MFA Bowl chair and CEO acquires Triple Two brand, plans 30-strong business: Mehdi Afshar, the chairman and chief executive of MFA Bowl, has acquired the Triple Two coffee business out of administration, with plans to grow a 30-strong estate across Greater London, Propel has learned. Cooks Coffee, the Esquires brand owner, placed the then 11-strong Triple Two Coffee business into administration in October 2023. Afshar has set up a new division, Café & Coffee, to oversee the new venture, which has already acquired and rebranded two Daisy Grey cafes, in Keston and Beckenham, to Triple Two. The company said: “Triple Two was established in 2016 and was later acquired by a New Zealand-based company in 2020. The brand experienced rapid growth alongside its sister brand, Esquires. However, following a strategic decision by the New Zealand company’s board, the operation of Triple Two was discontinued, leading to the company being placed into administration. As a result, Café & Coffee identified Triple Two as a promising addition to the high street brand landscape, poised to succeed alongside established brands and bring a new level of competition to the market. Consequently, Triple Two was acquired out of administration in February 2024 to further its success in the market. The design of the primary logo for Triple Two is a nod to the historic Great Western Railway, which holds the distinction of being Britain’s oldest railway. By drawing inspiration from this renowned railway, the logo symbolises strength, resilience, and a timeless connection to the roots of British transportation history. The incorporation of these design elements adds depth and meaning to the Triple Two brand, reflecting a blend of history, innovation, and a commitment to quality that resonates with customers and underscores the brand’s unique identity. Initially, Triple Two operated solely as a franchisee. Café & Coffee’s primary focus is to expand the Triple Two brand, starting primarily in the Greater London area before extending its reach nationwide and internationally. The company plans to own and operate each venue itself, Café & Coffee does not foresee the need for franchisees initially. The overarching goal is to establish 30 operations in Greater London and drive further expansion into other regions. The chosen locations for these establishments include high streets, train stations, shopping centres and airport terminals across the UK and Europe. With a clear vision and a focus on quality, Café & Coffee is set on bringing Triple Two to new heights and establishing the group as successful and being recognised locally, nationally and internationally. The company’s primary focus is to deliver value for money for each of our customers.” MFA Bowl operates five centres, including its flagship in Jersey, and continues to seek opportunities to expand. David Wilson, of Christie + Co, acted on the Daisy Grey Café deal.

KFC UK MD Meg Farren to speak at Propel summer conference and party, three free places per company for operators: Meg Farren, managing director of KFC UK, will be among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference and summer party on Thursday, 5 September, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry. The all-day conference will focus on “new ideas and directions in an era of strong headwinds” and will be followed in the evening by the summer party, with a barbecue and four hours of live music, including the UK’s best Ed Sheeran Tribute Act, The Ed Sheeran Experience; the UK’s top Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow tribute acts joining forces, Scott Borley and Daniel Hadfield; and the famous house band at Piano Works. Farren will discuss changing the perception of the fast-food operator – from becoming more transparent with its supply chain and more sustainable – and how the circa £2bn business plans to open an additional 500 sites in the next ten years. For the full speaker schedule, click here. There are up to three free places per company for operators but Premium subscribers can have up to four places. To book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com. A room can also be booked for the evening. For more details, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club members to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database this week: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members on Friday (5 July). For the first time it will also be delivered in an easy to search Excel sheet and segmented into seven key categories of cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants. The database will show the details of 160 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. It will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium Club members will also receive a 12,356-word report on the 160 new additions to the database.The database includes new openings in the cafe bakery sector such as coffee shop Butler’s Coffee House opening in Nottingham, Blank Street Coffee launching in Birmingham and boutique bakery concept Donutelier set to open a site in London’s Carnaby Street. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. Plus, all Premium Club 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.

Campaign for Pubs publishes manifesto including demands for energy cap and complete overhaul of the business rates system: Pressure group Campaign for Pubs has published its “Manifesto for Pubs”, which includes demands for an energy cap for businesses and a complete overhaul of the business rates system. It is calling on the next government to introduce measures that give pubs the chance to get through the current cost-of-living crisis and to then thrive going forward. Other key proposals include urging a review of the level of VAT for hospitality and the option to implement small retailer’s relief, changing the VAT system to introduce a progressive lower rate of VAT for small independent business, with supermarkets and large chains paying the full rate. It is also asking for a change to planning law to protect historic pubs and a genuine community right to buy pubs, as part of a reformed Localism Act. Other key demands include introducing a “meaningful” Pubs Code and “genuine” market rent only option to deal with ongoing abuse of the beer tie, and for the tie to be banned for non-breweries and restricted to beer brewed by brewer-owned pubs. Finally, it is calling for help to stop the raft of closures of small breweries, and for a “long overdue” Competition and Markets Authority review of the UK beer and pub sector. Paul Crossman, chair of the Campaign for Pubs and a publican in York, said: “The entire policy approach to pubs needs to change after this general election. This manifesto is written by publicans, pub experts and campaigners as well as small brewers, so it accurately reflects the real issues facing pubs and what is needed to support and save them.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a producer of PET bottles and containers that is seeking a finance director. A COREcuitment spokesperson said: “You will act as a strategic business partner to the chief executive and senior leadership, providing clear, precise financial insights for decision-making and improvement initiatives. Key responsibilities include leading budgeting and forecasting processes, maintaining financial models and developing standardised planning templates. You will lead a team of six finance professionals, all reporting directly to you.” The salary is up to £120,000 and the position is based in Worcestershire. For more information, email oliwia@corecruitment.com.

Caffe Nero FY lfls up 8.4%: Caffe Nero Group, the Gerry Ford-led, premium coffee house business, which operates 1,072 stores across ten countries with more than 10,000 employees, delivered like-for-like sales growth of 8.4% in the year to 30 May 2024. The business reported record sales of $690m for the year, with overall sales up by 10%, during a period in which it opened 63 new sites. Ford said: “I’m hugely encouraged by the group’s performance during the last financial year. We have returned to pre-covid levels, plus a bit more. Our fourth quarter this past spring was especially strong across all territories. We are gaining market share and have a lot of momentum entering the new financial year, with June continuing our strong performance.” In the spring, the company opened its first drive-thru site, at Stansted airport, with the opening set to be the “template for further drive-thru stores in the future” for the business. The drive-thru is 500 yards from the main terminal building on the main road in and out of the airport, and was launched after investment of more than £1.2m. In May, the business announced the launch of its “Aroma by The Nero Roasting Company” wholesale brand.

Sandbox VR UK franchisee to launch crowdfunding campaign: VR Entertainment, the UK franchisee of Sandbox VR, is launching a crowdfunding campaign to raise £500,000 to aid its growth ambition to operate 30 venues across the UK and Ireland by 2031. The brand currently operates circa 50 venues globally including two in the UK. VR Entertainment has so far raised £425,727 through the campaign on Crowdcube from 48 investors. VR Entertainment has a pre-money valuation of £10m, with the campaign due to go live tomorrow (Thursday, 4 July). Andy Scanlon co-founded VR Entertainment with university friend Jake Wilmot-Sitwell four years ago to take on the UK & Ireland master franchise for the brand, which was founded by Steve Zhao in 2016. The first UK Sandbox VR opened in London in 2022, followed by a second in Birmingham’s Grand Central, last summer. The company said: “The competitive socialising sector has grown 386% since 2021. This signifies an increasing demand for immersive virtual reality experiences and presents an opportunity for a franchisee like us to accelerate Sandbox VR’s planned expansion to 30 venues across the UK and Ireland by 2031. Our venues have been open for less than two years and our franchise business model is already proven. We have generated more than £6.5m total sales and an operating profit of £1.9m to date. We are now raising to accelerate Sandbox VR’s planned expansion to 30 venues across the UK & Ireland by 2031, with plans to open three venues (two in London and one in Birmingham) over the next 18 months. A total of 160,000-plus guests have visited Sandbox VR’s London and Birmingham venues to date.” Scanlon told Propel: “Venues are going from strength to strength, posting 39% year-on-year like-for-like-sales growth on average this year. We are profitable, generating positive group Ebitda. We will be launching more world-class experiences this year, including another collaboration with Netflix.” Talking about its expansion plans last September, Scanlon told Propel: “It could be more than 30 now. We’re now thinking it could be more like 50. We can definitely put this in smaller towns too but we want to hit the big cities first.” VR Entertainment was Sandbox VR’s third international franchise following ones in Canada and the US.

London Pakistan-inspired cafe plans to expand to 50 stores within next five years, doubling initial growth target: London Pakistan-inspired cafe concept Naan Staap plans to expand to 50 stores within the next five years, doubling its initial growth target, Propel has learned. Founded in 2018 by Zohaib Shahnawaz, the brand, which offers freshly baked stuffed naan, cakes, cookies and chai, has since grown to seven stores in and around the capital. Having grown from its east London base to other areas of the capital this year, Naan Staap is now looking to go into other parts of the UK, with franchise consultant Andy Hulbert telling Propel last month that it is looking to recruit franchisees in Bradford, Leeds, Leicester, Greater Manchester and Liverpool. “Following a productive meeting with the director of Naan Staap, we anticipate on transforming its stores,” said Mohammed Hassan, director of interior design business, Luxe Transformations. “It plans on expanding from seven to 50 stores within five years and we will be transforming these locations into vibrant and elegant spaces.” Naan Staap opened its first franchise site in December 2022, in Gants Hill, at which point Shahnawaz had five sites and said he was targeting 20 more.

Honi Poké secures debut south west site: Hawaiian poké specialist Honi Poké is to further increase its regional presence with its first opening in the south west, in Bristol. Propel has learned that Honi Poké has secured a site on the upper ground floor of the Cabot Circus scheme in the city, close to better burger brand Five Guys. It is understood that Honi Poké, which was founded by Vladimir Martynov and Kosta Varesko in 2017, has a further three sites in its openings pipeline for this year. The 20-strong business recently opened its second regional site, in the Trinity Leeds scheme. It follows the business making its regional debut, at the former EAT site in Manchester’s St Ann's Street, last year. Honi Poké also operates 17 sites across London, and a site in Cyprus. Brandon Elmon, of Genius1 Group, acted on the Cabot Circus deal on behalf of Honi Poké.

Itsu looks to double its 80-strong UK estate: Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has reiterated its ambition to double its existing 80-strong UK estate. The Julian Metcalfe-founded business has retained property advisor Savills to aid its expansion plans. Targeting cosmopolitan locations across the UK, the brand is looking to strengthen its foothold in London, as well as grow its presence in new locations across the country. The focus on flagship stores will be centred around prominent city centres that benefit from high levels of spend and footfall. Kate Thompson, property director at Itsu, said: “At Itsu, we are focused on making the joy of delicious, health[ier], Asian-inspired food available to everyone across the UK and beyond. We look forward to working with Savills to help us deliver on our plan for growth.” Matthew Brown, director in retail at Savills Bristol, added: “We look forward to working with Itsu on its growth strategy as the brand looks to increase its presence across the UK.” Last month, Itsu added to its presence in the City of London with an opening in Fenchurch Street. It also opened a second site in Paris, under its franchisee agreement with French restaurant company Groupe Bertrand. Speaking to Propel in May, Metcalfe said the business has 15 sites in the pipeline and will start building its first sites in the Netherlands soon.

Dez Amore opens debut standalone restaurant for sixth site in ‘first of a long series’: Italian street food restaurant Dez Amore has opened its debut standalone restaurant for its sixth site in London, in what it said will be the “first in a long series”. It has opened a 1,178 square-foot site at 273 Fulham Road, within the The Sloane Stanley Estate, offering “traditional Italian dishes with a unique and contemporary twist”. It follows the brand’s success across several market-led destinations in Mayfair, Elephant & Castle, Wood Wharf, Camden and Canary Wharf. As well as a range of pasta, pizza, burgers and antipasti, it offers desserts such as chocolate and pistachio cheesecake. Leonardo Masi, co-founder at Dez Amore, said: “We are very proud because this restaurant represents our first space outside of a food hall. This is our flagship store, the first of a long series, and a space where you can really immerse yourself in our reality: living a true Italian experience. This store represents an achievement and an important milestone on a personal level as well.” Miles Commercial and Levy Real Estate represented the Sloane Stanley Estate while Chiara Ciroldi acted for Dez Amore.

Bear closes crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £650,000: Cafe bar concept Bear has closed its campaign on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube after raising more than £650,000. Founded by lifelong friends Craig Bunting and Michael Thorley, Bear began as a business inspired by Bunting’s travels in Australia and Thorley’s Royal Marines background and started in a shed with a supermarket espresso machine. The business, which is backed by Clark Group, has now grown to operates seven sites across the Midlands and Cheshire, serving speciality coffee, seasonal fresh food and cocktails. Bear had been aiming to raise £500,000 through the crowdfunding campaign and was offering 5.44% equity in return for the investment, giving the business a pre-money valuation of £9,820,602. The campaign has now closed, having raised £654,054 from 515 investors. Bear said: “Funds will be used to open new stores, enhance product offerings and further develop the brand. With plans to achieve five times sales growth and 29 times Ebitda growth over the next five years, this is an exciting time for Bear and its community.” The last 12 months also saw Bear hit a £5m annual revenue run rate and grow its online reach 168%. The business has also achieved 56% turnover growth in the first quarter of 2024 compared with the previous year and more than half of its guest base are regular repeat visitors. Last month, Bear secured its eighth site, in Wimborne, Dorset, adding to its sites across Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Nottinghamshire.

Five Guys adds three sites to openings pipeline: Better burger brand Five Guys has added a further three sites to its 2024 UK openings pipeline. The circa 160-strong brand will open new sites in High Street, Barnet; West End Lane, West Hampstead; and at the New Mersey Shopping Park in Speke, Liverpool. The company recently opened two new sites in London – in part of the former Chiquito unit in Croydon Valley Leisure Park and at Wembley Park Boulevard – along with a restaurant in the former Giraffe unit at the Trinity scheme in Leeds. Five Guys plans to open a further 15 to 20 sites in the UK this year.

K10 to add a further site in the City: K10, the London sushi concept, is to further add to its presence in the City with an opening opposite Monument station. Propel understands that K10, which is led by Reuben Todd, will open its sixth site on Tuesday, 9 July, in Fish Street Hill. The business will open next to a forthcoming Itsu site. A spokesperson for K10 said: “We are looking forward to further increasing our presence in the City and again being in the company of Itsu, with an offer that is complementary to itself. We now also have the SALSA certification for our sushi kitchen, which we believe is the only food factory rated sushi kitchen in the City of London and have already been approached by several companies to supply them with sushi for their staff lunches and event catering.” Propel understands that K10, which at one time operated five sites in the City before undergoing a restructure in the summer of 2020, is looking to grow steadily and is exploring further opportunities in the capital. Founded in 1999, K10 also operates sites in Fetter Lane, Old Broad Street, Coleman Street, Paternoster Square and Queen Street.

Paddy & Scott’s welcomes new investor and strategic advisor: Independent coffee shop operator and wholesaler Paddy & Scott’s has bought on board a new investor and strategic advisor. Simon Rees has joined the business following a career in the financial services sector with Gibbs Denley. His success there culminated in the business’ acquisition by Progeny, now boasting more than £7.5bn in assets under management, and he is now its group managing director and chartered financial planner. Paddy & Scott’s chief executive, Jon Reed, said: “It’s a proud moment to attract someone of Simon's calibre to our world. His expertise and experience mark a real step change, something we've sought for many years. This addition represents a huge leap forward for us. Simon is a proud Suffolk local with strong family values. As we set our course to build a business with real purpose, Simon will be instrumental in our ambition to fund one million school meals in coffee-growing regions.” Rees added: “Paddy & Scott’s is among Suffolk’s finest businesses, truly pushing boundaries and achieving a positive impact worldwide. Having met Jon and [operations director] Zoe [Hill] and witnessed their masterful execution of the management buyout, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get involved.” A team led by Reed and Hill bought Paddy & Scott’s from Scott Russell, the remaining co-founder and sole owner, in January. The company was founded in 2007 by Russell and Paddy Bishop, who exited the business in 2016. It has stores in Ipswich, Lichfield, Hadleigh and Colchester.

I am Döner secures new franchisee: I am Döner, the award-winning, better kebab brand backed by Think Hospitality, has secured a new franchisee. Rohit Julakanti has taken over the brand’s formerly company-managed Leeds city cente store and has signed up to further develop the Yorkshire region. “Watch this space as our franchising programme is really hotting up both here and internationally,” said I am Döner chairman James Hacon. Earlier this week, Propel revealed that the brand had hired Andrew Sakowicz as its new brand and franchise manager. Sakowicz replaced Lynsey Benton, who left after three years for a new role with venues and event business Sodexo Live. Last month, I am Döner said it had secured its first Canadian site and is in talks to expand its presence in the Middle East. It also opened its seventh UK site, in Liverpool’s Woolton Street.

Loungers hoping to attract disadvantaged young people into hospitality: Café bar operator Loungers is working with Bristol social enterprise Babbasa to encourage more young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the hospitality sector. The business hosted an “insight day” at its Bristol headquarters to showcase the job opportunities on offer across its Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside formats. The event was organised after Loungers completed Babbasa’s “Inclusion Healthchecker”, which recommended ways the business could become more inclusive and representative of the local population. Jake Bishop, co-founder and director at Loungers, said: “It was fantastic to speak to the young people that joined us and we are looking forward to continuing working with Babbasa throughout 2024 and beyond.” Caroline Amran, senior business engagement lead for Babbasa, added: “The insight day was a brilliant opportunity for young people to explore career paths in hospitality and get an insider’s view of a fast-growing plc. A highlight was Jake Bishop’s inspiring story, from pot washer to leading a 9,000-strong team. Hosting a Babbasa insight day is a fantastic way for companies to engage diverse young talent and gain fresh perspectives in return.” Last weekend, Loungers opened Fossato Lounge in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, for its 226th Lounge, and 264th overall site.

Hard Rock appoints cafe division president: Hard Rock International has hired Eric Martino as president of its Hard Rock Cafe division. Martino will oversee operations at nearly 200 restaurants around the world, as well as in Hard Rock’s retail division. He reports to Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and joins Hard Rock with nearly 30 years of hospitality experience in ownership and management roles. He previously served as president of MINA Group, chef Michael Mina's restaurant management company, where he led marketing, culinary, operations and beverage teams that served, supported and managed 30-plus restaurants. Martino was also previously chief operating officer at José Andrés Group, overseeing a vast portfolio and spearheading operations across nine major international markets. Martino said: “I could not be more thrilled to join Hard Rock, such an iconic company at the forefront of creating memorable dining, retail and entertainment experiences. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to cultivate an even stronger experience at Hard Rock.” The company, which currently operates six sites in the UK and Ireland, and more than 60 worldwide, earlier this year abandoned plans to open in the former TK Maxx site in York’s Coney Street and closed its site in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street.

Black Sheep Coffee plans south west debut: Speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee, which opened its 100th site last month, is planning to make its debut in the south west, in Bristol. The business has lined up an opening on the former The Crazy Fox coffee shop at 34-36 The Arcade, Broadmead, in the city. Propel reported last week that Black Sheep is targeting the drive-thru market to aid its continued expansion in the UK and has retained property advisory firm Edgerley Simpson Howe LLP to acquire sites throughout the UK in stand-alone and retail park locations. The company last month reached the 100-site milestone with an opening at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.

Frankie & Benny’s launches biggest ever food discount: Frankie & Benny's, the Big Table Group-owned brand, has launched its biggest ever food discount to celebrate the “joy of summer dining without breaking the bank”, with consumers able to get 40% off their food bill for a limited time only. To take advantage of the deal, consumers have to mention the secret code “Exclusive 40”, available until Friday, 12 July (excluding Saturdays). A spokesperson for Frankie & Benny's said: “We believe that dining out doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, and that’s why we've launched our biggest ever food discount so you can enjoy the start of the summer.” The offer is not valid at Frankie & Benny’s restaurants in airport locations, London’s Praed Street, or Scotland.

SSP to enhance F&B offer at Oslo airport after renewing contract: SSP, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, is to enhance the food and beverage offer at Oslo airport after renewing its contract. The new openings will include a new wine bar created by SSP called Tigerstaden, which takes its name from an affectionate nickname for the city. Bjørn’s Backyard, inspired by Oslo's “convivial backyard culture and urban-style family life”, will serve “international favourites with a street-food vibe in an informal environment”. SSP has created the Trattoria Tavolare that will serve Italian dishes alongside barista coffee and gelato. An upgraded coffee concept called Parken will offer a selection of barista-made drinks alongside classic Scandinavian pastries and light bites, while coffee shop concept Kaffetår will also be introduced. Meanwhile, from SSP’s own stable, a new Ritazza will open at arrivals, while Barino Café & Bar will also be brought to the airport. A new O’Learys sports bar will be found in the domestic terminal while a Starbucks will complete the brand line-up. Jeremy Fennell, chief executive of SSP continental Europe, said: “More than half of all Norway’s air passengers pass through Oslo airport, and we’re looking forward to continuing to rise to the challenge of making a visit to one of our bars or restaurants the best part of the journey for travellers at this important global hub.”

UK bubble tea brand Cupp opens furthest north site yet as it continues to expand in Scotland: UK bubble tea brand Cupp has opened its furthest north site yet as it continues to expand in Scotland. It has opened at Mostodloch service station in the village of Mostodloch in Moray, between the towns of Elgin and Keith. It is a fifth location in Scotland for the brand, as it closes in on 40 stores across the UK. “I’m thrilled to announce that we at Cupp have just opened a new store at Mostodloch service station, marking our furthest expansion to the north,” said Cupp managing director Paul Tanner. “This new location is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team. We’re excited to bring our signature experience to more customers and continue our journey of growth and excellence. We look forward to serving the Mostodloch community and making new connections in this vibrant area.” In May, Cupp made its Northern Ireland debut, launching at 23 Dublin Road in Belfast after signing up master franchisee for the country. Founded by Lee Peacock in Bristol in 2012, the business said in September last year that it is closing in on a first overseas site and is holding talks with potential international master franchisees.

Manchester set to get new 100,000 square-foot leisure space: Manchester is set to get a new 100,000 square-foot leisure space, as part of the Victoria Exchange Leisure District adjacent to the AO Arena. Real estate business Stärka has been appointed by LondonMetric Property to lease the “big box” space, which is accessed from Trinity Way and through Manchester Victoria Station. It is currently split over two floors, with 50,000 square feet at ground level and the remainder across a mezzanine level. With an estimated annual footfall of 13.2 million at Victoria Exchange, opportunities are available to split the space and create a series of individual units. There is also a direct link to a 980-space car park and scope for up to 1.7 acres of roof terrace, looking across Manchester’s skyline. Adam Crossley of LondonMetric Property said: “This new ‘big box’ leisure space has been conceived to capitalise on the significant recent successes at Victoria Exchange. Following the completion of a large-scale investment project and launch of the brand new VIP ‘Mezz’ experience earlier this year at the AO Arena, we are confident that the right operator will further boost the venue’s reputation, footfall and success.”

Hijingo to launch new AI experience: Hijingo, the bingo concept from State of Play Hospitality, is set to launch a new artificial intelligence (AI) experience. Generation 2.0, launching on Thursday, 18 July, will feature enhanced visuals and advanced special effects, inspired by Tokyo Nights and hosted by an AI bot. It will launch alongside an upgraded menu, including a range of “sticks” in flavours such as eight-hour slow-cooked pork belly glazed in plum sauce; grilled yakitori chicken; beetroot and onion and roasted mushroom; and sweet potato with garlic and lemon dressing. Nicola Blackford, chief commercial officer at State of Play Hospitality, said: “We are committed to creating the most memorable experience for our guests. That’s why we’ve invested significantly in our new show, leveraging enhanced audio-visual capabilities, and expanded our menu.” Last month, Propel revealed that State of Play Hospitality had targeted franchise growth both for Hijingo and its ping pong concept Bounce. State of Play, which also operates darts concept Flight Club in North America under licence, has partnered with Seeds Consulting to grow both brands across the UK and beyond. State of Play Hospitality currently operates three Bounce sites and a single Hijingo location.