State of Play Hospitality CEO – US trading strong, UK is a tough market at present, considering what’s next for Bounce: Toby Harris, chief executive of State of Play Hospitality, the international experiential leisure operator, has told Propel that the business continues to see strong trading in the US, but the UK market remains “tough” and, in his view, could lead to some consolidation in the sector. The business operates Hijingo and the three-strong Bounce in London, and Flight Club, in North America, under licence. Harris told Propel: “We had a very strong financial year to the end of March 2025 in the US. The US was up on a like-for-like sales basis, while the UK was down, and we’ve seen that trading trend continue in the first quarter of our new financial year. The US now represents more than 80% of our site level profits, which illustrates how skewed we are towards North America as a business, albeit the UK remains an important business for us. We’re being very cautious about signing new leases in the UK, plus I think there’s likely to be some consolidation in our space over the next six to 12 months.” When it comes to bingo concept Hijingo, Harris said the company continues to explore opportunities in the UK, with a focus on Birmingham and Manchester, and the company recently passed up on a site in the latter. The group is also in talks with a casino operator to take the concept to Las Vegas. On Bounce, Harris said the company is considering the concepts next steps. He told Propel: “We are looking strategically at what comes next for Bounce. Our Farringdon venue is 13 years old and Old Street is approaching ten. The former’s lease is coming up in a couple of years and we have an option of moving to a new site nearby. With Hijingo, we believe that it has growth potential both domestically and internationally. Obviously, the UK marketplace has worsened since the Budget and is now even less attractive, given the extra costs the government has imposed on the sector, so you can imagine the impact that has had on our appetite to invest in the UK.” 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.

 

WatchHouse MD Caroline Ottoy to speak at Propel summer conference and party, open for bookings: Caroline Ottoy, managing director of specialty coffee concept WatchHouse, 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 operator 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. Ottoy will talk about the brand’s continued growth in the UK amidst an increasingly competitive category, its move into the US and its plans for further international expansion. 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 today featuring 936 companies: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club subscribers today (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.

 

Elton Mouna – bullying can come in many guises in our industry: Elton Mouna, a pub sector deep-dive project specialist and accredited coach focusing on pub sector middle managers, discusses bullying in the sector in today’s (Friday, 20 June) Propel Friday Opinion. Mouna writes that “our sector doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to bullying” and that “bullying can come in many other guises in our industry”. He said: “I have always been on high alert to bullying, and during my career in hospitality I witnessed a lot and was on the receiving end of a lot. But when you’re in the mêlée of it all, with a mortgage, the kids at home, and when the cash reserve is more of a cash puddle, it is difficult to speak out. Conversely, when you’re mortgage-free, the kids have flown the nest, the pension is topped-up, and your financial advisor says the best way to avoid inheritance tax is to spend your money, it is so much easier to speak out about the bullying in our sector, just like I am doing now and will continue doing. If you are being bullied, at any level in our sector, contact me and I will help (that’s no-charge help).” Mouna will share more of his thoughts in today’s Friday Opinion, which will be published at 11am.

 

Flo Graham-Dixon explores a culinary revolution taking place in Dubai: Flo Graham-Dixon, founder of sector advisory firm Juniper Strategy, explores a culinary revolution taking place in Dubai in today’s (Friday, 20 June) Premium Opinion. Having spent a significant amount of time in Dubai lately, Graham-Dixon said she has seen a lot of changes since she last worked there, on a sizeable project around ten years ago. “This time around, something else is emerging,” Graham-Dixon writes. “Yes, the flashy beach clubs and Dubai International Finance Centre are still buzzing with the Zumas, LPMs and Gaias of the world, turning thousand-pound tables like they're flipping burgers. But scratch beneath the surface and something more grassroots, founder-led and genuinely innovative is taking shape. And much of it is dry. Dubai's culinary scene is changing, and many of the most exciting moves are happening in dry spaces. There are smart plays to be made here for those willing to look beyond the obvious.” Graham-Dixon will share more of her thoughts in today’s Premium Opinion, which will be sent to Premium Club subscribers at 5pm. Also in this week’s Premium Opinion, Propel group editor Mark Wingett takes a look at the furore around Richard Caring, a letter to suppliers and the drawn-out deal for his restaurant empire. 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.

 

Debut charity cycle challenge under Hospitality Rides raises more than £400,000: The fundraising total for the first cycle challenge under the Hospitality Rides initiative has exceeded £400,000. The 400km sponsored cycle saw 29 industry professionals ride across Taiwan – covering Hsinchu, Taipei, Keelung and Jiaoxi – and has raised £403,000 for the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) and Only A Pavement Away. Katy Moses, managing director of research consultancy KAM and founder of Hospitality Rides, said: “Taiwan proved to be the hardest ride to date, so I have so much respect for everyone who was a part of the journey. To have raised more than £400,000 is truly inspiring and a testament to the incredible generosity and dedication within our industry. These vital funds will directly support the invaluable work of the LTC and Only A Pavement Away, making a real difference to countless lives in hospitality.” Building on this success, organisers have announced the next fundraising challenge will take place in spring 2026, with cyclists set to embark on a journey across Cuba. Interested participants can contact the LTC for more information. Alongside its sister event, Pedalling 2 Pubs, Hospitality Rides has established itself as a flagship fundraising event for the LTC and Only A Pavement Away. Combined, the two events have exceeded £1.5m in fundraising since their inception.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an expanding foodservice company that is looking to hire a contract director to manage a complex, multi-faceted contract that includes both premium dining and retail/commercial elements. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This position involves mobilising, developing and leading a large, diverse team while overseeing high-end, large-scale catering operations. The contract director will need a strong grasp of financial performance and a proven track record of achieving KPI-driven targets. A key part of the role is nurturing and developing the team, so previous experience in training and people development is essential. Excellent client-facing communication skills are also a must.” The salary is up to £70,000 and the role is based in Kent. For more information, email dan@corecruitment.com.

 

Urban Pubs & Bars hires new sales and marketing director: Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, has hired James Metcalfe as its new sales and marketing director, Propel has learned. Metcalfe, who replaces Andre Johnstone, will join Urban Pubs & Bars next month from Stonegate Group, where he has been marketing director since October 2003. Prior to Stonegate, he spent ten-and-a-half years with Diageo. Johnstone joined Urban Pubs & Bars, which operates 55 sites across London, in December 2023.

 

PizzaExpress strengthens London presence with Kingston opening: PizzaExpress has strengthened its presence in London with a new restaurant in Kingston. The venue has opened in Riverside Walk, creating around 25 jobs. PizzaExpress Kingston’s territory manager, Jessica Autiero, said: “Our stunning new restaurant pairs perfectly with our delicious summer menu, and we’re thrilled to welcome everyone to our Kingston riverside pizzeria.” PizzaExpress, which marks its 60th anniversary this year, operates circa 360 sites across the UK and Ireland and has ambitious plans to reach 1,000 restaurants globally by 2030.

 

Azzurri Group confirms Birmingham and Manchester openings for Dave’s Hot Chicken as it kicks off national expansion of brand: Azzurri Group – the ASK Italian, Coco di Mama, Boojum and Zizzi owner – has confirmed it will open the next two sites for US brand Dave’s Hot Chicken in Birmingham and Manchester as it kicks off national expansion plans for the brand. Propel revealed last July that the US brand had signed a franchise agreement with Azzurri Group to open 60 locations across the UK and Ireland. The Steve Holmes-led business opened in the former Fratelli La Bufala site in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue for the UK debut of Dave’s Hot Chicken last December. Propel revealed last month that Azzurri Group was set to convert its ASK Italian in Birmingham’s New Street for the second Dave’s Hot Chicken in the UK and follow that with an opening in Manchester’s The Printworks scheme. The 102-cover Birmingham restaurant will open next month with the 139-cover Manchester venue launching in August. Jim Attwood, managing director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Birmingham and Manchester are on the up, with food scenes to rival London’s. Opening up our next two locations here kicks off our national expansion.” The opening in London marked the 250th location for Dave’s Hot Chicken. Three childhood friends – chef Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan – launched the business in a parking lot in Los Angeles in 2017 and opened an East Hollywood brick-and-mortar restaurant shortly after. In 2019, the team struck a deal with Wetzel’s Pretzels co-founder Bill Phelps to begin franchising the brand, with Drake investing alongside other celebrities such as Samuel L Jackson and Usher. Earlier this month, Roark Capital, the private equity firm that owns Subway, acquired Dave’s Hot Chicken for approximately $1bn (£790m).

 

Comptoir hires new group operations director: Comptoir Group, the owner of the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa brands, has hired Conrad Patterson as its new group operations director, Propel has learned. Patterson replaces Travis Fish, who stepped down earlier this month after 15 months in the role, to set up his own business Ops Lab – “helping founder-led and private equity-backed businesses navigate the transition from start-up to scale-up”. The appointment marks a return to Comptoir for Patterson, who stepped down as chief operating officer in November 2023 to join Enrica Rocca Cooking School & Catering as its chief executive. Patterson was previously operations director at Ignite Group and held operations managers roles prior to that at Comptoir and Ping Pong. Earlier this year, Comptoir rehired Chaker Hanna as its chief executive, with Richard Kleiner also returning as chairman. Last month, the business said that on the back of those management changes, a detailed review of the company’s overall strategy was ongoing and that a “prudent approach to capital management is key” over the next 12 months to position it for growth beyond 2025. It came after the company said its first-quarter 2025 trading performance has been in line with expectations, as it reported 2% like-for-like sales growth in the year to 29 December 2024.

 

Esquires opens new Bedfordshire store: Esquires, owned by Cooks Coffee Company, has opened in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The store has opened at 3-5 Market Square for its 74th UK outlet. “Store number 74 has now opened in Leighton Buzzard, a market town in Bedfordshire,” the company posted to social media. “It’s one of the latest additions to a growing network of locally owned and operated Esquires Coffee stores across the UK. Every store in our UK network is run by a franchise partner. Some have years of experience while others are opening their first store. Most take a hands-on role in the day-to-day running of the business. Leighton Buzzard follows our core format with 100% organic and Fairtrade coffee and food prepared fresh on site each day. This gives franchise partners and their teams direct control over preparation and service with support in place to maintain brand standards.” It is the first store to open since the company reported its interim results for the year to 3 March 2025 in May. The company said UK store sales up 38% at NZ$55.6m (FY24: NZ$38.3m), compared with the industry average of 9%. Cooks Coffee Company also formed a joint venture to acquire the Black Goo business, which has stores in Thame, Oxfordshire, and Tring, Hertfordshire.

 

Knoops to make Welsh debut today: Luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops will open its first store in Wales today (Friday, 20 June). Propel first revealed in January that the company had secured a unit at The Hayes, in the St David’s scheme in Cardiff for its Welsh debut. The opening of the store, which is Knoops’ 27th, means it now has stores in all countries across the UK. Jens Knoop, who founded the brand in 2013, said: “We’re thrilled we’re now in each country of the UK and can’t wait to keep continuing to expand in 2025 across the UK and beyond.” It comes following recent openings for Knoops in Colchester, Norwich, Belfast, York, and Newcastle. Earlier this week, Propel exclusively revealed that Knoops is set to make its debut in China next year after signing a joint venture agreement to launch in the country. Last month, the brand also signed a deal to make its US debut, in Utah, and said it plans to open 30 new international stores annually. The brand began its global expansion last year, opening its first Middle Eastern store in the UAE in November, with a third due to open this summer. Knoop has previously said the brand will eventually grow to at least 300 stores in the UK and 3,000 globally in the next decade.

 

Staffordshire McDonald’s franchisee acquires seven more restaurants: Staffordshire McDonald’s franchisee Aberrant Group has acquired seven more restaurants to take its total to 16 with the brand. Aberrant Group was founded in 2016 by David Knight, who previously worked for a brand creation agency and in software solutions. It is not the first time the group has made a multi-site acquisition – in August 2022, it doubled the size of its estate with the acquisition of four drive-thru sites in the West Midlands. “The Aberrant Group is expanding again!” Knight said. “On Monday, 28 July, we will complete the acquisition of seven more McDonald’s restaurants. This acquisition will expand Aberrant Group’s operations to 16 restaurants across five operating markets, with an 80-strong leadership team and a workforce exceeding 2,000. This level of growth is a significant milestone in our journey, achieved in just nine years of operation. I’m particularly pleased to announce that this expansion will create new and exciting leadership roles at both the restaurant and group levels. This initiative underlines my commitment to growing talent and creating rewarding career opportunities within our organisation. I am incredibly proud of what we are achieving at Aberrant Group and my sincere thanks go to every single one of our employees for the vital role you play in our organisation. I am excited to welcome the new restaurants and operational teams to Aberrant Group on 28 July and I cannot wait to embark on this new journey together.” In the year to 31 December 2023, Aberrant Group saw its turnover grow from £25,566,219 in 2022 to £43,851,600. The company also turned a pre-tax loss of £140,688 in 2022 into a profit of £808,230. This was aided by the addition of a single restaurant during the year – in Leek.

Montpeliers – late-night venues show no sign of recovering to pre-covid levels, disposed of two units as wet-led businesses ‘hit hard by the general malaise’: Edinburgh pub and restaurant business Montpeliers has said its late night venues “show no sign of recovering to pre-covid levels” and that it has disposed of two units as its wet-led businesses have been “hit hard by the general malaise in city centre evening and late-night footfall”. Turnover dropped from £16,528,599 in 2023 to £15,537,077, and while pre-tax profit fell from £1,723,545 to £1,250,591, cash generated from operations increased to £2.07m from £1.68m – helped by an inflow of £724,000 “through tight management of working capital”. Post year end, the group sold Eastside in George Street – which the team behind Freddie’s in Frederick Street reopened as Westside Rodeo – and subleased Candy Bar, also in George Street, which has since reopened as Baruno. Montpeliers founder David Wither said: “In the 2022-23 financial year, our business benefited from the general post-covid bounce back. Maintaining sales levels in 2023-24 was tougher, particularly in late-night venues, which show no signs of recovering to pre-covid levels. The headwinds facing hospitality were recognised by the Westminster government, which offered meaningful reductions in chargeable business rates in fiscal year 2023-24, but the devolved Scottish administration chose not to follow suit. In 2023-24, our accommodation income grew, food income flatlined and drinks sales declined. There were various factors impacting on bar sales, most notably the continuation of city centre offices choosing to blend working from home with working at base. Pub socialising on Friday evenings has declined, and late-night drinking has been hit in the same way as nightclub trade. Indigo Yard, created by the group in 1996, was the stellar performer, producing exceptional results at both top and bottom lines. However, wet-led businesses have been hit hard by the general malaise in city centre evening and late-night footfall. This has more than offset our performance in the food-led outlets, resulting in lower overall trading profit. Since the year end date, we have ceased trading and disposed of our interest in our two wet-led units, Candy Bar and Eastside, which were not contributing to Ebitda. This has allowed the business to increase its collective focus on the operation of our high turnover/high Ebitda venues.” A total of £1.1m was spent on refurbishments and cash balances stood at £2.03m (2023: £1.89m). The group’s net worth increased from £9.06m in 2023 to £9.42m while dividends of £480,000 were paid (2023: £513,569).

Azzurri Group-owned digital platform Openr strengthens leadership team as it looks to accelerate growth: Openr, the digital platform owned by the Azzurri Group, which is designed for operators in the hospitality industry, has strengthened its leadership team with senior hires as it looks to accelerate its growth. Dan Brookman, chief executive of Airship and Toggle, joins as non-executive director, bringing expertise in hospitality technology and growth strategy. Nick Liddle, formerly vice-president commercial at Vita Mojo, joins as chief customer officer to lead customer success, partnerships and delivery. The appointments follow Openr’s recent £3m funding round led by sector investor Imbiba, alongside majority shareholder Azzurri Group and Octopus Ventures as a minority partner. Brookman said: “As the hospitality sector increasingly operates in an omnichannel environment, there is a growing need for platforms that deliver both operational efficiency and adaptability – it’s an exciting time to be part of this journey.” Liddle said: “My passion and focus has always been solving real problems for the hospitality sector and being able to stand by a true value proposition – Openr fulfils this need and aspiration.” Joel Robinson, founder of Openr, added: “Both Dan and Nick will play key roles in shaping Openr’s commercial strategy, product roadmap and customer success as the business continues its rapid growth.”

North east operator Sayturk Group acquires Newcastle bar and restaurant: North east hospitality and leisure operator Sayturk Group has acquired a Newcastle bar and restaurant. The company has bought Bar Loco, which ithge group said enjoys high footfall, particularly on Newcastle United FC match days, and is a popular venue for Newcastle students. The group is also behind the Flower Café concept, which has sites in Newcastle and Alnwick and is set to open locations soon in Whitley Bay and Sunderland. The company operates concept bars, late-night venues, pubs, cafes and luxury holiday apartments around the region, with recent acquisitions including the lease of the European-style café bar Société in Grey Street, Newcastle, as well as the former Chicken Coop restaurant adjoining Metropolitan House in the city. The group also operates Liberty House and Swarley’s in Newcastle and Osborne’s in Jesmond.

Yorkshire brewer T&R Theakston reports third consecutive year of growth as cask ale sees renewed consumer interest: Yorkshire family brewer T&R Theakston has reported a third consecutive year of growth as it said cask ale has seen renewed consumer interest. The business, which has been brewing beer in Masham for almost 200 years, recorded a pre-tax profit of £271,000 for the year ending 31 December 2024, an increase from £248,000 in the previous year. The increased profitability comes as the brewery also saw turnover increase 7% to £8.8m in the same period. The business said it has continued to respond to the challenges facing its pub customers with a cautious approach to price increases. The company said the year saw increased consumer demand for both its cask ale brands and its premium bottled ale. The company’s largest brands – Theakston Best, Theakston Old Peculier and Theakston XB – all grew in cask sales over the period, which also marked the first full year of Theakston Quencher, a newly developed lower ABV beer at 3.4%, being available. The company has also now brought out a non-alcoholic version of its Old Peculier ale – Nowt Peculier. Managing director Richard Bradbury said: “With demand for high quality cask ale from consumers on the increase as a result of renewed interest in the category, we’ve seen our volumes grow by more than 8%. Our performance has also been buoyed by the increased availability of our beer internationally with exports to places including America, Australia and Italy accounting for 4% of our turnover, double that of the previous year.” The company, which will mark its bicentenary in 2027, said it was optimistic about its brand strength, but “cautious” about market conditions in 2025. The business highlighted increased costs affecting the viability of pub customers, packaging waste charges increasing the cost of products in the off-trade and the impact of tariffs on its supply to the US all having potential impacts on its bottom line.

Oxford Hotels & Inns returns to profit as turnover hits record £23.4m: Oxford Hotels & Inns, which operates tenanted pubs and hotels, has reported turnover increased to a record £23,398,752 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with £22,059,322 the previous year. The company posted a pre-tax profit of £1,467 compared with a loss of £920,000 the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The financial year has shown continued improvement in revenue. Hotel revenue increased 16.5%. Pubs and inns have been generally consistent on rental revenue year-on-year but wet-led margins remain challenging as beer and spirit pricing have hit historic peaks in a time period when consumer spending has been stretched by rising inflation and economic uncertainty in the UK. Hotel revpar was up 20.1% while occupancy up 7.6% and average room rate up 5.2%. Room sales were 52.7% of total sales (2023: 55.8%). The Russian invasion of Ukraine and inflationary cost pressures had a significant impact on energy costs across the hotel estate and also significantly impacted the tenanted estate.” No dividend was paid (2023: nil).

Team behind L’Eto to open debut site under new vehicle next month: Artem Login, the entrepreneur behind L’Eto, the upscale international restaurant and cafe brand, will open the debut site under his new vehicle MAD Restaurants next month. As previously revealed by Propel, the new entity will open Moi in Wardour Street in London’s Soho. MAD has now confirmed the restaurant will launch on Tuesday, 29 July, set across two floors (ground and lower ground) and encompass 150 covers. The venue will include options for private dining for up to 20 people, an Omakase-style 16-cover sushi bar and a 40-cover “listening room” inspired by the hidden dens of Tokyo and Shinjuku. The Moi menu, led by executive chef Andy Cook, will offer a mix of small and medium plates as well as a number of large grill dishes to share and a section dedicated to skewers. The drinks menu will feature cocktails, a curated list of low intervention and biodynamic wine from small scale winemakers, as well as sake and shochu pairings with food. The business said that Moi is the first in “a series of innovative restaurants from the Login family, which is a collaboration between a father-and-son duo celebrated for establishing the globally renowned patisseries, L’Eto”. Moi will be followed by Mediterranean concept Alta, which will open in part of the former Rum Kitchen site in Kingly Court, Soho, in August. L’Eto’s global portfolio spans 40 restaurants in seven countries. The company, which launched in the UK in 2011, operates ten L’Eto sites in the capital, along with My & Sanne in Brompton Road, Knightsbridge.

Yorkshire printing firm launches new padel venture: Yorkshire printing firm Ryedale Group has launched a new padel venture. The business, which is based in Kirkbymoorside, has launched We Play Padel, introducing two new padel courts on its site as part of a diversification strategy. Known for its sustainable printing work through Hortipak and Ryedale Printing, the third-generation family firm has expanded in recent years, including the addition of a self-storage business, We Store, in 2020. Supported by a £440,000 building transition loan from Lloyds, Ryedale Group said new canopy-covered courts, which boast solar-powered lighting, automated access and affordable pay-to-play options, are in response to the region’s growing interest in padel and the shortage of local facilities. The courts will occupy part of a previously underutilised site in Kirkdale Road. James Buffoni, managing director at Ryedale Group, said: “Since taking over the Ryedale Group seven years ago, diversification and growth have been a key focus. While specialist horticultural printing remains our core business, its seasonal nature makes it vital to explore new opportunities. That need became even clearer during the pandemic, when we realised we had to think beyond pivoting within print and instead look at entirely new ventures, first with We Store, and now with We Play Padel. Kirkbymoorside is nestled between Helmsley and Pickering – two well-known Yorkshire tourist spots – so we saw an opportunity to offer something that benefits local residents, while also drawing visitors from surrounding towns who might not otherwise have access to padel facilities outside of major cities.” The new facility will open tomorrow (Saturday, 21 June).

 

Crust Bros to open site in London’s Covent Garden next month: London pizza concept Crust Bros is to open its flagship site in Covent Garden next month. The business, which was founded by Joe Moore and is chaired by ex-Busaba chief executive Jason Myers, secured the former Paul site at 29 Bedford Street earlier this year. The two-floor, 135-cover restaurant will now open on Monday, 7 July, joining the business’ other locations in West Brompton and Waterloo. New side dishes will include ragu lasagna bomba donuts, while among the pizza options will be “Straight Outta Hell” (tomato, mozzarella, chicken, chillies, pepperoni and nduja), “Nonna’s Yard” (tomato, mozzarella, caramelised onions, goat’s cheese, mushrooms and pesto drizzle) and “Vegan Harlem Truffle” (crema tartufata base, vegan mozzarella and mushrooms). There will also be a cocktail menu including two takes on the classic Italian aperitif of the negroni, while soft drinks will include lavender lemonade and kiwi lemon soda, and beer will be served in frozen tankards over the summer. Moore first thought up the concept in 2014 after becoming obsessed with the Italian methods of pizza making. Following a six-week tour of Italy, he began selling pizza at London street food markets. The first bricks and mortar Crust Bros site opened in Waterloo in 2017. The company also operates a site at Incipio Group’s The Prince in West Brompton.

 

Essex operator sees turnover and profit dip: Essex hotel, restaurant and bar company Oysterfleet saw its turnover dip to £3,183,971 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with £3,319,410 the year before. Pre-tax profit was down to £286,170 from £336,089 the previous year. The company said it has a “successful trading year” and a “strong balance sheet” that shows it is in a “strong financial position”. Dividends of £296,907 were paid (2023: £318,507). The group operates the 41-bedroom Oysterfleet Hotel and adjoining Lighthouse restaurant in Canvey Island and the Oyster Court brasserie and sports bar in Southend.

 

Bristol Caribbean restaurant to open second site: Bristol Caribbean restaurant Gullu’s Kitchen will today (Friday, 20 June) open a second site in the city. The new restaurant and cocktail bar will open at 43 Victoria Street, Staple Hill. Owner Mark Daley opened the first Gullu’s Kitchen at 282 Lodge Causeway in Fishponds in 2021. The company posted to social media:“It’s been a long time coming, but nothing happens before it’s time. We are staffed, we are stocked and we are ready to serve you our delicious Jamaican cuisine dine in restaurant style. This is a sit-down alcohol licensed restaurant premises with rear garden outdoor seating. We look forward to seeing you.”

 

London hotel operator sees profit dip as turnover increases to £7m: TLC Hotels, which operates one hotel in London and is developing two more in Cambridge, has reported turnover increased to £7,020,678 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with £6,899,572 the previous year. Of the 2024 figure, £6,301,096 came from rooms (2023: £6,166,191), £499,357 from food and beverage (2023: £490,036) and £220,225 from other income 92023: £243,345). The company, which was incorporated in 2020, saw pre-tax profit fall to £205,008 from £659,900 the year before. Average occupancy rate during the year was 97% (2023: 96%) while current occupancy levels are “in line with expectations in the current climate”. At the end of the year, the group, which employs around 90 staff, had net assets of £30.4m (2022: £24.9m). No dividend was paid (2023: nil).