Exclusive – JD Wetherspoon to open first high-street franchise pub: JD Wetherspoon is to open its first high-street franchise pub. The company has agreed a deal with Thompson Holdings to launch the pub in Douglas on the Isle of Man. The Conister Arms will open on Wednesday (14 May) and will be Wetherspoon’s first pub on the island. Earlier this week, Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin told Propel the company had signed a new franchise “in a slightly different space”. The first Wetherspoon franchised pub opened in January 2022 in Hull University’s students’ union, followed by a second at Newcastle University in September 2023. Wetherspoon has been stepping up its franchise operations in the past year, having now opened five pubs in partnership with holiday park operator Haven, and is also targeting hotels for its pubs. The Conister Arms will open in Regent Street in Douglas in the premises previously occupied by the 1886 Bar and Grill. Pub bosses said they've invested £1.8m redeveloping the site and The Conister Arms will operate as a Wetherspoon franchise, managed by local business operator James Thompson and his team. Thompson Holdings, which owns the building, has said the new venture will play a key role in securing the long-term vitality of Douglas city centre. Originally opened in 1886 as the Isle of Man General Post Office, the building was converted more than six years ago into the multi-level 1886 Bar and Grill. The transformation into a Wetherspoon pub includes four floors and outdoor seating, with full accessibility and lift access throughout. The pub will have capacity for 725 people across multiple floors, plus an outdoor seating area, making it one of the largest hospitality spaces on the island. All existing staff from 1886 have been offered roles within the new structure, and a further 120 jobs will be created ahead of opening. A full four-week training programme has been given to all staff, who will also be eligible for Wetherspoon’s employee benefits package. Thompson told Isle of Man Today: “The Conister Arms is committed to offering high-quality food and drink at affordable prices in a relaxed and welcoming environment.” Additional developments and enhancements to the venue are expected to be announced later in the year. Paul Charity, Propel founder, said: “This is a historic moment – the first Wetherspoon pub franchise in a high street location. It could be the remote geographic location of the Isle of Man means Wetherspoon believes it will never open a pub there. Better then to find a local high quality entrepreneur to run a franchise site.” On its website, Wetherspoon states: “To become a Wetherspoon franchisee, you need to meet certain financial and operational requirements and be able to demonstrate leadership, with the ability to work within a structured and defined operating model. Applications are welcomed from existing pub and/or hospitality operators, including single operators, students’ unions and multi-site franchise operators. Wetherspoon is open to granting worldwide franchises, including across the UK and European Union. The franchisee will be required to purchase/lease a suitable property, convert it and fund the set-up and ongoing franchising costs. There are various ways to fund a Wetherspoon franchise, with help from lenders available; however, in order to begin the process, an interested person or entity would need to have a certain level of unencumbered funds to cover a percentage of the costs. Franchise agreements run typically for five or ten years, with the option to renew. Exclusive trading areas form part of any initial franchise discussions. Wetherspoon’s managed pubs operate in a wide range of properties and locations, including towns, cities, airports, rail stations and shopping centres. The company recommends an internal customer area of at least 3,000 square feet. However, smaller pubs can also be successful. The building’s location is crucial – Wetherspoon’s experienced architects can create successful pubs from unusual spaces.” Wetherspoon features in the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, which is an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK and is available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The next edition will be sent on Friday, 16 May and feature a total of 350 companies. 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. Sir Tim will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference that takes place on Wednesday (14 May). Just three tickets remain and can be booked by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com. 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. For the full speaker schedule, click here. 

Exclusive – ETM acquires key trading assets of Maven Leisure: ETM Group has acquired the key trading assets of Maven Leisure, securing 176 jobs in the process, Propel has learned. The company has purchased from Maven the leasehold and operational key assets of the London-based Wagtail, Goldwood and Beechwood sites. Propel revealed in February that Maven had appointed advisors at Interpath to review the funding requirements of the business and identify appropriate funding sources. Maven said that unfortunately after a significant marketing process for the business by Interpath, an equity funded solution could not be found and Maven has agreed individual asset sales and been placed into administration. The company said: “ETM has also retained the employees of all Maven sites and therefore, has ensured that no jobs are lost as a result of the administration process. The board of ETM is conscious that this is a disappointing outcome for Maven shareholders and accordingly, as part of its offer there is a separate opportunity for Maven shareholders to acquire shares in ETM for nominal value so as to be part of the future for the key Maven assets and to hopefully recover value in due course. ETM will make available up to 10% of its share capital for Maven shareholders.” Ed Martin, chief executive of ETM, said: “By acquiring Wagtail, Goldwood and Beachwood, ETM has protected 176 jobs, consolidated the business and set the base for future growth.” Ravi Patel, of Interpath, who led the transaction, said: “We are pleased to have supported this transaction, which secures the ongoing operation of these venues. We wish ETM and the management team every success as they take the business forward.” 

PizzaExpress bolsters senior leadership team with new marketing and customer technology directors: PizzaExpress has bolstered its senior leadership team by hiring Lou Jones as marketing director and Ross Pyres as customer technology director. Jones most recently held the role of marketing director at Virgin Active where she was responsible for all marketing channels, steering the growth of the brand, its membership base and retention. With more than 25 years’ experience in leadership roles spanning across both marketing and digital in the leisure, fast moving consumer goods and health and well-being industries, her previous roles include head of online and digital marketing at Marks & Spencer, and head of marketing at Tesco. At PizzaExpress, Jones is set to lead the global omnichannel brand’s marketing channels across brand, social, PR, creative, insights, and digital performance marketing. Pyres joins PizzaExpress with nearly 20 years’ experience, having worked across a range of technology roles for various food brands, previously as the chief technology officer for SimplyCook, as global head of technology for Pret A Manger, and as head of IT systems at Prezzo. At PizzaExpress, Pyres will be responsible for the technical product teams, including app, website, and customer digital solutions. The appointments comes as PizzaExpress marks its 60th anniversary, refreshes its loyalty scheme, the PizzaExpress Club, and aims to reach 1,000 restaurants globally by 2030. Chief commercial officer Chris Holmes said: “Our success over the past 60 years has been driven by the passion and courage of our team to innovate and deliver the moments that matter most to our customers and communities. As such, we know the importance of finding the right people to lead our brand and talented support teams forward and are excited to be welcoming Lou and Ross to the business. With a breadth of experience across industries, brands and roles, their leadership will be invaluable as we keep innovating to bring more proper pizza to more people across the UK and around the world.”