Revel Collective CEO – first acquisitions post-restructure to focus on Peach and Founders & Co, ‘we still believe in the late-night market’: The Revel Collective chief executive Rob Pitcher has told Propel that its first acquisitions post-restructuring will focus on its gastropub business Peach Pubs and “community market” concept Founders & Co. Pitcher was speaking after the operator of 65 venues – trading predominantly under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – said challenging conditions for its bar brands meant a slower recovery than expected in the first half of its financial year, but Peach Pubs and Founders & Co are performing strongly. The 26-week period was very much affected by the company’s restructuring, and while Pitcher hopes this in now in the rear-view mirror, he admitted the second half will be more “rebasing our costs and refining everything we do” before a return to the acquisition trail in the 2026 financial year. “Given their performances, our acquisitions, once the time is right, will focus on Peach Pubs and Founders & Co,” he said. “Peach in particular has a very affluent guest base. But these things are cyclical, and we are confident in a high street market recovery. And when that happens, Revolution and Revolución de Cuba will be very much on-point and ready. The premature leaking of our restructure plan last year took our focus off our guests and team, but we won’t have that this year.” Following a positive festive trading period, Pitcher said the company’s pub brands have been “excellent” so far in 2025, with a “really strong” January and February, which exceeded expectations. And while the bar brands have seen, as expected, a softer start to the year, they have come out of that in the last few weeks with a “real uptick” for both brands. Pitcher also said the company still believes in the late-night market and the forthcoming rebrand of its Revolution bars brand will see it benefit from young people having more money in their pockets from April. While sector businesses in general are dreading next month’s Budgetary headwinds kicking in – and Pitcher would still like to see a rethink on national insurance contributions – he also sees it as an opportunity. The new cost pressures come at a time when The Revel Collective is looking to complete a rebrand of its 24-strong Revolution bars estate, which will take the brand “back to its roots”. Pitcher said: “We’re taking Revolution back to its roots as the best party bar on the planet, with a focus on vodka and music. We still believe in the young late-night market, and from April, our young guests will be getting a 16.3% pay increase. That’s a good injection of disposable income, and we hope to be a net beneficiary. The national insurance threshold is still a regressive move but it is also an opportunity, especially for brands aimed at younger guests.” 

Sponsored message – McCain Streets Ahead programme invests in five more businesses: Last month, six talented entrepreneurs pitched their street food concepts at the latest panel day of the McCain Streets Ahead programme, powered by KERB+. After careful consideration, five of them were awarded the full £10,000 investment to elevate their businesses, with all six benefiting from invaluable support. Among the standout businesses was Boemo, a pastry venture created by Jasmine, a refugee offering Italian bomboloni with a modern twist. Other recipients included Gavin’s Cleaver’s Kitchen, blending Caribbean and Middle Eastern flavours to create unique sandwiches; Amin’s Somali Grill, which introduces Somali dishes like suqaar and sambusa to new audiences; Mohamed’s Kettle Whips, known for its “Jail Cuisine” made with resourceful kettle-cooked meals; and Lottie’s Chipsey Hustle, revolutionising loaded fries with mac and cheese and gourmet toppings while empowering the local community. With McCain’s investment and Kerb’s mentorship, these entrepreneurs are building businesses that share their personal stories and bring exciting, diverse food experiences to the street food scene, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. To find out more, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

Laine Pub Company founder Gavin George to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club subscribers: Gavin George, founder and former chief executive of Laine Pub Company, will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Wednesday, 14 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. George looks back on his near 30 years in the sector, what he learnt, his achievements and mistakes, and how he hopes to see the industry evolve. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (7 March), at noon. The database will show the details of 169 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. The database 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 subscribers will also receive a 10,264-word report on the 146 new additions. 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 database includes new openings in the cafe bakery sector such as an opening by Bayley & Sage, making its debut in London’s Hampstead, Swiss Chocolate brand Lindt, launching a new flagship store in London’s Piccadilly Circus, and artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts opening a new site in the West Midlands. Premium Club subscribers 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 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.

 

UKHospitality – new Employment Rights Bill must not damage jobs, businesses and growth: UKHospitality has said the new Employment Rights Bill must not damage jobs, businesses and growth. The government has tabled amendments to the Bill, which it said will boost productivity for workers and help grow the economy. These include proposals to expand the grounds for unfair dismissal and expanded access to sick pay, as well as the right for compensation for agency workers who have their shifts cancelled at short notice. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The business world has fundamentally changed since the publication of the Employment Rights Bill, with significant increases to employers’ national insurance contributions upending the finances of hospitality businesses. Everything must now be viewed in that context. We understand the government’s objectives with this legislation, but how it achieves those goals must be done in a way that doesn’t damage jobs, businesses and growth. Some of the changes announced offer practical clarifications on how new regulations will work, but it’s still the case that there is much unknown about how this legislation will work in practice, a lack of detail on several key issues and the scale of the cost these changes will bring. With substantial consultation still to come on major parts of the legislation, it’s critical the government continues to work with us to answer these questions and get the detail right in a way that benefits both businesses and team members.” A British Beer & Pub Association spokesperson said: “Mandating that those who may want flexible roles have to be offered fixed hours, including agency staff, will mean businesses affected by seasonal demand won’t always be able to offer them work. This will cut off opportunities for many who may want short-term work and deny them the chance to work as they please in a sector they’re interested in.”

Individual Restaurants CEO – loyalty is going to play a more important role than ever in 2025: Andrew Garton, chief executive of Individual Restaurants, the Restaurant Bar & Grill and Piccolino operator, has said loyalty is going to play a more important role than ever for restaurateurs in 2025. It comes as a survey by Individual Restaurant found 72% of diners want member-only pricing and the ability to unlock special rates. Last year, the business moved away from its historic points-based loyalty scheme, claiming that “points are pointless” and a tired system that no longer drives loyalty. In its place, Individual Restaurants launched Club IR, a loyalty scheme built on “getting to know guests on a truly personal and individual basis, delivering exclusive experiences and members-only access to menus, rewards and events”. The scheme recently hit the 150,000-member milestone. Individual Restaurants said it has curated exclusive menus across all its brands, delivering an “elevated dining experience exclusively for Club IR members”. More than a third of its members said they crave exclusive members-only event access, including wine tastings, VIP tickets to premier events and private evenings with sports legends. At the same time, more than a third of diners said the greatest benefit of membership is how it makes them feel special when they dine. In response, Individual Restaurants has revealed the launch of exclusive members’ lounges at select locations, where Club IR members can enjoy complimentary canapés with any drink purchase. Garton said: “Loyalty is going to play a more important role than ever before for restaurateurs in 2025. Dining out is discretionary spending, and that puts added pressure on hospitality businesses, but incentivising loyalty will be crucial. The success of Club IR in its first year is testament to the commitment of Individual Restaurants to get to know our guests on a truly personal level and we’ve tailored our loyalty scheme to make guests feel special every time they dine with us. Club IR's mission is to create a lifestyle, not just a loyalty programme, and our newly revealed rewards will further amplify this.”

 

MP and bar owner says new alcohol duty rules ‘simply not workable in the context of wine’: A change to alcohol duty “fundamentally misunderstands why people drink wine”, an MP and London speakeasy owner has said. The Treasury introduced a temporary easement in 2023 that treated all wine between 11.5% and 14.5% ABV as if it were 12.5%. This ended in February, so the amount of duty applied to wine increases depending on its ABV. Paul Kohler, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, who owns CellarDoor in Covent Garden, told the Commons the system is “simply not workable in the context of wine”, reports PA. He said: “It fundamentally misunderstands why people drink wine. Wine is consumed primarily for taste, not strength – the ABV affects the taste profile. It’s all about taste, not about whether it is stronger and someone can get more drunk. That is not how people consume wine. The ABV of wine cannot be predicted with precision before or during the wine-making process. The alcohol content’s stable only at the point when the wine goes into the bottle. The ABV varies between different years and different vats, and until bottling, we do not know the ABV of a particular bottle. It therefore creates huge uncertainty about price and profit margins for the industry if there are different rates of duty depending on the specific ABV, down to a gradation of 0.1%. The nightlife industry is already facing an existential crisis – another increase in alcohol duties will be yet another burden. Every increase in cost makes survival more difficult, as I know myself.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a group of hotels that is seeking a hotel asset management analyst. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This position will be instrumental in monitoring, analysing, and optimising the financial performance of a portfolio of hotels. The role will provide key insights, support strategic decision-making and ensure the maximisation of asset value. The responsibilities will range from conducting financial analysis to modelling and reporting for a portfolio of hotels to assess performance and identify opportunities for improvement, supporting the asset management team in developing and executing strategies to enhance operational efficiency and profitability, and analysing hotel financial statements to track key performance indicators and variances.” The salary is up to £50,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email fabian@corecruitment.com.

 

Pizza GoGo reports turnover and profit dip: Pizza GoGo has reported turnover dipped 1.85% to £40,573,241 for the year ending 31 May 2024 compared with £41,340,394 the previous year. The group, which was founded in 1987 and has circa 130 branches under a franchise model, predominantly in the south east, saw trading Ebitda, including central costs and excluding exceptional items, down to £2,632,049 from £3,494,356 the year before. Pre-tax profit fell to £2,718,165 from £2,940,151 the previous year. The company reported a cash balance of £3,531,374 (2023: £4,736,337). In December 2023, the group took out a new business loan of £3,200,000 that is repayable over 15 years. All other bank loans were repaid during the period. “Persistent high inflation during most of the year and high interest rates have continued to eat into our ability to make better margin,” director Homayoun Aminnia stated. “However, we are confident that our financial stability, long-term relationships with suppliers and customers, along with the dedication of employees and stakeholders will undoubtedly drive another successful year, even amid current and emerging challenges.” Dividends of £1,600,000 were paid (2023: £1,200,000). 

Coffee#1 opens second site of 2025: Coffee#1, the Nero Group-owned business, has opened its second site of 2025, in Exmouth, Devon, as part of its ongoing expansion plans. The outlet has opened at 4-6 Chapel Street. Last month, Coffee#1 opened its first site this year – in Ashby-de-la-Zouch In Leicestershire. Coffee#1 operates circa 120 sites.

Powerleague to spend £14m on building new padel clubs: Powerleague, Europe’s largest five-a-side football provider, is to invest £14m on building 17 new padel clubs across the UK in the next two years. The Telegraph reported that by 2026, Powerleague plans to operate a total of 76 courts, which will in some cases involve replacing football pitches with padel courts. Powerleague will also convert empty space at its existing clubs and open new clubs where both padel and football will be offered. The first new padel club will open in Manchester this month, with six courts and a bar for visitors. Powerleague, which is backed by Patron Capital, runs 43 clubs across the UK, with 8.5 million customers visiting its sites every year, and works with third-party venues to offer netball as well as football. Christian Rose, Powerleague’s chief executive, said: “[Padel’s] success is because it’s easy to learn, fun to play and hugely sociable, which is why it is such a great strategic fit for Powerleague. While football remains at the heart of our business, padel can play a crucial role in achieving our long-term ambitions.”

Big Mamma confirms plans to open second UK Circolo Popolare: Big Mamma Group, the McWin-backed restaurant group, has confirmed its plans to open a second UK site under its Circolo Popolare concept, in Manchester. Last year, the business confirmed it planned to open a new Italian restaurant and bar in Gary Neville’s Relentless Developments’ St Michael’s scheme in the city’s Jackson Row, which will trade across the ground and first floor, and Propel revealed in December that it would open a Circolo Popolare on the site. Big Mamma already operates a Circolo Popolare restaurant and bar in London’s Fitzrovia. The Manchester site’s kitchen will be overseen by head chef Alfonso Esposito, who will craft a new menu exclusively for Manchester, featuring the company’s largest-ever selection of produce, sourced directly from more than 170 small Italian artisans, alongside new dishes. Co-founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux said: “Having visited Manchester multiple times to find this unique spot, we have both been bowled over by the sheer plethora of hospitality talent within the city. We are excited to be even a small part of this, and to bring our superb Italian products we spent three years personally sourcing to another major European city.” Big Mamma currently operates 27 restaurants in Europe and is set to open a sixth site in the capital, in the City of London. The group, which has also been linked with an opening in Canary Wharf, has submitted plans to turn part of the ground floor of the former Scottish Provident building at 1-6 Lombard Street into a new restaurant. 

Mowgli to make Northern Ireland debut: Mowgli, the Nisha Katona-led, TriSpan-backed business, will make its debut in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, this summer. The 25-strong business, which will open in Newcastle later this month, will open a site in Belfast’s Victoria Square. Katona said: “At last! I have such a heart for Northern Ireland. I spent many a happy summer with my friend Fizz on her farm in Coleraine, and with her family in Hollywood. We would eat dulce on bike rides in the day and passeggiata Port Stewart in the evening. It’s an epic part of the world, and I’m proud to take my chat bombs to the immense people of Belfast. We open summer 2025 in Victoria Square.” The company, which is also understood to be exploring a launch in Dublin, also plans to open in the former Superdry clothing store, in Norwich’s Chantry Place, this summer.

Adventure Leisure to open Mulligans in Guildford this summer: Adventure Leisure – which operates 23 experiential sites under its Mulligans, Ninja Warrior and Bunkers concepts – is set to open a new Mulligans in Guildford, Surrey, this summer. Mulligans Guildford will feature two nine-hole crazy golf courses alongside other games and activities, taking over a two-floor, 17,000 square-foot site in North Street. Guests will be able to play electro darts, American pool and electro-shuffleboard, while there will also be sports-related arcade games such as air hockey, skeeball and basketball. The venue will also boast a new family-friendly sports bar area and offer a variety of hot food including pizza, sharing plates and nachos. The bar will offer coffee and soft and alcoholic drinks, and there will also be a dedicated ice cream and milkshake bar. Mulligans Guildford is taking over the former sites of TGI Fridays, Slice and the Cinderella’s Nightclub, creating 30 jobs. Adventure Leisure chief operating officer, Stephen Brown, said: “We can’t wait to open our latest Mulligan’s venue in Guildford, we’ve had our eyes on it as a new site for quite some time. We’re in a really exciting period of growth for Adventure Leisure.” Adventure Leisure currently operates 13 Mulligans sites across the UK, with the most recent venue opening in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Adventure Leisure is a subsidiary of Burhill Group, which also operates ten golf clubs.

AJ Bell – there is a danger that Greggs is moving too far away from the products that drove its success: Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, has argued there is a danger that food-to-go retailer Greggs is “moving too far away from the products that drove its success”. It comes as Greggs said like-for-like sales in its company-managed shops for the first nine weeks of the year increased by only 1.7%, compared with an 8.2% increase in the same period a year earlier, with “challenging weather conditions in January followed by improved trading in February”. Roisin Currie, Greggs chief executive, said consumer confidence remains low, citing the trend of people “saving more than spending”. She said: “It’s been a challenging winter, and I think we’ll continue to see that for the time being.” Greggs raised the prices of some products last year, including its classic sausage roll, which now costs £1.30, to combat wage increases and food inflation. Currie said that while the company did not intend to raise prices further, “we have stayed in an inflationary environment, so therefore we have to make sure we react appropriately across the balance of the year”. Mould said: “Greggs is suffering from a serious slowdown in growth. Miserable weather was blamed for a poor start to 2025 and a cautious consumer is not going to help its cause. Greggs is doing everything it can to stay on top, such as through further menu innovation. There is a danger that Greggs is moving too far away from the products that drove its success, namely sausage rolls and Belgian buns. Burgers, pizzas and chicken goujons make Greggs more of a direct rival to kebab shops that are ten a penny across the country. Domino’s Pizza is also pushing hard on lunchtime wraps, meaning the food-on-the-go market is becoming dangerously crowded. Shoppers want good value for money in the current economic climate, and Greggs might find its products are pushing above the price point at which people don’t blink to buy.”

Countrywide Hotels acquires 18th site: Hospitality firm Countrywide Hotels has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of a hotel in Newbury, Berkshire. Countrywide Hotels has acquired the DoubleTree by Hilton Newbury, which will now trade as ORIDA Hotels Newbury, for its 18th site. The 113-bedroom hotel is the latest addition to the growing ORIDA Hotels portfolio, which includes ORIDA Hotels Maidstone, Holiday Inn Maidstone – Sevenoaks, and three golf courses in the south east of England, reports Insider Media. The hotel also offers a range of meeting and event spaces and will soon add ORIDA Health facilities, offering guests and residents access to a swimming pool, gym, steam room, sauna and fitness classes. Darren Patt, managing director of Countrywide Hotels, said: “The acquisition of the former DoubleTree by Hilton is an exciting next step for both Countrywide Hotels and ORIDA Hotels. Following the success of our long-term partnership, particularly with ORIDA Hotels Maidstone, we are eager to bring the same values, service and operational excellence to Newbury.”

 

Love Churros opens second regional location: Urban dessert experience Love Churros has opened its second regional location. The company, founded in 2015 by former professional footballer Jake Nicholson, currently has six locations in Greater London and had one UK outpost, at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in the West Midlands. Love Churros has now added to that by opening at the Victoria Centre in Milton Street, Nottingham. “Exciting news – we’ve landed in Nottingham!” the company posted to social media. “We’re thrilled to announce that Love Churros is officially open at Victoria Centre. Find us under the iconic Victoria Station clock tower, serving up freshly made churros, fluffy mini pancakes, and plenty of sweet moments.” Love Churros also has three locations in the Middle East and said last year that it was planning further overseas growth.

 

Windmill Taverns set to launch new singing pub concept: Family-owned Windmill Taverns is set to launch a new singing pub concept. Molly Mc’s will open this spring at 96 Isabella Street in London’s Vauxhall, offering three “shebeen-style” singing rooms, which can be pre-booked for groups. There will also be a cocktail list based on Irish spirits and a Thai food menu, reports Hot Dinners. Brothers John and Ryan McElhinney, who founded the company with their father, Jack, in 1998, have named Molly Mc’s after one of their grandmothers. Windmill Taverns also operates two Mc & Sons pubs – in Borough and Vauxhall – as well as The Kings Arms in Waterloo and The Ring in Southwark. Molly Mc’s will take the place of the company’s former Jack Bar location. In December 2023, Windmill Taverns appointed Tom Kidd, formerly of Adventure Bars and Nightcap, as a non-executive director as it looked to roll out its Mc & Sons pub concept. Kidd co-founded Adventure Bar Group, and as managing director, oversaw its sale to Nightcap in spring 2021. 

 

Scottish hotel and wine shop business sees turnover rise but losses widen: Scottish hotel and wine shop business Brudolff Hotels saw its turnover rise but its losses widen in the year to 31 March 2024. The company, which operates four hotels in the north east of Scotland and a wine shop, which it has owned for 40 years, reported turnover of £4,541,106, up from £4,463,015 in 2023. Pre-tax losses increased from £43,516 to £185,726. Ebitda was down from £154,08 to £7,924, while shareholders’ funds were reduced to £8,380,498 from £8,555,078. The company received grants of £9,772, the same as in 2023, and paid no dividends (2023: £100,000). Director Robert Smith said: “Turnover remains good in Aberdeen and Shetland. In Aberdeen, the Craighaar Hotel continues to have excellent business from the P and J live venue, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel and is getting busier. In Shetland, both the business and tourist sectors are buoyant, although staffing continues to be an issue. As the company has no borrowings at present, the directors’ policy is to ensure directors’ fees and dividends are such that any net profits are fully distributed.”

 

Nottinghamshire operator’s new pub to include miniature railway, cinema room and wedding facilities: Nottinghamshire operator Sean Reddington has revealed his new pub will include miniature railway rides and a cinema room for children plus facilities for barn-style weddings. Reddington Pub Company, which operates The Old Vol in Caythorpe and The Reindeer in Hoveringham, last October announced it has acquired The Anchor in Gunthorpe and the adjacent Tom Browns Brasserie. Work is underway to renovate both sites in a £1m investment, but while Tom Browns will be an adults-only gastronomic destination, The Anchor will be aimed more at the family market, reports Nottingham Live. Paul Reddington, of Parc Developments, which is leading the project, said: “There’s going to be a train. It’s electric but it looks like a steam train, and there will be a 100-metre track going round the perimeter. There will also be an indoor train going round up above inside the building.” A self-service ice cream station and a cinema room for youngsters are also planned. “The Anchor will be super kid-friendly and affordable,” Reddington said. “Rather than a playground, we’re partnering with the Wildlife Trust to plant trees at the back for a woodland walk.” A room at the back of the pub will be transformed for barn-style weddings, with an outdoor courtyard, and the pub also has four double bedrooms upstairs. There are also plans to use some of a row of derelict outbuildings as a space for selling essentials such as bread and milk as the village is without a shop. As for Tom Browns, Reddington added: “It's going to be completely reinvented inside; it will be unrecognisable. It's so well-known though that the name is being kept.” 

 

West Yorkshire craft brewery Amity Brew Co launches crowdfund to expand taproom including Little Bao Boy collaboration: West Yorkshire craft brewery Amity Brew Co has launched a £50,000 crowdfund to expand its taproom in Farsley, including a kitchen collaboration with Little Bao Boy. Amity Brew Co last month said it is set to relocate its brewing operations to Bradford as it has outgrown its current facilities at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley – in a move that would support its growth plans and increase its production capacity. The business is now looking to raise the funds to support a major refurbishment of its the Sunny Bank Mills facility, which it plans to relaunch in the summer as a full-time hospitality venue, offering all-day food and an enhanced customer experience. A key highlight of the expansion will be the introduction of a new kitchen in partnership with James Ooi, the founder of Little Bao Boy. The plans also include more seating, additional toilet facilities and a dedicated upstairs event and workspace. “Our taproom is going to fulfil its beery destiny as a true centre for our community,” said Amity co-founder Verity Clarke. “This isn’t just about expanding our space, it’s about creating a welcoming destination for beer lovers, foodies, and local businesses alike.” Supporters of the crowdfund on Famity will receive exclusive perks, including a lifetime 10% discount and 120% of their donation back in bar credits. Richard Degnan, another of Amity’s co-founders, added: “Our first crowdfund in 2022 overfunded by 180% and is still talked about today by our customers as they really appreciated the chance to be actively involved in our growth. We hope in these challenging times the crowdfund is just as successful, but we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Zeal Hotels gearing up to open ‘UK’s first branded net zero carbon hotel’ for its debut site: Zeal Hotels is gearing up to open what it says is the “UK’s first branded net zero carbon hotel” for its debut site. Tim Wheeldon and Tony Clark founded Zeal Hotels in 2012 to create a group of sustainable hotels, with planning permission granted in December 2022 for their first location, at Exeter Science Park. Construction has now completed on the four-star, 142-bedroom Zeal Hotel Exeter, which also includes a restaurant and bar with private dining. The 100% electric hotel has been built at a cost of £22m and spans 54,000 square feet – including conferences facilities and a gym, as well as electric vehicle and electric bike charging points. Wheeldon said: “Celebrating the construction of the UK’s first branded net zero carbon hotel is a moment we are exceptionally proud of at Zeal Hotels. This is a first for the industry, and we are looking forward to collaborating with other hoteliers and developers regarding additional net zero carbon hotels.”

 

New restaurant, café and events space set to open in London’s South Kensington: A new restaurant, café and events space is set to open in London’s South Kensington. The Lavery will open at 4 Cromwell Place on Tuesday, 25 March, taking its name from the building being the former home of Anglo-Irish painter Sir John Lavery. The kitchen is led by Yohei Furuhashi, who spent nine years at The River Café, as well as stints at Petersham Nurseries and Toklas. Creative director Martin Cohen’s career spans venues like L’Escargot, New York’s Odeon and the launch of Rochelle Canteen, while Miguel Ferro, who played key roles in the openings of Café Royal, Sea Containers London and Nobu Portman Square, will lead operations. Yohei’s menu will highlight Mediterranean seasonality while incorporating influences from the British Isles, for dishes such as baccalà mantecato, polenta capocollo and broad beans; gnocchi di patate, fresh peas, hen of the woods and ricotta salata; and Scottish scallops, alubia beans, radicchio, marjoram, caper and anchovy. There will also be a concise, European-focused wine list. Opening later in spring, Café at The Lavery will offer morning coffee and light seasonal lunches, while Events at The Lavery will host occasions of all sizes, with in-house catering provided by The Lavery restaurant.

 

New business acquires five-star hotel, restaurant and bar in Yorkshire Dales national park: DWC Hotels, a new business set up six months ago, has acquired a five-star hotel, restaurant and bar in the Yorkshire Dales national park. DWC Hotels, incorporated by David Whitehead in September 2024, is the new owner of Yorebridge House, located in the heart of Wensleydale. In a deal brokered by Christie & Co, David and Charlotte Reilly have sold the hotel, which they owned for 19 years. Yorebridge House offers 12 individually designed en-suite bedrooms and is also home to The Orangery restaurant, a bar, a function room and the Laurent Perrier wine-tasting room. There are also a further two rooms licensed for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. The grade II-listed boutique hotel, set within six acres of private grounds, is a multi-award winning five-star venue and has retained three AA Rosettes since 2014. Whitehead said: “We are excited about taking Yorebridge House on to its next chapter, with the development of a mini spa and barn conversion to add more accommodation. This is a unique venue, and we are privileged to have been able to secure it and move forward in our business goals for the company.” The Reillys added: “We have thoroughly enjoyed our years owning Yorebridge House and we are delighted to be handing over the reins to David and his team, who we know will nurture this fantastic business and its wonderful team of staff and continue to improve and develop it for a very exciting future.” The hotel was sold off an asking price of £3.8m.