Papa John’s CEO – UK outperformed total international business in July, we’re driving strong growth there and will turn on the development engine again in due course: Papa John’s chief executive Todd Penegor has said the UK outperformed the rest of its total international business in July, and that company is driving strong growth here and will “turn on the development engine again” in due course. Papa John’s saw its revenue increase to $529.2m in the second quarter of its financial year, while global system wide sales grew 4% in cost and currency to reach $1.26bn. Speaking to investors following the second quarter results, Penegor said: “We’ve been on a multi-year journey in the UK and we’re really pleased with the performance. The UK was a low single digits comp in Q2 but it accelerated meaningfully in July, outperforming the total international business. Our customer satisfaction scores are way up, our total times to deliver are way down, and we’re driving really strong growth. What we’ve really unlocked is focus on the most important markets, having a great innovation calendar and paying it off with great execution. We still see a lot of comp upside in that business over the medium term, and we think there is meaningful system-wide sales growth opportunity for us to capture. We will turn on the development engine again in the UK in due course. We’re really encouraged about our approach in the UK as we think we can unlock opportunity in many of our priority markets with a real clear focus on innovation and execution.” Propel exclusively revealed earlier this week that the company reported a £22.3m loss in 2024 after closing 74 sites. Turnover dropped by 7.6% to £88,660,000, which is around £13,400,000 down on its high point during the pandemic, while losses after tax increased to £22,343,000 compared to a loss to £18,527,000 the year before. The total number of Papa John’s sites in the UK is now 457, down from 524 in 2023. It refranchised 60 corporate restaurants in 2024 while closing 43, to leave 13 operational corporate restaurants at the year end. The total number of franchised sites is 444, and like-for-like sales within its franchised sites declined by 2%. Papa John’s 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.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Turnover & Profits Blue Book today: Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Turnover & Profits Blue Book today (Friday, 8 August), at noon. The database will feature 13 new entries and 58 updated accounts. The database now features a total of 1,151 companies, with 725 in profit and 436 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 subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the New Openings Database, the Multi-Site 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 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.

 

UKHospitality – banks must go further than just interest rate cuts: UKHospitality has told the banks they need to go further than just interest rate cuts if businesses are to thrive. The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 4.25% to 4% – their lowest level in two years. Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: “While we welcome the news that interest rates are coming down, the hard truth is it’s not enough to unlock the growth our sector desperately needs. Banks must prioritise growth by ensuring businesses can access affordable finance, especially in hospitality, which continues to face mounting cost pressures. To truly revive the high street and boost job creation, the government must go further: lower business rates through the promised 20p discount for hospitality, fix national insurance contributions by extending exemptions to young people and those moving from welfare to work, and cut VAT to match our European competitors and drive investment. Without these measures, businesses risk being taxed out of existence. Many have already been forced to cut back – on jobs, on investment and on ambition, despite the sector being primed as a key driver to help power the UK’s economic recovery.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a countryside restaurant in Berkshire that is seeking a head chef. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “With a three-rosette rating and recognition in the Michelin guide, this venue also has an on-site cookery school. The head chef will lead a skilled brigade of 15, championing premium local produce, mentoring a collaborative team and maintaining the high standards expected from one of the UK’s most respected restaurant groups.” The salary is up to £65,000 per year. For more information, email olly@corecruitment.com.

 

Soul Foods turnover passes £400m after focusing on driving sales, cost management and optimising labour deployment: Large scale, multi-brand franchisee Soul Foods said its turnover passed £400m in the year to 30 June 2024 after focusing on driving sales, cost management and optimising labour deployment. The business operates more than 400 KFC, Starbucks and Taco Bell sites globally – with large estates in both the UK and Canada. In the UK, Soul Foods currently operates 89 Starbucks stores, 67 KFC and ten Taco Bells. Turnover for the year was £408,081,019, up from £365,961,197. Of this, £192,205,069 came from the UK (2023: £170,347,399) and £215,875,950 from the rest of the world (2023: £195,613,798). Pre-tax loss narrowed from £42,166,764 in 2023 to £41,130,010 while Ebitda grew from £11,695,513 to £19,158,039. Costs rose by £25m while administrative expenses were up by £12m. Since 2022, the combined group has reported as Supernova UK Bidco following a restructure of the former Soul Food, Soul Coffee House and Soul Holdings group of companies. No dividend was paid (2023: nil). Director Aly Janmohamed said: “The directors consider the results to be reflective of the recovery effort where the group has emerged strong post-pandemic. The group has experienced similar macroeconomic conditions within the sector such as minimum wage increases, de-escalated levels of inflation and post-pandemic consumer behaviour shifts. The group has focused on driving sales, optimising labour deployments, and cost management. This has resulted in both top-line and bottom-line improvements and sets a strong foundation for fiscal 2025 and beyond. With improving financial results and overall easing macro conditions including the interest rates, the group has set out plans to continue investments in modernising the existing assets base while building new restaurants. In addition to the organic growth, M&A remains a key pilar for growth whenever it makes economic sense.” Soul Foods began franchising in 1985 when it opened its first KFC restaurant in London.

 

Joe & The Juice to make south west debut: Joe & The Juice, the juice and cafe bar brand, is to make its south west debut with an opening in Bristol. The outlet will launch tomorrow (Saturday, 9 August) at Cabot Circus. Joe & The Juice Bristol will be located on the upper ground floor of the shopping centre, between Nationwide and Pret A Manger. Jon James, Joe & The Juice’s UK managing director, said: “Bristol is a city full of character and community, and one we’ve had endless requests to open in. Bristol’s vibrant culture and individuality truly inspire us, and we’re excited to add our own flavour to the mix.” Joe & The Juice, which operates circa 75 sites in the UK, is looking to increase its presence in shopping centres as it aims to grow to 1,000 stores globally within the next five years. In July, Bloomberg reported Joe & The Juice’s majority owner, General Atlantic, was exploring a potential US initial public offering of the brand as soon as next year. Founded in Copenhagen in 2002, Joe & The Juice operated 397 stores in 20 countries globally at the end of 2024.

 

Warrens Bakery makes a loss, closes more loss-making stores: Warrens Bakery made a loss in the year to 30 June 2024 and has shut more loss-making stores. The 44-strong company saw a pre-tax profit of £328,588 in 2023 turn into a loss of £11,011 as distribution costs rose from £6,570,675 to £7,298,527. Turnover increased from £13,712,278 in 2023 to £14,573,734. Expenditure incurred on closed shops was £25,556 (2023: nil), while the previous year’s figure included a credit of £34,251 from a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) adjustment following the company’s CVA in 2019, which it exited in 2022. The company said retail sales saw a 6% increase on the previous year and that gross margins improved slightly, but overheads were higher mainly due to wage inflation, resulting in a reduction in profitability. During the year, new stores were opened in Barnstaple, Dartmouth, Bath Spa and Basingstoke railway stations, while four loss-making stores were closed as their leases expired. Post year-end, new stores have been opened at Yelverton, Newquay and Weston, and Slough and Cardiff railway stations, while a further three loss-making stores have closed. “Margins have continued to improve and profit for the year is forecast to increase,” said director Mark Sullivan.

 

TeamSport reports strong current trading following ‘phenomenal’ year, sees ‘significant opportunity’ from Sixes partnership: TeamSport, Britain’s biggest indoor go-karting operator with 37 locations, has reported strong current trading following a “phenomenal” year, and said it sees “significant opportunity” from its partnership with cricket-based competitive socialising concept Sixes. TeamSport reported turnover of £62,154,206 for the year to 30 June 2024, up from £57,008,912 in 2023. Pre-tax profit dropped from £7,915,630 in 2023 to £7,112,836. The previous year included exceptional income of £1,348,843 relating to replacement of tangible fixed assets damaged or destroyed by a fire that broke out at the company's Preston track in 2021. The current year included exceptional expenses of £506,022 relating to one-off prior year tax adjustments, recruitment costs and other small non-recurring costs. Director Darren Wilkinson said: “This has been a phenomenal year that has seen the business hit a series of key milestones. We expect to deliver robust performance over the next 12 months. Despite rising interest rates, which we are pleased to have seen start to reduce in recent months, our repositioning of the business and even greater focus on premiumisation has resulted in continued strong trading performance. In addition, the development of our food and beverage offering, and investment in new ancillary options, continues to improve our customer dwell time, and with it, spend per driver. We continue to invest in our non-karting revenue, in particular in food and beverage where we have seen significant growth. We now have a really high-quality offer that is resonating with our customers.” During the year, TeamSport entered into a partnership with Sixes, with the first joint location launching in the TeamSport site in London’s Docklands – followed by further sites in Watford and High Wycombe. “It is early days, but we see significant opportunity to include this fun, adrenaline fuelled concept across the UK,” Wilkinson added. He said given Teamsport’s strong cash position, its revolving facility is undrawn, giving it an additional £2.2m of liquidity. TeamSport also operates four tracks in Germany and two in the Netherlands. During the same period, these contributed separate turnover of £11,959,687 (2023: £6,277,661). The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the market, is now available. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It also 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. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it 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.

 

Darwin Leisure secures £50m in funding to help grow portfolio: Darwin Leisure, the parent company of Darwin Escapes, which operates 26 holiday parks across the UK, has secured £50m in funding to help grow its portfolio. The funding, from Metro Bank, comprises a £10m revolving credit facility and a £40m term loan and will provide Darwin Leisure “with flexible growth financing as it continues to develop and expand its portfolio of high-quality luxury parks and leisure facilities”. James Penney, chairman at investment adviser Darwin Alternatives, said: “This new package not only strengthens the fund’s financial foundation but also provides the flexibility needed to support our long-term growth strategy. As we continue to invest in and expand our portfolio of premium UK lodge resorts, this facility will help us deliver exceptional experiences for our guests and strong, sustainable returns for our investors.” KPMG Corporate Finance acted as lead financial adviser to Darwin Leisure Development Fund on the transaction, while Burges Salmon and Gateley acted as lead legal adviser to Darwin Leisure Development Fund and Metro Bank respectively. James Penney and Anthony Esse co-founded the Darwin Group in 2003 and established the Darwin Leisure Development Fund in 2007.

 

Brother Marcus co-founders to launch cocktail bar concept: Tasos Gaitanos and Alex Large, founders of the five-strong London eastern Mediterranean restaurant concept Brother Marcus, are to launch a high-end cocktail bar. Kamara will launch in London’s Soho this autumn. Housed in the former home of The Blind Pig in Poland Street, the 83-cover space is being developed in partnership with Angelos Bafas, previously of Kioku Sake Bar, Nipperkin and Soma. The cocktails at Kamara will be based on in-house macerated spirits and homemade ferments, drawing on both Bafas and Gaitanos’ Greek heritage. There will also be a “tight” mezze-style small plates menu including cod’s roe taramasalata with sumac onion; and crispy calamari, zhoug aioli, burnt lime and Aleppo chilli. Kamara will also offer a focused wine list centred around producers from Greece, Georgia, and Lebanon. Large will be among the speakers at Propel’s Culture, Talent & Training Conference, which is open for bookings. The conference takes place on Thursday, 9 October at One Moorgate Place in London. Abi Dunn, founder at Sixty Eight People, will talk to Large about the role he plays as a founder in creating culture, how he sees this changing as the business grows and what his people strategy is at this stage in its journey. 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.

Roux Waterside Inn customers ‘remain happy to buck the trend and pay a premium price’: Customers at Roux Waterside Inn – the three Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, founded by the late Michel Roux in 1972 – “remain happy to buck the trend and pay a premium price”, the company has said. In the company’s accounts for the year to 31 December 2024, director Daniel Cole said: “The UK restaurant industry generally found 2024 to be another challenging year, primarily because of the continuing increase in costs across all fronts, and consumers responding to the cost-of-living crisis and generally spending more carefully on eating out. This trend is expected to continue, with the added challenge of increased operational costs following the autumn Budget. However, the group continues to be busy across all fronts, with sales remaining mostly stable with 2024, but is pleased to report increased revenue from novel marketing and events. Our customers, whether at The Waterside Inn or Roux at Skindles, remain happy to buck the trend and to pay a premium price for a product and service that remains a challenge to our competition.” Turnover grew from £9,063,983 in 2023 to £9,115,305. Pre-tax losses narrowed from £180,917 in 2023 to £97,019. Cole said: “The inevitable increase in staffing costs, as well as energy and food costs, are just part of the seemingly ever-increasing cost base of the group’s operations, which then affects our overall profitability. However, following the completion to the group’s culinary school and new library at the end of 2023, this current year’s results have benefited with lower professional fees and associated costs, and we are pleased to report an increase in profitability. The group’s cash reserves remain robust to fund both operations, and during 2024, the company repaid a significant part of an outstanding director loan.” Post year end, in February 2025, the company celebrated entering its fourth decade with three Michelin stars. “Having first received three stars in 1985, this makes a record 40 consecutive years,” Cole added. “Only three other restaurants have achieved this worldwide, in France alone, so this is an extraordinary achievement.”

 

Manchester Detroit pizza business develops kiosk concept as it plans ‘serious growth’, eyeing Middle East expansion: Manchester Detroit pizza business Dough Club has developed a kiosk concept as it plans “serious growth” and is eyeing expansion into the Middle East. Dough Club originally launched last year as a hole-in-the-wall concept in Manchester’s Queen Street. Last month, Dough Club opened its third permanent location, in the city’s Oxford Road, joining its sites in Withington and Cheadle Hulme. Founder Samir Makin said: “We’re finally ready to expand Dough Club. The systems are in place, the team is prepped, the concept is dialled in. But finding the right locations? That’s been the hard part. Plenty of miles, countless viewings, endless conversations with agents, and multiple offers. And still, the right site doesn’t always come easy. But we keep going, because I genuinely believe in what we’ve built with Dough Club. There’s so much more to come. Our latest Dough Club site landed right in Manchester’s university corridor, and it’s already proving to be our busiest yet. Surrounded by students and constant footfall, it’s the perfect home for our slice-first, grab-and-go model. This location has confirmed something we’ve believed from day one, there’s a real gap in the market for fast, fresh, independent pizza done properly. Next up, we’re working on a kiosk concept designed for shopping centres and high-traffic zones. If Oxford Road is any indication, this could be the blueprint for serious growth.” The company has also signed with consultants Gulf Franchise Group, which specialise in developing brands in the Middle East. “We’re excited to introduce Dough Club, the newest addition to Gulf Franchise Group’s franchise portfolio,” the company said. “Dough Club is bringing Detroit-style pizza to the global stage. With a 48-hour proofed dough, a unique layering system and a fully halal menu, this brand is turning first-time guests into loyal fans across Manchester. With a scalable kitchen model and strong social buzz, Dough Club is ready to expand across Qatar, UAE and Morocco. We’re now seeking passionate, community-minded franchise partners to join this journey.”

 

Thorley Taverns reports increase in profit and turnover, puts Ramsgate pub on market: Kent pub operator Thorley Taverns has reported an increase in profit and turnover for the year to 30 June 2024. The company, which operates 18 sites, of which 14 are owned freehold, saw turnover rise from £13,783,569 in 2023 to £14,086,673. Pre-tax profit was up from £256,204 in 2023 to £984,701. No dividends were paid (2023: £1,314,800). Director Phil Thorley said: “The company continued to invest in the development of its outlets to ensure Thorley’s venues are known for the excellence of their premises and of the goods and services they supply. Expenditure on repairs, renovation and development for the year remained constant. It is recognised that any business is only as good as the people it employs so the company has a clear strategy of recruitment and training to make certain that a highly skilled team is able to ensure that customers receive only the best service. These teams have been retained despite the extremely challenging conditions of the past year. The company had a good cash position at the end of the year. The current assets to current liabilities ratio is 1.4 for the current year. The company had funded all investing and financing activities in the year without recourse to further borrowing.” Post year end, in July 2025, the company put the Elephant & Castle pub in Ramsgate on the market. The grade II-listed pub, which dates almost 200 years, has a guide price of £375,000. In an interview with Kent Live earlier this year, Thorley revealed the effect of current cost pressures on the business. He said: “We had covid, and we were shut down and had to take out loans. We come through that and then we have the war in Ukraine and utility bills going crazy. We just about get over that, and now the government ups national insurance contributions, which is going to put 8.25% on our wage bill, which means I've got to find £8,000 a week more to pay the wages. It is bonkers for a little pub company.” Thorley was one of the speakers at Propel’s Operational Excellence Conference, the videos from which were sent to Premium Club subscribers last week. Premium readers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. 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.

 

Harris+Hoole looking to grow as it reports like-for-like sales up 14.7%: Speciality coffee house brand Harris+Hoole, part of The Nero Group, is looking to grow as it reported like-for-like sales were up 14.7% for the three months to the end of July 2025. During the period, gross sales rose to £2.1m from £1.9m in the preceding 13-week period, representing 11% sales growth. Harris+Hoole said contributing to the robust summer sales has been a “hugely successful” summer drinks range, which includes the strawberry iced matcha and a variety of other iced drinks. This new iced drinks range has helped summer drinks sales soar 80% year on year. At the same time, a new food transformation programme was launched in-store, which means a whole range of savoury lines (including the filled croissants and Italian Schiacciata breads) are now freshly made in the store to enhance food quality and freshness. Since the new food range was initiated, food sales at Harris+Hoole have grown 24%. Harris+Hoole began in 2012 and now has 15 stores across London and the south and is actively seeking new sites in the south east of England to further its expansion. Andrew Sanders, head of Harris+Hoole, said: “We’ve seen fantastic traction with our new summer drinks range. We have experienced significant growth in sales and are starting to build some real momentum. We’re proud of our speciality standard coffee range and this summer menu has enhanced that. Now we are actively seeking new sites to further expand the business and enter a period of growth.”

 

Former GDK franchisee set to double the size of his seafood concept’s estate, launches franchise offer: Former German Doner Kebab (GDK) franchisee Imran Makda is set to double the size of his seafood concept Shrimp & Co’s estate. Makda, who was a GDK franchisee between 2017 and 2020, co-founded Shrimp & Co in November 2022 and has grown it to three locations – in Birmingham’s Star City and Fiveways Leisure Complex, and in Leicester’s London Road. The latest unit, at Fiveways, opened last month in a former Shrimp Shack unit – the similar sounding but totally different seafood concept launched in 2023 by Creams co-founder Balil Aqil. Shrimp & Co’s website also claims it has stores “coming soon” in Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham. Makda said: “Three stores running. Three more locked in. The spaces we want are finding us! Some are exactly what we’ve been hunting for. Some are offers we didn’t even expect, and they’re too good to ignore. They’re not in random places. They’re in cities where we know the concept will hit hard. The next three stores will change the game. And we’re just getting warmed up.” Shrimp & Co has also launched a franchise offer and said it is seeking prime properties and franchise partners in Cardiff, Liverpool, Newcastle and Milton Keynes. Makda added: ‘We haven’t shouted about franchising. No campaigns. No sales pitch. Just a small note on the website and a bit of word of mouth. But the right people keep showing up. People who get it. Some come in thinking they want one store, they leave wanting two. We’ve met some serious operators already. And we’re only just getting started.”

 

Thornbridge Brewery achieves positive Ebitda, pubs achieve strong growth and record profit: Thornbridge Brewery, the award-winning craft brewer based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, founded by Jim Harrison and led by Simon Webster, achieved positive Ebitda in the year to 30 June 2024, while its pubs achieved strong growth and record profit. The company turned negative Ebitda of £346,000 in 2023 into positive Ebitda of £192,000. A pre-tax loss of £420,565 during the period narrowed from £923,250 in the previous year. Turnover grew from £14,671,271 in 2023 to £15,358,095. Thornbridge’s The Taps business operates five community pubs in the Sheffield area and, until December 2023, ran an events bar at Sheffield University. These contributed £2,723,220 to the company’s turnover (2023: £2,353,054) while £12,634,875 came from the brewing and distribution of beer (2023: £12,318,217). Further analysis shows £14,679,222 of Thornbridge’s turnover came from the UK (2023: £13,742,342), £533,434 from Europe (2023: £790,779) and £145,439 from the rest of the world (2023: £138,150). Harrison said: “The brewing sector has faced significant challenges in the years following the covid-19 pandemic, with several high-profile administrations and industry consolidation. Despite this, during the year to June 2024, we made significant progress towards returning the group to profitability, achieving a positive Ebitda of £192,000. For the current financial year to December 2024, Ebitda has already exceeded last year’s total, and we have recorded a small profit before tax for the first half of the year. Over the past 18 months, we have achieved substantial cost reductions, leading to improved financial stability both during and beyond the reporting period. The cost of raw materials, including malt, hops, cardboard, aluminium, and glass, has stabilised or declined, thanks to strategic procurement efforts across the business. Our gross profit margin improved from 35.4% in the prior year to 37.4%. This improvement was driven by continued growth in our on-trade business and a reduced reliance on lower-margin off-trade sales. Additionally, administrative expenses for the group increased by less than 1%, while turnover increased 4.7%, demonstrating resilience amid ongoing sector challenges. Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures affecting consumer spending, The Taps achieved strong, profitable growth during the reporting period, delivering a record annual profit before group recharges. Looking ahead, we will continue focusing on profitability and operational efficiency, building on the progress made over the past 18 months. Key priorities include expanding our on-trade presence, further reducing our reliance on lower-margin channels, and enhancing sustainability initiatives. Despite economic and regulatory challenges, we are confident in the group’s ability to adapt to market changes and drive long-term growth and profitability.”

 

We Do Play to launch Activate in the Midlands next: We Do Play – the multi-concept experiential leisure operator – has said it will launch Canadian immersive game brand Activate in the Midlands next. We Do Play, which also operates Flip Out and Putt Putt Social here and founded Boom Battle Bar before selling the brand, first brought Activate to the UK last year, launching at The O2 in London. Last month, We Do Play opened a second Activate, at Newcastle’s Metrocentre, and has confirmed site number three will launch later this year at Leicester’s Highcross shopping centre. The 9,632 square-foot venue, which will be situated in the former House of Fraser unit on the lower mall, will be joining other leisure operators at Highcross such as Social Climbing, Treetop Adventure Golf and the 12-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux. Rich Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, said: “Our goal with Activate is to create an unforgettable experience that combines physical movement with mental challenge and adrenaline-fuelled social interaction. What began as a Generation Z phenomenon is now capturing the imaginations of all age groups. From families looking for a new way to connect, to co-workers and friend groups craving something more exciting than a pub night, Activate is fast becoming a go-to destination for social, active fun. Leicester’s vibrant community and the dynamic setting of Highcross make it the perfect place for our next launch.” The Leicester opening is part of Activate’s ambitious plan to open 30 locations across the UK and Ireland and is also set to open a second London location this year.

 

Bar concept Behind Closed Doors to open third site: Bar concept Behind Closed Doors is to open its third site, in Liverpool. Nick Parr, former general manager of Manchester bar Whiskey Jar, opened the first Behind Closed Doors in 2017, accessed through a hidden doorway at 93 Oldham Street in the city. A second venue launched in Leeds in August 2024, and the third site will open in Liverpool’s Colquitt Street next month. The venue, which will have a capacity for 150 guests, will have the concept’s signature phone lines to call other tables, and its DJ booth constructed from trolleys. Parr said: “We feel Liverpool has been ready for our concept for years now, but we just needed to find the right venue. Behind Closed Doors is a very exciting, mysterious speakeasy-style bar with the best boogie, funk and soul music to keep the party going all night long.”

Essex McDonald’s franchisee opens third restaurant: Essex McDonald’s franchisee Zap Arches has opened its third restaurant with the brand – and first new-build. Former IT worker Shameela Awan-Patel founded Zap Arches in 2023, opening its first restaurant in at the Festival Leisure Park Basildon. A second site followed late last year, and the company has now opened in the former Prezzo unit at 54 High Street in Wickford. She said: “Zap Arches officially opened the doors to its very first, brand-new McDonald’s restaurant – Wickford High Street. To be entrusted with opening a brand-new store is an honour I don’t take lightly. And finally, a personal moment I will never forget. Watching my sons – whose initials make up Z.A.P. – proudly cut the ribbon to officially open the restaurant was everything. A memory they (and I) will carry for a lifetime. That moment reminded me that this business isn’t just about growth – it’s about legacy, love, and building something that matters. Here’s to the beginning of something truly special in Wickford.” In its first filed accounts, for the year from 24 March 2023 to 31 March 2024, Zap Arches reported turnover of £2,963,844 and a pre-tax profit of £240,522.

 

Two-Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey to open a new site for smash burger concept: Two-Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey is to open a new site for his smash burger concept Heard. Bailey, whose fine dining career spans the three-Michelin starred Maaemo in Oslo and his own two-star restaurant Aimsir in Ireland, launched Heard in London’s Borough in March after a year of perfecting his recipes and touring some of the biggest UK events in the Heard food truck. Now, Bailey is bringing the concept to Soho, with an opening in Foubert’s Place this September. The 38-cover restaurant will be split across two levels. Heard’s burgers are made with aged British beef topped with English cheese and home-made pickles, served in a butter-toasted, roast potato bun. The Soho opening represents the next step in Heard’s story, which will see the concept evolved and the menu expanded, as well as the introduction of The Soho Burger, its first non-smash burger. Drinks will include a wine list curated by Bailey’s wife and sommelier, Majken Bech-Bailey. Each dish has been paired with a wine that complements the flavours, including Bech-Bailey’s own non-alcoholic BÆK wine, alongside craft beer.

 

Amsterdam restaurant confirms September opening for London outpost: Nela, the Amsterdam restaurant founded by chefs Hari Shetty and Ori Geller and British entrepreneur Gilad Hayeem, has confirmed its London outpost will open next month. Opening on Wednesday, 10 September and occupying a near 10,000 square-foot space at The Whiteley in Bayswater, Nela London will celebrate live-fire cooking with high-quality, hand-picked ingredients. Accessed via its own street entrance, the restaurant will feature an open kitchen, a 360-degree centrepiece bar, a private dining room and an outdoor terrace. Shetty and Gellar met while working together at Michelin-starred The Duchess, in Amsterdam. Shetty honed his skills at Nobu before going on to open restaurants including Momo and Izakaya, while Geller was instrumental in the opening of Mr Porter in Amsterdam. Guests at Nela can expect plates such as artichoke with wild spinach and hollandaise sauce and open flame sea bream with parsley rub. There will also be an extensive wine list with offerings from around the world and a line-up of classic and innovative cocktails. Reservations are now open for the 175-seat restaurant and private dining room for up to 32 guests.

 

BaxterStorey to operate new restaurant and café opening at South Wales visitor attraction: Contract catering company BaxterStorey is to operate a new restaurant and café opening at South Wales visitor attraction Greenmeadow Community Farm. The Farmer’s Table is launching on Saturday, 13 September as part of a multimillion-pound transformation of the attraction. Operated by BaxterStorey, the 90-cover The Farmer’s Table will offer an all-day menu championing local sourcing and sustainability, aligning with the farm’s wider farm-to-fork ethos. As part of the partnership, BaxterStorey will also manage event catering across the newly refurbished Greenmeadow location. These include the Haybarn – a modern event space designed for weddings, parties and corporate functions. Daryl Williams, operations manager at BaxterStorey, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside Greenmeadow Community Farm, which shares our love for great food and strong community connections. Our team are excited to bring its craft and creativity to the table, celebrating the best in local Welsh produce.”

London brunch restaurant concept Friends of Ours opens second site: London brunch restaurant concept Friends of Ours has opened its second site. Friends of Ours has partnered with Serpentine to open the outlet at The Magazine building in Hyde Park. With a menu led by executive chef Steph Jones, dishes include French toast served with Tonka bean, miso, macerated peaches and peach jam. Co-founder Tim Grant said: “We wanted to find a high impact site to really step up the profile of Friends of Ours with the space and scale to further develop our menu and drinks offering, while remaining aligned with our values and links to creative industries. The partnership with Serpentine was a natural fit, and the opportunity to partner with such an institution is a real privilege.” Friends of Ours also has a site in Hoxton.

 

East of England pub operator puts both her sites on the market: East of England pub operator Caroline Compton has put both her pubs on the market. Compton has instructed Christie & Co to sell The Fleece Inn in Bungay in Suffolk and The Layer Fox in Layer-de-la-Haye, near Colchester, in Essex. The Fleece Inn in St Mary’s Street features bar and restaurant areas offering 90 covers in a series of snugs and seating areas, with an additional private dining room on the first floor. The inn also has a courtyard, as well as three-bedroom staff accommodation. The Layer Fox has bar and restaurant spaces to serve around 90 covers, with seating for a further 70 outside, across the front terrace and rear decking areas overlooking the garden. In the rear grounds, the “Sleepy Fox” contains four letting bedrooms, each with walk-in wet rooms and underfloor heating. The property also contains one-bedroom staff accommodation and a car park. For the past ten years, both pubs have been owned by Compton and her husband Jonathan, who passed away in 2023. She said: “The Fleece and the Layer Fox were projects which my husband took on with enthusiasm, and they are both integral parts of their local communities. It was not an easy decision to put them on the market, but I hope they will continue to operate successfully under new ownership.” The Fleece Inn has an asking price of £695,000 and The Layer Fox is on the market for £495,000.