Story of the Day:
Slim Chickens co-founder – the opportunities in the UK and Europe for the brand are ‘boundless’, signs on flagship sites in Paris and Madrid: Tom Gordon, co-founder and chief executive of US brand Slim Chickens, has told Propel that the opportunities in the UK and Europe for the business are “boundless”, and it could eventually reach £1bn in system sales here and across the continent. The brand launched here six years ago in London under a master franchise agreement with Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Giraffe brands. Slim Chickens now operates circa 70 sites in the UK. Gordon founded the brand with Greg Smart in 2003 and has grown it to circa 300 sites – the majority in the US. He told Propel: “We started with one test case store in the UK more than six years ago and we now have in excess of 70 – that speaks for itself and we couldn't be happier with the results. With anything though, it's all about the people, and our team in the UK and our franchise partner at BRG are truly special in their passion for the brand and executing at a very high standard.” Last year, BRG penned deals to launch Slim Chickens in Poland and Germany. Propel revealed BRG had signed a 20-site development plan for the brand in Germany with The Foodelity Group, with the first Slim Chickens opening there at Mohrenstraße 17 in Berlin. Propel understands the brand has now signed on international flagship sites in Madrid, Paris and Dublin, and that six further sites in Germany will be opened within the next six months. On the potential size of the prize here and in Europe, and whether the brand can reach £1bn in system sales, Gordon said: “Brands have hundreds of restaurants in the UK and beyond, we can certainly get there. The brand resonates with the UK for sure and is looking great in Germany. We’ll take it a step at a time, and yes, we can reach £1bn.” Gordon said the business had an offering the “UK loves”, with the brand seeing like-for-like sales growth of 45% across sites opened two years ago. He said: “We’ve got a great franchise partner, a great team, and in the end, an offering that the UK loves. You put all that together and it is a recipe for success. Competition is everywhere, we just have to do what we do well and make sure the guest is pleased with the experience. Our opportunities in the US, the UK and the rest of the world are boundless if we do those things right. We’re excited as always to continue the journey.”
Industry News:
Young’s CEO Simon Dodd to speak at Propel summer conference and party, open for bookings: Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, will be among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference and summer party on Thursday, 4 September, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry. The all-day conference will focus on “moving ahead with evolved thinking” and will be followed in the evening by the summer party, with a barbecue and more than four hours of live music.
There are up to two free places per company for operators and Premium subscribers can have up to four places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com. A room can also be booked for the evening at an additional cost. For more details, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com. Dodd will talk to Propel group editor Mark Wingett about the challenge of providing a premium offer, appealing to a generation of moderate drinkers and the future of the pub. For the full speaker schedule, click
here. Meanwhile, the evening entertainment includes the return by popular demand of the UK’s top Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow tribute acts as Scott Borley and Daniel Hadfield again join forces. Pure Mercury, the UK’s foremost Freddie Mercury tribute act, will also be performing along with The Greek Street Live House Band, which will be playing guests’ requests. The evening will also feature a music quiz with The Quiz Team.
Next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality to be released to Premium Club subscribers tomorrow featuring 936 companies: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 20 June), at midday. Another 15 companies have been added to the database, which now features 936 companies. This month’s edition will also include 61 updated entries and more than 251,000 words of content. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases:
the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and
the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including the Operational Excellence Conference in July and discounts on specialist sector reports. 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 groups’ sales down in May after weather impacts bank holidays: Britain’s leading managed hospitality groups saw sales slip 1.0% year-on-year in May, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. After solid growth of 4.2% in a sunny April, trading last month was weakened by cooler and wetter weather in many parts of the country. Dips in the temperature particularly affected May’s two long bank holiday weekends, which usually boost out-of-home sales. Sales through the tracker have now been negative for three of the first five months of 2025. The tracker shows pubs outperformed other channels for the sixth month in a row. Pubs’ sales were 0.5% ahead of May 2024, while restaurants dropped 2.5%. Sales in bars finished 5.1% down year-on-year, and the on-the-go segment fell 2.5%. For the fourth month out of five, trading outside the M25 was slightly stronger than in London. Groups’ sales inside the M25 in May were down by 2.3% year-on-year, but further afield, they were only 0.4% behind. May’s total sales through all channels, including at venues opened by groups in the last 12 months, were 1.6% ahead of the same month in 2024. However, this is still below the UK’s recent rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index. Karl Chessell, director hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “May’s numbers extend the pattern of a reasonable 2025 for pub operators but a challenging one for restaurants and bars. They are particularly concerning in the context of major increases in staff costs from April, and the chancellor’s recent spending review brought little to reduce the heavy burden on hospitality businesses. Groups will be hoping for better weather to loosen consumers’ spending in the crucial summer months, but the trading environment is going to remain very challenging for the foreseeable future.”
London Mayor unveils first al fresco dining hotspots as part of project to boost capital’s hospitality industry: London mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled the first al fresco dining hotspots chosen to kick off a project to boost the capital’s hospitality industry. Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and the West End are the first beneficiaries of the mayor’s Summer Streets Fund and will introduce al fresco dining and later opening hours this summer thanks to a £300,000 grant. The project will see certain streets transformed into open-air dining areas. In Westminster, pubs, bars and restaurants on St Martin’s Lane will be able to provide open air dining and drinking once again, as they did during the pandemic. The iconic street will be car-free from 11am-11pm and al fresco licences available for up to 34 businesses, while plans will be brought forward to make this permanent in the coming months. In Shoreditch, for the first time ever, independent bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street will be able to offer outdoor dining and drinking until midnight. Both streets will be car free on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer and businesses will be able to apply for free licences for the first three months. In Brixton, 400 square metres of outdoor dining space will provide around 80 extra tables and 400 extra seats for businesses in Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road. Running on selected weekends, the roads will become car free zones until 10pm, with daytime activities including food markets, art workshops and live music. And in Leyton, Francis Road will extend its car free hours, making it a hub for street trading and a cultural meeting point with seating, outdoor games, late events and a weekend market. There will be further outdoor dining in the Leyton Midland Road as part of a summer event. Khan said: “The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we’re looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead. We saw what a success it was during the pandemic, and I want to expand al fresco dining further in the years to come.” Kate Nicholls, chief Executive of UK Hospitality, said: “I’m delighted that there has been such significant interest from London boroughs in the Summer Streets Fund and that we're seeing swift decisions on successful schemes. These initiatives can provide a real boost for hospitality businesses, Londoners and visitors to the capital.”Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, added: “Creating vibrant, accessible outdoor spaces for food, drink and culture is a powerful way to bring communities together and boost local economies. We see this as a strong foundation and hope it will grow into a city-wide movement that helps reshape and revitalise London’s nightlife for years to come.”
Operations platform Crunchtime and kitchen operations technology company QSR Automations to merge: Crunchtime Information Systems, a back-of-house operations platform provider for the restaurant industry, and global kitchen operations technology company QSR Automations, are to merge. Together, the combined organisation will serve more than 800 restaurant brands in 150,000-plus locations and 100-plus countries, representing 90% of the top 50 restaurant brands in the US. The companies said the merger will create a restaurant technology company that “delivers solutions for the entire food lifecycle at scale”. Current Crunchtime chief executive, John Raguin, will lead the combined organisation. “QSR’s kitchen display technology is a natural fit with Crunchtime’s operations management solutions,” said Raguin. “We believe QSR’s ability to drive efficient order flow with proper routing and timing, combined with Crunchtime’s inventory forecasting and prep management, leveraging data insights across the entire restaurant workflow will directly impact speed and quality of service for our customers.” QSR Automations chief executive, Robbie Payne, said: “The coupling of Crunchtime’s operations management solutions with QSR’s kitchen workflow automation will help customers reduce wait times and increase guest satisfaction, ultimately delivering a better guest experience.” Both Crunchtime and QSR are backed by technology-focused investment firm Battery Ventures, which will continue to support the combined entity going forward.
Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a new venue in Central London that is seeking to hire a business development manager to join the launch team. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This is a purely proactive sales role focused on developing new business, primarily targeting corporate clients, local businesses and strategic partnerships. The business development manager will be responsible for creating and executing the venue's sales strategy and acting as the face of the business in the market.” The salary is up to £50,000. For more information, email kate@corecruitment.com.
Company News:
Exclusive – State of Play Hospitality completes new debt facility, full-year revenue nears $60m: State of Play Hospitality, the international experiential leisure operator, has secured a new $32.5m (£24.1m) debt facility to support its further growth, as the company reported group revenue for the year to March 2025 neared $60m. The business – which operates concepts including Hijingo, Bounce and Flight Club (North America operated under licence) – saw revenue for the year to March 2025 reach $59.8m (£44.4m), while venue level Ebitda increased by 32% and adjusted group Ebitda by 148% versus the previous year. At the same time, the company recently completed a new $32.5m debt facility with Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking, upsizing from its existing facility to support growth, particularly Flight Club in the US. So far in 2025, State of Play has launched three new Flight Clubs, in Washington DC, St Louis and Philadelphia. Over the next 12 months, State of Play will be opening a flagship Flight Club in New York City, as well as Flight Clubs in Cincinnati, Seattle and Dallas. The group plans to open seven new Flight Clubs in the US by the end of 2026, taking its Flight Club estate from nine venues currently to 16, and its global estate from 14 to 21 venues. The business also operates two Bounce sites and a Hijingo site in London. The company, which was founded in 2019 following the buyout of Bounce, at the time a single concept operation with three venues, also operates AceBounce in Chicago. Chief executive Toby Harris told Propel: “I’m delighted with the performance of the group over the last 12 months, particularly in our US business. Our approach to growth continues to be measured, ensuring we have the people and systems in place to deliver excellence in every new venue, but it’s exciting to have built our pipeline that will allow us to nearly double our Flight Club estate by the end of 2026. Of course, none of it would be possible without the hard work and commitment of our brilliant teams in both the US and UK, for which I’m incredibly grateful.” David French, director growth capital, structured and specialist finance at Santander UK, said: “The increased debt facility will help fund a number of new US venues and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Toby and the rest of the team as they deliver their expansion plans.”
The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel's exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, will be published on Friday, 1 August at 9am. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It includes opinion from leading players Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, and investor Lisa Boden, partner at investor Edition Capital, and provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes 197 companies, marking a 10% growth in the sector since last year's study, with 3,700 sites. The report is available for £595 plus VAT to pre-order now. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it on Friday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.
Professionals at Play lines up Belfast site for King Pins concept: Professionals at Play – the Foresight-backed, parent company of the Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room and Star Pins concepts – has secured a site for its King Pins format in Belfast. The new site will occupy the second and third floor of The Keep redevelopment in Castle Lane in the Northern Irish capital. The Keep is a multimillion-pound project that involved the refurbishment of the former BHS building. Alterity Investments acquired the property in early 2021, which had been vacant for nearly five years following BHS's administration in 2016. King Pins will make its Scottish debut, at Glasgow’s Silverburn shopping centre, on Thursday, 26 June. Guests can enjoy ten-pin bowling, duck pin bowling, tech darts, American pool, shuffleboard, ice-free curling and arcade games. The 21,000 square-foot site will also have a bar and onsite restaurant. A further King Pins is due to open in Leeds’ White Rose shopping centre in August. Founded by Matt and Ben Jones in 2013, the group, which rebranded as Professionals at Play last year, has since grown to 11 Roxy Ball Rooms, eight Roxy Lanes, three King Pins and one Star Pins site.
US doughnut makes UK debut: US doughnut brand Duck Donuts has opened its first UK store. Founded in 2006 in Duck, North Carolina, by Russ DiGilio and Robin Griffith, the company has since expanded to 215-plus locations in the US and in countries such as Canada, Egypt, Qatar and Thailand. Duck Donuts first signed a deal to enter the UK in the summer of 2023, with an entry point of Belfast in Northern Ireland. It has now opened at 304 Ormeau Road in Ormeau, Belfast, offering made-to-order doughnuts, other baked goods and a range of beverages. The store will be run by franchisee Adam Becker, and Duck Donuts is seeking further partners as it looks to expand across the UK. At the time of signing the deal in 2023, Marcel Portman, global development lead for Duck Donuts, told Propel: “We have plans to grow in the UK with area developers that have a territory for five to eight stores. All major cities are a target, with London having three to four area developers. The ‘Ducks Donuts difference’ is the fresh, made-to-order doughnuts in a vanilla cake base, with regional and national flavours added to the menu.”
The Climbing Hangar set to open in Bristol: Indoor climbing operator The Climbing Hangar is set to open in Bristol, in a former Wilko store that closed in 2023. The unit, in Union Street, will be transformed into a climbing facility offering “high-quality bouldering facilities, expert coaching and a dynamic social space designed to welcome climbers of all levels”. Last year, plans to turn it into a Golf Fang venue from Imbiba-backed entertainment venue operator Big Fang Collective failed to come to fruition. The Climbing Hangar is expected to open its venue, which will span 25,000 square feet, in late summer. Founded in 2011 in a warehouse in Liverpool, The Climbing Hangar has grown to 12 venues across the UK. Earlier this month, Propel reported that The Climbing Hangar achieved record turnover in the year leading up to its takeover by Verlinvest, the investment firm that backs K1 Speed karting and Insomnia Cookies. Verlinvest acquired The Climbing Hangarin October 2024, saying it has plans to “scale the business globally”. In the year to 30 September 2024, The Climbing Hangar, which was founded in 2011, reported turnover of £9,968,255, up 27% from £7,852,518 in 2023. The company also narrowed its pre-tax loss from £1,714,788 in 2023 to £1,445,589.
WTW Cinemas – ‘it is becoming widely accepted admissions will not return to pre-covid levels’: WTW Cinemas, which operates four sites in Cornwall under its eponymous concept and seven outlets under the Scott name, has said it is “becoming widely accepted that admissions will not return to pre-covid levels”. It comes as the business narrowed its pre-tax losses to £368,410 for the year ending 31 March 2024 from £924,880 the previous year. Turnover was up to a record £8,658,499 from £7,137,332 the year before. Of this, £5,490,132 came from admission fees (2023: £4,488,300), £2,520,792 from confectionary and bar sales (2023: £2,075,078), £404,382 from advertising (2023: £375,284) and £243,193 from booking fees (2023: £198,670). Director David Williams said: “There is no accurate method to estimate the duration for which the covid pandemic's legacy will affect the company’s financial results, though it is becoming widely accepted that admissions will not return to 2019 levels. Rising costs of utilities and wages and taxation from the change in central government make profitability more difficult. The reduction in output of high-profile film releases (impacted further by the Hollywood actors and writers strike in 2023) continues to impact admissions. The group will continue with its maintenance and repair programme but careful consideration will need to be taken in the near future regarding the financial viability of some of the group’s sites and the potential sale of certain sites that are not performing.” He said the new site in Bridgwater, Somerset, has “encouraging admissions” but “there remains some concern over the level of expenditure” on it, particularly staffing and energy costs. The company, which employs around 170 staff, received £184,399 in government grants compared with £118,772 the previous year. No dividends were paid (2023: nil).
SSP signs new 14-year catering deal at Leeds Bradford airport: SSP, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has signed a new 14-year catering deal at Leeds Bradford airport. The company said its outlets, covering “everything from casual and premium dining through to grab-and-go and quick service restaurants”, will be the focal point of the airport’s £100m terminal extension and refurbishment, which is increasing food and beverage space by 75%. Phase one has already been completed, including new Tap & Brew and Burger King units. Kari Daniels, chief executive of SSP UK & Ireland, said: “We have a long-standing partnership with Leeds Bradford airport, and we’re excited to be growing our footprint with these new and refreshed units as part of the airport’s major redevelopment. Providing choice is one of our core goals to ensure that we meet the needs of every passenger. Our first two units are now open, and we look forward to bringing a few of our most popular own brand concepts to the airport for the first time, alongside a fresh look for some enduring favourites.”
Indoor climbing group The Climbing Academy sells its two Bristol sites due to ‘mounting economic pressures’: Indoor climbing group The Climbing Academy has sold its two centres in Bristol for an undisclosed sum to Flashpoint Climbing Group. The Mothership and The Church will reopen at the end of September following the deal, with all staff transferring to the new owner. The Climbing Academy, which also has sites in Glasgow and Chippenham in Wiltshire, said the sale comes in response to “mounting economic pressures” including inflation, increased operational costs and the impact of new competition opening in both Glasgow and Bristol. “This has been an incredibly difficult decision, and not one we’ve taken lightly,” co-founder and chief executive Rich Emerson told Business Live. “Bristol is where The Climbing Academy began – it’s part of our DNA.” Flashpoint already has an activity centre in Mead Street in Bristol and a climbing wall in Bedminster in the city. The company also has sites in Swansea, Cardiff and Swindon. Chief executive Jack Griffiths said: “We have long admired what The Church and The Mothership have done for the industry and their unique climbing culture. The Church was one of the original pioneering climbing walls, and has been open for more than 30 years. When The Mothership came along 16 years later, it was one of the very first boulder-only facilities in the country, again paving the way for a new generation of walls and climbers.” The announcement comes less than a year after The Climbing Academy secured £460,000 from the British Bank's South West Investment Fund to transform its Mothership venue in Charlton Street. The Climbing Academy said the sale would allow it to focus on “strengthening” its centres in Glasgow and Wiltshire, where it operates a wall for Chippenham Borough Lands Charity.
Angela Hartnett to open new restaurant and terrace bar at the Royal Opera House: Chef Angela Hartnett is to open a new restaurant and terrace bar at London’s Royal Opera House. Opening in September, located on the fifth floor of the Royal Opera House, the restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, “showcasing the flavours and ingredient-led approach that have become Angela’s hallmark”. Open daily, the rooftop terrace bar will feature an all-day Italian bar – “inspired by the timeless bars seen in Turin and set against panoramic views over Covent Garden and beyond”. Hartnett said: “Opening at the Royal Opera House – such an iconic London institution – is a real privilege. We’re creating something entirely new for the space: relaxed, with food that celebrates exceptional produce and simplicity. Most of all we want the restaurant and bar to be for everyone, not just for those attending a performance.” Sophie Wybrew-Bond, chief commercial officer, Royal Ballet and Opera, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with Angela Hartnett at the Royal Opera House on creating breath-taking new spaces, where exceptional art and extraordinary food come together in perfect harmony. Working with our longstanding partners, Company of Cooks, and set in the vibrant heart of Covent Garden, our new restaurant and terrace bar are poised to become one of London's most exciting dining and drinking destinations.” Hartnett is also set to open her fourth Café Murano site, in Dorset Street in London’s Marylebone, this summer. The first Cafe Murano opened in St James Street in 2013, as the more casual sibling to Hartnett’s Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant, Murano. This was followed in 2015 by the opening of a larger, two-storey site in Tavistock Street, in Covent Garden, and then a site in Bermondsey Street, in 2019.
Scottish west coast operator sees turnover hit record £14.5m after adding Loch Lomond venue to portfolio: Cawley Hotels & Restaurants, operators of six venues across the west coast of Scotland, reported turnover increased 46.2% to a record £14,536,082 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with £9,944,790 the previous year following its acquisition of Duck Bay Marina on the shores of Loch Lomond. The additional of the hotel, restaurant and cottages in June 2023 also helped the group grow pre-tax profit to £2,136,756 from £846,925 the year before. A dividend of £140,000 was paid (2023: nil). Founded in 1985, Alan Cawley runs the family-owned business with his wife, Lynn, and their children, Darrach and Cara. The group employs around 275 staff across its venues, which also include Coast in Inverclyde and River House in Stirling.
Adam Handling unveils new chapter for Ugly Butterfly with move to five-star Cornish hotel: Chef Adam Handling is set to open a new chapter of his Cornish restaurant, Ugly Butterfly, this summer as he eyes a Michelin star for the concept. The restaurant is moving from its previous location in St Ives to five-star hotel, The Headland in Newquay, opening on Wednesday, 9 July. It comes after Handling announced earlier this week he would shut the St Ives venue on Saturday, 28 June, after four years in the town’s The Carbis Bay Estate. “Ugly Butterfly 2.0” will seat 50 covers inside, 20 on the terrace, and 30 in the bar. The restaurant will also offer a wine list of more than 500 bins. Handling – who operates the Michelin-starred restaurant, Frog, in London – said: “As one door closes, another one opens – and this Ugly Butterfly 2.0 is a more fitting home for our most sustainable concept. We are taking this situation in an extremely positive light, building on what Ugly Butterfly has achieved and focusing on what we need to do to be even better. There is no doubt that we will be gunning for a Michelin star in this restaurant. And what a place to do it – the iconic Cornish hotel, The Headland. I will be predominantly based in Cornwall for this year, to relaunch this restaurant, and it will, no doubt, give my Frog restaurant a run for its money. This Ugly Butterfly restaurant will have food stations, so the guests can see dishes being made.” Handling also operates The Tartan Fox pub, located between Newquay and Truro in Cornwall, which he opened last summer. Earlier this year, he also opened a Central London boutique chocolate shop. The Adam Handling Chocolate Shop, in Covent Garden, just around the corner from Frog.
London artisanal deli business to open first flagship store in the capital since being acquired out of administration, eyes further growth: London artisanal deli business Melrose & Morgan is set to open its first flagship store in the capital since being acquired out of administration. Melrose & Morgan, which was founded in 2004, closed its stores in Hampstead and Primrose Hill last year after appointing liquidators. Having been acquired by head chef Mauro Mateus, the business opened a café within Brityard at 310-312 Regent Street earlier this year. Mateus has now signed to open a 3,300 square-foot, triple-fronted flagship store later this year within The Portman Estate’s Loxton Walk development in Marylebone. Located at 5 Loxton Walk, the site will offer a boutique grocer and delicatessen, alongside a seating area and coffee counter, anchoring a new pedestrianised courtyard. A spokesman for the company said the opening “sets up a blueprint for growth for the future, which includes plans for more stores in the next five years, extending throughout the UK and Japan”, and establishing its “footprint as a leader in the field of global premium delis”. Mateus said: “This opening means a lot to me. Loxton Walk will be the first true home for Melrose & Morgan since taking it on, and I couldn’t think of a better neighbourhood for it. This store is a chance to bring everything we love about the brand to life – great food, good people, and proper hospitality.” Joining Melrose & Morgan at Loxton Place will be specialist Japanese matcha bar Matchado, which will open its third London site at 12 Loxton Walk, following its locations in King’s Cross and Chiswick. Founded by Japanese tea expert Hiromi Matsunobu, Matchado “embraces the art of mindful living through the ritual of matcha green tea”, with its premium matcha sourced from Japan.
Kent doughnut concept opens fourth site: Kent doughnut concept Sumo Donuts has opened its fourth site in the county. Husband and wife team Su and Mike Molnar have acquired the former Oriental Buffet restaurant at 20 Rendevous Street in Folkestone. The site is a third opening this year for the duo, originally from Bedfordshire, who first launched their business at Palace Street in Canterbury in 2022. They followed this by opening in Willesborough Industrial Park, Ashford, in January and Ely Court, Tonbridge, in May. Su told Kent Online: “There were people from Folkestone that travelled to our Canterbury and Ashford stores, so we knew we would have a customer base here.”
London hotel operator sees turnover hit record £8.6m as it boosts profit: Hazlitt’s Hotels, which operates three sites in London, has reported turnover increased to a record £8,641,649 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with £8,211,214 the previous year. Pre-tax profit at the company – which operates Hazlitt’s, Batty Langley’s and The Rookery in the capital – was up to £2,180,863 from £1,978,159 the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The company has no immediate plans for further expansion. The management is entirely focused on maintaining current performance and product standards while managing the operational costs across the business.” A dividend of £800,000 was paid (2023: £800,000).
Manchester health food concept makes London debut: Manchester health food concept Açai and The Tribe has made its London debut. Founded by Alisha Jade Oswell in 2021, Açai and The Tribe launched its first location in Manchester’s Deansgate. It has now opened within the Sloane Stanley Estate, at 279 Fulham Road. The new 1,327 square-foot space serves premium, organic açai bowls and other health-focused food options such as smoothies, topped sourdough, sandwiches, toasted banana loaf and a range of hot and cold beverages. Hannah Grievson, property director at Sloane Stanley, said: “We have had our eyes on Açai and The Tribe since it opened in Manchester a few years ago – it is exactly the kind of operator that we want in our neighbourhood.” Alisha Jade Oswell, founder of Açai and The Tribe, added: “London’s F&B scene is full of innovative and market-leading concepts, and now is the time for us to be part of it. We are ready to expand our portfolio, open more sites and make a home within London. This is a really exciting moment for the business, bringing a niche açai market to a new neighbourhood.”
New sandwich and salad concept Monty’s launches in London: A new sandwich and salad concept has launched in London’s Southwark. Monty’s, the brainchild of founders Antonina Martynova and Olexandra Pavlova, has opened its doors at 100 Southwark Street. Monty’s is a sandwich and salad concept built around the “simple idea that food should be joyful, fresh, and made with care”. The business said: “Every sandwich is a nostalgic bite of happiness, with bold flavours and familiar comfort, crafted fresh on site with salads made right in front of you. Whether you’re grabbing lunch or fuelling up for the day, Monty’s invites you to taste the freshness, feel the joy, and rediscover the everyday meal.” Brandon Elmon, of the Gen1us Group, acts for Monty’s.
New independently owned gastropub and fine dining restaurant to open in Surrey: A new independently-owned gastropub and fine dining restaurant will open in Farnham, Surrey, in mid-July. The kitchen at The Third Monkey in South Street will be led by executive chef Adam Fisher, with a “hyper-seasonal menu that combines elevated simplicity with a strong commitment to sustainability, zero waste practices and the finest locally sourced British produce”. A two-time finalist in the City & Guilds National Chef of the Year competition, Fisher trained under Adam Smith at Coworth Park in Sunningdale in Berkshire, served as head chef at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot in Surrey and worked with the German Embassy in London. His opening menu at The Third Monkey, which is owned by Andrew Searchfield, will include 50-day dry-aged Surrey Farm ribeye with barbecue maitake, and barbecue Iberico pork loin served alongside confit belly and Mangalitza black pudding croquette. The ground floor gastropub will serve a curated selection of craft beer, premium spirits, and a wine list that highlights both local and international producers. Upstairs, the cocktail bar will offer a more elevated experience, with a seasonally changing menu of cocktails that will pair with the restaurant’s food offering. On weekends, the first-floor space will transform into a late-night venue, with DJs playing sets.
Ennismore to open Italian restaurant at forthcoming The Hoxton in Edinburgh: Gleneagles and Hoxton hotels owner Ennismore is to open an Italian restaurant at its forthcoming The Hoxton in Edinburgh. Patatino will launch at the hotel in Haymarket on Tuesday, 1 July. Patatino’s menu will offer “hearty” Italian dishes using local Scottish produce – “many with a playful twist”. Pasta dishes will include linguine with shellfish bisque, and Eyemouth crab and Amalfi lemon and bucatini Cacio e Pepe. Sourdough pizzas will include toppings such as Scottish buffalo mozzarella, and ‘nduja, haggis, jalapeño, hot honey and Fior di Latte. The drinks list will offer spins on Italian cocktails as well as “house special” negronis, and a selection of “Made in Italia” serves created for Patatino by The Hoxton’s bar teams in Rome and Florence, including a Pata-tini with gin. The all-Italian wine list will be split by region. Accessible via the hotel lobby, Patatino will also have its own dedicated street entrance. The hotel itself will open on Monday (23 June).
London Thai restaurant Singburi to reopen in a new location today: London Thai restaurant Singburi is to reopen in a new location today (Thursday, 19 June). The original Leytonstone venue shut in 2023, but the concept is reopening in Montacute Yards, off Shoreditch High Street. Singburi 2.0 sees the second generation of the Kularbwong family – namely head chef Sirichai – formally take over from his parents, who are retiring. He has partnered with chefs Nick Molyviatis and Sirichai Kularbwong, alongside general manager Alexander Gkikas, for the reboot. The new venue will feature a central open kitchen with 19 counter seats, where guests can view live-fire cooking, while a further 40-plus seats complete the space. A menu of south east Asian cooking with Thai roots will feature dishes such as dill and lemongrass pork sausage, wild ginger chicken thigh, prawn and betel leaf southern curry, mussels with tomato and sweet basil, and smoked pork belly with green peppercorn. For the first time, Singburi comes with a drinks list, and while bring-your-own will still be welcomed, there will be a rotating list of 14 wines from across the world and cocktails in collaboration with the founder of Athens' The Clumsies and Line, Vassilios Kyritsis. Molyviatis said: “We're excited to open our doors, it's been a long time coming. At its heart, the menu is an evolution of the Singburi blackboard menu, and a reflection of what we love to eat and cook. Thai food is communal – dishes are served all together, and they should complement each other. Something hot needs something bitter, which needs something sweet, which pulls you back to something sour, and before you know it, your glass is empty again. That's how we hope you’ll eat here – with rhythm, curiosity and joy.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts set to open new Mediterranean restaurant in Leeds: IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to open a new Mediterranean restaurant in Leeds. Opening this summer on the corner of Lower Briggate and Swinegate, The Banksia will offer a small plate concept of Mediterranean inspired staples from head chef Craig Rogan. Linked to the adjoining Hotel Indigo Leeds, The Banksia will “reflect the sustainability commitment of IHG Hotels & Resorts”. General manager Simon Grace said: “Its name – The Banksia – is inspired by the vibrant wildflower whose growth is stimulated by fire. We want our bar and restaurant to become a place where cultures and flavours collide and create a unique experience for our guests. Given Craig's invaluable experience in the hotel catering industry, leading a team and working alongside a multitude of departments, he was the perfect fit for us.” IHG Hotels & Resorts encompasses Regent Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Last week, Propel reported IHG Hotels & Resorts had opened the new 143-room Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell, located at 2 Clerkenwell Road.
London pop-up pizza concept to open first permanent site next month: Ace Pizza, which has been operating as a residency at The Pembury Tavern in London’s Hackney, will open its first permanent location next month. Owner Rachel Jones is launching the venue on Monday, 28 July in the former Fish House site at 126-128 Lauriston Road, also in Hackney. 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, house-made 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 a chilli honey margarita 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.”
Chef Stu Deeley opens restaurant at Warwickshire hotel: Chef Stu Deeley has opened a new restaurant at the Eden Hotel Collection’s Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The Warwick marks a homecoming for Deeley, who worked at Mallory Court and the Eden Hotel Collection early in his career. Deeley, who won BBC show MasterChef: The Professionals in 2019, later became chef director at Hampton Manor Estate in Solihull, which is also part of Eden Hotel Collection, and where Deeley founded the now closed Michelin-recommended restaurant Smoke. His menu at The Warwick is dictated by the seasons, using ingredients from the Mallory Court kitchen gardens. The Warwick presents a choice of two tasting menus: a five-course Taste of the Season (£105) and a three-course menu (£90). Highlights include Cornish crab with Isle of Wight tomatoes, poussin with jamón sauce, and a garden-fresh peas and mint gazpacho with burrata and globe artichoke. The Eden Collection also includes Brockencote Hall Hotel in Kidderminster, The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Greenway in Cheltenham and Bovey Castle in Dartmoor.
