Wingstop UK breaking global records, confident in going after larger locations: Wingstop UK has had a record-breaking start to the year, including setting new global standards, according to chief executive Chris Sherriff. Since launching in the UK in 2018, Wingstop UK has expanded to 62 sites, opening its latest restaurant in Streatham, south London, this week. The company, which employs more than 2,700 people, plans to reach 200 sites over the next five years. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Sherriff said it had been a “pretty busy start for the year”. He said: “We’re starting to get to that stage now where we’re getting into cities opening multiple sites and understanding what that means for average unit volume. We’ve broken a few records already this year. Trafford Centre set another world global sales record, at more than £150,000 a week. We opened a dark kitchen in Brighton, and that smashed an opening week record.” Sherriff also said recent openings on retail parks had given the business “real confidence that we can go above 3,500 square feet, and we could do it over multiple floors”. He said: “We are very lucky that we can operate over different asset types. We can show up on a high street, we can open a big box on a retail park, we can deliver great sales from a delivery kitchen, and we love being in a shopping centre as well. We’ve got a bit of something for every occasion, and we also have delivery – our delivery business has just grown exponentially.” In fact, that scalability is one of the things Sherriff believes attracted suitors including US private equity firm Sixth Street, which acquired Wingstop UK late last year in a deal value in excess of £400m. Other factors included “the brand love the business has fostered over the past seven years” and its people culture. He added: “We are undeniable on our focus and connection to youth culture and community; we’ve been pretty consistent on customer experience; we’ve been consistent in driving people culture as well; and I think the fundamental thing is scalability.” Sherriff was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. His video and the 13 others from the conference will be made available to Premium Club members on Wednesday, 9 April, at 9am. 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.

New speakers join Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference line-up, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club subscribers: New speakers have joined the line-up for 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. The new speakers include Chris Hill, managing director of Urban Pubs & Bars, who will join Propel group editor Mark Wingett to discuss the ethos that has driven the award-winning business to become London’s largest independent pub operator, producing record-breaking Ebitda and turnover performance. Meanwhile, Dominic Jacobs, managing director of JKS Pubs, has joined a panel that will feature Jonathon Swaine, managing director of Shepherd Neame, Charlie McVeigh, non-executive director at the Revel Collective, Oisin Rogers, co-founder of The Devonshire, and Joycelyn Neve, founder and managing director Seafood Pub Company, to talk about the challenge the sector faces in attracting new customers, ways in which the sector can go about evolving to do just that, and whether loyalty schemes can play a part. 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 (4 April), at noon. The database will show the details of 187 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 11,039-word report on the 187 new additions to the database. The database is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the pub and bar sector such as Brew+Bao, bringing Asian fusion dishes to Leeds, The Tarbet opening in Edinburgh, and BookBar, opening a second site in London. 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.

Hospitality hit with £3.4bn annual cost increases, business rates reform must offer sector businesses ‘maximum discount’: Hospitality businesses will from this month face an additional £1.9bn in wage costs and £1bn of employers’ national insurance contributions, plus £500m in business rates as a result of relief being lowered from 75% to 40%, UKHospitality has warned. The trade body said the cost of employing a full-time member of staff, aged over 21-years-old, has increased by more than £2,500 annually, a 10% increase. Furthermore, the cost of employing staff aged below 18-years-old has increased by 18%, and for employees between 18 and 20 years old, it has increased by 16%. As a result, seven in ten hospitality businesses have already they will have to reduce their employment levels, while a third will reduce trading hours and 15% believe they will have to close at least one site. UKHospitality is now urging the government to urgently bring forward a plan for hospitality businesses that enables the sector to unlock growth and jobs. It said this would have to set out how Downing Street intends to reduce the costs and red tape that plague the sector and should include the Treasury ensuring its business rates reform – to be unveiled in the autumn – offers the maximum discount for hospitality businesses. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The costs hitting hospitality this month are eye-watering, and the impacts it will have on businesses, teams and communities are stark. We’ve already seen a chilling effect on investment plans and job creation – all of which have been put on hold or shelved. As costs begin to bite, we’ll see venues having to tighten their belt even further through restricting trading hours or, in a worst-case scenario, cutting jobs. None of this helps the government’s ambitions to drive growth or get people back into work. It needs sectors like hospitality to achieve both of those goals, but with disjointed tax and welfare policies, that is looking more difficult than ever. I urge the government to work with us to bring forward a plan for hospitality that addresses these issues and backs the sector to serve Britain and create places where people want to live, work and invest.”

 

Parkdean Resorts – staycations remain the top choice for UK families: Research from Parkdean Resorts, the holiday park operator, has found 52% of UK adults believe staycations are the best holiday choice for families with young children. When asked what the biggest causes of stress are on a family holiday, 51% cited the cost of everything; 30% making sure you have passports, boarding passes and tickets; 24% keeping children entertained on long journeys; 18% language barriers while abroad; and 17% trying to get everyone to the airport or station on time. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the 2,038 UK adults questioned said they prefer staycations as it’s only a “short journey from home to lots of amazing places”, and 62% believe it’s important to go on staycations to support the local economy. Additionally, more than a third of travellers (36%) said they are choosing staycations over a trip abroad to reduce their carbon footprint. When quizzed on preferred locations for staycations, Cornwall came out on top, closely followed by Scotland and the Lake District. Andy Edge, chief marketing officer at Parkdean Resorts, said: “Families fell in love with staycations during the pandemic, and it’s fantastic to see that this type of travel is here to stay. The UK has so much to offer, from breathtaking coastlines to stunning national parks, making it the perfect destination for a memorable family holiday.”

 

Pub companies accept minimum standards for tenants on short agreements: Pub companies have accepted a minimum set of standards for tenants on short agreements, as set out by the Pubs Code adjudicator (PCA). Such agreements, also called a tenancy at will, are often used to enable a tenant to begin operating a pub while a longer-term agreement is finalised. Most rights outlined in the Pubs Code do not apply to tenants on short agreements. However, the companies regulated by the Pubs Code have worked with the PCA to agree a set of minimum standards. While these largely reflect existing business practices, the standards provide clarity to those entering into a short agreement on what they can expect from their pub company. Pubs Code adjudicator Fiona Dickie said: “Everyone wants tied tenants to do well, and getting off to a strong start is essential. Those on tenancies at will and other short agreements are entitled to be treated fairly. It is particularly important that they should be advised not to invest their own money in the pub when on agreements which can be terminated at short notice. I’m pleased the regulated pub companies have agreed to a consistent set of minimum standards to reflect their business practices over and above what the Pubs Code requires them to do. This should help tied tenants to understand what they can expect from their relationship with them.” Marston’s agrees to pay all of arbitrator’s fees after PCA review – see Company News.

 

Majestic agrees deal to acquire premium wine and spirits supplier Enotria&Coe: Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has agreed a deal to acquire premium wine and spirits supplier Enotria&Coe. Founded as Enotria Wines by Remo Nardone in 1972, Enotria&Coe has grown to become of the UK’s leading premium wine and spirits distributor – working with more than 300 producers, including in excess of 200 exclusive agency brands. Enotria&Coe supplies a host of premium restaurants, hotels and hospitality venues including Gaucho, Rick Stein, Hotel du Vin/Malmaison, Bancone and L’Enclume. Enotria&Coe itself acquired Wheeler Cellars in 2008, Great Western Wine in 2010 (now trading from its Bath shop as The Great Wine Co) and Coe Vintners in 2015. Majestic has identified significant potential to further grow Enotria&Coe alongside its existing business-to-business specialist arm, Majestic Commercial, with both continuing to operate as stand-alone businesses. Majestic chief executive John Colley said: “We believe this is a compelling strategic combination and can see huge potential to further enhance Enotria’s proposition and profitability as part of the Majestic group.” Enotria&Coe chief executive Julian Momen added: “This combination is fantastic news for Enotria&Coe colleagues, customers, our business and our future growth ambitions.” Last summer, Propel revealed that Majestic had acquired Vagabond Wines out of administration for £6.5m, saving nine of its 12 wine bars from closure.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a hotel in Dublin that is seeking a sales and marketing director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role involves driving the sales and marketing strategy and growing new business for the property. The business is looking for someone who has experience with trade shows, business development and a passion for sales. Responsibilities will also include developing strategic long-term customer relationships, organising and carrying out in-market sales tours, managing the corporate accounts, acting as the market segment specialist and working closely with the general manager.” The salary is up to £90,000. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

 

Dishoom to make US debut in New York, plan to be in place by the end of the year: Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of award-winning Indian restaurant group Dishoom, has told Propel that New York City will be the location of its debut site in the US. Talking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Shamil Thakrar said: “We’ve done an awful lot of work on where we might open. There are a couple options; a southern cluster, which is quite interesting, or you can do the north east. The economics are really different; I think in New York, which is clearly a fantastic restaurant market, the economics are, from a certain perspective, more challenging. Southern economics, partly because of the legislation in those states, are a bit easier. But we’ve decided we’re going to do New York, and by the end of the year, we’re going to have a good plan, which is nailed-on about exactly how we get that done.” Dishoom has visited New York before, setting up a temporary residency last August, when the business operated a breakfast pop-up in collaboration with New York French brasserie Pastis – selling out 6,000 reservation slots in four and a half minutes, with a further wait list of 20,000. Commenting further on the US, Thakrar told Propel: “I’ve got two deep feelings about the US. One is that I’m deeply confident we’ll make it work, and it will be brilliant. The second is that it’s going to be really flipping hard, and I’m also deeply confident that we’re going to, at times, get unstuck. There are a whole lot of things we just assume are similar, maybe culturally, and they’re possibly not. We’ll open one, which is hard enough – set it up and get the operation right. The menu won’t be right, the concept won’t be quite right and will almost certainly require some local tailoring. In the UK, it took us a couple of years to open our second site, and I think the second site was where we really made it a Dishoom. The first site wasn’t quite right then, so I want to take that time and do it right.” Last November, Dishoom revealed it was considering bringing in new investment to support a launch in the US. Expanding on this, Thakrar added: “We’re having some discussions, and we’re in no rush. We are looking for somebody who can help us with that journey of growth, particularly in the US, and also who’s going to help us really deepen what we do.” Thakrar was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. His video and the 13 others from the conference will be made available to Premium Club members on Wednesday, 9 April, at 9am. 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.

 

Wing Shack founder launches digital franchise model, expects to be live in 100 locations by end of 2025: Wing Shack founder Joshua Jarvis has launched a new digital franchise model, which he told Propel he expects to be live in 100 locations by the end of 2025. Wing Shack was founded by Jarvis and business partner Nurudeen Shiro in 2017 and grew to as many as seven dine-in sites within a few years. But the company is now focusing on utilising artificial intelligence (AI) and exponential (EXO) modelling – leveraging technology platforms to scale faster – for its future growth. Jarvis said: “After eight years of building Wing Shack, we’ve rejected every outdated norm and rebuilt from scratch. We’ve tested most models in hospitality – bricks-and-mortar, delivery kitchens, virtual brands and franchising – and faced many pain points in each. We opened six locations in nine months and closed them just as fast, and that kind of pain forces clarity. Then tools like ChatGPT dropped and we started using AI before most people were even paying attention. But we didn’t use it for show – we used it because we had real problems to solve and the perfect company to test tools on, so we rejected everything and started again with a remote team and simple systems that actually moved things forward. Over the past 18 months, we generated £1.6m in revenue, even while cleaning up the wreckage from the previous expansion. Today, Wing Shack runs with just two founders, no investors, fully remote, powered by AI and an EXO model. In the past 18 months, we generated more revenue from one location than when we had seven bricks-and-mortar locations – 76% from online orders.” The new model sees franchisees provide the chefs and kitchen while Wing Shack provides the branding and recipes, training, ordering systems, cash flow advances, 24/7 support, digital marketing and customer acquisition, discounted supply chain and integration with delivery platforms. “We’re now rolling out our digital franchise model – not franchising in the traditional sense, but digital franchising – built to give partners better systems, freedom and higher returns,” Jarvis said. “We’re now signing three or four kitchens a week, with 30-plus onboarded, and we expect to be in more than 100 UK locations before the end of the year. We’re already exploring opportunities worldwide as we work remotely and can travel.” The eight locations Wing Shack is currently live in are Wanstead, Luton, Maidstone, Southall, Silvertown, Macclesfield, Wood Green and Hounslow.

 

Team behind Italian casual dining concept launches new café concept, with Cardiff lined up for debut UK site: The team behind Italian casual dining concept Ci Gusta has launched a new café concept, with Cardiff lined up for its debut UK site. Nuvola Café has opened its first site at Mercato Coperto Eat and Meet in Reggio Emilia, in the north of Italy, and like Ci Gusta, has launched it as a franchise. Both on its website and in its franchise documents, Nuvola Café lists Cardiff and Casablanca as locations “coming soon”. Matteo Bonazzi, marketing specialist at Ci Gusta, said: “This new franchise concept aims to revolutionise the modern and contemporary coffee shop, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation in every cup and treat. Nuvola, in addition to a traditional coffee house, wants to offer the opportunity to enjoy a tasty quick lunch or an aperitif with friends in a welcoming atmosphere. The right place to find the real Italian cuisine is in a relaxed, modern and young space. The menu offers both savoury and sweet dishes, to offer a range that covers from breakfast to dinner. Among our customers’ favourites is the foccaccino, which can be filled with a wide selection of ingredients such as vegetables, cold cuts, cheese and more. Nuvola Café is an investment model, ideal in an industry that is consistently growing, and can be modulated to suit the market and your location.” The company is offering single opening, master franchise and developer area opportunities and no previous experience in food and drink is required. Ci Gusta was founded in Reggio Emilia in 2011 and has since expanded to 30 restaurants in more than 20 countries. In 2023, the company said it would be making its UK debut that year, with its first site here set to me in Milton Keynes, but the restaurant has not yet opened.

 

Lebanese street food concept set to open up to four more sites this year including UAE expansion: Lebanese street food concept Mayyil is set to open up to four more sites this year, including expansion to the UAE. Mayyil was founded in 2022 by Ayman Assi as a sister concept to Beit El Zaytoun, the Lebanese restaurant in Park Royal, west London. Propel reported earlier this month that Mayyil is set to open a third franchise location, and fifth overall, in London’s Marylebone. Charlie Mander, group chief operating officer of consultants Presman & Colard, said: “Mayyil is growing from strength to strength, with franchisees now in London and the UAE. This year will see an additional three or four sites opening in the UK and Middle East, with additional interest across UK and Europe. Mayyil has a number of approved territories and locations available for future franchisees.” Assi added: “With more locations on the way, our journey is just beginning.” Last year, Assi told Propel that he is targeting 20 UK Mayyil sites over the next five years, as he rolls out the franchise programme. Assi, who is also behind Levant-inspired hospitality group Zataro Group, opened a second Beit El Zaytoun site in December, in Chelsea’s New Kings Road.

 

Real estate business Dominus launches hotel operations division and targets revenue of more than £100m by 2026: Dominus, the multi-sector real estate business, has launched a hotel operations division – Dominus Hospitality. Since 2011, Dominus has developed 15 hotels, totalling more than 4,000 keys, and has retained ownership of five, which are managed by its Dominus Hospitality platform. Dominus has launched Dominus Hospitality as part of its operational real estate strategy to grow its annual revenue from its operating hotels to more than £100m by 2026. The hotels are owned by Dominus and operated by Dominus Hospitality, trading under Hilton and Marriott brands as part of franchise agreements. Dominus Hospitality is overseen by Preet Ahluwalia, principal director at Dominus, and led by Matt Williams, director of hotels. Dominus’ operational portfolio of hotels comprises The Dixon, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection in Tower Bridge in London, Lost Property, a Curio Collection by Hilton in St Paul’s in the capital, a Courtyard by Marriott in Oxford, and two Hampton by Hilton hotels in Bath and London City. Dominus has four hotels in its development pipeline at sites across London – delivering more than 1,200 keys – including the transformation of a 20th century former bank office into a new 237-room Curio Collection by Hilton in Great Tower Street in the City of London. Ahluwalia said: “The launch of Dominus Hospitality will enable us to build on our success as we look to grow our annual recurring revenue and add to our portfolio of hotels. We remain convinced by the strong fundamentals of the sector and are actively looking to acquire more sites in prime locations.”

 

Butcombe Group experiences biggest ever day of trade across managed estate on Mothering Sunday: Butcombe Group, formerly Liberation Group, has said Mothering Sunday (30 March) provided the company’s managed pubs business with its biggest ever day of trade, breaking its previous record set on Christmas Day last year. The Jonathan Lawson-led company said its 57-strong managed pub business saw a 31% like-for-like sales increase on Mother’s Day compared with Mother’s Day last year. The business said the ongoing development of its external areas spaces also helped increase bar sales by 45% year-on-year. The 11 sites that are now part of the Butcombe Boutique Inns collection achieved like-for-like sales growth of 37% compared with Mother’s Day last year. Jayson Perfect, chief operating officer at Butcombe Group, said: “We are really pleased that our customers continue to trust us with helping them to celebrate special days like Mothering Sunday. We have continued to focus on our food and drink offering, while making sure we continue to develop our offering in terms of service and amenities like our outside spaces, so we can cater for all our customers’ needs. Our continued focus on our award-winning customer service has meant all the small touches and attention to details can really make all the difference to our customers. We are also extremely grateful for all the hard work and brilliant service our teams have made.”

 

Chipotle to make Essex debut this week: US brand Chipotle will make its Essex debut this week. The brand will open at Unit 49 at the Lakeside shopping centre, in West Thurrock, on Saturday (5 April), for its 20th UK location. Guests will be able order in restaurant, via the Chipotle UK app or through third-party delivery services, and will be able to order the brand’s new Chipotle Honey Chicken, which made its debut in the US last year. In February, Chipotle chief executive Scott Boatwright hinted that the company is ready to start building its pipeline in the UK again, with restaurant level margins having “improved measurably”. 

 

HMSHost opens new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at East Midlands airport: HMSHost International has launched a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant concept called Alembic at East Midlands airport. The opening, which is the first new opening of the year for HMSHost UK and France – part of Avolta – provides “Mediterranean-inspired light bites alongside premium, locally-sourced spirits”. The company said: “Alembic is the first food and beverage operation of its kind in the UK, kickstarting a year of exciting openings for HMSHost (UK and France). Our amazing development chefs have created the most mouth-watering menu, while our brilliant commercial team has sourced some fantastic local products and spirits, all complemented by our enthusiastic team on site ready for the summer influx of passengers from across the East Midlands region. Keep an eye out for more exciting things to come from our Avolta food and beverage UK team as we gear up for an exciting 2025.”

 

Six by Nico owner decentralises customer relations function: SixCo, the company behind the Six by Nico restaurant business, has told Propel it has decentralised its customer relations function out to its restaurants – a move it said will “create stronger relationships with our restaurant communities”. The move follows the decision by the business to cut its eight-strong customer relations department. Olivia McGauley, a former customer relations manager, claimed she was responsible for tens of thousands of customer interactions daily, handling the diary, bookings, complaints, vouchers and relaying information about the constant operational changes for every venue. Writing on LinkedIn, she said: “This was relentless work, and for the entire department to be deemed non-essential in a bid to increase profits is nothing short of disgraceful. We were told that this decision was driven by increases in the minimum wage and national insurance, in what are ‘challenging times’.” A spokesperson from Six Company told Propel: “We continually assess the needs of our business and make adjustments when required. Six Company employs 800 people across the UK and Ireland, and as part of a broader programme of restructuring, we have made eight staff redundant. These changes allow us to decentralise elements of our operations and bring customers closer to us by absorbing customer relations to each restaurant location. It also allows our on-site managers to create stronger relationships with their restaurant communities. We remain dedicated to delivering a top-rated experience for our customers and look forward to pushing boundaries in the restaurant industry.” Earlier this year, the business announced a change to the Six By Nico business model, cutting the number of sittings per day to offer a “more relaxed” atmosphere for customers and build in break time for staff.

 

Marston’s agrees to pay all of arbitrator’s fees after PCA review: Marston’s has agreed to pay 100% of an arbitrator’s fees and costs in a Pubs Code arbitration after failing to identify the relevant costs provisions in its submissions. The Pubs Code adjudicator (PCA) appointed an alternative arbitrator to determine a dispute in relation to a rent assessment proposal in 2023. The arbitrator ordered the tenant to pay 35% of the arbitrator’s costs, despite not finding the referral to be vexatious. The PCA’s view was the arbitrator did not have the power to make the order. Under the code, pub-owing business must pay the reasonable fees and expenses of an arbitrator, except if the arbitrator decides that the referral was vexatious, in which case they can require the tenant to pay some or all those costs. Following a review of Marston’s submissions to the arbitrator and subsequent discussions, Marston’s has agreed to pay 100% of the arbitrator’s costs and not recoup them from the tenant.

 

Scottish operator Lisini lambasts government over continued lack of support and ‘inability to inject confidence into struggling sector’: Lanarkshire operator Lisini Pub Company has lambasted the Scottish government over its continued lack of support and “inability to inject confidence into a struggling sector”. It comes as the company – which operates Angels Hotel and The Castle Rooms in Uddington, Dalziel Park Hotel in Motherwell, and The Parkville Hotel in Blantyre – saw turnover increase 11.8% to a record £13,555,472 for the year ending 31 March 2024 compared with £12,128,420 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was down to £196,622 from £396,424 the year before as administrative expenses rose by around £800,000 to £8.5m. In her report accompanying the accounts, director Siobhan Edwards said it has been another “challenging year for the company”. She added the reduction in profit before tax was “due to the return of 100% business rates, sharp increase in the national minimum wage, VAT rates “not reflective of pressures on the sector”, higher levels of interest rates, the cost-of-living crisis, supply changes, inflation and “crippling” increases in energy costs. Edwards said: “Overall, the board is content with the company’s performance against unprecedented pressures, and in particular, the management of costs and cashflow during this period. Continued lack of government support for the hospitality trade is of great concern and the company is frustrated by the government’s inability to inject confidence into a struggling sector.” The company, which employs around 330 staff, did not receive any government grants (2023: £5,679). No dividend was paid (2023: £100,000).

 

Team behind Ollie’s House to open pizza concept: The team behind the pan-Asian, all-day concept Ollie’s House is to launch a new pizza venue in London’s Clapham Common. The team will open Common Pizza on the former Megan’s Terrace site later this spring. The venue will be “an open-air, laidback American-inspired pizza hangout serving crispy, wafer-thin-crust New York City pizzas and seriously dense, deep-pan Detroit pies”. Ollie’s House, which is the brainchild of Oliver Norcliffe, a former operations manager at bakery and café concept Gail’s, launched in the former Cote site in Fulham Road, Chelsea, in 2022. A year later, the Ollie’s House team opened a second site, on the ex-Megan’s site in Parsons Green. Ollie’s House is described as being inspired by “Bali resorts with a pan-Asian menu featuring noodles, curries and more”.

 

Family-run Vietnamese concept Café Mama Pho to open third site: Cafe Mama Pho, the family-run business, is to open its third site in London. The business, which launched in Deptford in 2009, will open a site in Marchmont Street, Bloomsbury, this summer. The company opened a second site in Bute Street, South Kensington, at the end of 2019. The business said: “Mama Pho was founded in 2009, and our distinctive business has grown over the years to open two stores and expand into home delivery solutions and street food. Innovation has always been at the forefront of what we do but patience, care and a genuine love of creating tasty food lies at the heart of what we do. Our philosophy is to be guardians of traditional and authentic dishes that we have tasted since we were children. We will continue to preserve original recipes and cooking methods and introduce them to new customers all over London.”

 

Simon Shaw to launch third site for experiential concept Black Cat Club next month: Chef Simon Shaw will launch the third site for his experiential concept, Black Cat Club, next month. Shaw is the chef patron and creative director for Mills Hill Developments, which is also behind tapas concept El Cato Negro in Liverpool and Manchester, and tapas restaurant Canto in Manchester’s Ancoats. The team launched luxury sports and gaming concept Lucky Black Cat in February 2024, in his former Habas restaurant in Manchester’s Brown Street, before converting its former El Cato Negro site in Leeds’ Park Row to a Black Cat Club, which opened in September 2024. In January, Shaw said that in order to make way for a third Black Cat Club, the group’s El Cato Negro site on Liverpool’s Exchange Flags would be moving into the former Viva Brazil site in the city’s Castle Street. With this transition now complete and the new El Gato Negro open, the new Black Cat Club will open on Exchange Flags on Friday, 9 May – offering “premium cocktails, social gaming and live sports and entertainment”. Shaw said: “Designed for those who enjoy great food, drinks, and interactive entertainment in a sophisticated setting, Black Cat Club offers something for everyone.” In February, Shaw said both Black Cat Club conversions had been “successful to date” and added the company is “looking to expand the restaurants and Black Cats into other cities”.

  

Team behind Manchester’s Higher Ground restaurant to open seafood bar: The team behind Manchester restaurant Higher Ground is to open a new seafood bar later this year. Bar Shrimp, from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, will open next to Higher Ground in the city’s New York Street this winter. The team, which are also behind Flawd, the waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina, said Bar Shrimp aims to be a “relaxed and focused bar with delicious food”. The company said: “Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening; where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”

 

Chef Sally Abé to join Public House Group’s The Bull Charlbury as head of food: Chef Sally Abé, who left the Pem at the Conrad London St James earlier this year, is to join the Public House Group-owned The Bull Charlbury in the Cotswolds as its new head of food. Abé, who left the Pem after four years, will take up her role at the Bull this month, where she will lead the kitchen team and work with the nearby Bruern Farms to build on the pub’s farm-to-fork ethos. Abé, who previously headed up the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms in Fulham, will take over from George Williams, who has left to head up the Bull’s upcoming sister site, the Fat Badger in Notting Hill. She said: “It feels like a homecoming for me – returning to my roots and getting to cook proper British pub grub once again.” James Gummer, founder of Public House Group, which also owns The Pelican in Notting Hill and The Hero in Maida Vale, said: “Sally is one of the country’s most talented chefs and her love for British produce and great pub food perfectly aligns with ours.”

 

Team behind Gold in Notting Hill linked to Richmond opening: The team behind Gold, the restaurant and late-night bar in London’s Notting Hill, has been linked with an opening in Richmond. Entrepreneur Nick House, a founder of clubs such as Mahiki and Whisky Mist, launched Gold with former River Cafe chef Theo Hill on the site of the four-storey Portobello Gold pub in Portobello Road in the summer of 2019. The business has now been linked with launching a new concept on the site of the former Pitcher and Piano in Richmond’s Bridge Street. The site, which sits in a part of Richmond town centre overlooking the River Thames, closed last summer.

 

Berkshire catering business to open debut restaurant after partnering with Liberty London: Berkshire catering business Goose & Berry is to open its debut stand-alone restaurant venture after partnering with London designer department store Liberty. Seventy Five at Liberty will launch on Tuesday, 8 April, on the second floor of the Regent Street store, taking its name from the year Liberty was founded. The 1,800 square-foot, 84-cover venue will operate seven days a week, offering brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, drinks and early suppers, as well as private evening event hire. All-day small and large plates will include goat’s cheese and almond croquettes; torched mackerel with pickled carrot and chervil sauce; Swaledale chicken breast with salsify and thyme; and British Hampshire pork chop and fresh herb salsa verde. The cocktails are also inspired by the store’s signature LBTY fragrance collection, with creations named after specific scents and incorporating key notes. Hannah Martin, founder of Goose & Berry, said: “Seventy Five marks an exciting milestone for Goose & Berry as our first restaurant venture.” Natalie Gueslli, head of beauty and commercial at Liberty, added: “As we celebrate our 150th anniversary, this collaboration allows us to enhance our in-store experience with a high-quality, seasonally focused dining destination that resonates with our customers.”