Exclusive – Flip Out operator We Do Play signs deal to launch Canadian interactive gaming concept in the UK, seeking at least 30 sites for initial roll out: We Do Play, which is behind Flip Out and Putt Putt Social in the UK, has signed an exclusive deal to launch Canadian interactive gaming concept Activate Games here, Propel has learned. Founded in Winnipeg in 2019, Activate has since grown to 20 operational sites across Canada and the US, with plans to open 20 additional locations in 2024, including two in Dubai. Activate also has a significant global presence on social media, accumulating more than half a billion global views on channels including TikTok. Activate offers an immersive gaming experience where participants engage in dynamic game rooms, navigating various physical and mental challenges that respond in real time. The concept blends physical activity with interactive technology, including gaming rooms involving shooting hoops, laser combat, climbing walls and grid dancing. Richard Beese, owner of We Do Play, said: “We are pleased to bring Activate to the UK. We are actively searching for a minimum of 30 prime sites for our rollout, with the first site expected to open by early 2025. This marks an important milestone for We Do Play as we expand our portfolio of immersive and experiential venues. We Do Play aims to introduce the distinctive experience of Activate to the UK, offering a new level of interactive and immersive leisure. Further updates on launch dates and locations will be provided.” We Do Play also operates five sites for its crazy golf brand Putt Putt Noodle and 32 sites for trampolining concept Flip Out. Putt Putt Social was initially launched as Putt Putt Noodle but rebranded earlier this year, offering an “elevated fine dining, drinking and music offer alongside its crazy golf competitive socialising element”. The concept also has a partnership with You Me Sushi, which sees the London restaurant and takeaway business operate within all five of Putt Putt Social’s sites. In December, the group opened a new flagship Flip Out site, covering 30,000 square feet in Canary Wharf’s Cabot Square, where it shares a space with go-karting concept Capital Karts. The following month, We Do Play signed a deal to take Flip Out to Sweden for the first time, confirming plans to build a Flip Out adventure park in the Westfield shopping centre in Täby Centrum, Stockholm. The business also appointed Michael Toon, former financial director at fast-growing quick-service restaurant brand Chopstix and Comptoir Libanais and Shawa operator Comptoir Group, as its new chief financial officer. Flip Out and Putt Putt Social both feature in the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK available exclusively to Premium Club members. The database is updated every two months, and the next version, which will be sent to Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 12 June, will feature 260 businesses. 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 a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Premium Club members to receive next Multi-Site Database and videos from Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference this week: Premium Club members are to receive the next Multi-Site Database and all the videos from the Excellence in Pub Retailing Conference on Friday (31 May). The next Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate, provides details of 3,123 multi-site operators and is now searchable in seven main segments. The database features, 915 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 766 (25%) pub and bar operators, 516 (16%) cafe bakery operators, 428 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 250 (8%) hotel operators, 194 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month and this edition includes 25 new companies. Premium Club members will also receive all the videos from the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. They include Stephen Owens, managing director – pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, who sets the scene for the market, with an update on sector valuations, price expectations and what’s in store for the year ahead; plus Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, talking about the areas where the pub sector is performing strongly and where the opportunities are for the sector to drive growth. Premium Club members 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 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.

 

Clive Watson – ‘leasehold pub market very attractive right now as freehold returns more challenging’: Clive Watson has said he believes the leasehold pub market is “very attractive” right now as it is “more challenging” to get returns on freehold investments. The co-founder and ex-chairman of City Pub Group was speaking at Propel’s Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, on a panel discussing how the sector can maximise the performance of its pub assets in an era of declining alcohol sales. “It’s a lot more positive than it was say two years ago,” said Watson, who last week joined London operator Inda Pubs as its new non-executive chairman as it gears up for its next stage of growth. “There’s still challenges, but for someone hoping to start a new business, I think the managed pub scene is in quite a good place. The numbers of pubs might be coming down, but I think that’s just rationalisation, and a lot of the ones closing are smaller pubs. If you throw in Swingers and concepts like that, the space under licence is probably expanding. I think the conditions are a lot better than they were two years ago, possibly even before covid. What I’d do differently, which I’ve never really done before, is a leasehold model, because I think freehold values have held up very well and getting the returns on those are probably more challenging, whereas the leasehold deals are very attractive. It’s a less competitive side of the market at the moment, but when things start to pick up and new concepts start coming back, there’ll be more competition for that sort of space.” Watson also said that business rates would be the number one thing he would like to see addressed by whichever party ends up in power after July’s general election. “Reform business rates to take it away from being a property tax and into a sales tax – and include all those people like Amazon who benefit from all the services but pay very cheap rates, while pubs and retail pay high business rates regardless of where they are,” he added. Propel Premium Club members will receive all the videos from the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference on Friday (31 May) at 9am. 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.

 

First-of-its-kind supply chain carbon footprint calculator and toolkit launches for large operators: Zero Carbon Forum has launched a first-of-its-kind corporate carbon calculator and toolkit designed specifically for brewing and hospitality organisations with large estates, brands and franchises. Already rolled out by Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise business unit of Greene King, to help its pub operators become more sustainable, the new, unique tool will help large operators with multiple sites understand and calculate their carbon footprint. An evolution of the forum’s original carbon calculator, it will identify key actions and practical ways to reduce emissions, “while improving profitability and business resilience”. The new corporate version of the carbon calculator and toolkit has been developed using the forum’s current model, launched in 2022. The original carbon calculator has been implemented by 500-plus independent pubs, hotels and restaurants, completing carbon footprints for 5,976 sites and totalling 1.7 million tonnes of measured carbon dioxide. The new, scaled up corporate carbon calculator and toolkit provides three additional features, designed specifically for larger operators to have clear visibility of their supply chain carbon data in Scope 2 for franchisees and Scope 3 for tenants and lessees. Scope 3, which involves reducing emissions within the food and drink supply chain, contains the largest proportion of carbon dioxide emissions, posing the biggest challenge for the industry. Using the calculator, operators can now review and measure the carbon data of their supply chain, both site-by-site and as an aggregate. Operators can instantly see which sites are actively using the calculator across their estate, identify any areas that still need to implement the tool and highlight carbon reduction milestones for operators. Users onsite will receive a personalised toolkit with targeted actions to reduce emissions and that align with the corporate sustainability plans of their business. Mark Chapman, founder and chief executive at Zero Carbon Forum, said: “This is a game-changing footprint tool that provides clear and concise guidance and a user-friendly interface to measure emissions and engage site operators in swift, credible climate action.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a food manufacturer that is undertaking a huge transformation and is seeking a commercial manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be responsible for helping deliver innovative commercial strategies that drive revenue growth and market success for its brands, while forging strong relationships both internally and with customers.” The salary is up to £55,000 and the position is based in Kent. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com.

 

Wagamama to make India debut, plans to open two or three sites a year initially: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, is to make its debut in India this year. The operator has partnered with Travel Food Services (TFS), India’s fastest growing travel food and retail company, “in response to significant demand for the brand in the country”. Wagamama will initially open in Mumbai airport’s International Terminal, with the ambition for further expansion in transport hubs across the country. A spokesperson told Propel the plan is to open two or three sites per year for the next three years, with potential to further expand as the business evolves. They added: “We plan to expand beyond airports within the next couple of years.” Wagamama said Mumbai’s status as India’s financial hub, coupled with the airport’s connectivity across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, make it the ideal location to introduce the brand to new customers alongside travellers who are already familiar with it. It added: “India is an attractive market for Wagamama, with a fast-growing economy. Its population is large, diverse and has a rising middle class, with increasing disposable incomes and a desire to travel. It also has a predominantly youthful population, which is closely aligned with its core customer base, which has a preference for vegetarian options that Wagamama is renowned for.” Following the expansion, Wagamama will operate in 19 countries worldwide. Thomas Heier, chief executive of Wagamama, said: “We are delighted to enter India later this year through our partnership with TFS, bringing our pan-Asian cuisine to a market where we anticipate significant demand. We look forward to working closely with TFS to scale our presence across India, as we continue our international expansion into exciting growth markets.” Varun Kapur, executive director of TFS, added: “Wagamama is a brand that is highly regarded worldwide, and we are thrilled to introduce it to the travelling public in India. We look forward to opening the sites and welcoming customers through its doors later this year.”

 

Manchester barbecue smokehouse business looking to expand across UK with more than 30 locations earmarked: Manchester barbecue smokehouse business Pitmaster is looking to expand across the UK, with more than 30 locations earmarked. The concept, currently a single site located at 31 Wilmslow Road, launched a franchise programme earlier this year, offering set-up costs from £250,000, with an expected return on investment within 24 months. Pitmaster offers 16-hour smoked brisket shipped from Australia, as well as eight-hour slow smoked ribs, brisket burgers and smokehouse burgers. “We’re looking to get two franchises open this year,” said franchise consultant Andy Hulbert. “It can go anywhere in high population areas – we’re looking at Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham and London. With more than 30 potential locations already earmarked across the UK, Pitmaster is on track to disrupt the food industry and become a household name.” Pitmaster is seeking multi-unit investors for store sizes ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet, custom-designed for each location, from small takeaways to quick service restaurants. The fully halal business opened in 2021, with Amjad Khan and Zain Suleman its directors.

 

Lina Stores lines up Manchester opening: Lina Stores, the deli and restaurant brand backed by White Rabbit Projects, is set to make its regional debut with an opening in Manchester. Propel understands there are plans to open a Lina Stores and Bar Lina, its “hidden aperitivo bar” concept, on the ground floor of the 17 Quay Street development in the city. In March, the business told Propel it was targeting opening two or three sites a year for the foreseeable future and had begun exploring a regional launch. Lina Stores, which is led by Éadaoin McDonagh, opened its seventh site in London, in South Kensington, last month. The company opened a 140-cover restaurant on the ex-Le Pain Quotidien site in Exhibition Road. A 22-cover wrap-around terrace runs alongside the restaurant and an additional 28-cover terrace sits on the square in front of the restaurant. Later this year, Lina Stores will open a further site in the capital, in Shoreditch. The business will open a site at 180-182 Shoreditch High Street, which will include the second site for its Bar Lina concept, in the basement. Last year, the business opened the first site under its Bar Lina concept at its Soho site, in Brewer Street. The Shoreditch Bar Lina will have its own separate entrance to the 100-cover restaurant. Propel understands that Lina Stores is also currently in advanced talks on a further site in the capital, which will open next year. 

 

Brindisa Kitchens to open second Bar Kroketa site, eyes further expansion: Spanish restaurant group Brindisa Kitchens is set to open a second site for its restaurant and bar concept, Bar Kroketa. The first Bar Kroketa opened in the former Bread Ahead site in Beak Street, just off Kingly Court, in London’s Soho in December 2022. It will now open its second location, at 23 Barrett Street in St Christopher’s Place, near Bond Street tube station, on Monday, 10 June. The contemporary bar and restaurant will focus on northern Spanish tapas culture with a menu centred around croquetas, alongside a selection of small plates to share. There will also be a seasonally changing drinks list with northern Spanish influenced cocktails and a curated selection of wine from all over the country. A dedicated breakfast menu will launch in July. Dishes will include the crab toastie with house pickles and the king prawn kroketa with prawn head alioli. Among the small plates will be homemade garlic flatbread with smoked anchovies and miso butter, and white peach gazpacho with peach, cherry tomato and almond pickle. There will also be a terrace, and for a more immersive experience, the basement will offer an open kitchen. Founder Ratnesh Bagdai said: “I always loved St Christopher’s Place. It’s a wonderful oasis against one of London's iconic streets like our first site in Soho’s Beak Street. The area has a great blend of shoppers and discerning residents. What sets this site apart from on our Soho site is we have a summer-ready terrace, and we will be opening for our take on a Spanish breakfast offer. We are excited about the opportunity to expand our offer and showcase more of what northern Spain has to offer.” The team also plans to expand the concept further over the next two years.

 

Haute Dolci launches in Kuwait for second overseas market: Premium dessert and gourmet burger concept Haute Dolci has launched in Kuwait for its second overseas market. Propel revealed in March that Haute Dolci, founded in 2017 by Heavenly Desserts founder Nizam Mohamed, was gearing up to launch in Kuwait to add to its debut international site in Pakistan, where it is has also added two more locations. Haute Dolci has now opened at 2,415 Al Muthanna Street in Hawally, offering covers for 124 guests. “We are thrilled to announce our fourth international grand opening in Kuwait,” said head of operations Tahir Mahmood. “This marks a significant milestone for Haute Dolci and we couldn’t be prouder to expand our footprint and bring our exquisite dessert experiences to a new audience. Opening our doors in Kuwait is not just a testament to our growth and ambition, but also a proud moment for all of us at Haute Dolci. Kuwait is renowned for its warm hospitality and vibrant culture, and we are excited to complement this with our unique and luxurious dessert offerings. We believe that Haute Dolci will be a perfect addition to the rich culinary landscape of Kuwait, and we look forward to delighting dessert enthusiasts with our exceptional creations.” Mohamed sold the rights to Heavenly Desserts in 2021 to focus on the expansion of his Haute Dolci and IceBurg concepts. Haute Dolci has 19 UK sites and has lined up seven more locations for possible launches in 2024. Last month, Mohamed also opened the second site for IceBurg, his burgers and shakes concept. The restaurant, in Bradford’s The Broadway shopping centre, joined its debut site in Preston.

 

L’Eto opens 11th London site with The Yards launch: L’Eto, the upscale international restaurant and cafe brand, has opened its 11th site in London. The company has launched the venue at The Yards in Covent Garden after agreeing a deal with Longmartin Properties, a joint venture between Shaftesbury Capital and the Mercers’ Company. Situated at 138 Long Acre, the 3,500 square-foot location is the latest addition to L’Eto’s global portfolio, which spans 40 restaurants in seven countries. The brand’s menu features a vast counter of cakes and pastries, hot and cold breakfast classics, a varied selection of main courses, and an array of cocktails. The company, which launched in the UK in 2011, operates ten L’Eto sites in the capital along with My & Sanne in Brompton Road, Knightsbridge. Hanover Green acted for The Yards, while L’Eto was represented by Ludgate Commercial.

 

Robinsons ‘significantly’ increases investment spend in pub partner estate: North west brewer and retailer Robinsons has made a “significant” increase in its investment spend with its business partners, supporting nine sites in the first three months of 2024. With £1.6m of the spend being in the pub partner estate, this represents a three-fold increase on 2023 levels, which Robinsons said was a sign of more long-term post-pandemic confidence seen by the company and its business partners. In total £2.3m was spent, including three managed investments, meaning an average of just under £200,000 per pub, which keeps Robinsons on track to support around 10% of its 250-strong pub estate each year. William Robinson, director (pub division), said: “Our overall investment plan has not changed but what we are seeing this year is a significant increase in spend alongside our business partners. The significant increase reflects our dedication to nurturing and developing long-term partnerships and ensuring each of our pubs can be the best in the community it serves. We have a promising investment plan for the second quarter of 2024 and look forward to announcing further updates towards the end of June.” In March, Propel revealed that Robinsons had opened its second coffee shop within a pub and may roll out more. The company added the shop, called Cow Shed, within the refurbished Bulls Head in Castleton, which had just reopened following a £500,000 makeover.

 

Badiani set to make French debut: Italian gelato brand Badiani – which has 15 UK sites as well as five in Spain, three in Italy and four in Japan – is set to launch in France. Badiani will open in the Westfield Carrousel du Louvre in Paris on Friday, 21 June. “Bringing Badiani’s exceptional gelato to Paris is a dream come true,” said Paolo Pomposi, son of Orazio Pomposi, who took over the brand in 1993. “Our journey has led us to this moment, and we are excited to share our passion for gelato in a location that holds so much history. Whether enjoying a classic flavour or exploring a new creation, each taste is a tribute to the artistry and heritage of Italian gelato. Ciao Paris!” Badiani last month opened its 15th UK site and third in Canary Wharf – at 15 Cabot Place. Badiani, led by Massimo Franchi, told Propel in May last year that it plans an eventual UK estate of up to 40 sites.

 

Smash burger and dessert concept closing in on £150,000 target on final day of fundraise: Smash burger and dessert concept Big Licks is closing in on its £150,000 target on the final day of its fundraise. Founded in 2008 by Anees Ahmed, Big Licks has grown to two locations, one in Glasgow and one in Manchester, and is looking to expand across the UK through franchising. The business launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube in April, which comes to an end today (Wednesday 29 May), and which has so far raised almost £141,000 from in excess of 170 investors. They are being offered equity of 1.48%, giving the company a pre-money valuation of £10m. Big Licks said it has positive Ebitda of £362,000 and has reported sales of £3m-plus over the past 12 months, while serving 400,000 customers. The business has partnered with consultants Platinum Wave for its franchise push and said it will sell franchise stores for circa £15,000-£20,000 each, with each also paying royalties of 6%. “With a growing brand, we focus on desserts and burgers in both offering and quality,” the business said in its pitch. “We’re getting ready to roll out our concept using the franchise model. We will allocate the funds to prepare our business for franchising and to optimise our warehouse infrastructure to meet the anticipated demand.”

Distributor Bunzl completes acquisition of sector kitchen equipment supplier Nisbets for £339m: Distributor Bunzl has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Nisbets, a multi-national distributor to the foodservice sector, in a deal worth £339m. In February, it was revealed that Bunzl, which supplies a broad range of internationally and responsibly sourced non-food products to a variety of market sectors in more than 30 countries, had agreed a deal to acquire an 80% stake in Nisbets, which supplies professional kitchen equipment to restaurants, hotels, bars, and the hospitality industry generally. Bunzl has announced it has completed the acquisition following clearance by the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The deal will support the existing Nisbets management team to deliver the next phase of growth. Established more than 40 years ago, Nisbets has 25 retail outlets in the UK, 11 in Australia and one retail outlet in the Republic of Ireland, as well as offices in the UK, Ireland, Holland, France, Australia, New Zealand, China and India. Peter Sephton will remain chairman and chief executive, with Andrew Nisbet, the company’s founder, serving as a non-executive director on the Nisbets advisory board within Bunzl. The Nisbets leadership team will remain in place and Nisbets will continue to operate separately from Bunzl. The stake has been sold by Key West Holdings, which holds the Nisbet family’s business interests. Frank van Zanten, chief executive of Bunzl, said: “I am delighted that we have completed the acquisition of Nisbets, a high-quality business with an experienced and well-respected management team. Its digital expertise and market-leading range of own brand products will further strengthen our position in the catering equipment sector.”

 

Wingstop UK strengthens London presence with Croydon launch: Lemon Pepper Holdings, the company behind the rollout of Wingstop in the UK, has expanded its London footprint with an opening in Croydon. The restaurant at Croydon Valley Retail Park marks the brand’s 47th in Britain. The venue has 75 covers and has created 60 jobs. The opening adds to Wingstop UK’s rapid expansion throughout the capital, marking its second dine-in site south of the river, following last month’s opening in Clapham High Street. Wingstop UK’s other London restaurants include its flagship site in Shaftesbury Avenue as well as Islington, Dalston, Gloucester Road, Kingston, Bromley, Beckton and Hounslow. Since launching in the UK in 2018, Wingstop UK has grown at pace, with 2024 set to be its biggest year of expansion. A milestone this summer will be the opening of its largest restaurant to date, at Westfield Stratford City, at a 5,000 square-foot site hosting more than 160 covers. Tom Grogan, co-founder of Lemon Pepper Holdings, said: “The popularity of our Clapham site since we opened there last month has been exceptional – it is clear that south Londoners love our wings, so we’re looking forward to bringing delicious flavours to Croydon’s diners.” 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).

 

Pasture opens Birmingham site: Steakhouse and late-night bar group Pasture has opened its new site in Birmingham. Pasture Birmingham, the group’s biggest site yet, occupies 6,500 square feet across one floor of the former Barclays Bank building at 15 Colmore Row and has created around 100 jobs. Pasture Birmingham has seating for up to 40 people in the bar and a further 180 covers in the main dining room. Guests are surrounded by custom-built wine cabinets and an open kitchen. Chef-owner Sam Elliott also operates separate restaurants in Bristol and Cardiff, called Radius and Parallel, respectively. In late 2024, he will add Prime by Pasture – a butchery, deli, cookery school and burger joint in the Redcliffe Quarter of Bristol – to the estate. Elliott told Propel in September last year that Birmingham will complete his “Pasture triangle” and that he is not looking to build it into a chain.

 

Cameron Ventures Group makes £1.2m profit on sale of Suffolk hotel: Cameron Ventures Group, which owns and operates hotels in East Anglia, made £1,173,151 on the sale of a Suffolk hotel. The company reported the profit on disposal of assets in its accounts for the year to 31 August 2023 following the sale of the Best Western Brome Grange Hotel, near Eye, to Instol Group in December 2022. Its pre-tax profit grew from £1,214,907 to £2,464,259 during the period, while its turnover was up from £6,568,046 in 2022 to £7,669,182. The gross profit margin for the year was 68% (2022: 53%), while at the year end, the group had net assets of £4,468,127 (2022: £2,578,720). Director Brian Keane, who owns the business with wife Kelly, said: “The group’s management continue to invest in maintaining and upgrading the facilities to further strengthen the market position of the hotels and their valuations. It is, however, of the view that the current economic uncertainty caused by inflationary pressures the economic downturn has had an effect on confidence, and that this in turn will impact turnover in the short term.” The sale left the group with three Best Western hotels – in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Stowmarket.

 

Cornish hotel operator acquires third site: Cornish hotel operator The Cornwall Hotel Collection has acquired a site in Falmouth for its third venue. The company has bought The Falmouth Hotel from Richardson Hotels, which operates four other venues in Devon and Cornwall. The Cornwall Hotel Collection, which also owns The Greenbank in Falmouth and The Alverton in Truro, said it was “excited” to embrace The Falmouth Hotel into the family and back under local ownership after almost 20 years. Ben Young, managing director of The Cornwall Hotel Collection, said: “Falmouth deserves its eponymous hotel to shine brightly as a beacon of pride for the town. This is more than just a business deal for us. The Cornwall Hotel Collection has many personal ties and anecdotal links to The Falmouth Hotel. My family was on the board of directors for the original company, right up until the hotel was acquired by the Richardson Group in 2005, and the foundation stone was laid in 1865 by the brother of the first owner of our hotel in Truro. We believe that The Falmouth Hotel should properly reflect the town’s vibrant spirit and rich heritage. Through careful restoration and strategic enhancements, we will create a hotel destination that celebrates Falmouth’s unique identity while offering outstanding hospitality.” Savills acted on the deal.

 

South east hotel group reports ‘another strong year’: South east hotel group Castlewood Hotels has reported “another strong year” as turnover increased to £7,190,163 for the year ending 31 August 2023 compared with £7,046,794 the previous year. The company, which operates three Best Western-branded hotels – in Folkestone, Canterbury and Eastbourne – saw pre-tax profit fall to £1,593,058 from £2,035,668 the year before. Gross profit margin decreased to 60.1% from 61.6%. The company’s Abbotts Barton Hotel in Canterbury has been used under the government’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, meaning the property had been full, but this contract has now come to an end. The hotel will reopen to the public at a limited capacity while refurbishment work is carried out, including the addition of further bedrooms. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “2022-23 saw another strong year hitting record sales for various months, with our coastal hotels still benefiting from the staycation effect. With the change in business planned at Abbots Barton, this will result in a significant reduction in turnover while seeing a major increase in expenditure.” The company received government grants of £10,000 (2022: £28,667).

 

Company behind Yorkshire theme park Flamingo Land chosen as preferred operator for Scarborough waterpark: The company behind Yorkshire theme park Flamingo Land has been named as the preferred operator of Scarborough’s Alpamare Waterpark. North Yorkshire Council is now working with managers at Flamingo Land, which is based near Malton, to agree terms to get the water park reopened in time for this year’s core summer tourism season. The Flamingo Land team offered a commitment to open the park from this summer until November, when operating costs and plans for the winter season will be reviewed. Flamingo Land chief executive and owner Gordon Gibb said: “This is an exciting new venture for us. It’s a big challenge for us but we are always up for a challenge at Flamingo Land. We aim to get Alpamare open to the public again in July.” Deputy council leader Cllr Gareth Dadd added: “We are delighted to be able to announce that Flamingo Land is our preferred operator. As a council, we never intended to run this ourselves, but instead to find an operator with the right expertise to take it on and get it reopened for the summer season. It is a key visitor attraction on Scarborough’s North Bay and makes a telling contribution as a commercial tourism venture. It is great to be looking to work with a well-established, local and trusted operator.” The council took possession of the site in December last year when the water park’s tenant, Benchmark Leisure, went into administration.

 

Cromer cafe owner set to open second site: Cromer cafe owner Robbie Kirtley is set to open a second site in the town. Kirtley, owner of the Rocket House Café on Cromer seafront, will open his second venue, the Rocket House Coffee Shop, in the centre of the Norfolk town next month. The new venue will open in the former Coffee Therapy in Church Street. “It’s a really exciting new venture,” Kirtley, who has owned the Rocket House Café since 2006, told the Eastern Daily Press. “The great thing about Cromer is it’s not as seasonal as it used to be. It’s a gem in Norfolk that benefits from loyal local trade and visitors who come to the town all year round. I think it's really important to keep it simple but do the food really well and I can’t wait to get going.” The Rocket House Coffee Shop will serve hot drinks alongside a selection of wraps, sandwiches, toasties and cakes, as well as ice cream from a takeaway window.

 

London DJ set to open new bar in Walthamstow: London DJ Simon Bear is set to open a new bar in Walthamstow. Wood St Bear will open early next month in the former Wood Street Deli unit at 135 Wood Street. The bar will offer mainly wine and craft beer, having partnered with Borough Wines and local brewery Pillars, alongside bar snacks such as cheese toasties, pork pies and hot pork scratchings. Bear told Hot Dinners it won't be as formal an environment as a listening bar but will have “local guys playing interesting vinyl Thursday to Saturday”. He added: “We'll be serving interesting independent local beer and cask ale. I think it's in a great location. Wood Street is having a moment right now.”

 

Former Cipriani chef launches Sicilian-themed restaurant in east London: Former Cipriani chef Alfio Laudani has launched a Sicilian-themed restaurant in east London. Sotto Cucina & Bar has opened in Whitechapel, in the basement of the Hyatt Palace City East hotel, reports Hardens. Laudani’s menu is built around produce from Sicily’s east coast, with dishes including fennel sausages, caponata and arancinetti (deep-fried stuffed rice balls) and Timballo all Norma – a take on the pasta dish named in honour of Vincenzo Bellini, composer of the opera Norma. Laudani has also previously worked at the Tate gallery’s Rex Whistler.

 

Family-run Merseyside brewery set to close: Family-run Merseyside brewery Top Rope Brewing is set to close its doors for good next month. Based in Lipton Close in Bootle’s Brasenose Road Industrial Estate, its beer can be found in pubs and bars across Merseyside, but Top Rope will close at the end of June. The brewery, known for its unconventional beer with wrestling themed names, was established in 2016 when Ben Jackson set up the operation in his mum and dad’s Childwall home. He and then-business partner Neil Rothwell would brew in Jackson’s parents’ kitchen before an actual brewery was constructed in the garden. After a spell in North Wales, Top Rope moved to Bootle in 2020. In a statement issued on social media, the brewery said: “It is with a heavy heart we announce that Top Rope Brewing will cease trading at the end of June. We’ve had an absolute blast these past eight years making some wonderfully silly beers for you all and we’ll carry those great memories with us for the rest of our lives. At risk of repeating ourselves, to be able to do this for the better part of a decade has been the privilege of a lifetime, but it's time for us to ring the bell and move on to new things.”

 

Costa opens first store in Winsford: Costa Coffee has opened its first store in the Cheshire town of Winsford. It has opened a drive-thru in Dene Drive as part of the £22.5m council-led regeneration of the town centre. Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, said: “The opening of this Costa Coffee store marks an important milestone in the first phase of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s regeneration of Winsford town centre. Costa Coffee is a great addition to the town and will complement the existing businesses in the town centre, adding to our retail, food and drink options. People’s shopping habits have changed meaning modern town centres have to be about more than retail.” Matt Harman, regional operations director at Costa Coffee, added: “We are thrilled to bring Costa Coffee to Winsford and become a part of this wonderful community. Our new – and first store – in the town is set to create a welcoming space where people can come together, relax and enjoy quality time with friends and family over a tasty coffee and some delicious treats.”

 

Dorset brewery expands to larger premises: Dorset brewery Eight Arch Brewing Co has expanded to larger premises. The company has secured a ten-year lease on a warehouse that has been transformed into a production centre and taproom. Eight Arch Brewing Co has signed up to 5,748 square-foot of space at Stone Lane Industrial Estate in Wimborne. Part of the ground floor has been converted into a high-tech brewery, with a taproom for customers on Fridays and Saturdays at specified times. Seating areas is available inside and out. The opening follows a six-figure investment in equipment and fittings. Named after the eight arches at nearby historical landmark Julian’s Bridge in Wimborne Minster, Eight Arch Brewing Co relocated from smaller nearby premises. The business, founded by brewer Steve Farrell in 2015, has pale ale Square Logic as a best seller and sells beer primarily in and around the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation. The detached two-storey building has a mezzanine floor that was previously occupied by emporium Toad Hall. The building is owned through the commercial property arm of Harry J Palmer, the Wimborne property developer. Farrell said: “We are a Wimborne brewery owned and run by a Wimborne born and bred guy and we want to continue to grow from our Wimborne home. This signing of the ten-year lease on our new premises underlines our long-term commitment to Wimborne.” Property consultancy Vail Williams acted on the deal.