Propel Newsletter Archive Page

Bill’s MD – next year will see a big launch in London and first travel hub locations open, ‘we moved too quickly on café bars and guests weren’t ready’: Bill’s managing director Tom James has told Propel that next year will see a big launch in London for the brand, while its first travel hub locations will also open. Speaking at the Propel Multi Club Conference, James said: “We’ve got a big London opening in March of next year and travel hubs will come online next year as well. We only started delivery last year, and that has been so much better than expected, and we’re excited about where that can take us as well.” James also admitted the company “moved too quickly” on its new café-bar concept and that guests “were not ready”. The concept was trialled in 2024 in Newbury and St Albans, before launching in Milton Keynes and Clarks Village in Somerset. “Sometimes you can move too quickly, and I think the café bars were a really good example of that,” he said. “Without going into too much detail, we changed the service model. The way the market was heading, it was very much a commercial model that would solve a problem for us in a number of our lower taking sites – the £30,000-and-under sites. It was our problem, and we were putting the pressure on our guests and teams to solve it. But also, the guest wasn’t ready for it. We changed Newbury’s service model so that 50% of the restaurant was order at the bar or through a QR code, and actually, the Bill’s customer didn’t want that. I sort of lived there for four weeks and was seeing it, and that was a real lesson. Looking back now, you feel quite stupid, as we spent the best part of two years saying what people like about Bill’s is the human touchpoint and the kindness, and then you’re taking that element away for a commercial decision – and that was a real lesson for me. There were some positives though, like design and direction, and the technology we developed we’ve now rolled out across at Bill’s – and then some future projects we’ve got lined up as well. We’re developing the kiosks – the whole technology stack we developed for that concept was a huge learning and 50% of it now exists in every Bills, and we’re using it in future concepts.” James was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference were released to Premium subscribers on Friday (19 September). 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.

Industry News:

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,457 operators and ten new companies on Friday: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database on Friday (26 September), at 12pm. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,457 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,001 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 800 (23%) pub and bar operators, 603 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 487 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 283 (8%) hotel operators, 229 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes ten new companies. The database includes new companies in the pub and bar sector such as Restaurant and wine bar group Forza Wine. 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.

Think tank urges chancellor to put 2p on income tax and cut employee national insurance to meet fiscal rules: Chancellor Rachel Reeves should cut national insurance and increase income tax to create a “level playing field” and protect workers’ pay, a think tank has said. In a report, the Resolution Foundation said Reeves should send a “decisive signal” that she will take “tough decisions” on tax to calm jittery bond markets. It comes as Reeves prepares to deliver a Budget in November that is widely expected to see significant tax rises. Among the tax changes proposed by the foundation was a 2p cut in national insurance, matched by a 2p rise in income tax. The think tank argued the switch would raise £6bn and help tackle “unfairness” in the tax system, as income tax is paid by more people including pensioners and landlords. Other proposals put forward include increasing the tax on dividends, addressing a “worrying” growth in unpaid corporation tax from small businesses, applying a carbon charge to long-haul flights and shipping and expanding taxation of sugar and salt. The foundation also proposed gradually reducing the threshold at which businesses pay VAT from £90,000 to £30,000, saying this would help “promote fair competition” and raise £2bn a year by 2029-30.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a rapidly expanding hospitality group in Dubai that is looking for a chief financial officer. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role of chief financial officer is accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the company, to include the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results. The right candidate will have a degree in ACAA, ICMA or CPA, with at least five years of senior corporate finance experience in upmarket hotels in the MENA region, having held a cluster or regional role overseeing a portfolio of ten or more hotels.” The salary is up to £17,000 per month (tax free) and the position is based in Dubai. For more information, email michelle@corecruitment.com

Company News:

Rick Stein Group seeking new partners to expand the brand into new markets in the UK and internationally following decline in trading ‘reflecting the wider pressures on the industry’: The Rick Stein Group has said it is seeking new partners to expand the brand into new markets in the UK and internationally following a decline in trading “reflecting the wider pressures on the industry”. A group statement said: “The Rick Stein group is actively seeking new partners who share its passion for great cuisine and hospitality, with plans to expand the Rick Stein brand into new markets in the UK and internationally, with interest received from third parties in licensing agreements, following the success of Rick Stein’s licensed restaurants in Australia.” It comes as Stein’s restaurant business – which operates ten restaurants in Cornwall, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and London – reported a decline in trading in the year from 1 January to 29 December 2024, “reflecting the wider pressures on the industry from rising costs, supply chain disruption and shifting consumer spending patterns”. The group reports under two companies – Seafood Restaurant (Padstow) and Steins Trading – and the former saw its pre-tax loss more than double, from £204,000 in 2023 to £459,000. Its turnover dropped from £20,206,000 in 2023 to £18,878,000. Group revenue of £30.4m was down 5.4% year on year, but it reported increased sales for seasonal menus and strong summer trading at coastal venues, plus a strong pipeline of bookings. Financial director Katherine Coxhead said: “Cost mitigation continues to be a focus for us and finding innovative ways to reduce cost without compromising service. With inflation continuing to squeeze the cost of living, the biggest business challenge we continue to face is the ability to maximise revenue from reduced customer numbers. The cost of goods price pressures was partly mitigated through selling price adjustments, menu engineering and effective purchasing practices. The sizeable 9.8% increase in national minimum wage put additional strain on profitability, with a small recovery recognised through effective labour management. The group continues to seek innovative ways to improve the efficiency and build brand value.” The group said accommodation remains a strong revenue stream, with occupancy and average daily rate across all rooms up year-on-year, 1.4% and 4.5% respectively. It said: “A strategic focus on providing ‘value for money’ has ensured customer numbers are maintained. Notably the introduction of a daytime bar menu at Sandbanks and a spotlight on lower priced ‘forgotten fish’ has helped to shift the perception of the brand being ‘expensive’ and opened up the offerings to a wider audience.” No dividends were paid (2023: nil). At the year end, the group had £3m of available headroom within its existing revolving credit facility. Managing director Ian Fitzgerald added: “Rachel Reeves needs to recognise the importance of employers like us and ease our financial pressures in the autumn Budget to prevent further job losses and support the recovery of the hospitality industry.”

Safestay experiencing ‘significant price pressures’ and now expects full-year revenue to be lower than 2024: Hostel operator Safestay has said it is experiencing “significant price pressures” that are impacting revenue, which is now expected to be lower than 2024. It stated: “The company is experiencing significant price pressures, which are impacting revenue, while we strive to maintain occupancy and control costs. The key trading months of July and August were impacted by this deterioration in market conditions, and consequently revenue for the full year is expected to be lower than in 2024. The company continues to achieve a satisfactory level of both group and direct bookings through its website and is pursuing a number of promotions to build revenue. As a result of a licence review, the bed numbers in Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia, have been reduced by 51 beds to 338. New hostels in Naples in Italy and Kitzbühel in Austria are expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2025.” It comes as the group, which operates 21 sites, reported revenue from continuing operations fell to £10.1m for the six months ending 30 June 2025 (2024: £10.7m) “reflecting the challenging trading environment and highly competitive pricing across European hostels”. Food and beverage sales increased to £1.1m (2024: £1.0m). Adjusted Ebitda from continuing operations was £2.3m (2024: £3.2m). There was an increase in bed nights to 415,606 (2024: 412,442). Occupancy rate was down to 68.2% (2024: 70.6%). Average bed rate of £20.40 was a 7.9% decline year on year (2024: £22.10), “reflecting the highly competitive pricing environment across the European hostel market”. Total revenue per available bed declined by 10.2% to £16.40 (2024: £18.30). Chairman Larry Lipman said: “We continued to strategically expand the portfolio. The sites in Austria represent both our first franchise agreement and our first in an alpine resort, a model that has the potential to offer attractive capital-light growth opportunities going forward. With a proven model, well-invested systems and technology, a clear strategy, and a strong pipeline of opportunities, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable expansion.”

Wingstop UK strengthens operational team: Wingstop UK, which is backed by US private equity firm Sixth Street, has strengthened its operational team with two new hires – Diego Martinho as head of delivery and Nathan Smith as senior construction manager. Martinho, who was previously at last-mile delivery platform Stuart, TikTok and TripAdvisor, takes full ownership of Wingstop UK’s delivery channels, including aggregator partnerships, direct-to-consumer delivery and click-and-collect across its restaurant estate. The company said he will “elevate the customer experience and drive innovation across every digital touchpoint, from exclusive offers and loyalty programmes to optimising fulfilment and conversion rates”. Smith, who was previously at Starbucks and Morrisons, will lead the delivery of new restaurant openings. The new hires come as Wingstop UK plans to open a further 14 sites this year. The 73-strong brand said it also has “an extensive pipeline well into 2026”. Faye Ryder-Humphries, people director at Wingstop UK, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Nathan and Diego to the Wingstop UK team. Their talent, experience, and passion for excellence will be game-changing as we continue to grow. It’s exciting to see our leadership team expand with people who share our commitment to bold flavour, outstanding customer experiences and creating opportunities for our incredible teams.”

Shake Shack lines up opening at London’s King’s Cross station: US better burger brand Shake Shack is to add to its London estate with an opening in King’s Cross train station. Propel understands that the 18-strong brand, which made its UK train station debut last June as part of The Circle at St Pancras International, is to take on the former Giraffe Stop site on the mezzanine level at King’s Cross. In July, Propel reported that Diverse Dining, which operates Shake Shack in the UK, had made its first profit since arriving here in 2013. Shake Shack UK said the trading landscape “continues to improve with restaurant sales increasing towards pre-covid levels”, and as a result, is in pursuit of further sites, with at least three restaurants set to open in 2025. It came as the company reported turnover increased to a record £51,513,985 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £49,014,248 the previous year. The company posted a pre-tax profit of £1,058,086 compared with a loss of £764,005 the year before. This summer, Shake Shack opened in Cambridge for its fourth regional location, joining its other locations outside of London in Birmingham, Cardiff and Oxford.

Azzurri Group closes two Boojum sites, remains confident in strength of brand: Azzurri Group – the ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama operator – has closed two England-based sites under its burrito brand Boojum, but told Propel it remained “hugely confident in the strength of the Boojum business”. The company acquired the then 14-strong Boojum business in the summer of 2003 for circa £23m. Azzurri made the investment to support Boojum’s expansion into Britain, with a debut mainland site opening in Leeds in April last year, alongside a significant investment in a central production kitchen in the UK. A second restaurant opened in Nottingham last September, while further openings followed in Birmingham and Liverpool. The company has now closed the sites in Birmingham and Nottingham and said the closures “form part of a natural learning process as we scale beyond our home market”. Boojum chief executive David Maxwell said: “We opened a number of sites in different location types to learn more about the British market over the last 18 months, and while there was strong interest in the brand, these two locations haven’t shown the potential for long-term success. These openings were part of a deliberate strategy to trial a range of locations and formats in the British market. The learnings from these sites will help us sharpen our focus on the locations best suited to our offer as we continue to build a pipeline for growth. All affected team members are being fully supported, with opportunities to continue employment across sister restaurants within the Azzurri Group. We remain hugely confident in the strength of the Boojum brand and the appetite for what we do. We continue to explore new opportunities and expect to return to the expansion trail in the near future.”

Alicia Thompson to step down as director of hospitality at M&S: Alicia Thompson is to step down as director of hospitality at Marks & Spencer (M&S) to “pursue a new challenge”, Propel has learned. Thompson became director of hospitality at M&S, responsible for all in-house cafes and restaurants, in December 2023. Prior to that she was chief executive of Kick Game, the luxury sneaker and apparel retailer, chief financial officer at drinks firm 31Dover and founded and ran the UK's first women’s performance road cycling brand – Queen of the Mountains. Before this, she was at Diageo as mergers and acquisitions director, then Tesco as global account director. Over the past couple of years, she has led the transformation of M&S traditional cafes, with long queues and wait times, into modern, fast-service coffee shops. Thompson has also streamlined the M&S counters to focus single-mindedly on rotisserie chicken, hot pizza and freshly made sushi.

Midlands bakery business Butterwick shuts ten stores following ‘continued rise in operating costs and significant changes in customer spending habits’: Midlands bakery business Butterwick has shut ten of its stores following the “continued rise in operating costs and significant changes in customer spending habits”. In a statement, founders Ryan and Fiona Scarborough confirmed the closure of all stores apart from its Rushden Lakes and Northampton St Giles locations. The closures includes sites in Corby, Kettering, Leicester, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Milton Keynes, Oakham, Rugby and Northampton's Weston Favell shopping centre. The decision comes despite “tireless efforts to secure all stores and protect every role”, as the “continued rise in operating costs and significant changes in customer spending habits” have left the bakery “unable to sustain the business in its current form”. The statement added: “Looking ahead; however, this is not the end of Butterwick – it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter. By focusing on Rushden and Northampton, we will be returning to our roots: an authentic in-store bakery experience where craft, freshness and creativity come first.” BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency have been appointed to assist Butterwick.

Chef Chantelle Nicholson launches first international restaurant: Chef Chantelle Nicholson, the founder of the Michelin-starred Apricity in Mayfair, has opened her first international restaurant, Fjora, in Denmark. Housed within 1 Hotel Copenhagen, Fjora, where Nicholson will be chef partner, will focus on the “deep flavours of the natural world”. The site’s dining room, which is housed in the glass-fronted atrium of the hotel, seats up to 72, while Fjora also boasts two private dining rooms, seating up to 40. Nicholson said: “It is such an honour to be opening in Copenhagen, a city known for its exceptional food and producers. It has given me and the team the opportunity to work with different, and sometimes unusual ingredients, experimenting with flavours and textures. We are looking forward to inviting locals and those visiting this beautiful city into Fjora.”

Taro – we’re keen to open more locations over the next 18-24 months: Taro, the Japanese restaurant group which recently opened its ninth site, has told Propel it is keen to open more locations over the next two years and is “particularly eyeing Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh as potential locations”. The company, which opened its debut site in 1999, in Soho’s Brewer Street, recently opened a 70-cover site at 60 Ship Street, in Brighton, for what it called its “first major venture outside of London”. It followed openings for the company, which was founded by Taro Kinura, in Brentwood and Catford. The company told Propel: “Our mission from the very beginning has been to share authentic Japanese dining in the UK, combined with true Japanese hospitality. Over the next 18-24 months, we’re keen to open more Taro locations, to bring our fresh Japanese food and dining experience to even more guests. Every new site has to be suitable for our sushi kitchen and reflect the quality and warmth that our guests know and love. Expansion for us isn’t just about numbers – it’s about creating spaces where people can enjoy our food and feel connected to our story. We’re especially excited about expanding into foodie neighbourhoods and cities where there’s strong interest in Japanese cuisine. Our fans frequently ask us to open in their town or city, and we love hearing that! At the moment, we’re particularly eyeing Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh as potential locations. Each opportunity is assessed carefully to make sure it’s right for our business, our team and, of course, our guests.”

Lebanese street food concept makes its international debut, seeking Central London locations: Lebanese street food brand Mayyil has made its international debut. Propel revealed in October last year that Mayyil, founded in 2022 by Ayman Assi and owned by Zataro Group, was lining up the UAE for its first international site. It has now opened at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Street in Central District, Hai Al Humaira. Propel also revealed in June that the brand was set to go back to its roots by opening in Lebanon, and understands that this expansion is still very much on the cards. It comes as Mayyil this week opened at 19 Castle Street in Kingston, south west London, for its third UK location – joining its sites in Knightsbridge and Notting Hill. Franchise consultant Charlie Mander, chief operating officer at Presman & Colard, said two franchisees have recently onboarded and the company is looking for premises in prime Central London locations.

Chick-fil-A to launch beverage-focused concept called Daybright: Chick-fil-A is to become the latest quick-service brand to move into the beverage segment with the launch of a trial concept called Daybright. The brand and its subsidiary, Red Wagon Ventures, plan to open a site under the new beverage-focused concept in greater Atlanta in the coming months. The concept will focus on specialty coffee, smoothies, cold-pressed juice and food, but the latter part of the menu will not include signature Chick-fil-A items. A Chick-fil-A spokesperson said: “Daybright is a new beverage-focused restaurant concept and is scheduled to open in the greater Atlanta area this autumn. Daybright is brought to you by Red Wagon Ventures, which is a subsidiary of Chick-fil-A. We look forward to sharing more details in the future.” McDonald’s called the specialty beverage space a $100bn one as it first spun off a CosMc’s drink-focused concept before deciding to bring learnings from the trial inside traditional sites. Taco Bell has also begun to scale its beverage offshoot, Live Más Café, with plans to debut 30 this year.

JD Wetherspoon to open two new London pubs next week: JD Wetherspoon is to open two new pubs in London next Tuesday (30 September). The company will launch the Sun Wharf in London Bridge and The Sir Alexander Fleming in Paddington, creating a total of 170 jobs. The Sun Wharf will open inside the arches outside the main entrance to London Bridge station at 50 Tooley Street. The pub will occupy the premises that was home to the London Dungeon until 2013, when the attraction moved to County Hall on the South Bank. Meanwhile, The Sir Alexander Fleming will open at Paddington Basin. Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “We are delighted to be opening two new pubs in London. These are the first of a number of Wetherspoon pubs to open before the new year.” Earlier this month, Wetherspoon signed a new franchise agreement with The Papas Group, with the multi-unit agreement to result in 15 new pubs. The first to open, The Hykeham Manor in Gateway Park, Lincoln, is set to open next Wednesday (1 October). A further three pubs will open in October and November at sites in Cramlington, Stockton-on-Tees and Emersons Green in Bristol.

Amber Taverns opens its most southerly site: Wet-led, community pub operator Amber Taverns, which is backed by Epiris, has opened its most southerly site, in the Hampshire town of Gosport. Amber, which operates circa 185 freehold, wet-led pubs – predominantly in the north of England, the Midlands, Scotland and Wales – has opened the Erasmus Wolfe on the former Conservative Club site at 2 Walpole Road in the centre of the town. The company said: “This new addition to the Amber Taverns estate combines the warmth of a traditional community pub with some fantastic modern features. Guests can enjoy a wide range of drinks at the bar, from popular brand favourites to cocktails, along with all the big sporting action shown live across multiple screens. The Erasmus Wolfe also brings something a little different to Gosport – a private karaoke booth, two top-quality darts boards and a welcoming atmosphere designed to bring people together. The pub is named after the mysterious figure of Erasmus Wolfe, whose story can be discovered inside the venue.” Last October, James Baer, then chief executive of Amber Taverns and now its chair, told Propel the company would look to expand its geographical reach after being acquired by Epiris, the private equity backer of Big Table Group, for an undisclosed sum. He said: “We’re still looking to open between 15 and 20 sites a year because it’s about finding the right sites.”

Heartwood Collection opens Stratford-upon-Avon site: Heartwood Collection, the Alchemy Partners-backed business, has reopened the former Table Table site in Stratford-upon-Avon, after a multimillion-pound refurbishment, under the new name The Red Lion. The Richard Ferrier-led business acquired the freehold of the site, which is located just moments from the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, from Whitbread last year. The site, the group’s 33rd, comprises 182 internal seats across the bar and dining room, with an additional 386 external seats created in its garden. Propel understands that when 500 places were put up online by the company earlier this month as part of the site’s soft launch, they sold out in under four minutes. Ferrier said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing this iconic pub back to life in a truly special town. Following a sympathetic refurbishment of the bar, restaurant and the spectacular garden, we are proud to be joining this vibrant and historic community.” The company’s upcoming openings include the Old Crown in Great Bookham, Surrey (9 October); The Woodman in Southgate, London; and The Potter’s Heron in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire (both 2026).

Urban Baristas opens in London’s Highgate, ‘smashes’ opening week trading figures: Urban Baristas has opened in Highgate, north London, for its 18th location. It has opened at 66 Highgate High Street, offering the business’ “signature Aussie-style hospitality, expertly crafted coffee and fresh, locally sourced food”. Guests can also expect Urban Baristas’ signature community events, such as run clubs and coffee raves. “We’re excited to welcome Highgate into the Urban Baristas family,” said co-founder Huw Wardrope. “This opening is particularly special as it represents the continued strength of our franchise model. Highgate has smashed opening week trading figures across our estate, and we’re expecting to see further growth as we get to know the local neighbourhood. With passionate partners on the ground, we’re able to grow faster while staying true to our values – serving exceptional specialty coffee and creating spaces where communities can connect.” Urban Baristas currently has stores being fitted out in Shoreditch, Croydon, Greenford and Fulham, while a new location in Wimbledon is also due to open in the coming weeks.

Flat Iron confirms Newcastle site, Bristol to open in December: Flat Iron, the affordable steak concept that is backed by McWin Capital Partners and TriSpan, has confirmed it will open a site in Newcastle next year, and said its opening in Bristol has been brought forward to December. Propel revealed earlier this week that the 18-strong Flat Iron, which is led by Tom Byng, had secured the former Co-op bank site at 84 Grey Street. As previously revealed by Propel, Flat Iron has also secured the former Brown’s site in Brighton’s Ship Street for an opening next month. This will be followed by an opening on the Four Wise Monkeys restaurant site in Bristol’s Clare Street before the end of the year. This site had previously been earmarked for an opening in early 2026. Earlier this month, the company secured a new senior debt facility to support its expansion, provided by OakNorth. Propel revealed last month that McWin and TriSpan had acquired Flat Iron, and it is understood the deal, which is set to complete later this year, is set to value the business at circa £70m.

Public House Group to open Marylebone site next month: Public House Group, the umbrella company from the team behind The Pelican in London’s Notting Hill and the Hero in Maida Vale, will open its latest site, in Marylebone, next month. Propel revealed in January that the business was set to take on the former Flowerhouse pub in Blandford Street, which sits next door to luxury hotel and restaurant Chiltern Firehouse in Chiltern Street. The Hart will now open in October for the company’s fifth site, offering “a classic British pub experience with a food-led focus, celebrating British farmers, producers and seasonal ingredients from the group’s market garden”. The Hart takes its name from the Hart family, who ran a much-loved local establishment on the same site in the 1840s. The ground floor bar will serve British beers such as Portobello Pilsner, Allsopp’s and DEYA, and classic bar snacks such as pork scratchings, chicken liver toast and pork pies – all produced as part of the group’s own butchery programme in the Cotswolds. The first floor will feature a central open kitchen and the second floor a dining room, with dishes including crab cakes, bubble and squeak and steak and potatoes. Co-founder James Gummer said: “The Hart is different from our previous venues as we’re surrounded by offices. We will continue to serve classics using quality British produce, but you will also find some lighter options on the menu for the lunchtime crowd – from soups and salads to tarts and Kedgeree.” The business most recently opened the Fat Badger pub above Canteen, the company’s Italian restaurant at 310 Portobello Road in Notting Hill, and it is also set to reopen The Coach in London’s Clerkenwell. Savills acted on the Blandford Street site deal.

Digbeth Dining Club to open new West Midlands canalside dining and event venue early next year: Digbeth Dining Club (DDC) will open a new West Midlands canalside dining and event venue early next year. Opening in the first quarter of 2026, the 450-capacity, two-room Dockworks Waterfront will take up residence on an historic site in Brierley Hill, Dudley, after three years of delivering one-off events outside the location. A £500,000 overhaul of the existing space, which has lain empty for more than 15 years, will see the creation of a new destination for a diverse offering of food traders, live music and events. Co-director Bobby Barnes said: “For Digbeth Dining Club, Dockworks is so much more than just a venue – it’s an opportunity to create something truly special for the Black Country. We’re always evolving and pushing the boundary to give people the best possible experience, and Dockworks will enable us to take that energy to a whole new level. After sitting empty for more than 15 years, this site is ready to be brought back to life. Our vision is for this to be a permanent home that the community can feel proud of.” The new space will offer live music, comedy nights, quizzes, sports screenings, independent markets and other events similar to those presented at its Birmingham venues – Hockley Social Club, Jewellery Quarter and Herbert’s Yard in Longbridge. Dockworks Waterfront will feature up to eight street food traders, with a regularly rotating line-up of businesses drawn from DDC’s culinary pool. DDC announced in June that it would be closing Hockley Social Club at the end of December after five years of operation.

Bottomless pizza business launches fourth site: Bottomless pizza business Moto Pizza has expanded to Norfolk with the opening of its fourth site. The company has taken over the vacant 23 St Benedicts Street in Norwich. The site was previously owned by Michelin-listed restaurant Farmyard, which closed in June last year. Farmyard was co-owned by couple Andrew Jones and Hannah Springham, who made the decision to close after seven years, amid the cost-of-living crisis. Moto Pizza was founded by Georgie Collins, and her brother Daniel, in 2018 and works on a light system for when customers are ready for another slice. The company’s website states: “Hit the green light at your table, and the Moto waiters will bring a slice straight over. When your eyes start getting bigger than your belly, switch it off to have a break or to signal you are bailing out.” Moto Pizza has locations in Chelmsford and Colchester, and earlier this year moved out of Essex for the first time when it opened in the former Takayama Japanese and Korean restaurant in Fore Street in Ipswich, Suffolk.

Brazilian dining concept to open third site, plans two more launches in coming years: Brazilian dining concept Beleza Rodizio will open its third site in November. Beleza Rodizio will open at the Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull on Friday, 21 November 2025, following an investment of £1.25m from the company. Guests can expect a variety of flame-grilled meats, including premium cuts of Wagyu carved at the table, accompanied by freshly prepared sides, salads and Brazilian specialities. Beleza, which translates to “beauty” in Portuguese, also offers a Brazilian-inspired signature cocktail menu. Located on the ground floor of the shopping centre, the new 6,000 square-foot restaurant has seating for up to 147 guests, plus a heated outdoor terrace for 50 and dedicated private dining areas. The company, which also has restaurants in Hull and Stratford-upon-Avon, plans to open an additional two restaurants across the UK in the coming years. Founder Nico Jamil said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Beleza to Solihull and to share the authentic spirit of Brazilian rodizio dining with the community here. Following the success of our openings in Hull and Stratford-upon-Avon, Solihull is the perfect next step as we continue to grow the Beleza Rodizio brand across the UK.”

London Detroit-style pizza and natural wine bar concept to open second site: London Detroit-style pizza and natural wine bar concept Ria’s is to open its second site. Building on its Notting Hill original that opened in 2023, founders Ria and David Morgan-Ratcliffe are heading to Soho in November. The two-floor venue in Fouberts Place will offer 38 covers and some outdoor seating. Downstairs, there will also be a “wine cave”. At the heart of the menu will be Ria’s signature deep-pan, square-cut Detroit-style pizza – available by the “pie” or by the slice. A curated list of natural wine will be poured by the glass or bottle, and there will also be bottled beer and a small cocktail list. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned, refined it and built something that feels like a confident evolution of the business,” said Ria Morgan-Ratcliffe. “Expect the same signature style, energy, and experience – just a bit more polish. This is very much the natural next step for us. We’re excited, eager, and ready for what’s next.” The Morgan-Ratcliffes left careers in finance and technology to pursue their shared drive to take on an adventure in hospitality “to curate casual dining experiences in homely settings”.

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