Robin Rowland – unlikely to look at pizza or burgers, chicken has become a very crowded market: Robin Rowland, senior operating partner at sector investor firm TriSpan, has said when looking for his next investment he is unlikely to look at pizza or burgers, and that chicken has become a very crowded market. TriSpan currently backs brands including Rosa’s Thai, Pho, Mowgli and Thunderbird Fried Chicken. “I’m very interested in all-day trading operations,” he told last week’s Propel Multi Club Conference. “I’m unlikely to look at pizza or burgers as they’re a little bit overplayed at the moment. I’m very proud of what we have done with Thunderbird Fried Chicken but that has become a very crowded market, so we’re trying to avoid that. Things like Pho are brilliant because nobody else does Vietnamese food well at scale.” Rowland said he is trying to get the businesses to the stage where they can be invested in by “slightly more long term, mature investors”. He said: “The private equity houses are there and they’re starting to look. The UK has probably been skipped over by a lot of the international players as they’ve been waiting for stability in government and some economic stability. I think the UK could be quite attractive in a few years’ time.” Key to that, Rowland believes, is seeing what the new government has in store for labour relations – which he said will be the next pressure point on P&L sheets. “Utilities are under control again and I think the pressure from Ukraine has abated, but you are then into labour – which is not just about unit costs but how the government is going to legislate what you can do with it and what restrictions will be,” he said. “Nobody quite knows, and that will be the biggest watch out in the next 12 months. So, the P&L is really all around labour and what you can do in terms of fixed term contracts and long-term contracts, and nobody has a real handle on it yet.” Rowland added that lender banks are “back in” and “interested in doing deals” and that sticking to the basics in hospitality and “looking after people in a way that is meaningful” has resulted in “steady growth in our dining numbers”. He added: “In 2000, you could get 25% Ebitda out of a decently run business. It’s highly unlikely you’ll get anything much over 18% today, and 20% is the nirvana to aim at, so five percentage points have gone in two decades. Most people are trying to claw back to 18% at unit level, and that’s a good result.” Premium Club members will be sent all 13 videos from last week’s Propel Multi Club Conference on Friday, 27 September, at 9am.

 

Sponsored message – Heineken UK launches third annual Beer Report: Heineken UK has launched its third annual Beer Report aiming to help operators navigate evolving trends that are impacting the way consumers socialise and drink. The report explores how market growth is being driven by new launches, a boom in world lager and no and low alcohol brands. It highlights the shifting consumer trends affecting beer consumption and the emergence of new behaviours. This includes the rise of a ‘spend and splurge’ approach to on-trade visits and the growing importance of lunchtime and early evening as valuable trading times. Exclusive eye-tracking research investigates how guests choose which beer to order at the bar, where they focus their attention and how licensees can use these insights to optimise the layout of their bar and fridge. Heineken on-trade sales director, Will Rice, said: “We’re delighted to launch our third annual Beer Report to help pubs and bars navigate what their guests are looking for from beer. In the face of long-term shifts in the way consumers are socialising and drinking, the report provides an invaluable resource, helping operators adapt their beer range to maximise the opportunities presented by evolving on-trade trends.” To download your free copy and access new and exclusive insights, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024 open for bookings with free places for operators, features panel discussing the evolving role of delivery: The final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024 has opened for bookings. The full-day conference – titled “new directions, new ideas” – takes place on Wednesday, 30 October at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London Kensington. There will be a session discussing the evolving role of delivery in the sector. A panel including Mark Finch, head of enterprise for Uber Eats UK & Ireland; Joe Heather, general manager of UK & Ireland at Deliverect; Megan Burton-Brown, marketing director at Tortilla; Matt Mollicone, founder at 7Bone; and Máté Kun, chief executive and co-founder of Growth Kitchen will also discuss the key trends and what the next phase of food delivery will look like for operators and consumers. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium Club members who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club members to receive two new databases this week: Premium Club members are to receive two new databases this week. The next Propel UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database will be sent out tomorrow (Wednesday, 11 September), at noon. The database, which is updated and published on a bi-monthly basis, has ten new entries. These include KFC franchisees SBR Group, Ozland and Woosa Chicken Co and Papa John’s franchisee Chatha Franchises. Premium Club members will also receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (13 September), at midday. The database will feature 57 updated accounts and 21 new companies for a total of 978. Premium Club members will also receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (13 September), at midday. The database will feature 57 updated accounts and 21 new companies for a total of 978. Premium Club members also receive access to four other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, theUK Food and Beverage Franchisor 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 the Talent and Training Conference (1 October), Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025) and Excellence in Pub Retail (May 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.

RTD cocktails, rum, and tequila set to dominate spirits market: Ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, rum and tequila are set to dominate the spirits market, according to new research. A survey of founders of UK independent beverage companies, by rum brand The Duppy Share in collaboration with CGA by NIQ, showed RTD cocktails, in particular, have garnered attention, with 52% of respondents forecasting “fast growth”, the largest across all formats. In terms of spirits, rum and tequila are the only categories that experienced growth in 2023 and are forecast to continue their upward trajectory, according to the companies surveyed, particularly as consumer interest shifts away from gin, which experienced a 14% decrease in sales last year. However, mirroring the trend seen in the US, agave spirits continue to gain momentum. This category saw a 4% increase in sales in 2023. Looking ahead, agave spirits are expected to maintain a steady growth trajectory, with a projected annual growth rate of 2% from 2023 to 2028. This is reflected in rum, showing a 2% growth in 2023, and forecasting a steady growth in the coming years from its larger base volume.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a national catering provider that is seeking a retail and commercial services manager for a business and industry contract in London. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The position involves overseeing a team of 80-plus with four direct reports across three buildings. The role would be ideal for an established general manager or deputy general manager who comes from a high-volume contract catering background in business and industry, events or stadia.” The salary is up to £55,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email dan@corecruitment.com.

Promoted content – meet Eman, the founder of Bisan Bites, who is proudly bringing Palestinian flavours to London’s streets: In 2022, Eman embarked on a journey to bring the authentic taste of Palestinian cuisine to the vibrant street food scene of London. Seeking guidance from the Streets Ahead programme, she transformed her passion into reality, creating Bisan Bites – a culinary venture celebrating the rich flavours of her heritage. To find out more, click here.

 

Shares in TGI Fridays UK owner plunge 90%: Shares in Hostmore, the owner of TGI Fridays UK, fell 90% in trading on Monday (9 September) after the business announced it had scrapped plans for a £177m reverse takeover of the American-themed restaurant brand, after the US company lost control of key assets. Hostmore said the TGI Fridays acquisition was “no longer being actively pursued” after TGI Fridays was removed as the manager of the vehicle that holds the right to collect royalties from the brand. The removal “compromises the control over the royalty stream of TGI Fridays and also potentially impairs the future revenue of the business”, Hostmore said. “The predictable and highly cash generative royalty stream of TGI Fridays was the primary attractive feature for the group in pursuing the acquisition.” The proposed deal had envisaged that Hostmore, which runs 87 restaurants in the UK, would merge with Dallas-based TGI Fridays to create a larger company that would have remained listed in London. Shares in Hostmore fell as much as 93% on Monday morning — pushing the company’s market from around £12m to only £914,000. The shares had already fallen by 90% since they were floated. The abandoned takeover is potentially the final blow to Hostmore, which said last month it planned to adopt an asset-light model and sell its UK restaurants as well as the 92 stores owned by TGI Fridays should the deal go ahead. It confirmed that it was proceeding with part of this plan as “several formal bids were received” for the UK stores. But it warned that the money raised from this would be “lower than the par value of the borrowings currently secured by the group’s trading subsidiary”.

 

London wine bar business reveals ‘ambitious national expansion plan’, seeking partner for first franchise site: London wine bar business Mayfair House Group has revealed an “ambitious national expansion plan” and is seeking a partner for its first franchise site. The group, led by former EasyCoffee chief executive Nathan Lowry, currently operates ten sites in the capital – Shepherd Market Wine House, Traders Wine Bar, Brooks Mews Wine House, Amelia’s Wine House, Cecilia’s Wine House, Clemence Bar, Maltby Street Wine House, Angelique’s Wine House, Voila Wine Bar & Shop and Cherry Tree Yard Cafe & Bar. It has also secured a site in Richmond, south west London, for its first franchise location and is seeking a partner to operate it. “We’re doing it a bit differently – we’re taking on the head leases to help people get on the ladder,” said franchise consultant Andy Hulbert. “We’re doing the site acquisitions and getting them ready, so we’re just looking for franchisees to come in and operate them. The Richmond site is a corker, and we would keep it for ourselves but we’re offering it up for franchise.” The group is hoping to have the Richmond site up and running by the end of the year and has identified further potential locations in the capital at Marylebone, Fitzrovia, King’s Road, Covent Garden, South Bank and King’s Cross. However, it is a concept that Lowry is looking to take around the country. “We’re looking everywhere,” Hulbert added. “It will do every well in affluent regional towns like Bath and Cheltenham, and we can see a portfolio of sites across the country. The wine bars are operated as independents and the concepts have been tried and tested to ensure they are ready for expansion. There is a depth of knowledge and dedicated management team ready to expand the concepts and bring the potential of the business to the next level.” Mayfair House Group also hosts wine tastings, exhibitions and high-profile events and is also looking to bring US prime rib restaurant brand Lawry’s to the UK – as revealed by Propel in May. Founder and managing director Lowry founded retailer and bar business Pall Mall Fine Wine in 2012 and the London Beer House, a speciality craft beer shop and pub, in 2015 – both of which operated out of the Royal Opera Arcade in St James. He also secured equity for the Blackfriars Tower hotel complex and has advised operators including Fortnum & Mason and Hard Rock Cafe in London and internationally.

 

Boojum lines up Birmingham and Liverpool openings: Mexican fast-casual brand Boojum, which was acquired by the Azzurri Group last summer, has lined up openings in Birmingham and Liverpool, Propel has learned. The business, which made its debut on the mainland in Leeds in April, is understood to have secured a site in New Street, Birmingham, for an opening before the end of the year. It has also lined up a site in Liverpool. The company will open its second UK mainland site – a 42-cover, 2,377 square-foot restaurant in Nottingham’s Lower Parliament Street – on Friday, 20 September. Established in 2007 in Belfast, Boojum has 17 outlets across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK mainland. Propel revealed at the end of January that Boojum plans to open 25 sites over the next five years in major UK student cities.

 

Caring linked to King’s Cross site for Harry’s opening: Serial sector investor Richard Caring has been linked to a site in London’s King’s Cross for an opening under his Harry’s bar and restaurant concept. Propel understands Caring has acquired the former Vinoteca site in King’s Boulevard, which closed earlier this year. Vinoteca was acquired by investment firm Breal Group out of administration last summer. Vinoteca currently operates sites in Borough Yards, Chiswick, Farringdon and Bloomberg Arcade. It sold its site in King’s Cross in June for an undisclosed sum. Caring opened the latest Harry’s site in July, at Terminal House in Grosvenor Gardens, opposite Victoria station. The site comprises 184 covers, a private dining room seating 16 – the largest in the Harry’s collection – and two summer terraces seating 36 in total. Harry’s Bar Restaurants also currently comprises eponymous restaurants in Knightsbridge (Basil Street) and Marylebone, plus private members' club Harry’s in South Audley Street, Mayfair. Last week, it was reported that Caring is close to clinching a sale of his collection of Ivy restaurants, paving the way for a new owner of the business. Sky News reported Caring, who began exploring an auction late last year, is on the brink of signing a deal with Si Advisers, a little-known London-based firm. The deal is expected to see him offloading close to all of his stake in The Ivy Collection, which now spans dozens of restaurants in affluent locations across Britain.

 

Robus Capital Management becomes Revolution Bars Group’s biggest shareholder: Robus Capital Management, a London and Frankfurt based credit asset management firm, has become the biggest shareholder in Revolution Bars Group. Last week, Revolution Bars Group completed its fundraising and restructuring following the approval of its survival plan last month. It aimed to raise £12.5m through the placing of shares with institutional investors and some directors. This week, it confirmed that serial sector investor Luke Johnson had become its new chairman. Robus Capital Management has since June built up a stake of just over 21% in the Rob Pitcher-led business. It has now taken that to 22.4%. At the same time, Eldose Babu, a Dubai-based investor who became the largest shareholder in Revolution Bars Group at the end of last year, has seen his stake in the business drop from circa 18.2% to 16.2%. Babu came to attention last October when he acquired a 3.2% stake in Saga, becoming one of the top three shareholders in the British holiday group. This summer, Robus Capital Management built a 14% stake in Nightcap, owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini and the Barrio Familia group of 46 bars.

 

F1 Arcade hires Simon Ward-Nicholson as VP of global operations: Kindred Concepts has hired Simon Ward-Nicholson, formerly of SSP, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants and Ole & Steen, as its new vice-president of global operations for F1 Arcade, its Formula 1-licenced experiential brand. Ward-Nicholson joins F1 Arcade after two and a half years as group food and beverage director at the world’s largest commercial theatre company, Ambassador Theatre Group. He was previously operations director at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. Prior to that, he was managing director of hospitality group Unlocked Brands, and before that, he was managing director of Danish baker Ole & Steen. Previous to that, he spent four years at travel concessions company SSP, with stints as concept development director and operations director, and he has also been operations director at BaxterStorey and Corney & Barrow Bars. Last month, F1 Arcade added a site in Philadelphia to its US opening pipeline following the opening of its first location in the States, in Boston, in April. There are plans to open an F1 arcade in Washington DC this October, Las Vegas in 2025, and 30 other locations globally over the next five years. In July, Propel revealed that F1 Arcade had completed a $130m (£101.2m) growth financing raise to aid its further expansion. Backed by Formula 1 and Liberty Media, F1 Arcade opened its first venue in London in 2022, followed by Birmingham last November. A new report has been produced by Propel on the fast-growing experiential leisure sector. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes more than 180 companies, 3,500 sites and a 35,000-word report. The report is available for £595 plus VAT although Premium Club members can receive the report for free from 9am today (Tuesday, 10 September). Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.

Wingstop secures Newcastle site: Wingstop, which is being rolled out here by Lemon Pepper Holdings and is currently seeking new investment, has secured the site for a new restaurant in Newcastle. The brand, which passed the 50-site mark in the UK last month, is set to open its doors in Eldon Square’s Grey’s Quarter in early 2025. Chris Sherriff, co-chief executive of Lemon Pepper Holdings, said: “We are excited to be joining Eldon Square, bringing our delicious wings and flavours to Newcastle city centre. As a prime shopping destination with high footfall and strong appeal to both visitors and tourists, Eldon Square is the perfect location for our new site.” 

Scottish McDonald’s franchisee returns to profit as price increases helps turnover hits record £54.4m: McDonald’s franchisee ESJ Restaurants – which operates 11 sites in Falkirk, Stirling and the surrounding areas of Scotland – has reported revenue increased to a record £54,423,668 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £42,320,483 the year before. The company, which employs almost 1,300 staff, posted a pre-tax profit of £1,522,079 compared with a loss of £18,292 the previous year. Gross profit margin was 64.45% compared with 64.49% the previous year, which was “in line with expectations”. In his report accompanying the accounts, owner Elliot Jardine stated: “As a result of the 2023 menu and marketing strategy, alongside the execution of incremental price rises, the company has seen increased sales growth as the company continues to operate against the backdrop of significant macroeconomic challenges. The growth in sales is predominantly due to price rises and the acquisition of a restaurant during the year. As in 2023, sales growth in 2024 will be predominantly driven by year-on-year pricing benefit. To counter any potential negative guest count impact from price rises, we have a strong marketing calendar, with particular focus on value at key parts of the year. The calendar also includes a higher number of innovative promotional pies and new McFlurry flavour variants, both of which drove strong incremental sales and visits in 2023. We also expect to see continued incremental sales benefit in 2024 from the MyMcDonald’s application, with a greater customer base engaged with the MyMcDonald’s Rewards scheme, and refined communications to encourage customer frequency. In-store and drive-thru sales are likely to see similar levels and phasing of growth in 2024, as we move away from any lingering covid-19 impact. The percentage of sales and phasing coming through McDelivery is likely to remain stable year on year. The company also plans to acquire more restaurants should the opportunity arise.” A dividend of £79,700 was paid (2022: £80,000). Jardine joined McDonald's management trainee programme in 1986 after undertaking business studies at Edinburgh Napier University. His position prior to becoming a franchisee was to bring the McCafe sub-brand to McDonald’s UK. In 2004, he was offered his first franchise for two restaurants in Falkirk and has subsequently expanded throughout the central belt of Scotland including in Stirling, Alloa, Grangemouth and Edinburgh. 

 

State of Play Hospitality secures Missouri site for Flight Club: State of Play Hospitality, the Toby Harris-led international experiential leisure operator, has secured a site in Missouri for darts brand Flight Club. State of Play Hospitality, which operates Flight Club in North America under licence, will open the new site in St Louis, at 7710 Forsyth Boulevard, in the space vacated by Cantina Laredo, for what will be the ninth opening under the brand in the US. It will open in early 2025. Harris said: “Since we opened our first US Flight Club in Chicago, we’ve wanted to bring the concept to other parts of the Midwest and the St Louis metro area has long been on our radar.” In July, State of Play Hospitality secured a flagship site in New York for Flight Club, and the business also has openings lined up for this year in Washington DC and Philadelphia. State of Play Hospitality currently operates six Flight Clubs in the US.

 

Macdonald Hotels sees improvement in FY24 results after fixing energy costs, full-year turnover increases to £128.9m: Macdonald Hotels, which operates 27 hotels and nine resorts, has said it has seen an improvement in its FY24 results after “substantially reducing” its energy costs by fixing prices earlier this year. It comes as the group reported revenue increased 6% to £128,880,000 for the year ending 28 September 2023 compared with £121,927,000 the year before. The group posted a pre-tax loss of £3,566,000 compared with a profit of £44,534,000. The company, which employs 2,700 staff, incurred exceptional items of £4,719,000 (2022: £376,000). In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Profit in the period to 29 September 2022 benefited significantly from a substantial gain on sale of our Holyrood and Manchester hotels totalling £45.8m. On 16 February 2023, we completed the sale of our Macdonald Ansty Hall hotel for £8.3m, which realised a profit on sale of £1.0m. In May 2023, the group successfully refinanced its existing debt, signing a £51.3m, five-year facility with Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland. This, coupled with the sale of Macdonald Ansty Hall hotel, marked significant progress in the implementation of our strategy as we seek to develop many of the sites within our remaining portfolio. Sales growth was predominately a result of increased occupancy across our hotels and resorts. Continued growth in our leisure clubs across 17 of our hotels has been encouraging, supported by an increase of more than 15% in spa revenue. These ancillary revenue channels remain a key focus moving forward, especially with the opportunities that potential development will lead to across our facilities. Rising costs in the period, particularly in utilities and staff costs, presented a challenge in terms of profit conversion, especially given that they represent the two main costs to the group on an annual basis. While electricity and gas consumption reduced by 7% in the period, the cost of utilities increased by more than 10%. This, coupled with a 10% increase to national minimum wage in April 2023, markedly increased the group’s cost base in the period. While the national minimum wage increased further in April 2024, the group has benefited from a substantial reduction in gas and electricity prices as part of a newly negotiated fixed utility contract from April 2024. This reduction, coupled with our focus on further reducing consumption as part of our sustainability strategy, has helped to improve our trading results in the year to 26 September 2024.” No dividend was paid (2022: nil).

 

Odeon to return to Scarborough: AMC-owned Odeon Cinemas Group, Europe's largest cinema operator, has been revealed as the anchor operator for the redevelopment of a shopping centre in Scarborough. Scarborough Group International (SGI) has secured Odeon for its leisure-focused transformation of the Brunswick Centre. The cinema will be a multi-screen Odeon Luxe. Odeon previously operated in Scarborough from 1936 to 1988, and was originally located just 300 metres from the Brunswick where the Stephen Joseph Theatre now stands. The cinema eventually closed after plans to modernise the building were rejected due to its listed status. Once complete, the new development will offer 20 units ranging from 250 square foot to 20,000 square foot across three floors. This will provide spaces for national and regional restaurant brands and leisure operators. There would also be a selection of kiosks and shared spaces for independent food and beverage operators. A spokesperson for SGI said: “Bringing Odeon back to Scarborough after an absence of more than three decades is a key milestone in our vision to transform the Brunswick Centre into a premier leisure-led destination.” 

 

Parsons Bakery opens three further pizza home delivery sites with more to follow: Parsons Bakery, which operates 48 stores across the south west and Wales, has launched three further sites for its new pizza home delivery format, with more to follow. The business launched the new concept at its Bedminster store in the summer of 2022. “The company opened three more pizza home delivery sites, which have been a great success, and we anticipate more sites to open in the next 12 months,” director Nicholas Parsons said in the company’s accounts for the year to 31 December 2023. It comes as the company reported an increase in turnover for the year, from £14,352619 to £14,738,020. Its pre-tax profit dropped from £1,024,657 in 2022 to £506,052 as admin costs rose by more than £500,000. Ebitda saw a decline from £1,376,953 to £827,967, “reflecting increasing energy, supplier and staff costs”. Parsons said: “It was another year of challenging trading conditions where our loyal customers experienced a further squeeze on their disposable incomes and the business continued to see unpredictable rising costs. However, I am pleased to report that our people rose to the challenge of supplying fresh handmade bakery products every day of the year to our 48 neighbourhood bakery shops. Results for Ql of 2024 have matched forecasts and the directors are confident of a successful year.” No dividends were paid (2022: £20,232).

 

Staycity opens new-look aparthotel for fourth Wilde site in London: Aparthotel operator Staycity Group has opened its latest Wilde site, the first property to feature its redesigned logo, branding and new design approach. The 106-apartment Wilde London Liverpool Street, in Petticoat Lane, features a ground floor with lobby, bar and communal space. An extended food and beverage offering is open for à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus using locally sourced ingredients. The ground floor also has a coffee shop with barista-made coffee and a self-service shop selling gourmet meal bundles and artisan snacks. Guests can pre-order food and drink to stock the fridge in their apartment. “We are excited to open in Liverpool Street and to unveil the new direction for Wilde, which takes its design cues from the locality and the history of the east end,” said Kelly Morgan, managing director, Wilde Aparthotels. “Around 70% of our food and drink is sourced from the best of local suppliers, who we’re keen to support and celebrate.” The property is Staycity Group’s fourth Wilde in London alongside Aldgate, Covent Garden and Paddington. Wilde also operates in Berlin, Edinburgh and Manchester with further sites due to open in Cambridge, Oxford, Lisbon and Porto.

 

Warrens Bakery strengthens travel hub presence with opening at Slough station: Warrens Bakery has strengthened its presence in travel hubs with an opening at Slough station in Berkshire. The company, founded in 1860, has launched the store as it continues its journey east. Located on platform five, Warrens Bakery's new store is its 39th across the West Country, South Wales and the south east. Katie Anderson, head of travel at Warrens Bakery, said: “Expanding into Slough is another milestone in Warrens Bakery’s journey in the travel sector. As we continue our eastward growth, we’re eager to bring our traditional and innovative baked goods to new customers. Our existing stores in the travel sector are performing exceptionally well and we expect similar success in Slough.”

 

JD Wetherspoon gets backing for Southport hotel: JD Wetherspoon is set to create a 30-bedroom hotel in a historic building in Southport, Merseyside, after its plans were backed. Earlier this year, the company submitted a proposal to change the use of the first, second and third floors of 93-97 Lord Street into a hotel. Currently, the company occupies the ground floor of the site – trading as The Sir Henry Segrave. The floors above, while previously used as office space, are now vacant. The site is named after Sir Henry Segrave who raised the land-speed record to 152mph, in his 350hp 4.5-litre Sunbeam Ladybird, in Southport's Birkdale Sands in 1926. The building occupied by the Wetherspoon was originally built in about 1880. A planning and heritage statement submitted with the proposal said that the company has “capabilities of reviving significant buildings” adding: “By taking into account history and heritage, they are able to meaningfully revive and restore existing structures to become spaces that are open and inviting to the public.” The application has been approved by Sefton Council.

 

KFC plans to open its first permanent Youth Hub in Middlesbrough: KFC has announced it is opening its first permanent Youth Hub in Middlesbrough this year. With a goal to establish five by 2030, the company said these hubs will be central to the KFC Foundation’s – the non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people across the UK – mission of offering safe spaces where young people can easily access mental health and wellbeing support, as well as opportunities to develop their skills and employability. The Middlesbrough Hub will include a training kitchen to help young people gain experience around cooking and nutrition. It comes as new research commissioned by the KFC Youth Foundation revealed that over a quarter of Generation Z say they are missing the support of a role model when it comes to their career. The survey of 2,000 16 to-25-year-olds also revealed that one in five are positive that the new government will improve youth services. Louise Norris, manager of the KFC Youth Foundation, said: “For us, at the KFC Youth Foundation, we recognise the value of investment in safe, inclusive spaces and access to services that help address some of the challenges young people face. That's why we're investing in Youth Hubs and are looking forward to opening the doors to our first Youth Hub in Middlesbrough later this year.” The KFC Youth Foundation has awarded over £9m in grants since 2015.

Good Food Society to launch second Hovarda site this month: The Good Food Society, led by Levent Büyükuğur and Sanjay Nandi, will launch a second site for its Mediterranean concept, Hovarda, this month, in London’s Canary Wharf. The 139-cover restaurant and terrace – which opens on Friday, 20 September – will occupy the water level deck of a purpose-built pavilion situated on the water at the centre of Wood Wharf. Hovarda Canary Wharf will feature a communal kitchen island, a mix of banquettes and sofa seating and a bar. The menu will feature dishes from the coastlines of Greece and Turkey, with a light range of family-style hot and cold meze plates followed by main dishes such as kleftiko lamb with roasted potatoes. The bar will serve spirits and cocktails inspired by Mediterranean notes. Like its sibling site, which opened in Soho in 2017, in the evenings Hovarda will transform into a “dynamic” and exclusive music destination. Büyükugur said: “At Hovarda, we have always strived to create more than just a dining destination. Our new Canary Wharf restaurant builds on this vision, bringing the vibrant spirit of Soho to the water’s edge.” Good Food Society also operates Italian restaurant Frescobaldi in Mayfair and Marceline in Canary Wharf, which is located above the new Hovarda restaurant.