Byron faces further restructure as parent company gears up to appoint administrators: Better burger brand Byron, which at one time grew to an £80m-turnover, 70-strong business, is set for a further restructuring, after its parent company filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, Propel understands. Tristar Foods is believed to be working with restructuring firm KR8 Advisory on its options for the brand, which operates seven sites in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Covent Garden, Liverpool, South Kensington, Tottenham Court Road, and York. At the start of 2023, Propel revealed that the majority of the Famously Proper business, which operated the Byron and Mother Clucker brands, was acquired out of administration for a total consideration of £856,000 by Tristar Foods. Tristar was a new company owned by Sandeep Vyas, co-founder of Calveton, which previously backed Famously Proper. The deal saw 12 of Byron’s 21 sites acquired as part of a pre-pack administration process. In July 2020, Byron closed 31 of its then 51 sites as part of a pre-pack administration process and sale to Calveton. Byron was founded in 2007 by Tom Byng with backing from Gondola Group. In 2013, the then 34-strong business was acquired by private equity firm Hutton Collins for £100m. It grew to an £80m-turnover, 70-strong business, before Byng’s departure at the start of 2017. Calveton, alongside Breal Capital, currently backs Evolv Collection (formerly D&D London), and TGI Fridays. Earlier this year, TGI Fridays integrated the Byron and Mother Clucker brands into its delivery system. 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,451 operators and 25 new companies tomorrow: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database tomorrow (Friday, 29 August), at noon. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,451 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,003 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 801 (23%) pub and bar operators, 600 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 483 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 283 (8%) hotel operators, 227 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 53 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 25 new companies. The database includes new companies in the pub and bar sector such as Liverpool brunch and cocktail bar business Bam Boo, Scottish pub company Kingdom Taverns, and The White Horse Pub Company. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium 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 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. 

Butlin’s CEO – ‘we’re not going to tax ourselves to success’: Jon Hendry Pickup, chief executive of Butlin’s, has hit out at Rachel Reeves after saying increasing taxes on businesses is not the way to improve the UK economy. Hendry Pickup told City AM the country is “not going to tax ourselves to success” and last year’s Budget “felt like an own goal”. He added that allowing businesses to invest, grow and develop their propositions would be a better way to boost the economy instead of increasing taxes on companies such as employers’ national insurance contributions and raising the national minimum wage. He said both tax rises had made it harder for companies such as Butlin’s to hire new employees and the Budget in 2024 felt like a “tax on jobs”. When asked what he would say to Reeves if given the chance, he said: “So that growth lever that the government talked about just before the election, that was its number one focus. I’d like to see that being the number one focus, because we’re not going to tax ourselves to success. We need to make sure we’re able to stimulate growth. We need to be able to invest, to grow our business, to develop the proposition, to build skills for our team. I’d like to see more of that first and foremost.” When asked if he had confidence in what the prime minister and chancellor are doing in power, he said: “I’ve yet to see something that says we’re going to pull that growth lever. So, I’m still a little bit ‘jury’s out’ at the moment. I know they’ve got a difficult time to manage through. But I would like them to say something that says we understand the value of private business rather than just managing the public sector, which it feels like we’re doing a lot of at the moment. And I would like them to say something that says ‘we know the value of what you’re doing and so that’s what we’re going to help you do more of it in difficult circumstances’.” He also detailed what he would do if he was given the keys to number ten for a day. He said: “Let’s start recognising [hospitality] for it being the third biggest employer in the UK and the place where people often start and get their jobs and move forward.”

Global Brands founder – ‘my tax adviser has told me to leave the country in the wake of recent tax reforms’: Global Brands founder Steve Perez, who runs hotels and restaurants in the East Midlands, has said he has been told by his tax adviser “to leave the country” in the wake of recent tax reforms, which make it much harder to pass companies to the next generation. He has been vocal about the impact of the changes to inheritance tax and business property relief, which will restrict the tax breaks from April 2026. Perez’s son recently joined the business and, as it stands, the family will need to pay £7m to inherit alcohol-maker Global Brands when Perez dies. “My family will still be okay,” Perez told The Telegraph. “But we will have to sell to pay the tax, and my concern is the legacy of the business that I have built over 40 years, starting out of the back of a van. I employ 400 people in an ex-mining town in Derbyshire, in an area of high unemployment. There’s no way that if we sell to a big multinational, the new owner will keep it in Chesterfield. What will happen to the jobs I have created here? This is a tax on the jobs of working people. That’s what the government doesn’t seem to understand.”

Shore Capital analyst – ‘Costa is losing coffeephiles and is a victim of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget’: Clive Black, analyst at Shore Capital, has argued Costa Coffee is losing “coffeephiles” and is a “victim” of chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. Sky News reported at the weekend that Coca-Cola is exploring a sale of Costa more than six years after acquiring the business in a move aimed at helping it reduce its reliance on sugary soft drinks. Analysts have said a sale could crystallise a multibillion pound loss on the £3.9bn sum Coca-Cola agreed to pay to buy Costa from Whitbread, the London-listed owner of the Premier Inn hotel brand, in 2018. “Our investment in Costa is not where we wanted it to be from an investment hypothesis point of view,” James Quincey, Coca-Cola’s chief executive, admitted in a call in July. As well as battling dwindling popularity, Costa’s problems have also been compounded by rising costs, with the price of coffee hitting record highs in 2024.“Costa is an absolute victim of Rachel Reeves,” Black told The Telegraph. “Payroll costs have absolutely rocketed with the national living wage and national insurance contributions. You’ve then got higher energy costs overall and [coffee shops] are quite energy-intensive businesses. You can see why Coke might not necessarily want to plough a lot more money into it. [Costa is] losing ‘coffeephiles’ who are prepared to pay a lot for coffee and food, as well as those people who are either making their own or going to somewhere cheaper like Greggs, or McDonald’s.” Black said given Costa’s near-ubiquity across Britain, opportunities to expand the business have been few and far between. Costa trades from more than 2,000 stores in the UK, and well over 3,000 globally. “[Coca-Cola] actually acquired a very mature business, certainly in the UK,” he said, adding it is difficult to find “a gap in the street where there isn’t a Costa Coffee or a machine”. He added: “The coffee channel has, for many people, moved on. All those independents, and indeed the likes of Gail’s have got more authenticity and provenance. Greggs, McDonald’s, Pret A Manger and Gail’s have a superior food assortment, and – maybe with the exception of Pret – more affordable coffee.” Latest available accounts filed at Companies House for Costa show turnover increased 9% to £1,222,856,000 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £1,117,450,000 the previous year. However, this was below the £1.3bn recorded in 2018, the final year before Coca-Cola took control of the business. Wagamama-owner Apollo among suitors for Costa – see Company News

Chef Mary-Ellen McTague’s latest restaurant among 16 new additions to Michelin Guide: Chef Mary-Ellen McTague’s latest restaurant, Pip, at the Treehouse hotel in Manchester is among 16 new additions to the Michelin Guide in the UK and Ireland this month. Another Manchester venue – British restaurant Winsome – has also been added along with three in Dublin. They are Hera, which is described as a “lively take on the modern gastropub” and hidden within a larger Victorian inn, Juno; French restaurant Forêt; and Irish concept The Pig’s Ear. Four London venues have joined the guide – Mediterranean-inspired Chapel Market Kitchen Oyster Bar & Grill, Italian concept Locatelli at the National Gallery, European restaurant Duchy and “modern cuisine” concept Ploussard. The other additions are: The Nest at The Feathers Hotel in Woodstock in the Cotswolds, Cantaloupe in Stockport, Emberwood in Bath, Ondine in St Andrews, Ragu in Bristol, The Shoregate in Crail and Wild in Burford.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a restaurant and bar in Brixton, south London, which is looking for an experienced and hands-on restaurant manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The restaurant manager will thrive in fast-paced, high-volume operations and excel at creating standout guest experiences while managing a large team.” The salary is up to £55,000. For more information, email kateb@corecruitment.com.

Wagamama-owner Apollo among suitors for Costa: Apollo Global Management, which owns Wagamama's parent company, The Restaurant Group, is one of a small number of suitors that are circling Costa Coffee, the Coca-Cola-owned coffee brand. Sky News reports that KKR, another US-based private equity firm, has also spoken to Lazard, Coca-Cola's adviser, but was unlikely to table a firm bid for Costa, they added. Sources close to the process said it remained at a very early stage, with indicative bids not due for several weeks. News of Apollo's early interest comes days after it was revealed that Coca-Cola was exploring a disposal of Costa, less than seven years after acquiring it in a bid to reduce its reliance on carbonated soft drinks. Costa trades from more than 2,000 stores in the UK, and well over 3,000 globally, according to the latest available figures. Analysts believe a sale could crystallise a multibillion-pound loss on the £3.9bn sum Coca-Cola agreed to pay to buy Costa from Whitbread, the London-listed owner of the Premier Inn hotel chain, in 2018. One suggested that Costa might now command a price tag of just £2bn in a sale process. Apollo and KKR both declined to comment. 

Black Sheep Coffee – we have more than 150 new store commitments across the UK: Speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee has said it has hit a major milestone in its franchising journey with more than 150 new store commitments across the UK under multi-unit development agreements. The business, which was founded in 2013 and has sites in the US and the Middle East, said its latest agreement provides the franchise partner with the exclusive development rights for Surrey against a commitment to open a minimum of 17 new stores in the territory. The business said: “This is one of a series of new partnerships that will both grow the brand's footprint in existing markets and add new ones.” The announcement follows a record-breaking period for the brand. In the first half of 2025, Black Sheep Coffee reported 25% like-for-like sales growth in the UK. The company said: “At this pace, franchise opportunities are expected to sell out before the end of the year. The deal forms part of a robust national pipeline that is drawing experienced operators and competitor switchers alike, keen to partner with a brand that's building serious traction. With 100 stores already launched in just seven years, Black Sheep Coffee's franchise model is proving its strength: fast to scale, high in demand, and supported by a seasoned central team. New markets including Lancashire, Tyne & Wear, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, and north Scotland are already seeing momentum build, as the brand brings its signature Robusta espresso, colourful matcha drinks, and Norwegian waffles to fresh communities.” Earlier this week, the company opened its first store in Florida, in the US. The site opened at 2,750 SW 27th Terrace in Miami for the brand’s fourth US location overall. As well as more than 100 locations in the UK, Black Sheep Coffee also has four in the UAE and one in France. Eirik Holth, who co-founded the business with Gabriel Shohet, said: "We are extremely pleased with the momentum. Our team has done an incredible job gearing up for this next phase of growth, and the recent numbers in our existing stores highlight the opportunity ahead. Our franchise partners share our passion for great coffee and hospitality combined with a hunger for growth. It's a really exciting time to come on board. Territories are filling fast and demand is at an all-time high.”

German Doner Kebab hires new CMO, to open site in London’s Brent Cross shopping centre: German Doner Kebab (GDK), which is backed by private equity group True, has hired Chris Waters as its new chief marketing officer. Waters joins on Monday (1 September) from JD Sports, where he served as European brand director, “delivering award-winning campaigns that deeply resonated with Generation Z audiences”. Prior to JD Sports, Waters held senior marketing roles at Morrisons and Asda, and has 20 years’ experience across the fast-moving consumer goods and fashion retail sectors. GDK chief executive Simon Wallis said: “Chris’ blend of retail rigor and creative brand leadership is exactly what we need to connect powerfully with our primary Generation Z customer base and drive the next phase of growth. Chris’ experience and vision will be invaluable as we continue to build a brand that resonates deeply with younger audiences while maintaining our strong retail discipline.” Meanwhile, GDK is set to open at Brent Cross shopping centre in north west London. The brand, which is approaching 150 UK locations, will launch the outlet in the autumn, creating 20 jobs. Wallis said: “Brent Cross is a landmark shopping destination for north London, making it an ideal location for us to serve up our game-changing kebabs to an exciting and diverse customer base. As we continue our rapid growth across the UK, openings like Brent Cross are powerful markers of the momentum behind the GDK brand.” In May, True made a “strategic investment” in GDK, which operates circa 170 sites globally, to support its continued rollout in the UK and accelerate growth across existing and new markets.

Evolv Collection hires Tom Tomczyk as operations director: Evolv Collection, formerly D&D London, has hired Tom Tomczyk, formerly of Gaucho-owner Rare Restaurants and Bill’s Restaurants, as its new back-of-house operations director. Tomczyk spent a decade at Gaucho, including 20 months as its back-of-house operations director and more than four years as head of operations. He also spent just over two years at Bill’s, including a year and a half as an area operations chef. He joins Martin Williams, founder and former chief executive of Rare Restaurants, at Evolv. Earlier this year, Williams was named the new chief executive of D&D London, which subsequently became the Evolv Collection. Earlier this month, Gaucho, the premium Argentinian steak restaurant group, announced a number of strategic leadership appointments, which it said will “further strengthen the business and streamline performance across the UK, as new chief executive Baton Berisha implements his next stage strategy for growth”. It comes as Propel understands that Ross Butler had stepped down as chief operating officer of the business after nearly seven years in the role, and a near 14-year association with the brand. As part of the current leadership changes, Pedro Nunes joined the business, which currently operates 20 eponymous sites across the UK, as operations director for London – bringing more than a decade of experience from The Ivy Collection, where he oversaw multiple high-profile openings and franchise developments internationally.

Adam Handling promotes head chef to proprietor of Michelin-starred restaurant Frog: Chef Adam Handling has promoted his head chef, Cleverson Cordeiro, to proprietor of Frog by Adam Handling, the flagship Michelin-starred restaurant in London’s Covent Garden. Handling said Cordeiro has been an “integral part of Frog since before it opened”, and the announcement comes on the eighth anniversary of his first joining. Handling said: “No one really knows who’s behind Frog but, the truth is, Cleverson has always been here, even before the doors opened. He’s always pushed so hard to make every service a success and he’s never let the experience for our guests fail. The entire restaurant team love him and our guests who know him love him too. This is his reward for years of amazing dedication and achievement with us and our way to make him better known outside of the collection. For me, he’s not just an incredible chef or even just a friend, he’s family.” As proprietor, Cordeiro will continue to oversee the kitchen and guest experience at Frog, while also taking on a deeper role in the business alongside Handling and the group’s team of directors. In July, Handling began a new chapter for his Cornish restaurant, Ugly Butterfly, when it moved from its previous location in St Ives to five-star hotel The Headland, in Newquay. Handling also operates The Tartan Fox pub, located between Newquay and Truro, which he opened last summer. Earlier this year, he also opened a Central London boutique chocolate shop. The Adam Handling Chocolate Shop, in Covent Garden, just around the corner from Frog.

Benito’s owner hires Allan Cook as operations director: Elangeni Hospitality Group (EHG) – owner of Mexican concept Benito’s and pizza-by-the-slice format, Slice by Dice – has hired Allan Cook, formerly of YouMeSushi and Chop’d, as its new operations director. Cook was previously managing director of YouMeSushi, the 26-strong business, which he joined in spring 2023. Prior to that Cook was head of operations at Boom Battle Bars for three years, and spent 14 years as operations director at Chop’d. He also spent almost five years as an operations manager at PizzaExpress. In April, EHG told Propel that Slice by Dice had had a number of franchise approaches and “is turning into what could be a really scalable successful brand”. The concept, which was co-founder by restaurateur Amit Joshi, formerly of Rocket Restaurants and co-founder of the Jones Family Project, launched its first site, in the Westgate development in Oxford, last summer. Slice by Dice made its debut as one of the street food operators at Riverside Market, in Fulham, in June. In the spring, Propel revealed EHG had signed an agreement for two new development partnerships, providing a pipeline of 15 new franchised stores. EHG has a target of 40 stores for the current four-strong Benito’s brand, which previously operated a handful of sites in Central London, by the end of 2029.

Maltese hospitality group to launch Japanese dining brand in London next month: Maltese hospitality group, Lifestyle Group, will launch Aki, its Japanese dining brand, in London next month. Aki London will be the first international outpost for the group, marking the inception of its “ambitious global expansion plans”. Opening in Cavendish Square, Aki London will reflect the original Aki outpost in Malta, which opened in Valletta in 2020 and has held a place in the Michelin Guide for four consecutive years. Aki offers “modern takes on classic Japanese cuisine with a focus on freshly sourced, quality ingredients and innovative flavour combinations”. This includes classic sushi, robata and Kushiyaki dishes alongside a cocktail menu of Japanese-influenced drinks and Maltese favourites. The building, a grade II-listed building at 1 Cavendish Square, is a former bank that has undergone a £15m renovation over the last two years. This will see the banking hall transformed into an 80-cover central dining room and the vaults into an underground bar, while the mezzanine level will feature an undercover terrace and private dining space. “Launching Aki in London is a defining moment for Lifestyle Group, as we introduce our first international restaurant in one of the world’s great dining destinations,” said Robert Debono, chief executive of db Group, Lifestyle Group’s parent company. “We’re proud to bring together the artistry of Japanese cuisine with the warmth of Maltese hospitality.” Lifestyle Group's portfolio ranges from fine dining restaurants to casual eateries and beach clubs in Malta across a variety of cuisines. Parent company db Group has grown from a family-run business into Malta’s foremost player in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors. In its portfolio sits the Seabank Resort & Spa, the San Antonio Hotel & Spa, the Melior Boutique hotel and 11 independent restaurants – including Loa, Aki, Amami and Tora – as well as all the Maltese outposts of Hard Rock Cafe, Starbucks and Grom.

Claude Bosi closes his two-Michelin-starred restaurant Bibendum: Chef Claude Bosi has permanently closed his two-Michelin-starred Claude Bosi at Bibendum restaurant in London’s South Kensington “after struggling to reach a resolution with our partners and landlords”. The restaurant ceased trading earlier this week, while the Oyster Bar will close at the end of August, the chef confirmed. The chef opened Claude Bosi at Bibendum in 2017 in the Art Deco Michelin Building, having made his name with Hibiscus, in Ludlow and Mayfair. Bibendum went straight into the Michelin guide with two stars less than a year later. In an announcement on Instagram, Bosi and his wife Lucy said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce Claude Bosi Restaurant ceased trading on 25 August and the Oyster Bar will close after service on 31 August. Despite our very best efforts, we were unable to reach a resolution with our partners and landlords that would allow Michelin House to move into its next chapter. It is with regret that we confirm that bookings past these dates have been cancelled, and we are truly sorry for any disappointment this may cause. We are deeply grateful for the incredible support shown to us over the years. It has been an honour to be part of the Michelin House story.” The pair said they were “personally committed” to ensuring every member of staff was helped into new opportunities within their restaurant group. In addition to Bibendum, Bosi has Brooklands at the top of the Peninsula hotel, at Hyde Park Corner, which also won two Michelin stars soon after opening. He also operates two sites under his more casual dining format – Josephine, in Chelsea and Marylebone.

Bone Daddies co-founder confirms plans for new seafood restaurant in London’s Mayfair: Ross Shonhan, the former executive chef at Zuma and co-founder of Bone Daddies, has confirmed he will open a new seafood restaurant called Lilibet’s in London’s Mayfair, next month. Propel revealed last year that Shonhan was looking to launch the new venture at 17 Bruton Street – the same address Queen Elizabeth II was born at, and will be named after her nickname, as well as paying homage to Mayfair’s golden era of the 1920s. Lilibet's marks Shonhan’s 12th opening, following projects such as Strawfire and Netsu, previous ventures like Bone Daddies Group and earlier executive chef roles at Nobu and Zuma. At Lilibet's – which will open on Tuesday 16 September – every dish will “begin with the freshest ingredients, prepared with care and cooked simply to let natural flavours shine”. The business said: “The menu follows an imaginary grand tour the princess might have taken through the Mediterranean, blending beloved classics with unexpected gems designed to surprise.” The restaurant will offer more than 160 covers, “with spaces that evoke the feel of distinct rooms within a quintessential English home”. Guests will be able to choose from a variety of dining experiences, ranging from the Oyster Bar, with its selection of fresh seafood, to the fireside grill, where bespoke dishes like whole turbot pil pil and lobster tails over spaghetti will take centre stage. There will also be an outdoor terrace and cocktail bar, which will also serve a selection of light bites. “With Lilibet's, we wanted to create an enduring place that will feel relevant in 20 years, with a real focus on great hospitality." said Shonhan. "This address carries an unexpected history, and that gave us the freedom to be creative. Lilibet's will be a great seafood restaurant that respects British ingredients while also embracing flavours from further afield. The design follows the same thinking – elegant, but with a few surprises. It's about doing things properly, but with personality.” Investors in the new venture, which may be rolled out, include Vivien Wong, the co-founder of Little Moons, and Bernard Kantor, who co-founded Investec.

Chef Anthony Demetre to launch bistro in London’s Belgravia: Chef Anthony Demetre is teaming up with publican Hubert Beatson-Hird to open The Elizabeth in London’s Belgravia in September. The Standard reported the bistro is to replace the Ganymede, a pub-restaurant in a grade II-listed Victorian townhouse that opened three years ago under the Beatson-Hird’s Lunar Pub Group. Demetre founded Soho restaurant Arbutus in 2006 and went on to win a Michelin star there before its closure in 2016. He opened Wild Honey St James in 2019, a venue that still holds a star and where British ingredients and French technique are the focus. He will work alongside head chef David Halewood at The Elizabeth, which will feature “British bistro classics”. Beatson-Hird, who owns the Lunar Pub Company, has opened three pubs across west London. Ganymede has been lightly refurbished as part of the project, with a drinking area in the front of the building and a dining room at the back. “After three wonderful years of Ganymede we wanted to reimagine our beloved Belgravia site to reflect the fast-changing hospitality environment,” said Beatson-Hird. “When the opportunity to work with Anthony emerged, the choice became a no-brainer to work together to create a modern take on British hospitality and gastronomy.”

Archie’s unveils biggest menu change in its history: North west burger, shakes and waffles concept Archie’s has unveiled the biggest menu change in its history, introducing more than 25 new items and “refreshed favourites”. The company said every recipe has been fine-tuned, including new cooking techniques that improve flavour and speed of service. The refreshed line-up includes new creations such as the Bacon Jam Burger loaded with sweet bacon jam, creamy ranch, and crispy homemade shallots on a potato bun, and the Hot Honey Burger. In response to guest demand for “indulgent” sandwich alternatives, Archie’s said it has introduced a new menu category with the Nashville sando made with thick-cut brioche, crispy Nashville chicken, cheese, and its new “dynamite sauce”. The chicken category has also been expanded, with wings and tenders now available to order in new sauces while new shake blends include pistachio crunch and the peanut butter and Oreo shake. “This new menu is about making Archie’s the best it can be,” said co-founder Imran Rafiq. “This menu is designed to surprise, delight, and keep people coming back for more. It’s not just about adding new items – it’s about taking what our guests already love and making it taste even better. We’ve fine-tuned recipes, boosted the flavours and made sure the food comes out quicker, without losing the quality.” Archie’s, which was founded in 2010, operates ten sites across Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Leeds.

Independent burger business Burger Drop to open Middlesbrough restaurant next month: Independent burger business Burger Drop will open its new Middlesbrough restaurant next month. The company is opening its sixth restaurant and fifth franchise, in the North Yorkshire town on Friday, 12 September. The 20-cover site at 176 Linthorpe Road, which was previously home to 176 Bar & Kitchen, will be operated by franchisee Safi Nayyar, who is also a stakeholder in Burger Drop’s Whitley Bay site. Earlier this month, Burger Drop co-founder Hasan Hamid told Propel the business is in a slower growth phase now as it prioritises ensuring franchisee stores are successful. Founded in Newcastle in 2020 by Hamid and Amer Qayyum, Burger Drop also operates restaurants in Newcastle, Sunderland and Manchester, and in May made its Scottish debut, in Edinburgh.

Federal Café confirms plans to make Leeds debut: Manchester cafe concept Federal Café has confirmed plans to open its first site outside the city, in Leeds. As revealed by Propel in July, the three-strong business, which was founded by Claudio Ribeiro in 2014, has taken a ground floor retail unit at 34 Boar Lane. The new 1,500 square-foot venue will seat 70 guests and is due to open this autumn. Ribeiro said: “Choosing Leeds for our first café outside Manchester felt like the natural next step. Leeds has many similarities to Manchester with the same buzz and a growing independent brunch and coffee scene. We don’t expand for the sake of it; we wait for the right time and the right energy for Federal. Everything we do is fuelled by passion for great brunch and great coffee and creating the perfect space for every occasion and every type of customer. Now feels like the perfect time to bring the Federal experience to Yorkshire and join Leeds’ growing independent food and drink scene.” In April, Propel revealed Federal Cafe, which offers Australian and New Zealand-inspired brunch dishes, had appointed advisors as it looks to secure new backing to ramp up its expansion plans. It is understood to be working with Will Baxter and Payam Keyghobadi, of Dow Schofield Watts (DSW) London, on reviewing its options, as it looks at the next stage of its growth journey. Federal Café is believed to be gearing up to open a fourth site in Manchester in a “super-prime location”. The business, which currently operates sites in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Deansgate and Circle Square development, said it was being offered sites in prime locations in other cities in the north and beyond. Ribeiro previously said the concept has the potential to grow to more than 50 locations and become a UK-wide business.

Whitbread set to open second Premier Inn hotel in Bath city centre: Whitbread is set to open a second Premier Inn hotel in Bath city centre. The company has signed an agreement with Frank Capital for the lease of the former Beazer House office building in Lower Bristol Road. The vacant property will be demolished to make way for a new six-storey, 68,000 square-foot Premier Inn hotel. The latest-format hotel will feature 152 bedrooms alongside an on-site restaurant and bar on the ground floor. Construction of the new hotel is expected to begin in early 2026, with the hotel targeted to open in 2028. The Premier Inn will feature a mix of the brand’s latest format “standard” rooms as well as its “enhanced” Premier Plus bedrooms. Whitbread secured the opportunity to occupy the location following a competitive bidding process. Paul Smith, acquisition manager for Whitbread, said: “Securing a new location for our customers in Bath city centre is a significant achievement in our south west growth story. There is a well-known undersupply of budget hotel rooms in Bath, and this new location will help us to meet the consistently high, year-round demand we see for Premier Inn bedrooms in the city.” The acquisition is part of Whitbread’s ongoing expansion of Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn in the UK and Ireland. The company currently offers its customers a choice of 850 locations, and more than 85,000 bedrooms, and sees the potential to grow its hotel network to 125,000 UK and Ireland rooms. Savills led the market engagement for Frank Capital. Whitbread was advised by Sisman Property Consultants.

East Asian karaoke concept to launch in London’s West End: U9 Karaoke Bar – “a new kind of nightlife destination, where east Asian tradition meets tech-forward glamour” – is to open next month in London’s West End. Located in Whitcomb Street, U9 Karaoke Bar will be “London's first high-end east Asian-inspired karaoke and cocktail bar, a bold reimagining of the classic KTV experience for the London audience”. Independent and family-owned, the venue will open on Friday, 12 September and said it will “pay homage to karaoke's roots in Japan, Korea, China and beyond – combining it with a playful space-age aesthetic”. Guests will be able to book from nine private karaoke suites, ranging from rooms for 12 people, to a VIP suite for 40 guests, each designed to be a personal club complete with KTV-style visuals, space-led interiors, made-to-order cocktails, concierge bottle service and in-room ordering, state-of-the-art sound systems, and club-lighting. Chiara Artico, opening manager of U9 Karaoke Bar, said: “Karaoke has been a huge part of social life across east Asia for decades – it's where people come together to laugh, unwind and connect. We felt it was time for London to experience that, but in a way that feels elevated and considered. U9 takes the heart of that tradition and reimagines it through a London lens – with futuristic design, drinks and a KTV atmosphere all working together to create something new. There's nothing else like it here, and we're excited to open the doors.”

Future of trackside hotel at Silverstone uncertain as administrators appointed: The operators of a hotel at race track Silverstone have appointed administrators, who are evaluating options for the future of the venue. Ian Corfield and Simon Baggs, of FRP Advisory, were appointed as joint administrators of Bricks Silverstone Opco, Bricks Silverstone Propco and Bricks Silverstone Land on 13 August 2025. Collectively, these companies control the Garden Inn Hotel Silverstone, which is situated on the Silverstone race track. The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel is located on the Hamilton Straight. A statement from the joint administrators said their immediate priorities are to “liaise with the relevant commercial and financial stakeholders with a view to continuing the hotel's operations as normal while evaluating its long-term strategic options”.

Liverpool hotel relaunches restaurant with new Beatles-inspired name: The Hard Days Night Hotel in Liverpool has relaunched its restaurant with a new Beatles-inspired name. North Sixty4, taking inspiration from When I’m Sixty Four, has undergone a six-month refurbishment – the first since it, and the hotel, opened in North John Street in 2008. Hard Days Night, which is the only Beatles inspired hotel in the world, said the new 98-cover restaurant also pays homage to more of the city's musical heritage as well as its culture and legendary sporting history. Alfie Abbott, business development manager for Hard Days Night, said the idea was to give the restaurant a personality of its own, standing alone from the hotel. He added: “We felt the restaurant needed to reflect more of the city, its warmth, charm and personality as well as, of course, The Beatles. We wanted to offer something that lends itself to a really nice, casual style of dining with elements of fine dining, not least in terms of top-notch service and beautiful surroundings, and local staff who know everything about the menu, the food and the history of where we are.”