Gail’s set to make airport debut: Fast-growing bakery brand Gail’s is set to make its airport debut. 155-strong business, which plans to open between 30 to 40 new bakeries this year, is preparing to launch at Gatwick airport’s South Terminal this summer. “We’re taking off! Gail’s is coming to Gatwick,” the company posted to social media. “This summer, we’re bringing our craft baking to Gatwick’s South Terminal, with a thoughtfully designed 100-cover space where travellers can enjoy the same freshly baked goods, quality coffee, and warm service that we’re known for on the high street. From our expanded grab-and-go range to our new selection of homewares and gifts, we’re here to bring the joys of craft baking to every journey. With a carefully designed space, continuous baking to meet demand, and seating for those who want to linger, we’re ready to welcome travellers from all over. See you at Gatwick!” Gail’s already has a presence in other transport hubs and last month added to this with an opening at Liverpool Street station – its third London train station location. It also last month secured a site in Bath to extend its presence in the south west, while co-founder Tom Molnar said the company uses a self-built computer algorithm to select the location of new sites – helping Gail’s decide what makes a “good place” to open a store.

Revel Collective – recovery slower than expected but Peach Pubs and Founders & Co performing strongly, Revolution relaunch planned: The Revel Collective has said challenging conditions in bar brands has meant recovery has been slower than expected, but its Peach Pubs and Founders & Co brands are performing strongly. The operator of 65 venues – trading predominantly under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – announced total sales of £64.2m for the 26 weeks ending 28 December 2024 (first half FY25), compared to £82.3m in the first half of its 2024 financial year. Pre-tax profit (IFRS16) was £30.1m compared to £3.1m in 2024,  and pre-tax loss (IAS17) widened from £2.1m to £3m. Adjusted Ebitda (IFRS16) was down from £8.9m to £6.1m, and adjusted Ebitda (IAS17) was down from £3.2m to £3.1m. The company said its statutory profit before tax of £30.1m was significantly impacted by non-cash gains from the disposal of leases under the restructuring plan. Net bank debt reduced from £20m to £14.7m and the group operates a £26m revolving credit facility. The company said: “H1 saw the completion of the restructuring plan in September 2024, putting the group in a far stronger position going forward. H1 also saw a strong performance from Peach Pubs and Founders & Co. However, trading in the bars continued to be challenging due to the reduced consumer confidence currently impacting the UK nighttime economy. The restructuring plan completed two months later than originally planned, leading to prolonged uncertainty for both Revolution and Revolución de Cuba. Management have been working to counter this through evolution of the bar brands and propositions, and through the execution of robust efficiency and cost saving measures. Notwithstanding the delay, we received record levels of pre-booked corporate bookings in our bar brands in the festive trading period. These ongoing actions are aimed at putting the group's bar business in a strong position to both take advantage of a return in consumer confidence and mitigate the expected cost impact of the government’s budget. Festive trading was robust, and Peach Pubs enjoyed a strong FY25 H1. Sales in the bar brands were challenged, with the recovery plan running several months behind our initial expectations and have seen a slower recovery than anticipated due to ongoing consumer and market challenges. Despite this, the group experienced positive like-for-like2 sales during the key four-week festive trading period of +1.6%, with record levels of pre-booked corporate bookings in our bar brands of +5.3% on last year. Peach Pubs has enjoyed a strong FY25 H1 and festive trading, performing the best across our three main brands. The group continues to review expansion opportunities for this brand.Revolution concluded its restructuring plan in September 2024; however, sales recovery has been slower than anticipated. A number of trials continue within the brand to enhance profitable growth, and a relaunch of the brand is planned for spring 2025. Revolución de Cuba was also impacted by the negative commentary surrounding the restructuring plan. The brand therefore experienced softer sales in FY25 H1 and was also impacted by competitor openings, with continued initiatives and brand proposition work aimed at returning to previous market outperformance. The brand enjoyed strong corporate sales over the festive trading period.Founders & Co. enjoyed very strong trading as the site goes from strength to strength. New events continue to be held, and our lineup of traders is the best it's been over our three years of operation, ensuring there is always something new for guests. There is an excellent opportunity to expand this brand when funding allows. There are opportunities for conversion of existing portfolio properties into Peach Pubs and Founders & Co. sites. Current trading continues to see softer sales due to subdued consumer confidence; this, together with changes announced in the Budget and due from April 2025, are expected to offset initiatives implemented in FY25. We therefore expect to achieve Alternative performance measures ("APM") adjusted1 Ebitda of £2-£4m, as previously announced. Further cost savings have been identified across the Group to support FY26 onwards.” Chief executive Rob Pitcher said: “The first half of FY25 experienced a number of challenges caused mainly by the impact of consumer confidence on the late night bars market, and the delay to the restructuring plan timeline, so I was very pleased to see a robust 2024 festive trading period. I am particularly pleased with the strong performance in Peach Pubs and Founders & Co. and excited to see where these brands can take us in the future. With the impending Budget measures due in April, in particular the regressive reduction in the National Insurance threshold, we are cognisant of the significant and damaging impact this will have on the group and wider industry and economy. The hospitality industry can be a powerhouse for economic growth in the UK when allowed to do what it does best, unimpeded by unrealistic government cost increases. It's a real disappointment that chancellor Reeves doesn't seem to understand the impact of her actions. Our immediate priority is both the mitigation of this cost impact and continued driving of sales, particularly in the bars brands. We strongly urge the government to reconsider the national insurance changes and explore more balanced alternatives. Chairman Luke Johnson added: “Following suppressed trading in FY25 H1, caused in part by delays to the restructuring plan and the distraction this created for management, current trading remains softer within the bars. After the disappointing announcement of the new government’s budgetary impacts, we have already implemented significant cost-saving exercises and continue to review costs within the business. We are energised by the opportunities available to the group, as we put the distractions of the restructuring plan behind us. We have been pleased to see Peach and Founders & Co. continue to perform well in early 2025 and will focus on the ongoing initiatives and trials within the bars, with significant focus by management, to increase sales and profitability.”

Black Sheep Coffee appoints new chief operating officer and head of franchise operations: Speciality coffeeshop operator Black Sheep Coffee has appointed a new chief operating officer and head of franchise operations – both promoted from within. Ben Fenton has been promoted from global operations and development officer, a role which he has held for the past year, to chief operating officer. In his four years with Black Sheep Coffee, Fenton’s other roles have included director of operations and head of operations (UK). Fenton previously spent eight years with Itsu in various roles including senior vice president/director, head of people operations and operations manager. Kieran Littlewood, meanwhile, has been promoted to head of franchise operations. In his two years at Black Sheep Coffee, Littlewood has also been franchise operations manager and general manager. He previously spent three and a half years at Costa Coffee as a senior drive-thru manager. Littlewood replaces Jess Bouscarle, who stepped down as Black Sheep Coffee’s head of franchising in January, after five years with the business, to take on a new role as head of international business development with luxury nail salon brand Townhouse. Last month, the company made its Northern Ireland debut with a launch in Belfast’s Pearl Assurance Building, at Donegall Square East, and secured a site for its Bristol debut, in the city’s Queens Road. Black Sheep Coffee operates circa 90 sites in the UK and more than 100 worldwide.

Hayleigh Lupino to step down as Marston’s CFO: Hayleigh Lupino is set to step down as chief financial officer at Marston’s to pursue a new opportunity outside of the Group. She will remain with Marston’s as chief financial officer and executive director for the remainder of the financial year, until October 2025, to ensure a smooth transition while her successor is appointed. The process to recruit a replacement is underway and a further update will be issued in due course. Justin Platt, chief executive at Marston’s, said: “I would like to thank Hayleigh for her more than 20 years of service to the Group. Since becoming CFO in 2021, she has played a key role in Marston’s transformation into a pure-play hospitality business, helping lay the foundations for the Group's continued success. She leaves with our very best wishes for the future.”

Low-paid workers to get 80% of salary in sick pay: More than one million low-paid workers in the UK are to be entitled to 80% of their weekly salary as sick pay from the first day of illness, under government plans. Currently, to qualify for statutory sick pay, you must have been ill for more than three days in a row and earn an average of at least £123 a week. “No one should ever have to choose between their health and earning a living, which is why we are making this landmark change,” said work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall. The government says the changes will mean about 1.3 million people on low wages who fall ill will receive either 80% of their average weekly earnings or statutory sick pay – which is currently £116.75 per week – whichever is lowest. “The new rate is good for workers and fair on businesses as part our plan to boost rights and make work pay, while delivering our plan for change,” Kendall added. However, some groups are asking the government to set sick pay for the lowest paid workers at no less than 95% of their weekly pay. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “This shouldn't be the end of the story. We urge ministers in future to raise the replacement rate for the lowest earners beyond 80% and undertake a wider review of the statutory sick pay rate.” The change to sick pay is part of a number of updates to the Employment Rights Bill expected to be announced today (Tuesday, 4 March). However, the planned increase in workers' rights, together with the rising minimum wage and hike in employers' National Insurance, has led to criticism from many businesses, who say the combined impact will hit growth and employment. Earlier this week, it emerged that the government would not be including the “right to switch off” for workers in the bill. This measure had been proposed to stop employers contacting staff out-of-hours on phones, emails and texts.