Stack CEO – ‘it’s clear our formula works following incredible year’, confirms next four openings: Neill Winch, chief executive of leisure venue operator Stack – which operates mixed-use sites known for their fusion of bars, live entertainment and leisure activities – has said it is clear the company’s “formula works” on the back of “an incredible year”. The business, which is backed by Kings Park Capital, opened in Newcastle, Lincoln and Middlesbrough last year to add to its existing sites in Seaburn (Sunderland) and Lincoln. Stack has now confirmed it will open four sites this year, including a new flagship site at the Worswick Chambers, Newcastle, which remains on track to open in late spring. The venue will be the company’s biggest to date, featuring eight bars, eight street food vendors, a coffee shop, a cocktail bar and Sideshow – a competitive socialising area offering interactive shuffleboard, interactive darts, and private karaoke booths. The venue will also have a roof terrace and an outdoor courtyard with a stage and big screen. This will be followed in the summer by Stack Bishop Auckland, with Stack Durham due to open in the autumn in the city’s former Marks & Spencer store. Meanwhile, Stack Whitley Bay – housed in the former Empress Ballroom – is scheduled to open in the winter. Winch said: “We are at varying stages with our sites in Sheffield, Leeds, Carlisle, Wigan, Northampton and Manchester, but we are making great progress with all of them.” Plans also include developing a second phase at Stack Seaburn in Sunderland, with planning applications now going through the official process. Winch said: “We had an incredible year, with all sites performing well above expectations. It’s clear our formula works – a carefully curated mix of excellent quality street food, vibrant bars, and first-class entertainment tailored for everyone.” Earlier this week, Propel revealed Stack was confident it will report significant growth for the year ended 30 April 2025. At the same time, it revealed that Kings Park Capital invested £9m in the business at the start of last year. Stack said: “The group has spent in excess of £25m on development costs to date and is on track to meet its growth targets in terms of both venue openings and operating income. The openings since the year end have performed significantly better than the board’s initial expectations and the board is confident the group will report significant growth for the year ended 30 April 2025.” 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,335 operators and 24 new companies today: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database today (Friday, 28 February), at noon. 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. The database includes new companies in the hotels sector such The Kronen Collection, operating four hotels in the UK, and Ailantus Hotels, with sites across the north of England. Premium Club subscribers 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 Club subscribers 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 International Brands report. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers 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 subscribers 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 subscribers 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.

Government urged to reconsider decision to revert to pre-covid licensing laws: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the government to reconsider its decision to revert to pre-covid licensing laws. The Business and Planning Act (BPA) was introduced in 2020 to allow licensed premises to continue trading during the pandemic, including a temporary easement to the Licensing Act 2003. This allowed premises licence holders allowed only to do on-sales to be able to make off-sales without having to apply for a licence variation. The Conservative government launched a consultation last summer which gave three options to maintain these easements on a more long-term basis. These included making the alcohol licensing provisions in the BPA permanent, and making amendments to the Licensing Act 2003 regarding the consumption of off-sales alcohol in licenced pavement areas. The government said that as most respondents disagreed with all three options, the off-sales measure will expire on 31 March 2025 and the Licensing Act 2003 will automatically revert to the pre-covid position. A BBPA spokesperson said: “On behalf of our members, who account for approximately 20,000 pubs across the UK, we supported options that would have made the temporary easement permanent, so we are incredibly disappointed at government's decision. We have seen no evidence that this easement has created any widespread issues since it was introduced. Instead, it helped to boost trade for pubs, and therefore, the economy as a whole. This move will layer yet more cost and administrative burdens on pubs and local authorities. We would urge the prime minister to reconsider the impact of this move because it will undermine their growth mission and create more red tape.” Dame Diana Johnson, minister for policing, fire and crime prevention, said the government will now monitor decisions made by local authorities on licence variations requests, liaise with the beer and pub industries and assess any evidence from pubs where the easements have been working successfully. “We want to make it as simple as possible for those pubs who wish to continue making off-sales to secure the licensing permission to do so from their local authorities,” she added. “We will consider what further steps may need to be taken through the licensing regime to support our local pubs.”

Hotel group blames Labour as it ditches UK investment plans: Greg Hegarty, co-chief executive of PPHE Hotel Group, has blamed Labour for his decision to slow investment in Britain and focus overseas instead. Hegarty said he was prioritising countries such as Spain and Italy over the UK because of the government’s economic policies. He told The Telegraph: “I’m sorry to say the UK is not the primary focus of growth for our company anymore. I would deploy capital in other European cities at the moment, where it is more favourable to the hospitality sector and easier for a business to grow.” PPHE runs a £2.2bn property portfolio of hotels across the UK and Europe. The company has ploughed huge sums of money into the UK in recent years, including the opening of a £200m art’otel site in Hoxton, east London, last year. Hegarty said the company would still consider opportunities in the UK but would not seek them out. He said: “We’re used to taking risks. However, the risk factor in the UK for us is a hard one to deal with currently. We are looking for further properties in Rome. We’re looking at other Italian cities such as Florence, Milan. We’ve always been interested in Spain – in Madrid and Barcelona, for example – and growing our Croatian portfolio further. We’ve got a lot of land sites in Croatia, which we can develop and get higher levels of return than we can in the UK.” His comments come as hospitality chiefs brace for an increase in employers’ national insurance contributions from April which it is estimated will cost companies across Britain £25bn. Hegarty said: “It’s not just national insurance, it’s the thresholds of business rates, the ongoing flip flopping of policy. It just creates a total lack of consumer confidence, and this does impact demand, because you’ve got lots of people who are concerned about disposable income. I just don’t feel the government has got a grasp of how to deal with the service sector in general.” Hegarty’s comments came as PPHE posted a 6.8% rise in revenue to £443m in 2024, with profit before tax rising 6.2% to £28.8m.

Brakspear tops national survey of licensees: Pub operator Brakspear has been named the best operator in an annual survey of pub tenants and lessees in the UK. In the Licensee Index by industry research company KAM, Brakspear placed first in 30 of its measures, securing the number one spot among the 15 pub operators taking part in the survey. KAM surveyed licensees on a raft of measures including company culture; understanding their business and offering valuable advice; helping to reduce operating costs; support from business development managers; marketing support, training courses and the recruitment process. Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “The Licensee Index is recognised as the most thorough survey in the tenanted and leased sector, with its researchers leaving no stone unturned in their pub interviews. We are delighted to have taken the top spot: it's a great endorsement of our ethos of treating all our business owners as individuals, and offering tailored support to help them run thriving pubs.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a global membership organisation seeking a non-executive director with expertise in the hospitality and events industry. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The group is looking to maximise its potential by enhancing its events, catering and hospitality strategy. The ideal candidate will have experience serving on boards or advisory committees and possess a track record of strategic leadership.” The salary is up to £7,500 per year with one board meeting per quarter and the position is based in London. For more information, email emma@corecruitment.com.

 

Papa John’s UK sales up more than 2% on last year, decline in revenue from company-owned restaurants reflected by net impact of UK refranchising: Papa John’s has said its UK sales were up more than 2% than the previous year in 2024, and that its decline in global company-owned restaurants revenue was reflected by the net impact of a major refranchising of its UK estate. Papa John’s took on 116 restaurants from two of its biggest franchisees which were in danger of insolvency in 2023 – refranchising 60, keeping 13 as company-owned stores and disposing of the rest. Speaking after the company’s fourth quarter and full year results for the year to 29 December 2024, Papa John’s chief financial officer Ravi Thanawala said: “Company-owned restaurant revenue in the fourth quarter, which now includes our domestic and international company-owned restaurants, decreased $18m compared with the prior year’s fourth quarter, excluding the extra week. This was primarily driven by a $13m decline at our international company-owned restaurants, reflecting the net impact of closing and refranchising 105 formerly company-owned restaurants in the UK, and an approximately $5m decline at our domestic company-owned restaurants.” He added: “We have a focus set at nine countries; 50% of our gross development in international will actually come from those focus nine countries. We don’t believe we’re anywhere near saturation in those markets and it’s those nine markets that’s going to fuel the growth. When I look at the UK, the UK is up more than 2% in comparison. Our focus right now is doubling down from a consumer mindset and a focus standpoint on these nine countries. We think that there’s lots of runway, and we think we are well-positioned in these few countries to continue to take a methodical approach to development, but definitely see a really meaningful opportunity for our brand to be bigger.” The company reported global system-wide restaurant sales were $4.85bn for the year to 29 December 2024, a 3% decrease over the prior year. Excluding the 53rd week in 2023, global system-wide sales were down approximately 1%. Total revenues of $2.06bn were down $76m, or 4%, from 2023. Excluding the 53rd week in 2023, total revenues were down 2%. The company also reported fourth quarter global system-wide restaurant sales were $1.23bn, an 8% decrease from a year ago due to the additional week of operations in the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding the additional week, global system-wide sales were flat from the prior year period. Total revenues of $531m were down 7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. Excluding the 53rd week in 2023, total revenues were roughly flat from the prior year period.

 

TRG Concessions opens largest ever site: The Restaurant Group (TRG) Concessions has opened its largest site to date, Sanfords, an American-style dining destination at London Luton airport. The 480-cover site, encompassing 12,810 square feet, stands as both TRG Concessions’ largest concession and the most extensive restaurant within any UK airport. Strategically positioned across two floors in the airport’s departures lounge, the ground floor houses the American diner concept, while the mezzanine level features the Loft Bar, a beverage-focused space. Following the largest single investment in any TRG project to date, the company said the launch demonstrates TRG Concessions’ dedication to “creating distinctive, ambitious concepts that resonate with contemporary travellers”. The new opening follows a year of substantial growth for TRG Concessions, with six new locations established in 2024 and a “robust development pipeline” continuing into 2025. Jon Knight, chief executive of TRG Concessions, said: “The launch of Sanfords represents a significant milestone for TRG Concessions, and we are pleased to welcome passengers to this exceptional location. Opening not only our largest site to date, but also the most extensive restaurant of its kind in the UK travel arena, is a proud achievement that reflects the dedication and vision of the TRG Concessions team. Our enduring partnership with London Luton airport has been essential in realising this concept, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration with an exciting series of new openings planned for 2025.”

Mary Brown’s Chicken to accelerate global expansion, gearing up for further UK openings: Canadian quick service restaurant brand Mary Brown’s Chicken, known as MB Chicken internationally, which made its debut in England last November, plans to open 150 international locations over the next five years, including more in the UK. The brand, which has more than 280 locations in Canada, made its UK debut last spring with the launch of a store in Lisburn Leisure Park in Northern Ireland. It followed that in the summer with a second Northern Ireland launch, within the SSE Arena, formally known as The Odyssey, in Belfast. The brand then launched in England with an opening in Smithy Lane in Hounslow, west London. Mary Brown's Chicken is gearing up for openings in Preston and Southampton in March and April 2025, with additional locations already in development in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey and across England. Last year, MB Chicken’s vice-president of international development Dylan Powell told Propel he saw no reason why the brand can’t be bigger here than in Canada. The brand will open its first locations in Pakistan this year, with openings in Lahore, and it also plans to open further sites in Mexico and India. “As we continue to build on our success in Canada, we are excited to bring Mary Brown's Chicken to more countries, including Pakistan and India, while growing in Mexico and the UK,” said Tony Samuelson, the brand’s president and global chief operating officer.

Gordon Ramsay – I’ve invested more than £20m in 22 Bishopsgate project: Gordon Ramsay has revealed he has invested more than £20m into his venture at 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London. The project features three new restaurants, a rooftop terrace and a culinary academy. At level 60 in the Bishopsgate development, and now open, is Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, which is Europe's highest restaurant, offering an Asian-inspired menu with 360-degree views of the city, and with a rooftop cocktail terrace by special arrangement open until 3am. Level 60 will also feature a 12-seat chef’s table, which descends from the chef’s Chelsea restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary and its 22nd year maintaining three Michelin stars. Below on level 59, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar by Gordon Ramsay will serve its signature dishes, cocktails and a new afternoon tea experience, while the Gordon Ramsay Academy will see culinary enthusiasts hone their skills in everything from pasta making to mixology. Ramsay told The Standard: “Every single heavyweight in the restaurant scene was desperate for it [22 Bishopsgate]. I’ve got skin in the game, it’s personal. It’s not a label slap. We’re in excess of £20m-plus [in terms of investment]. We’re faced with tough running costs because of increased labour costs and because of the increased national insurance contributions. Now Labour have made it even more difficult, so we have to raise our game and be smarter.” But some of those labour cost increases, he thinks, are a long time coming. “It’s an industry that’s been underpaid for a long time,” he said. “Chefs, sommeliers, maître d’s, mixologists … they’re like athletes, they want it, they’re in demand. You need to understand their worth.” He added: “I depend heavily on my team, and they depend heavily on me. I’ve seen too many tragic burnouts, and I use those examples as a stern reminder.” As for possible retirement, he said: “I don’t want to start dictating tomorrow’s industry. I want to be at the coal face. There’s no chance I’m stopping.” 

Whole Foods to open first new UK store in a decade: Whole Foods Market, the Amazon-owned business, will open the doors to its first new UK store in a decade next month as it looks to renew its expansion plans here and globally. The 21,800 square-foot store at 120 King’s Road, Chelsea will open on 25 March, featuring new and exclusive products, alongside a salad bar, pizzeria, a hot food counter, salad bar and full-service fish and meat counters. It will become the company’s sixth site in the UK. It is also one of 90 new openings the company, which operates circa 530 sites globally, plans across the UK, Canada and its core market the US. “Whole Foods Market has roots deeply planted in the UK, and we are thrilled to be bringing more natural and organic food to this market with the opening of our new King’s Road store this March,” said Jason Buechel, vice president of Amazon worldwide grocery stores and Whole Foods Market chief executive. “Continuing our expansion outside of the US enables us to extend our reach to more customers while advancing our higher purpose to nourish people and the planet.”

Star Pubs to add 30 pubs to managed estate: Star Pubs is to expand its current circa 200-strong Just Add Talent (JAT) managed operator estate by 30 pubs in 2025. The first of these requiring refurbishment – The Coach & Horses in Ashbourne – reopens this week following a £200,000 makeover. A second, The Westgate in Halifax, will reopen in early March after a £350,000 revamp. The company said like its other JAT pubs, they will specialise in sports and entertainment. To help recruit and build a pipeline of operators ready to run the new pubs, Star is launching virtual discovery days to enable potential applicants to easily find out more about what is involved in running a managed operator pub without having to travel. These will include first-hand accounts from existing JAT operators as well as question and answer sessions. In 2024, JAT operators recommended the agreement to 17 people who subsequently took on JAT pubs through the company’s referral scheme – a record number. Mick Howard, Star Pubs operations director, said: “In these challenging times, the managed operator model is very attractive for people wanting to run a pub, with a tried and tested offer and extensive support behind them. Having well invested pubs that maximise trade and profits is an important part of the JAT package. The innovative recruitment and training solutions we’ve developed ensure new recruits are confident they’re on the right path and have the skills they need to succeed from day one. An understanding of high standards and a focus on delivering them have helped drive up mystery visitor scores to more than 90% at JAT pubs in the last 12 months. They are also supporting new operators in creating an exceptional experience for their customers once they’re in post.” 

 

PizzaExpress restructures central support team: PizzaExpress, the Paula MacKenzie-led business, has restructured its central restaurant support function, which has led to circa 50 redundancies, Propel has learned. It is thought the restructure includes regional director roles being merged into one operations director role. At the same time, it is thought that property director Clive Bentley, formerly of EAT, Prezzo and Costa Coffee, who joined the company in November 2021, is also set to leave the business. A spokesperson for PizzaExpress told Propel: “In January 2025, we restructured some of our central restaurant support team, which regrettably led to a select number of redundancies. The difficult decision was made to ensure we can address current economic conditions.” The company, which operates circa 360 sites in the UK and 100 international and franchise sites, plans to reach 1,000 restaurants globally (including the UK) by 2030. Last month, PizzaExpress partnered with SSP, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, to launch at two airports in Saudi Arabia. In December, PizzaExpress announced it was to make its return to the US this year with an opening in Florida, which will play a key role in its ambitious plan to reach 1,000 restaurants globally (including the UK) by 2030. The company will launch Stateside in partnership with Purple Square Management Company, a leading US franchisee founded in Tampa, Florida, which has also worked with Dunkin’ Donuts and Popeyes.

Taco Bell hires Marion Racine as new marketing director for UK & Europe: Taco Bell, the Yum! Brands owned brand, has hired Marion Racine, currently of KFC, as its new marketing director for UK & Europe. Racine will join Taco Bell, which operates circa 140 sites in the UK, after 15 years with KFC, including the past two years as chief marketing and growth officer for its operations in Spain and Portugal. Taco Bell launched its first equity-owned restaurant in the UK in October, at Anglia Retail Park in Anglia Parkway, Ipswich. At the time, it said it would launch five more UK equity stores by the end of 2024 and ten more this year. Yum! Brands said that the launch of equity stores for Taco Bell in the UK would provide a “fantastic test bed to generate insights to guide the business model, including innovation, pricing, technology and restaurant experience”. 

New restaurant concept from team behind L’Eto confirmed for London’s Soho: Central London landlord Shaftesbury has confirmed that the team behind L’Eto, the upscale international restaurant and cafe brand, is to open a new restaurant concept in London’s Soho this spring. As revealed by Propel last month, new Mediterranean concept Alta will open on part of the former Rum Kitchen site in Kingly Court. Shaftesbury said: “Mediterranean concept Alta has signed following the redevelopment of units across two floors, creating a larger destination dining opportunity.” The Rum Kitchen site closed last May. L’Eto’s global portfolio spans 40 restaurants in seven countries. The company, which launched in the UK in 2011, operates ten L’Eto sites in the capital, along with My & Sanne in Brompton Road, Knightsbridge.

Shipleys Bingo reports increase in turnover but drop in profit: Shipleys Bingo has reported an increase in turnover but a drop in profit in the year to 31 March 2024. The company, which operates 16 bingo clubs across the UK, reported turnover of £19,209,914 for the year, up from a restated £17,822,016 in 2023. Pre-tax profit fell from £2,444,656 to £760,603 as administration expenses rose by more than £1m. There was no sundry income compared with £1,437,987 in 2023, and no government grants compared with £3,088 in 2023. No dividends were paid (2023: £999,999). Director Williams Shipley said: “The year was challenging with anticipated impact of energy market pricing and client retention with results within projections. The company continues its cautious focus on forecasting its business continuity and cash flow management. Effective cash flow management was and remains the company's focus for its foreseeable future to which it expects a challenging year ahead. The company continues its commitment to enhance its business premises to offer comfortable entertainment venues with the latest gaming technology.” Post year-end, the company acquired the vacant former Caffe Nero unit next to its site in Swindon’s Bridge Street, which it has opened as a “Bingo Lounge”. Shipleys has also applied to turn a former funeral director in Leicester’s Narborough Road into a new adult gaming centre.

 

Historic Lancashire bakery that closed all its sites last month could now reopen half of them: Historic Lancashire bakery Oddie’s, which closed all its sites last month, could now reopen half of them. Oddie’s, a fourth-generation family business going back 120 years, closed all its 13 sites in January, with the loss of more than 100 jobs. The business, founded in 1905 by William Henry Oddie, had been seeking a buyer but took the decision to close after a potential sale fell through late on. However, managing director Lara Oddie has now said she is hopeful at least seven of the shops will reopen, reports The Sun. She said: “If negotiations go well and certain recipes change hands, you might see your particular favourite make a reappearance. I worked behind the scenes really hard all last year on a deal, and literally three weeks before it was meant to happen, the guy pulled out, which left me with very few options and fewer resources. But since the announcements have been made more public, other people have come out of the woodwork. I am still negotiating with interested parties behind the scenes, and I’ve got everything crossed that maybe seven of my shops will reopen shortly.” 

 

Maki & Ramen secures first franchise site: Edinburgh Japanese restaurant concept Maki & Ramen has secured the first site for its new franchise arm, in Manchester, Propel has learned. The eight-strong business, which was founded by Teddy Lee in 2015 and is led by Michael Salvador, has taken the former 4,000 square-foot Disorder Bar at the ground floor and basement of The Landmark, at 78-88 High Street, a prime position in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. At the end of last year, Maki & Ramen told Propel it planned to open seven new sites in 2025, including its first franchise locations, while an opening in London was on its radar for 2026. The group said it planned to open five company-owned sites in 2025 – in Birmingham, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leicester and Sheffield’s Meadowhall. Additionally, Maki & Ramen has launched a franchise arm, with two new franchised locations set to open, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Glasgow’s West End, in 2025. The business is planning to move into the former TM Lewin store on the upper level of the Highcross shopping centre in Leicester. Maki & Ramen also plans to open a site in Birmingham’s King Edward House in New Street. At the same time, Maki & Ramen has lined up an opening for this spring, in the former Carluccio’s in the Union Square shopping centre in Aberdeen. Guy Marks, of Park Lord Commercial, and Jack Wagland, of Savills, acted on the Manchester deal. 

 

East Midlands cake cafe concept opens first franchise site since rebranding and plans more locations: East Midlands cake cafe concept The Cake Solution has opened its first franchise site since the business rebranded from The Cheesecake Shop in 2021 – with plans for more locations. The company’s newest franchisee is Bez Valkily, who has converted his cafe in Stapleford in Nottinghamshire. The Cake Solution, which has sites in Wollaton, Mapperley, Carrington and Colwick, plus two in Leicestershire, offers cheesecake, mudcakes, gateaux and tortes. Valiky, who previously ran The Nest Café, told Nottinghamshire Live: “It was just time to change. I was doing that for six years and wanted to refresh it and have a new look. My wife liked the cakes at the one in Wollaton and when I said this was going to happen she was very encouraging. This is something new for Stapleford and I think it’s good for the town. It’s a little bit more upmarket.” Neil Blakeman, director of The Cake Solution, said: “The Cake Solution is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest location in Stapleford, marking a significant milestone as the company’s first franchise store since rebranding. This expansion signifies the beginning of an exciting phase of growth, with plans for numerous franchise locations in the future. We believe the franchise model will allow us to share The Cake Solution experience with a wider audience and create opportunities for entrepreneurs. We continue to seek franchisees to join our family and grow the network.”

  

Kricket opens in London’s Shoreditch for fifth site, featuring first breakfast menu and new all-day ‘kafé’ concept: Indian restaurant group Kricket has opened in London’s Shoreditch for its fifth site, featuring the business’ first breakfast menu and a new all-day “kafé”concept. Located at 36 Charlotte Road, the 80-cover restaurant sits alongside the new 50-cover “kafé”, which also includes a private dining and meeting room for up to 18 guests. The new breakfast menu, served from 8am, includes dishes such as fried eggs served with tomato chutney, smoked yoghurt and curry leaf brown butter; kedgeree featuring Andhra-spiced rice and lentils topped with smoked haddock and a soft-boiled egg; and The Full Kricket – a reimagined full English featuring smoked bacon chop, mushrooms, eggs, chole and tamarind brown sauce. These can be accompanied by fresh juice, coffee, tea, masala chai or breakfast cocktails. Then transforming into an evening bar open until midnight, the “kafé” offers street food-inspired snacks such as Goan sausage roll with tomato chutney; crispy squid koliwada with green chilli mayonnaise; and Bombay toastie with keens cheddar, green chutney and piccalilli. Drinks include a natural-leaning wine list, draught beer and signature cocktails. On Sundays, Kricket Shoreditch offers Sunday lunches, featuring dishes like murgh Musallam (a whole charcoal-grilled tandoori chicken), and Lamb Raan (a charcoal-grilled leg of lamb) – served family-style alongside kebabs, black garlic and dried chilli raita, bread and salads. Founders Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell said: “We’re excited to bring our first Kricket all-day kafé and bar concept to Shoreditch, offering the perfect backdrop to launch our-new breakfast menu, which has been in the works for more than a year. Shoreditch has long been on our radar with its vibrant food scene, and this year it’s set to become an even bigger culinary destination with a wave of new openings.”

Arepa & Co expands and moves into Brixton and Elephant & Castle: Arepa & Co, the UK’s only casual dining Venezuelan concept, has made a strategic move by relocating its Stockwell site to a prime spot in Brixton Market, taking over the former Club Mexicana location. The brand is also preparing to open its new flagship restaurant in Elephant & Castle this April. Situated in the middle of the new Elephant Park development, the double-fronted space will feature a front terrace with outdoor seating overlooking the park. The opening will also mark the launch of a refreshed menu across its four-strong estate.

 

Danish-inspired cafe operator and German beer hall concept to open new Sheffield sites: Danish-inspired cafe operator Hygge and German beer hall concept Two Thirds are both set to open new sites in Sheffield’s £470m Heart of the City development. Hygge, founded by Alex Moore, already has two locations in the city – in Fitzalan Square and Eyre Street – and also has a Manchester location, at 1 Wilmott Street, “coming soon”. Hygge is taking a ground floor unit in Elshaw House in Wellington Street, offering views over the city’s Pound’s Park. Hygge, pronounced Hooger, is a Danish word that translates as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that gives a feeling of happiness”. Two Thirds, meanwhile, is opening a new European-inspired beer hall on the ground floor of Elshaw House to add to its Abbeydale Road bar.

Padel club operator to open debut north east site: Padel club operator Pure Padel is to launch its debut north east site. The company will open a seven-court indoor venue in Darlington, taking it to three sites. A former DIY store at Darlington Retail Park, owned by Adderstone Group, is undergoing a full refit. The 28,000 square-foot site will also include a pro-padel shop, bistro style café and bar and heated sports lounge. Pure Padel is looking to build another 30 padel clubs in the UK across the next five years, and planning permission has also been logged for a second site in the north east, in Gosforth. Founder and managing director Sammy Arora, the son of B&M’s group trading director Bobby Arora, said: “The new site in Darlington is the perfect location for the next Pure Padel. We’ve targeted the north east due to its enormous growth potential – the region is fast becoming a padel hub. Our indoor club, offering shelter from the elements and year-round guaranteed play, is hugely appealing and gives us a strong foothold in the area.” Pure Padel opened its first club in Alderley Park in Greater Manchester in 2023 and also has a site in Manchester city centre. The company is also set to build a venue within the grounds of Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds.

 

London restaurateur to open third Soho site next month: London restaurateur Nima Safaei will open his third site in Soho next month. Safaei, who is also behind 40 Dean Street and 64 Old Compton Street, will launch 27 Old Compton Street on Monday, 24 March. Inspired by the “tavola calda” casual restaurant scene in Italy, it will serve up high-quality, signature Italian pasta alongside an Italian wine selection and a classic cocktail list. Dishes will include rigatoni amatriciana with pancetta and chillies; pumpkin, ricotta and sage ravioli; gnocchi with cavolo nero and pesto; paccheri puttanesca with tiger prawns; and pea risotto with broad beans and asparagus. With just 30 covers and a walk-ins-only policy, 27 Old Compton Street will offer Italian piazza-style high tables upstairs and more intimate booths downstairs. “The concept of ‘tavola calda’ instantly resonated with me – I wanted to create that spot for fast, high-quality food that doesn’t compromise on taste or flavour,” Safaei said. “I’m delighted to be adding another string to my bow as a restaurateur. It’s a totally different space to my other two sites, but one that still feels undeniably Soho.” Safaei opened 40 Dean Street in 2009 – which he reopened in 2017 after it burnt down the previous year – and 64 Old Compton Street in 2023.

The Hunger Games live experience coming to London’s Canary Wharf as part of new theatre: A live theatre experience of hit book series and film franchise The Hunger Games is coming to London’s Canary Wharf. It will be the debut show at the new 1,200-capacity Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre in Wood Wharf. Complementing the theatre will be two bars, a 100-cover restaurant and an outside terrace overlooking the water. Tristan Baker and Oliver Royds, joint chief executives and founders of Troubadour Theatres, said: “Bringing The Hunger Games to the stage is an extraordinary moment, and we knew it demanded an equally extraordinary team and venue. This specially designed theatre in the heart of Canary Wharf is the perfect home for Panem (the country where The Games takes place), allowing our world class team to create a transportive, electrifying experience.” Stuart Fyfe, managing director of retail, leisure and hospitality at landlord Canary Wharf Group, said: “Troubadour and The Hunger Games is a fantastic addition to elevate the already bustling retail and leisure offer here at Canary Wharf. We’re seeing a growing desire for experiences at the Wharf and we are already home to The Cube, Fairgame, Electric Shuffle, Illusionaries, Broadwick Studios and Pitch.” Canary Wharf Group develops, manages and owns interests in approximately nine million square feet of mixed-use space in the area.