Tokyo Industries CEO partners with Manchester operators for new vehicle to acquire their former sites out of administration: Tokyo Industries chief executive Aaron Mellor has partnered with Manchester operators Joel Wilkinson, Dan Mullen and Adelaide Winter for a new vehicle that has acquired two of their former sites out of administration. Wilkinson, Mullen and Winter are behind Detroit-pizza style concept Ramona and wood-fired restaurant concept The Firehouse, both in Manchester, alongside “creative neighbourhood” concept Diecast. Mullen and Wilkinson are also behind Manchester quick-service pizza restaurant concept Detroit Slims, which launched its first site in October, in the city. Administrators from Kroll Advisory have sold The Firehouse Manchester and Ramona to Caspertron, a new company incorporated last month with Mullen, Wilkinson and Winter as directors, alongside Mellor, who leads the 47-strong Tokyo Industries group of bars and clubs. The sale was secured by Benjamin Wiles and Phil Dakin, of Kroll Advisory, following their appointment by Swan Street Firehouse. The pair were tasked with finding a buyer for the business and its assets following a winding up petition from HM Revenue & Customs. Wiles said: “We’re glad to have secured the best outcome possible for The Firehouse Manchester and Ramona and its staff. They are popular venues, and it would have been a shame to see them close, particularly given how many bookings were lined up. I’m particularly happy to have been able to secure the jobs of more than 120 people and look forward to seeing the businesses continue to grow.” In a statement, the directors confirmed the business has “entered a new chapter of growth and stability following a successful transition of ownership” and said it was “very much business as usual across all venues”. It said all the team has been automatically transferred from Swan Street Firehouse to Caspertron, with the leadership team, management structure and ownership remaining the same. They added: “We’ve built these spaces with a huge amount of love, and while the last year has been tough for hospitality across the UK, we knew we had to act to protect what matters most: our people and our presence in this city. This change gives us the stability we need to grow – to keep creating, keep employing, and keep contributing to Manchester’s incredible independent scene. We’re here for the long run, and we’re more energised than ever to build what’s next.” The latest total exemption full accounts for Swan Street Firehouse, for the year to 31 March 2024, show a shareholder deficit of £195,880, compared with funds of £2,648 the year before.

 

Public House Group founders Phil Winser and James Gummer to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club subscribers: Public House Group founders Phil Winser and James Gummer 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. Winser and Gummer, who own the Pelican in Notting Hill, The Hero in Maida Vale and the Bull in Charlbury in the Cotswolds, will discuss how two endangered British industries – pubs and farming – can survive by helping each other. 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.

 

Shelter Hall deal could prove to be a pivotal moment for the UK food hall sector: The acquisition of Shelter Hall from Sessions by Market Halls, which took place earlier this week, could prove to be a pivotal moment for the UK food hall sector, argues Simon Anderson, co-founder of Next Phase and a leading expert in food halls. Writing in today’s (Friday, 4 April) Premium Opinion, which is available to Propel Premium subscribers at 5pm, Anderson, the ex-chief operating officer at Market Halls, said: “What makes this sale so significant is the absence of a clear market leader. Fewer than a handful of operators currently run more than two sites. Businesses like Boxpark, Stack, Blend Family, Market Place and Market Halls are leading the way. We’re now seeing major moves from the Compass-backed Kerb Group, and the long-awaited entry of global player Time Out Market, but the field remains wide open. This deal is about more than two businesses. It also points to a sector that's starting to mature and define its long-term growth path.” Meanwhile, Propel group editor Mark Wingett looks at the proposed delisting of the Brighton Pier Group and who could be next to go private, while Katherine Doggrell, Propel’s editorial advisor and founder of NewDog PR, looks at JD Wetherspoon’s decision to try to offer pubs to the hotel sector, an industry with an eye for a franchise and an appetite to avoid food and beverage. 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.

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database today: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers today (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 (QSR) – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the QSR sector such as Sides, the food business from YouTube collective Sidemen, which has opened in London’s Brent Cross, Boss Pizza, the franchise pizza concept opening in Milton Keynes, and Midlands premium smashed burger concept Burger Boi, opening in Wolverhampton. 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.

 

In Conversation: Propel talks to Caravan co-founder and chief executive Laura Harper-Hinton: In the latest In Conversation podcast, Propel group editor Mark Wingett and Mark Stretton, chief executive of leading sector public relations firm Fleet Street Communications, talk to Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder and chief executive of Caravan, the restaurant group and coffee roastery. Available today (Friday, 4 April) at 3pm, Harper-Hinton discusses the company’s recent management buyout, exploring different formats, dealing with the different connotations associated with the group’s name, how her New Zealand roots have helped shape the brand’s ethos and culture, the importance of sustainability and diversity, and raising the profile of female entrepreneurs. 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.

 

Martyn’s Law comes into being: New legislation to make venues protect the public in the event of a terror attack, named in memory of a victim of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, has now became law in the UK. Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the attack at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. The law has now received Royal Assent following a six-year campaign led by Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray. The public inquiry into the bombing found “serious shortcomings” in the security provision from the venue, contractors and the British Transport Police on the night of the attack. Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, requires public venues to be better prepared for any attack and help keep people safe. Under the law, venues with a capacity of between 200 and 799 will have to take measures such as training staff to lock doors or close shutters and identify a route to safety. Venues with a capacity of 800 or more will be required to make changes such as installing CCTV systems or hiring security staff. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “The passing of Martyn’s Law into legislation is a significant milestone in our collective responsibility to ensure public safety. This law provides a structured approach to preparedness, ensuring that venues and events take proportionate steps to protect the public from the evolving threat of terrorism.”

 

Employee absenteeism costing licensed trade £305m a year: Employee absenteeism is costing the licensed trade £305m a year, according to new research from KAM and the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC). The findings showed on average, employees in the sector take the equivalent of three sick days over a year – contributing to a significant loss in productivity and revenue – with nearly half of all sick days linked to poor mental well-being. The report added that the vast majority (92%) of employees surveyed agree that team well-being impacts overall productivity and service quality in their workplace. LTC chief executive Chris Welham said: “While the increasing financial pressures on businesses in hospitality is well documented, LTC wants to bring to life the impact on people, teams and lives outside of work. Since last October, we’ve seen a 63% increase in calls to our helpline, with the highest number of calls on record in January 2025. Mental health and financial challenges are the most common personal challenges facing people in our sector – and we need to work together to support our people.”

 

UK remains the largest branded coffee shop market in Europe: The UK remains the largest branded coffee shop market in Europe, according to the new Project Café Europe report from the World Coffee Portal. The annual analysis of 50 branded coffee shop markets in Europe showed the UK has 11,456 outlets, ahead of Germany (7,428) and Russia (5,157). The report shows the total European market grew 4.7% to reach 51,042 outlets over the last 12 months – the highest number of net new stores recorded by World Coffee Portal in five years. Some 33 out of 50 European markets expanded by outlets over the past 12 months, including 15 of the largest 20, while major markets, including the UK, Germany, Russia and France, expanded by more than 100 outlets. McCafé is the largest branded coffee brand across Europe with 3,983 outlets across 26 individual markets, followed by Starbucks (3,534) and Costa Coffee (3,097). Allegra Group founder and chief executive, Jeffrey Young said: “It’s exciting to see continued growth among Europe’s brand operators, but also a promising specialty coffee scene as more consumers embrace boutique hospitality experiences. That being said, the European market remains underpinned by a growing set of branded coffee chains performing well in a challenging economy. We’re also seeing an increasingly sophisticated food-focused and bakery segment harnessing the appeal of premium coffee to grow their businesses. With inflation, geopolitical tensions and record high green coffee prices, there is a lot of uncertainty across Europe, and operators need to be smart to navigate these challenges. However, there is tremendous consumer appetite for coffee and café culture to support a thriving European market in the years ahead.”

 

Lunch leads the way as Mother’s Day bookings rise 3%: Lunch led the way as Mother’s Day bookings rose 3% this year compared with 2024, new insight from industry technology provider Zonal and CGA by NIQ has revealed. Lunch accounted for more than half (59%) of all bookings, followed by dinner reservations (29%), while bookings before 7pm accounted for the vast majority of the total (91%). Bookings made more than a week ahead were also up by 10%, reflecting a growing trend of consumers forward planning for special occasions or events. Tim Chapman, Zonal chief commercial officer, said: “The rise in early bookings for Mother’s Day highlights a clear shift in consumer behaviour, with guests increasingly planning their celebrations in advance and favouring lunch as the main event. Capitalising on the growing trend for early lunch bookings will allow operators to optimise service, elevate the guest experience and drive revenue growth during this key occasion.”

 

BBPA slams Trump’s tariffs on aluminium: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has urged the government to “defend the great British brewing industry” after slamming US president Donald Trump’s updated aluminium tariffs. Coming into effect today (Friday, 4 April), these include canned beer, which will now attract a 25% tariff. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “British beer is renowned globally and the US is one of the most important markets for British brewers, who, in 2024 exported £126m of beer across the Atlantic. A 25% tariff on beer imported into the US is a direct hit to the brewers of the UK, who contribute so much to this country’s economy and heritage. We urge the government to defend the great British brewing industry and strike a deal that removes these harmful tariffs. With the enormous cost of doing business, many British brewers won’t be able to sustain a hit such as this from one of our biggest trading partners.”

 

Government launches £20m fund to help protect heritage pubs: Pubs at risk of falling into disrepair will be protected with a new £15m grant scheme, alongside a new £4.85m Heritage Revival Fund. The Heritage Revival Fund is currently accepting applications for projects that will help to rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings. The programme will be delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund and will run until 31 March 2026. Heritage minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “It is so important to communities across the country that we preserve local heritage that helps us to tell our national story.” While welcoming the new funding, Paul Ainsworth, chair of the Campaign for Real Ale’s pub heritage group, said the government also needs to provide funding to save under-threat locals that aren’t classed as heritage pubs. He added: “Those looking to take over their local as a community owned pub if it is under threat of closure or conversion need to be able to access advice, support and funding to make sure bids are successful, securing the pub at the heart of community life for decades to come. Since the Community Ownership Fund closed last year, no such funding has been available. The government should urgently create a new funding stream so that communities can save their local pub.”

 

Wolverhampton running the rule over proposed new evening and night-time economy action plan: City leaders in Wolverhampton are running the rule over a proposed new evening and night-time economy action plan. Recommendations made by a task force to boost the night-time economy in the city will be discussed by the city’s Cabinet next week. These include the need to formulate an evening and night-time economy strategy and action plan, and to install improved lighting and signposting. The task force also recommended the council works more closely with West Midlands Police to improve public perception of safety in the city centre at night, and should encourage the operators of pubs, clubs, music venues and restaurants to work together under a forum. The task force also recommends working with public service transport operators to improve access on key evenings in the city and appointing a designated night-time economy ambassador/champion. Also on the table for discussion is the pricing of evening and night-time car parking. A report for the cabinet said: “If these recommendations are implemented, it is believed they will make a meaningful difference to the evolution and improvement of the city economy.”

 

Licensing update: John Gaunt & Partners licensing solicitors has just published its latest licensing update. This month, there is an update on Martyn’s Law, along with a detailed insight into the end of the off-sales easement and potentially some scenarios where operators may be using off-sales unaware. The full update can be accessed here.

Rileys delivers 24% increase in lfl Ebitda after opening first new site in 18 years, lines up Leeds for 15th club: Rileys Sports Bar, the competitive socialising business, delivered a 24% increase in like-for-like Ebitda in 2024 after opening its first new site in 18 years, and has lined up a location in Leeds for its 15th club. The company, which also reported 14.7% sales growth in 2024, added Cardiff to its portfolio in July 2024 after relocating its Chester site to a new, more prominent location in the city earlier in the year. In June, it will open on Albion Street in Leeds, taking its number of venues to 15. Rileys is actively seeking new sites and is concentrating its efforts in Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow. Chief executive Craig Mayes said the double-digit growth in the core business has further fuelled the company’s appetite to expand. “It felt like a significant milestone to open the first new Rileys in 18 years when we opened Cardiff in the summer of 2024, and it has exceeded all our expectations, so we are looking forward to opening in Leeds this summer,” he said. “Our Chester relocation has also been a success, and we have a few more sites where we will look to do the same when the opportunities present themselves.” Non-executive chairman Peter Marks added: “The new sites put us firmly back on the acquisition trail. As a member-only business, we have a unique insight into our customers and where to find them when we open in a new city. We can monitor behaviour, including number of visits per week, month and year, alongside individual spend data. From this, we have established a tiered loyalty system akin to an airline frequent flyer programme, giving our members unique reasons to increase their frequency of visit and average spend.” As well as offering pool, snooker and darts, Rileys clubs show sport on HD screens, as well as offering a dedicated sports zone serving food with a large cinema-style projector. The clubs also host local and national pool, snooker and darts competitions, including the Professional Darts Corporation qualifiers.

 

Camm & Hooper acquired out of administration for £326,039: Events and hospitality group Camm & Hooper was acquired by the Broadwick Group, the music, arts and space management company, out of administration, for a total consideration of £326,039, Propel has learned. Propel revealed earlier this year that Camm & Hooper, which operated seven sites across London, Manchester and Glasgow, was undertaking a strategic review and had engaged restructuring specialists at Quantuma. As part of the acquisition, Banking Hall, OXO2, 26 Leake Street and The Victorian Bath House, which are all in London, will now operate under Broadwick, which said the integration brings “fresh potential for these venues and their teams, aligning with Broadwick’s expertise in venue management and operations”. It said the move strengthens Broadwick’s position in the events industry and “unlocks new opportunities for growth”. The administrators report said: “The company began trading in 2013, and in the first years of trading, the company was turning over £10m and had 108 employees between six sites, with plans to open a seventh. However, the covid-19 pandemic had significant impacts on the company, as it could not trade due to the restrictions within the hospitality sector, which led to the majority of staff being put on furlough. Despite the lack of trading, the company was still accruing significant liabilities with the landlords of the sites. The company therefore made a business interruption insurance claim to cover for the loss of income caused by the pandemic. However, the company insurance policy limited its claim to £2.5m, which was received in various in instalments between 2021 and 2022. The funds received from the claim were used to fund cashflow for the business. Due to the cashflow issues experienced by the company, caused by the slow recovery of the economy from the pandemic, the company entered into a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with its creditors on 1 February 2021. In 2023, the company underwent a corporate restructure, to incorporate it into the present group structure. This was done in a bid to make the company a more attractive prospect for investors and also to encourage the growth of the business. Following a period of several months of negotiations with a potential purchaser, which would have allowed the company to continue to trade and make the final contributions to allow the full implementation of the CVA, the sale did not proceed. This left the company with insufficient cash to enable trading in the medium term to enable payment of the ongoing contributions required in the CVA. The company therefore instructed Quantuma in February 2025, to assist with placing the company and two other companies within the group into administration.”

 

92 Degrees planning 30 franchise openings ‘in the coming years’: Independent coffee roaster 92 Degrees has said it is planning 30 franchise store openings “in the coming years”. Propel revealed exclusively in January that the 20-strong business had launched a franchise programme after receiving more than 1,000 enquiries. The following month, the company signed up its first franchisees, striking deals to develop the brand in the London and Birmingham areas. Co-founder Jack Brewitt said: “When we first announced our franchise model, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Would people believe in 92 Degrees enough to want to open their own store? So far, I’m blown away by the response. It is somewhat overwhelming and extremely exciting! Right now, multiple franchisees are in the process of launching/locating their 92 Degrees stores, and we’re tracking towards 30 new locations over the coming years (excluding our continued company owned store expansion). That number is growing, with more and more conversations ongoing around securing a region in the UK and beyond. From independent entrepreneurs to seasoned operators, we’re seeing an incredible range of people stepping up to bring damn fine coffee to new communities. This is just the beginning.”

 

Black Tap to open second UK site this month, expects to open at least three more this year: US burger, shake and craft beer brand Black Tap is to open its second UK site this month and told Propel the business expects to open at least three more outlets here this year. The flagship store will launch on Thursday, 17 April in Glasshouse Street in London’s Soho. The 5,000 square-foot location will span two floors and serve Black Tap’s American classics, alongside new London exclusives. The 164-cover venue will also have a ground floor bar offering cocktails and a basement dining space with a boombox walkway alongside a CrazyShake bar. Two new menu items will mark Black Tap’s Soho arrival including The Londoner – a premium, thick beef patty topped with a layer of Stinking Bishop cheese topped with sweet and tangy Sammy Smith’s apple cider jam, peppery watercress and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette. Chris Barish, chairman of Black Tap, said: “Opening in London’s Soho feels like coming full circle for us. We started as a small 15-seat restaurant in New York’s Soho a decade ago, and now we’re bringing that same energy and passion for craft burgers to London.” Black Tap, which currently operates seven sites across the US and 24 sites globally, made its UK debut last year with a launch in Westfield Stratford City in London. A spokesperson told Propel: “Trading for Westfield has gone fantastically, which bodes very well for the upcoming Soho site. We’re really excited for the new venue and are looking to open at least three more sites this year.” The brand was founded in 2015 by Barish – a long-time promoter, nightclub owner and former business partner of Gordon Ramsay – and Julie Mulligan. Gillingham Bell International and Highland Global were jointly appointed by Black Tap to manage its expansion into London in the next phase of an ambitious global roll out.

 

Stay Original Co reports record year, further acquisitions are in the pipeline: South west boutique hotel and pub group Stay Original Co has told Propel it completed a record year for the 12 months to 30 September 2024, with sales of £12.4m – up 13.2% on a like-for like basis – and said that “further acquisitions are in the pipeline”. The company, which was founded in 2011 by Rob Greacen and James Brooke-Webb, said for the year to 30 September 2024, site Ebitda was in excess of £3m, up 39% on a similar basis. It said: “This growth was largely driven by higher footfall as the group continued to work hard to offer both great service and competitive prices. Food and beverage revenues in the period were strong, showing growth across the group of 16% with a 26% jump in bakery sales as At the Chapel’s artisan bakery expanded via regular weekly pop-ups into other group properties. Room sales for the second half of the current financial year are up 8% on the same period for last year on a like-for-like basis.” Since the year end, the company said sales have continued to grow and Christmas trading was particularly strong, with four of its six properties breaking their weekly sales record, and group sales over the six-week period up by 6% year-on-year. The company said: “Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve both generated almost identical sales and were the single largest trading days in the group’s history. While no new acquisitions were made in the period, additional rooms were added, taking the total number of rooms to 87. The business remains keen to expand and further rooms and acquisitions are in the pipeline.”

 

Doner Shack restarts franchise expansion in UK with Glasgow multi-unit deal: Doner Shack, the Berlin fast casual kebab business, is restarting its franchise expansion in the UK with a new multi-unit franchise deal in Glasgow. Entrepreneur Abrar Khaliq has been awarded a three-site agreement. Doner Shack said the move marks another key milestone in its nationwide growth strategy. “Even though Doner Shack is now growing across four continents, there’s something deeply personal about expanding here in Glasgow,” said Doner Shack co-founder Sanj Sanghera. “It’s our home city, where so much of our journey began, and seeing the brand grow locally means a lot. Abrar understands what we’re about, which is great food, high standards and building real connections with our customers. He’s exactly the kind of franchise partner we love to work with.” Khaliq said: “I’ve been watching Sanj work on Doner Shack for years, and what impresses me the most is the team’s relentless pursuit to make it the best. I’ve seen the menu develop into something I think is really impressive, and ultimately, the biggest thing for me is the food – it’s absolutely next level. I genuinely find myself at my local Doner Shack every few days with friends and family because I love it that much.” Founded in Glasgow in 2018 by Sanghera and Laura Bruce, Doner Shack grew to five stores before last year buying back three restaurants and several territories from its franchisees due to cost pressures. The brand currently operating three UK restaurants – in Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester. Doner Shack has also signed up its first three franchisees for a launch in the US. In November, Doner Shack signed a 150-site deal to expand in India with FranGlobal – the international arm of Asia’s largest franchising firm, Franchise India Holdings.

 

Artisan bakery business set to expand to Cotswolds for 14th site: Artisan bakery business Flapjackery is set to expand to the Cotswolds for its 14th site. The new Flapjackery shop will open on Friday, 11 April, at Crossways House in Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold. The business offers flapjacks, fudges, chocolates and more, reports Insider Media. Flapjackery co-founder Carol Myott said: “Stow-on-the-Wold is exactly the kind of community we love to be part of. It’s buzzing with loads of really lovely shops, and we are very grateful to be one of them. From visitors drawn to its quintessential English charm, to hikers exploring the Macmillan Way and Cotswold Way, luxury and antique shoppers, and the locals who appreciate good food, we know our gluten-free flapjacks will find plenty of fans here.” Founded in Tavistock in Devon in 2015 by Myott and Sally Jenkin, Flapjackery has expanded across the south west “while maintaining its commitment to handmade, gluten-free baking”. All its products are made in Devon, using natural ingredients.

 

The Stafford Collection hires Michael Caines as culinary strategist: The Stafford Collection, the luxury hospitality group that includes The Stafford London and Norma in the capital and boutique hotel Northcote in the Ribble Valley, has hired Michael Caines as culinary strategist at The Stafford. He will oversee venues within the Mayfair-based hotel including The Game Bird restaurant and the American Bar. Caines, who honed his skills under the likes of Raymond Blanc, Joël Robuchon and Bernard Loiseau, also owns the Michelin-starred, five-star country house hotel Lympstone Manor in Devon. He said: “I am thrilled to be joining The Stafford London and honoured to be part of this exciting new chapter. It feels like a natural fit for me, having worked in luxury five-star hotels from early on in my career.” John McLean, who was promoted to managing director at The Stafford Collection in February, added: “This is a defining moment for The Stafford London. We are thrilled to collaborate with Michael Caines, whose exceptional talent and experience as a culinary visionary will enhance our offering across the hotel.”

 

Full line-up revealed for new food hall at Fulham Pier development in London: The full culinary line-up for Riverside Market, part of the Fulham Pier development in south west London, has been revealed. Nine operators have secured sites at the open-plan food hall and bar that will launch in June. Riverside Market will feature a second venue for curry restaurant Goila Butter Chicken,and singer Tinie Tempah’s Raps soul food concept. Also joining the line-up are speciality coffee shop Kiss the Hippo, Tacos El Rey – which will see the team behind Breddos Tacos offer a selection of Mexican street food classics – and dessert concept Happy Endings. The other operators are Fat Pickle Burgers from former Honest Burgers head of food Craig McBea, farm-to-table salad bowl concept Local Greens, the London debut of Oxford pizza concept Slice & Dice, and Nutrición by Naked Ground – which was founded by England cricketer Tom Curran and will offer smoothies, freshly prepared juice and a “matcha moments” menu. Glen Sutton, director of Fulham Pier, said: “The team has expertly curated a diverse mix of eateries and flavours to cover all occasions and combined with an ongoing programme of unique cultural experiences.” Riverside Market is part of Fulham Pier, a new seven-tier riverside promenade between Putney Bridge and Hammersmith Bridge, made possible by the transformation of Fulham FC’s riverside stand.

 

Claude Bosi to second site for neighbourhood French bistro concept this month: Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi has confirmed the second site for his neighbourhood French bistro concept, Josephine, will open later this month. Bosi and wife Lucy opened the original Josephine last year, at 315 Fulham Road in London’s Sloane Stanley Estate. They will double up the concept with a launch at 6-8 Blandford Street in Marylebone, in the former Daylesford Organic site, on Thursday, 24 April. Offering French classic “from breakfast to dinner”, the restaurant will also have a 16-seater alfresco terrace. Guests will be able to choose items from a dedicated oyster kiosk or dine from the fixed-price menu. Dishes will include filet de boeuf, poulet aux morilles and cordon bleu – all complemented by a dedicated pommes de terre menu featuring pomme purée and gratin dauphinois – while the wine list will showcase France’s finest regions. There will also be a separate breakfast menu featuring Greek yogurt with clementine and Bircher muesli with apple and pomegranate, alongside freshly baked baguettes, artisanal jam, pastries and charcuterie. Restaurant Property acted on the deal.

 

London pizza concept set to go from pop-up to permanent: Ace Pizza, which has been operating as a residency at The Pembury Tavern in London’s Hackney, is set to open its first permanent location. Owner Rachel Jones is preparing to launch in the former Fish House site at 126-128 Lauriston Road, also in Hackney, this summer. Jones has developed her own style, dubbed “The London-style pizza”, featuring “the chew and char of Neapolitan dough with the structure and foldability of a New York slice”. The concept was inspired by Jones’ trips to her aunt in Italy and her love for Italian-American comfort food eventually led to her setting up Capish?, with Kerb, which laid the foundation for Ace Pizza. Her 48-hour fermented pizzas will include Honey Pie (fior di latte, spicy salami, fennel seeds, guindilla chillies and chilli honey), Clapton Cowboy (a vegan pizza topped with plant-based Texas “beef”, jalapeños, pickled pink onions and chipotle ranch drizzle) and Vodka Marg (vodka sauce, housemade pesto and gran Moravia, with optional pepperoni). There will also be pizza sandwiches, beef meatballs in marinara sauce and Caesar salad, while drinks will include chilli honey margaritas and beer. Jones said: “Hackney has been my home for more than 15 years, so launching here feels really special. Some of my favourite childhood memories are of sharing pizza and ice cream with my family, and I want Ace Pizza to recreate that same joyful feeling – fun, flavour-packed food that brings people together.”