Kaspa’s – diversification of the model is essential to our 500-store target, looking to expand into new dayparts: Kaspa’s group managing director Francesco Arcadio has said diversification of the brand’s model is essential to reaching its 500-store target, and that it is looking to expand into new dayparts. Kaspa’s, which has grown to more than 100 locations since being founded by Azhar Rehman in 2013, has a long-term ambition of an estate five times that size. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Arcadio, who joined Kaspa’s as its global franchise director five years ago, said: “Diversification of the model of point of sales is fundamental for us. We have 100 stores, and in ten years we want to be sold in 500 spots in the UK, plus expansion abroad. When I say 500 spots, opening 500 stores like we have today would be very ambitious, but we can differentiate and look at the different ways people can enjoy their desserts. It might be drive-thrus, diners, kiosks or a street food style offering at various events.” Arcadio also said Kaspa’s is exploring opening its stores earlier in the day, which could even include a breakfast or brunch offering. “Product enhancement will probably come through segmentation of the product and daypart specialities,” he said. “We pay rent 24 hours a day, but our trade is often concentrated in the afternoons and evenings and weekends. As much as possible, we will try to expand into other times of the day.” Last month, Rehman partnered with Kaspa’s very first franchisee (and the UK master franchise holder), Diljit Brar, for a new venture. They and Costa Coffee franchisee Steve Falle founded a new company, Jinziex, which signed a deal with global bubble tea brand Gong Cha to open an initial 225 stores in the UK. Arcadio said Kaspa’s has secured many collaborations in the past and believes this venture will provide further opportunities. “There are other collaborations ahead,” he said. “Our major shareholder recently signed with Gong Cha, which is a fantastic international brand of bubble tea, and we’re looking forward to seeing what synergies we can bring together.” Arcadio added that the company’s percentage of the market which is delivery “depends on the season” and can go up to 40% in the winter and down to 25% in the summer. He said Kaspa’s products are 100% halal and that it has no plans to diversify into alcohol. Arcadio 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 cafe bakery sector such as Mrs Bakery, making its debut in London’s Chinatown, chef Adam Handling opening a Central London boutique chocolate shop and Coffi Lab, the dog-friendly coffee shop, opening in Thornbury, Gloucestershire. 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.

Almost two-thirds of night-time economy businesses expecting to reduce staff numbers and operating hours, with tax hikes ‘final nail in the coffin for thousands’: Almost two thirds (62%) of night-time economy operators are expecting to reduce staff numbers and operating hours as they brace themselves for the increases in labour costs and a reduction in business rates relief, according to new survey. A flash poll by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) showed the overwhelming majority – 85% – identified rising operational costs as their biggest economic challenge. As a result, 88% of businesses plan to increase their prices in the next year, with more than half (56%) expecting price hikes of between 5%-10% just to remain viable. Industry leaders report that operating costs have already surged by 30%-40% in recent years. The latest tax increases will pile on an additional burden of between £30,000 and £80,000 per business, pushing many to the brink, the NTIA warned. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “The government is sleepwalking into disaster. Businesses have cut everything they can – jobs, hours, services – just to survive, and yet they’re still being punished. These tax hikes will be the final nail in the coffin for thousands. The government has refused to listen, and now it is actively pushing businesses into collapse. If it does not act now, it will be responsible for the destruction of an entire sector, the loss of countless jobs, and the irreversible decline of our nightlife economy.”

 

Foreign secretary says British pint ‘safe’ as MPs debate measurement legislation: The British pint is “safe” under the government, according to foreign secretary David Lammy. He offered assurances to MPs after he was asked to guarantee the “most glorious of British symbols” could not be abolished as a result of legislation being debated in parliament. The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill gives powers to ministers to regulate the marketing and use of goods in the UK after Brexit. The Bill was amended in the House of Lords to provide protections to the imperial pint measure to ease fears over its future. The changes accepted by the government would bar ministers from preventing or restricting the use of the pint in relation to draught beer, cider or milk in returnable containers, reports The Standard.

 

Scottish government accused of ‘abandoning’ hospitality following non-domestic rates U-turn: The Scottish government has been accused of “abandoning” hospitality following its U-turn on non-domestic rates. Public finance minister Ivan McKee has admitted his administration had “no plans” to press ahead with changing the non-domestic rates system for licensed hospitality. This despite a previous pledge by finance secretary Shona Robison in December 2023 to “work with the sector to explore long-term targeted solutions” to issues with the system. By way of contrast, the UK government has followed through on its pledge to reform the non-domestic rates system ahead of 2026. The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) said the current system in Scotland penalises hospitality by charging businesses in the sector on their turnover, compared with other sectors, such as retail, which are charged on their square footage. SHG director Stephen Montgomery said: “The Scottish government has now almost completely abandoned Scotland’s hospitality sector, and this news will be an absolute body blow for landlords, restaurateurs, and hoteliers across the country. Not only does this announcement break a direct pledge from the finance secretary to the Scottish parliament, but it also leaves Scotland’s hospitality industry at a significant disadvantage compared with our counterparts in England. Without significant reform of the unfair non-domestic rates system ahead of revaluations in 2026, many licensed hospitality premises will unfortunately need to make significant cutbacks or, sadly, close entirely. Time is now running out for the Scottish government to finally make good on its promises to the hospitality sector before it is too late.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a historic hotel in Devon that is seeking an experienced executive chef. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The business is seeking a passionate, adaptable, and resilient leader who thrives in distinctive environments and embraces the rewards and challenges of coastal life.” The salary is up to £70,000 with potential accommodation and other perks. For more information, email alejandro@corecruitment.com.

 

Esquires owner secures new bank funding: Cooks Coffee Company, owner of the Esquires brand, has secured new bank funding. The company has finalised a NZ$1.6m loan facility with a term of 15 years, and a NZ$1.0m loan facility with a term of five years, each with Bank of New Zealand. The loan facilities have enabled Cooks Coffee Company to repay or refinance all existing debt and provide further funding to support the group’s ongoing operations and strategic initiatives. Chairman Keith Jackson said: “The debt repayment and refinancing will have a meaningful positive impact for the company, with significantly reduced ongoing finance costs.” In January, the group reported UK sales rose 34% to £17.7m in the nine months to 31 December 2024 and said it expects to hit the 100-store mark by end of 2025. 

 

European hospitality brand and members’ club Aethos to make UK debut after acquiring Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch: Aethos, the European hospitality brand and members’ club, is to make its UK debut after acquiring the Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch. The 164-room hotel will be fully reimagined “to reflect Aethos’ core values” and is set to reopen this summer. At the centre of the transformation will be an elevated space for Aethos members, including access to lounges and private meeting areas. An “innovative” culinary concept will be introduced, and the property will also feature a boutique spa alongside a longevity-focused training studio. Benjamin Habbel, co-founder and chief executive of Aethos, said: “With the launch of Aethos London Shoreditch, we are excited to introduce a new kind of members’ club to east London – one rooted in shared experiences, inclusive club culture, and thoughtful social programming to enable meaningful connections. Shoreditch has always been a hub of creativity and culture, making it the perfect location for our London debut.” Aethos operates seven destinations across Europe and is also opening in Mallorca and Madrid. Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch opened in 2017 for what was Nobu's first European hotel. The company also operates a hotel and restaurant in Mayfair in the capital, among a global portfolio of 59 restaurants and hotels. Nobu, which was founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Taper, has also unveiled plans for the development of a hotel, restaurant and luxury homes in Manchester. 

 

Indian restaurant brand China Bistro to make UK debut: Indian restaurant brand China Bistro, which operates circa 15 sites across India and Dubai, is to make its UK debut, Propel has learned. China Bistro has acquired the Meadow restaurant and bar premises at 5-6 The Green in Ealing, west London. Since opening its first outlet in Mumbai in 2012, China Bistro has expanded across India and the UAE, and its menu includes Tom Kha Soup and South Asian chilli chicken. China Bistro is one of the brands owned by Foodlink Global, which was founded in 2003 by Sanjay Vazirani. The company started with small-scale events in Mumbai and gradually transformed into a luxury catering brand. Over time, Foodlink has grown to become India’s largest food and beverage company. Its other restaurant brands include Glocal Junction and India Bistro. Percy Fricker, of Restaurant Property, acted on the Ealing deal.

 

Dirty Martini settles £4m insurance claim: The Dirty Martini cocktail bar business has settled its £4m claim against a Maltese insurer for losses it claimed to have suffered during the covid-19 pandemic. Law360 UK reported two subsidiaries of restaurant group CG Restaurants (Holdings) agreed to undisclosed settlement terms with insurer QIC Europe. The order, signed by High Court judge Richard Jacobs, stays the proceedings brought by DC Bars and Tuttons Brasserie against QIC for the insurer’s alleged failure to pay out for losses that came after the government ordered businesses to shut during across three specified lockdowns. The claimants argued in 2022 that the insurer wrongly contended that the policy only covered the first three months of business interruption due to an infectious disease. QIC has indemnified the subsidiaries for a closure of three months due to a national lockdown starting on 26 March 2020, the hospitality group said in its filing. But this does not entitle the insurer to refuse cover for three later lockdowns, the company alleged. DC Bars and Tuttons Brasserie said in their claim they had to shut down their premises because of government restrictions between 24 September and 4 November in 2020, 5 November and 15 December in the same year, and from 16 December 2000 to 14 March 2021. The insurer hit back in 2023, arguing the policy only covered the first national lockdown and that it did not owe £4m. QIC said it had provided cover for the subsidiaries for closure for three months for the first lockdown, but that cover was not due for a longer period. In the summer of 2023, Nightcap – the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of bars – entered into an agreement to acquire the ten-strong Dirty Martini business, plus Tuttons British Brasserie in London’s Covent Garden, for a consideration of up to £4.65m. The acquisition was done as part of a pre-pack administration process of Dirty Martini’s parent companies.

 

Wingstop UK CEO – we need to double down on offering youngsters a price point they can afford and a place they can be themselves: Chris Sherriff, chief executive of Wingstop UK, has said as the business scales, it needs to “double down” on offering youngsters a price point they can afford and “a place they can be themselves”. The circa 65-strong business was acquired at the end of last year by US private equity Sixth Street in a £400m-plus deal and has plans to reach 200 sites over the next five years. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Sherriff said: “We’re focused on fostering youth communities and being a force for change – we want to keep that at the fore. I feel like we give younger people an environment to be themselves, to hang out, and that’s been missing for a long time. I don’t think there’s many spaces or places at a price point where a 16 to 25-year-old can go and hang out. I feel like when I was a lot younger, there were way more opportunities to go and hang out and not be judged. We need to double down on that. People often look at the brand partnerships that we have that are customer-facing such as with Atlantic Records, JD Sports, and we’ve had TikTok take over our Cambridge Circus. But under that, we’ve also got really important partnerships with our suppliers that often don’t get a shout out. We’ve just been acquired by Sixth Street and it has partnerships with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Spotify. But we need to be really careful that we don’t lose our connection to grassroot organisations like the Elephant Rooms, with whom we did a one-month mentor programme, and with Croydon Athletic, and with up-and-coming artists. We don’t want to change that true connection to youth, community and culture. It’s staying true to what we’ve been good at – while perhaps taking some of those learnings and partnerships from Sixth Street – to say how do we evolve this as we scale?” 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.

 

Hooters files for bankruptcy as founders plot family-friendly relaunch: Hooters, the US fast food brand known for its scantily clad waitresses, is planning to relaunch as a family-friendly concept after filing for bankruptcy protection. HOA Restaurant Group has filed the motion for chapter 11 protection in the north Texas bankruptcy court in Dallas. The company ran into financial woes as its debts mounted but said it intends to stay open and resolve its troubles within months. A group of the company’s original founders that own almost a third of Hooters’ US locations, including about half of its largest-volume restaurants, plans to buy and operate more of the outlets. It said: “Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay, and we are taking action to strengthen our business to better serve our valued customers over the long term.” The company directly owns and operates 151 restaurants in 22 states and maintains franchise agreements with 154 franchised restaurants across 19 states and 17 countries in the Americas, Europe including the UK, Asia and Africa. Court documents show the company currently holds $376m in debt while it generated $358.9m in revenue in 2024. On plans to give the brand a family-friendly makeover, Neil Kiefer, chief executive of Hooters, the group run by the company’s original founders, told Bloomberg News: “I’m calling it re-Hooterisation. You go to some parts of the country and people say, ‘I could never go to Hooters, my wife would kill me.’ That’s depressing to us. We want to change that.”

 

The Light to open ‘most ambitious project to date’ with 70,000 square-foot Huddersfield venue: Cinema and entertainment operator The Light is opening what it describes as its “most ambitious project to date”. The company will launch a cinema and entertainment venue in Huddersfield’s redeveloped Kingsgate shopping centre on Friday, 11 April. The venue, covering 70,000 square feet and set over three floors, will offer 15 different leisure activities, a premium arcade and a six-screen cinema alongside a kitchen and bar. Leisure highlights will include bowling and skittles, a StarQuest laser experience and adventure climb offering 26 different climbs. There will also be a high ropes challenge with 36 different obstacles, a film-themed ten-hole mini golf course, electric shuffleboard, interactive darts, axe throwing, curling, a batting cage and a new interactive football experience. The Light chief executive James Morris said: “This site is a major milestone in our development, delivering on our ambition to bring exceptional entertainment experiences across the UK. This venue is really special, combining our fantastic cinema offer with a unique range of leisure activities to offer something for all ages.” The Light was acquired by serial sector investor Luke Johnson and Risk Capital Partners, along with a co-investment from cinema and leisure investors Melcorpo, for an undisclosed sum last October. The Light operates 13 other sites across the UK.

 

Yum! Brands CEO to retire: Yum! Brands chief executive David Gibbs is to retire next year after more than five years in the role. The board has established a succession planning committee to find his replacement, Yum! Brands said, adding that Gibbs would continue to lead the company during the search process until his retirement in the first quarter of 2026. Gibbs has been with the company since 1989, holding several senior roles, including operations head and chief financial officer, before taking charge of the company in January 2020. Under his tenure, Yum! Brands expanded its store count to roughly 61,000 from around 50,000, while annual sales at the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell have surged about 25% to $66bn.Yum! Brands, whose shares have risen about 56% since Gibbs took over as chief executive, beat quarterly estimates for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2024 as value offerings from Taco Bell attracted budget-conscious US consumers to the Tex-Mex brand. Yum! Brands is seeing sales improve following efforts to digitise customer orders.

 

Argentine concept Chango Empanadas opens tenth site: Argentine concept Chango Empanadas has opened its tenth site, in Hampstead, north London. The concept, which is led by Bernardo Neville, has opened at Perrin’s Court, off Hampstead High Street. Neville, who was born in Argentina, told the Ham & High: “I am thrilled to be opening the tenth Chango here in Hampstead. I hope that the local residents will enjoy having this addition of authentic Argentinian empanadas in the neighbourhood.” Chango Empanadas are pre-cooked and also come frozen so that they can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. Fillings include traditional beef, spicy chicken, ham and cheese, tomato, mozzarella and basil, champagne olives and mozzarella, spinach and ricotta and a humita vegan option. Argentinian chimichurri sauce is also available.

 

Maki & Ramen lines up Newcastle and Nottingham sites: Japanese restaurant concept Maki & Ramen has added sites in Newcastle and Nottingham to its openings pipeline. The company, which opened the first site under its new franchise arm, in Glasgow, last month, has lined up the ex-The Real Greek site in Eldon Square, Newcastle, for an opening later this summer. At the same time, Propel understands Maki & Ramen is also set to take on the former Wildwood site in King Street, Nottingham. The nine-strong Maki & Ramen, which was founded by Teddy Lee in 2015 and is led by Michael Salvador, opened at 130 Byres Road, Glasgow, last month. The site joined the company’s two existing venues in Glasgow city centre, in Bath Street and Renfield Street. Propel revealed in February that Maki & Ramen had acquired the former 4,000 square-foot Disorder Bar at the ground floor and basement of The Landmark, at 78-88 High Street, in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, for what will be its second franchise site. 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 also said it planned to open five company-owned sites in 2025 – in Birmingham, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leicester and Sheffield. AG&G acted on the Newcastle deal.

 

Yorkshire McDonald’s franchisee doubles its portfolio with four acquisitions: Yorkshire McDonald’s franchisee Beech Restaurants has doubled its portfolio with four acquisitions. The company, led by Richard Marcroft, has acquired the company’s restaurants in Goole, Selby, Shiptonthorpe and Thorne. Ffion Williams, McDonald’s UK’s franchisee attraction partner, said: “Richard has been a franchisee since 2015, with his first acquisition being in Scarborough town centre. This exciting growth opportunity now takes Richard’s organisation to eight restaurants. Richard is a franchisee who has created superb ties with his restaurant’s local communities, councils and business forums. Richard is an active member of the Scarborough High Street Regeneration Committee and supports youth services meetings in his restaurants.” In its accounts for the year to 31 December 2023, Beech Restaurants showed a return to profit, turning a pre-tax loss of £230,950 in 2022 into a profit of £501,443. Turnover rose from £16,413,262 to £20,551,397, which Marcroft said was primarily due to the opening of a new restaurant the previous year.

 

James Cochran to be amongst chefs-in-residence at Boxhall City: Chef James Cochran, who earlier this week announced his departure from Islington pub The Brave, is to be one of the chefs-in-residence at Kitchen No. 8 – the new chef-led concept opening at Boxhall City next week (Thursday, 10 April). Throughout the year, the innovative space at Boxhall in Liverpool Street will host a rotating roster of chefs, bringing “fresh flavours, constantly evolving creative dishes and unique culinary concepts to the heart of the city”. Star of Channel 4’s Five Star Chef: Britain’s Next Great Chef, Ms Joyce K will be the first chef to take over Kitchen No. 8, bringing her Congolese-inspired dishes to the launch of Boxhall City. Two-time Great British Menu champion Cochran will take over later in the year with his fusion of British and Caribbean cuisine at 12:51. The 13 initial restaurants at Boxhall City were announced earlier this month and include independent bakery Sourdough Sophia, vegan Mexican restaurant Club Mexicana, fine dining Indian restaurant Farzi and Little Bao Boy. Matt Snell, chief executive of Boxpark, said, “Announcing the first two chefs that will take residence at our Kitchen No. 8 concept in Boxhall City marks a huge milestone for us. From day one, our goal for Boxhall City has been to collaborate with some of the world’s most exceptional culinary talents, and with James Cochran and Ms Joyce K on board, we’re one step closer to making that vision a reality.”

 

Moka Dining secures ex-Café Rouge site for second opening: Moka Dining, the concept that offers contemporary Asian cuisine inspired by state banquets from India’s rich history, has secured a second site, in St Albans. The company, which already operates a site in Northwood, north London, has acquired the ex-Café Rouge site in the Hertfordshire town’s Holywell Hill. The restaurant, housed in the grade II-listed building that was once the seed hall of Ryder Cup founder Sam Ryder, closed two years ago. The building was used by the Post Office until the early 1990s, when it was converted to a restaurant. Café Rouge owner Big Table Group currently operates seven Café Rouge sites – two in London and five at Center Parcs sites. AG&G acted on the deal.

 

Team behind The Clove Club and Luca launch new hospitality group, set to open new London restaurant: The team behind two Michelin-starred The Clove Club and one Michelin-starred Luca in London have launched a new hospitality group and said they are set to open new restaurant in the capital. Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis have launched Smith & Willis, with fellow Michelin-starred venue Osip, in Somerset, its first partner restaurant. Smith & Willis will provide support in brand and marketing, people and operations for Osip, while directing its new on-site accommodation, launching in June. The pair are also preparing to launch The Loft in London’s Clerkenwell – a head office for the group and concept space for hosting supper clubs and events – ahead of their new restaurant venture. Smith & Willis will focus on “creating owner-managed and partnership brands” and “seek to foster industry-leading career development”. Willis said: “I’m excited to begin this new chapter with Johnny and our team. Creating a new hospitality group in which Osip is a partner fills me with immense pride, and I can’t wait to create more places people love.” Smith added: “The Loft is our home and will become a fundamental part of how we develop new ideas and create community, but it’s also a unique space in terms of its hospitality potential. It was designed with good times in mind.”

 

Good Eating Company opens Central London restaurant: Good Eating Company, the contract catering business that launched in 1999 and was acquired by Sodexo in 2017, has opened a new Central London restaurant.  The Orangery TCR has launched at 81 New Oxford St, off Tottenham Court Road, in partnership with Square Mile Farms. Offering “a modern British menu and farm-to-table practices”, the venue features the largest on-site hydroponic farm in London, growing fresh, pesticide-free ingredients directly beneath the restaurant. The company said this approach “not only addresses the challenges of food production in growing cities but also demonstrates a scalable model for the future of global farming”. The restaurant also features a chef’s table, located within the hydroponic farm on the lower ground floor, offering a private dining experience where guests can enjoy a bespoke tasting menu surrounded by the very produce on their plate. Dishes include leek and shallot tart, farm cavolo nero and crispy herb oil; Herefordshire beef, baked celeriac and farm relish; and Scottish halibut, farm chard and sea herb butter. Alex Kristall, managing director at The Good Eating Company, said: “This is an exciting step in our growth in London, we are looking forward to serving an exceptional dining experience to our guests. We look forward to seeing The Orangery take off as an exciting all-day dining destination.”

 

SSP lands ten-year deal for F&B operations at Bournemouth airport: SSP, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has landed a ten-year deal to become the main food and beverage partner at Bournemouth airport. Having assumed operation of the airport’s two existing food and beverage outlets, over the next 12 months SSP will transform these into a newer, upgraded bar and kitchen concept and a larger grab-and-go outlet. Kari Daniels, chief executive of SSP UK & Ireland, said: “Bournemouth airport is our first new UK airport location for several years and demonstrates our growth strategy in action. We aim to be the best part of the journey, which means expanding our footprint to provide offers where our customers need us.”

Gail’s upsizes original bakery: Fast-growing bakery brand Gail’s has upsized its original bakery in Hampstead, north London. Gail’s has secured a new 15-year lease at 64 High Street after agreeing a deal with Unity Real Estate. The bakery has also expanded into the adjacent unit at 64a High Street. The upsize adds 1,100 square feet, bringing the total accommodation to 1,565 square feet. Gail’s opened its first bakery at this location in 2005, making it a key site for the brand. The expansion will significantly enhance internal and external seating. Gail’s, which operates 155 sites, plans to open between 30 to 40 new bakeries this year, and is preparing to launch at Gatwick airport’s South Terminal this summer for its debut airport outlet. GCW advised Unity Real Estate while Forty Group represented Gail’s on the Hampstead deal.

Otter Brewery launches first pub and restaurant, could open further sites: Devon-based Otter Brewery has launched its first pub and restaurant and told Propel it could open further sites “if the right locations become available”. Otter Brewery has entered into a partnership with The Holt pub in Honiton to open The Holt Exeter, in Cathedral Close, opposite the city’s cathedral. Otter Brewery co-owner Patrick McCaig is the brother of Joe McCaig, who runs The Holt in Honiton with his wife, Becks. “For many years, we have been waiting for the right location to give us the best opportunity to bring something new, exciting and above all, independent, to the centre of Exeter,” Patrick said. “The Holt Exeter is exactly that and precisely what we have been searching for. We are excited to open the doors and share our passion for locally produced beer and to deliver a menu that makes eating out easy. The opening of The Holt Exeter marks an exciting new milestone in the growth of Otter Brewery and points to an exciting future for the brand.” The Holt Exeter offers a wood-fired pizza menu alongside a full range of locally sourced seasonal dishes. The venue is also a showcase for the full range of ale and lager from Otter Brewery, which was founded in 1990.