Exclusive – Freight Island to open ‘largest single-site F&B and entertainment venue in a UK city centre’ with Newcastle launch, to make London debut this summer: Freight Island, the Manchester entertainment and dining destination, is heading to Newcastle, Propel has learned. The new space at Eldon Square will span 60,000 square feet, which Freight Island said would make it the largest single-site food and beverage and entertainment venue in a UK city centre. Taking over the top floor of the former Debenhams unit, as well as part of the existing roof space, the venue is due to open in the autumn following a £16m investment from all parties involved. The site will host a curated selection of eateries and food traders, including a service-led restaurant overseen by an executive chef, global street food stalls and a food hall with communal seating under a retractable roof. A key feature of the new Freight Island will be its purpose-built Music Box – a state-of-the-art, 1,200-capacity venue for live music and touring acts. The company is also set to make its London debut with a new smaller format. The 20,000 square-foot venue Freight Brixton will launch this summer. Dan Morris, co-founder and managing director of Freight Island, told Propel that a further larger-scale Freight Island was in the works for 2026, while there were a couple of sites in the pipeline for the smaller format. “We couldn’t open more than one Freight Island a year because of their sheer scale,” he said. “But if we can find the right space, then there’s potential in a lot of cities such as Glasgow, Belfast and Bristol.” Having launched the concept in Manchester in 2020, Morris told Propel the model had “been shifted a couple of times” and had enjoyed a profitable last couple of years. He added: “Newcastle is the perfect location to take Freight Island to the next level. The city is growing rapidly, and Freight Island will play an important part in that by nurturing local talent, while bringing our vibrant mix of food, drink, music and entertainment to this incredible city.” Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and food and beverage at Pradera Lateral, Eldon Square’s asset management team, added: “Our vision for Eldon Square is to transform it into the beating heart of the city centre and the arrival of Freight Island will create a unique space that goes beyond retail, food and drink, blending music, culture, and community.” Freight Island is seeking traders to join the new site, from both Newcastle itself and those looking to break into the city.

 

AlixPartners MD Graeme Smith to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Graeme Smith, managing director of AlixPartners, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Smith will examine the sector’s investment landscape, which concepts are generating the most interest from buyers, and where the buyers are coming from. 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), at midday. 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 cafe bakery sector such as Sprigg and salad bar brand Choppaluna launching sites in Glasgow, and Knead Bakery opening in Oxford. 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.

 

Mayor of London launches independent new nightlife taskforce: Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has launched a new independent nghtlife taskforce, created to address issues facing the capital’s night-time industry and make recommendations to help it thrive. The taskforce will be chaired by Cameron Leslie, co-founder and director of London nightclub Fabric, and will also include UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls and Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill. The taskforce will have access to an advisory group that will include representatives from the Met Police, Transport for London, London councils, trade unions, the broader business community and supply chain businesses. The taskforce will make recommendations to the mayor that will help build on City Hall’s ongoing work to support nightlife. This includes protecting venues from closure, working with boroughs to develop London’s first local night-time strategies, introducing the Night Tube and Overground, cutting licensing red tape and launching the Women’s Night Safety Charter. Sir Sadiq said: “I’m determined to do all I can to work alongside our night-time industries, which is why I’ve brought together this independent taskforce of experts to examine and address the opportunities and issues facing the industry.” Nicholls said: “While there are undoubtedly significant challenges facing our nightlife businesses, it still has the potential to grow and build on that reputation, and I look forward to working with the taskforce to develop new solutions that can support businesses in the capital to both survive and thrive.” Kill added: “This initiative comes at a crucial time, as our nightlife sector faces ongoing challenges, from rising operational costs to regulatory pressures and shifting consumer behaviours, and by working collaboratively with key stakeholders, we can tackle the issues affecting late-night businesses and implement strategies to ensure a thriving, sustainable future for London’s nightlife.”

 

UKHospitality calls for children to be made exempt from Welsh visitor levy: UKHospitality has called for children to be made exempt from the forthcoming Welsh visitor levy in order to protect family holidays to the country. Plans for the levy will go before the Senedd’s finance committee today (Wednesday, 5 February). UKHospitality Cymru said exempting children would bring Wales into line with European nations that implement a levy and exclude children, like France and Belgium. The trade body will also be making the case to include specific clauses to limit the spending of raised funds to areas that directly benefit tourism – saying the current spending proposals are too broad. David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru, said: “The visitor levy alone potentially pushes Wales down the pecking order of likely holiday destinations, and the decision to tax children is yet another reason for families to choose to go elsewhere. The Welsh government should bring us into line with other leading European nations and ensure it doesn’t make visiting Wales more prohibitive. I hope the committee recognises the need for these important changes to be made, as well as the need to ensure funds raised directly benefit tourism, and make the appropriate recommendations to the Welsh government.”

SBPA – not too late to address business rates ‘unfairness’ in Scottish Budget: The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has said it is not too late to address the “unfairness” over business rates in the forthcoming Scottish Budget. The Scottish government announced in December that from April, a 40% business rates relief will apply to many hospitality venues, although thousands will not be eligible. The Budget has now passed its first vote at Holyrood. SBPA senior advisor Paul Togneri said: “Overall, this is a positive budget for Scotland’s brewers and pubs, with support on business rates for the first time in three years. There are still hundreds of pubs above the ratings threshold who are missing out entirely though, and they will rightfully be disappointed. It is not too late for this unfairness to be addressed, and we are still urging the government and opposition parties to look again at extending the 40% relief. Ultimately, we need a long-term solution to the rates issue to end the annual uncertainty. The disproportionately high bills faced by pubs compared to other sectors is costing investment, economic growth and jobs.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a growing purchasing business that specialises in procurement for premium hospitality clients and is looking for a senior buyer to join the team. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will be responsible for maintaining and nurturing relationships with existing suppliers while seeking opportunities with new suppliers to enhance the business position across all buying categories.” The salary is up to £65,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com.

 

Mission Mars CEO – Budget hasn’t changed the shape of our pipeline yet, confirms Brighton plans: Roy Ellis, chief executive of Mission Mars, the Business Growth Fund-backed operator of Albert’s Schloss and Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, has told Propel the increased costs from the Budget have not “changed the shape of our pipeline yet” for its pizza brand. The 30-strong Rudy’s recently opened sites in Prestwich and Newcastle, and Ellis confirmed three further sites were in the pipeline – in Leamington Spa, Cambridge and Brighton. The latter is understood to be set for the Chilli Pickle site in Jubilee Street, which was placed on the market last year. Last July, Rudy’s said it was targeting opening nine sites in FY24, with the aim of opening a similar number of pizzerias in FY25. Ellis said: “We are not changing the shape of our pipeline while we wait to see what happens from April, May and June. It could be that, if the impact is negative – extremely negative – one of the things we might consider is a slow down to growth. However, it would need to be a pretty grim outcome to these costs implications for us to slow down because Rudy’s is going so well. In terms of Schloss, we don’t have anything in legals at the moment. The lead time for a Schloss is six to nine months, so it’s not stopping us looking and it’s not really affecting our growth aspirations here. We’ve been doing planning and preparation for those cost increases and trying to mitigate them, but until they actually land, we won’t know their full impact, including the knock-on effect on suppliers.”

 

Itsu founder – I think we have embraced technology too quickly, reconsidering self-service: Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has said that he thinks the business “embraced technology too quickly” and has begun adding back staffed tills as part of the brand’s expansion plans. Itsu has had only one staffed till in each of its 83 outlets, along with self-service kiosks, but has now begun adding back two staffed tills. A report in the FT says Metcalfe is a pioneer of using technology to cut costs, with not only self-service tills, but three sushi-preparing robots in each Itsu kitchen. He also describes the restaurant industry as “staggeringly inefficient” in the way it is organised and its use of working time. “If labour is getting more expensive, that is probably a good thing,” he told the newspaper. He also believes in automation behind the scenes, saying: “If a machine can peel potatoes faster than three people, then get it.” Metcalfe is not alone in reconsidering self-service, with supermarket chain Morrisons removing some self-checkouts after finding they were cumbersome for shoppers with a lot of items. “Human beings are immensely sophisticated, so we should treat them well,” Metcalfe added.

 

Incipio Group reports full-year like-for-likes up 21.1%, sees record festive season, strengthens board and management team: Incipio Group, operator of venues including Pergola on the Wharf, The Libertine and The Prince, has reported record festive trading across its seven venues, with sales of £3.7m over the five-week Christmas period to 29 December 2024. The company said it had seen a number of company records broken, including a record sales week for the group of £1.13m, as well as a weekly sales record of £330,000 at its The Libertine site in the City. Incipio said the record festive sales rounded off a strong 2024, with final group sales of £25.2m, like-for like-sales up 21% and venue Ebitda increasing 49.1%. Chief executive Ed Devenport said: “I am delighted by our 2024 performance, with all of our venues ending the year in growth as a result of the hard work of my teammates throughout the year. Our focus last year of developing the current estate by driving top-line sales through innovation, improved guest experience and a people focused approach has been supported by excellent work on managing costs throughout the group, despite the numerous headwinds the sector continues to face. We have hit every goal in a year focused on consolidating the existing estate ahead of multiple venue openings at Olympia and created an excellent platform for 2025.” Incipio is set to open 40,000 square feet of food and beverage space at Olympia later this year. To support the new openings, Incipio has made two additions to its board, Leanne Catterall and Robert Petch. Catterall, previously director of retail and hospitality leasing for Canary Wharf Group following roles at Crown Estate and CBRE, will assist the group in driving future growth opportunities. At the same time, Incipio has also reshuffled its executive team, with Lauren Courtney being promoted to finance director, Rory Graham to marketing and brand director and Mellissa Bindon to property director. 

 

Punch Pubs & Co adds Somerset pub to L&T estate: Punch Pubs & Co has added to its growing portfolio with the acquisition of The Bull pub in Ilchester, Somerset. The traditional wet-led pub sits within Punch’s leased and tenanted estate and will be operated by experienced publican Yvonne Wright. Punch Pubs & Co head of estate development and acquisitions Andrew Cannons said: “We are pleased to welcome the Bull into the Punch family. It is a fantastic pub that has excellent qualities, and we're confident that it will contribute to the continued success of our leased and tenanted estate as Yvonne and the team step in.” Punch Pubs operations manager Jay Pearce added: “Yvonne is an outstanding and seasoned operator who has successfully managed a number of pubs within our estate. With an investment planned for later this year and the re-introduction of a home-cooked food menu, I am enthusiastic about the potential of this village pub and look forward to witnessing its future success.” Punch said it is continually on the lookout for more “quality acquisitions, including packages and single-site opportunities that fit well with its modern and progressive vision and growth plans”.

 

Whitbread acquires site in London’s Holborn for hub by Premier Inn, searching for 40 locations for hotels within M25: Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, has acquired the freehold of 35 Red Lion Square in London’s Holborn for conversion into a hub by Premier Inn hotel. The property, which is on the junction of Theobalds Road, Drake Street and Red Lion Square, was purchased from the Royal College of Anaesthetists for an undisclosed sum. Set over eight storeys and comprising 47,500 square feet, the building has been the headquarters of the professional body responsible for the speciality of anaesthesia since 2006. Whitbread, which is searching for 40 locations for Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn within the M25, sees the potential for a hub by Premier Inn hotel of around 150 bedrooms as part of its London growth plan. Jonathan Langdon, senior acquisitions manager at Whitbread, said: “Hub by Premier Inn has been a huge success for Whitbread since launching in 2014. From a standing start we now offer our guests a choice of 18 great locations, 15 of which are in London, and see huge potential for the brand in the years ahead. Converting buildings that may no longer meet the needs of modern office occupiers into hotels has enabled us to take hub by Premier Inn to many of London’s most exciting areas.” The hotels range in size from a 60-bedroom hub by Premier Inn at Bank in the City of London to a 690-room hub at 5 Strand, which is due to open in 2028. Whitbread was advised on the acquisition of 35 Red Lion Square by Frame Real Estate Partners while The Royal College of Anaesthetists was advised by Newmark.

 

Wahaca reports current trading ‘solid’ as it brings regenerative beef to menu to further reduce carbon impact: Mexican-inspired restaurant group Wahaca has told Propel that current trading has been “solid” as it takes the next step on its sustainability journey by bringing regenerative British beef to its menu. The move, which follows Wahaca removing its steak dishes in 2023 due to their high carbon impact, has seen the number of cows the beef comes from dramatically reduce from 420 per week to just ten, and is forecast to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its beef by almost 60%. Wahaca said with more than half of its menu now being made up of meat-free options, the shift to regenerative beef further reduces its environmental impact. As well as requiring far fewer animals to create the dishes on its menu, the group said the move also means its carbon emissions will be “radically reduced” – with its regenerative beef being 42.3% lower in emissions than EU beef emissions. Wahaca co-founder Thomasina Miers said: “The beef comes from farms that are working in harmony with nature rather than against. It’s a double win for us and our customers, and yet again we are showing how you can eat delicious food and feel amazing about it at the same time.” Regarding trading, a spokesperson told Propel: “Recent trading has been solid and our latest opening in Paddington has been performing above expectations. It’s still sitting at a 4.9-star rating on Google Reviews, which gives us great confidence that Wahaca’s reimagined positioning is really resonating with our customers.” Wahaca operates 14 restaurants under its eponymous brand and six DF Tacos sites, including three in Market Halls.

 

Daisy Green Collection narrows pre-tax losses, hints at international play: Australian restaurant group Daisy Green Collection saw its pre-tax losses narrow in the year to 21 April 2024, as its turnover climbed 27% to £22,691,906. The company saw its pre-tax losses narrow from £1,195,238 in 2023 to £373,955, while adjusted Ebitda stood at £2,406,148 (2023: £2,075,317). The business said it believes its performance is in line with “best-in-class comparable operators in the UK” and demonstrates the strength of both the mature portfolio and the new site openings. The company currently operates 17 sites in London. There were two new sites opened during the period, including a landmark operation in the newly refurbished National Portrait Gallery, and an upgraded corner location on Heddon Street. Post year end, the company opened two further locations, in the centre of Holland Park and on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, both of which are “trading ahead of expectations”. The company also hinted at a future international play. It said: “The company’s strategy is to continue to invest in new sites in the UK and internationally whilst investing in the required teams, infrastructure and processes to support this growth. Additionally, the company seeks to maintain, improve and grow like for like performances in existing sites as well as grow its direct-to-consumer businesses.” The company raised £600,000 of equity capital during the period through B Investment Shares. It added: “The directors are satisfied with the turnover and the adjusted Ebitda achieved during the period and are excited by the outlook for the company.”

 

TGI Fridays closes further sites in US: TGI Fridays has sold 19 more company-owned restaurants out of bankruptcy as its US estate continues to decline. According to court documents in the US, Yadav Enterprises secured 16 restaurants as part of a $3m credit bid, plus cure costs and liabilities. The stores are in California, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Yadav franchises close to 350 stores across TGI Fridays, Jack in the Box, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Corner Bakery Cafe and Sizzler in northern California, Texas and the Midwest. Yadav also owns fast-casual concept Taco Cabana. Sugarloaf Hospitality, owned by former TGI Fridays chief executive Ray Blanchette, acquired three sites (two in New York and one in Hollywood) for $100,000. TGI Fridays declared bankruptcy in November. At the time of filing, the brand had 39 corporately owned US restaurants. In addition to the 19 stores, nine were sold to Mexico franchisee MERA Corp earlier this year. Several other company-owned restaurants have closed. TGI Fridays is now down to 129 US stores, or a loss of 250-plus locations in five years. The brand reached a peak of more than 600 sites in the US in 2008.

 

Greene King – draught alcohol-free sales were up 238% in January, trialling Guinness 0.0% on draught: Greene King has reported sales of low and no-alcohol drinks across its estate surged in January, with draught alcohol-free sales up by 238% in the month. Across 1,600 Greene King managed pubs, three out of the five top-selling packaged beer and cider brands were alcohol-free lager and stout brands. At the same time, the alcohol-free share of the total packaged beer and cider category has grown 9.3% year-on-year, while volume share of alcohol-free cocktails has grown 4.9% versus 2023. The company said: “Guinness 0.0% is being trialled on draught and is packaged in other sites. The most established category, packaged beer and cider, continues to drive sales further as more than 30% of all packaged beer and cider sold was alcohol-free products.” Danny Ayton, Greene King's drinks category director, said: “This January, we have seen the continuing demand for great quality low and no drinks. The pub is where people want to meet up with friends, family and work colleagues, whatever the occasion and time of day.” Recent research by Greene King found 20% of Generation Z don’t drink alcohol and a third of those surveyed believe the UK drinking culture is more inclusive for non-alcohol drinkers compared with five years ago. The findings showed people are moderating their alcohol intake throughout the year, not just in January.

 

Hall & Woodhouse reveals reduction in gas and electricity usage in 2024 and commits a further £1m to sustainability initiatives in 2025: Dorset brewer and retailer Hall & Woodhouse has revealed a reduction in gas and electricity usage in 2024 and committed a further £1m to sustainability initiatives in 2025. The company, which has circa 150 pubs in its portfolio, said it reduced its gas usage by 12% and electricity usage by 7% last year – equating to approximately 360 tonnes of carbon dioxide savings. It is working towards net zero scope 1 and 2 energy emissions by 2027 and has exceed its own target to achieve a 10% year-on-year energy reduction through behavioural changes in 2024. This included implementing strict temperature controls, seasonal heating adjustments and mandatory overnight shutdown procedures for ventilation systems and kitchen equipment. The company has also piloted smart cellar cooling and smart kitchen ventilation, and installed solar panels in five of its pubs and its brewery. This year’s £1 investment will include increasing the number of fully electric kitchens within its managed house estate from nine to 23 by the end of 2025. Marianne Jarvis, who is responsible for sustainability at Hall & Woodhouse, said: “We have already proactively identified, tested and budgeted to implement significant technology-driven reductions in 2025. These investments will help us to achieve our mission to fully electrify our kitchens by 2027 and be well on our way to removing gas entirely from our managed houses.”

 

Urban Pubs & Bars reopens historic London pub: Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, has reopened the historic George & Dragon pub in London’s Wanstead. The venue, which first opened in 1716, was last year saved from closure following a community campaign, with the site at risk of being sold to property developers. A petition gathering more than 3,500 signatures, plus letters of support from MP Calvin Bailey, to former operator JD Wetherspoon and the pub’s freeholders, paid off when Urban stepped in to secure the venue’s future. Now, following a £1.3m investment in a full-scale refurbishment, the pub is open once more, creating 60 jobs, including the return of more than a dozen former staff members. Urban is also currently refurbishing the Red Lion pub in nearby Leytonstone, which dates to the mid-18th century and is reopening in late February as a ten-bedroom hotel, ballroom and pub. Managing director Chris Hill said: “Saving The George & Dragon is exactly what Urban is all about, celebrating London’s pub culture, supporting local communities, and preserving historic venues. The dedication of the local community to saving this pub has been truly inspiring, and seeing the pub come back to life is incredibly rewarding.” Last month, Urban revealed it is to begin expanding its competitive socialising concept Bat & Ball, with a site in Covent Garden, and it had secured additional funds to “accelerate” its ambitious expansion plans. It came as the company posted record-breaking Ebitda of £8.7m for the year ending 28 April 2024, a 26% increase on the previous year, and reported a 16% rise in turnover to a record £60.5m.

 

London luxury health club business Third Space reports £6m profit boost and 35% increase in turnover after opening two new clubs: London luxury health club business Third Space has reported a £6m profit boost and a 35% increase in turnover for the year to 31 December 2023 after opening two new clubs. The 13-strong business, which is due to open a 14th site, in Chelsea, saw pre-tax profit grow from £46,095 in 2022 to £6,567,655. Turnover was up from £51,424,485 to £69,312,930, while adjusted Ebitda increased from £7.4m to £16.5m. Director Suzanne Clarkson said: “2023 was a good year for the business, as it saw a strong recovery in membership levels and Ebitda after the impact of covid-19 in the UK between 2020 and 2022. The improved results are driven by both like-for-like trading clubs showing a significant improvement in Ebitda and reflecting the first full year of trading for two new clubs.” No dividends were paid (2022: nil). 

 

The Glee Club operator to open sixth site: Comic Enterprises, which operates The Glee Club live entertainment venues and is owned by founder Mark Tughan, is set to open a sixth site for the concept. It will open this spring in Albion Street, Leeds, offering a weekly programme of comedy, live music and entertainment. The first The Glee Club venue opened in 1994, and it now has locations in Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow and Oxford. The new 400-capacity Leeds venue will offer theatre-style seating alongside an extensive food and drink menu such as burgers, nachos, sourdough pizza, cocktail pitchers, beer buckets and a selection of wine. There will be weekly food deals and a pre-order service, as well as custom-made packages and special deals for students. Tughan said: “Leeds is a city we’ve long been looking at as a location to further expand The Glee Club. We’ve got some incredible acts lined up and will also be providing a platform for local performers too, with plenty of homegrown Yorkshire talent on the bill. Our fit out is progressing well and we can’t wait to open.”

 

Gourmet burger concept that has Fireaway founder as a backer set for north of England debut: Gourmet burger concept Five Akhis, which has fast-pizza brand Fireaway founder Mario Aleppo as a backer, is set to open its first site in the north of England. Five Akhis was founded in 2021 by four friends who grew up in Milton Keynes together. Aleppo invested in the fledgling business in 2023, taking a 5% stake as well as lending his expertise. Five Akhis currently operates two sites in Milton Keynes – a full-service restaurant and an express format location – as well as in Oxford and Northampton, and is now set to arrive in Preston. “Big news, Preston. We’re so excited to announce our newest location is on the way,” the company posted to Instagram. “Work is already underway, and it won’t be long before we’re ready to welcome you. Spread the word, we’ll see you very soon.” Further franchise locations are being planned for Luton and Sheffield.

 

Northern England hotel operator expands to Cheshire for fifth site: Ailantus Hotels, which operates sites across the north of England, has expanded to Cheshire for its fifth site. The company has acquired the 34-room Mere Court Hotel, a four-star country house near Knutsford, which also features an AA Rosette restaurant, in a multimillion-pound deal. Ailantus also owns the George Washington Hotel in Washington, Mercure Norton Grange in Rochdale, Holiday Inn Manchester in Oldham and The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley. Ailantus is based in Gosforth and led by Neel and Saroj Chawla.

 

Hotel group expands into Lake District for fourth site: Hotel group The Kronen Collection has expanded into the Lake District for its fourth site. The company has acquired Borrowdale Gates Hotel, near Keswick – adding to a portfolio that includes The Crown Hotel, in Wetheral, The Kilbirnie in Newquay and Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle. Borrowdale Gates was originally a private residence built by Margaret Heathcote in the 19th century. A Kronen Collection spokesman said: “We’ve always been passionate about expanding our portfolio with unique properties that offer both charm and exceptional location. Borrowdale Gates is an outstanding addition due to its rich history, stunning location in the Lake District, and the potential to provide guests with an authentic experience in one of the UK’s most picturesque regions. As we introduce new initiatives, there will be opportunities for growth and development.”

London Thai restaurant Singburi set for rebirth: London Thai restaurant Singburi is set to be reborn. The venue in Leytonstone shut late last year but is now set to reopen, this time in Shoreditch. Singburi 2.0 sees the second generation of the Kularbwong family – namely head chef Sirichai – formally taking over from his parents, who are retiring. Kularbwong has teamed up with Nick Molyviatis, the founding chef at Kiln who also helped orchestrate the debut of Oma, and Alexander Gkikas, co-founder of Holburn café-come-roastery Catalyst, to propel Singburi into a new era. The trio said the site in Montacute Yards, off Shoreditch High Street, will open in the spring and “remain rooted in the spirit of the original while embracing a broader, distinctly London perspective”.

 

Asian-inspired food concept Ling Ling’s finds new full-time home: Asian-inspired food concept Ling Ling’s has found a new full-time home in London. The roaming supper-club-turned-residency is going to be running the food side of things at The Bluecoats in Tottenham from today (Wednesday, 5 February), reports Hot Dinners. The menu at the High Road pub, which is close to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, will include dishes such as chicken and Thai basil wontons alongside an aromatic duck salad. The move to The Bluecoats also allows Ling Ling’s to bring back its take on a Sunday roast – five spiced pork belly and crispy skin chicken with ginger and spring onion oil served with Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and a miso gravy. There will also be a snack menu for football fans on matchdays, while the pub is planning a fresh wine and cocktail list to go with Ling Ling’s menu.