Inception Group FY turnover up 16.7%, international expansion on the horizon for Mr Fogg’s: Inception Group, the London hospitality group, has said international expansion is on the horizon for its Mr Fogg’s brand. It comes as the company reported a 16.7% increase in turnover to £26.5m for 2023, while forecasts for 2024 suggest a record-breaking year with projected revenues of £29m. The 14-strong business, which was founded in 2009 by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, said site Ebitda stood at £7.2m in 2023, up 22% from £5.9m in the previous 12 months. Group Ebitda was £3m, down slightly from £3.4m in 2022 due to exceptional items, but projected to exceed 2023 levels in 2024. The business said growth had been driven by both well-established venues and the opening of new sites, reflecting the group’s “continued success in delivering unique, narrative-driven experiences” across its portfolio. The company, which will launch Cahoots: Postal Office next month in London’s Borough Yards, said expansion remains a priority, with plans to extend the Cahoots brand and international expansion on the horizon for its Mr Fogg’s brand. Gilkes said: “We’re in early discussions about opening sites both in and outside of London. There’s growing interest in taking our immersive concepts to key cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, and even overseas.” Inception Group said it has seen a resurgence in corporate bookings, contributing to strong performance across its portfolio. Gilkes said: “London’s hospitality scene, despite the challenges, is vibrant once again, and the return of office workers, particularly on Mondays, has been a key driver for our venues. We are optimistic that 2024 will be another milestone year for the group. Our 2023 results reflect the resilience and creativity of our business, even in the face of market challenges and industry shifts. The drive of the group to deliver unique and high-quality experiences to our customers means we have continued to see strong growth, particularly from our existing venues. 2024 looks set to be a landmark year as we expand our portfolio even further.”

NTIA – Lamé’s achievements must be recognised, we now have the chance to rebuild London’s nightlife with a fresh perspective: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said outgoing London night czar Amy Lamé’s achievements must be recognised, but that “we now have the chance to rebuild the capital’s nightlife with a fresh perspective”. Lamé has stood down from her role after eight years in the job following recent criticisms that she had failed to stem the closure of nightlife venues across London. It is unclear whether Lamé – whose salary, which rose to £132,846 this year, has also been criticised – will be replaced with a new night czar. “During Amy’s eight-year tenure, while there has been criticism, several achievements must be recognised,” said NTIA chief executive Michael Kill. “Her work on women’s safety at night, and the establishment of enterprise zones, have been hugely beneficial for the sector. The role of night czar has always been crucial, but also an enormous challenge, especially during one of the toughest trading periods for the night-time economy. Representing such a vast market in a capital city like London is no easy task. With the formation of the new Night Taskforce, I am optimistic that we are entering a new era. We now have the chance to rebuild London’s nightlife with a fresh perspective and stronger foundations. It’s time to remind everyone that the capital is one of the world’s leading night-time economies. I look forward to collaborating with the Mayor of London and other partners to rebuild a thriving future strategy.”