Exclusive – Be At One co-founder to launch new concept Saviour Bars: Rhys Oldfield, the co-founder of the Be At One cocktail brand, is to launch a new concept called Saviour Bars, Propel has learned. The first site under the venture is set to open next month, in London’s Battersea. The Northcote Saviour will be a corner site located on the former Draft House at 94 Northcote Road and will open mid-November. Close to the original Be At One in Battersea Rise, the pub will have a similar culture, “with customer service first and foremost”. The Northcote Saviour will specialise not only in premium lager, cocktails, craft beer, Guinness and a selection of wine, but will also serve authentic Spanish-Andalucian churros. Oldfield said: “I have been mulling over an idea for some years now, and this new site presents the perfect opportunity. My wife’s family is Spanish, and we visit often. When I try to get a table at a Churreria in Granada, it is nigh on impossible. They (the churros) are cooked and served quite differently to what we have seen in UK. For a start, they are served for breakfast, dipped in sugar, coffee or hot chocolate, and I feel sure the authentic version will be very well received.” As well as being a churreria during the day, Oldfield said The Northcote Saviour will be a neighbourhood bar in which to “wind down, catch the evening sun, watch the rugby while tucking into a variety of small plates, relax with cocktails and friends or enjoy various events aimed at a local market”. Propel revealed last April that Oldfield had made a return to the sector with the acquisition of JJB Bars, the owner of the Sit & Sip concept, which owned sites in Horsham in West Sussex and Wokingham in Berkshire. The sites continue to operate in their original format, and this year to date, have seen like-for-like sales increase 20%. Both locations will rebrand to Saviour Bars in the coming months. Oldfield founded Be At One in 1998 with Steve Locke and Leigh Miller, and 20 years later they sold the business, which had grown to 35 sites across the UK, to Stonegate Pub Company in a deal valued at £50m.

 

Sponsored message – Cricket St Thomas launches second seasonal edition of ‘Seasons’: Cricket St Thomas has partnered with three award-winning UK chefs to showcase the versatility of its brie, camembert and capricorn goats cheeses in an inspiring recipe guide tailored to autumn and winter seasonal ingredients. Cricket St Thomas, which is carefully crafted in Somerset, offers rich and flavourful cheese that is ideal for elevating autumn and winter dishes. The recipes in the guide have been created by Joseph Fallowfield, of Fallowfields; Nathan Johnson, of the Royal Crescent Hotel; and Tom Bennetts, of Driftwood Spars. Each of their recipes showcase how Cricket St Thomas can add “warmth and indulgence” to dishes using British seasonal ingredients. Rory Larkin, development chef for Lactalis Professional, owners of Cricket St Thomas, has also contributed two bespoke recipes for the guide, sharing his expertise with the industry. From starters to puddings, there is a recipe that can feature in a wide range of menus. For a chance to win £300 towards a Michelin star restaurant, download a copy of Seasons, Seasonally British Menus by Cricket St Thomas here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club members to receive next Turnover & Profits Blue Book and videos from Propel’s Talent & Training Conference today: Premium Club members will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book today (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 today, at 9am. They include Matt Hudson, people director at Popeyes UK, talking about creating and evolving a people culture while opening up to 30 sites a year, and Greene King’s people and culture director Vickie Elsey, on how the brewer and pub operator is championing diversity and inclusion through various training programmes, including reverse mentoring, which flips organisational hierarchy on its head. 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.

 

Investment in North American experiential leisure has surged post-pandemic, market ripe for consolidation: Teddy Shaw, managing director of investment bank Houlihan Lokey, has written exclusively for Propel’s Premium Club Opinion about the North American experiential leisure market. He gives his view on recent UK entrants Flight Club, and whether US operators have lagged behind consumers’ growing desire for experiential leisure concepts. Shaw reveals what has been one of the most transformative innovations in the North American amusement industry and highlights recent M&A activity. He explains that there is real excitement about “new concepts that add a social dimension—be it teamwork or competition” and lists the leading US operators. Premium Club Opinion will be sent to members today (Friday, 18 October) at 5pm. Also in Premium Club Opinion, sector investor Luke Johnson offers his solution to the challenges facing the sector, while Flo Graham-Dixon, founder of sector advisory business Juniper Strategy, examines the rise of social media sensation TopJaw. Hawksmoor chief growth and culture officer Ceri Gott also explains the HR successes at the award-winning steak restaurant business. By joining Propel Premium Club members get access to essential insight through Propel Opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first, watch vital video content and get event discounts. 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 a supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

The Celtic Collection CEO passes away: The Celtic Collection, which operates a number of hotels including Celtic Manor, has announced that its chief executive, Ian Edwards, has passed way following a period of illness. The company said Edwards was “an inspirational business leader who left an indelible mark on the hospitality and tourism industries in the UK”. He was a driving force in growing the Celtic Manor Resort into one of Europe’s premier leisure destinations and also drove the recent expansion of The Celtic Collection into Wales’s largest independent hotel group. Under his guidance, the Celtic Manor Resort hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup, and the 2014 NATO Summit. Simon Gibson, board member of Celtic Manor Resort, said: “Ian Edwards will be remembered as a visionary leader whose contributions to the hospitality sector have left a lasting legacy in Wales and beyond. His dedication, warmth, and innovative spirit will continue to inspire the industry for years to come. His leadership and delivery of large-scale projects, such as the Ryder Cup and the NATO Summit, stand as a testament to his strategic vision and his ability to elevate Wales globally. Growing Celtic Manor Resort into a collection of successful hotels was another hallmark of his remarkable career. Ian was known not just for his business acumen, but also for his people-centred leadership. Ian will be greatly missed by colleagues and friends, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family.” Edwards was also a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and served on the boards of Visit Britain and the Western Gateway.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a growing hospitality group that is searching for a senior management accountant. A COREcuitment spokesperson said: “This role provides excellent exposure across the entire company and offers opportunities to take on new challenges as the business grows. The position will play a vital role in maintaining the financial health of the company while helping to streamline processes and support business-wide projects.” The salary is up to £55,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email oliwia@corecruitment.com.

 

TRG begins exploring £300m refinancing as it seeks to reduce its borrowing costs: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has begun exploring a £300m refinancing as it seeks to reduce its borrowing costs by locking in lower interest rates. Sky News has reported that TRG, which delisted from the London Stock Exchange last year after being bought by Apollo Global Management, is in talks with banks about securing new debt terms. Sources said the move was a reflection of the company's robust performance since it was taken private. Andy Hornby, chief executive of the Wagamama and Brunning & Price owner, last month exclusively told Propel that 2023 had been a transformational year, with strong growth across all of its businesses. Hornby was speaking as TRG reported revenue from continuing operations for the year to 31 December 2023 was £824.0m (2022: £717.3m), which represented an increase of 14.9% on the prior year, with strong growth across Wagamama and the company’s pubs and concessions businesses. Pre-tax loss stood at £19.6m compared with a loss of £29.1m the year before. During the year, TRG reshaped its business with the disposal of its 75-strong leisure division to The Big Table Group, and was taken private when Apollo acquired it in December in a £506m deal. Meanwhile, TRG’s Concessions division has made its Northern Ireland debut with a new restaurant at Belfast City airport. Samson’s Kitchen & Bar is the first food and beverage unit with a table service offering at the airport. Michael Jackson, head of commercial at Belfast City airport, said: “As we approach the busy winter season, the new restaurant will offer more dining options, catering to the rising number of travellers and enhancing their overall airport experience. Samson’s Kitchen & Bar was inspired by Belfast and the iconic Samson and Goliath cranes, adding a unique touch to the dining experience.” Kirsten Pottinger, commercial director at TRG Concessions, added: “TRG Concessions is delighted that Samson’s is now trading at Belfast City airport. Our vision always was to create a space that celebrates one of Belfast’s most iconic landmarks while capturing Northern Ireland’s vibrant food scene.”

 

JD Wetherspoon signs for former Market Hall site in London’s Fulham Broadway: JD Wetherspoon has secured a site in Fulham Broadway in west London, Propel has learned. Wetherspoon has taken the grade II-listed former ticket office at 472 Fulham Road, which forms part of the Fulham Broadway shopping centre, signing a new 30-year lease for the former Market Halls site. The new pub will be named “Walham Green”, which was the original name for Fulham Broadway underground station. The original, listed ticket booth will be retained as a feature in the new bar. The historic building comprises 7,330 square feet at ground floor level, with 2,196 square feet at first floor level, including a roof terrace. The pub is expected to open in the early new year. Landlord CBRE Investment Management was advised by GCW on the deal.

 

200 Degrees reports sales up 24% following record £16.5m full-year turnover, aims to open two new sites before April: Stephen Fern, managing director of 200 Degrees, the Foresight-backed coffee roaster and retailer, has told Propel that sales are up 24% this year and it aims to open two new sites in its current financial year. It comes as 200 Degrees, which operates 21 sites, reported turnover increased to a record £16,452,509 for the year ending 31 March 2024 compared with £13,122,758 the previous year. Pre-tax losses narrowed to £90,680 from £158,256 the year before. The company, which employs around 280 staff, stated: “Alongside the increase in sales, gross margin increased to 72% from 71% the previous year. The operating profit has improved to £15,000 (2023: loss of £68,000).” Fern told Propel: “We are still pursuing new site openings and are hoping to open two new sites this financial year. The first and second quarters have been heavily focused on driving a new food strategy, increased operational efficiency alongside accelerating growth across our wholesale, barista schools and online pillars. We have seen 24% year-on-year growth as a result of this.” Earlier this year, Propel revealed 200 Degrees, which was founded in 2012 by Rob Darby and Tom Vincent, had appointed AlixPartners as it explores its next stage of growth. 200 Degrees said there was no further update at this time.

 

German Doner Kebab hires new chief financial officer and business development director as it prepares to open 150th UK store, sales up 7.7%: German Doner Kebab (GDK), owned by Hero Brands, has hired a new chief financial officer and business development director, as it prepares to open its 150th store in the coming months. Tommy Edmond has joined the company as chief financial officer, while Amit Pancholi steps into the role of director of business development. Edmonds previously spent ten years at McDonald’s UK & Ireland and also held leadership positions at McLaren Applied and Uptake Strategies. “I’m thrilled to be part of GDK at such a dynamic time,” he said. “My experience with McDonald’s and other fast-paced, high-growth companies aligns perfectly with GDK’s ambitious plans.” Pancholi, meanwhile, joins GDK following leadership roles at Papa John’s and Domino’s Pizza among other major brands. The company said his comprehensive knowledge of the UK and international franchise markets, along with his expertise in store acquisition, development and recruitment of strategic franchise partners, “will support GDK’s continued expansion as it continues to grow its footprint”. Pancholi said: “GDK is a brand with incredible potential and I’m eager to contribute to its next phase of growth. I look forward to driving the expansion strategy and bringing the GDK experience to more customers across the globe.” With the brand poised to shortly open its 150th UK store, it said year-on-year sales have risen by 7.7%, with a particularly successful period around World Kebab Day on 12 July, where sales saw a 17.2% increase. Earlier this year, GDK chief executive Simon Wallis told Propel the brand is targeting filling “bags of white space” outside London, including its first drive-thru, and also plans to further roll out its travel hub locations, smaller format stores and breakfast offer. He also said the business, which has so far grown purely through franchising, is open to the idea of acquiring equity stores in the future, but only on an opportunistic basis.

 

Valiant Pub Co acquires 70th site as it reports turnover more than doubles to £18.2m: Valiant Pub Company, which was founded by Hawthorn Leisure co-founders Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty at the start of 2021, has acquired its 70th site as it reported turnover has more than doubled. The company has added the Elephant & Castle in Telford to its portfolio. For the year ending 31 March 2024, Valiant’s turnover more than doubled to £18.2m, up from £8.3m in FY23, “reflecting the business’ robust position and continued strong growth across the UK”. More than 40% of Valiant’s pubs now offer food, while it has more than 100 bedrooms across its locations in the north east, north west, Midlands and Wales.  The company said it continues to enlarge its foothold in the south as part of its ongoing growth strategy to strengthen its market position across the UK. Valiant said it is committed to further acquisitions, with plans to significantly increase its portfolio in the coming months. Carroll said: “We are proud to have acquired our 70th pub in the UK. This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Valiant team as we continue to deliver exceptional hospitality services to communities across the country. We look forward to further expanding our portfolio and preserving the rich heritage of British pub culture.” Last week, Propel revealed that Valiant, which is backed by investment firm Njord Partners, has secured a £12m loan facility with Metro Bank to support its plans. Valiant previously told Propel it had the firepower to triple its then 50-strong estate if “the right opportunity” came along. 

 

Oxygen to open at Manchester’s MediaCity for tenth site: Indoor family activity brand Oxygen will open its tenth site in February. Located at Quayside MediaCity in Manchester, Oxygen will sit above food hall Kargo MKT. Oxygen is taking over the 26,400 square-foot former site of I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge after agreeing a deal with landlord Peel Retail & Leisure. Following a £2.5m investment, the new park will feature more than 30 trampolines and Oxygen’s signature “Excite Tunnel”, an illuminated, sensory experience. The venue, which will create more than 50 jobs, will also be home to a high ropes course and a “roll glider” indoor rollercoaster, which will take guests over the park. There will also be a cafe serving drinks, snacks and meals that will overlook the site. Oxygen chief executive Stephen Wilson said: “With Oxygen at MediaCity being our tenth park, we knew we had to do something really special, so we have some really big and exciting plans.” 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.

 

Boojum confirms Liverpool launch: Mexican fast-casual brand Boojum, which was acquired by the Azzurri Group last summer, has confirmed it will launch in Liverpool before the end of the year. Propel revealed last month that Boojum had lined up a site in the city’s Bold Street for its fourth UK mainland opening, as well as securing a site in Birmingham. It will open the latter site, a 54-cover restaurant in the former Second Cup Coffee unit at 64 New Street in Birmingham, this autumn, creating 25 jobs. Boojum chief executive David Maxwell said: “We’ve been eyeing Liverpool for a long time, and we’re so excited to finally be opening here. Bold Street has such great energy, and the mix of global food spots makes it the perfect place for us.” The brand, which operates 16 sites across Ireland and Northern Ireland, made its debut on the mainland, in Leeds, earlier this year. Boojum plans to open 25 sites over the next five years in major UK student cities.

 

London acai brand set to open tenth store: London acai brand Acai Berry Foods is set to open its tenth store and second in Shoreditch, Propel has learned. It will soon be opening a flagship location in the Montecaute Yards development, just off Holywell Lane. Co-founded in 2015 by Marcus Carmo, the brand also has a unit within Boxpark Shoreditch, at 2-10 Bethnal Green Road. Its other sites are at Canary Wharf shopping centre, Chelsea’s Kings Road, Camden Market (two sites), High Street Kensington, Wardour Street, Royal Exchange and St James Park. Before coming to the UK, Carmo was a partner in commodities exchange business SCX Comex in Brazil. TCPW acted for the tenant. 

 

Northern Monk exceeds £1m crowdfunding target as it aims ‘to become Europe’s largest craft brewery by 2035’: Northern Monk, the Active Partners-backed Leeds brewer, has exceeded its £1m crowdfunding target as it aims “to become Europe’s largest craft brewery by 2035”. The company was seeking to raise the funds to invest in three key initiatives. The first is to open a flagship Northern Monk venue in London, the second an expansion of the brewery to meet demand and become carbon zero by 2030, and the third to turn Northern Monk’s original brewery site in Leeds into the “best brewery visitor experience in the UK”. Northern Monk was offering 3.11% equity in return for the investment, giving the business a pre-money valuation of £40,000,000. So far, it has raised almost £1,285,000 from more than 750 investors. The company said it is on target for a turnover of £20m and had sold 40 million pints since its last crowdfunding campaign in 2018. It said: “We are now setting our sights on the goliaths of craft beer with one clear ambition; to become Europe’s largest craft brewery by 2035.”

 

Maguro Group confirms October launch for second Bunsik location: Maguro Group has confirmed its second Bunsik location, and seventh venue overall in London’s Chinatown, will open next month. It will open on Thursday, 31 October, at 31 Wardour Street, offering its Korean Corn Dogs, which have gone viral on TikTok. It will also introduce new menu items such as the Ramyun Corn Dog and Fried Kimbap, alongside Bunsik classics such as Cup Bap and Ddukbokki. Founder Jae Cho said: “Opening in Chinatown is a significant milestone for us. The area’s cultural vibrancy is the perfect setting to showcase our evolving brand and menu.” Propel revealed in September 2023 that the group was to make Bunsik, one of several concepts it operates, its first franchise, targeting 20 sites by the end of 2025. Propel also revealed earlier this year that the group – which is also behind concepts such as Maguro Sushi, Gogi, Itaewon Burger & Chicken and Pochawa Grill – had also decided to franchise its Bullgogi concept and had lined up a site for it in Manchester.

Watergate Bay Group looking to expand its new seaside aparthotel concept along the UK coastline: Watergate Bay Group – the team behind the Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall and the Another Places hotels in the Lake District and Isle of Islay – is looking to expand its new seaside aparthotel concept along the UK coastline. The group, which is also behind self-catering holiday letting agency Beach Retreats, has launched SeaSpace in the former Sands Resort, at the edge of Newquay, following an £11m renovation. SeaSpace offers 56 (rising to 72 next year) studios and apartments as well as a swimming pool, hot tub and outdoor pool. There is also a café, a five-court padel club, a gym, indoor and outdoor play areas, a playground and a games room. It has agreed partnerships with Padel UK, Wavehunters, Pavilion Bakery, Origin Coffee Roasters, Roddas and Harbour Brewing. SeaSpace chief executive Ben Harper said Cornwall is “just the beginning” for the concept. “The aparthotel is proven in urban environments, and it has been a long-held vision to translate this into a coastal environment,” he added. “With a brand designed to scale, we’re keen to seize the opportunity to do this in other markets around the UK coastline.”

Fitness First acquires site for 28th club, current trading ‘continues good momentum delivered during FY24’ following Ebitda boost: Fitness First has acquired the site for its 28th club and said current trading “continues the good momentum delivered by the business during FY24”. It has taken on a 12,800 square-foot former PureGym site in London’s Marylebone for an undisclosed sum, which will reopen in early January 2025 following a £1m revamp. It comes after the business reported revenue increased 12% to £38.4m (2023: £34.2m) in the year to 31 March 2024, reflecting a recovery in customer membership volumes towards pre-covid levels. On a like-for-like basis (27 sites), membership volumes increased 7%, while yield increased 10% (2023: increase of 0.9%). The company implemented its restructuring programme, included the closure of 11 loss-making sites and rent reductions, in order to focus on ensuring quality across its remaining sites. Reflecting revenue growth, disciplined cost control and the realignment of its site portfolio, adjusted Ebitda increased to £5.5m (2023: loss of £1.5m). Profit before tax decreased to £2.9m from £5.2m in 2023, when an exceptional credit of £12.8m resulting from the settlement of Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme debts inflated the full year result. The business has also carried out refurbishments at four other clubs and launched a new premium proposition, with perks including access to remote appointments with a GP, physiotherapist, dietitian and registered mental health counsellor 364 days a year. Chief executive Justin Musgrove said: “FY24 was a period of strong financial and strategic progress for Fitness First. Membership volumes increased on a like-for-like basis, reflecting the ongoing recovery from the impact of covid-19, and following the important actions taken in FY24 to position the business for sustainable, long-term growth. We are very encouraged to continue to deliver strong improvements in profitability as we return the business to a growth mind-set.”

Mark Warburton reports Cow & Sow lfl sales up 29.5% this year, achieves B Corp certification: Entrepreneur Mark Warburton has told Propel his Cow & Sow business has achieved like-for-like sales growth of 29.5% in the nine months to the end of September and achieved B Corp certification. “This really has to be the proudest moment of my working life,” Warburton said. “It’s a ‘pinch me’ moment as we are now rubbing shoulders with some of the most respected hospitality brands in the UK. In this transformational year, we have launched a residence at Ashton Gate Stadium, secured our first site outside of Bristol (in Birmingham) and we are now able to prove we are committed to using our business as a force for good. As a steak restaurant business, it would be a tough ask, but I knew we were doing great things by the people and planet. We were engaging with suppliers, ensuring provenance and sustainability of our product. As a team, we collectively review our environmental impact and share ideas to reduce our carbon footprint in all manner of areas. This was always more than just a steak restaurant brand, and I wanted to start as I meant to go on and continually strive to be a force for good. I see this milestone as a door opening, and the real work starts now.” Warburton launched Cow & Sow in the former Graze restaurant site in Bristol’s Queens Square last year and followed that with an opening in the former Cowshed premises in Whiteladies Road in the city. In July, he secured a site in Birmingham’s Paradise development for the concept. At the same time, he ended 40 years of operating The OHH Pub Company by selling his last remaining site, The Bear & Swan in Chew Magna, to Connor Beazer, former operations manager at OHH.

 

Scottish hotel group launches new restaurant at its Oban hotel: Scottish hotel group Sonas Collection has launched a new restaurant at its Oban hotel. It has opened 1635 at the recently renovated Knipoch House Hotel – one of four hotels in its collection. Chef Andrew Engledow is offering a seven-course, high-end Scottish dining experience, blending local ingredients with seasonal flavours from across the country. These include Shetland scallops, Argyll venison, Orkney halibut and Tain cheddar. Andreas Maszczyk, group general manager at Sonas Collection, said: “We are thrilled to introduce 1635 at Knipoch House Hotel. Chef Andrew’s passion for modern Scottish dining, paired with our dedication to authentic Highland hospitality, ensures that guests will have a truly special experience.” Knipoch House Hotel became part of the Sonas Collection in early 2024. The group was founded more than 20 years ago on the Isle of Skye by Anne Gracie-Gunn and her late husband, Ken. It also operates Duisdale House, Skeabost House and Toravaig House – all on Skye.

 

Cheshire sisters open second bakery: Cheshire sisters Millie and Lydia Walter have opened a second site for their bakery concept, Buzzy Bee Bakery. Having previously sold their home-baked goods at local artisan markets, the siblings opened the first Buzzy Bee Bakery in Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow, in 2021. They have now opened a second site, in Church Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. “It’s crazy how many people from the start of Buzzy Bee have become regulars,” Lydia Walter told the Manchester Evening News. “That’s also a reason I was excited for us to open a second bakery in Manchester. We found the site about a year ago, but due to all the paperwork, it’s taken a while to finally open. I always wanted to name it something linked to nature and my mum is obsessed with bees – she’ll only plant things in the garden that attract them.”

 

Singapore hospitality group acquires Hotel Indigo in Exeter for £19.4m: Singapore-based hospitality group CDL Hospitality Trusts has acquired the Hotel Indigo in Exeter for £19.4m. The boutique hotel features spa and gym facilities as well as two retail units. The four-star hotel, in Catherine Street, opened in October 2023 following the conversion of a House of Fraser department store. Until 2033, the existing leases of the two retail units will continue on a fixed rent basis, with tenant break options in June 2028 and March 2029 respectively. Vincent Yeo, chief executive of CDL Hospitality Trusts, said: “This acquisition increases our exposure to the burgeoning lifestyle hotel market. The Hotel Indigo in Exeter is a compelling opportunity to acquire a hotel with top tier design and build specifications, at a significant discount to the current replacement cost. There are areas we have identified in the operations where we could potentially drive better performance, and there is a limited new supply of rooms within the city centre for the next few years.” The hotel will continue to operate under the Hotel Indigo brand name, which is part of the collection of brands under the InterContinental Hotels Group.

 

All-day restaurant in London’s Battersea relaunches under sole management: All-day restaurant The Farmer’s Mistress, in London’s Battersea, has relaunched under sole management. The restaurant, which champions ethically sourced British produce, was co-founded in 2019 by Chris Gay and Joanna Gascoigne, opening at 300 Battersea Park Road. Gascoigne is now stepping away from day-to-day operations to focus on upcoming projects, and the restaurant’s new direction, focusing on events, private dining and evening offerings, is being spearheaded by Gay as executive chef. Gay has since worked across several Michelin star restaurants and developed his own event catering and private chef services. Most recently, he was head of production at Duck & Waffle and SushiSamba. He said: “Our mission has always been to create a place where people can enjoy fresh, locally sourced food that feels indulgent yet wholesome. We look forward to bringing fun, infectious energy back into brunch with our reopening.” As part of the relaunch, children can now eat for free each day before 10am when they order from the new kids menu, while new brunch board sharers for four to six people are available after 2pm. Starting from £20 per person, they included dishes such as cornbread smash, chicken or oyster mushroom waffle and toasted banana bread, served with sides including halloumi fries and tater tots.