Naroon co-founder looking to focus expansion on KIN concept, with ‘potential for up to 30 locations’: The co-founder of Persian restaurant group Naroon has told Propel he is focusing his expansion plans on his KIN concept and sees the potential for up to 30 locations for it. Mohammed Malekzadeh, previously a metal trader who had experience with food start-ups in his native Iran, started his journey in hospitality in 2018 by taking over the KIN Café in London’s Fitzrovia, which had originally opened in 2014. During the pandemic, with his cousin Reza, the opportunity arose to launch a Persian restaurant concept, Naroon, which has now grown to three locations in the capital. While Reza remains the face of the Naroon concept, with cuisine representing the “second-generation Iranian experience”, Mohammed focuses more on growing KIN as a vegan and vegetarian concept. Last month, Mohammed opened a new KIN restaurant, which sits alongside the KIN Café in Foley Street, in London’s Marylebone, offering an expanded menu. “There is also potential outside of London for a concept like KIN, and I think we can easily take it to 30 sites,” Mohammed told Propel. “But we don’t want to grow too fast, we want to build strong foundations. We’d like to take KIN potentially to places like east London and Notting Hill, but we don’t really have the structure to take it outside the capital. I was drawn to veganism not just because I was vegan myself, but because I saw a future where people prioritised health, nutrition and vegetable-focused diets. KIN reflects that vision of offering healthier eating options rather than just ‘vegan’ food.” Mohammed said when office working from Monday to Friday was more prevalent, he would have big queues for his salad bars every lunchtime, but that “five days is now three days”. Following the “hammer-blow” of October’s Budget delivered to small businesses, he added: “We have to work even harder to get a profit now, as we can’t put prices up the way that inflation goes up.”

 

Sponsored message – discover the trends shaking up hospitality in 2025: Register for Propeller’s webinar, taking place on Wednesday, 29 January at 11am, to hear about the biggest trends shaping the hospitality industry in 2025. Participants will hear from Laura McKay, marketing and communications director at St Austell Brewery, and hospitality industry experts at Propeller. The webinar will cover everything from emerging technologies to changing consumer behaviours and will provide valuable information to help stay competitive and drive digital growth in the year ahead. To reserve a place, register here. This webinar is being hosted by Propeller, a digital agency with 24 years of experience delivering digital growth for hospitality brands including Young’s, Aman, Marston’s, The Celtic Collection and Azzurri Group. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

Propel 500 report – UK is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in experiential leisure: The UK will see further innovation and growth in the experiential leisure sector during 2025, writes Phil Pemberton, Propel’s director of Premium services, in the introduction to the Propel 500 report. The comprehensive report showcases the UK’s 500 leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover, providing more than 90,000 words of analysis – delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. Pemberton’s is just one article in a report that is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data. Further analysis includes Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future and Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in QSRs. Together, the Propel 500 companies generate more than £30bn in turnover across 51,000 sites, and the report spans seven key segments: pubs and bars, hotels, quick service restaurants (QSR), casual dining, cafe and bakery, experiential leisure and fine dining. A list of these operators can be discovered now by visiting the Propel 500 page on Propel’s website. Propel 500 is available now for £595 plus VAT. Existing Premium Club members can purchase it for £395 plus VAT. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday, 28 February at 9am. Order the Propel 500 report today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Discover effective tactics to elevate a marketing strategy at Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Discover effective tactics for database growth and learn how to elevate a marketing strategy at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Hospitality marketing consultant James Mobbs will review the campaigns from more than 100 hospitality groups and highlight the power of missed opportunities across websites, data capture and email marketing. 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.

 

UKHospitality – slight dip in inflation not enough to calm sector’s fears that ‘we’re entering a troubling period for the economy’: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has said the slight dip in inflation has not been enough to calm the sector’s fears that “we’re entering a troubling period for the economy”. Inflation fell last month to 2.5% as a dip in hotel prices helped offset a jump in the cost of fuel, figures from the Office for National Statistics said. Most analysts had been expecting the inflation rate to remain unchanged at 2.6%. The figure nevertheless remains above the Bank of England’s 2% target level, which has raised concern for economists and policymakers amid stagnant economic growth. Nicholls said: “While it’s positive there has been a slight dip in inflation, there has not been enough movement to calm the fears among hospitality businesses that we’re entering a troubling period for the economy. This will only get worse as we head towards April, when £3.4bn of costs will be levelled on the hospitality sector. These damaging costs are forcing businesses to slash investment, cut jobs and raise prices – none of which will drive economic growth or help reduce inflation. We desperately need to grow away from stagflation, and that starts with rethinking the planned changes to employers’ national insurance contributions. A pause will mitigate the negative impacts on businesses, team members and the economy that these changes will bring, and it will give the sector some breathing space to work back towards investment and growth.”

 

Carlsberg’s £3.3bn takeover of Britvic approved by High Court judge: Carlsberg’s £3.3bn deal to buy Britvic has been approved by a High Court judge. Carlsberg plans to create a single integrated drinks business called Carlsberg Britvic following the takeover. Britvic employs around 4,500 people and makes drinks such as J2O, Robinsons squash and Tango. The companies announced the agreement last July, saying it would create an “enlarged international group” that can expand into “multiple drinks sectors”. Mr Justice Hildyard sanctioned the takeover at a short hearing on Wednesday (15 January), stating the scheme “could be and should be approved”. The hearing in London was told that the deal will see Britvic taken over by Carlsberg UK Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carlsberg A/S. The acquisition was approved by Britvic’s shareholders last August, with the Competition and Markets Authority, Britain’s competition watchdog, giving it the green light in December. Andrew Thornton KC, for Britvic, said the scheme received a “unanimous recommendation” from Britvic’s directors, and “will not have any adverse impact on the interests of the company’s creditors”. Carlsberg has previously said it believes the integration with Britvic can secure it £100m in cost efficiencies a year. Britvic holds an exclusive licence with US partner PepsiCo to make and sell brands such as Pepsi, 7up and Lipton Ice Tea in the UK, which Thornton told the court would continue following the takeover.

 

Murphy’s Irish Stout sales surge 632% in pubs and bars over Christmas: Murphy’s, the classic Irish stout, saw record sales this Christmas. Sales of pints in UK pubs and bars were up 632% in December compared with the same period in 2023. However, Christmas wasn’t the only period that saw a rise in demand for pints of Murphy’s – the brand saw a significant increase across the whole of 2024, resulting in a total uplift of 176% in draught sales for 2024. A spokesperson for Murphy’s UK said: “The recent growth in the popularity of stout has been well documented and these incredible figures show the value of brands like Murphy’s Irish Stout with its smooth creamy taste. Murphy’s is well placed to build on this growth in 2025, delivering excitement for UK consumers and sales for UK operators. The sales uplift for the Irish stout has been significant throughout 2024. Year-on-year sales of Murphy’s increased by 281% in the on-trade in June 2024 versus June the previous year, showing marked demand from consumers in warmer months.”

Mitchells & Butlers CEO – nobody was a straggler over the festive season, Browns and Pesto will have modest growth this year: Phil Urban, chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Harvester and Browns operator, has told Propel that when it came to which of its brands traded well over the festive season, “nobody was a straggler”. It comes after M&B said that it traded “very strongly” across the Christmas period, with like-for-like growth of 10.4% over the core three-week period, built on numerous record sales performances through the estate and the brand portfolio. Urban told Propel: “Nicholson’s, Castle, Vintage and Ember did really well, although most brands had strong trading, and nobody was a straggler.” Over the past two years, M&B has been trialling its Browns brand in suburbia, stretching it beyond its usual high street location. The first trial site opened in August 2022, in Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, and the second opened in Ruislip, in west London, in December 2022. Last year, M&B converted its Miller & Carter site in Wilmslow’s Station Road to a Browns, and last month added conversions in Exeter and Sutton Coldfield. The former was the conversion of its Harvester site, known as The Malthouse, while the latter was the conversion of its Toby Carvery in Sutton Park, which took Browns to 28 sites. Urban told Propel last month that the strategy was “beginning to get some steam behind it, which is a good sign”. Last May, M&B also completed the acquisition of Pesto Restaurants, which delivers an Italian tapas offer across its ten-strong estate. Urban said: “Browns and Pesto will only have modest growth this year. Browns opened Sutton and Exeter before Christmas, and we are keen to see how they trade – so far, we’re very pleased. Pesto will do one to three sites, but the real programme will start at the end of 2025.” A presentation from M&B divisional director Susan Chappell at last May’s Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference is one of 100 videos from eight conferences in 2024 that are available to Premium Club members. Chappell, who is responsible for the All Bar One, Browns, Nicholson’s and Castle estates, which have an annual turnover of £500m, highlights how M&B is evolving its business to stay abreast of digital and premiumisation trends. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com if you are a Premium member and would like this video. Premium Club members also get a 20% discount on tickets to all Propel events in 2025.

 

Hull sports gaming hub planning European and US roll out, considering franchising as it sets 20-site target: Hull sports gaming hub, Federation of Sport, is planning a European and US roll out and considering franchising as it sets a 20-site target. The concept has just opened in 5,000 square-feet of space in the city’s refurbished King William House, offering e-sports, play simulating, day coaching, match watching and skill crafting. By April, the business hopes to open a further 12,500 square feet of the former Argos store, which will see a larger bar area, plus the addition of a food offering. Co-founder Antonio Tombanane is also behind Hull’s co-working space The Edge Hub in Myton Street, reports Insider Media. “We had a soft launch last month and an unprecedented level of demand – 400 people turned up on the first weekend,” he said. “We thought it would be a bit of a taster but now I've got football clubs, rugby league clubs, you name it, calling me. It’s making gaming social, and I think it’s only going to continue to grow. We’re not only doing one single sport – we’re doing golf simulators, racing simulators, console, PC gaming, e-sports.” Tombanane has partnered with the owner of the building, Sean Larvin, and Darren Allison, founder of fitout business Solus Group, for the venture. He has also attracted an international investor in Michel Croes – who runs an investment fund out of the Netherlands and is helping identify locations overseas – and is in advanced talks to bring on board “one of the world’s biggest footballers” as a brand ambassador and potential shareholder. “The growth opportunity is huge,” Tombanane said. “Our ambition is to continue to grow the brand, with potentially 20 locations. We’re already looking at some international locations and to potentially franchise the brand as well.”

 

Paris Baguette UK hires franchise director to support further growth: Paris Baguette, the South Korean bakery cafe brand that made its debut in the UK in 2022, has hired Belinda Remarczyk as its new franchise director, to support its further expansion here. Remarczyk was previously head of European franchise recruiting at Wendy’s. Paris Baguette opened its first UK franchise stores last autumn, in Canary Wharf, with two more to follow this year, in Notting Hill and Clapham Junction. Paris Baguette made its UK debut in October 2022, with the first location in Battersea Power Station, followed by a second in Kensington High Street. Having launched its franchise programme here in 2023, the company plans to operate 20 locations across the country by 2026, ahead of more ambitious plans to reach 200 sites here by 2036. Founded in 1988, Paris Baguette now has more than 4,000 stores across 11 countries. The business said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Belinda to our team as our new franchise director. She will play a pivotal role in driving our franchise growth and success, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the team. Her dedication to fostering strong relationships and her passion for strategic growth make her the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to see the positive impact she will bring as we continue to expand our footprint in the UK.”

NWTC closes Media City site on back of landlord’s decision: Graphite Capital-backed pub restaurant group The New World Trading Company (NWTC) has closed its The Botanist site in Media City at Salford Quays after the landlord decided to seek new tenants as part of the group’s recent Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) process. A spokesperson for NWTC told the Manchester Evening News: “We are hugely disappointed with this outcome. Despite our desire to retain the site, the landlord has decided to bring in new tenants at the site of The Botanist, Media City. We are truly grateful to our loyal guests and team in Manchester and the community that has supported us over the years.” Last week, The Botanist sites in Sheffield and Coventry were closed with immediate effect by NWTC, while North Light restaurant in Chester city centre was also shuttered. NWTC will continue to operate 27 sites across the UK. It plans to convert The Furnace in Sheffield to The Botanist in February, and a new The Botanist will open in Bournemouth in May. It has also lined up an opening in Lichfield, where it will join the Everyman Cinema as an anchor tenant in the Three Spires shopping centre, as part of its redevelopment of the former Debenhams store. Earlier this month, the company reported a 5.5% increase in like-for-like sales across the festive season, with a number of site records being broken, including 11 sites setting a new weekly sales record. Last October, Propel revealed that the business intended to restructure its business to focus on its large Botanist-branded sites. As part of the restructuring, NWTC launched a CVA, which saw the closure of three loss-making sites. 

 

Vue to take over Cineworld site in Nottingham city centre: Cinema group Vue International is to take over the operation of the Cineworld site in Nottingham city centre. Earlier this week, Cineworld announced it would shut its site in The Cornerhouse next month as part of its restructuring plans. However, Vue is taking over operations of the site, which will refurbish the space and open a “state-of-the-art” venue. A Vue spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we will be coming to The Cornerhouse, Nottingham. We’re very much looking forward to bringing guests the ultimate big screen experience later this year and will share more information in due course.” In December, Cineworld unveiled plans to shut six more of its cinemas as part of its ongoing restructuring programme. The closures included branches in Northampton, Castleford, Leigh, Middlesbrough, Poole and Weymouth. Vue has agreed new leases for the Castleford and Poole sites. Documents circulated as part of the Cineworld restructuring process highlighted the fact the company did not have sufficient funding to meet a quarterly rent bill on 24 June 2024 of £15.9m. The group trades from more than 100 locations in Britain, including at the Picturehouse brand. Cineworld delisted from the London Stock Exchange in 2023 after its share price collapsed and was taken over by its lenders through a debt-for-equity swap. Box Property acted on the Nottingham deal.

 

Graham Crocker to step down as Heavitree MD and FD: South west tenanted pub operator Heavitree Brewery has announced that Graham Crocker, its current managing and finance director, plans to step back from his role. The company’s board has agreed that he will remain a full-time executive director until April 2026 in order to oversee a smooth transition. Terry Wheatley, currently the company’s trade director and an existing board member, will become its new managing director. Wheatley joined the company in 2000 as a tenancy manager. He was appointed to the board as trade director in 2003 and has overall responsibility for the operation of the company's tenanted estate. Previous positions have included area operations manager for Greenall’s and Scottish & Newcastle and public house management for Devenish. Wheatley has been in the hospitality industry since the age of 16 and was one of the youngest licensees in the UK at the age of 19. Nicola McLean, currently company secretary and group accountant, will become Heavitree’s new finance director, and it is proposed that she is appointed to its board as an executive director. The board changes are expected to become effective on 1 February 2025.

 

Dutch smash burger brand Fat Phill’s lining up two further UK locations: Dutch smash burger brand Fat Phill’s is lining up two further UK locations, having made its debut here last month. Propel revealed last year that Fat Phill’s, which has 19 locations in the Netherlands, had signed a master franchisee deal for the UK with Freshly Baked, which also holds the UK master franchise for US pretzel brand Auntie Anne’s. Fat Phill’s last month opened its first store here, in the former Moss Bros site at 16 St John’s Hill in Clapham, south London. Armin Vahabian, who founded Fat Phill’s in 2019, said: “This past year has been nothing short of phenomenal, both personally and for Fat Phill’s. We announced a franchise agreement to open 100 new locations in the UK over the next decade. The first UK location is open and in full force in London, with the second and third on the way! Our expansion plans are on track, with contracts underway for five more stores in Germany. We developed a new market entry and are ready for store openings in Spain, making that the fourth country where will be located. Fat Phill’s group revenue soared to more than €14m, nearly triple our 2022 figures, and we’re on track to hit our goal of €25m in sales in 2025. As we kick off 2025, we’re thrilled to announce the opening of eight new locations in the first two quarters, including two international ones. Plus, we’re excited to introduce our very first drive-thru, opening this January.”

 

Dessert brand Chocoberry opens third international site: Dessert brand Chocoberry has opened its third international site. It has opened within the Al Zahia Mall within Al Zahia city centre in Sharjah, in the UAE. The store includes a chocolate crafting station where guests can “immerse themselves in the art of chocolate making” and “bring their sweet fantasies to life”. Chocoberry’s first overseas site, in Dubai, was last year relocated to the country’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, and it also has a location in Toronto, Canada. The business, founded in Leicester in 2018 by Kashif Razzaq, has 14 UK sites and is also set to open in Manchester soon.

 

Zambrero opens second site in Manchester: Zambrero, Australia’s largest Mexican quick-service franchise, has opened its second site in Manchester. The brand has opened at the former Royal British Legion shop in the city’s Cross Street for its 13th UK site overall. Zambrero opened its first Manchester location on a site formerly occupied by Greggs in Piccadilly Gardens last year. The brand opened its debut UK site in Kentish Town in 2021 and currently operates sites in London, Birmingham, Reading and Chelmsford. The business, which received £143m in equity financing to open more restaurants in Britain and Ireland in 2023, celebrated the opening of its 300th store last year with a new location in Melbourne. Zambrero also has restaurants across Australia as well as in New Zealand, the US and in Ireland. Emily Teh, chief executive of Zambrero UK, said “We’re excited to be opening our second Manchester store, right in the heart of the city. Not only will it give more burrito lovers a chance to enjoy our food, but it also means Manchester locals will be able to further support our mission to help end world hunger through our Plate 4 Plate initiative, as we donate a meal to those in need for every burrito or bowl sold.”

 

Prezzo launches 99p pizza and pasta offer for Blue Monday: Prezzo is offering a selection of pizza and pasta dishes for just 99p on Monday (20 January) to mark Blue Monday – the day when people apparently feel at their lowest following the festive season. Prezzo’s Blue Monday specials menu will be available across its circa 95-strong UK estate, but customers must pre-book and download a voucher. When dining, customers must purchase a drink – soft or alcoholic – to accompany the selected 99p dish. James Brown, Prezzo chief executive, said: “January can be a tough month for many, with the post-holiday season pinch and the cold weather sweeping across the UK. At Prezzo, we wanted to offer our customers a little pick-me-up with our Blue Monday 99p menu.”

 

Former TGI Fridays central operation director steps up to lead operational role at Tortilla: Former TGI Fridays central operation director Emily Bagshaw has stepped up to a role leading operations at Tortilla. Bagshaw joined Tortilla a year ago as head of central operations and has now been promoted to director of central operations for the fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand. At TGI Fridays, she was also brand project manager and new store openings operations manager. Previous to this, Bagshaw spent a year as operations manager for ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Jungle Challenge and also spent eight years in various roles at Merlin Entertainments, including park experience manager at Thorpe Park and guest excellence lead at Alton Towers. “I’m delighted to share that I’ve been promoted to director of central operations at Tortilla Mexican Grill,” she said. “We had some epic highlights in 2024, and a few of my personal favourite include implementing more than ten new products across the estate, leading the optimisation of our delivery platforms and launching our Tortilla app. I am over the moon to be heading into a new role for 2025.” Last month, Tortilla reported a “strong” fourth quarter, with like-for-like sales up “at least” 4%. The company said revenue for its UK business is forecast to exceed previous guidance, with a range of £64.0 to £64.3m now expected.

 

True North Brew Co acquires iconic Sheffield site for ‘most challenging project we’ve ever undertaken’: True North Brew Co has acquired Abbeydale Picture House, a grade-II listed auditorium in Sheffield, in what the business said will be the “biggest and perhaps the most challenging project we’ve ever undertaken”. The 11-strong company plans to restore the property as a vibrant bar and entertainment venue. The transformation will begin this spring as Picture House Social, currently located in the basement, closes in March to make way for the reimagined space, set to open in May. The company said that relationships with local experts, including Creative Arts Development Space and Professor Vanessa Toulmin from the University of Sheffield, will help preserve the building’s heritage while modernising it for future audiences. “This is the biggest and perhaps the most challenging project we’ve ever undertaken,” said Kane Yeardley, owner of True North Brew Co. “We’re proud to bring this iconic venue back to life and ensure it remains a much-loved part of Sheffield for generations to come, bringing this space back to life for Sheffield, by Sheffield.”

Zip World to make London debut next month: Private equity-backed outdoor adventure specialist Zip World will make its London debut next month for its ninth site. Zip World will take over The ArcelorMittal Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, following a £2.6m investment. The reopening of the ArcelorMittal Orbit will also see the launch of Helix, the world’s biggest tunnel slide at 76m high, which will see visitors travel at speeds of up to 15mph along a 178m-long track. The ArcelorMittal Orbit 360 deck will also be available for private hire and corporate events. Andrew Hudson, Zip World chief executive, said: “This is just the start for Zip World in London. We’ve got many more epic adventures lined up that will redefine urban excitement in the heart of the city.”

  

The Salad Project reports record sales day: The Salad Project, the all-day dining concept that launched in London in 2021, has reported a record sales day. On Tuesday (14 January), founder Florian de Chezelles said the business served 5,833 customers across its seven sites located around the capital. This, he said, was a 420% increase on January 2022, and the orders were served up by 186 team members. Furthermore, de Chezelles said 55% of these orders were online, with 99% of them receiving a five-star review, and 30% coming in the evening. It comes as The Salad Project prepares to open its eighth site tomorrow (Friday, 17 January), at 45-47 Duke Street, off London’s Bond Street. The Salad Project has a longer-term target of reaching 20 sites in London by 2027 before exploring expansion outside the capital.

 

High Note Hospitality to revive The Knave of Clubs pub in London’s Shoreditch for first project: High Note Hospitality, the new venture from James Dye and Benjy Leibowitz, has announced its first project – a revival of The Knave of Clubs pub in London’s Shoreditch. Nye – founder of the London-based Bambi, Gladwell's, Camberwell Arms and Frank’s Café, and Benjy Leibowitz – former director of strategic projects at JKS Restaurants and ex-director of guest relations at NoMad Hotel in New York, will launch Knave at the end of next month. It will offer a menu overseen by culinary director Patrick Powell, formerly of Midland Grand Dining Room and Allegra, while the kitchen at the Bethnal Green Road pub will be run by former Allegra chef Attila Gellen. In March, a separate restaurant, One Club Row, will open on the first floor of the building. Dye and Leibowitz have previously said that they are planning to launch “several” multi-concept venues in remarkable buildings across London in the next few years and were looking to “collaborate with great talent, brands and creatives”. Established in 1880, The Knave of Clubs closed in the 1980s to make way for French restaurant Les Trois Garcons, which traded until the mid-2000s. Dye said: “We are excited to be restoring a beautiful building, with such a remarkable history, back to being a pub for the first time in more than 30 years. With so many pubs closing in London we felt it was incredibly important to step in and try to save this remarkable building.” Propel revealed last August that High Note Hospitality was closing a fundraising round to fund a new project based in Shoreditch. 

  

Japanese souffle pancake concept Fuwa Fuwa opens sixth site: Fuwa Fuwa, which serves up Japanese souffle pancake with a variety of sweet toppings, has opened its sixth site. Fuwa Fuwa has joined the line-up of independent traders at Spitalfields Market in east London with a site in Lamb Street. Fuwa Fuwa opened its debut site in 2017 in London’s Bloomsbury, which has since closed, but has launched outlets in Soho, Kingston and Westfield Stratford in the capital, as well as Windsor and Oxford. Fuwa Fuwa has been joined by Italian street food vendor Indegno, serving authentic Crescentine – a traditional fried bread from Bologna, often used as a sandwich filled with savoury or sweet ingredients. Among its menu is the “50 Special” – a fried Crescentina filled with porchetta ham, provolone cheese, potato croquette and caramelised onions. Jason Dervin, Spitalfields Estate director, said: “We are excited to be welcoming two new hospitality spots to Lamb Street, both offering exciting and authentic foods from different cuisines.”

 

Boss Pizza set to make Midlands debut: Franchise pizza concept Boss Pizza, founded during the pandemic by Ajmal Mushtaq, is set to make its Midlands debut. The concept is gearing up to launch at 500 Pleck Road in Walsall – near junction 9 of the M6 and Walsall FC’s Bescot Stadium. With Mushtaq having previously operated acclaimed Indian restaurant Mushtaqs in Hamilton, Boss Pizza currently has two stores in Scotland – in Hamilton and Larkhall. Boss Pizza also made its English debut last year with a launch in Acton, west London, and Walsall will be its second site in England. Mushtaq has a long-term ambition for 100 UK stores and last summer revealed its immediate pipeline to include sites in Aberdeen, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Glasgow in Scotland, as well as Hemel Hempstead, Huddersfield, London (Shepherd’s Bush), Luton, Oldham and Wolverhampton in England.

 

Board games concept Draughts to open in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this spring for third site: Board games concept Draughts will open in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this spring for its third site. Propel revealed in June 2024 that the concept, which has venues in London’s Dalston and Waterloo, was set to open a further site in the capital before exploring wider expansion in the UK and, potentially, the US. The latest Draughts location will span 4,110 square feet, including 3,540 internally and an additional 570 square feet externally, on a covered terrace overlooking the London Stadium and the Waterworks River. The venue will have room for more than 150 guests indoors, spread across two floors, and an additional 40-plus seats available outside. Nick Curci, who founded Draughts in 2014, said: “We are thrilled to introduce our third venue, and we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for all our guests. Looking ahead, we are excited to explore new avenues for expansion and innovation, ensuring that Draughts remains a leading player in the board game and hospitality industry.” Stratford Waterfront Retail Management Company director Mark Camley added: “We are delighted to welcome Draughts on board as the first retail tenant at Stratford Waterfront. Draughts’ unique board game restaurant and bar offer will be a compelling draw complementing the five other high-quality food and beverage outlets opening soon.”

 

Former Bocca di Lupo duo shut their British-Italian restaurant after eight months: Two former team members at Bocca di Lupo, the Italian restaurant in Soho founded by Jacob Kenedy and Victor Hugo, have closed the British-Italian concept they opened in London’s Peckham eight months ago. Alex Purdie, who worked as a sous chef at Bocca di Lupo, and Richard Crampton-Platt, who was its operations director, launched Café Britaly in May 2024, celebrating both British and Italian cuisine. Café Britaly has now closed, and the premises, at 191 Rye Lane, is available for short lets and pop-ups and is being marketed by Davis Coffer Lyons. The duo said the closure is “due to challenging trading conditions, which were compounded by the autumn Budget, and before Café Britaly had time to build up enough momentum to generate sustainable revenue”. While it’s hoped that the concept may eventually return, Crampton-Platt said: “We’re not going to pretend that this is a ‘relocation’ or a ‘pause’. We knew that trading conditions for hospitality were tough and went into business with our eyes open to the risk of trying to create our own ‘Britalian’ niche. But the unforeseen additional cost pressures created by the autumn Budget came at the wrong stage of our business cycle. We just couldn't make the numbers add up to continue trading into 2025. We have loved our eight months in Peckham and would like to thank everyone who’s been part of the Café Britaly story – our passion for hospitality remains undimmed.”