Loungers chairman – no regrets about going public we were just very unlucky with timing, it will be business as usual under Fortress: Alex Reilley, chairman of café bar operator Loungers, has said that the 284-strong business has no regrets about going public and that it was “just very unlucky with timing”. Last week, shareholders of Loungers, which listed in 2019, backed its £354.4m takeover by US private equity firm Fortress. A total of 93.52% of shareholders voted in favour of the deal. Reilley said: “I imagine history will judge it about the worse time to be a plc – we had uncertainty about Brexit, then a hard Brexit, lack of IPOs, then too many IPOs, covid, Ukraine, the energy crisis, high inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, and now a Labour government that seems hellbent on penalising the private sector, particularly if you are a high street business that relies on employing people. I don’t think we could have done any more. We did everything we said we’d do, consistently under-promised and over-delivered, and more than doubled the size of the business in five years, even with a global pandemic. Despite this, on the Monday before the offer was announced in November, our shares were trading at just 4p more than they closed on after our first day of trading in April 2019. Regrettably, it’s difficult to see that the markets will recover anytime soon – investor sentiment towards UK consumer businesses is extremely bearish.” Reilley confirmed that it would be “business as usual” for the company under new ownership, with no change to the strategy already in play, including targeting opening around 35 new sites a year. The group has consistently reiterated its belief that there is scope for at least 600 Lounges across the UK, and to double its current 36-strong Cosy Club estate. Last week, the Nick Collins-led business opened Toledo Lounge, its 244th Lounge (and 284th overall site) in the Merry Hill Shopping Centre in the West Midlands. Toledo is the company’s first fully indoor Lounge, located in the upper mall next door of the shopping scheme. Next month, the group will open the Argento Lounge in Preston; the Manzano Lounge in Rayleigh, Essex; and the Saludo Lounge in Workington, Cumbria. Loungers also has Lounge openings lined up in Ipswich (Marinero Lounge) and Norwich (Rivolo Lounge) for later this year, and is also set to open new Cosy Club sites in Reading and Swansea.

 

Kaspa’s MD Francesco Arcadio to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Francesco Arcadio, managing director of dessert brand Kaspa’s, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Arcadio will talk about how the business has grown to more than 100 UK sites since launching in 2013 and has a long-term target of 500 locations here. The all-day conference takes place on Thursday, 20 March, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington. Operators can book up to two free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club members to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database and videos from Restaurant Marketer & Innovator on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members on Friday (7 February). The database will show the details of 268 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. It will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium Club members will also receive a 15,168-word report on the 268 new additions to the database. The database is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The updated database includes new openings in the casual dining sector such as Dishoom’s fledgling concept Permit Room, Alta Restaurant, from the team behind L’Eto, and Bancone, the all-day fresh pasta concept. Premium Club members are to be given access to the entire recording of the 2025 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit Conference. Members will be sent 26 separate video presentations, featuring more than 60 speakers, on Friday at 9am. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site 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 Excellence in Pub Retail (May 2025) and discounts on specialist sector reports such as the Propel 500. 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.

 

Further growth expected in UK chicken restaurant market in 2025: Further growth is expected in the dynamic and fast-growing UK chicken restaurant market in 2025, according to new data from Meaningful Vision. A new report from the market intelligence platform shows a 1.1% increase in visitor traffic to chicken restaurants in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This growth was largely driven by a 6% rise in store openings. By comparison, the overall fast-food sector grew by 0.7%, with a much lower rate of new store openings. The pace of chicken shop openings over the past three years has also been nearly twice as fast as other fast-food concepts, with overall sector growth reaching 28% over this period. “This trend underscores both the vitality of the sector and the intensifying competition, as major players continue to expand aggressively,” said Meaningful Vision chief executive, Maria Vanifatova. “Chicken has long been perceived as a more affordable and healthier option. While it outperforms beef in overall UK consumption, it has yet to dominate the hospitality sector in the same way.” Several brands have announced ambitious expansion plans, with Popeyes growing to 41 UK locations since 2021 and aiming to reach 350 by 2031. Wingstop, which debuted in 2018 and now has 52 locations, is adding 15 new sites this year, targeting 200 UK stores, while Slim Chickens, with over 55 locations, has six more openings planned for 2025, plus a pipeline of 15 additional sites. Meaningful Vision’s data shows these brands are expanding the market, driving customer demand and reshaping the competitive landscape, while impacting visitor traffic across other quick-service restaurant sectors. This surge in growth is particularly evident in London, Greater London and the West Midlands, which saw the highest increase in chicken chains in 2024 and now have the highest number of chicken restaurants per capita. A closer look at London reveals that while store openings matched the national average, traffic growth surged by 5.2%, outpacing the rest of the UK. “This suggests consumer demand in key metropolitan areas is accelerating even faster than overall new store launches, particularly in markets where brands employ a London-first expansion strategy to capitalise on high foot traffic and strong growth opportunities,” Vanifatova added.

 

Rick Stein – Budget headwinds will be ‘really serious’ for sector businesses: Rick Stein has said the Budget headwinds will be “really serious” for sector businesses. Stein, who opened his first restaurant in 1975, now has nine restaurants across the UK, with five in Cornwall, and a pub. Currently in Australia, when he returns home, he’ll start the next leg of his one-man live show, which sees him recount stories from half a century in hospitality. However, he told The Telegraph it is a brutal time to be running a restaurant in Britain, with the effects of the national insurance and minimum wage hikes set to make things worse. “The imposition of national insurance on restaurant owners is really hard at a time when business is tough,” he said. “Because the economy is not looking too good, people aren’t going out as much, so the one thing you don’t want to do is impose a heavy tax on the sorts of industries that are actually producing stuff. That is really serious. You can argue that it’s good that people are paid good money for doing a job. I think the black economy is a bit dodgy, we shouldn’t rely on getting cheap labour all the time. But those two together? Just tough.” Stein said he questioned whether his business would survive during lockdown – “covid really got a bit close” – but saved it by delivering boxes of ingredients to cook at home (£136 for grilled scallops, lobster thermidor and chocolate pavé for two). “We turned over millions doing those boxes in covid,” he said. “We lost money, but it kept the cash turnover going, and it meant most of our staff were employed filling boxes full of lobsters and fish.” Stein is in the process of handing over the reins of his restaurants to his three sons, Ed, Jack and Charlie. “I’m not going to retire, but I don’t want the stresses of the everyday running of a business,” he said. “My sons are younger and stronger. It can be a bit fraught and it’s not always easy, but all of us are committed to hospitality.” Stein feels there is “a bit of faddishness” in food now and insisted “the sort of dishes I cook are the sort of dishes I’ve always cooked”, but he occasionally toys with a change. “Sometimes I think it would be great if we could do small plates,” he added.

 

NTIA – 1p off a pint ‘a false economy’: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said the 1p cut in UK draught pint tax is a “false economy”. Draught pints will cost 1p less from the beginning of February following a cut in alcohol duty. The 1.7% tax drop on the production of draught alcohol announced in last year's Budget is the first alcohol duty cut in a decade. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “The government’s 1p cut on a pint is a false economy – an empty gesture that fails to address the real financial pressures facing the hospitality and night-time economy sectors. In reality, venues are seeing a severe erosion of margin, losing between 2.5% and 3.5% on liquor sales due to rising alcohol duty from 1 February, with manufacturers and brewers set to continue increasing prices. This comes at a time when the industry is firmly in the grip of a cost of operating crisis. Meanwhile, tax hikes on spirits and wine – 32p more on a bottle of gin and 54p more on wine at 14.5% ABV – are adding further pressure, pushing up costs for businesses and consumers alike. The reality is that these measures will do more harm than good, pricing people out of venues and putting more businesses at risk.” Meanwhile, the NTIA also welcomed the Home Office’s £200m investment in neighbourhood policing but said it is crucial this “leads to a tangible increase in police presence within the night-time economy”. He added: “This funding must not simply be absorbed into general policing but should be directly allocated to ensuring a robust and consistent presence in nightlife. Only then can we truly build confidence in safety at night, allowing businesses to thrive and the public to enjoy vibrant night-time spaces without fear.”

 

Star Pubs reimburses tenant for arbitration costs after PCA intervenes: Heineken-owned Star Pubs has reimbursed a tenant for costs they were ordered to pay in arbitration. In 2023, a tenant referred a dispute with Star Pubs to the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) for arbitration. As part of this dispute, the tenant alleged that Star Pubs had breached regulation 46 of the Pubs Code, relating to premises insurance. The PCA appointed an alternative arbitrator to decide the dispute. During the arbitration, Star Pubs did not tell the tenant or the arbitrator that it had admitted breaches of regulation 46 of the Pubs Code, or that the PCA was in the process of reviewing those breaches at the time of the arbitration. Star Pubs also told the arbitrator that it believed its communications to tenants had satisfied obligations under regulation 46. The arbitrator decided the tenant’s complaints, including about regulation 46, were “vexatious”, and ordered the tenant to pay the arbitrator’s fee of £5,832. Upon reviewing the arbitrator’s award of costs against the tenant and the reasons for it, the PCA contacted Star Pubs “to express concern with its conduct in the arbitration”. In particular, the PCA said it was concerned that Star Pubs’ “lack of transparency” about its admitted breaches of regulation 46 may have influenced the arbitrator’s decision to order the tenant to pay costs. Star Pubs agreed it should have informed the arbitrator and the tenant about its breaches of regulation 46, and the PCA was reviewing those breaches. As a result, Star Pubs has now reimbursed the tenant for the costs the tenant was ordered to pay.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a growing hospitality group in London that is on the lookout for a hotel manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will be responsible for managing the team and overall hotel targets to deliver an excellent guest experience. The hotel manager will also be required to manage profitability and guest satisfaction measures alongside the general manager. Specifically, the hotel manager will be responsible for managing the profitability of their departments, ensuring revenue and guest satisfaction targets are met and exceeded, providing effective leadership to hotel team members, ensuring costs are controlled and revenue opportunities are effectively sourced and delivered.” The salary is £55,000 and the role is based in London. For more information, email lara@corecruitment.com.

 

Itsu founder – we will overtake Pret in five years’ time, plan to triple UK estate to 300: Julian Metcalfe, co-founder of Pret A Manger, believes his Asian-inspired food business Itsu will soon be bigger than the sandwich chain, as he bets on appetite from health-conscious consumers and international growth. Metcalfe told The FT that overtaking Pret, which he co-founded with friend Sinclair Beecham in 1986, had long been “one of my ambitions” for Itsu, which was launched a decade later. “In five years, we’ll definitely be much, much bigger than Pret A Manger because we’ll have a really fast-growing relationship with customers, and no one else can supply the sort of food that we do,” Metcalfe, who sold his final stake in Pret in 2018, said. He also took a swipe at his former company, saying Pret, where a chicken and bacon baguette costs £5.50, was “expensive”, and that Itsu was the only brand providing “good, nutritious, affordable food” to UK consumers. Its small rice bowls start from £4.99, with frozen soup dumplings available at Tesco for £3. Itsu currently has 83 UK stores, heavily concentrated in London – a fraction of Pret’s 493 shops across the country. Itsu’s 2023 sales were £164m, up 16% year on year, well short of Pret’s worldwide sales of £1.1bn. Internationally, Itsu has three stores in Brussels and Paris, compared with Pret’s more than 200 sites in Europe, the US and Asia. Metcalfe’s prediction is for Itsu’s sales to overtake those at Pret by 2030, as the company plans to more than triple UK outlet numbers to 300 and expand its supermarket sales channel globally. He said he was looking for franchise partners in countries such as Italy, Spain and Germany, to open hundreds of stores in the continent in the next decade. The founder, which owns about 60% of Itsu, also said he was on the hunt for a “global food manufacturer” to buy the company in about 2029, which was “a time when we do need a global reach”. Ultimately, Itsu’s growth plan will be driven more by the supermarket business, as Metcalfe predicted the segment would surpass the restaurant business next year. In 2023, Itsu Grocery generated 30% of group sales at £48m. “The high streets, especially staff costs, are so expensive,” said Metcalfe, adding they would only rise further from April, when an increase in employers’ national insurance contributions kicks in.

 

McDonald’s partners with Stormzy for UK’s first Famous Order meal: McDonald’s has partnered with musician Stormzy for the UK’s first Famous Order meal. McDonald’s launched Famous Orders in the US, spotlighting stars like musicians Travis Scott, J Balvin, Saweetie, BTS and Mariah Carey as well as YouTuber Kai Cenat, who all revealed their go-to menu orders for fans to try for themselves. Stormzy’s version features nine chicken McNuggets, a side of fries, two BBQ dips and a Sprite Zero, with either an Oreo McFlurry or apple pie for dessert. “I am so gassed for my McDonald’s order to be the first ever ‘Famous Order’ in the UK and Ireland,” Stormzy said. “I never thought I’d have my own order on the official menu. That’s mad.” Every Stormzy meal purchased in the restaurant will come with a set of premium limited-edition stickers, while app users will have a chance of winning a Stormzy tumbler, posters and pin badges. It will be available for a limited time from Wednesday, 12 February. McDonald’s chief marketing officer, Ben Fox, added: “Stormzy is a McDonald's fan through and through and a true global icon. This makes him the perfect superstar to bring to life the fact that no matter how famous you are, everyone has a favourite, go to McDonald’s order.”

 

Black Sheep Coffee to make Northern Ireland debut: Speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee will make its debut in Northern Ireland next week (4 February) with an opening in Belfast, with plans to open for another location in the city later this year. The new site will open at the Pearl Assurance Building at Donegall Square East and will be operated by Bannon and Bannon Property Holdings under Black Sheep Coffee-Ireland. The move represents a £1m investment by Bannon and Bannon, which is behind some of the most successful hospitality venues in the city including Common Market and 3Sheets. Bannon and Bannon said the Belfast launch of Black Sheep is the start of further openings on the island of Ireland. Anthony Morrissey, media and marketing director at Bannon and Bannon, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the unique Black Sheep Coffee experience to Belfast as part of a broader expansion strategy across Ireland over the coming years. We have watched the rapid development of Black Sheep Coffee throughout the UK in recent years and are proud to be leading its evolution in Ireland. This is just the start of a planned expansion programme north and south and already we are in advanced discussions with another prime location in Belfast which we will hopefully be in position to open in summer 2025. As a group, we are committed to the local hospitality and entertainment sector and are confident the addition of the Black Sheep Coffee brand will play a key role in our future regional expansion plans.” Black Sheep Coffee founders Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth said: “Expanding into Ireland has been a long time coming, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick things off in Belfast. Bringing Black Sheep Coffee to this iconic location marks the start of an exciting new chapter, and we can’t wait for Ireland to experience what we’re all about.” Black Sheep Coffee operates circa 90 sites in the UK and more than 100 worldwide.

 

Deep Blue begins secures ferry franchise for Harry Ramsden’s: Deep Blue Restaurants – owner of the Deep Blue, Harry Ramsden’s and Fish & Chips @ 149 brands – has secured a ferry franchise for Harry Ramsden’s. It has partnered with DFDS Ferries to offer Harry Ramsden’s new ‘Proudly Serving’ format to passengers travelling on DFDS routes between Dover and Calais and Dover and Dunkirk. The rollout across six DFDS vessels is expected to be completed by Easter 2025. Harry Ramsden’s ‘Proudly Serving’ offers the brand’s fish and chips to new audiences in a flexible and scalable format – supported by extensive training, branded packaging and operational oversight. “This partnership with DFDS reflects our shared commitment to exceptional customer experiences,” said James Low, chief executive of Deep Blue Restaurants, which acquired the Harry Ramsden’s brand in 2019. “By bringing our world-famous fish and chips to the high seas, we continue our mission to share Britain’s most cherished tradition with travellers worldwide.” Steven Newbery, director global onboard services at DFDS, added: “DFDS is very excited about partnering with Harry Ramsden’s to bring world famous fish and chips to our onboard ferry customers. We see it as a great match of two heritage brands, but more importantly, it's a partnership that will enhance the quality of our bestselling onboard dish.” Deep Blue Restaurants and Harry Ramsden’s both feature in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium Club members in December, featuring 50 new entries and now has a total of 330. 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.

Luxury Dubai restaurant chain doesn’t rule out London float: A luxury Dubai restaurant chain with plans to expand in the UK hasn’t ruled out a London listing. Fundamental Hospitality, founded by chairman Evgeny Kuzin, is in the early stages of gearing up to go public. It owns Gaia in Mayfair and will open Chinese restaurant Shanghai Me on the 28th floor of the London Hilton hotel in Park Lane this year. Kuzin told the Mail on Sunday he was looking at listing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but had not ruled out London or New York, in the next three to five years. The Russian-born restaurateur is expanding the chain, which he founded in Dubai in 2011 after a brief stint running nightclubs. It aims to go from 26 to 100 restaurants by the end of the decade. Recent openings in Dubai include Italian-American themed Adaline, open-fire cooking brand Ina and beach club concept Sirene by Gaia.

 

Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group reports profit of more than £5m following third successive year of record turnover: Scottish restaurant operator Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group’s (DRG) – which operates 11 brands across 21 locations in Scotland – has reported a profit of more than £5m for the year ended 28 April 2024 following a third successive year of record turnover. The company’s pre-tax profit grew from £4,906,554 in 2023 to £5,168,430, off turnover of £49,520,159, up from £45,837,615 in 2023. Grants of £70,882 were received compared to £36,585 in 2023. Dividends of £1,940,000 were paid (2022: £1,480,000) and shareholder funds at the year-end totalled £25,500,000 (2022: £24,130,000). Director Mario Lizzi said: “Gross margin in the period was 74.1% against 73.5% in the prior period. The operating margin, excluding the impact of exceptional items, in the period was 12.5% against 10.8% in the prior period. These margins continue to be satisfactory and highlight the group's core profitability.” As previously reported, post year-end, the group acquired the Glasgow-based, two-strong Paesano Pizza, and sister business Sugo Pasta, for an eight-figure sum from restaurateur Paul Stevenson.

 

Wimpy lodges plans to expand Buckinghamshire presence with Chesham opening: Wimpy has lodged plans to expand its presence in Buckinghamshire by opening a restaurant in Chesham. The company has applied to Buckinghamshire Council to open the outlet in an empty unit at 46a High Street, reports the Bucks Free Press. If approved, the branch will join its other Buckinghamshire restaurants, including High Wycombe, Bourne End and Aylesbury. Wimpy operates 62 sites in the UK, and in December opened a site in Brighton, marking its return to the city after a hiatus of more than 20 years.

 

Rockfish returns to profit ahead of opening three sites this year: Rockfish, the ten-strong, Mitch Tonks-led seafood restaurant group, has returned to profit ahead of opening three new sites this year. The company, which last year swung to a pre-tax loss of £876,138, said for the year ending April 2024, profits increased 67% year on year on a comparable basis. It also reported Ebitda of £1.5m and, as previously reported, completed a £3m fundraise ahead of further expansion. Next to open, in March, will be Marx Hix’s Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis, which the group acquired in November. This summer will then see the launch of the group’s 5,000 square-foot seafront restaurant at Salcombe, which will also house a Salcombe Brewery taproom. Also opening later this year will be the group’s Sidmouth restaurant, while a site in Topsham is also in the pipeline. Founder Mitch Tonks said: “We are delighted with the progress we have made this year. Despite inflationary headwinds, we have increased profitability and served more customers. Our brand is growing beyond restaurants: we saw 100% year-on-year growth in our online seafood market, as we work towards our goal of changing the way people buy seafood in Britain. We are confident, despite economic headwinds, that we will deliver further record years in 2024/5 and 2025/6.” Chairman Will Beckett added: ‘The strange reality of Britain’s hospitality industry is the disparity between winners and losers – to the point that some restaurants are thriving while their neighbours are struggling. I’m really proud that Rockfish restaurants are in the former group, because Mitch and his team are so focused on their customers, on incredible food and on running a brilliant business.”

 

Vegetarian restaurant brand Crispy Dosa looks to expand to West Midlands: Vegetarian restaurant brand Crispy Dosa is looking to expand into the West Midlands. The company is eyeing an opening in Solihull and has submitted plans to Solihull Council to convert an empty unit in a parade of shops off Station Road, reports Birmingham Live. Crispy Dosa, which specialises in Chettinad cuisine from south India, opened its first branch in 2000. The company operates ten sites across the UK including in Watford, Reading and Milton Keynes. In 2023, the brand made its international debut with an opening in Channai, India.

 

Simon Shaw – new immersive concept ‘successful’ ahead of third conversion and further expansion plans: Simon Shaw, chef-patron and creative director of the El Gato Negro and Canto concepts, has said his new immersive concept, Black Cat Club, has been “successful to date” ahead of a third conversion under the brand and further expansion plans. Shaw launched the first Black Cat Club – which features flyby darts and interactive shuffleboard – in his former Habas restaurant in Manchester’s Brown Street in February 2024. He then converted his El Gato Negro in Leeds into a second Black Cat Club in June. Shaw has now said moving his El Gato Negro in Liverpool to the former Viva Brazil site in the city’s Castle Street – as reported last month – will allow its former location, on Exchange Flags, to become a third Black Cat Club. “The conversion of both Brown Street and Park Row in 2024 has proved to be successful to date,” parent company Mills Hill Developments reported in its newly published accounts for the year to 30 April 2024. “King Street has continued to trade well, showing marginal growth against a very difficult background. Exchange Flags and Ancoats have fared less favourably, and while the sites have contributed to profits, the decision has been made to convert Exchange Flags into the Black Cat concept. To achieve this, we have completed the purchase of an existing restaurant on Castle Street. Viva Brazil will be refitted to accommodate an El Gato and this will take approximately six weeks. Exchange Flags will then be closed and converted into a Black Cat Club. The central location of Castle Street and suitability of Exchange Flags presents the business with a considerable opportunity. We are also involved in looking to expand the restaurants and Black Cats into other cities.” The company’s turnover rose from £10,564,562 in 2023 to £11,006,327. Its pre-tax profit fell from £567,871 to £234,989. Government grants of £27,043 were received (2023: nil). No dividends were paid (2023: nil). “While we fully expect another difficult trading period, we are confident that the strategic approach will continue to pay dividends and provide a platform for future growth,” the company added. “With the increase in employers’ national insurance announced in the October budget, there is no doubt that challenges will continue into 2025.”

Oxygen to open at Manchester’s MediaCity next month for 13th site: Indoor family activity brand Oxygen will open its 13th site next month. 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, having previously agreed a deal with landlord Peel Retail & Leisure. Following a £2.5m investment, the new park – which opens on Monday, 17 February ­– will feature more than 20 trampolines and Oxygen’s signature “excite tunnel”, which is an illuminated sensory experience. The venue, which will create more than 50 jobs, will also be home to a high ropes course and a “sky rider”, allowing guests to soar over the venue on a harness. There will also be a cafe serving drinks, snacks and meals that will overlook the site. 

 

Peak District operator Longbow Bars & Restaurants secures lease of Derbyshire pub for fifth site: Peak District operator Longbow Bars & Restaurants Longbow Bars & Restaurants has secured the lease of a Derbyshire pub for its fifth site. It has taken over the running of The Peacock at Rowsley, originally a manor house built in 1652, from Rutland Hotels, owned by Lord Edward Manners. The freehold has been acquired by Coverland UK, which already owns three of Longbow’s other properties. The venue, which holds four silver AA stars and three AA rosettes, has 15 bedrooms and riverfront garden, and all existing staff will remain in place. “Having owned The Peacock at Rowsley for the last 22 years, I am delighted to now pass it on to Rob and the team at Longbow Venues; a superb local company who are doing a brilliant job with all their venues nearby,” Lord Manners said. “I am very proud of what the Peacock and all my wonderful team have achieved over the years, and I know it is in a safe pair of hands.” Planned enhancements include reintroducing Sunday lunches and an afternoon tea experience and a refurbishment of the interiors, with the pub reopening in March. “The Peacock at Rowsley holds a special place in my heart, my family’s, and the wider community,” said Longbow managing director Rob Hattersley. “While we are committed to maintaining the hotel’s exceptional standards of food and service, we want to open our doors even wider – whether it’s for a coffee, a relaxed drink, or an unforgettable dining experience.”

 

Manchester United legend’s neighbourhood restaurant closes: George’s Dining Room and Bar, the neighbourhood restaurant co-owned by Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, has closed. The Worsley restaurant was opened by the former Reds star and two of his old school pals in 2014, but the venue on Barton Road was closed over the weekend, with signs on the door informing customers it was shut due to unforeseen circumstances. However, texts seen by the Manchester Evening News told staff the restaurant was closing with immediate effect.The messages said they owners “regret to announce that with a heavy heart we have no alternative but to close George’s effective immediately”. They went on to say: “This is due to the obvious reduction in trade and business against the huge increases in costs of operating the business and the ongoing cost of living crisis.” Giggs said he had realised a lifelong dream when he opened the restaurant with Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor in 2014. Since then, he has also partnered with former team-mate Gary Neville for the GG Hospitality Group, which launched Hotel Football at Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre.

 

Cornish hotel group looking to become more of an all-year-round proposition after fall in occupancy and room revenue hits turnover: Cornish hotel group Red Hotels has said it is looking to become more of an all-year-round proposition after a fall in occupancy and room revenue hit its turnover in the year to 31 December 2023. The company, which operates the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa and the Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth, Newquay, saw turnover drop from £13,896,156 to £13,317,696. Of this, £6,928,745 came from accommodation (2022: £7,584,968), £4,690,935 from food and drink (2022: £4,673,788) and £1,549,6060 from spa income (2022: £1,435,131). Occupancy was down from 77.3% in 2022 to 72% and average daily rate fell from £209.14 to £197.94. The company’s Ebitda dropped from £1,954,455 to £1,463,748 and pre-tax profit more than halved from £1,244,990 to £579,331. “The company has worked hard over recent years to try to ensure that both hotels are a year-round destination, so as to smooth out the impact that seasonality has on the business, although the summer months will still be key to the company's overall success,” said director Robert Waghorn. “The directors expect the cost of living challenges, the vagaries of the British weather and the appetite for potential guests to visit Cornwall will have an impact on the group, although the expensive energy contracts that the group were locked into have now ended, and while rates have not reverted to pre-2022 levels, we should enjoy significant savings in energy costs in the forthcoming year. The fall in turnover was largely due to lower room income as secondary spend held up well in food, drink and spa revenue. The gross profit margin increased to 40.9% (2022: 38.8%) due to improved margin controls, lower food wastage and good control over labour costs. Administrative expenses, however, increased by 14%, with significant increases in hotel repairs, maintenance costs and energy costs as well as marketing and advertising costs. This led to Ebitda in the period falling.” No government grants were received (2022: £12,000) while dividends of £230,000 were paid (2022: £110,000). 

 

Everards gets go-ahead for hotel plan: Leicestershire brewer and retailer Everards has been given the go-ahead for plans for a hotel as part of its flagship project. Everards has received reserved matters approval from Blaby District Council for a hotel with up to 120 rooms at Everards Meadows. The site has been envisioned as a “premier destination” where the history of Everards can be “experienced and celebrated” while providing the business with a dedicated site to accommodate its present day and future operations. Phase one of the development, including the new Everards headquarters, visitor centre and cycle centre, was completed in 2019. There are no meeting rooms or conference facilities proposed for external guests to the four-storey hotel, which represents phase 2a of the scheme, and hotel guests will be encouraged to make use of the existing on-site facilities. Phase 2b comprises an office campus, which was approved under the initial outline application, reports Insider Media.