coming soon – watch this space!”

 

Indian street food concept adds to its university campus footprint for eighth site: Indian street food concept Tikka Nation has added to its university campus footprint with the opening of its eighth site. It has opened at Royal Holloway University in Egham, Surrey, having earlier this year opened at on the lower ground floor at Leeds University students’ union. Founders Sumit Jain and Vikas Narula opened their first Tikka Nation in Dorking, Surrey, in July 2020, and it also has sites in Uxbridge, Watford, Sutton Coldfield, St Albans and Preston. “When I started Tikka Nation in 2018, it was driven purely by passion,” Narula said. “Fast forward six years, and we’ve grown into a community of seven stores, and now, it feels surreal to announce that we are opening our eighth franchise at Royal Holloway University this week. What started as a dream has flourished into something bigger than I could have imagined – here’s to many more milestones ahead!”

 

Neighbourhood private members’ club concept planning four more sites in next five years as it reports trading and membership numbers well ahead of expectations: The Dally, a new neighbourhood private members’ club concept, has reported trading and membership numbers well ahead of expectations for the six months to 30 September 2024. The Dally launched its debut site, in London’s Islington, this spring, which it plans to follow with four more sites over the next five years. It said membership levels are 55% ahead of expectations and are on track to grow substantially over the next two to three years. A series of member events – from book launches to comedy, live music, supper clubs, talks, quizzes and theatre trips – have been “effective in driving footfall and food and beverage purchases”. On average, one in four members make a weekly visit, and each member can bring up to three guests, which has created new opportunities to introduce prospective members. Overall, guest visits make up 33% of all visits. The Dally has also built a strong pipeline of bookings for wedding and private events, currently averaging 14 per month, with a significant uplift expected in the final quarter of 2024. It has seen a positive response to the launch of Margo’s, its 32-cover Mediterranean restaurant led by head chef Stefano Cirillo, which is open to all. Last month, it launched its autumn menu, which drove a 66% increase in covers in September compared with June. Co-founder Caroline Baldwin said: “The Dally’s start to life has been really encouraging, and the success we’ve seen reinforces why we created The Dally. People want to feel part of a community of like-minded people but don’t want to travel outside of their local neighbourhood – nor do they want to pay sky-high membership fees – to feel included. The Dally has been created to reinvent the model through local clubs that are open for all, and we’re really excited about what the future looks like.”

 

Bento Bab to double up in the capital: Korean concept Bento Bab is to open second site in London, in the City. The concept, which is named after owner Sun Bab (in Korean tradition, the family name comes first), is understood to have taken the former Gino D Acampo My Pasta Bar unit at 201 Bishopsgate for an opening later this year. Bento Bab opened its first site in 2019, in Commercial Street, Spitalfields. It offers a wide range of Korean street food from tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and kimbap (cooked rice and vegetables, fish and meat rolled in dried seaweed) to Korean fried chicken. It also features Korean pop music (kpop) across its décor, including posters of the world-famous Korean boyband BTS.

 

Mooboo opens second site for its new coffee shop concept: Mooboo – one of the largest bubble tea operators in the UK with more than 100 locations – has opened a second site for its new coffee shop concept, Daku. Mooboo launched the first Daku coffee shop in January, at 100 High Street Kensington in London. It has now followed this with a second site in the capital, at 24 Monument Street in the City of London. The company said. “We are thrilled to open our second door in the heart of the city. We’re so proud to be part of this vibrant neighbourhood and look forward to serving the area with the finest coffee experience.” Mooboo was founded by Eric Khaw and launched in London’s Camden in 2012. Its latest opening was in the former Blueberry Toys unit in Denmark Street in Wokingham, Berkshire, in August.

 

Former Revolution site in Edinburgh placed on the market: A former Revolution site in Edinburgh has been placed on the market, with a leasehold premium asking price of £100,000 and an annual rent of £195,000. Located at the eastern end of Chambers Street, the property faces the National Museum as well as one of Edinburgh University’s main campus buildings. The property comprises three separate bars, with the lower ground incorporating a glass vaulted ceiling. There is also a restaurant and a dance floor, creating a venue with a capacity for circa 600 visitors. Simon Watson, business agent at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, said: “We are looking to secure a new tenant and strong covenant for our client. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced operator or an addition to a current multi-site operator to acquire a prime location in Edinburgh.” Revolution Bars Group – the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – completed its fundraising and restructuring plan last month.