Ellen Chew – Chinatown ‘has really changed in last 15 years’, sector challenges ‘a cycle like any other’: Singaporean restaurateur Ellen Chew has told Propel that London’s Chinatown “has really changed in the last 15 years” and the challenges being experienced by the sector are “a cycle like any other”, which can lead to opportunities. Although Chew’s 11-strong restaurant group has now spread as far and wide as Bicester and Birmingham, Chinatown was the scene of her first restaurant after coming to the UK in 2005, when she opened Rasa Sayang in 2008. Her estate, which also takes in both Westfield sites in London plus Heathrow airport, came full circle last year with the launch of Singaporean restaurant Singapulah in Chinatown, at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Wardour Street. “Chinese cuisine has really changed in Chinatown in the last 15 years,” Chew said. “It used to be just dim sum and roasted duck. Now, you not only have every Asian cuisine going, but you also have all the regional variations. Supermarkets have played a part in that by stocking more varieties of products – we used to have to fly out and bring back our ingredients ourselves from Singapore. Everybody has upped their game, and the rise in Asian immigrants has played its part too.” As an example, Chew pointed to the various types of noodle on offer at Singapulah – which launched with the support of the Singaporean government agency, Enterprise Singapore, to showcase the country’s culture as well as its cuisine. “The noodles most people in the UK know are only a tiny fraction of the noodles out there,” she said. “There are so many different textures and varieties that complement different dishes. We have the opportunity to showcase such things in Singapullah. We rotate the food manufacturers every six months.” Although Chew’s restaurant group, Chew on This, is not immune to the challenges facing the rest of the sector, she chooses to see it as just “a cycle”, which can also throw up opportunities. “Hospitality has been kicked quite badly, it’s been scary,” she said. “But it’s a cycle like any other, and if you understand the industry, uncertainty can create opportunity.” Chew told Propel last month she is open to rolling out smaller café versions of Singapulah, and that her third Shan Shui location will be a new concept. As well as Singapulah and Rasa Sayang in Chinatown, Chew on This has three Mrs Chew’s and two Shan Shui sites, as well as two each with partner brands Arome and Lobos.

 

Propel to launch In Conversation podcast series: Propel is to launch a new fortnightly podcast series exclusively for Propel Premium Club subscribers, called In Conversation, featuring industry leaders and sector players talking about their businesses and issues impacting the UK’s hospitality market. The new series, which will be hosted by Propel group editor Mark Wingett and Mark Stretton, managing director of leading sector PR firm Fleet Street Communications, will launch next Friday (7 March) at 3pm, with inaugural guest Alex Reilley, chairman of café bar operator Loungers. The conversation will look to get under the bonnet of the company’s recent £354.4m acquisition by Fortress, what comes next for the Lounge and Cosy Club operator, and his thoughts on the challenges facing the sector, especially those starting out. Wingett said: “After the success of our Friday Wrap series, In Conversation will look to delve deeper into the current issues facing the sector and tease out gems of information from leading sector players about how they see the industry evolving, with maybe some sector gossip thrown in.” Stretton said: “We look forward to talking to those operators and sector players currently shaping the industry and teasing out some nuggets of information you won’t hear anywhere else.” 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.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,335 operators and 24 new companies on Friday: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database on Friday (28 February). The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,335 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 972 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 790 (24%) pub and bar operators, 569 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 466 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 273 (8%) hotel operators, 210 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 55 (2%) fine dining operators. It is updated each month, and this edition includes 24 new companies. New additions to the cafe bakery sector include London artisan doughnut brand Dum Dum Donutteries, Bristol bagel concept The Little Bagel Co and Knead Bakery, the Cotswolds patisserie and café concept. Premium Club members also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, 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 and International Brands report. 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.

Less than a third of operators increased their profits despite strong festive trading: Less than a third of operators increased their profits despite strong festive trading, CGA by NIQ’s latest Business Confidence Survey shows. More than four-fifths of hospitality leaders surveyed for the poll said their fourth quarter trading was either ahead (43%) or level (40%) year-on-year. However, only 31% said they increased their profits, while 29% said they had dropped. Profitability has been eroded by fast-rising labour costs, the survey shows, with nearly half (47%) of leaders saying their wage costs have significantly increased in the last 12 months, and another 52% saying they had increased. High numbers of leaders report at least some increases in the cost of food and drink (79%), energy (57%) and rent (39%). More than four in five (84%) said the planned reduction in national insurance contribution (NIC) thresholds in April will have a very negative impact on their business, while well over half will be very negatively affected by increases to NIC rates (62%) and national minimum wage (53%). Well over half also said this will force them to cancel investment (64%), reduce staff levels (59%) and reduce employee benefits (57%). Smaller numbers said they will have to defer pay increases, cut training, reduce trading hours or close sites.

 

Everard Cole – majority of pubs sold in 2024 were for continued use: Property agent Everard Cole has said despite the “alarming” number of pubs shutting for good in 2024, its sales figures show the majority of pubs it sold in the year were for continued use. Out of the 122 transactions it completed in 2024, 107 were for continued use. It sold or let 16% more pubs in 2024 than in the previous year, with freehold sale prices ranging from £75,000 to £1.6m. In particular, the figures showed an uptick in acquisition activity for assets under £500,000, with an average increase in sale price in this sector of the market of 9.5%. This volume was greater in the north, with its Manchester and Leeds offices reporting an 18.5% increase in transaction volumes last year. Tom Nichols, founder and managing Director at Everard Cole, said: “It’s been especially encouraging to see a number of pub companies increasing their acquisition activity and reinvigorating pub properties across East Anglia, Yorkshire and the Midlands, where we primarily operate.”

UKHospitality backs proposal to extend licensing hours for Women’s Euro 2025 Championship: UKHospitality has backed government proposals to extend licensing hours during the football Women’s Euro 2025 Championship this summer. The Home Office is proposing a relaxation of licensing hours if any of the qualifying home nations reach the semi-final or final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025. Licensing hours for these games are proposed to be extended from 11pm to 1am in England and Wales, including Sundays, when many venues are only licensed until 10.30pm. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The previous success of the Lionesses has ignited passion for the team across the country, and extending pub hours will allow fans to celebrate together, deliver a welcome boost to businesses and solve any issues presented by the tournament taking place one hour ahead in Switzerland. The evidence from previous major sporting events, such as the men’s Euros, shows the positive impact extended hours can have on sales – with a 34% increase during the semi-finals and a remarkable 46% boost during the final. This proposal is positive for hospitality, but it also highlights the need for long-term change to this process. That’s why we continue to support the Licensing Hours Extension Bill, which would simplify and streamline the process for extending licensing hours.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a hospitality business that is seeking an experienced operations director to support its operations in the south west of England. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “Ideally, the individual will have strong regional or group-wide experience and a solid understanding of premium branded operations. The company currently operates in 28 locations, with three more in development. The operations director will be passionate about the hospitality industry, bring extensive experience in both premium dining and branded restaurants, and have a strong track record of enhancing profitability and customer perception through effective systems, team training, service standards and high-quality food. The individual will have managed large P&Ls at a national or regional level, demonstrating exceptional financial acumen.” The salary is up to £120,000 and the position is based in the south west of England. For more information, email stuart@corecruitment.com.

 

D&D London – we will not roll brands out en masse but may explore opening them in unique locations around the world: Simon Wilkinson, director of D&D London, the Breal Capital and Calveton-backed operator, has told Propel that although the business will not roll out its brands “en masse”, it may explore launching them in “unique locations around the world”. Earlier this week, the business announced it is to change its name to “The Evolv Collection” in April, alongside a new company logo, and that it will also bring its Bluebird brand to the City. When asked if the business, which currently operates two restaurants in New York and one in Paris, would look to roll out the Bluebird brand further here and internationally, Wilkinson told Propel: “We will not roll brands out en masse, but our iconic brands such as Bluebird, German Gymnasium, Sartoria, Quaglinos and the Stories Collection, for example, we will potentially open in unique locations around the world.” Wilkinson said the business traded ahead of January last year, and that while Valentine’s week trading was “strong”, half-term was “not so strong”. On the name change and new Bluebird site, Wilkinson said: “Our strategy for year two of our ownership was always about accelerating the pace of change/implementation within the business and growth. April is an exciting milestone for the business. As well as these changes, we will also launch Bluebird in the City, which replaces the restaurant 3SP at South Place Hotel, home of the Michelin-starred Angler restaurant. Bluebird City will be a sister concept to the iconic Bluebird Chelsea, re-enforcing Bluebird as a truly British/London brand, thriving on both sides of our capital city.”

 

Vue CEO – December was ‘extraordinary’ for UK cinema industry but we’re still in recovery mode: Tim Richards, chief executive of cinema group Vue, said it was an “extraordinary” Christmas for the industry but warned it remains in “recovery mode” after Hollywood strikes slimmed down the number of films slated for release. Wicked and Gladiator II were popular titles that helped deliver a boost to the sector. Richards told the PA news agency that UK cinemas enjoyed “one of the biggest Decembers in history”, helped by bookings for family films like Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2. This has continued into 2025 with the release of the fourth Bridget Jones film, which has taken £20.5m in the UK and Ireland over its first week in cinemas. However, Richards warned the sector is still feeling the effects of a period of strike action in Hollywood in 2023, with screenwriters and actors in dispute over jobs and pay, which halted the production and release of films. This led to a “significantly reduced number of films” in 2024, with Vue still expecting “big gaps until the end of this year”. Nonetheless, Vue has unveiled plans to upgrade its UK cinemas, starting with the recently completed renovation of its venue in Swindon, Wiltshire. This has seen the installation of self-service ticket scanning and snack-building, luxury recliner seats, some with built-in wine coolers and charging points. Richards, who founded Vue with the first cinema launched in Scotland in 2000, said it was planning 19 major refurbishments across Europe, with Swindon the “prototype”. He said the company would aim to retain its low-price offer while working to “absorb” the additional costs it is facing from tax measures announced in the government’s autumn Budget. Vue has 92 cinemas in the UK and Ireland.

 

Zip World CEO – we’ve some innovative experiences ‘unlike any other’ in the pipeline that will cause ‘lots of buzz and excitement’: Andrew Hudson, chief executive of outdoor adventure specialist Zip World, has said it has some innovative experiences “unlike any other” in the pipeline that will cause “lots of buzz and excitement” around the business. Last month, Zip World received investment from Dolphin Capital alongside its founder, Sean Taylor. The deal, which values the company at more than £100m, marked an exit for private equity firm LDC after a six-year partnership. Following the investment, Hudson reflected that the focus would be very much on reinvesting into existing sites and opening new ones. On Valentine's Day, Zip World launched a new site in Olympic Park in London, while it has lodged a planning application for a major new attraction in Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales. In Heaton Park in Manchester, Zip World is also putting in an application for a new experience in its existing site there. Hudson also hopes plans for a zip-wire-led tourist attraction at Elterwater Quarry in Great Langdale, Cumbria, will open in the summer after securing planning approval last year. He told Insider Media: “We’re building that attraction out right now. This (Elterwater) is a wholly underground experience, and the cabin system is unbelievable. It will be a heritage attraction unlike any other.” In terms of existing sites, Hudson said there is an application at Penrhyn Quarry for a giant swing, which he said was “going to be spectacular in a spectacular environment”, as well as investment in facilities in North Wales and Heaton Park. He added: “There are some new innovative experiences coming, which we know our customer base will absolutely get behind. Our bookings and our forward bookings are encouraging. I’m excited to expand the brand again. And I think in doing that, we’ll create a real buzz around the entire brand.” Zip World was founded in 2013 and operates eight sites across the UK.

 

Starbucks to lay off 1,100 workers globally in bid to boost efficiency: Starbucks plans to lay off 1,100 corporate employees globally as new chairman and chief executive Brian Niccol seeks to boost efficiency across the business. The layoffs are the largest in the coffee brand’s history. In a letter to employees released on Monday (24 February), Niccol said the company would inform those who are being laid off by midday today (Tuesday, 25 February). Niccol said Starbucks is also eliminating several hundred open and unfilled positions. He wrote: “Our intent is to operate more efficiently, increase accountability, reduce complexity and drive better integration.” Starbucks has 16,000 corporate support employees worldwide, but that includes some employees who aren't impacted, like roasting and warehouse staff. Baristas in the company’s stores are also not included in the layoffs. Staff made redundant will receive pay for a short-term period, as well as healthcare and career transition services. Niccol said in January that corporate layoffs would be announced by early March. He said that all work must be overseen by someone who can make decisions while the brand reduces the complexity of its structure and eliminates silos within the company that slow communication. He wrote: “Our size and structure can slow us down, with too many layers, managers of small teams and roles focused primarily on coordinating work.” Niccol has also said he is pushing changes to improve store service times, cutting items from Starbucks’ menu and experimenting with new ordering algorithms.

 

McDonald’s UK pushes ahead with commitment to diversity policies: McDonald’s UK will push forward with a swathe of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, despite its Chicago-headquartered parent company watering down its DEI policies last month. McDonald’s US business said in January that it would abandon targets to get minorities into senior roles, rename its diversity team its “global inclusion team” and ditch DEI requirements for suppliers in America. The company claimed the decision was influenced by a recent Supreme Court ruling on so-called affirmative action policies on American university campuses, and the changing policies of other companies. The Telegraph reported that the prospect that McDonald’s UK business could follow suit triggered calls from the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, which represents workers in the food industry, for McDonald’s to “reject attempts to mirror the regressive actions of its US counterpart” in dismantling DEI initiatives. McDonald’s DEI pledges in the UK include ensuring that 40% of senior leadership roles are held by people from under-represented groups by 2030 and a commitment with its suppliers to advance “social inclusion”. These will remain in place. McDonald’s declined to comment.

 

Chinese tea brand makes UK debut, lines up Birmingham opening: Molly Tea, a tea shop franchise that originated in Shenzhen, China, has made its debut in the UK. The business, which operates circa 850 sites across China, Thailand, the US and Canada, has opened its debut UK site at 21 Lisle Street in London. Molly Tea will follow this up with an opening later this week at 79-84 High Street, in Birmingham. The company expects to hit 1,100–1,200 global locations by the end of 2025. Molly Tea opened its first US site last year in Flushing, New York, and followed this with openings in Brooklyn, San Francisco and Chicago. The brand also made its debut in Canada last year, with an opening in Toronto.

 

Southern Fried Chicken opens eighth UK site: Southern Fried Chicken, owned by FFS Brands, has opened a new location in Poole, Dorset. The outlet has opened at 238 Ashley Road, in a unit that was formerly home to Chunckzz Fried Chicken & Pizza, and before that, LA Fried Chicken. The venue is an eighth UK site for the Berkshire-based brand, which has a much larger global footprint, operating in circa 32 countries. FFS Brands chairman Andrew Withers said: “It’s been a long journey. I’m so pleased with the growth of the brand, and hopefully we will be in your area in the UK very soon.” Withers told Propel last September that having previously focused its expansion overseas, the company was now turning its attention to the UK and saw the potential for 200-300 sites here. Southern Fried Chicken also has a successful wholesale operation, with its chicken sold in hundreds of fast-food outlets across the UK.

Sunset Hospitality Group set to open second UK venue for its Café Kitsune concept: Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), the UAE-based hospitality group, is set to open a second UK venue for its Café Kitsune concept. It has struck a deal with landlord Shaftesbury Capital to open at 55 Monmouth Street in London’s Covent Garden this spring, joining the brand’s site in Belgravia. The café will cover 530 square feet, with seating for 15 inside and eight outside, offering a selection of pastries, cakes and sandwiches inspired by French and Japanese cuisine. Johanna Lellouche, general director at Café Kitsuné, said: “At Café Kitsuné we have a strong brand identity, so opening in dynamic, exciting locations that match this is hugely important. Covent Garden’s Seven Dials neighbourhood will be the ideal home, allowing us to introduce our fusion of French and Japanese flavours to new food enthusiasts.” SHG, which operates more than 100 venues across 25 countries, also operates Japanese restaurant The Aubrey in Knightsbridge. At the end of last year, it also opened ocktail bar Luum, restaurant Amelie and Japan-inspired restaurant Sachi in Belgravia and Knightsbridge.

Lithuanian ‘fast lunch but not fast food’ brand seeking locations in east London for its UK debut: Lithuanian “fast lunch but not fast food” brand iLunch, which uses smart technology to “deliver lunch in less than two minutes”, is seeking locations in east London for its UK debut. Founded in 2016, iLunch has more than 30 sites in Lithuania and last year opened its first international store, in Riga, Latvia. Propel revealed last year that iLunch – which sees guests order on an iPad and receive their food on a conveyor belt, cutting out the need for front of house operations – was seeking UK expansion. iLunch’s international franchise acquisition and development partner, Evaldas Poskus, told Propel that the company believes its restaurant model and digital system “would do well in the UK, and we could have 100 units”. He added: “Ideally, we would launch somewhere like Bank or Liverpool Street, with high office footfall.” Poskus has now taken to LinkedIn for help in finding the ideal launch location for the business here. “I am looking for recommendations for top estate agents that specialise in commercial spaces for restaurants in London,” he said. “We are seeking a restaurant location in east London, preferably near Liverpool Street, in a busy office area. The ideal size for the space would be between 300 and 500 square metres.” He added iLunch currently serves more than 800 customers daily and that payback time for franchise partners is 18-36 months.

 

Professionals at Play confirms April opening for its first Roxy Ball Room in London: Professionals at Play – the Foresight-backed, parent company of the Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room and King Pins concepts – has confirmed it will open its first Roxy Ball Room in London next month. The venue will open at St Mary Axe, opposite the Gherkin, on Thursday, 10 April – offering American pool, basketball, beer pong, crazy pool, duck pin bowling, ice-free curling, ping pong, karaoke, tech darts and tech shuffle. Roxy Ball Room is a strictly over-18s venue and will be open until late during the week. A premium food and beverage offering will include a wide range of American-style sharers such as hand-stretched focaccia pizza, signature wings and sides, plus cocktails and mocktails, beer, cider, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Planned weekly promotions will include Ballers Bottomless Brunch, with 90 minutes of gaming and food and beverage, plus student discounts. Professionals at Play operates King Pins and Star Pins under its Pins Leisure portfolio, and Roxy Lanes and Roxy Ball Room under its Roxy Leisure portfolio. Founded by Matt and Ben Jones in 2013, the group has since grown to 11 Roxy Ball Rooms, eight Roxy Lanes, three King Pins and a Star Pins site in Coventry. The group told Propel last month that it plans to open at least six new venues across its brands in 2025 to deliver more than £50m of revenue and further Ebitda growth. It came as the group reported turnover of £32,761,000 for the year to 31 December 2023 (2022: £23,499,000), with adjusted Ebitda up 15% to £7,973,000 (2022: £6,962,000).

 

Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud to open restaurants at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch: Chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud, who together hold seven Michelin stars, are to open new restaurants at the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch in London. As official chef partners, the two will each oversee one of the hotel’s signature restaurants when it opens in 2026. Smyth is chef patron of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Core by Clare Smyth in London’s Notting Hill, while Lyon-born, New York-based Boulud operates 18 restaurants worldwide, including the Michelin-starred Restaurant Daniel, Café Boulud at Maison Barnes, Le Pavillon and Joji. He previously collaborated with Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London’s Knightsbridge to run Bar Boulud until its closure in 2020. Guillaume Marly, general manager Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, said: “With Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud both confirmed to bring new culinary concepts to the property, Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is set to be an exceptional dining destination in the heart of the British capital. We look forward to unveiling more details about these exciting chef partnerships in the coming months.” Hilton – in partnership with Reuben Brothers – is transforming the storied landmark into a 100-room luxury hotel.

 

Farmer J secures site in London’s Marylebone Village for 2025 pipeline: Farmer J, the all-day market concept, has secured a site in London’s Marylebone Village for an opening later this year. The 13-strong business will open in Thayer Street. The company will open its first site in 2025 next month in London’s Farringdon. The Jonathan Recanati-led business has secured a 3,000 square-foot site in Cowcross Street, next to the entrance to the Elizabeth Line. The company also hopes to take its first steps internationally this year, with a focus on the east coast of America, targeting locations in New York and Boston. Recanati previously said the vision for the business is to hit a “minimum of 50 sites in the UK”, and that it has “only scratched the surface to continue to build a global brand”.

Ex-Creative Restaurant Group MD joins Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons owner: Alex D’Aguiar, who stood down as managing director of Creative Restaurant Group, which is behind London restaurants Endo at the Rotunda and sushi spot Sumi, at the end of January, has joined hospitality group Belmond as its new global head of restaurants and bars. D’Aguiar had been with the Creative Restaurant Group since its creation in 2021. Together with chairman Misha Zelman, he has led the expansion of the group to five locations across London, which also includes Humo (awarded its first Michelin star in 2024), Niju Mayfair and Kioku by Endo. Belmond, owner of the two-Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, said D’Aguiar will be instrumental in shaping and delivering the company’s plans to elevate its restaurants and bars across its entire portfolio, spanning its hotels, trains, lodges and boats. He will start his new position on Wednesday, 12 March. Iain Langridge, vice-president global operations at Belmond, said: “Alex will play a leading role in shaping our restaurant and bars strategy through the lens of slow luxury across our whole portfolio and will work with world famous chefs and on award-winning dining and bar concepts that celebrate contemporary heritage and are deeply rooted in their destinations.” D’Aguiar said: “I am honoured to be joining Belmond, and to build on its impressive reputation for its bars and exceptional culinary experiences, where culture, food and design collide. I look forward to working with the team on further elevating these offerings and writing the brand’s gastronomic and bar experiences’ next chapter.”  

Giant croissant cafe concept set to open fourth London site: A cafe concept that offers giant croissants for £25, which have to be pre-ordered, is set to open its fourth London site. Philippe Conticini UK, which also offers normal-sized French pastries and cakes, from Paris Brest to Saint Honore tarts, is preparing to open in Woodside Park, North Finchley. The business also has sites in Upper Street in Islington, South Kensington and Camden High Street, within Buck Street Market. French chef Philippe Conticini also currently operates five sites in Paris and previously operated a site in Tokyo.

 

Arora Hotels reports revenue and Ebitda boost, takes on £43m in bank debt to acquire Heathrow hotel and refinances £106m loan: Arora Hotels – part of hotel, construction and property investment company Arora Group – has reported a revenue and Ebitda boost in the year to 31 March 2024, driven by an uplift in global business, travel and leisure activity. Post year-end, the company took on an extra £43m in bank debt to finance the acquisition of a hotel in Heathrow, in June 2024, and refinanced a separate £106m loan, in August 2024, which is repayable in August 2027. The group’s turnover grew from £266,314,000 in 2023 to £293,765,000. Pre-tax profit increased from £21,4181,000 to £28,286,000 while trading Ebitda was up from £76,805,000 to £97,424,000. Director Carlton Brown said: “The hotel business segment achieved significantly higher revenue and Ebitda in comparison with last year driven by an uplift in global business, travel and leisure activity leading to higher demand of hospitality services as well as improved customer services and offerings by the hotels. The business segment achieved higher occupancy and average fee per customer in comparison with last year. Productivity and efficiencies achieved during the pandemic were utilised to effectively manage costs and profit conversion.” Brown said increased air travel supported strong trading at its Renaissance London Heathrow and Novotel London Stansted hotels, and while revenue was down at Arora Gatwick Crawley, operating under a government contract, its profit grew. Sofitel Heathrow T5 saw its rooms revenue grow £2.4m year on year, while Hilton London Gatwick returned to full capacity following refurbishment works, resulting in turnover growth of £8.2m. Sofitel London Gatwick saw rooms revenue grow £1.7m year on year, while Hilton Garden Inn T2 reported sales growth of £2.9m. There was record revenue of £54.7m for Intercontinental The 02, despite a slight dip in occupancy rates, while a strong food and beverage performance helped Fairmont Windsor Park increase turnover by £1.7m in its second full year of trading. Buckinghamshire Golf Club faced higher operating costs but managed to increase turnover by 20%, while the group disposed of its Arora Park Hotel to a fellow subsidiary for £12.8m. No dividends were paid (2023: nil).

 

Boss Pizza to return to expansion trial in Scotland after growing English footprint: Franchise pizza concept Boss Pizza, founded during the pandemic by Ajmal Mushtaq, is to return to the expansion trial in Scotland after growing its footprint in England. Mushtaq, who previously operated acclaimed Indian restaurant Mushtaqs in Hamilton, launched Boss Pizza with two stores in Scotland – in Hamilton and Larkhall. The concept made its English debut last year with a launch in Acton, west London, which is currently listed as “temporarily closed”. Earlier this month, in partnership with franchisee HLN Group, Boss Pizza opened its second store in England, at 500 Pleck Road in Walsall. This will be followed with openings at 132 High Street in Colchester and 448 Halifax Road in Bradford, both in mid-April, before returning to Scotland for a launch at 263-268 Gallowgate in Glasgow. Finally, in its immediate pipeline, Boss Pizza will come back to England to open at 317 Abbey Hill Road in Oldham in mid-May. Longer term, Boss Pizza has locations in Huddersfield, Coatbridge, Bletchley, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Luton, Clydebank, Dumbarton, Milton Keynes and Hemel Hempstead listed as “coming soon” on its website.

 

Glasgow hot chicken concept gearing up to launch first store in England: Glasgow hot chicken concept Lucky B’s is gearing up to launch its first store in England. Propel revealed last May that Lucky B’s, which currently has two sites in Glasgow, had signed up Subway franchisee Ross Fairbairn as a master franchisee for a 15-store deal across Lancashire. Fairbairn, who has operated Subway franchisee Quick Serv since 2017 and grown it to 22 stores across the north west, earmarked Blackpool for his first Lucky B’s opening. He is now preparing to open at 53 Whitegate Drive in the Lancashire town, in a unit that has formerly housed branches of both Ladbrokes and KFC. Lucky B’s co-founder Toni Dobrensko said: “Coming in hot, Blackpool! We’re excited to announce our first store across the Scottish border at 53 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool. This milestone is led by our master franchise partner, Ross Fairbairn, whose passion and drive are key to our growth. This launch opens the door to local employment and expanding our reach. Stay tuned, there’s much more ahead!” Dobrenko, who also owns Toni’s Pizzeria in Glasgow, and Giancarlo Celino, who runs three Catch Fish and Chips restaurants in the city plus the Lucali wine bar, co-founded Lucky B’s in 2022. The concept, which has ambitions to grow to 100-plus sites, last summer hired former German Doner Kebab (GDK) operations manager Fiona McClinton as its new head of operations. At GDK, she worked alongside David Moffat, who was Lucky B’s head of franchising before last year being hired by Boparan Restaurant Group to oversee the UK operation of its Carl’s Jr franchise.