The Breakfast Club – painful decisions paying off as Ebitda grows 36% in first half, company significantly more profitable than it’s ever been: Jonathan Arana-Morton, co-founder of all-day dining concept The Breakfast Club has told Propel “painful decisions” taken in 2024 are “paying off” as group Ebitda has grown 36% in the first half of its current financial year. Morton also said the 15-strong company, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, is “significantly more profitable than it’s ever been.” He said: “Last year was about building solid financial foundations and making painful decisions to protect margins for what was always going to be a hugely challenging year for the industry. It’s not been easy, but those decisions are paying off. The first half of this year has seen our group Ebitda grow by a further 36% on the same period last year. Twenty years in, The Breakfast Club is significantly more profitable than it’s ever been.” It comes as the company said it achieved solid financial growth in the year to 31 March 2025, with turnover at £18,050,388 (2024: £17,756,753), with cost of sales improving from 23% to 22%, a “sector-leading result”. Restaurant Ebitda increased 4% to £3.0m, while group Ebitda surpassed £1m for the first time in over a decade (up from £883,000). Its pre-tax loss narrowed to £301,015 (2024: loss of £481,106). The company said: “A key achievement was the successful opening of two company-owned sites in London’s West End. Both delivered exceptional returns, reaching return on investment within their first full year and contributing over £400,000 in Ebitda. These smaller-format, low-capex, daypart-focused sites embody the essence of our original Soho cafe, reinforcing that our founding vision remains as relevant as ever. Our sites outside London continue to demonstrate strong potential for growth, with Oxford and Brighton both delivering 5% year-on-year sales increases and now ranking among our top five revenue-generating locations. This positive trajectory has continued into our current financial year, with Brighton achieving an impressive 38% like-for-like sales growth. While our Chelmsford site remains a challenge, we are actively implementing several value-led initiatives aimed at driving improved performance. Our franchise partnership with SSP continues to thrive. Gatwick airport remains a standout performer, and our first rail station site at St Pancras International opened this year, marking another key milestone in our long-term growth strategy. Delivery operations also saw significant improvement, with the relaunch on a third platform and introduction of a better-value range. These enhancements led to a 23% year-on-year sales increase, and FY26 delivery revenues are already tracking 108% ahead of the same period last year.” The business said it continued to assess new site opportunities and anticipates further openings with SSP as “our franchise collaboration progresses”. The company said that its operational efficiency “now rivals the best in the industry” and that it had streamlined head office operations, reducing central costs from 10.4% to 8.5% of sales. The company said: “These decisive actions have already contributed to improved profitability in the first quarter of FY26.”

 

Sponsored message – hospitality leaders take centre stage at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show 2025: On 24-25 September, the UK’s most respected voices in restaurants, pubs and bars will converge in London for The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show 2025. This is a must-attend event for senior hospitality professionals looking for inspiration, insights and tools to future proof their business. This year’s speaker line-up features some of the biggest names in hospitality – including Hawksmoor, Stonegate Group, Caravan, Greene King, Prezzo Italian, Wahaca, New World Trading Company, The Alchemist, Jamie Oliver Restaurants, Pizza Pilgrims, Zizzi, Bill’s, Mowgli and many more. Event manager Stephen Herring said: “Beyond the incredible innovation on the show floor, The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show (previously Casual Dining) has become known for attracting the industry’s most influential leaders to our stage. We’re proud to present another outstanding speaker line-up this year. If you want to excel your restaurant, pub or bar beyond 2025, this is the place to be!” The speaker programme will include interviews with: Stonegate Group chief executive David McDowall, Hawksmoor chief executive and co-founder Will Beckett, Caravan chief executive and co-founder Laura Harper-Hinton, Fulham Shore chief executive Marcel Khan, Arcturus Group chief executive Jason Cotta, Heartwood Collection chairman Mark Derry, Mowgli chief executive Lucy Worth, Rosa’s Thai chief executive Sarah Hills, The Devonshire co-founder Oisin Rogers, Pizza Pilgrims chief executive Gavin Smith and UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls. To register for a free trade ticket, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (5 September), at 12pm. The database will show the details of 174 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. The database will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium Club subscribers will also receive a 11,126-word report on the 174 new additions to the database. It is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the experiential leisure sector such as Professionals at Play’s King Pins concept opening in Leeds, PureGym opening a new site in Northumberland, and Scottish experiential “adult fairground” concept Fayre Play making its English debut, in Newcastle. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, 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 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.

 

Heston Blumenthal – ‘more innovation needed by pubs to keep the Great British local alive’: Heston Blumenthal, owner of the Michelin-one starred gastropub The Hinds Head in Berkshire, has argued more innovation is needed by pubs to “keep the Great British local alive”. Blumenthal said the Great British pub, “a cornerstone of community life for centuries”, was under threat from rising costs and shifting social habits. In July, figures from the British Beer & Pub Association showed more than one pub is set to close every single day in 2025 across Britain. Blumenthal said while the Treasury’s announcement in the autumn Budget of lowered business rates was welcome, more reform was needed. He added permanently lowering the VAT rate “could make a significant difference in keeping many businesses open, while also contributing positively towards economic recovery of the nation”. Blumenthal also said publicans can do more to raise consumer awareness and develop initiatives to encourage people to support their local pubs. He said The Hinds Head has recently seen an increase in bookings and footfall of 20% following various initiatives it has introduced, including music nights, wine tastings, free ice cream for kids, a Christmas feast and extended opening hours. Blumenthal said: “Saving the Great British pub is about more than nostalgia – it is about preserving spaces that bring people together, support local economies and keep traditions alive. Pubs are at the heart of Britain’s social fabric, offering far more than just a place to buy a pint. The pub is a cultural icon, a national treasure and must be protected. When a pub closes, it’s not just a business lost; it’s a piece of local heritage, and of course, somewhere to enjoy a drink and delicious food with great company.”

UKHospitality launches new guide advising businesses on how to respond to incidents in their venues: UKHospitality has launched a new guide advising businesses on how to respond to incidents in their venues. The new document also provides expert advice on what legal obligations they are under and gives practical examples. The guide, available exclusively to UKHospitality members, covers all manner of food incidents – from a loss of power and water supply failure to spills, breakages and suspected food crime. The guide also covers enforcement, allergens, customer complaints, flooding and more. Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Hospitality venues are live, working environments and, invariably, incidents will happen which we’re unable to predict. Thorough preparation and knowing what to do when an incident does occur is so important, for both staff and customers.”

 

Sector lender ThinCats acquired by Shawbrook Group: ThinCats – which has lent to sector companies such as NQ64, Six by Nico and ETM Group – has been acquired by lending bank, the Shawbrook Group. ThinCats said: “The acquisition of ThinCats represents a strategic investment in accelerating the growth of Shawbrook's existing presence in the specialist small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) lending market, underlining the group’s commitment to supporting UK SMEs with highly tailored finance facilities and relationship-led service. We will continue to operate as an independent brand with independent teams and propositions. This means advisers and SMEs can continue working with the teams they know, while having access to a broader range of funding solutions to suit different needs. Together, we will build on the expertise, relationships, and service that our customers and partners value, ensuring that UK SMEs can secure the right funding structure for their ambitions.” Amany Attia, ThinCats chief executive, added: “Becoming part of Shawbrook represents an exciting step for ThinCats and a strong endorsement of our model, supporting established and growth-focused SMEs. Underpinned by the significant technology, data and capital resources of the wider Shawbrook Group, ThinCats will continue to offer the high levels of coverage, innovation, service, and ongoing borrower relationships that business owners, professional advisers and financial sponsors have come to expect.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a hospitality business in Melbourne, Australia, which is seeking experienced venue managers and deputy managers to join its team. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This is an incredible opportunity to combine genuine career progression with a lifestyle change in one of the most exciting hospitality markets in the world.” Candidates must hold a British passport to be eligible, and salaries of up to $100,000 AUD are on offer. For more information, email kateb@corecruitment.com

 

Licensing update: John Gaunt & Partners licensing solicitors has just published its latest licensing update. It includes an article on the government’s plans to cut red tape, which includes some interesting implications for licensing. The full update can be accessed here.

 

Stonegate Group owner TDR Capital among suitors circling Costa: TDR Capital – the owner of Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, and backer of Popeyes UK – is among the investment groups exploring an acquisition of Costa Coffee. Coca-Cola is working with advisers from Lazard on a potential sale of Costa five years after buying the UK’s largest coffee brand for £3.9bn in a deal that has failed to live up to expectations. The FT reported that Costa has attracted interest from a small pool of suitors including TDR – best known for its £7bn buyout of the Asda supermarket business from Walmart in 2021 – according to sources familiar with the matter. TDR previously explored a deal for Costa via its petrol forecourt company EG Group in 2018, when the coffee brand’s former owner Whitbread divested the business, they said. Costa has also drawn interest from US private capital group Apollo Global Management, according to the sources, some of whom said Chinese investment group Citic had also shown interest, and that management presentations had been held in recent weeks with potential buyers. Coca-Cola was likely to seek to retain some of its stake as part of any deal, according to one source. The soft drinks group bought Costa to diversify its business but soaring costs, including a surge in coffee prices, as well as competition from upscale competitors have dented the brand’s performance. Coca-Cola’s chief executive James Quincey told analysts in July that Costa had “not quite delivered” and was “not where we wanted it to be from an investment hypothesis point of view”. Costa reported an annual loss of £13.8m for 2023 on sales of £1.2bn, according to the most recently available set of accounts at UK Companies House. Apollo and TDR declined to comment while Coca-Cola and Citic did not respond to requests for comment.

 

Zoe Hamburger steps down as McDonald’s UK chief restaurant officer, company to bring back extra value meals menu in US: Zoe Hamburger has stepped down as chief restaurant officer for McDonald’s UK and Ireland after a year and a half in the role. Hamburger was responsible for the company’s operational restaurant business here, including delivery, field services, franchising and corporate operations. She joined last spring after more than ten years with the brand in the US, most recently as field vice president at its Bethesda field office in Maryland. She has been succeeded by Patrick Gerber, who has been with McDonald’s for more than 18 years, including the past two and a half years as field vice president for eastern Canada. The departure of Hamburger comes after McDonald’s UK and Ireland chief executive Alistair Macrow stepped down last month. Macrow will leave at the end of this month after a period of transition with his successor, Lauren Schultz, who joins from the US side of the McDonald’s business. McDonald’s currently operates 1,450 restaurants in Britain and Ireland and employs more than 135,000 people. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has confirmed it will bring back its extra value meals menu in the US. Starting on Monday (8 September) and for a limited time, McDonald’s will offer a $5 sausage McMuffin with egg meal and an $8 Big Mac meal. The menu also includes deals on sausage egg & cheese McGriddles, egg McMuffins, bacon, egg and cheese biscuits, ten-piece chicken McNuggets, any variety of the Quarter Pounder burger and any variety of the McCrispy sandwich. The breakfast meals come with hash browns and coffee, while the lunch and dinner meals include fries and a drink. McDonald’s USA president Joe Erlinger said: “From the $5 meal deal to McValue and now extra value meals, we’re sending a clear message: we’re here for our customers. McDonald’s will always be a place where you can get the food you love at a price that fits your life.” The new addition joins the $5 meal deal, launched last summer, and the McValue platform, launched in January, as part of a drive to highlight value.

 

Cote owner exploring option of making fresh capital injection into business: Partners Group, which bought Cote during the covid pandemic, is examining plans to retain control of the business by investing new funding as an alternative to a sale. Sky News reports that the owner of Cote is exploring the option of injecting new funding into the business and retaining control after two months of talks with potential buyers. Partners Group is said to be seriously considering providing millions of pounds of new capital to finance a turnaround plan that would be likely to involve the closure of loss-making sites. Propel revealed this summer that Partners Group had hired Interpath Advisory to sound out prospective bidders. A number of those discussions are said to be ongoing. Cote was bought out of administration by Partners Group in the autumn of 2020 in a deal reportedly worth £55m. Cote trades from about 70 restaurants, down from close to 100 shortly before it collapsed into insolvency five years ago. Sources close to the sale process said Interpath had been marketing Cote based on last year's turnover of more than £150m. Roughly 60 of the sites are said to be profitable, implying there could be scope for further closures. Partners Group and Interpath declined to comment.

 

NRG Gyms acquires Pump Gyms: Gym group NRG Gyms, which earlier this year secured £4m of new investment, has acquired the five-strong Pump Gyms business for an undisclosed sum. The deal sees NRG Gyms, which was founded in 2013 by Shafiq Ahmed, grow from seven to 12 sites. Pump Gyms operates sites in Northampton, Norwich, Bedford, Colchester and Hatfield. Ahmed said: “This deal almost doubles the number of members in our tribe – strengthening our footprint across the UK and establishing NRG Gyms as one of the leading high-value, low-price gyms in the country. As we integrate Pump Gyms into the NRG family, I’m excited to deliver on our investment plans and bring our vision of best-in-class, inclusive gyms to even more communities – focused on community, aspiration and performance, and ensuring the best possible experience for every member of our tribe. Since opening our first gym in Gravesend in 2012, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved. Anyone working in the sector knows the challenges of building a gym business, but we’ve stayed true to our values, been principled in our decision-making, resilient when needed and agile, to evolve and adapt to retain our relevance and consistently grow our membership. As we move forward, we remain open to continuing to grow the business by acquisition.” In January, the business received the £4m cash injection from Puma Growth Partners. The funds will support NRG in expanding its portfolio of gyms across the UK and the use of data and analytics to improve the guest experience of its circa 30,000 members. In March, former Oakman Inns & Restaurants chief investment officer Steve Kenee joined NRG Gyms as its new chief financial officer.

 

Six By Nico closes crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £2.5m: Six By Nico has closed its crowdfunding campaign after securing £2.531,829 from 5,221 investors. The concept, which was founded by chef Nick Simeone in 2017, opened the fundraise to the public last month having raised more than £1.5m from early investors. Six By Nico has grown from ten locations in 2023 to 17 restaurants across 11 cities in the UK and Ireland this year. The company has a £50m pre-money valuation. The company stated: “We’re growing with purpose. Revenue has risen from £28m to £43m in just two years – a 54% increase – with a further 47% projected growth between 2026 and 2028. We served more than 685,000 customers in the last 12 months. In our longer established locations, up to 47% of our diners are repeat visitors, which we believe is a powerful indicator of customer loyalty and long-term brand connection. Next up: our flagship opening in London’s Covent Garden (fourth quarter of 2025), international expansion and the launch of Six by You – a new community app offering shareholders exclusive rewards, behind-the-scenes access and real ownership in our journey.” Propel understands Six By Nico, which already operates two sites in the capital – in Canary Wharf and Fitzrovia – is set to acquire the former Wagamama site in Tavistock Street.

 

Ocean Basket closes debut UK site, set to become a Popeyes: Ocean Basket, the South African seafood-focused casual dining brand, has closed its debut site in the UK, which is set to become a Popeyes. Founded in Pretoria in 1995 and having since grown to more than 180 sites in 15 countries, Ocean Basket launched in the UK in 2022 in Bromley, south east London. A second UK site followed in Kingston-upon-Thames, south west London. On the closure of the Bromley site, the business said: “We have shared seafood feasts, laughter and special moments with you. It’s time for us to say farewell to Bromley. To everyone who supported us, dined with us, worked with us, served with us, cooked with us and been part of our Bromley family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You’ve made every day here unforgettable. The great news is our team at Ocean Basket Kingston is ready to welcome you with open arms, warm smiles and all your seafood favourites.” Propel understands Popeyes UK is set to acquire the site at 12-13 Market Square, Bromley. Last month, Propel revealed that Popeyes, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, had hired Stuart McNamara, formerly of Buns from Home, Cote and Byron, as its new finance director. Popeyes launched in the UK in November 2021 and has already grown to circa 70 sites. In 2024, the business opened 33 new sites and plans to open 45-plus new restaurants in 2025. Brandon Elmon, of Genius1 Group, acted on the Bromley deal.

  

Greene King opens 20th franchised pub of 2025: Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise division of brewer and retailer Greene King, has opened its 20th franchise pub of 2025. The Kingfisher in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, has become a Hive Pub following a £400,000 investment by the company. Hive Pubs is one of Greene King’s two franchise concepts, with the other being Nest Pubs. First launched in 2021, Hive Pubs are community-focused locals that “combine a great food offer with live sport and a lively programme of entertainment”. Nest Pubs, introduced in 2024, are wet-led, high-street pubs “with a simple pizza and food offer, designed to give franchisees a straightforward way to run a vibrant pub business”. Each new franchise pub benefits from a six-figure refurbishment, “providing franchisees with a ready-to-trade business” and full support from Greene King. Franchise partners earn through a combination of turnover share, profit share and performance-based bonuses, with Hive Pubs also featuring a fixed franchise fee to cover operating costs. Dan Robinson, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: “Opening our 20th franchise pub of 2025 is another strong signal of the success and scalability of our franchise model. We’re continuing to see high demand from people with pub and hospitality experience who want to run their own pub business with the backing and support of Greene King. There is still more growth to come with our franchise operations, while we also maintain our core leased and tenanted business and help our partners to grow.”

 

History-themed destination company lodges plans for £600m park in Oxfordshire: Puy du Fou, which is behind history-themed destinations in France and Spain, has lodged plans for a park in Oxfordshire for its third site. Puy du Fou has submitted proposals to Cherwell District Council for a scheme near Bicester. If approved, the new park will open in phases beginning in 2029. The park would feature four period villages and 13 live shows. There will also be three hotels, each themed to different periods in British history, and a conference centre. Olivier Strebelle, chief executive of Puy du Fou, said: “We have only submitted these plans after an extensive consultation, which took more than a year and included six in-person events and more than 250 individual meetings, all of which have helped to shape our final proposals. We have wanted to come to the UK for many years. Britain has such a rich, colourful and exciting history, and the site we have chosen near Bicester is the ideal location to create a world-class destination that will bring that history to life. This will be a £600m investment in the local economy over the next ten years and will create thousands of jobs, but it will also have the environment and sustainability at its heart.” The proposals include extensive landscaping and planting, with new ponds, lakes and gardens, as well as more than 5km of new hedgerows, 40 acres of biodiverse and species-rich wildflower meadows, and 20,000 trees being planted to join with the existing woodland to create a 50-acre forest.

 

PizzaExpress to open second location at Bristol’s Cribbs Mall: PizzaExpress is to open a second location at Cribbs Mall in Bristol. The company has signed a 15-year lease to occupy a 3,675 square-foot unit at the forefront of the food court. PizzaExpress will move into the space previously occupied by The Big Table Group-owned Café Rouge, joining operators including Nando’s, Chopstix and Patisserie Valerie. The company’s other location at Cribbs Mall is in Cribbs Venue. PizzaExpress, which is marking its 60th anniversary this year, has expanded to more than 360 locations across the UK since opening its first pizzeria in London in 1965. Sovereign Centros by CBRE provides full asset management services across Cribbs Mall on behalf of M&G Real Estate, while Time Retail Partners and Cushman & Wakefield are retained letting agents for the centre, with Green & Partners retained as leasing advisory.

 

Chaiiwala lines up ex-Burger King site for new drive-thru opening: Indian street food franchise Chaiiwala has lined up a former Burger King site in Nottingham for a new drive-thru opening. The business, which currently has a worldwide estate of 126 sites, including 106 in the UK, will open on the former Burger King drive-thru site in Castle Boulevard, which closed last month. A Burger King spokesperson said: “Burger King UK can confirm our Burger King restaurant in Castle Boulevard in Nottingham has closed. Customers can still enjoy Burger King at our nearby restaurant in Exchange Walk at 1 Exchange Walk, Nottingham, or in Lady Bay Retail Park, Meadow Lane, Nottingham.” Chaiiwala made history in 2023 by launching the UK’s first Indian street food drive-thru near Bolton. It has subsequently opened further drive thru sites in Mellor Brook, between Blackburn and Preston, and in Rotherham. Last month, the business partnered with Roadchef for its first shipping container site, at Watford Gap services on the M1. Richard Negus, of AG&G, acted on the Nottingham deal.

 

Prezzo Italian unveils new employee benefits: Prezzo Italian, the Cain International-backed group, has launched a refreshed suite of employee benefits designed to “reward excellence and enhance team experience”. As part of the scheme, the circa 95-strong company is offering a unique holiday perk where any team member who chooses to holiday in Italy will receive 10% extra annual leave for their trip. The initiative is designed to “immerse the Prezzo Italian family in the culture, food, and hospitality of Italy” and “inspire innovation and fresh ideas back at work”. In addition, two new schemes have been launched to reward quality and service excellence – a head chef quality certification scheme and mystery guest excellence bonus. The company said the new initiatives form a key part of its wider repositioning and turnaround strategy, as it prepares to open new locations and refurbish existing ones. Chief executive James Brown said: “We believe our people are our most important ingredient. By giving our teams more opportunities to experience Italy, we strengthen their connection to the brand and bring that authenticity back into our restaurants. We are building an organisation that rewards excellence and celebrates our people. As we grow, refurbish, and open new restaurants, this is how we ensure the very best talent wants to build their future with Prezzo Italian.” The scheme follows an overall brand revitalisation that began in May this year. Since then, the business has announced it will be ramping up investments in 2026. Prezzo Italian now plans to refurbish 40 extra locations, on top of the 15 scheduled for 2025.

 

Chestnut Group acquires North Norfolk pub, promotes Charley O’Toole to chief of staff: East Anglian pub company Chestnut Group has acquired a new pub in North Norfolk – Titchwell Manor in the village of Titchwell. Titchwell Manor will join Chestnut’s growing collection of Big House hotels and will continue trading as normal with its existing team and menus. It is a 23rd site across the east of England for the company, which last month added The Angel Inn in Stoke by Nayland and The Anchor Inn in Nayland to its estate. It comes as Chestnut promotes Charley O’Toole to chief of staff – a new role created to support the company’s management teams and drive a people-focused culture. O’Toole has been with Chestnut for four years and was previously its people director and head of people. Previous roles include head of people at both Bill’s and Coco di Mama, plus recruitment roles at Itsu and Mitchells & Butlers. Philip Turner, Chestnut’s founder and chief executive, said: “Charley has already been instrumental in shaping our people strategy, and this new role will see her extend her leadership to ensure our growth plans are successfully delivered. At a time when our sector faces significant challenges, we are doubling down on our commitment to our people. They are the foundation of Chestnut, and Charley’s new role will ensure our teams are fully supported as we continue to expand.” O’Toole added: “I am excited to take on this role at an important moment for Chestnut and my focus will be on ensuring our people feel valued, supported, and empowered as we deliver our strategic ambitions. Building a culture where people remain the front of this is vital to our growth.”

 

Chef Paul Askew to open stand-alone site for Barnacle concept after securing former NWTC venue: Chef Paul Askew has secured a former New World Trading Company (NWTC) site in Liverpool on which to open a first stand-alone restaurant for his Barnacle concept. Askew has acquired the former Florist site in the city’s Hardman Street, which closed last October as part of restructure of NWTC. Housed in the former Royal School for the Blind, the restaurant opened in 2018 but has been left dormant for the last year. Following on from Barnacle’s debut in Duke Street Market in 2021 and the current street food pop-up at the Royal Albert Dock, this will be the first stand-alone restaurant for the seafood concept. The site, which is scheduled to open this autumn, will be led by head chef Kieran Gill and Askew, and “will reflect Liverpool’s storied history as a port city and the culinary inspirations that have found their way here over time”. Harry Askew, restaurant director for Barnacle Restaurant & Bar and Paul’s son, said: “We really feel Barnacle has now found its true home in a unique building that offers several spaces to dine, drink and socialise in.” Paul Askew added: “Our bar is a wonderful, cosy space with the addition of what I like to call our secret snug, which seats just 12 people. And back across the lobby, the main dining space is a joy; we’ve longed for an environment like this to serve lunch and dinner, and finally we have the perfect venue.”

 

Barons Eden acquires Warwickshire hotel in first deal since Alchemy Partners investment: Barons Eden, the luxury hotel and spa group, has acquired Ardencote Hotel and Spa in Warwickshire. This is Barons Eden’s first purchase since it secured investment from private equity firm Alchemy Partners earlier this year. Ardencote Hotel and Spa includes a Victorian manor house originally built in 1862, set within 83 acres of landscaped gardens as well as a golf course. The property also includes three restaurants and bars, a luxury spa, a leisure club, a gym and conference space. The property was owned by the Huckerby family for a number of years. Barons Eden chief executive Edward Law said: “Ardencote Manor is a wonderful hotel, and we intend to further develop the facilities and features in the hotel and spa via a significant investment into the property to deliver a high quality Barons Eden style spa resort offering.” Dale Huckerby, owner of Ardencote, added: “We have enjoyed the many years we have spent building Ardencote into a high quality, luxury hotel and thank everyone who has stayed or visited for their continued support.” Barons Eden owns Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire and Eden Hall Day Spa in Nottinghamshire. Knight Frank acted on the Ardencote deal.

 

Company behind north east luxury resort Rockcliffe Hall acquires North Yorkshire hotel and spa out of administration: The company behind north east luxury resort Rockcliffe Hall has acquired the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, out of administration. Administrator PKF Littlejohn Advisory has completed the sale of the trade and assets of the 33-bedroom hotel and spa. Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa will continue to operate in its current format and all staff will be retained, with all contracted terms and conditions remaining the same. Joint administrator Oliver Collinge said: “We are pleased to have completed this sale to Rockliffe Hall. We would like to extend our thanks to the staff at the hotel; they have made a huge contribution to ensuring a successful outcome by maintaining the high levels of service that the hotel’s guests expect, despite the challenges and uncertainty that administration brings. We are sure the hotel will go from strength-to strength under Rockliffe Hall’s ownership.” The Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa entered administration in March, with Colliers subsequently appointed to bring the property to market for £3.25m. Rockliffe Hall, a five-star resort hotel with spa, golf course and multiple restaurants on the County Durham and North Yorkshire border, also owns The Pheasant Hotel, a country inn located in Harome, North Yorkshire.

 

Ukrainian bar and restaurant concept acquires ex-The Alchemist site in the City: Ole Kyiv, a Ukrainian bar and fine-dining restaurant concept, is to make its debut in the City. The concept, which is the brainchild of Leonid Nechyporuk, has acquired the former The Alchemist site in City Road, Old Street. The site marks the second opening for Ole Kyiv, which launched its debut in Chislehurst High Street, south east London, in 2023. The concept offers “a fine dining restaurant and bar, serving authentic Ukrainian cuisine”. Ole Kyiv said: “Experience the spirit of Ukrainian culture, hospitality, family cosiness and warmth.”