Lithuanian ‘fast lunch but not fast food’ concept sets its sights on 100 UK sites after making international debut: Lithuanian “fast lunch but not fast food” concept iLunch, which uses smart technology to “deliver lunch in less than two minutes”, has set its sights on 100 UK sites after making its international debut. Founded in 2016, iLunch has more than 30 sites in Lithuania and recently opened its first international store, in Riga, Latvia, with a second location in the country planned for next year. Propel revealed earlier this year that iLunch – which sees guests order on an iPad and receive their food on a conveyor belt, cutting out the need for front of house operations – was seeking UK expansion. “Our franchise journey is just beginning,” iLunch’s international franchise acquisition and development partner, Evaldas Poskus, told Propel. “We are opening in Dubai and Canada, and we’re in conversations with a few other territories. We are still aiming to launch in the UK – in London and in areas outside London as well. We strongly believe we have a restaurant model and digital system that would do well in the UK, and we could have 100 units. Ideally, we would launch somewhere like Bank or Liverpool Street, with high office footfall, and we believe it would do really well in busy areas like that when workers are out looking for a quick lunch. The average serving time is two minutes and we can serve more than 1,200 customers per day in busy locations. iLunch operating hours are 11am-3pm Monday to Friday. That kind of model, and its simplicity to operate, is what differentiates us. We are seeking any kind of franchisee and can normally set up in three to four months, so it has a quick turnaround.” An iLunch franchise involves a €200,000-€300,000 investment, with royalty fees 6% of turnover and a stated payback period of 12-36 months.

 

Premium Club members to receive next Turnover & Profits Blue Book and videos from Propel’s Talent & Training Conference tomorrow: Premium Club members will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book tomorrow (Friday, 18 October), at noon. The database will feature 60 updated accounts and 16 new companies, taking the total to 994. A total of 624 companies are making a profit while 370 are making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors' earnings for the past five years. Premium Club members will also receive all the videos from the Talent & Training Conference tomorrow, at 9am. They include Karen Turton, founder of Purple Story, discussing the challenges around career development in a fast-moving, broad sector with Barrie Robinson, operations director at Parkdean Resorts, Mat Heather, group operations director at Old Spike Roastery, Travis Fish, operations director at Comptoir Libanais, and Valerie Graham, operations director at Premier Inn. Meanwhile, Liz Robertson, people director of the Inn Collection, delves into the award-winning company’s mission statement of “making people happy”, which aims to support its people in their personal and professional development. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, 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 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.

UKHospitality – sector facing £48m inflation hike to take business rates bill increase to £914m: The sector is facing an additional £48m business rates bill as rates relief ends next year, taking the overall hit to the industry in April to £914m, UKHospitality has warned. It comes after figures from the Office for National Statistics showed inflation fell to 1.7% in September. With September’s figures being used to calculate the annual uplift to business rates in England, it means a likely increase of £48m for hospitality businesses. UKHospitality said this £48m will be in addition to the £866m increase the sector will see if business rates relief ends next year, taking the overall hit to the sector in April to £914m. Business rates already make up around 5% of business turnover in the sector and, without action, that could increase as a large pub or restaurant could face a £33,500 increase in its rates, the trade body said. It has again urged the government to act “to avoid this cliff edge scenario” when relief is set to end, and introduce a lower, permanent and universal multiplier for hospitality. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Business rates must be addressed, or venues at the heart of communities will see their rates bills quadruple and find themselves making awful decisions about whether to shorten hours, close more days, lay off staff, or even close for good. A lower rate of business rates for hospitality would avoid this dreadful prospect and keep hospitality at the centre of our high streets.”

CAMRA – shuttered pub numbers in England set to surge to more than 1,200 this year as high business costs ‘make trading impossible’: More than 1,200 pubs in England will likely be shuttered this year, according to new figures from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), as the “crushing weight” of “unfair” taxation and high operational costs leave businesses struggling. Gary Timmins, CAMRA pub and club campaigns director, said the government should consider this a “wake-up call” ahead of the Budget. CAMRA said in recent years, the rate of pubs lost to conversion or demolition in England has slowed slightly as communities make use of planning protection and the right to have their say on the future of their local. Despite this, thousands of licensees are now struggling to pull their pubs from the brink of closure as record numbers are forced to shut their doors, the trade body warned. Based on current trends, CAMRA data showed more than 1,200 pubs will likely be shuttered this year, compared with around 1,000 in 2023 and just over 800 in 2022. While new licensees often step in to keep a pub open to its community, in many cases, they find themselves battling the same high costs as their predecessors, CAMRA said. Timmins added: “Without meaningful change to our outdated and unfair tax system, this cycle will likely continue, with more licensees’ businesses failing, higher rates of pubs being shuttered to their communities, and new operators stepping into an increasingly hostile business environment.”

 

‘Incredibly disappointing’ tube strikes set to hit two key trading days: UKHospitality has said next month’s “incredibly disappointing” London tube strikes are set to hit two key trading days. The Aslef union has said train operators and management grade staff will strike on Thursday, 7 November and Tuesday, 12 November, and those in the engineering section for 24 hours from 6pm on Friday, 1 November, in a dispute over pay. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “This is incredibly disappointing news, and these strikes will have a significant impact on London’s hospitality and tourism businesses. The disruption will hit two key trading days as well as cause concern among businesses about potential disruption to the all-important Christmas trading period. Hospitality has already suffered £3.5bn in lost sales as a result of disruption over the past two years and we urge all sides to urgently reach a resolution.”

 

Founder of Indian restaurant group Akbar’s passes away: Shabir Hussain, the founder and chief executive of the Indian restaurant business Akbar’s, has passed away at the age of 56. Hussain, who opened the first Akbar’s restaurant in 1995 with just 28 covers in Bradford, grew it into a ten-strong business, with locations across the north, Scotland and the Midlands. As a mark of respect, all Akbar’s restaurants are closed until 5pm on Friday (18 October). In a message on the restaurant’s Facebook page, the company expressed its deep sorrow, announced the temporary closure and paid tribute to its founder’s legacy.

One of the world’s highest alcohol duties slashed in effort to revive nightlife: Hong Kong has cut one of the world’s highest alcohol taxes in an effort to coax tourists back to the island and revive nightlife. The Telegraph reports that John Lee, the chief executive of Hong Kong, said spirits duty would be slashed to 10% and apply only to the portion of the price surpassing HK$200 (£20). Until now, drinks with an alcoholic percentage of 30% or more had been taxed at 100%, one of the world’s highest rates. Hong Kong’s leader said he’d taken the unusual measure to “promote liquor trade” as part of a broader drive to “explore new growth areas”. Hong Kong tourism has not recovered post-pandemic, reaching only 60% of pre-pandemic levels in the first four months of the year.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a restaurant group that is seeking a head chef with a passion for seafood and open fire cooking. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The business is seeking a Michelin or multi-rosette level chef committed to delivering exceptional cuisine through honest cooking with the finest ingredients. They will lead all kitchen operations with a focus on quality, consistency and creativity, managing a brigade of eight to ten chefs, ensuring high standards and effective team performance. The role also involves collaborating with the head of food to develop and implement innovative menus, and recruit, train and mentor back of house staff, fostering a culture of excellence and career development.” The salary is up to £70,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email olly@corecruitment.com.

 

Starbucks UK promotes Robert McCoy to director and general manager of acquisitions UK: Starbucks UK has promoted Robert McCoy to director and general manager of acquisitions UK. McCoy, who was formerly at PizzaExpress and Waitrose, has been with Starbucks for more than six years and was previously director and general manager of its EMEA region. He also spent time as operations director at Starbucks UK. Under his new title, McCoy said he is interim managing director and accountable P&L owner for acquired businesses throughout the time that it is blended into the company-owned estate. Earlier this week, Starbucks acquired its largest franchise in the UK, 23.5 Degrees, which operates 113 sites, for an undisclosed sum. Starbucks said the deal would further expand its portfolio of company-operated stores and “enhance the coffeehouse experience for customers”. The deal increases Starbucks' total number of company-operated locations to almost 500 in the UK. It operates circa 1,200 sites in the UK in total. In March, Starbucks announced plans to open 100 more UK stores this year, with a focus on key drive-thru and high-footfall city centre locations. Earlier in the same month, the brand appointed Darren King, formerly of Stonegate Group and Greene King, as UK store development director to lead its acquisition, design and construction departments.

 

Greggs set to launch its first Champagne bar: Food to go retailer Greggs is set to launch its first Champagne bar. The venue will operate in Fenwick’s Newcastle store from Thursday, 24 October until the end of December, offering bottles ranging from a £10 glass of Ca’ di Alte Prosecco to a £75 glass of Louis Roederer Cristal – also available by the bottle for £425. It follows the first Greggs “fine dining” bistro at the same location last year, which served its festive bake alongside duck fat roasties, smoked pancetta, chestnuts and sprouts to more than 8,000 customers over a single month. This year’s menu, created by Fenwick executive head chef Mark Reid in collaboration with Greggs, features a steak bake served with a creamy peppercorn aioli and a sausage, bean and cheese melt paired with a Bloody Mary ketchup. Greggs’ best-selling sausage roll has been revamped with the addition of a hot honey chilli sauce. As well as Champagne, the bar will also serve cocktails inspired by Greggs’ sweet treats. The bar will offer space for 16 guests, who can ring vintage crystal bells for a top-up, from 11.30am until store closing on a reservation-only basis. Hannah Squirrell, customer director at Greggs, said: “While Champagne and Greggs might not be the most immediate food and drink pairing, following the success and reaction to our Greggs Bistro last year, we’re excited for the launch of the Greggs Champagne Bar at Fenwick.” Leo Fenwick, strategic partnerships director at Fenwick, added: “We are proud to once again partner with the fellow north east icon Greggs, offering a fun and truly unique costumer experience.”

Auntie Anne’s set to open first UK travel hub location: Pretzel business Auntie Anne’s is set to open its first UK travel hub location. It will open next Tuesday (22 October) at Unit 8 in Brighton station, which was formerly home to Cards Galore but has been empty for several years. It is a second Brighton location for Auntie Annes, with the other in Churchill Square. Head of stations at Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Stephen MacCallaugh, said: “We’re delighted that Auntie Anne’s is opening its first ever railway unit at Brighton station. This is great news for our customers, who can enjoy freshly baked pretzels and other treats as part of their journey. It’s fantastic to see Auntie Anne’s investing in our station, following a difficult period for businesses, and we look forward to seeing this retail unit thrive within the Brighton community.” It will be a 39th UK site overall for Auntie Anne’s, which was founded in 1988 and has grown to more than 1,800 locations in 25 countries. It has been operated here since 2008 by master franchisee Freshley Baked, led by Max Burton and located in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Burton told Propel in February that he saw “plenty of scope for Auntie Anne’s in the UK” with “plenty of opportunity in the north west and north east of England, in Scotland and in both the Republic and Northern Ireland”. Freshly Baked also this year became the UK master franchisee for Dutch better burger brand Fat Phill’s, which is due to make its UK debut with a site in Clapham, south London.

 

Greater Manchester McDonald’s franchisee sees turnover pass £80m and profit more than double after acquiring two new restaurants: McDonald’s franchisee Edge Restaurants, which operates 19 sites in the Greater Manchester area, saw its turnover pass £80m and profit more than double in the year to 31 December 2023 after acquiring two new restaurants. The company’s turnover for the year was £86,399,132, a 27.3% increase on the £67,869,310 in 2022, when it operated 17 restaurants. The previous year, the company had grown its turnover by almost £10m after acquiring four new restaurants. Pre-tax profit increased from £2,459,383 in 2022 to £5,382,714, despite a rise in costs of more than £6m and administration expenses going up by more than £9m. The company employs more than 2,000 staff. Director Mark Nuttall said: “The growth in sales is predominantly due to the acquisition of four restaurants during 2022 and the acquisition of two restaurants during 2023. On a like-for-like basis for the 19 stores trading over the full financial year, sales have increased 5.05%. The gross profit margin is 65.32% compared with 64.90% in 2022 and is in line with expectations. The financial position of the company is healthy with the balance sheet showing net assets of £12.165m, increased from £10.89m in 2022.” Dividends of £2,761,035 were paid (2022:  £1,767,500).

 

Punch launches 3D digital colouring experience for families across its pubs: Punch Pubs & Co has partnered with a location-based Augmented Reality (AR) company Darabase to launch a 3D digital colouring experience for children and families across its pubs. Found on children’s menus, customers can use their mobile phone or tablet to scan their child’s colouring and see it come to life in immersive 3D animated pictures. With around 1,300 pubs across the UK, Punch is trialling the innovative project across its Fireside concept in its management partnership estate. Punch’s head of digital and creative, James Goldsworthy said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Darabase on this new and exciting project. We are always looking at ways to elevate our in-pub experience for families with young children, and this project aims to do just that. AR might seem like some far away technology, but we believe that through the simple activity of colouring in, children and their families will be able to create shared experiences that reach beyond the pub and connect with wider family and friendship groups.”

 

Kokoro planning new Kent restaurant: Sushi and bento franchise brand Kokoro is planning a new restaurant in Kent. The company, which was founded by Ray-Kyu Park in 2010 and currently has 73 branches in the UK, has applied to open in the grade II-listed former TUI branch on the corner of High Street and Bank Street in Ashford. Planning documents submitted with the application said the ground floor diner would provide between ten and 30 covers and the 99.5 square-metre unit would be open from 11am until 9pm daily alongside takeaway options, reports Kent Live. Earlier this year, Kokoro said it is “transitioning from pursuing aggressive growth to carefully monitoring the surrounding conditions and gradually solidifying the business strategy”. The business reported turnover increased to £12,754,086 for the year ending 31 March 2023 compared with £9,326,680 the previous year, while pre-tax profit was down to £29,727 from £565,004 the year before.

  

Showcase Cinemas UK operator sees losses widen to £13m despite attendance rise as parent company prepares for takeover: Pre-tax losses have widened at the UK arm of the company behind Showcase Cinemas – whose parent is the subject of a takeover – despite an increase in attendance. NATL Amusements (UK), which also operates the Cinema De Lux brand, reported turnover increased 10% to £92,554,870 for the year to 4 January 2024 compared with £83,856,378 the year before. Of that, £54,611,303 came from admissions (2022: £50,494,319), £29,873,119 from concessions (2022: £26,634,987) and £8,070,448 from other income (2022: £6,737,072). However, the overall figure was still below the £105,799,659 reported in 2019 – the last year before the covid pandemic. Pre-tax losses rose to £13,009,448 from £3,047,010 the previous year. The company’s attendances in 2023 were 7% higher than in 2022. NATL Amusements (UK) said it “continues to face ongoing challenges with fewer blockbuster film releases, competition from streaming platforms and the simultaneous launching of films on those streaming services, as well as changes in consumer movie-going behaviour”. No dividend was paid (2022: nil). The company, which operates 16 sites and employs around 1,300 staff, did not receive any government grants (2022: £84,300). On 7 July 2024, NATL Amusements entered into a purchase and sales agreement with Skydance Media. Additionally, Paramount Global entered into an agreement to merge with Skydance. The transactions are expected to close during 2025.

 

South Africa-based Portuguese restaurant brand set to make UK its first international market with Leicester opening: South Africa-based Portuguese restaurant brand Calisto’s is set to make the UK its first international market with an opening in Leicester. Initially created by Jorge Calisto in 1992, who was then joined by Nicholas Binos in 2011, the brand has become a household name in South Africa, with 11 branches spread over its Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal provinces. It is also lining up a restaurant in Dubai’s Motor City, but its first overseas location is set to be within Leicester’s historic Regency Hotel, at 360 London Road, reports Leicestershire Live. The fully halal menu offers dishes made with 50 different spices, sauces and marinades, from flame-grilled Portuguese chicken to zingy peri-peri prawns. Earlier this week, Propel revealed that fellow South African peri peri franchise Galito’s was planning a UK entry and sees potential for it being the brand’s biggest overseas market. Founded in 1996 by former Nando’s franchisee Louis Germishuys, Galito’s now operates in 19 countries, with its 300th location set to open early next year. “Kenya is our second biggest market behind South Africa with about 36 sites, but the potential in the UK is so much bigger,” Germishuys said. “I’d be happy if we have a first store here by the middle of next year.”

 

Stange & Co acquires tenth site as it expands North Wales footprint: Stange & Co, which operates venues in Merseyside and North Wales, has added a tenth site to its portfolio. The company is planning to reopen Brookhouse Mill in Denbigh after receiving an £850,000 loan from NatWest. The acquisition marks Stange & Co’s sixth property in Wales. The company’s other venues include The Cottage Loaf in Llandudno, The Erskine Arms in Conwy, and The Jug & Bottle and The Ring O’ Bells located on the Wirral. Stange & Co aims to refurbish Brookhouse Mill over the next 12 months. The business is looking to add a sun terrace and replacement garden room, with an ambition to open in the summer of 2025. Daniel McLennan, managing director at Stange & Co, said: “People are at the heart of this business, and we are excited for this opportunity to bring both new employees and customers into the Stange & Co family.”

 

Golf club concept Pitch opens first international site: Golf club concept Pitch, which is the brainchild of friends and golf professionals Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham, has opened its first international site, in Dublin. The opening, in Grafton Place in the city’s Dawson Street, is the concept’s first franchise site – in partnership with entrepreneur Christopher Best. Earlier this month, Propel revealed that Pitch had entered a joint venture with England and Manchester United footballers Luke Shaw and Mason Mount to open a site in Manchester. Under the agreement, Pitch will open a site in the Goods Yard Building, the scheme at the heart of the St John’s regeneration development in the city. Pitch has set up a new company – PVM Golf – for the new venture, of which Shaw and Mount are directors and shareholders. Pitch, which launched in London’s Bishopsgate more than four years ago and is set to open a third site in the capital later this year, has long-term plans to open new sites across the UK and add further sites internationally. Pitch also plans to open a site at Snow Hill station in Birmingham in early 2025, while further openings are planned in Brighton and London next year. 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 to Premium Club members. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium 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.

 

Really Local Group to open in Nuneaton as it expands outside London and the south east: Cultural infrastructure developer Really Local Group is set to open a site in Nuneaton for its first site outside of London and the south east. The venue is launching as part of the Grayson Place development off Abbey Street in the Warwickshire town. The cinema will have around 300 seats and there will also about around 2,000 square feet of bar, café and community space. Really Local Group founder Preston Benson told Coventry Live construction work on the project will start next year, with a view to opening in early 2026. He said: “We are committed to affordable, acceptable culture including film and we have proven our model elsewhere.” Like its other sites, Benson said the Nuneaton venue will be uniquely designed for the area, while what is shown at the cinema and what events take place within the community space will also be tailor-made for the area. Really Local Group operates a site in Reading along with five venues in London – in Canning Town, Catford, Ealing, Sidcup and Sutton – and has plans in progress for a further venue in the capital, in Bermondsey.

 

American whiskey destination ‘home to largest collection outside US’ to open in London this week: American whiskey destination Odyssey Bar Lounge & Kitchen is launching in London on Friday (18 October). Founded by Michele Reina and Tony Vega, the venue at 1 Hoxton Square will be home to more than 600 varieties of American whiskey, constituting what it said was the largest collection outside the US. The website states: “We pride ourselves on serving unique, experiential cocktails that are pre-batched in our specialised lab. One of the standout features of Odyssey is our unparalleled whisky collection. With more than 600 varieties of American whiskey, we boast the largest selection outside of the United States. This impressive collection is a testament to our dedication to providing an extraordinary drinking experience.” Taylor Gershon, of TCPW, acted for Odyssey Bar Lounge & Kitchen.

 

Emilia’s Crafted Pasta launches retail range: London Italian pasta restaurant concept Emilia’s Crafted Pasta has launched a range of premium pasta retail products. The business, which was founded by Andrew Macleod in 2016 and currently operates four sites across central London, said the new range is available to purchase on its e-commerce platform and coming soon to shops and supermarkets. The company said: “With a deep understanding of young guests’ preferences (75% of its customers are aged between 14 and 35), the team at Emilia’s is ready to revolutionise the retail pasta market: Emilia’s pasta products are set to become the go-to choice for a new generation of pasta lovers. As pioneers in London’s pasta restaurant scene, it is now set to redefine how pasta is enjoyed at home.”

 

Veteran Glasgow restaurateur set to open new cocktail and wine bar in the city: Veteran Glasgow restaurateur Alan Tomkins is set to open a cocktail and wine bar in the city. Tomkins, whose company Our Venues owns and operates sites such as Ralph & Finns, Vroni’s and Malo, has submitted plans for a new venue below Innis & Gunn in Glasgow city centre. Plans for the venue, at 24 West Nile Street, also include an offer of “charcuterie style food” and live music, reports the Glasgow Times. The city council’s licensing board agreed to grant a provisional premises licence. When Innis & Gunn received planning permission for its West Nile Street taproom in 2022, the application revealed the company intended to subdivide the basement to provide a separate venue. It took over the site from a Bill’s restaurant, which closed at the start of the covid pandemic and didn’t reopen after surrendering the lease.

 

Cardiff operator formed by ex-Gordon Ramsay and Galvin alumni open new Italian restaurant: Cardiff operator A&M Hospitality Group, which is the brainchild of former Gordon Ramsay and Galvin brothers alumni Andrei Maxim and Daf Andrews, has opened a new Italian restaurant in the city. Terra Mare, which translates as “land and sea” in Italian, has taken over the site of the former Libertine cocktail bar in the city’s High Street. The restaurant offers 50 covers inside, with an additional 25 on an outdoor terrace. It comes after A&M last month opened a new brasserie and bar, Aura, at the Coal Exchange Hotel in the city. The group also behind high-end restaurant Silures in Wellfield Road in the city. Maxim and Andrews, who founded A&M in 2021, previously worked at Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay, Galvin Bar & Grill and The Coral Room.

 

Greater Manchester operators acquire third site: Greater Manchester operators Chris and Michelle Riley have acquired their third site in Oldham. The duo, who are behind the Fox and Pine pub in Greaves Street and the Cob and Coal bar in Tommyfield Market Hall, have acquired the historic Crompton and Royton Golf Club’s bar and restaurant and will be giving it a revamp. The club’s 130-capacity function room at the High Barn Street property regularly hosts events and live entertainment, alongside a Sunday roast menu, which is open to both members and visitors. “The news is out – we’ve added the fabulous Crompton and Royton Golf Club to the Fox family,” the Rileys posted to social media. “We don’t officially take over until 1 November, so we will spend the rest of the month producing menus, booking entertainment and liaising with the members and committee. Exciting times ahead.”

 

Devon hotel owner acquires pub: Devon hotel owner Richard Wheeler has acquired a pub in Woolacombe. Wheeler, who owns the Britannia Hotel in Ilfracombe, has bought the Fortsecue Arms for an undisclosed price. The pub comprises a bar, a restaurant, a separate room formerly used as a family room, nine en-suite letting rooms and two apartments for owners’ accommodation. Graeme Clifford, business agent at Christie & Co, who oversaw the sale, said: “The Fortescue Arms captured a lot of people’s interest, attracting nine viewings and three offers. The new owner is an experienced hospitality operator with knowledge of the local market, and his plans to revitalise the pub and to create a new food offering should bring a welcome return to much busier times at this venue.”

 

Edinburgh hotel The Caledonian set to unveil new F&B destination including live music stage: Edinburgh hotel The Caledonian is set to unveil its new food and drink destination, The Court, later this month. Following Henderson Park’s £35m investment in the hotel’s renovation and transition to join Curio Collection by Hilton, the transformation to the food and drink offering will be the latest of the large-scale developments to the property in Princes Street. The Court will house a cocktail bar, terrace, patisserie, lounge and a live music stage. The all-day dining menu has been curated in collaboration with chef Mark Greenaway, using seasonal Scottish ingredients. The patisserie will serve signature pastries like its pistachio croissant, while the cocktail bar will draw inspiration from the 123 train, the high-speed steam train associated with The Caledonian railways, casting back to the hotel’s own history as a railway station. The stage will feature a weekly music programme of performers in front of a 100-seat bar, terrace and lounge.