Caprinos exploring further sports club sponsorship opportunities after they contribute to 14% like-for-like first half growth: Fast-growing pizza brand Caprinos has told Propel it is exploring further sports club sponsorship opportunities after their existing partnerships contributed to 14% like-for-like first half growth for the brand. Caprinos has sponsored the shirt sleeves at Oxford United FC and trousers at Northamptonshire CCC, as well as having digital advertising boards at both grounds. “One factor in achieving that first half growth is our sports club sponsorships, which have helped us a lot in terms of attracting new customers,” Rehman said. “I think it’s great. People have said they remember us from sponsoring those clubs, and it has really helped with our brand awareness. We’re keen to continue this success, and we’ve had meetings this week to check out other opportunities. We’ve also been very active with our social media marketing in the last few months, alongside a lot of local marketing, and on the operations side, we have been working with an audit company to help optimise our processes. Our initial target for the year was 10% like-for-like growth, because last year we did 5%. We had a strong first half last year, and the second half was equally good, so we’re hoping to carry on that trend and finish the year really strongly.” Caprinos now has 110 stores, including a handful overseas in Pakistan and Ireland, and will open a further five UK locations over the next month. New sites in Bournemouth, Sheffield, Leeds, Rochester and Birkenhead will then be followed by Kentish Town and Enfield, as the brand looks to grow in London. “We’re hoping to have 120 in the UK by the end of the year,” Rehman said. “We’re looking in any area where there isn’t a Caprinos already, but we also looking to grow out areas we’re already in – we have a franchisee in Stoke-on-Trent looking to open his fourth store there, and another looking for a second site in Milton Keynes. We’ve had an amazing start in Ireland, much better than we expected, and have two more openings in Dublin this year, as well as putting in an offer on a warehouse to set up a supply chain. We’re also finalising our plans for the Middle East and hoping to launch there before the end of the year too.” Rehman has previously said he is aiming to grow Caprinos to 200 locations by 2030. He added: “The market is still tough, with a lot of new players coming in, so you still have to be very active in terms of your marketing and pricing.” He added that while 90% of the Caprinos estate is delivery-only and this will remain the focus, the new locations in Bournemouth, Rochester and Birkenhead will include some seating. Caprinos features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, which is exclusive to Premium Club subscribers and currently features 360 companies. 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.

 

Sponsored message – Asahi urges operators to champion Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: As part of the Rugby Like Never Before campaign, Asahi Super Dry – Japan’s number one beer – is calling on pubs and venues across the UK to help make women’s sport more visible, celebrated and accessible than ever before. By joining the UK-wide “Pub Pledge”, you’ll commit to screening this year’s biggest showcase of professional women’s rugby. Asahi Super Dry will provide full support, including activation kits, POS and visibility on the new Fanzo Bar Finder app to help fans find you. Rob Hobart, marketing director at Asahi UK, said: “As the official beer of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Asahi Super Dry is committed to championing the tournament and our valued on-trade partners who show the games in their venues. Our Pub Pledge enables us to identify the pubs and bars across the country that are gearing up for the games and ensure that our dedicated sales teams can provide them with everything they need to make it an unmissable event for their customers. Together with our customers, we’re creating a national movement to amplify the women’s game and elevate the in-pub viewing experience for a new generation of fans.” To join the pledge, email: pubpledge@asahibeer.co.uk. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Propel’s Culture, Talent & Training Conference open for bookings, Cornish Bakery MD Mat Finch to speak: Propel’s Culture, Talent & Training Conference has now opened for bookings. The conference takes place on Thursday, 9 October at One Moorgate Place in London. Among the speakers will be Mat Finch, managing director of Cornish Bakery, which was recognised as an outstanding employer in the Best Companies to Work for list. He will talk about putting a people culture front-and-centre of the business, staff recognition and rewards, the importance of the local community and its commitment to employee development and recognition. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. Premium Club subscribers get a 20% discount. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive Next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality tomorrow, videos from Operational Excellence Conference on Friday, 1 August: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will feature 81 updated entries and 23 new companies when it is released to Premium Club subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 18 July), at midday. The database now features 954 companies, and this month’s edition includes more than 255,000 words of content. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will 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. Premium Club subscribers will also receive all the videos from the Operational Excellence Conference on Friday, 1 August at 9am. They include Claire Robertson, operations director of premium pubs and bars within Marston’s, who talks about getting the best out of multiple teams.  Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers 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 subscribers 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 subscribers 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.

 

Michelin-listed independent Rutland pub ‘reluctantly’ introduces discretionary 10% service charge on all dining bills to battles rising costs: Michelin-listed independent Rutland pub The Olive Branch has “reluctantly” introduced a discretionary 10% service charge on all dining bills as it battles rising costs. In an email to customers, co-owner Ben Jones said: “I have never been a fan of service charge. I believe that great service is a profession in its own right – and that it should be rewarded through fair pay, not added extras. But like many in hospitality, I’ve had to take a long, honest look at the numbers. Rising costs – from food and energy to business and interest rates – have outpaced price increases. At The Olive Branch, our overheads have more than doubled over the past five years, growing from 10% of turnover to 25%. Staffing is where we’ve felt it most, with increases in pension contributions and employers’ national insurance. While junior pay has increased by 37% with changes to the minimum and living wage, senior team members have seen a more modest 5% uplift over the same period. The result? Many experienced professionals are sadly leaving the industry. That’s why we’re introducing a discretionary 10% service charge on all dining bills. It’s something I’ve resisted until now, but it will allow us to better support our brilliant senior team, keep menu prices steady and help secure the future of the pub. Importantly, this charge is discretionary – and it will be distributed fairly among the team through a tronc system. This also means it doesn't incur VAT or national insurance, which is an important saving for our team and our business. We know changes like this matter – and we’ll continue to be transparent, fair and deeply grateful for your support.” Jones, Sean Hope and Marcus Welford bought The Olive Branch in the village of Clipsham in 1999. The pub held a Michelin star between 2002 and 2013 and is still listed in the guide.

 

BBPA calls for government to review new packing fees after UK inflation hit its highest level for almost a year and a half: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called for the government to review its new packing fees after UK inflation hit its highest level for almost a year and a half. Prices rose by more than expected in the year to June, pushing inflation to 3.6%, the highest it has been since January 2024. Economists had predicted the inflation rate would stay at the 3.4% it hit in April and May. “The worrying inflation figures will only be exacerbated by new government-imposed packaging fees, which are so high they will have to be passed on to consumers,” a BBPA spokesman said. “The rollout of extended producer responsibility will add between 4p and 6p to every bottle of beer, which all adds to the inflation pressures both the sector and customers are facing. Government must continue to review these extortionate fees that are heaping further burdens on an industry that is one of the most highly taxed in the UK.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a luxury resort in Bermuda that is seeking a director of rooms. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will oversee front-of-house departments, drive service standards and optimise daily operations to ensure a seamless, elevated guest experience. The director of rooms will bring proven leadership across multi-department luxury hotel teams, with deep expertise in guest experience, VIP protocols and delivering high-touch, personalised service. A strong operational background across the rooms division and a hands-on approach are essential.” The role offers a base salary of US$95,000-$100,000, an annual performance bonus, up to $30,000 in housing allowance, temporary accommodation on arrival, comprehensive health benefits, a company SIM card and full coverage of work permit costs. Additionally, the role includes ten vacation days and 12 public holidays that can be taken as lieu days. For more information, email danny@corecruitment.com.

 

Hollywood Bowl to open family entertainment centre in Cardiff for largest site to date: Hollywood Bowl Group, the UK’s largest ten-pin bowling operator, is to open its largest site to date, in Cardiff. The group will launch a multimillion-pound family entertainment venue at the St David’s shopping centre in spring 2026 after agreeing a deal with landlord Landsec. Split across two floors, the 45,000 square-foot space will offer a mix of competitive socialising activities including ten-pin and duckpin bowling lanes, interactive darts and electric go-karting. The venue will also feature an arcade, pool tables and diner-style food and drink options. Hollywood Bowl already operates a site in the city, at the Red Dragon Centre, as part of its circa 75-strong UK estate. Chief financial officer Laurence Keen said: “The St David’s site will be our biggest new centre opening yet. Cardiff has a thriving leisure culture and we’re proud to be able to deliver a second site in the city, creating more local employment and opportunities for families and friends to make memories together.” The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, will be published on Friday, 1 August at 9am. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It includes opinion from leading players Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, and Lisa Boden, partner at investor Edition Capital, and provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes 197 companies, marking a 10% growth in the sector since last year's study, with 3,700 sites. The report is available for £595 plus VAT to pre-order now. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it on Friday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.

 

Domino’s franchisee opens two more Pret locations, revenue closing in on £100m: Hala Group, one of the UK’s largest Domino’s franchisees, has opened two more Pret A Manger locations, as its revenue closes in on £100m. The group started operating Pret stores under the banner of Hala Star Foods in 2023 and said in that year’s accounts that it had opened four locations under the brand. In its accounts for the year to 30 June 2024, the group said it now operates six Pret stores under the franchise agreement. It comes as Hala Group, which is based in Berkshire and operates circa 70 Domino’s sites, reported turnover up 8% to £97,882,838 for the year, compared with£90,596,625 in 2023. Pre-tax profit dropped 21% from £2,814,579 to £2,222,624, as costs and administrative expenses both rose by more than £2m each. Employee numbers were down from 2,852 to 2,535 and net assets dropped from £23,244,487 to £22,129,179. Director Ahmed Alani said: “The results reflect increased volume sales but higher overhead and finance costs following expansion of the business, resulting in lower profits. Gross profit margin was steady at 64.3% (2023: 63.6%). Looking to the future, trading conditions are expected to remain challenging for the foreseeable future, but the directors remain confident that the business will continue to deliver profitable future growth.” Dividends of £1,624,421 were paid (2023: £2,805,000).

 

Giggling Squid to open in York next month: Giggling Squid, the Thai restaurant brand backed by the Business Growth Fund, is set to open in York next month. The company will open a two-floor, 213-cover restaurant in the former Banks Musicroom music store at 18 Lendal on Monday, 4 August. A Giggling Squid spokesperson told the York Press the restaurant will pay homage to the historic music shop, which dates to 1756. The spokesperson added that a wide takeaway menu will also be available a few weeks after opening, for click-and-collect or telephone orders, as well as delivery through Deliveroo. Giggling Squid co-founder Andy Laurillard told Propel in April that the ongoing increase in labour costs is seeing the business switch its focus to larger, more economically viable sites, and brought into question how much further the 53-strong business can grow.

 

Adventure Leisure opens Mulligans in Guildford: Adventure Leisure – which operates 23 experiential sites under its Mulligans, Ninja Warrior and Bunkers concepts – has opened its new Mulligans in Guildford, Surrey. The courses include themes such as disco (complete with glitter balls and a disco wall for photo opportunities), casino (featuring a working roulette wheel), and holes based on global destinations such as surfers’ paradise and the Golden Gate Bridge. The two-floor venue also features high-tech activities including electro-darts and electro-shuffleboard, as well as American pool tables and classic arcade games including air hockey, curved air hockey, skeeball and basketball. Food-wise, guests can tuck into a signature chicken burger (£14.50) with buttermilk and rosemary chicken in a pretzel bun with avocado, hot honey and bacon, and a signature burger (£14.50), which features a beef burger in a pretzel bun with tater tots, caramelised onion, bacon, chilli jam and American cheese. On Mondays, guests can get two burgers for £20. There are also cocktails, mocktails, ice creams and milkshakes available. The Adventure Leisure group now has 13 Mulligans sites across the UK, which include venues in Basildon, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Norwich, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Worcester and now Guildford. Adventure Leisure is a subsidiary of Burhill Group, which also operates ten golf clubs and the Bunkers! and Ninja Warrior UK brands.

 

The Sushi Co franchisee planning to grow his London estate with up to three more openings this year: The Sushi Co franchisee Sunny Rahim has said he is planning to grow his London estate with up to three more openings this year. Rahim already operates four of the 21-strong brand’s sites in the capital – in Waterloo, Victoria, Notting Hill and Holborn. He was previously an operations manager at Papa John’s for one of The Sushi Co’s co-founders, Raheel Choudhary. “Since becoming a franchisee with The Sushi Co, it’s been a whirlwind,” he told whichfranchise. “In just a couple of years the company has grown to more than 20 branches, so we must be doing something right. I am a co-investor with Raheel for four restaurants, and I plan to open another two or three by the end of 2025. Since opening our first site in Victoria, we have more than tripled the turnover for that store. The product really is first class and the quality we serve up in our live sushi kitchens always goes down well. In short, our live sushi kitchens have gone towards creating a brand that has real customer appeal. As we’ve grown, so has our menu, and as well as sushi, customers can now also enjoy our east Asian-inspired dishes to cater for any occasion.” The Sushi Co was founded in 2022 by Choudhary and Sama Varanand Reddy, a former Pizza Hut franchisee operations manager. In June, Choudhary said he is aiming to grow the business to 30 sites by the end of the year. The following month, he secured a new flagship site in Cambridge, as the business looks to ramp up its regional expansion.

 

Whitbread set to open new Manchester city centre Premier Inn hotel in autumn 2026: Whitbread is set to open its new Manchester city centre Premier Inn hotel in the autumn of 2026. The company said the 229-bedroom hotel in the Northern Quarter is opening in response to “consistently high levels of customer demand in the city”. With the building’s ten-storey structure complete, the hotel is now being fitted out to include enhanced Premier Plus rooms and an integrated restaurant, bar and reception space on the ground floor. Will Steward, project and programme manager for Whitbread, said: “Whitbread is a long-standing investor in Manchester, and we have an ambitious strategy to continue our growth in the city to meet strong year-round customer demand. I’m looking forward to adding another superb location for our customers to our growing Manchester network.” The company is also working on the delivery of the largest Premier Inn in the north of England, situated at Manchester airport. Whitbread, which currently offers guests a choice of more than 85,000 Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn bedrooms across the UK and Ireland, sees the potential for further expansion across the north of England as it works towards a target of 125,000 UK rooms. 

 

Diageo CEO steps down: Diageo chief executive Debra Crew has stepped down with immediate effect, by mutual agreement. The company said it has begun the process of looking for a replacement, with chief financial officer Nik Jhangiani appointed as chief executive on an interim basis. Crew has led Diageo since June 2023, having joined the company as a non-executive director in 2019, then serving as president of Diageo North America and, subsequently, as group chief operating officer. Diageo said guidance for its 2025 and 2026 financial years remains unchanged and will report its 2025 full-year results on Tuesday, 5 August as planned. Chair John Manzoni said: “On behalf of Diageo and the board, I would like to thank Debra for her contributions to Diageo, including steering the company through the challenging aftermath of the global pandemic and the ensuing geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility. On behalf of all Diageo colleagues, I wish her every success in the future. The board’s focus is on securing the best candidate to lead Diageo and take the company forward. We strongly believe Diageo is well placed to deliver long-term, sustainable value creation.”

 

Hotel group ‘continues to benefit from the uptrend in domestic and international tourism’, particularly in London: Hotel group London Town Group of Companies has said it “continues to benefit from the uptrend in domestic and international tourism”, particularly in the capital. The company operates circa 20 hotels across the UK including Indigo Paddington, Comfort Inn Bayswater and Notting Hill, and Mercure Hyde Park, Kensington, Paddington and Nottingham. The group reported turnover of £26,802,095 for the year ending 30 June 2024, up from £23,614,131 in 2023. Pre-tax profit fell from £9,854,899 in 2023 to £2,748,707, although the 2023 figure included a £9,961,850 gain on revaluation of assets (2024: £39,006). Director Koolesh Shah said: “The company has shown remarkable progress this year, reinforcing its resilience and adaptability. This year's financial success has been underpinned by several strategic initiatives aimed at elevating customer experiences, optimising asset performance and expanding our presence within key markets. Our hotel operations, particularly within the London estate, have continued to benefit from the uptrend in both domestic and international tourism, as well as our investments in customer-focused technology. Through digital enhancements, including streamlined booking processes and personalised customer interactions via data analytics, we have increased occupancy and guest satisfaction, driving stronger revpar. The directors continue to explore profitable growth opportunities and are committed to expanding our operational footprint. We are well positioned to pursue development ventures, particularly within the hotel sector, that will enhance our revenue streams and support long-term value creation.” The company had £148.2m cash in bank and in hand at year end (2023: £147m) and a net asset value of £19.2m (2023: £11.9m). No dividends were paid (2023: nil).

 

Lancashire McDonald’s franchise owned by brand’s former COO acquires 19th restaurant: Lancashire McDonald’s franchise H&S Restaurants, which is owned by the brand’s former chief operating officer Nigel Dunnington, has acquired its 19th restaurant. It has opened in a former pub in Woodale Road in Clayton Green, Preston, creating 45 jobs. Formerly The Beaumont pub, the site was sold in 2023, four years after it had been bought from Marston’s by Admiral Taverns. Dunnington, who served as McDonald’s chief operating officer from 1998-2001, said: “We are delighted to be opening another new McDonald’s restaurant in Clayton Green and can’t wait to see customers enjoy our services on offer.” Having started out as a trainee manager at its branch in London’s Marble Arch in 1980, Dunnington worked his way up to become regional manager for the north of England in 1991. After his spell as chief operating officer, Dunnington also served as McDonald’s vice-president worldwide operations, based in Chicago, from 2001 to 2004, and training and vice-president European operations from 2004 to 2006. Missing the day-to-day in-branch contact with staff and customers, he started franchising in 2006 with five McDonald’s branches in Preston. In the year to 31 December 2023, H&S Restaurants grew its turnover from £77,053,809 in 2022 to £82,531,667. Pre-tax profit grew from £1,730,718 to £2,568,286. Dividends of £1m were paid, the same as in 2022.

 

Plan Burrito launches breakfast offer: Burrito franchise Plan Burrito has launched its first breakfast offer. The 13-strong business will start off by just offering the menu at its store in London’s Holborn, at 156 Southampton Row. In March, Propel revealed that Plan Burrito had hired former Heavenly Desserts and Oodles Wok operations chief Simon Robinson as its managing director, to lead its ambitious plans to grow to 100 stores over the next four years. Founded by Hopper in 2015, Plan Burrito currently has two openings in Wales – as well as in Sheffield and Nuneaton – in the pipeline for this year. Hopper told Propel in February he aims to double the company’s estate over the next 18 months, with “huge potential” in London, where it has a Camberwell location alongside it Holborn one. 

 

Escapism Bars sees turnover and profit dip: Escapism Bars, the bar business founded in 2004 by husband-and-wife team Phil and Mel Harrison, has reported turnover dipped slightly to £6,715,112 for the year ending 30 June 2024 compared with £6,877,343 the previous year. Pre-tax profit fell to £1,215,289 from £1,426,674 the year before. “The group has maintained strong trade and profitability in the current environment and continues to innovate to drive growth,” Phil Harrison said. “We plan to continue with our plans for expansion by opening more new trading venues and purchasing more commercial buy to let investment properties.” Dividends of £81,800 were paid (2023: £125,300). Escapism Bars operates three Mean-Eyed Cat and three Tiki Hideaway sites – in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester – plus Call Lane Social, The Maven, Cuckoo, Brooklyn and Verve themed bars in Leeds. The company previously said it is targeting national expansion.

 

Nottingham hotel and conference centre operator chosen to run new multi-functional venue in city: Nottingham Venues, which operates hotel and conference centres, has been chosen to operate a new multi-functional venue in the city. Part of the Castle Meadow Campus, Castle Meadow Central will be able to accommodate events of up to 300 guests. The layout will include five meeting rooms and a large central atrium. After a two‑year refurbishment, the building will reopen in early September as a multi-functional venue for conferences, events and flexible working. A public-facing deli, Deli Central, will offer locally sourced fresh food and coffee. Nottingham Venues operates the East Midlands Conference Centre, Orchard Hotel, Bramleys Restaurant, Jubilee Hotel and campus venues at the University of Nottingham. Tom Waldron-Lynch, chief executive of Nottingham Venues, said: “Castle Meadow Central is one of the region’s most recognisable buildings. For many years it was home to HM Revenue & Customs, and while people in Nottingham have always known the building, very few have had the opportunity to step inside and experience it. That is now changing. We are delighted to be operating this iconic venue and opening it up for meetings, events and public use for the first time.”

 

Bristol operator acquires former Thali site for new concept: Bristol operator Bahram Ehsas has acquired the former Thali site in the Easton part of the city for a new concept. Ehsas, who initially operated Chai Guy as a street vendor in Barcelona, brought the concept to the UK in 2023 when he opened in St Marks Road in Bristol. He followed that by launching smash burger concept Cheatmeals in the former Tasty Treats site in Bristol, and then opened Filipino restaurant Kusina within his Chai Guy café. He has now secured the former Thali site at 64-66 St Marks Road for “a new concept”, reports Bristol 24/7. Thali, which offers Indian street food, still has another location in the city, at 12 York Road in Montpelier.

 

Pakistani and Afghan restaurant concept opens third site: Pakistani and Afghan restaurant concept Taste of Peshawar has opened its third site, in Blackburn. Founder Muhammad Qadeem has launched the venue in Exchange Street following a £200,000 refurbishment, reports The Lancashire Post. Taste of Peshawar offers a range of dishes such as chapli kebabs and its signature platter tawa. The business also operates sites in Wembley in north west London and Cardiff.

 

Worcestershire pub operator acquires second site: Worcestershire operator Chris Madin has acquired his second pub. Madin has secured the lease of The Boot in Flyford Flavell, near Worcester, which is part of the Heineken-owned Star Pubs estate. Having run the pub on a temporary agreement, Madin and his partner, Chelsea Hill, are now undertaking a joint £210,000 refurbishment with Star Pubs, with the site set to reopen in mid-August. The investment will double the bar area, with a view to broadening the pub’s appeal and creating a more country pub ambience. Previously, it had been a food destination pub only. A new bar menu with a selection of “affordable” small plates will be launched alongside current favourites like its steak on a stone. Madin and Hill have run The Jubilee in Studley, another Star Pubs leasehold pub, for more than ten years. Madin said: “The previous licensees had The Boot for 18 years and had established a reputation for food. We have continued this but couldn’t grow the business further without broadening the pub’s appeal. Doubling the bar area will allow us to do this and make The Boot the hub of the village. We hadn’t planned to take on The Boot but could see its potential. It’s situated in an affluent area and has a strong following. In this current climate, you see pubs come on the market that change hands frequently. It’s the pubs that have long standing licensees that are the ones to watch; they don’t come on the market that often. We are not looking to expand in the short term, but if the right pub came along, we’d have a look.”

 

Scottish world buffet restaurant concept to open second site: Scottish world buffet restaurant concept Marble Buffet is to open its second site. The concept will launch at The Centre in Livingston, building on its existing outlet in Queen Street, Glasgow. The new 15,770 square-foot, 380-seat restaurant will be located above Nando’s in Almondvale Boulevard, and is expected to open in May 2026, creating 35 jobs. Marble Buffet offers a range of cuisine, including Asian, Indian and European, from live cooking stations. A Marble Buffet spokesperson said: “This is an exciting time for us as we countdown to the launch of our first restaurant in a shopping centre. The Centre, Livingston is the perfect location for us, and we are really looking forward to welcoming customers who want to savour the taste of lots of different international cuisines, all under one roof, where there’s something to suit all tastes.”

 

Former Peach Pubs directors set to open second gastropub together: Two former directors of Revel Collective-owned Peach Pubs are set to open their second gastropub together. Bex Wilkins and Sarah Robinson, who previously held marketing and pub director roles at Peach Pubs, last year partnered with head chef Peter Jackson, from Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley in Birmingham, to open The Wildmoor Oak in Wildmoor, Bromsgrove. They are now preparing to launch The Plough Inn in Wollaston, near Stourbridge, next month. Wilkins said: “After seven months of saying we wanted to take on this stunning pub, it’s eventually over the line. There’s still kitchen plans to sign off, four weeks of refurb to get through, loads of stuff to buy and pre-launch planning to do, but we should be open late August. We seeso many operators and businesses failing, it’s so important we know exactly what our offer will be, where we will sit in the market and who our guests will be. Not everyone will like what we’re doing, and that’s okay. We can’t be everything to everyone. We need a pub and kitchen designed to deliver what we need to succeed. A beautiful garden, a live-in that’s nice for the team. It takes many conversations, and we’re still talking so we get it exactly right. Then we have to open and deliver perfectly, just like we’ve done at The Wildmoor. And then we have to continue to deliver. There’s no room for mistakes, you only get one chance to make the first impression.” Wilkins, who spent ten years with Peach Pubs in various roles, is also the co-founder of pub and consultancy business, Makers of Hospitality. She previously said she is aiming to add five more pubs over the next decade.