Story of the day:

Yolk sees runway to ‘in excess’ of 100 sites as it plans expansion outside of London and internationally, current trading ‘strong’ as coffee subscription launches: Fast-growing “quality fast food” business Yolk has told Propel it sees a long-term runway to “in excess” of 100 sites as it plans expansion outside of London and internationally. The company, founded in 2014 by Nick Philpot, opened its ninth site, in New Oxford Street, in November as it works towards a target of 25-plus locations by the end of 2026. The opening came after Yolk closed a crowdfunding campaign in October, raising almost £650,000 to help deliver its next stage of expansion. “It’s the first time we’ve done a crowdfund, and while we were optimistic that our customers would support us, you’re never quite sure until you try,” Philpot said. “It exceeded our expectations, and we’d like to do it again in future. We’ll start using those funds in 2025 to support four to six new openings. We’re focused on central London for now as there’s still a lot of white space for us there, then we’ll start to move out to the neighbourhoods from 2026. Without going crazy, we’ll progressively increase the pace of openings – we’re very ambitious for the brand, and I believe we can do in excess of 100 sites. We’ll look to expand outside London going into 2027 and look at international opportunities too.” Philpot previously said part of Yolk’s planned growth will be through franchise locations at travel hubs – something he said is currently being worked on in the background. Meanwhile, Yolk launched a new coffee subscription called Yolk BrewClub this week, delivered via a mobile wallet pass rather than an app. “We’ve wanted to do this for a while, and now we feel ready,” Philpot said. “We feel there’s a big gap in the market for speciality coffee in a grab-and-go setting. We’re not radically changing the subscription model itself – it’s the quality that will set us apart. We thought about an app but decided against it as people already have enough apps on their phones – we want to make uptake easy.” Philpot said his stores saw strong like-for-like growth in 2024, with current trading similarly strong. “Things have settled into a new normal,” he added. “Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday remains a thing in our office locations, but it’s smoothed over a bit now as Mondays and Fridays have picked up.” To mark the launch of Yolk BrewClub, Yolk will be offering £1 coffees across its sites on Monday, 13 January.

Industry news:

Propel’s Top 500 report – 125 hotel operators among leading companies: Propel’s report on UK hospitality’s leading 500 companies by turnover is released this Friday (10 January) and is searchable in seven main segments. Hotels lead the way with 125 companies (25.0%), followed by QSRs at 123 (24.6%), Pubs & Bars at 77 (15.4%), Experiential Leisure at 65 (13.0%), Casual Dining with 60 (12.0%), Cafe Bakery at 45 (9.0%), and Fine Dining at five (1.0%). With more than 90,000 words of analysis, the report delves into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and turnover figures, offering an essential resource for industry professionals. The guide will be sent out as two files – an introductory PDF featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and including 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s writers, and a fully searchable excel sheet where all the data can be easily accessed. The analysis includes Mark Wingett examining the mergers and acquisitions shaping the future of the Top 500, while Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly developing franchise market. As the experiential leisure sector becomes a cornerstone of modern hospitality, Phil Pemberton assesses how innovative experiences are attracting customers, while Katherine Doggrell examines the key developments in UK hotels. Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, looks at emerging growth sectors, and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova analyses the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market. The Propel 500 report will be available from 9am, Friday 10 January 2025, priced at £595 plus VAT, or £395 plus VAT for existing Premium Club members. Premium Club subscribers can access it for free on 28 February 2025. Pre-order your copy now by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

Discover key market trends in the hospitality sector: Discover key market trends in the hospitality sector at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Mark Bentley, business development director at Hospitality Data Insights, presents a detailed analysis including insights into spending dynamics, customer profiles and successful operators, plus strategies for data-driven decision-making. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its seventh edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are now open for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 21 and 22 January at One Moorgate Place in London. The conference will focus on technology, marcomms strategies, proposition, brand building, the latest market insights, digital developments and diversification of revenue streams. It is designed for customer-focused chief executives, marketers, technology and innovation teams, as well as investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. For the full speaker schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £420 plus VAT for one day and £725 plus VAT for two. Propel Premium Club members receive a 20% discount. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

December hospitality sales remain level with last year: December hospitality sales remain level with last year, with only a 0.1% increase, according to the latest data from people, productivity and payroll system, S4labour. Overall, like-for-like sales show minimal difference when compared to the same month in 2023. In London, sales were up 5.5%, whereas areas outside of the capital saw a drop of 1.4%. Food-led businesses fared better, with these sites up 3.1% compared to a decrease of 5.3% in wet-led venues. S4labour’s chief growth officer, Richard Hartley, said: “While like-for-like sales have remained steady, inflation continues to loom, putting pressure on profit margins. As we approach the anticipated price increases in April, operators will need to stay focused on delivering value, ensuring they adapt effectively to changing economic conditions while maintaining customer satisfaction and profitability.”

Only A Pavement Away seeking further operator support: Only A Pavement Away, the sector charity supporting people facing homelessness and those wanting to rebuild their lives through employment in hospitality, is urgently seeking more operators to support its Passport 2 Employment programme. The five-day immersive programme offers a mixture of talks, presentations and workshops, combined with practical hands-on experience, with a prestigious hospitality employer. Following a successful first all-women employability programme, held in partnership with Hilton, the charity needs three more operators to host programmes from February. Chief executive Greg Mangham said: “With 85% of members securing employment, we can and need to do more. By hosting a Passport 2 Employment programme, hospitality operators have the incredible opportunity to support people in the community to learn and develop valuable skills, secure a role within the hospitality sector and drive real social value. We have 300 members waiting, a template that works and brilliant employer partners like Hilton, who have offered to share their learnings with companies considering working with us.”

Job of the Day: COREcruitment is working with a premium fitness brand looking for a high-end head of studio operations to drive the operations and guest experience. You will be in the venues every day, ensuring the teams maintain the highest standards, and will create and manage operations checklists so everyone on your team is clear what needs to be done by when. Some of your responsibilities will include leading your team, supporting them in daily workflow management and ensuring they are maximising their time, skills and output to ensure all studios are safe and legally compliant. The salary for this position is up to £60,000 and based in London. For more information, please contact david@corecruitment.com.

Company news:

Rosa’s Thai acquires former Hache site in Balham: Rosa’s Thai, the TriSpan-backed business, has acquired the former Hache site in Balham out of administration for £50,000, Propel has learned. At the same time, Adnan Bajraktari, former operations director of Hush Collection, the former parent company of Hache, has acquired the brand’s former site in Kingston under new vehicle The Fiduci Group, for £12,000. Last November, Propel revealed that London premium burger concept Haché had closed four of its five sites and filed an intention to appoint administrators. The business was working with advisors Interpath on an accelerated sales process for Haché, which operated sites in Balham, Clapham, Chelsea, Kingston and Holborn. Propel understands that the latter, which operates under a Haché Brasserie format, has also subsequently closed. An update from joint administrators Interpath stated: “The company faced a slow recovery post the pandemic and material increases to operating costs driven by labour, food and energy costs. Management advise that the situation was further exacerbated by declining consumer confidence and the cost-of-living crisis. As a result, the company has been loss-making for several years. While it is understood that efforts were made to optimise the cost base and mitigate losses, the company continued to experience challenging trading conditions. As a result, the company engaged lnterpath to explore an external sale of business and refinancing options. In the absence of a solvent solution, the directors took steps to seek the appointment of administrators. Trading the whole business in administration was deemed not viable as the company was loss-making and as a result, four sites ceased trading immediately on our appointment. However, there were significant deposits paid for Christmas parties relating to the Holborn site. Therefore, following a review of the financial forecast for the site, the joint administrators continued trading this restaurant in order to honour the customer deposits while a buyer was sought for the business and assets. As at the date of this report, the sale process is ongoing as we progress negotiations with interested parties. Shortly following our appointment, we completed a sale of certain assets located at two of the closed sites, Balham and Kingston, in separate transactions. At the date of our appointment, there were outstanding charges in favour of HSBC Bank, registered against the company. However, the directors confirmed that there were no outstanding liabilities owed to HSBC, and following the administrators' appointment, a formal deed of release was completed. We are, therefore, not aware of any secured creditors.” Rosa’s will open its long-awaited site in Reading next month and also has an opening lined up for this year in Cheltenham.

Creative Restaurant Group MD to step down at end of January: Alex D’Aguiar is to stand down as managing director of Creative Restaurant Group, which is behind London restaurants Endo at the Rotunda and sushi spot Sumi, at the end of January. D’Aguiar, who has been with the group since its creation in 2021, is leaving to explore new opportunities. Together with chairman Misha Zelman, he has led the expansion of the group to five locations across London, which also include HUMO (awarded its first Michelin star in 2024), NIJŪ Mayfair and Kioku by Endo. “It has been a real privilege to have been given the opportunity to launch Creative Restaurant Group and to see it grow over the years from one restaurant to five amazing restaurant brands,” he said. “The team are so creative and beyond passionate, and I wish all the team success in the future.” Zelman added: “Alex and I have worked together since he joined me at Goodman Restaurants in April 2019, and since then, we have achieved so many projects together.  On behalf of the all the team, I would like to thank Alex for everything he has done for us, and we wish him the very best for the future.” Previous to joining Creative Restaurant Group, D’Aguiar spent time as both managing director and operations director at Goodman Restaurants, and also led operations at Eclectic Bar Group, Incipio Group and Gordon Ramsay Group.

Abokado founder acquires remainder of business out of administration: Mark Lilley, the co-founder of London-based healthy eating chain Abokado, has acquired the business out of administration for a total consideration of £25,000, Propel has learned. Abokado, which was founded in 2004 by Lilley and his wife Lindsay, was acquired by a new vehicle – Montway Holdings, set up by the chain’s founders – in October 2020 after the company went into administration. It subsequently operated six sites, having previously had a 19-strong estate prior to the administration. The business was placed into administration through FRP Advisory last month, with three sites in operation, in Westminster, Blackfriars and Throgmorton Street in the City. It had recently exited sites in Canary Wharf and Cowcross Street. The business was acquired for £25,000 by new vehicle Feel Great Food Ltd, of which Mark and Lindsay Lilley are the owners. The joint administrators report stated: “The company was initially impacted by the restrictions brought about because of the covid pandemic and increased supplier costs because of Brexit. The growth continued as there was optimism the trading performance in the sector would improve. The business was further impacted in 2022-2023 as a result of the cost-of-living crisis which changed spending habits of consumers within the food industry. The reduced turnover and increase in costs have led to some of the outlets being unprofitable, resulting in a significant drain on cash flow. Additionally, there are long term leases on each trading site which limited the options available to the director who felt he had little option but to continue to trade the business in hope that the situation would improve. This has resulted in a build of HMRC debt and rent arrears. In an attempt to improve cash flow and profitability, the director activated break clauses in the lease of each of the least profitable locations. This resulted in the vacation of both the Harbour Island and Cowcross Street sites, in October and September 2024 respectively. The directors sought external investment which was unsuccessful due to the current stresses within the sector. The company owns limited assets as the parent company owns the IP and the majority of the tangible assets held at each site. While every effort has been made by the director to manage the position via negotiations with key creditors and cutting costs where possible, the position has become financially unmanageable. As such, the director considered there was no other option but to obtain insolvency advice and commence steps to market the business for sale.” When approached for comment, Mark Lilley told Propel: “I’m pleased that, despite the well documented pressures continuing to face our sector, and which have only been exacerbated by the recent budget, we’ve been able to secure the roles of our outstanding team and put the business on a solid footing.”

Cosmo team launches new Smokin’ Hot Buffet and Grill concept: The team behind buffet brand Cosmo has launched a new concept called Smokin’ Hot Buffet and Grill in Coventry. The business has relaunched its debut Umami World Kitchen in the city’s Corporation Street under the new concept based on “valuable feedback” it had received. In a statement on Facebook, the company said: “After listening to your valuable feedback, we have decided it is time for a revamp! Umami Coventry will be temporarily closing for a few weeks to undergo an exciting refurbishment just in time for Christmas. We will be reopening in December with a fresh look and a new name, Smokin’ Hot Buffet and Grill. Our team is hard at work to bring you an upgraded dining experience with our exciting new project.” The company launched its new Umami World Kitchen concept in Coventry in December 2023 and has since opened a second site under the smaller casual dining brand, in Telford’s Southwater Centre. Next week (Wednesday, 15 January), it will open a third Umami restaurant, on the former Chinese Buffet site at 61-63 Church Street in Blackpool. Cosmo, which operates 20 sites under its eponymous brand across the UK, is also planning to launch Umami World Kitchen sites in Leicester, Newcastle, Preston and Swansea.

Chipotle closes Watford site: US brand Chipotle has closed its site in Watford High Street, which was its first regional site in the UK when it opened in June 2022. A Chipotle spokesperson said: “As part of our ongoing operations, we reviewed the performance of our Watford restaurant and made the difficult decision to close the location. Our employees were offered opportunities at other Chipotle restaurants in the London area.” Chipotle, which operates 18 sites in London plus one in Guildford, is also planning a further regional opening, in Essex’s Lakeside shopping centre. In October, Scott Boatwright, interim chief executive of Chipotle, said it was beginning to see promising results in Europe under the region’s new leadership team, and the region will be a sizeable growth opportunity for the brand in the coming years. This came after Chipotle reported that turnover for its UK business increase to £26,336,692 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £17,910,338 the year before.

Popeyes launches new savers menu: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, has launched a new savers menu, with prices starting at £1.99. Available now in its circa 70 UK restaurants, Popeyes’ Savin’ Menu features a savin’ wrap (£1.99), one-piece bone-in-chicken with fries (£2.99), two wings solo (£1.99) or with fries (£2.99), one tender with fries (£2.99), two tenders with fries (£3.49) and three wings with fries (£3.49). It also includes regular fries (£1.99), biscuit and gravy (£2.59), mac and cheese (£3.50), a gravy savin’ box (£5.69) and mini whipz (£1.99). Popeyes launched its first festive menu at the end of the last year, as well as a new delivery app, through which the new Savin’ Menu is available.

Just Eat finalises GrubHub sale after London delisting: Just Eat has finally completed the loss-making sale of its fast-food service, GrubHub, to food delivery startup WonderGroup, shortly after delisting from the London Stock Exchange. Just Eat secured £50m of proceeds from the deal after adjustments and costs, with around £399m of debts transferred through the deal. The parties said the sale was worth around £518m in total. Just Eat announced plans to sell the US business in 2022 following growth from competitors such as Uber Eats but only secured a deal with WonderGroup last November. The company bought GrubHub for £5.8bn during the pandemic’s peak. The completion of the sale comes after Just Eat abandoned its secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange late last year in a bid to cut costs.

West African operators make UK debut with new restaurant in London’s Marylebone: West African operators Jolly Cole, Osa Bazu, and Dejare Doherty have made their UK debut with a new restaurant in London’s Marylebone, drawing inspiration from the cuisines of Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia. Shakara, at 66 Baker Street, is set over two floors, including a main restaurant, cocktail bar and two private dining areas (with covers of 110 and 30-40 respectively). The ground floor has a total of 76 covers while the lower ground floor has 21 covers. There will be resident DJs and live performances spanning Afrohouse, Afrobeats, R&B and house music, plus artwork showcasing contemporary African artists. The kitchen is led by head chef Victor Okunowo, previously of West African restaurant Talking Drum and semi-finalist of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2020, and consultant executive chef Ayo Adeyemi, formerly of Michelin-starred West African restaurant Akoko. Cole said: “Shakara was born from a simple concept – to export the African palette to the world whilst maintaining international standards. Shakara offers a twist on contemporary dining, with carefully curated ingredients, ambience and entertainment from Afro culture.” Cole, Bazu, and Doherty are also behind a portfolio of seven overseas outlets, including restaurant Puro, rooftop lounge Topp and bar Silk Lagos in Nigeria – all owned by Sloane Capital.

Australian budget hotel concept LyLo plans London launch: LyLo, the Australian pod hotel concept, is planning to launch in Europe, starting with an opening in London. The concept, which is part of the Australian EVT hotel group, currently operates 608 pods across New Zealand and Australia. It has engaged P-Three to scout for potential locations, with an interest in Southwark and other central areas of London. The search is on for properties ranging from 15,000 to 50,000 square-feet that could be converted into LyLo's pod hotels. The brand said its pod hotels are designed to cater to a diverse clientele. LyLo managing director Tim Alpe said: “We are thrilled to introduce LyLo to Europe, with London as the perfect city to launch our first property. Our innovative pod hotel concept has already proven successful in New Zealand and Australia, and we are confident that the European market will embrace our unique blend of affordability and community-focused design.” Since its launch in 2022, LyLo has operated properties in Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch and Brisbane, featuring a total of 608 pods, 40 private rooms, 170 ensuite rooms, and four food and beverage venues.

El Gato Negro to replace Viva Brazil in Liverpool: El Gato Negro, the Mills Hill Development-owned concept, is to move from its current location on Liverpool’s Exchange Flags to take over the Viva Brazil site in the city’s Castle Street. Mills Hill also operates an El Gato Negro restaurant in Manchester, plus Canto Manchester. In September, it also opened a second site for its luxury sports and gaming concept, Black Cat Club, in the former El Gato Negro site in Leeds. Simon Shaw, chef patron and creative director at Mills Hill Development, said: “We’re delighted to be moving El Gato Negro to its new home on Castle Street and making way for something exciting to come in its place at Exchange Flags. This relocation allows us to bring the restaurant to one of Liverpool’s most iconic streets, while also paving the way for a dynamic new venue later in the year. We’re also pleased to confirm that all current Viva Brazil staff will be retained as part of this transition.” The relocation is set to be complete by March 2025 and will leave steakhouse business Viva Brazil with a sole remaining site in Cardiff. Last May, its two remaining sites, in Cardiff and Liverpool, were acquired out of administration by a new vehicle led by founder Andy Aldrich. It came after the business underwent a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in 2023 and led to the closure of its site in Glasgow. 

Blue Orchid Hospitality reports increased losses due to inflation, new developments planned: Blue Hospitality Group, which operates central London’s Tower Suites, Tower Residences and The Wellington, has reported turnover rose by 17.1% to £19,836,090 in the year ended 31 December 2023 (2022: £16,946,186). However, its losses increased to £1,481,835 compared to £1,163,757 the year before. The company stated: “The increase in turnover during the year was due to increased trading activity at the hotels and the addition of Tower Residences to the existing portfolio in June 2023. The loss has increase from 2022 primarily due to higher payroll costs and hotel supplies generally.” It added: “The refurbishment of the Broadway Complex at St James's Park is progressing and is seen as a key opportunity to drive further growth and value. Detailed plans for the conversion of the building into a luxury 526 room hotel with suites, conference centre, restaurants and bars, spa and gymnasium and retail space have been submitted to Westminster City Council approved in 2020 and implemented in 2024. Further acquisitions have included Atlas House at King Street, London and Albany House in Westminster, London in January 2024 and December 2024 respectively. The group proposes to convert the buildings from their current uses as offices to hotels, subject to planning consent.”

Liverpool independent tea shop and events operator Leaf shuts one of its cafes: Liverpool independent tea shop and events operator Leaf has shut one of its four cafes in the region. It has closed its West Kirby café at 19 Black Horse Hill, leaving it with cafes in Bold Street and Smithdown Road, plus Little Leaf, which sits within sister events venue One Fine Day, on Old Hall Street. The West Kirby café had opened in 2020. “We have taken the incredibly difficult and heartbreaking decision to close our doors in West Kirby with immediate effect,” the company said in a statement. “It’s been one hell of a ride, opening ten days before the country went into lockdown, surviving by hosting weekly food markets, emerging from the pandemic with unexpected debts and then crashing through the waves of the changing economic landscape these last few years. We've fought hard since we opened our doors, but the time has come to say goodbye as the outlook for our fragile industry looks bleaker than ever. Confidence, profit margins and reserves have all been eroded after years of relentless cost pressures including huge energy increases. 40-55% wage increases (from 2020 to April 2025), supply shortages, labour shortages, supplier price increases, business rate increases, more government red tape and in turn more administrative costs. There is only so much of these costs that can be passed on to the consumer or swallowed by us, until the business becomes unsustainable. All of our other sites remain open as usual.” Leaf, owned by siblings Natalie and Graham Haywood, began as a small tea shop in Liverpool Centre Gallery in 2007. It also operates a second events venue, Oh Me Oh My, in West Africa House.

Neighbourhood workspaces concept Patch opens fifth site: Neighbourhood workspaces concept Patch has opened its fifth site, in York, and plans further expansion. The social impact start-up was founded by Freddie Fforde in 2020 and opened its first site, in Chelmsford, at the end of 2021. Further sites in High Wycombe and Twickenham followed in 2023 for the company, which counts PureGym founder Peter Roberts and former Wagamama chief executive Emma Woods among its investors. Last summer, it partnered with Bobby’s, the “multi-functional destination” in Bournemouth, to open a site in a former Debenhams, after a £2m investment. Its latest site has opened within York’s historic Bonding Warehouse. Fforde said: “We are excited to welcome everyone into our community as we collectively shape York’s future as a flourishing centre for entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Leaf Hotels reports turnover drop: Leaf Hotels, which operates locations in Dover, Folkestone and Canterbury, including the Holiday Inn Express Canterbury and the Holiday Inn Dover, has reported turnover dropped to £5,132,150 in the year ended 31 March 2024 compared to £7,047,405 the year before. Profit before tax was £289,532 compared to £967,957 the year prior. The company stated: “Due to difficult trading conditions and uncertainties in the economy, turnover of the group has decreased. Higher levels of inflation and unprecedented levels of bank interest led to reduction in profits. The group recently rebranded one of its hotels from Ramada Dover to Holiday Inn Dover – being rebranded to a stronger brand name, the hotel is expected to increase the occupancy level and also command better rate.” The company is led by Kanagaratnam Rajamenon. 

Magic Rock Brewing Co set to appoint administrators: The future of Huddersfield-based Magic Rock Brewing Co has been placed in doubt after the business filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. Magic Rock Brewing Co is owned by craft beer portfolio business In Good Company. Last year, In Good Company consolidated the brewing operations of Fourpure Brewing Co by moving it from Bermondsey in London to its sister brewery in the north of England. The move saw production relocated to Magic Rock’s brewing facility in Huddersfield. It included the closure of Fourpure’s taproom on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, with In Good Company saying it was actively looking for a new home for the taproom in the capital. While Fourpure said its sales are up 41.7% year on year, the decision to relocate has been made “to future proof the business amidst a challenging time for the craft beer and hospitality industries”. Fourpure was placed into administration in October in order to “protect the brand from future liability, the ongoing market pressures and tough commercial realities”, its owner said at the time. Lion, the Australian brewing firm ultimately owned by Kirin, of Japan, sold its UK operations – including its Magic Rock and Fourpure brands – to Odyssey Inns, sister company to In Good Company, in summer 2022. 

Starwins Group set to double up new casual Indian comfort food restaurant: Starwins Group, founded by Gobind Chona, is set to double its estate with a new casual Indian comfort food restaurant in London’s Soho. Chona, who opened Asian bar and kitchen concept Gura Gura in Covent Garden in 2022, will next month launch Oorja at 117 Shaftesbury Avenue, with a focus on small plates inspired by traditional Northern Indian recipes. Spread across two floors, the restaurant will hold 105 covers and feature a downstairs bar area. Launching as an all-day dining experience, it will start with breakfast dishes such as egg burji on toast, with three eggs, spiced and scrambled and served on sourdough, and vegan dalia porridge, with coconut cream and seasonal berries. Later on in the day, Oorja will offer dishes such as barbecue butterfly chicken, railway lamb curry, green mustard and corn roti and chickpeas masala. There will also be a list of Indian-inspired cocktails. “We are extremely excited to introduce Oorja to London’s exciting food scene,” Chona said. “Oorja symbolises a journey through the diverse flavours and landscapes of India.”

East London neighbourhood bar and craft beer store owner opens new wine bar: East London neighbourhood bar and craft beer store owner Michaela Zelenaska has opened a new wine bar. Zelenaska, who operates Arch Deli & Bar at 211 Railway Arches in Grover Green Road, Leytonstone, has opened Swirl in one of the railway arches in Leyton's Tilbury Road. She has partnered with Prianka Pradhan and Viliam Tomcanyi, owners of retail business Pandemonium Wines, for the venture. An offering including Pandemonium's portfolio of Czech and Slovak wines will be offered at “neighbourhood-friendly prices”, reports Hot Dinners. There is also a “thoughtful selection” of alcohol-free and low-ABV alternatives, while a kitchen space will eventually feature residencies by local chefs and pop-ups.

Coco di Mama co-founder to open new neighbourhood bakery in north west London this month: Daniel Land, co-founder of Italian food-to-go brand Coco diMama, will open his new neighbourhood bakery in north west London this month. Don’t Tell Dad, will open on Friday, 17 January in Lonsdale Road in Queen’s Park, with two separate spaces featuring baked goods from head baker Keren Sternberg (ex-Layla and Hide) and dishes from Luke Frankie (ex-Noble Rot and Drapers Arms). The bakery will operate as an open kitchen offering goods such as brown butter hazelnut croissants, bergamot and cardamom doughnuts and chocolate and buckwheat cookies, as well as fresh loaves and sandwiches. The Restaurant showcases modern French and British dishes, including delica pumpkin, salsify, lentils and goat’s curd, and confit duck leg, carrot and date purée. There will also be a wine list curated by Bert Blaize, founder of North Norfolk Cellars, from small-scale, hands-on producers who focus on sustainability.