Wendy’s UK MD – we’ll look to take on more franchisees here next year, and where we can’t, we’ll open more company stores: Michael Clarke, managing director of Wendy’s UK and Europe, has said the brand will look to take on more franchisees here next year, and where it can’t, it will open more company owned stores. Since relaunching here three years ago, Wendy’s has grown to circa 40 locations and will close out the year on 49, Clarke said. The majority of these are split between five franchisees, with a company footprint of 13 locations. “We’ve said we see the opportunity over time in the UK as 400 restaurants, and we want to get there as quickly as possible,” Clarke told the Propel Multi-Club Conference. “When we came into the market, we split the country into territories. We’ve got our company footprint in London and the south east, and we’ve started to open restaurants in Liverpool, and soon to be in Manchester. A couple of months ago we opened our drive-thru in Liverpool, and that delivered global record sales for any Wendy’s restaurant, which is incredible. We’ve got a great franchisee in Square Burgers, which has now taken on a new development agreement for Scotland, and it will be opening there next year. Where we’re now actively looking for franchisees in the UK is Wales, Northern Ireland and some parts of southern England. We’re 95% franchised globally, and the UK is the only company footprint we have outside of the US. The intention is to keep some skin in the game and continue to open company restaurants. We haven’t put a threshold on it, but if we can’t find franchisees to fill some of the territories we’re looking at, we will control our own destiny and build a company footprint there. We’ve got a really good pipeline for the UK and will continue to open at pace. We hope to start to secure some new franchisees in the UK and Europe early next year.” Clarke said Wendy’s sees the UK as a “beachhead to Europe”, and as previously reported, will be launching in the Republic of Ireland and Romania next year. He said the company is also currently speaking to franchisees in Poland and Czech Republic, “and hopefully Spain very soon”. He added: “We have 7,000 restaurants but only 1,000 internationally, so that gives you a scope of the opportunity.” Clarke was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. His video and the 12 others from the conference will be made available to Premium Club members on Friday, 22 November, at 9am. 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 next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday featuring more than 1,000 companies, videos from Multi-Club Conference on 22 November: Premium Club members will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (15 November), at noon. The database will feature 114 updated accounts and 16 new companies, taking the total to 1,110. A total of 644 companies are making a profit while 376 are making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors' earnings for the past five years. Premium Club members will also receive all the videos from the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024 on Friday, 22 November, at 9am. They include Des Gunewardena, founder of the D3 Collective and co-founder of D&D London, talking about his return to the hospitality sector, his three new projects with a focus on “landmark sites”, the need to provide alternative points of difference and his take on the London market. Meanwhile, Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, talks to Propel group editor Mark Wingett about the company’s plans for Wagamama and Brunning & Price, the role the group’s concessions business plays, and his thoughts on where the wider sector goes from here. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, 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.

 

Night-time industry ‘fighting for survival’ as nine in ten businesses face ‘devastating’ financial impacts following Budget: Nine in ten night-time industry businesses are facing “devastating” financial impacts following the Budget, with 40% warning they could be forced to close within the next six months unless urgent support is provided, according to new research. The survey by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said with escalating costs and shrinking consumer spending, “this once-thriving sector is now fighting for survival”. More than 75% of venues said they expect additional annual costs exceeding £30,000 due to increases in energy prices, national insurance contributions, alcohol duties and the minimum wage, with some businesses face annual hikes surpassing £80,000. Meanwhile, 88% of respondents reported the Budget will significantly harm their profitability, with many fearing imminent closure. To manage rising expenses, more than 90% of businesses are resorting to measures such as raising prices, cutting staff hours, reducing operational hours and delaying essential investments. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “The autumn Budget has effectively signed a death sentence for many night-time economy businesses across the UK. This sector, which contributes more than £136bn to the economy and employs in excess of two million people – especially young people under 30 – is being pushed to the brink. The government’s ‘pro-growth’ claims ring hollow in the face of policies that are, in reality, crippling the very industries that drive economic vitality, social cohesion, and cultural richness.” The NTIA is calling on the government to take immediate action on three critical areas – expand business rates relief for small and medium-sized venues, direct energy subsidies for night-time economy venues and reconsider the rises in alcohol duty and employer national insurance contributions.

Diageo aiming to reshape luxury beverage sector with launch of new division: Diageo GB is launching the Diageo Luxury Company, a new division aimed at transforming the company’s performance in the luxury beverage sector in its home market. The division unites existing colleagues in marketing, sales and commercial teams under a new unified strategy and leadership team, with the launch intending to boost Diageo’s presence in the super-premium and premium segments. Diageo Luxury Company will focus on “bold and locally relevant innovations and brand building, as well as exciting consumer experiences” across both the on and off-trade as well as digital channels. Diageo said the new division will have a clear portfolio focus, activating five luxury spirit brands across Britain: Don Julio, Casamigos, Johnnie Walker, The Singleton and Ciroc. It comes as Diageo launches The Diageo Luxury Group, a newly created global division for Diageo’s “most valuable and exceptional assets”. While the Diageo Luxury Company will work with The Diageo Luxury Group, it will operate under the Diageo GB business alongside the market’s other core spirits and beer brands. Diageo Luxury Company will be led by Hinesh Shah, who has been at Diageo for almost 14 years, spending most of his career in North America working in roles across finance, sales, strategy and working with the largest customers and distributors in the world. His most recent tole was vice-president – commercial transformation in North America. Nuno Teles, managing director Diageo GB, said: “Through innovation, investing in diverse talent, and a commitment to excellence in execution, the Diageo Luxury Company promises to shape the future of luxury beverages.”

Competition for drinks brands heightens as hospitality operators rationalise range: Nearly a quarter (23%) of hospitality leaders have changed the routes-to-market of their drinks ranges and more operators (15%) are seeking to reduce their delivery partners than increase them (4%), putting drinks brands at risk of being de-listed, according to CGA’s latest Business Leaders’ Survey. Cost challenges mean operators are having to review all parts of their cost base, including drinks, seeking greater value from their distributors and brand partners, the report said. Operators are closely reviewing the performance of categories and looking to optimise their range, rationalising poor performing categories and making space for growth categories. The long alcoholic drinks category is seeing the greatest churn, with 11% of leaders already changing their primary supplier. A proportion of leaders are planning to reduce their ranges of draught standard lager (16%) and packaged (10%) or draft (8%) cider, while gin ranges are being cut by even more leaders (22%). More than a third of leaders plan to increase their range of no and low alcohol beer and cider (42%) or spirits (39%), while tequila (18%) is another growth opportunity. Some 72% of operators say drinks suppliers can help them with more competitive pricing, along with staff training and support (32%), help with sustainable initiatives (32%) and offering more reliable and timely deliveries (23%). Rachel Weller, CGA commercial leader GB & Ireland, said: “Operators can’t afford to hold stock that isn’t delivering sales, and they know their range needs to meet the demands of their guests. Add in the intense competition for space, and it’s essential for drinks suppliers to create strong sales stories that show why their brands deserve to be at the bar. To beat rationalisation, the top priority of all is to listen to what venues want and deliver the committed support they need.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an award-winning cocktail bar company that is seeking an experienced general manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The general manager will be a natural leader with a big character and a strong ability to connect with people. Experience in high-volume and entertainment-led venues, along with a solid understanding of P&L, is essential.” The salary is up to £62,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email kateb@corecruitment.com.

 

Exclusive – Stonegate to launch two new formats into managed estate: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, is launching two new pub formats – Heritage Pubs and Pubsmiths – within its managed estate. Stonegate said the strategic move was in recognition there “can no longer be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach for our Pub & Dining estate” and aims to deliver “exceptional guest experiences by aligning each pub with the needs and preferences of its surrounding community”. Heritage Pubs focuses on pub classics served in a “cosy, family-friendly and rural setting”, while Pubsmiths offer a drinks-led experience in “lively social spaces serving small plates and shareable dishes in town and city destinations”. Heritage Pubs, which has been launched within 51 sites, are “the heart of their communities, welcoming families and four-legged friends alike in a genuine, friendly and easy-going atmosphere”. Stonegate said: “The food offering showcases pub favourites and Sunday roasts. Additional features include the Cask Ale Collector Card, where guests buy six pints and get the seventh free, and events like quiz nights and family orientated activities.” Pubsmiths, known as signature locals, operates across 12 sites, primarily located in London or “on bustling high streets”. They are designed to offer a “vibrant and sociable experience”. The menu includes 15 small plates, as well as sharers and classic pub ‘go-to’ dishes. Stonegate said the vision behind creating the two new formats was driven by in-depth data analysis and market research. It identified that trading profiles and guest behaviours were strikingly different across the Pub & Dining estate. The company said: “Destination pubs in rural areas often report a 40% food mix with visitors favouring Sunday lunches and daytime dining. In contrast, town and city sites typically show a 20% food mix with peak visits midweek or evenings. By segmenting the Pub & Dining division into two new pub formats, Stonegate can provide more tailored offerings that best suit different locations and varying guest needs. Their ambition is to serve moments that matter with well-loved traditional food and drink.” Both formats are part of the company’s new Dining Division, with a food-focused concept. David McDowall, chief executive at Stonegate Group, said: “We recognised there can no longer be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach for our Pub & Dining estate. By segmenting these pubs into two new formats, with Heritage Pubs including destination sites and Pubsmiths as town and city pubs, we’re able to better cater to the differing needs of our guests. This evolution is about setting up every site for success, putting the right pubs in the right places with the right offerings, and we’re excited to see our guests’ response.”

Hache closes four sites, files intention to appoint administrators: London premium burger concept Haché has closed four of its five sites and filed an intention to appoint administrators, Propel has learned. Propel reported last week that the company had appointed advisors to explore its options. The business is working with advisors Interpath on an accelerated sales process for Haché, which operates sites in Balham, Clapham, Chelsea, Kingston and Holborn. Propel understands that the latter, which operates under a Haché Brasserie format, remains open. It is thought that the cost headwinds the sector has faced over the past few years has led to the company taking the decision to close the sites. The business changed its strategy on the concept a couple of years ago, with the focus placed on larger sites. This led to the disposal of two small Haché sites, in Shoreditch and Clapham, which were more exposed to increases in its cost base. A spokesperson for Haché told Propel last week: “Following the sale of two of our sites last year, we have received considerable interest in our remaining sites, and as such, we have recently appointed advisors to help us explore our strategic options in relation to them.” Interpath declined to comment.

 

TRG boss – loyalty helping attract more families, response to brunch move mixed: Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group, has said Wagamama’s first loyalty programme is helping the brand attract more family diners. Launched in July, Wagamama said ‘Soul Club’ is a platform where members can redeem free menu items, exclusive content and engage with a line up of ambassadors. For every visit to the programme’s app, guests receive a stamp in their digital stamp-book, inspired by the Japanese tradition of hanko stamps. Speaking at Propel’s Multi-Club Conference, Hornby said: “It’s early days, but we’re pleased. The technology is working well. We could get literally hundreds of thousands of sign-ups quickly if we’ve got all our customers to sign up. What we are much more concerned about is to make sure we do loyalty differently. The exciting thing for us is it might increase our share of some of the areas that you would not necessarily think is Wagamama’s core markets. We’re cautiously optimistic this really does help where maybe the cost-of-living crisis has made people think twice about how much they spend in taking out their two kids.” In July, Wagamama launched its first brunch menu into 22 UK sites, with brunch served from 8.30am to 11.30am. Hornby said the reaction to the move had been “mixed”, adding: “As you’d probably expect, it is working much better in our high turnover retail outlets, the larger shopping centres – particularly designer outlets where people are tending to go all day on a Saturday and getting there quite early. There, we are tending to find it has had a quicker uptake than with a classic, city centre location, where you’re more dependent on office workers.”

 

North west hotel and pub company in ‘strong position to capitalise on opportunities’ as turnover rises but profit drops: North west hotel and pub company Inns & Leisure has said it is in a “strong position to capitalise on opportunities” as its turnover increased and profit dropped in the year to 20 February 2024. The company, which operates a portfolio of circa 30 managed and tenanted pubs, saw its turnover rise from £5,653,504 to £6,020,889. Pre-tax profit was down from £751,148 in 2023 to £467,839. No government grants were received (2023: £14,000) and dividends of £200,000 were paid (2023: £600,000). “Going forwards, the company aims to continue seeking suitable expansion opportunities to develop further,” director George Clark said. “New premises are continually sought to enhance the offerings and services of the company, with money continually reinvested in both improving and developing existing premises. The strong financial position of the company will allow the company to be able to capitalise on any relevant market opportunities that arise in the future. Despite the difficult trading conditions, the company has seen an increase in both turnover and gross profit levels. The rise in the cost of general overheads has seen there be an impact on the overall profitability of the company in the year. At the balance sheet date, the company remains in a strong financial position, with net assets of £7.3m (2023: £7.1m) and healthy cash balances of £3.5m (2023: £3.0m). The gross profit margin has fallen from 72% to 69% as there has been continued pressures on input prices, but the directors are satisfied with the gross profit margins achieved. The company believes the good levels of gross profit margins achieved are as a direct result of continued targeted investments in both good quality landlords and tenants and in the public houses and hotels. The offerings in place at the public houses and hotels continue to be demanded by the company's customer base.”

 

Caffe Concerto to open in Leeds for second regional site: Patisserie and café brand Caffe Concerto is to open its second regional UK site, In Leeds. The 200 square-foot restaurant will take up the former Tommy Hilfiger unit in the Victoria Gate shopping centre. The venue – which opens on Friday, 22 November – will have 138 covers and will have outdoor seating on to Harewood Street. Caffe Concerto, which was founded in London in 1996, is known for its Italian-inspired menu, cake displays and live music events. Director Maher Al Hajjar said: “We’re excited to be opening our first restaurant in Yorkshire, in Leeds. The decision to open in Leeds, particularly in Victoria Gate, was influenced by the area’s vibrant atmosphere and the opportunity to bring Caffè Concerto’s unique and elegant dining experience to a completely new audience.” The site will be the brand’s 22nd in the UK and join its other site outside London, in Birmingham. In recent years, Caffe Concerto has also expanded internationally with outlets in France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

 

Whitbread agrees terms for new Premier Inn hotel at Edinburgh airport: Whitbread has agreed terms for a new Premier Inn hotel at Edinburgh airport. The deal with Riverstone Developments will see plans for a 200-bedroom hotel submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council in the new year. The proposed hotel, which Premier Inn will occupy on a leasehold basis, is in Eastfield Road, the main vehicle access route to the airport. Jill Anderson, acquisitions manager for Whitbread, said: “The investment case for expanding Premier Inn at Edinburgh airport is compelling. Close to 14.5 million passengers chose to travel from the airport in 2023, an increase of almost 30% on the year before, and aircraft movements are increasing especially to international destinations.” News of the acquisition follows the announcement in September of the largest Premier Inn in the north of England, at Manchester airport, which will create a 276-bedroom hotel adjacent to the terminal serving the UK’s third busiest airport. 

 

McDonald’s franchisee acquires two restaurants and sells one as profit doubles and turnover passes £90m: McDonald’s franchisee I&A Restaurants – which operates 19 stores across Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire – saw its profit double and turnover pass £90m in the year to 31 December 2023. During the year, in November, the company, led by Ismail Anilmis, sold one restaurant, in Warwick, to a new franchisee. In the same month, it acquired a new restaurant, in Bedford, and the following month, acquired another, in Didcot – but this one did not trade during the year in question. The company’s turnover grew from £84,459,221 to £91,841,725 during the period. Pre-tax profit was up from £2,212,747 in 2022 to £4,614,143. “In the year 2023, the company showed how well it can diversify and deal with ever changing trading and economic conditions,” Anilmis said. “The company has had a relatively successful year, despite a challenging economic year with surging operating costs. Overall, the financial position of the company is healthy, with the balance sheet currently showing net assets of £9.99m, an increase from £8.03m in 2022. The business has remained strong and takeaway and home delivery sales have shown very positive growth. Confidence in the McDonald's brand has remained high. The gross profit margin has shown a slight increase, reporting a margin of 40.39% compared with 39.79% in 2022. The business' cash flow was in a healthier position during 2023, and the company is able to meet its loan repayments. During the year, business conditions have improved, and with the increase in sales, average number of employees increased to 2,269 from 1,925. The company plans to acquire more restaurants should the opportunity arise.” The directors recommend a dividend of £1,445,000 (2022: £1,300,000) be paid for the year.

 

ChicKing signs franchise agreement to open 30 sites in Scotland: Dubai-headquartered fast chicken brand ChicKing has signed a franchise agreement to open up to 30 sites in Scotland over the next three years. Founded by AK Mansoor in the UAE in 2000, ChicKing has since grown to in excess of 300 sites in more than 35 countries. It made its UK debut in 2017 with a couple of sites in west London – in Acton and Marylebone – before making its regional debut the following year with a launch in Wednesbury, in the West Midlands. ChicKing currently operates 13 sites across England, with a further opening lined up the former Belgian Chips premises in Granby Street, Leicester. ChicKing has now signed a master franchise agreement with Hamilton-based FoodFixx to roll out in Scotland, reports the Glasgow Times. In May, Propel revealed ChicKing is looking to ramp up its UK expansion as it targets 500-plus sites globally over the next five years. It is part of the Al Bayan group of companies, which has grown from a Dubai-based enterprise to spread across the Middle East, Asian subcontinent and Far East, while its franchise division is BFI Management DMCC.

 

Boulebar Group to open second UK site this month: 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, this month. The new site, at 7 Frying Pan Alley, will open on Tuesday, 26 November, comprising a full-size pétanque arena downstairs, featuring ten indoor courts. The company told Propel in September 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. Boulebar currently has 13 sites spread across Malmö, Gothenburg, Örebro, Stockholm and Copenhagen. The business here, Boulebar UK, is led by chief executive Alec Feakes, head of property Rich Willing and general manager Ollie Rudge.

 

Snowflake Gelato opens Oxford site: London premium gelato brand Snowflake has enhanced its regional presence in the UK with an opening in Oxford. The business has opened a site in the Westgate scheme in the city, to add to its regional sites in Manchester and Sheffield. Founded in 2012 by Asad Khan, Snowflake currently also operates six sites in London, plus sites in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In September, the business signed a partnership agreement with Skyview Brands Group, a franchisee for Sides, the food business from YouTube collective Sidemen, to roll out up to 20 new locations over the next three years. Snowflake said the new partnership with Skyview, which is led by Faisal Butt, had identified key locations for the next phase of its expansion. The partnership opened a kiosk site in Sheffield, in the Upper Arcade at the Meadowhall shopping centre. Khan told Propel last year that Snowflake is aiming to grow to 160 sites in the next five years, with a strategy for international expansion focused on the Middle East and Far East before turning its attention to Canada and the US. 

 

Trading Post Coffee Roasters to open tenth site next month: Sussex coffee house company, Trading Post Coffee Roasters, will open in Horsham next month for its tenth site. Launching at 57 West Street, the store will have 120 covers across two floors, live coffee roasting, an open-plan kitchen and outdoor seating to the front. It will offer Trading Post’s unique signature blends – featuring exclusively Rainforest Alliance and Soil Association Organic Certified coffee origins – as well as its limited edition, speciality single-origin coffee and seasonal drinks menu. A brunch menu will include plant-based and gluten free options, plus items for young diners. Trading Post’s head of wholesale, Ryan Deol, said: “The continued success of our sites in Lewes, Chichester and Worthing have demonstrated the strength of the coffee community as well as the Trading Post Coffee Roasters brand beyond Brighton & Hove. We chose Horsham for our tenth Trading Post coffee house because of the town’s rich sense of community, and we’re excited to bring our passion for coffee and unique immersive customer experience to this historic market town.”

 

Bagel business The Steamhouse to open ninth site: Bagel business The Steamhouse is to open its ninth site, in Solihull, West Midlands. The outlet, which opens today (Tuesday, 12 November) is in the former premises of Fall menswear in High Street. The Steamhouse offers bagels, brunch and coffee, as well as treats. Owners Ashley Baker and Kayleigh O’Mahony started out selling coffee out of a van and launched the business in 2016, using their £14,000 house deposit. Barker told Birmingham Live that business was “good” and said the logistical benefits of Solihull, being just up the M42 from its bakery in Redditch, aids the business’ commitment to delivering freshly made products at 3am daily to all its stores. The Steamhouse has two sites in both Leamington Spa and Bromsgrove, plus further locations in Banbury, Oxford, Redditch and Cheltenham.

 

James Cochran to launch new venture in partnership with north London operator Seven-Eighths Group: Chef James Cochran is launching a new venture in north London. Having closed his Islington restaurant, 12:51, in September, Cochran is teaming up with Seven-Eighths Group, which runs The Hemingway in Victoria Park and Hunter S in nearby De Beauvoir, to open The Brave in Essex Road next month. The venue will offer 50 covers across various open dining and drinking areas and will draw on Cochran’s childhood memories of pub visits with his Glaswegian father. Some of the dishes on the menu will include those that were served at 12:51 such as the jerk spiced chicken Scotch egg with Scotch bonnet jam, while new additions will include coal-roasted Harrietsham leeks, confit onion and truffle hollandaise; and potato dumplings, slow braised shin of beef, hay emulsion, Montgomery cheddar and beef gravy. “My dad used to take me to the pub when I was a kid and I have happy memories of that time, so this feels full circle for me,” Cochran said. “And, given all the love we received from customers and locals when we closed 12:51, it’s a no-brainer for me to open something down the road.” Michael Butt, who is overseeing the project for Seven-Eighths Group, added: “With James at the helm in the kitchen, The Brave is set to become the culinary jewel in the crown for the group It’s a space where the best of traditional pub culture meets innovation.”

 

Soho Taverns lines up seventh site, looking to expand further: Indian gastropub operator Soho Tavern Group is set to open its seventh site. The company, which was founded in 2014 by brothers Mikey and Danny Singh, is to open at the former Greene King Old School House pub site in Mere Green Road, Sutton Coldfield, offering “premium Indian cuisine and drinks”. Mikey Singh told Birmingham Live he wants the Sutton Coldfield Soho Tavern to be a “showstopper gastropub”. He said: “We have got six Soho Taverns already that are all in the West Midlands – apart from one in Gateshead, where we have family. We are looking to expand the business. The Midlands has been at the forefront of desi bars and grills, and we are looking to create a Birmingham-made brand and take it nationally. As well as Sutton Coldfield, we have got Leeds on the horizon too. Sutton Coldfield made sense. We have a lot of clients coming from Sutton Coldfield to our Solihull branch or Hockley, travelling 30 or 35 minutes to us. The site [in Mere Green] came up, which is similar to what we have.” The pub will be “more like an Indian gastropub”, Singh said, “with a bar element”. The site is set to undergo a “six-figure” refurbishment, before opening next summer.

 

Boxpark to launch long-awaited Boxhall concept next spring: Boxpark has said it will launch its long-awaited Boxhall concept, in London’s Liverpool Street, next spring. The 17,000 square-foot food hall, which will be located within the historic Metropolitan Arcade, will be Boxpark’s first Boxhall venue – a “sibling concept” that it said will offer “a next-generation food hall experience” and has been in the pipeline since 2019. It will be the group’s inaugural venue in a “planned programme of Boxhall openings in cities across the UK over the next five years”. Boxhall City will house up to 13 kitchens and food retail spaces and is seeking innovative, premium food and beverage brands to take occupancy. Boxhall City will also have a dedicated chef’s kitchen that will give rising talent a space to showcase their concepts and menus. In contrast to Boxpark’s shipping container industrial design, Boxhall will “transform under-used city centre locations into refined dining spaces”, with a particular focus on heritage and industrial buildings. In addition to a 14,000 square-foot covered arcade, Boxhall City will house a 3,000 square-foot roof terrace. Boxpark chief operating officer Ben McLaughlin said: “We have seen immense success with our award-winning Boxpark concept and are proud to have played a role in the success and growth of a huge number of our popular street food brands. Now, we are excited to see similar success with our Boxhall City destination. We want to partner with visionary people who are passionate about the art of food and drink, and who champion quality ingredients.” In addition to its four London locations, Boxpark launched its first development outside the capital in spring 2024, in Liverpool. The company is also planning to open a Boxpark in Birmingham and a Boxhall in Bristol.

  

Irish pub concept Nancy Spains to open second London site, eyes further expansion: Irish pub concept Nancy Spains, which opened its first site earlier this year in London’s Shoreditch, will open its second site in the capital later this month. The concept, which is the brainchild of Peter, Nicholas and Seamus O’Halloran, will open at 143 Fenchurch Street, Monument, on the ex-Wine Lodge site, on Friday, 22 November. Nancy Spains told Propel it has “plans to expand further in the near future”. On the upcoming Monument site, it said: “The new space will be kitted out in similar style to the original to continue the concept’s signature rustic Irish pub vibe. The brothers behind the brand – Peter, Nicky and Seamus – travelled back and forth to their home of Ireland over the past year touring the rural pub scene for inspiration for the new site. This addition to the Nancy’s family aims to take patrons back to the Ireland of the early 1900s – and ultimately, welcome you home.” The new venue features a spacious basement, hidden away beneath the main pub. "We’re planning something special [for it],” said the team. “Expect exclusive events, private parties, and a few surprises that we’re excited to reveal soon.” On the back of the success of its first location, Nancy Spains said the expansion into Monument marks the next chapter in its journey to become “one of London's go-to destinations”.

 

New salad concept plans ‘multi-site operation’: Pick.Your.Own, a new fast-casual concept which will launch next month in the City, is promising “to revolutionise” the daily salad and plans to become a “multi-site operation”. The concept, which is the brainchild of Christian West, a former private equity professional, and has a mission is to “help customers choose better”, will open at 73 Mark Lane and will offer a customisable grab-and-go menu using organic and regeneratively farmed produce where possible. Customers choose a base, “something crunchy”, a dressing and finally “toppers” including honey and mustard-glazed ham hock and chilli-crusted Sockeye salmon. Alongside the bespoke offering will be six signature salads that include lamb shawarma and vegan option, ‘avo’ and chips. The concept will launch with a subscription model that will give customers access to discounted items, reusable lunch boxes and cups. West said this approach will help the business achieve its goal of receiving B Corp certification within a year of trading. Propel understands that while the first site will act as proof of concept, the company’s ambition is to scale the business quickly given the “building blocks we are putting in place from day one to serve a multi-site operation”. West said: “Pick.Your.Own. is a nod to the great British tradition of picking your own fruit and vegetables; selecting the highest-quality, fresh produce directly from source. It acts as a conduit between a hand-picked selection of the best suppliers and the busy trade of London, offering consumers the chance to purchase higher-quality lunches that are beneficial to them, society, and the very soil from which they were grown.” Nick Garston, of the Found Agency, acted on the Mark Lane deal.

ExCeL London launches waterfront restaurant and bar as part of new immersive entertainment district: ExCeL London has opened a new waterfront restaurant and bar as part of its new immersive entertainment district. Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar can accommodate up to 400 guests. The menu concept centres wholesome street food, taking global inspiration. A selection of freshly made pastries, coffee, and hot drinks are also prepared daily. The Waterfront has also been designed to be subdivided into areas for private events, corporate hospitality, and functions. Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar forms part of Immerse LDN, the UK’s largest immersive entertainment district offering experiences such as The Friends Experience: The One In London, and The Formula 1 Exhibition. ExCeL chief commercial officer Simon Mills said: “When we launched Immerse LDN, we recognised the potential in our underutilised space and saw an opportunity to further enhance our campus offering. In line with ExCeL’s vision to become the best event destination in the world, Waterfront Street Kitchen & Bar was created to not only serve our immersive entertainment visitors but also to better cater to our core business of exhibitions and conferences.”

 

Healthy food delivery company Foodhak launches Indian restaurant in London’s Camden: Healthy food delivery company Foodhak, launched by Sakshi Chhabra in 2021 after she developed a liver condition, has opened an Indian restaurant in Camden, north London. Jugad has launched in Stables Market, offering Indian dishes with a “healthy and light modern twist”. The majority of dishes at the 82-cover restaurant are also gluten-free, while the menu is completely dairy free and refined sugar-free. Leading the offering is executive chef Jose Fernandes, who spent five years heading up the kitchen at Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed Gunpowder. Dishes include the dairy-free Delhi-style butter chicken with tomato and coriander; Kashmiri lamb with papaya chutney and mint sauce; pan-fried seabass with mole sauce and beetroot poriyal; and parsnip tikki chaat with tamarind sauce, mint chutney and pomegranate. Bar manager Olly Lambert, formerly of Soma in Soho, oversees a list of global wine and cocktails, including non-alcoholic options. Chhabra launched Foodhak after developing obstetric cholestasti when pregnant with her first child and putting herself on a vegan, gluten-free, non-dairy diet in an attempt to control her symptoms.

New steakhouse opens in Hull: A new steakhouse offering rooftop cocktails alongside local Yorkshire produce “brought to life using Mediterranean flavours” has opened in Hull. The 200-cover One Steakhouse & Lounge has opened at 1 Witham, next to the North Bridge in the city. The centrepiece of its offer is a selection of premium, 32-day dry-aged steaks, which are grilled to order. Co-owner Edison Motina said: “I’m incredibly happy with how the space has come together. It’s a magnificent building, and I’m glad people are able to make memories here again.