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Wednesday 31st July 2019
McDonald’s UK trials new ‘to Go’ concept
McDonald’s UK trials new ‘to Go’ concept: McDonald’s UK has begun trialling a new “to Go” concept in London, which has seen it remove in-store seating and focus purely on offering takeaway options. The company said the pilot “McD … view
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Wednesday 31st July 2019
YO! results, Rare Restaurants appoints new chairman
YO! reports group adjusted Ebitda up 47% to £12.5m after pivot to multi-brand Japanese food group, momentum continuing in new financial year: YO!, the global multi-brand, multi-channel Japanese food group, has reported total sales from B … view
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Wednesday 31st July 2019
Update: Just Eat, M&B, Easyhotel and Escape Hunt
Just Eat reports sales rose 30% to £465.5m in First Half: Just Eat, the global marketplace for online food delivery, has reported sales rose 30% to £465.5m in the six months to 30 June 2019. Profit before tax was down 98% to £0.8m (H1 … view
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Wednesday 31st July 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Greggs to trial opening until 9pm, sees growth opportunities around drive-thrus and travel hubs: Food-to-go retailer Greggs is to trial longer opening hours until 9pm at a “number of shops” that will include a new hot food offer, as i … view
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Tuesday 30th July 2019
Update: Bill's reports 8% like-for-likes, Greggs chalks up 10.5% like-for-likes
Bill’s reports like-for-likes up 8% in first half of 2019, makes two key promotions: Bill’s Restaurants, owned by Richard Caring, has reported continued growth, with like-for-like sales up 8% in the first half of 2019. The company sai … view
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Tuesday 30th July 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Propel launches ground-breaking Operations Directors’ Conference: Propel has launched the Operations Directors’ Conference in which some of the sector’s leading operators will share expertise, ideas and insights into all areas of op … view
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Monday 29th July 2019
Just Eat and Takeaway.com reveal terms for possible merger
Just Eat and Takeaway.com reveal terms for possible merger: The board of Just Eat and the management board of Takeaway.com have reached an agreement in principle on the key terms of a possible all-share combination of Just Eat and Takeawa … view
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Monday 29th July 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
McDonald’s UK expands trial of extended breakfast hours, delivery now accounting for more than 10% of sales at sites offering service: McDonald’s UK is expanding its trial of extended opening hours for breakfast while delivery now acc … view
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Saturday 27th July 2019
Sky News – Just Eat in £9bn merger talks with Takeaway.com
Sky News – Just Eat in £9bn merger talks with Takeaway.com: Just Eat, the market place for online food delivery, is in talks about a £9bn merger with Dutch-headquartered rival Takeaway.com. Discussions about a deal have been taking place f … view
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Friday 26th July 2019
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 6.5% in second quarter helped by ‘continued UK growth’
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 6.5% in second quarter helped by ‘continued UK growth’: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-like sales rose 6.5% in its second quarter to 30 June 2019, helped by continued growth in the UK. Chie … view
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Friday 26th July 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Time to talk about mental health, it’s not Kricket, and is prevention better than cure?
Authors: Jamie Campbell, Glynn Davis and Paul Chase

Time to talk about mental health by Jamie Cam … view

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Friday 26th July 2019
Update: Starbucks results, Patisserie Valerie creditors pick new administrator to pursue legal claims
Starbucks reports global like-for-likes up 6% in third quarter, raises full-year outlook: Starbucks has reported global like-for-like sales increased 6% in the 13 weeks to 30 June 2019 and has raised its full-year financial outlook. The l … view
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Friday 26th July 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
NewRiver sees ‘significant’ acquisition opportunities arising from Stonegate’s takeover of Ei Group: NewRiver chief financial officer Mark Davies has told Propel he believes Stonegate’s acquisition of Ei Group could generate “s … view
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Thursday 25th July 2019
Update: Fuller’s, NewRiver and Diageo
Fuller’s ready to capitalise on growth opportunities after £250m brewery sale: Fuller’s has reported it is ready to ‘capitalise on attractive and profitable growth opportunities’ after selling its brewery to Asahi for £250m. rev … view
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Thursday 25th July 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Sethi family plans pubs move: Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina Sethi, the family behind JKS Restaurants and London venues such as Gymkhana and Brigadiers, is set to make a move into the pub sector. Propel understands the family plans to take ove … view
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Wednesday 24th July 2019
Taylor St Baristas appoints administrators
Taylor St Baristas appoints administrators: Taylor St Baristas has appointed administrators to support the restructure – and potential sale – of its coffee business, Propel has learned. The business, founded in 2006 by siblings Andrew, Lau … view
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Wednesday 24th July 2019
Update: Orderswift, Marston's, Pret, Starbucks, Chipotle, Comptoir
Orderswift and Stuart expand direct delivery partnership across the UK: Online ordering platform Orderswift and on-demand logistics specialist Stuart have expanded their direct delivery partnership to cover 34 cities and towns around the … view
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Wednesday 24th July 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hop appoints co-managing director as street food concept plans biggest fund-raising round: London-based Vietnamese street food concept Hop has appointed long-time non-executive director Josh Wyse as co-managing director as the company ge … view
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Tuesday 23rd July 2019
Update: Starbucks, Rosa's Thai, Wingstop, Fever-Tree
Starbucks signs deal with Brightloom: Starbucks has announced a deal with Brightloom (formerly eatsa), a San Francisco and Seattle tech company that is working to create a best-in-class end-to-end digital customer experience platform for … view
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Tuesday 23rd July 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
CDG reshapes leadership team, half-year like-for-likes up 3%: Casual Dining Group (CDG) has reshaped its leadership team by appointing three brand directors across Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas, Propel has learned. Following t … view
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Monday 22nd July 2019
Sainsbury’s partners with Deliveroo for pizza delivery trial
Sainsbury’s partners with Deliveroo for pizza delivery trial: Sainsbury’s has become the first major supermarket to partner with Deliveroo, offering its store-baked pizza to customers. The service has launched in five stores – Cambridge, … view
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Monday 22nd July 2019
Crosstown co-founder launches online ordering technology
Crosstown co-founder launches online ordering technology: Crosstown co-founder JP Then has launched on-demand ordering technology Slerp. Following three years of development, Slerp has launched with three foodservice brands based in Londo … view
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Monday 22nd July 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
UberEats plans launch of restaurant accelerator programme in London: UberEats is planning to launch a restaurant accelerator programme in London to cater for unmet demand from customers on its food delivery platform. UberEats is planning … view
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Friday 19th July 2019
Exclusive: former Cote backer takes the lead on Giggling Squid
Exclusive – former Cote backer takes the lead on Giggling Squid: Former Cote backer CBPE is leading the race to acquire Giggling Squid, Propel has learned. The Thai restaurant brand founded by Andy and Pranee Laurillard was placed on the mar … view
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Friday 19th July 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Fill me up, leave room for ordering-in, and busman’s holiday
Authors: Glynn Davis, Sally Whelan and Ann Elliott

Fill me up by Glynn Davis

While walking along Upper Street in no … view
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Friday 19th July 2019
Exclusive: Black Sheep Coffee acquires eight Taylor St Baristas cafes
Exclusive: Black Sheep Coffee acquires eight Taylor St Baristas cafes: London-based independent coffee shop Black Sheep Coffee has acquired eight Taylor St Baristas cafes, Propel has learned. Black Sheep Coffee is understood to have acqui … view
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Friday 19th July 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Byron reports cover growth as it eyes major refurbishment programme: Recent trading at better burger brand Byron has been positive, with the business experiencing cover growth during the past few months, Propel has learned. The posi … view
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Thursday 18th July 2019
Stonegate to absorb Ei Group into existing business following £3bn takeover, Simon Townsend to step down
Stonegate to absorb Ei Group into existing business following £3bn takeover, Simon Townsend to step down: Stonegate Pub Company will absorb Ei Group into its existing business rather than running it as a standalone if its £3bn takeover bid i … view
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Thursday 18th July 2019
Ei Group accepts 285p per share offer from Stonegate Pub Company
Ei Group accepts 285p per share offer from Stonegate Pub Company: The boards of directors of Ei Group (EIG) and Stonegate Pub Company Bidco Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stonegate Pub Company, have reached agreement on the terms a … view
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Thursday 18th July 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Roxy Ball Room appoints advisors as it eyes new growth fund: Roxy Ball Room, the Leeds-based, competitive socialising concept, has appointed advisors to review its options as it looks to secure new investment, Propel has learned. The seve … view
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Wednesday 17th July 2019
Stonegate owner weighs up takeover of Ei Group
Stonegate owner weighs up takeover of Ei Group: TDR Capital, the private equity firm that owns Stonegate Pub Company, is considering an acquisition of Ei Group, reports Bloomberg. A deal could be announced as soon as this week, according to so … view
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Wednesday 17th July 2019
Novus sells three Balls Brothers sites and brand rights to Mosaic Pub and Dining
Novus sells three Balls Brothers sites and brand rights to Mosaic Pub and Dining: London bar and restaurant operator Novus has entered into agreement and exchanged contracts to sell three of its Balls Brothers venues to Mosaic Pub and Dining f … view
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Wednesday 17th July 2019
Businesses and customers join forces to oppose late-night tax in London
Businesses and customers join forces to oppose late-night tax in London: Local businesses, residents and customers in Southwark have joined forces to oppose the introduction of a late-night levy. UKHospitality and local businesses have ga … view
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Wednesday 17th July 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
David Page – we’re securing better deals with landlords by broadening number of sites we negotiate on, Franco Manca like-for-likes up 5%: Fulham Shore chairman David Page has told Propel he is able to secure better deals with landlord … view
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Tuesday 16th July 2019
Franco Manca chairman David Page reports rents dropping as much as 30% on re-let
Franco Manca chairman David Page reports rents dropping as much as 30% on re-let: Franco Manca operator Fulham Shore has reported sales rose 17% to £64m in the year ended 31 March 2019. Profit before tax was £1.4m (2018: loss of £0.1m) … view
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Tuesday 16th July 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Just Eat aims for ‘majority’ of restaurants with three-star hygiene rating or above by end of year as it begins publishing FSA details: Graham Corfield, UK managing director of online food delivery business Just Eat, has told Propel t … view
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Monday 15th July 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Sector like-for-likes up 1.4% in June as restaurants recover but pubs suffer hangover: Sector managed like-for-likes were up 1.4% in June as restaurants recovered but pubs suffered a hangover from last year’s heatwave and football fever … view
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Monday 15th July 2019
Sector like-for-likes up 1.4% in June as restaurants recover but pubs suffer hangover
Sector like-for-likes up 1.4% in June as restaurants recover but pubs suffer hangover: Sector managed like-for-likes were up 1.4% in June as restaurants recovered but pubs suffered a hangover from last year’s heatwave and football fever, acc … view
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Saturday 13th July 2019
Hop Stuff shareholders wiped out after Molson Coors buys assets in pre-pack administration deal
Hop Stuff shareholders wiped out after Molson Coors buys assets in pre-pack administration deal: Hop Stuff Brewery shareholders have been wiped out after the assets were bought by Molson Coors in a pre-pack administration deal. It comes after … view
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Friday 12th July 2019
JW Lees reports record turnover and Ebitda in ‘transformational’ year, managed like-for-likes up 1.9%
JW Lees reports record turnover and Ebitda in ‘transformational’ year, managed like-for-likes up 1.9%: North west brewer and retailer JW Lees has reported turnover increased 10.7% to a record £78,385,739 for the year to 31 March 2019, com … view
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Friday 12th July 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Keeping balance, GRIF takeaways, the food market threat, and time for reform
Authors: Glynn Davis, James Hacon, Elton Mouna and Paul Chase

Keeping balance by Glynn Davis 

Polpo … view
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Friday 12th July 2019
Just Eat buys City Pantry for £16m
Just Eat buys City Pantry for £16m: Just Eat, the market place for takeaway food delivery, has acquired City Pantry for initial cash consideration of £16m. The company stated: “City Pantry, founded by Stuart Sunderland in 2014, is Eur … view
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Friday 12th July 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Homeslice to carry out strategic review: London-based better pizza brand Homeslice has hired advisors as it carries out a strategic review of its business, Propel has learned. The company, which was founded by Mark Wogan, Alan Wogan and R … view
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Thursday 11th July 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Muzinich takes controlling stake in Busaba: Muzinich, the New York-based fixed-income specialist, has acquired a controlling stake in Busaba Eathai, the Thai chain founded by Alan Yau. The US company, which provided the then 14-strong gro … view
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Wednesday 10th July 2019
Fourth merges with US peer Hot Schedules to create ‘global powerhouse’
Fourth merges with US peer Hot Schedules to create ‘global powerhouse’: Fourth, the software provider to the UK hospitality industry, is to merge with US peer Hot Schedules to form the “world’s only provider of end-to-end restaurant an … view
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Wednesday 10th July 2019
Pubs Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Heineken's Star Pubs & Bars business
Pubs Code Adjudicator launches investigation into Heineken's Star Pubs & Bars business: The Pubs Code Adjudicator has launched an investigation into Star Pubs & Bars, part of the Heineken Group. This is the first investigation by the Pubs … view
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Wednesday 10th July 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
London Union looks to Manchester as it gears up for expansion, reports full-year Ebitda boost: London Union, the street food operator led by Jonathan Downey, is set to turn its attention to Manchester as it gears up for expansion. Downey … view
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Tuesday 9th July 2019
Patisserie Valerie to shut 14 sites following estate review
Patisserie Valerie to shut 14 sites following estate review: Patisserie Valerie is to close 14 of its smaller sites following a review of the estate, Propel understands. Owner Causeway Capital is believed to have been carrying out a detai … view
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Tuesday 9th July 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Bridgepoint paid circa £43m for franchisee Caspian when it set up new Burger King UK business: Private equity firm Bridgepoint paid circa £43m to acquire Caspian UK Group, one of the UK’s largest Burger King franchisees with 74 restau … view
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Monday 8th July 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Puttshack boss sees potential for 50 UK and 300 US sites: Joe Vrankin, the new chief executive of indoor mini-golf experience Puttshack, has told Propel there’s potential for up to 50 sites in the UK and 300 in the US. The company is se … view
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Friday 5th July 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Hot to trot, Ted’s talk, keeping millennial staff engaged, and making the tourism sector deal work
Authors: Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott, Robert Darling and Brigid Simmonds

Hot to trot by G … view

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Friday 5th July 2019
CMA intervenes over Amazon’s investment in Deliveroo
CMA intervenes over Amazon’s investment in Deliveroo: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered Amazon and Deliveroo to pause any integration efforts pending an investigation into potential breaches of competition rules. The CM … view
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Friday 5th July 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
MeatLiquor completes fund-raising, average like-for-likes up more than 5%: MeatLiquor, the Scott Collins-led concept, has strengthened its balance sheet with a further fund-raise from existing shareholders, as it reported like-for-like sa … view
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Thursday 4th July 2019
Update: C&C Group, Stonegate Pub Company
C&C Group reports ‘solid start’ to current financial year: C&C Group, the drinks company which manufactures, markets and distributes branded beer, cider, wine, spirits, and soft drinks across the UK and Ireland, has issued a trading u … view
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Thursday 4th July 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Duck and Rice to open two or three more sites in London before Asia roll-out: Ted Kennedy, director of Alan Yau’s Duck and Rice restaurant in Soho, has said the concept will look to open “two or three” more sites in London before ey … view
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Wednesday 3rd July 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hodgson – YO! Sushi no longer having to take unnecessary risks on UK restaurant sites having diversified business model: YO! Sushi chief executive Richard Hodgson has told Propel the company no longer has to take unnecessary risks on re … view
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Wednesday 3rd July 2019
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds to step down
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds to step down: British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds is to step down after ten years in the role. Simmonds is leaving to become chairman of the new Betting and Gaming Cou … view
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Tuesday 2nd July 2019
SSP appoints Richard Lewis as UK and Ireland chief executive
SSP appoints Richard Lewis as UK and Ireland chief executive: SSP Group, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has appointed Richard Lewis as chief executive of SSP UK and Ireland, effective from 1 Septe … view
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Tuesday 2nd July 2019
YO! acquires US sushi kiosk operator SnowFox
YO! acquires US sushi kiosk operator SnowFox: YO! Sushi, the Richard Hodgson-led group, has acquired SnowFox, one of the largest operators and owners of franchised sushi kiosks in the US, creating one of the largest Japanese food companies out … view
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Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Five Guys UK reports £150m turnover
Five Guys UK reports £150m turnover: Five Guys JV, the UK joint venture between Sir Charles Dunstone and Five Guys founders Janie and Jerry Murrell and their three sons, has reported turnover rose by 23% to £149.6m in the year to 28 Dec … view
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Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Supply and demand playing big part in salary levels amid large rises for UK management and leadership roles: Supply and demand is playing a big part in salary levels with large increases seen across senior management and leadership roles … view
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Monday 1st July 2019
Pret chief executive Clive Schlee to retire
Pret A Manger chief executive Clive Schlee to retire: Pret A Manger chief executive Clive Schlee is to retire at the end of September after more than 16 years in the role. Schlee will hand the reins to chief operating officer Pano Christou. Th … view
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Monday 1st July 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Jones – Carluccio’s sales increase coming from covers growth, Fresca gaining traction: Mark Jones, chief executive of Carluccio’s, has told Propel the recent overall increase in sales at the brand has come from covers growth, driven … view
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Monday 1st July 2019
Late-night leisure spend continues to rise but pubs decline as cinemas find favour
Late-night leisure spend continues to rise but pubs decline as cinemas find favour: Late-night leisure spend has continued to rise but the popularity of the pub is declining as cinemas find favour, according to the latest Deltic Night Ind … view
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