Exclusive – Hub Box appoints advisors to explore funding options: Hub Box, the south west-based burger brand, has appointed advisors as it looks to explore its funding options going forward, which could involve the ten-strong business taking on new investment. The business, which was founded by Richard Boon in 2012, is understood to be working with advisors at Interpath on its options. Hub Box is currently chaired by Loungers executive chairman Alex Reilley, and includes Reilley and his Loungers co-founder Jake Bishop as investors. The Simon Henderson-led Provenance Investment Partners invested £2.2m in the then five-strong business in 2017. Speaking to Propel in January, Boon said the company was set “to go again” after a year of consolidation. If secured, the new investment will go toward aiding its next stage of growth. Propel understands that each of Hub Box’s ten sites are profitable and that it has recently restructured its head office team to make it “fit for purpose” as it looks to build on the foundations it has strengthened over the past 12 months. It is also believed to be working with Jason Thomas, who stepped down as chief operating officer at Tortilla last year. Thomas, formerly of Azzurri Group, Shake Shack and Loch Fyne Restaurants, is understood to have taken an interim chief operating officer role at Hub Box. It comes after a year of consolidation for the business, which closed its site in Bristol’s Whiteladies Road after its lease ended and earlier this year closed its only loss-making site in Plymouth’s Royal William Yard scheme. Hub Box’s estate includes sites in Exeter, Cardiff, Portsmouth, Cheltenham, Taunton and Dorchester. In the year to 31 December 2022, the company reported turnover of £14,880,347 (2021: £12,322,354), with an Ebitda of £524,876 (2021: £1,537,747). Pre-tax loss stood at £1,148,000 (2021: loss of £282,000) as the business grappled with a “significant increase in energy and inflationary costs”. It is thought that turnover for 2023 will be around £16m, with site Ebitda described as “much improved”. Interpath declined to comment.

 

Next Who's Who of UK Hospitality to be released on Friday, 24 May featuring 872 companies: The next Who's Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club members on Friday, 24 May, at midday. Another 11 companies have been added to the database, which now features 872 companies. This month's edition will also include 42 updated entries. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Clubs members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including Social Media for Profit (18 July), the Talent and Training Conference (1 October) and Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025). Operators that are Premium Club members are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club members 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 members will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. Premium Club members 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.

 

Buns at Home CEO Shereen Ritchie – ‘even the strong have a breaking point, so look after yourselves’: Buns at Home chief executive Shereen Ritchie has told her fellow business leaders to “look after themselves” as “even the strong have a breaking point”. Writing exclusively in today’s (Friday, 17 May) Propel Friday Opinion during Mental Health Awareness Week, Ritchie tells of her own “breaking point”, which happened while sitting in a hospital car park, while waiting for her mother to come out of a crucial operation, at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Managing director of natural fast-food brand Leon at the time, she was also juggling being a new mother and froze “literally, not figuratively” for seven hours, in “what I can only describe as a dream-like state, a hypnosis subconsciously created to protect my mental health”. Ritchie said: “I returned to my home that night irrevocably changed in myself and in my view on mental health. Even the ‘strong’ have a breaking point, so embrace your weakness. Look after yourself, the world is watching. Gone are the days that you wear an imaginary badge of honour if you work 80 hours, nearly crash your car falling asleep at the wheel and still pick another shift up before payroll closes. That’s not what life is about! Well-being cannot just exist in your own head – you cannot wish it into existence.” Ritchie will share more of her thoughts in today’s Propel Friday Opinion, which will be sent out at 11am.

Government launches consultation into future laws for sale of alcohol to drink in licensed pavement areas: The government has launched a consultation setting out permanent options for pubs and restaurants to sell alcohol for takeaway, delivery and to drink in licensed pavement areas. Regulatory easements were introduced during the pandemic to make it easier for venues to do this without changing their licence, but these expire on 31 March 2025. Downing Street is now considering options to make it easier for hospitality businesses to sell alcohol to drink in licensed pavement areas, with its consultation open until 11.59pm on 11 July 2024. The first option is to make the current arrangements permanent. This would mean on-sales only licence holders would be able to continue to provide off-sales without the need for a licence variation. The second option would be amending the Licensing Act to extend the definition of on-sales to include consumption in a licensed pavement area. This would mean on-sales only licence holders would be able to sell alcohol for consumption in an adjacent licensed pavement area without any need for a licence variation. The third option would be amending the Licensing Act to permit on-sales only premises licence holders the right to make off-sales to any area for which there is a pavement licence. This too would mean that on-sales only licence holders would be able to sell alcohol for consumption in an adjacent licensed pavement area without any need for a licence variation. The first option would allow takeaways and deliveries to continue without additional permissions whereas the second and third would require a separate application to vary the licence.

NTIA – nightclub crisis deepening as five lost every week in first quarter of 2024: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said the UK’s nightclub crisis is deepening as five were lost every week in the first quarter of 2024. It said the most recent figures from CGA Neilson reveal a “devastating loss” of 67 nightclubs in just the first three months of 2024. Of these, nearly four, on average, are independent businesses, totalling 48 independent closures and 19 managed or tenanted establishments. This decline represents a concerning trend, with a 40% decrease in independent nightclubs over the past four years, the NTIA said. In the last year alone, the UK has waved goodbye to 81 nightclubs, marking a 10% decline. Among these closures are 59 independent venues and 22 managed or tenanted establishments. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill attributed much of this decline to a combination of factors, including insufficient support during the pandemic, mounting debt burdens and soaring operating costs. He underscored the urgent need for policymakers to intervene and provide meaningful support to prevent further losses. “The decimation of our nightclub industry is a national tragedy,” Kill said. “Without immediate intervention and meaningful support from policymakers, we risk irreparable damage to our cultural heritage and the fabric of our communities. The government must consider a VAT cut through fiscal intervention prior to the general election, businesses cannot wait.”

Trade bodies welcome cashless payments for gaming machines: Trade bodies UKHospitality and the British Beer & Pub Association have welcomed the introduction of cashless payments for gaming machines. The move forms part of the government’s Gambling White Paper, which will now become law following a consultation from July to October 2023. “This is a significant victory for pubs who use gaming machines and the move to allow cashless payments will preserve a valuable revenue stream,” the trade bodies said in a joint statement. “We absolutely support linking the introduction of cashless payments to the implementation of player protections, and we look forward to working with the Gambling Commission in any way we can. We’re pleased that the government has listened to our concerns on this issue and acted to ensure this type of entertainment in pubs remains safe and is future proofed.” Other measures include a relaxing of rules that restricted the amount of machines casinos can offer, a flexibility in machine allowance for arcades and bingo halls, the introduction of an age limit for certain gaming machines and an increase in the maximum cap on the premises fees that can be charged by a licensing authority. Rank to add hundreds more gaming machines after government reforms – see Company News

 

More than four in five Brits ‘generally eat lunch on their own’: More than four in five Brits generally eat lunch on their own, according to new research from brewer and retailer Greene King. The survey of 2,000 people found 84% of UK workers always, often, or sometimes eat lunch alone, despite nearly nine in ten (89%) saying eating with others improves their mood. Reasons for eating alone include 38% doing so while they work and 31% dining while scrolling social media. More than one in ten (12%) UK adults don’t feel confident enough to ask for company at lunchtime, while 11% said their work colleagues don't make the effort to eat together. More than half (58%) wish there was more out there to combat loneliness, with the data showing that eating lunch with colleagues can help develop relationships (39%) and reduce stress (27%). Young people aged 18-24 are most likely to eat lunch alone. It comes as Greene King once again sponsors The Big Lunch – an annual get-together for neighbours and communities. As part of this year's initiative, Greene King will host in-pub events throughout the month, helping Brits meet new people to help reduce loneliness and isolation. Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie said: “We know the vital role our pubs play in bringing people together in communities up and down the country, and we believe that pubs are the original social network where people come together to socialise and get to know one another. That’s why we’re so proud to be a headline sponsor of this year’s Big Lunch, a hugely important initiative that we’re excited to throw our full support behind. Through in-pub events and initiatives, we aim to provide spaces for people to connect, share, and reduce social isolation.” 

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a provider of event hire and logistics solutions, which caters to a diverse range of events across the UK, which is seeking an operations director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be responsible for ensuring seamless execution, efficient resource allocation, and exceptional service delivery across all operational functions. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a passion for driving operational excellence.” The salary is up to £70,000 and the position is based in the West Midlands. For more information, email marlene@corecruitment.com. 

 

Crosstown co-founder looking to take back control of the business: Adam Wills, co-founder of Crosstown, the artisan doughnut and specialty coffee brand, is attempting to take back control of the business, which was placed on the market last month. Propel revealed last month that Crosstown had appointed advisors as it looks to secure new investment to aid its next stage of growth. Crosstown, which was co-founded ten years ago by Wills and JP Then and opened its first shop on Broadwick Street, in London’s Soho, currently operates more than 30 sites including shops, trucks, kiosks and pop-up stalls across the south of England. Crosstown is working with advisors from Interpath Advisory on its investment options. It is understood that Wills’ bid for the business is seven figures, including a significant sum from him personally. Wills, who founded Gourmet Burger Kitchen, is believed to be in active conversations with investors here and internationally about joining a consortium to buy back Crosstown. He stepped down as chief executive of the company in early 2023, while Then stepped away from the business in late 2020 and now runs the tech business Slerp. Confirming the appointment of Interpath last month, Crosstown, which is chaired by Beatrice Lafon, said it was aiming its ambitions towards global growth, with initial plans to open stores into the Middle East. Howard Ebison, chief executive of Crosstown, said: “As we seek to expand our offering into more locations across the UK and grow internationally, the time is right to bring in new investment to help us fulfil our growth aspirations.” The company, which also serves specialty coffee and small-batch ice-cream, alongside its handmade fresh sourdough doughnuts, said that its recent retail offering, a new permanent kiosk in Battersea Power Station, has been a “resounding success”. The majority of the group’s sites are based in London, with five regional sites – in Bristol (Clifton and Cabot Circus), Bath, Brighton, Cambridge and Oxford. In March 2022, Foresight invested £3m in Crosstown for a minority stake in the brand. The deal saw co-founders Wills and Then retain a 35% stake in the business.

Camile Thai begins to build back its UK estate, seeking new sites with more to open in near future: Dublin-based healthy food delivery company Camile Thai has started building back its UK estate and is seeking new sites, with more to open in the near future, Propel has learned. Propel revealed exclusively in April 2023 that Camile Thai – which was founded in 2011 by serial entrepreneur Brody Sweeney and operates 41 sites in Ireland, 35 of which are franchised – had placed its UK operations into liquidation. The UK arm of the business operated three in Northern Ireland and two in England – in Clapham and Epsom. Sweeney said soon after that he hoped to return to the UK market over the next couple of years, and that the liquidation decision “was really about getting rid of our leases”. He added that it was “a failure of the business model rather than people didn’t like our Thai food”. Since then, Camile Thai has opened a restaurant at 71 Stoney Lane in Winchester, Hampshire, and this week also launched a new site at 417 Wimborne Road in Winton, Bournemouth. Both sites are operated by the same franchisees. “We restructured our business in the UK last year and left two franchised stores open (Epsom and Clapham),” chief operating officer Shabu Mani told Propel. “Our new franchisee opened a few months ago in Winchester and the next one opened in Bournemouth this week. We will be looking for more properties in the Southampton area to open this year. I don't know how many we can secure and open this year, but definitely, we will be opening more in the near future.”

Chicken Cottage targets 100 stores globally by 2027 as it expands in north Africa: Halal fast food company Chicken Cottage has targeted reaching 100 stores globally by 2027 as it expands in North Africa. Founded in London in 1994, Chicken Cottage now has 66 stores spread across the UK, Africa and south Asia (including 53 here), with its latest UK site opening last week in Hemel Hempstead. A large part of its focus is also on international expansion, and in the past fortnight Chicken Cottage has opened two stores in Kenya – in Maralal and Nairobi. The business initially signed a partnership covering Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in 2022 with Express Kitchen – a sister company to Hass Petroleum Group, which operates more than 150 petrol station across ten countries on the continent. “As the Chicken Cottage brand continues to gain popularity within all communities, we are embarking on a major recruitment campaign to attract new franchisees to help us continue our international growth,” chief executive Greg Milne told Global Franchise. “Initially, we’re targeting whole of Europe, strategically focusing on countries such as Ireland, France, Germany and Turkey. Our target is to be at 100 stores by 2027. At the same time, we are continuing our expansion in north Africa, where we will have six stores trading in Kenya by the end of the year, and agreements in place to open stores in Somalia. It’s going to be a busy few years!” Chicken Cottage offers both UK and international franchise opportunities but is especially seeking overseas partners to develop the brand in their respective country or territory. Franchisees must have the capacity to invest in the business over an initial period of ten years; to develop the business through a strong network; and must have a good understanding of the regional market. “For the last 30 years, Chicken Cottage has led the way in providing 100% halal, grilled and fried chicken to our loyal customers,” Milne added. “We are proud of the fact that we were the first in the UK to recognise that our customers wanted a halal fried and grilled chicken option. Our franchisees would agree that our halal approach has helped to embed our brand and their businesses into their local communities at large.” The first Chicken Cottage opened in 1994 in Wembley, north west London, and the company is wholly owned by TI Global Holdings, which is incorporated in Malaysia.

 

Big Mamma Group plans Canary Wharf opening: Big Mamma Group, the McWin backed restaurant group, is planning to open in London’s Canary Wharf, for what would be its sixth site in the capital. The business has applied to open on the former All Bar One site in Mackenzie Walk, to trade on both the ground and first floor. Earlier this month, Propel reported that Big Mamma Group, which operates circa 25 restaurants across Europe, had moved closer to making its regional debut after applying for a licence on a site in Manchester. The company plans to open a new Italian restaurant and bar in Gary Neville’s Relentless Developments’ St Michael’s scheme, in Jackson Row. Big Mamma Group plans to trade across the ground and first floor. Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Chotto Matte has already agreed a deal to occupy the 20,000 square-foot rooftop at the development, with an opening planned for next year. Last September, McWin, the investment firm of food industry entrepreneurs Henry McGovern and Steven Winegar, which backs companies such as Vapiano and Gail’s, acquired a majority stake in the Big Mamma Group. The long-term investment made out of the McWin Restaurant Fund saw Big Mamma Group valued at €270m. The investment will help the business expand further in its existing territories and into new ones, including the Middle East and the US. 

 

Gail’s to open first in-store takeaway counter with Waitrose: Fast-growing Gail's Bakery is to open its first in-store bakery counter with supermarket company Waitrose. The new 280 square-foot site will open at the Waitrose store in London’s Canary Wharf on Thursday, 6 June. Customers will also be able to buy the Gail’s range through click and collect, as well as home and office delivery services. Waitrose first partnered with Gail’s in November 2022 to launch three bakery concessions as part of a limited trial. After strong sales, the concessions were rolled out to 64 Waitrose stores in April 2023, leading to sales of Gail’s baked goods in Waitrose rising 35% annually. It is understood that the Canary Wharf location alone makes up almost 5% of total Gail’s sales at Waitrose. The supermarket said the tie-up with Gail’s is part of the company’s “wider strategy to invest in stores through upgrades, refurbishments and new openings”. Waitrose customer director Nathan Ansell said: “Building on our successful partnership with the launch of a new and innovative Gail’s bakery is hugely exciting. Synonymous with quality, expertise, and taste, Gail’s very much reflects our own core values, and we know how much our food loving customers enjoy their products.” Gail’s managing director Marta Pogroszewska added: “We are delighted to be opening one of our neighbourhood bakeries within the Canary Wharf Waitrose. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Waitrose and welcoming the community to our latest craft bakery.” Last month, Gail's strengthened its presence in London with an opening in Brentford. The circa 125-strong company, which made its debut in the north west last year with a number of openings in and around Manchester, made its debut in the south west this month with a launch in Bristol. Last year, Pogroszewska said data suggested there are 300 to 500 places that the “brand could fit”.

Wingstop UK expects to surpass the 50-site mark this summer: Lemon Pepper Holdings, the company behind the rollout of Wingstop in the UK, is on track to surpass the 50-site mark this summer, after adding a second site in Leeds to its opening pipeline. Lemon Pepper Holdings, which launched the brand in the UK in 2018, has secured a site in the White Rose shopping centre in Leeds, for an opening in August. It comes after Wingstop opened its debut restaurant in the city’s Boar Lane last month, which it told Propel had been a “record-breaking launch”. Wingstop will open its next site, its 45th, later this month at Croydon Valley Retail Park, while further sites in the capital at Westfield Stratford and Wood Green along with Milton Keynes are scheduled to open over June and July. It has also secured an opening on the former TSB site at 31 New Broadway, Ealing, and is believed to be in talks on sites in Crawley and Bradford. Wingstop UK is on track to open 15 sites this year and previously said it sees potential to grow to more than 300 sites here in the long term. Earlier this month, Michael Skipworth, president and chief executive of Wingstop, said that average unit volumes for its business in the UK were now exceeding $2.5m (£2m).

RedCat hires David Roberts as new group property director: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, has hired David Roberts, formerly of Stonegate Group and the Co-op, as its new group property director, Propel has learned. Roberts will join the newly created executive team within RedCat from next month. He previously spent more than two and a half years as group property director at Stonegate. There he oversaw one the largest pub investment programmes in the UK, as well as formed its strategy around maintenance and property risk. Prior to that he had spent more than 22 years working across operations and property in the retail sector with the Co-op. He replaces Kamran Aziz who is entering planned retirement and leaves the business at the end of June, following an orderly handover. Aziz was part of the original team when RedCat was founded in 2021 and played a pivotal role in building the company’s estate of more than 100 pubs. Richard Lewis, group chief executive of RedCat Pub Company, said: “David brings a wealth of experience and strong leadership, particularly as we begin to ramp up our investment programme. I am sincerely grateful to Kamran for his commitment to RedCat and the influential role he has played in helping create the business that RedCat is today. I wish him the very best in his retirement.” Roberts said: “I am delighted to be joining RedCat at this stage of the journey. We are in a strong position to invest and capture exciting market opportunities, and I look forward to working with the executive team to drive future growth across the group.”

Artfarm set to open new bar in Somerset: Artfarm, the independent hospitality business run by former Fortnum & Mason chief executive Ewan Venters, is set to open a new bar in Somerset. Artfarm will open Roth Bar in Bruton on Saturday, 25 May – a new site-specific artwork and fully functioning bar in the Threshing Barn at Hauser & Wirth Somerset. The venue is composed of salvaged materials and objects from reclamation yards in the surrounding area. The drinks list is a celebration of the bar’s location as well as Somerset and the wider area – using honey from the farm’s hives, flowers from the estate’s walled garden and seasonal foraged wild ingredients for a cocktail list deeply rooted in the south west. A selection of draught and bottled alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer and cider will also be available, including Farm Shop Cider made on the estate and several lagers from award-wining Bristol brewery Lost & Grounded. There will also be a bar food menu featuring freshly baked pastries and sharing boards consisting of locally made cheese and a selection of charcuterie. Dishes will include buttermilk fried chicken with a “comeback” sauce; garden vegetable crudités with harissa oat labneh; and River Fowey mussels in Durslade cider. During the summer, a selection of meat, fish and vegetables will be cooked over open fires directly in front of the bar. Roth Bar will also host an ongoing programme of activities and musical performances. It will be a second opening of 2024 for Artfarm, which launched a wine bar at its new central London farm shop and café, Farm Shop, in January.

 

Breakthrough Bars acquires sixth site: Breakthrough Bars, the new bar and nightclub vehicle co-founded by Disco Bowl chief executive Pete Terry, has added a sixth site to its portfolio. The company, which was formed in August 2023 “to take advantage of opportunities in the bar and nightclub industry”, has acquired Fever Cannock, a currently closed twin scene nightclub previously traded by Stonegate Group. This was a private acquisition from the landlord. Breakthrough will refurbish the club into a new brand, “Junction”, which will involve a comprehensive makeover of the two-roomed nightclub and terrace costing about £150,000 and the new venue is anticipated to open at the end of June. Breakthrough said the offer will be broader than the previous nightclub proposition and the business is developing “Junction” for a roll out. Terry said: “We see value in investing in the town where the previous operator chose to close. We think Cannock is a vibrant and exciting town and look forward to a fresh new offer for the local people. Breakthrough is actively seeking further opportunities in the bar and nightclub markets and anybody looking to dispose of or sell their business is invited to get in touch.” Terry is backing the new company alongside managing director Ryan Fanthorpe, who has a long career in the sector and was previously the operations manager for Red Ladybird. Breakthrough’s other sites are Bloom in Hanley, Bloom in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Blame Frida in Stone, Playground in Mansfield and Manhattans and Buddha in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

 

Punch adds Northamptonshire pub to portfolio: Punch Pubs & Co, the Fortress Investment Group-backed business, has added The Ship Inn in Oundle, Northamptonshire, to its 1,300-strong portfolio. The 16th-century inn, which has 14 bedrooms, was acquired in an off-market deal from The Langridge family, which has owned it for more than 30 years. Punch said it was delighted to be taking over the stewardship of the Ship “for its onward voyage”. Last week, Punch reported “encouraging” trading to date in its third quarter (covering the eight weeks to 21 April 2024), with profitability ahead of the prior year. The Clive Chesser-led business also said it expected the portfolio of 24 ex-Wear Inns sites it acquired last month to “positively contribute to Ebitda from acquisition”. Drake & Company acted on The Ship Inn deal.

 

PureGym membership exceeds two million for first time in ‘strong start to the year’: PureGym, Britain’s biggest health and fitness club operator, has said its membership has exceeded two million for the first time in a “strong start to the year”. In a first quarter update, the gym brand reported adjusted Ebitda of £36m for the three months to 31 March 2024, up from £28m in the same period of 2023. Total revenue increased to £148m from £134m the previous year. The group opened 11 new corporate-owned sites in the quarter, with capital expenditure of £11m. It had a total of 611 owned and franchised gyms at the end of the period. Membership exceeded two million for the first time during the quarter and has remained above that level. PureGym said it had achieved “a strong start to the year building on the momentum at the end of last year”. It added: “Performance momentum continues to be supported by growth of base membership and revenues, good cost control, and the predictable maturation of new site openings in 2022 and 2023.” PureGym last month said it plans to open between 60 and 70 sites this year after reporting group reported revenue increased 15% to £549m for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £476.4m the previous year, while adjusted Ebitda was up 39% to £132.2m from £95.1m.

 

Bakers + Baristas reports increase in turnover and fall in profit: Bakers + Baristas, the artisan coffee and baking brand, has reported an increase in turnover and a fall in profit for the year to 31 December 2022. Its turnover rose from £8,406,501 in 2021 to £12,635,287. Its pre-tax profit fell from £1,458,930 to £672,303 as costs rose by more than £1m and administration expenses by more than £2m. The company received £143,895 in government grants compared with £2,301,802 in 2021. No dividends were paid (2021: nil). Director Dermot McMahon said the company voluntary arrangement the business underwent in 2020 had placed it in “a sound financial position”. He added: “The Bakers + Baristas management team has ambitious plans and a clear strategy to continue to grow the brand over the coming years. The plan includes further refurbishments, new store openings and an increased focus on improving sales through various online and social media channels.” The 57-strong business, which is backed by Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital, secured a new six-year committed term loan from AIB in November 2023 to support its expansion plans. Bakers + Baristas said at the time that it plans to open a further five outlets over the next 12 months, with a mixture of company owned and franchise opportunities under consideration. It has since opened new stores at Gloucester Quays, and in Canterbury High Street in Kent.

Rank to add hundreds more gaming machines after government reforms: Rank Group, which owns Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, has said it plans to add hundreds more gaming machines following government reforms. The current maximum of 20 machines per licence will rise to 80 machines and see Grosvenor Casinos broadly doubling B1 gaming machine numbers from 1,361 currently. Rank stated: “We intend to add the first 700 machines during FY25, with further machines being added in the following years in line with property refurbishments, extensions and relocations. Sports betting will be permitted in all casinos and we will be introducing various sports betting concepts in a number of Grosvenor venues.” In land-based bingo, the introduction of a 2:1 ratio in clubs will enable Rank to increase its current category B3 cabinet numbers by around 500 machines. “This change will allow us to gradually remove ageing, reel-based machines from our Mecca estate,” Rank said. “Overall, the government's policy will enable us to reduce the number of cabinets across our Mecca estate.” John O'Reilly, chief executive of Rank Group, added: “Providing the legislation is on the statute books by recess in late July, we are looking forward to improving the customer proposition in our venues with a roadmap of investments and improvements in the months and years that follow.”

Pizza GoGo reports increase in profits and turnover: Pizza GoGo has reported an increase in both profit and turnover for the year to 31 May 2023. The company’s turnover was up from £37,297,007 in 2022 to £41,340,394 while its pre-tax profit was up from £2,672,312 to £2,940,151. It made an Ebitda profit of £4,220,992, up from £3,231,132 in 2022. Dividends of £1.2m were paid (2022: £1.2m). The group, which was founded in 1987, has circa 130 branches, predominantly in the south east. As previously reported, it aims to focus its growth on franchised stores in the north. “The company and the group will continue the path of organic growth by expanding its franchise outlets in the north of England and in the production of cheese,” it said. “Additional resources have been added in the production department. This increase in overhead will support the growth of the business.” The company also reported a cash balance of £4,736,337. “The company and the group have performed well against a backdrop of challenging business conditions and market uncertainty,” director Homayoun Aminnia added. “Our financial strength, long term relationships with suppliers and customers as well as the hard work of employees and stakeholders will no doubt ensure another successful year within current and newfound constraints.” 

 

Ennismore to take SO/ brand to Hungary: Gleneagles and Hoxton hotels owner Ennismore is to expand its SO/ brand to Hungary. SO/ Budapest will open in 2026 in the former Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge hotel building in the capital’s Pest Bank and feature 350 rooms, including 56 suites and two presidential suites. SO/ Budapest will have four food and drink destinations, including a ground-floor restaurant with a terrace and café by Carte Blanched, Ennismore’s in-house food and beverage concept studio; a lobby café on the first floor and a rooftop restaurant and club. In addition, SO/ Budapest will have more than 740 square metres of meeting and events spaces and 855 square metres of spa facilities with a swimming pool and fitness/wellness space. Chadi Farhat, brand chief operating officer of SO/ at Ennismore, said: “We are thrilled to bring SO/’s avant-garde design and creative approach to Hungary for the first time. SO/ exudes an ultra-chic social vibe that fits Budapest and merges culture through its wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites with elegant modernity. Making a stylish statement, SO/ Budapest will undoubtedly become a destination for locals and travellers alike.” SO/ made its debut in 2011 and has sites in Berlin, Bangkok, Paris, Dubai and most recently, the Maldives. The brand will continue to expand, including opening in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2025. In addition to SO/ Budapest, Ennismore has a growing pipeline of hotels opening in Hungary over the next few years, with 25hours, JO&JOE, and Mama Shelter opening in the capital. Globally, Ennismore is set to open more than 15 hotels and in excess of 50 restaurants and bars in 2024, including The Hoxton Vienna, Austria; Hyde London City, UK; 25hours The Odd Bird, Jakarta, Indonesia; SLS Barcelona, Spain; Mama Shelter Nice, France; Rixos Tersane Istanbul, Turkey; and Rixos Obhur Jeddah.

Artisan micro-bakery and coffee house concept to make London debut: Surrey artisan micro-bakery and coffee house concept Maya is to make its London debut, with an opening in Fitzrovia. The concept has secured a site at 19 Goodge Street for an opening later this summer. The business is the brainchild of Oniz and Serdar Saban, and launched its debut site in spring 2019 in Weybridge’s Baker Street. The concept said that its signature is “fresh organic sourdough bread, with a hearty crust and a soft, tangy centre”, which it sells both as whole loaves or as ready-made sandwiches with a range of fillings. It also serves specialty coffee, cakes and viennoiseries.

 

Historic sparkling wine producer secures £10m facility to accelerate growth plans: Historic sparkling wine producer Hambledon Vineyard has secured a £10m facility to accelerate its growth plans. The company, which is England’s oldest commercial vineyard, said the investment will provide the working capital needed for its strategic growth ambitions. It secured the funds from Secure Trust Bank Commercial Finance after outlining its plans to increase its market share through its UK distribution channels, as well as international markets. Joe Jeffers, finance director of Hambledon Vineyard, told Insider Media: “The English sparkling wine category has shown consistent growth and continues to do so. This has been demonstrated by the recent acquisition of Hambledon by Berry Bros & Rudd and Symington Family Estates. The facility we have received will provide the required working capital to grow, further enhancing the investment into the winery and in our people.” Hambledon Vineyard was acquired by Berry Bros & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, and Symington Family Estates, producer of some of the world’s most famous ports, in a £22.3m deal in September 2023. The Hampshire vineyard was established in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones and acquired in 1999 by Ian Kellett, who restored its fortunes to more than 200 acres of vineyards and a winery that produces award-winning sparkling wine.

 

New pizza concept Doughnation launches in London’s Covent Garden: Doughnation, a new pizza concept backed by Game Changers Investments, has launched in London’s Covent Garden. Located on the ground floor of 3 Henrietta Street, the restaurant offers “artisan-crafted pizza on stretched dough with unique toppings that steer away from your traditional”. These include Potato Pizza (sliced potato, Fontana cheese and thyme salt), Truffled Mushroom Ragout (truffle-based sauce, hazelnuts, mushroom and mozzarella) and 3 Prawn Deluxe (king prawns, tiger prawns and English shrimps and chilli). The drinks list includes cocktails, Champagne, wine and draught and bottled beer. There will also be a summer pop-up garden terrace on Covent Garden’s piazza. Doughnation is the latest concept to gain support from Game Changers Investments, the London-based investment company established to create opportunities for the hospitality industry.

  

Long-awaited high-end stand-alone immersive restaurant to open at north London theatre next month: A long-awaited high-end stand-alone restaurant is to open at the 1,200-capacity Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in north London. Studio Five, which was due to open in 2020 before the covid pandemic struck, will feature an open kitchen and cocktail and wine bar. Set to open in June, five days per week, the 100-cover restaurant will offer an immersive experience “steeped in a storied history”. Live entertainment will take to the venue’s stage, visible from all tables within the restaurant. Dishes will include crispy whole fried aubergine with coconut raita, Blythburgh Pork cutlet with Kashmiri chilli, and a modern take on fish and chips accompanied by minted pea puree and chilli ketchup. Studio Five is co-owned by Olivier Award-winning producers Oliver Royds, of BOS Productions, and Broadway and West End theatre producer Tristan Baker. Royds said: “Having had an incredibly unlucky false start with covid in 2020, we’re excited to finally give Studio Five the debut it deserves. Our opening will coincide with the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre’s exciting summer launch of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, but our restaurant will be so much more than a place to visit pre or post-theatre; it will be a destination that promises a dining and entertainment experience unlike anywhere else.”