Emeny – our pubs in the City have been the strongest part of our business, we have firepower to go out and look at acquisitions: Simon Emeny, chief executive at Fuller’s, has told Propel that the group’s pubs in the City of London have been the strongest part of the company in the first six months of its financial year, and that the business now had the firepower to go out and look at acquisitions. The business reported sales were up 12% year-on-year to £188.8m in the 26 weeks to 30 September, with like-for-like sales in its City pubs, which contribute nearly a quarter of group revenues, up by 16.3%. Emeny said: “I’ve always said we’re playing the long game here (in the City). This is a set of results where that’s come to fruition. Our business has done very well in the first six months, but this has been the strongest part. What we’re seeing is that Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays have never been stronger, but the important change is two things. Firstly, wev’e got very strong year-on-year growth on Fridays, albeit not back at 2019 levels, and maybe it will never come back to those levels. But the other big change in the City is that due to increasing domestic and international tourism and all these wonderful events taking place in London, it’s becoming very much a seven-day week operation. So, the majority of our sites, not all of them, are open seven days a week in the City. What you’re seeing on the weekends in the cities is that footfall is very high. The City’s carefully and slowly reinventing itself. People are back in offices more, but there are also more domestic and international business in the City at the weekends now.” Emeny said the business now has “the firepower to go out and look at acquisitions.” He said: “The best returns that we will get is investment in the existing estate. So, this year we’ll actually enhance our investment in the second half of the year. There’ll be a lot of refurbishments, then there’ll be a lot of work in the next financial year. We put the dividend up, we’ve announced another share buyback, but after all of that, it now leaves us with the borrowing capacity for further acquisitions, which will be good to see. I’m not sure that the environment that has been created in 2023 has been conducive to people putting capital at risk. Because we’ve got the highest interest costs that we’ve seen in the last 50 years, we’ve had significant increased inflation, massive uncertainty over business rates, political change, and I’m not sure that that creates an environment where people think it is a really good time to sort of bet the house on this. We’ll see how the market evolves in 2024, but irrespective of that, it means that Fuller’s is in a strong place to take advantage of those opportunities when they’re there.” Fuller’s acquires freehold investment of Islington pub – see Company News.

 

Next Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage to feature 83 updated entries and 34 new companies, released tomorrow: The next Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage will feature 83 updated entries and 34 new companies when it is released to Premium subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 17 November), at midday. This month’s edition includes 784 companies and more than 211,000 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. Meanwhile, for the first time, Propel group editor Mark Wingett has chosen the best videos from the Propel conferences in 2023, picking out a selection of talks and interviews that resonated with delegates from across the breadth of the hospitality sector. The 12 videos will be made available to Propel’s Premium subscribers at 9am on Friday, 24 November. Premium subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, which is produced in association with Virgate; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the New Openings Database; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription. Premium subscribers are also being given exclusive access to the recording and slides to Propel Multi-Club Conferences. They also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before; regular video content and regular exclusive columns from Mark Wingett.

Rates rise ‘threatens future of town and city centres’: A coalition of leading hospitality, retail and leisure organisations have warned that businesses, jobs and the future of high streets are at risk unless the government freezes the business rates multiplier and extends existing relief for a further year. UKHospitality, British Retail Consortium, Association of Convenience Stores, British Independent Retail Association and Ukactive have written to chancellor Jeremy Hunt, urging him to take action at next week’s autumn statement. The sectors combine to pay more than £10bn in business rates a year. The inflation-linked increase to the business rates multiplier will cost retail businesses £480m and hospitality businesses £234m. An end to current relief will cost hospitality £630m and retail £750m. A recent survey of UKHospitality members showed 66% of businesses would reduce investment, 61% would raise prices and 41% would reduce opening hours if rates relief was removed. The joint letter warns of the ramifications of such dramatic increases in business rates. It said: “An inflationary increase in the business rates multiplier and removal of reliefs would be disastrous for our sectors. It will mean business failures, job losses and boarded up properties in our high streets, denying people their livelihoods and their social pleasures.” UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls added: “Freezing rates and extending relief will be a lifeline for a sector that simply cannot absorb any more costs. Inaction will leave hospitality businesses with no choice but to put up prices, open less or, in the worst-case scenario, shut their doors for good. Pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels, to name a few, act as pillars of their communities and they want to continue in that central role, as well as driving economic growth and providing countless jobs. Action on business rates at the autumn statement is critical to that.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a premium restaurant group that is looking for an operations director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This group is highly regarded in the industry, boasting a diverse range of fresh food concepts under one cohesive umbrella. The business places a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional customer service and a high-quality product. It is deeply committed to preserving the heritage of its business and continuously strive for improvement, with a relentless focus on customer satisfaction. The company is in a constant state of evolution, making it ideal for a candidate with a track record of implementing business changes to stay ahead of market trends, as the organisation has ambitious growth plans. In the long term, the operations director will be responsible for enhancing quality and consistency, increasing productivity, expanding the customer base and driving profitability across all facets of the business. With new concepts on the horizon and multiple revenue streams in the business plan, this role offers a dynamic and challenging environment.” The salary is up to £100,000 and the position is based in Brighton. For more information, email kate@corecruitment.com.

 

Pret opens debut Spanish site, plans to open 70 in Spain and Portugal in next decade: Pret A Manger, in partnership with the Ibersol Group, has opened its first site in Spain as part of plans to open 70 sites there and Portugal in the next decade. The new site has opened at the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona airport. Pret arrives in Barcelona with a 160-cover shop located in the arrivals area of Terminal 2B, which will be operated directly by the travel division of Ibersol Group. Pret has a strategic ambition to expand the brand across Europe, and the stores opening in the Iberian Peninsula will be in major cities and strategic commercial hubs, such as airports and railway stations. Dr Alberto Teixeira, president of the Ibersol Group, said: “We are pleased to announce the first opening in our country of Pret. This is a great milestone for the company, with which we begin the brand’s development plan in the Iberian Peninsula, with the aim of opening 70 establishments in Spain and Portugal in the next decade, and positioning it as one of the great benchmarks and with the greatest growth projection in the sector.” Pano Christou, chief executive of Pret, added: “Pret’s growth around Europe is well underway, and we’re delighted to be bringing our freshly made food and organic coffee to even more people across the region. Opening our first Pret in Spain is another huge moment for Pret, and something I’ve been personally excited for. Ibersol is the perfect partner to help us introduce the Pret experience to people in Barcelona first, then across Spain and Portugal.” Pret currently has more than 660 stores in 15 markets, with key European markets including the UK, Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and Italy.

 

KFC to open ten new sites over next three months: KFC UK & Ireland is to open ten new sites over the next three months, as part of its wider plan to open up to 500 new restaurants around the country over the long term. The Sun reported the latest round of openings will target Moto service stations on motorways around the country, stretching up to Northumberland in the north and down to Kent in the south. Five new stores will open before the end of this year, while the remaining five will open early in the new year. The new restaurants planned to open in the next few months are: Birch East, Hilton Park North, Lancaster North, Thurrock and Medway in December, plus Grantham, Southwaite North (Carlisle), Chieveley, Washington South and Frankley North in the new year. KFC, which operates circa 1,000 sites in the UK, is also targeting two new drive-thru restaurants in Reading, a high street store in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, an outlet at Stansted airport and drive-thru restaurants in Stratford-Upon-Avon and Stroud. It is also hoping to open drive-thru stores on a number of A roads including on the A3 at Cobham, the A64 near Tadcaster and on the A421 between Milton Keynes and Bedford. A spokesperson for KFC said: “We strive to reach as many of our loyal fans as possible, which is why we’re so excited to confirm these five new restaurants opening this year – as well as five more in the new year. We can’t wait to get settled in these local areas and bring many new jobs to those communities too.” KFC features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium subscribers last Friday (10 November). Its turnover of £292,915,000 in the year to 26 December 2021 is the 34th highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

State of Play Hospitality to open Flight Club in Philadelphia: State of Play Hospitality is to open its seventh site in the US under the Flight Club concept next summer, in Philadelphia. The new 7,000 square-foot venue will be located in the original Philadelphia Stock Exchange building at 1417 Walnut Street. Toby Harris, chief executive of State of Play Hospitality, which is Flight Club’s franchise partner in the US, said: “As we continue to expand Flight Club into new cities across North America, we are thrilled to announce our next destination will be Philadelphia. Marking our seventh US location, and our 12th venue overall as a group, we’re excited that Flight Club Philadelphia will soon become part of the city’s rich entertainment history.” Propel revealed last month that Flight Club, the darts concept owned by Red Engine, has lined up an opening in Liverpool. It has selected Liverpool ONE’s Chavasse Park for its latest UK location and first venue in the city. It is taking over the former Boujee restaurant at Kenyon Steps within the scheme, which closed last summer, for an opening in the autumn of 2024. 

 

Popeyes UK lines up next tranche of openings, including ex-Wendy’s site: Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, the US fried chicken quick-service restaurant brand, has lined up its next tranche of openings in the UK, including on a former Wendy’s site. The business is set to open in Ilford, in the High Street site that Wendy’s previously occupied until it closed earlier this year. At the same time, the Tom Crowley-led business has openings lined up in Exeter, Lewisham, Doncaster and Bishop Auckland. Launched in 2021 in the UK, Popeyes UK has expanded to 35 sites and said it has “double that number in the pipeline already”. Earlier this year, the brand secured £50m of funding from private equity firm TDR Capital to accelerate its growth plan. Popeyes said it has served more than nine million customers in just under two years since its launch in the UK. It said its latest store opening in Scotland is one of the busiest ever globally, “breaking all UK records”, and having served more than 20,000 customers in its opening week. Earlier this week, Propel revealed that Popeyes UK had appointed Matt Hudson, formerly of Wagamama and Travelodge, as its first people director.

 

Shepherd Neame takes on former Stonegate pub as it closes in on 300-strong estate: Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has taken on a former Stonegate pub in Herne Bay. The freehold property, located at 17 Central Parade, takes Shepherd Neame’s estate to 296 pubs and hotels across Kent, London and the south east. The Ship Inn is thought to be the oldest building in Herne Bay, with parts dating back to 1385, and was once a renowned smugglers’ haunt. Its large terrace offers extensive sea views. The pub will continue to be run by current licensees Alan and Michele Clarke, who already have another Shepherd Neame pub, the Chestfield Barn in Whitstable. The husband-and-wife team took on The Ship Inn in April. Alan said: “Things have been going really well at the Chestfield Barn, so Michele and I had begun looking for another opportunity to expand into a second site. We have introduced the elements of our offer which have proved popular at the Chestfield Barn, including creating a delicious new menu of traditional pub classics and light bites. We know Shepherd Neame’s team well and are confident that we can work together to fulfil our ambitions for the pub.” Jonathon Swaine, Shepherd Neame’s managing director pubs, added: “We are delighted to expand our tenanted estate with the acquisition of this characterful pub. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Alan and Michele and supporting them in their efforts to ensure the pub goes from strength to strength.”

 

The Halal Guys ‘particularly excited’ about UK market as it launches second site here: US street food brand The Halal Guys has said it is “particularly excited” about the UK market as it opens its second site here. It has opened at 6 High Road in Wood Green, north London – as revealed by Propel 18 months ago – which the business said is one of “several planned locations throughout Europe”. The Halal Guys, which has more than 100 sites globally, launched in the UK in March 2019, with master franchisee ITICO F+B opening a debut site in London’s Leicester Square. A second site opened in Earl’s Court six months later, but the following summer, its Leicester Square site closed and was placed on the market. It is now back up to two sites. “The Halal Guys started in the US as a hot dog cart feeding the masses of business people and travellers in Manhattan, and now we’ve expanded to more than 100 locations across the US, Canada, Asia and Europe,” said chief executive Ahmed Abouelenein. “The growth we are seeing all over is incredible, but we are particularly excited about the UK market and the big plans for expansion we have in the coming years.” The new location will feature the brand’s signature menu of authentic American Halal dishes, including platters and sandwiches filled with a choice of falafel, chicken or beef gyro, plus baklava or baklava cheesecake for dessert. Founded in 1990 by Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed, The Halal Guys is now franchising worldwide via a new fast casual/quick service restaurant format.

Tortilla adds Edinburgh and Norwich to openings pipeline: Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has added sites in Edinburgh and Norwich to its openings pipeline. The Richard Morris-led business will open its second restaurant in Edinburgh next Thursday (23 November), in the city’s Forrest Road. It already operates a site in the city’s St James Quarter. It has also lined up an opening on the former Greggs site in 18 White Lion Street, Norwich. Last week, Propel reported that Tortilla is to open a site at Manchester’s Arndale scheme. It has agreed a deal for a 1,737 square-foot unit on a ten-year lease. Last month, Tortilla said it expected to open a further three sites in the second half of its current financial year, taking the total to eight new sites in the year. On the new Edinburgh site, Morris said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our second restaurant in Edinburgh. We’ve got a fantastic location and a passionate team who embody the values of our friendly local brand.”

 

Caprice Holdings appoints Samantha Lampard as new head of people: Caprice Holdings, the Richard Caring-backed, high-end restaurant business, has appointed Samantha Lampard as its new head of people. Lampard joins Caprice Holdings after nearly four years as people director at Busaba, the Thai chain founded by Alan Yau. She previously held an interim role at the Royal Society and spent more than seven years at civil engineering firm Mott McDonald, including two years as its senior HR advisor. Last month, Propel reported that Caprice Holdings had swung back into a profit for the first time since the pandemic last year. Sales rebounded by 71% to £74.4m (2 January 2022: £43m) for the Scott’s and Sexy Fish operator over the 52 weeks to the start of January this year, as restrictions on hospitality businesses were lifted. Adjusted Ebitda for the period stood at £12.3m (2 January 2022: minus £600,000). The group generated a pre-tax profit of £1.2m last year, an improvement on a loss of £3.9m the year before but still much lower than the £19.1m reported before the pandemic. Revenue last year was helped by the opening of two new restaurants, Scott’s Richmond and Bacchanalia. 

 

Roxy Leisure plans second Manchester opening for King Pins concept: Roxy Leisure is planning to open a second site in Manchester for its King Pins family bowling concept. The operator of the Roxy Lanes and Roxy Ball Room concepts opened its debut site under the King Pins concept in Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo this summer, offering 15 lanes of ten pin bowling and four lanes of duck pin bowling alongside shuffleboard, ice free curling, a batting cage, karaoke and arcade games. Propel understands it is now planning to open a further site in the city, in the Arndale scheme. It recently secured a site in the Silverburn scheme in Glasgow for the fledgling concept. Prices for ten pin bowling start at £8 per adult and £6 per child, with duck pin bowling from £6 per adult and £4 per child. Prices for the karaoke, batting cage and ice-free curling begin at £16, and shuffleboard from £8 per 30 minutes. In April, Roxy Leisure managing director Matt Jones told Propel the company had another four King Pins sites in major cities and shopping centres in legals and would target six sites within the next two years.

 

Meal kit platform Dishpatch closes crowdfunding campaign after raising almost £1.6m: Dishpatch, the finish-at-home meal kit platform, has closed its campaign on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube after raising almost £1.6m to support its growth plans. The business – which is used by restaurants run by chefs including Angela Hartnett and Michel Roux Jr, and has just begun working with Rick Stein – had been initially aiming to raise £1.4m. Dishpatch was offering 8.85% equity in return for the investment, giving a pre-money valuation of £15,223,140. The campaign has now closed with a total of £1,586,132 raised from 348 investors. Dishpatch has delivered in excess of 230,000 meals, with more than 75% outside of London. With this additional support, Dishpatch said it will be able to expand its offering to its existing customer database and expand to reach a new audience, as well as growing the business throughout the UK, and in turn, internationally. It will also allow significant investment into marketing, new partners and support the expansion of its annual membership programme. Existing investors, including LocalGlobe and Stride, have committed to further investment in Dishpatch as part of this fundraising round. The business generated revenue of £3.8m, with Ebitda of minus £3.5m, for the 12 months to August 2023. Gross profit increased from minus 11% in August 2022 to plus 24% in August 2023.

 

New world buffet brand set to launch in Coventry, further five sites planned in 2024: A new world buffet brand is set to launch soon in Coventry, with a further five sites planned for 2024. Umami World Kitchen is set to open later this month in the Corporation Street unit that was previously home to Cosmo – also a world buffet brand – that has been closed since 2018. Umami will operate from eight food theatres, where chefs cook and serve diners’ food in front of them. It will also serve a wide range of cocktails, mocktails and bottomless soft drinks, reports Coventry Live. Diners, who will pay one price for the all-you-can-eat buffet, will be able to choose from a range of 100 different cross-cultural cuisines including Chinese, Italian, Indian and Malaysian. A spokesman for Umami said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce the creation of a completely new casual dining brand that will launch just in time for the all-important Christmas period. Although the last three years have been extraordinarily difficult for everyone in hospitality, we feel that the tide is turning within the pan-Asian dining scene and hope that Coventry will embrace our new offering. Our investment in Coventry shows how committed we are to the city and our many years of experience means that customers can expect extremely high-quality cuisine, served by well-trained staff, delivered in a luxurious environment. Although Umami is an entirely new concept, we think Cosmo customers, families and students in particular will love our offering, because nowhere offers such a wide range of dishes for all tastes and ages.” Cosmo operates 24 sites across the UK. Earlier this year, another world buffet concept, Panda Mami, opened in a former Cosmo site in Nottingham that had shut seven months earlier. It came after Cosmo last year launched its smaller-scale restaurant concept, Little Cosmo, with a venue in Newcastle.

 

Danieli Group to bring pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar concept to Sunderland: North east operator Danieli Group has unveiled plans to bring its pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar concept The Muddler to Sunderland. The company has signed for a site in Keel Square, on the ground floor of the new Holiday Inn, and will join neighbouring venues – New World Trading Company’s The Botanist brand and Keel Tavern. Originally launched in Newcastle’s Grey Street, The Muddler serves a range of Eastern inspired small and large plates, as well as a selection of sushi dishes. Neill Winch, chief executive at Danieli Group, said: “We’re really excited to be launching The Mudder in Sunderland, a place we know well having spent the last few years establishing our Stack leisure complex in Seaburn, a venue that has proven to be phenomenally popular. The city centre in Sunderland is going through an amazing transformation, with more venues opening their doors to welcome people by day and night. We are at the heart of a regenerating part of the city centre that is becoming an established place of work and play. It’s brilliant to join an increasingly exciting line-up of venues that are each bringing their unique offer to the city.” Bradley Law acted on the deal.

 

Pachamama Group set to open in former Whiteley’s building for fifth site: Restaurant operator Pachamama Group is set to open a restaurant in the former Whiteley’s building in London’s Bayswater. The group – which also operates Pachamama, Pachamama East, Chicama and Zephyr – will open Effie within the development at 149 Queensway. The large-scale restaurant will take over two floors of the corner of the building on Queensway and Porchester Gardens, including a private dining space. The menu will be inspired by the Aegean coast, with an emphasis on feasting dishes, modern mezze and chargrilled meats and fish, reports Hot Dinners. It will join the UK’s first Six Senses hotel and spa, an Everyman cinema, a new branch of Guillam Coffee House and luxury apartments in the building.

 

Black Rock Restaurants to relocate The Coal Shed site in Brighton to larger venue, plans new concept in former home: Black Rock Restaurants is to relocate the Brighton site of its steak restaurant concept, The Coal Shed, to larger premises in the city. Razak Helalat is moving the restaurant from Boyce’s Street to a 142-cover site in North Street in the spring, with a new concept in the works for The Coal Shed’s current home. Having first opened in 2011, the move will see Helalat kickstart a new chapter for The Coal Shed. The space will feature a grand main dining room, located in a historical orangery, with high, glass ceilings, as well as three private dining spaces that cater up to 60 guests. An open fire kitchen will put the coal-grilling theatrics at the heart of the dining experience, with an ageing room for meat and a bar area situated on entry to the restaurant. The food offering at North Street will continue to champion the art of cooking over flames, with coal-roasted rare breed heritage meat and south coast seafood taking centre stage of a refreshed and expanded à la carte menu. Helalat said: “We’ve always envisioned moving The Coal Shed into a bigger location and now, as we edge closer to our 13th year at Boyce’s Street, it feels like the right time. The move is all about offering customers the full dining experience that I have always dreamed of, with the new site allowing for a bar area, a more intimate experience with your host, and more seating. Needless to say, we’ll continue serving our favourite dishes with the same warm hospitality to customers right up until the move in spring, but are really excited about this new era for The Coal Shed.” The group also owns The Salt Room, Burnt Orange and Tutto in Brighton, along with a second The Coal Shed restaurant in London.

 

Former AMT Coffee MD launches mystery shopper platform: Matt Cundrick, former managing director of AMT Coffee – which operates sites in transport hubs and hospitals across the UK – has launched a new “expert led” mystery shopper platform. OpsView360.com has “flipped the idea of mystery shoppers with limited experience on its head” and instead sends in experienced operators to provide “deep and meaningful insights”. It will then work closely with the businesses to build clear action plans, deliver change and provide further support to drive performance. “After 20 years in senior retail and food and beverage roles, I realised the desperate need for this product in the market,” Cundrick told Propel. “After years of becoming frustrated with poor levels of service from mystery shopping providers that focus on one transaction and a small and strict set of questions, giving a very short black and white answers, I wanted to bring something new. My team and I come with more than 200 years’ experience in operations, and with that, a deeper understanding of what is going on under the skin of a business when we visit outlets.” A former Greggs area manager, Cundrick also held senior hospitality roles within BHS and M&S, as well as heading up the food-to-go operations at McColl’s Retail Group. Having also worked as a consultant for Buckinghamshire coffee house chain Out of Office Coffee, he spent just over a year at AMT Coffee, first as operations director, and then as managing director.

 

Liverpool multi-site operator closes restaurant due to inflationary headwinds and utility bill rises: Liverpool multi-site operator Red & Blue Restaurants has closed one of its five sites due to inflationary headwinds and utility bill rises. The business opened French bistro Bouchon on the corner of Castle Street and Lord Street in July 2021. However, the venue has issued a statement on X to confirm it has shut after just over two years of trading. It said: “We’ve unfortunately had to take the difficult decision to close Bouchon…despite it being a great little restaurant the headwinds of inflation and the robber barons at the utility companies has made it financially unsustainable. Fortunately, we’ve been able to offer all our colleagues jobs in our other sites in Liverpool, we’ll be in touch with everyone who has a reservation and try and move to our other restaurants, anyone who has paid a deposit who we can’t accommodate will get a full refund. Finally, thank you to everyone who has dined and supported us over the last two years.” Red & Blue Restaurants also operate Hanover Street Social, Salthouse Bacaro, Salt House Tapas and Libby’s in the city.

 

Leeds-based craft beer brewery Amity Brew Co seeks new investment: Leeds-based craft beer brewery Amity Brew Co is seeking new investment as it gears up for “the next chapter in our craft beer journey” and looks to open a second bar. Launched during the pandemic by Verity Clarke, Russ Clare and Richard Degnan, Amity Brew Co is a 2,500 square-foot brewery and bar with outdoor paved beer garden situated at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley. On the search for new investment, the company said: “As we continue to brew unique and delicious craft beer, we’re now actively seeking to open a second site and expand our footprint. To make this dream a reality, we’re looking to connect with potential investors who want to be a part of our incredible journey. Why invest in Amity Brew Co? Our Sunnybank Mills location has been a hit, and we’ve had a profitable three years, plus our craft beer has gained a dedicated following. We currently can’t keep up with demand and have untapped markets that we’re eager to tap into. Our commitment to quality and innovation has won us several prestigious awards, and we have big plans for even more creative brews.” 

 

Ex-Megans head chef opens Aegean restaurant in London’s Chelsea: Sercan Ugurlu, who was previously a head chef at Megan’s, the fast-growing cafe and deli concept, has opened a restaurant in London’s Chelsea. Ugurlu has teamed up with Iskren Slavkov to launch Sonya at 571 Kings Road. The taverna-style venue offers a “fresh take on Aegean cuisine and dining” with a “refreshing” blend of Greek and Turkish food, all cooked on an open fire. Dishes include smoked and grilled octopus with harissa feta, ezme and pomegranate; and the beyti sarma – Wagyu beef wrapped in a “lavash” leavened bread topped with scotch bonnet sauce, burnt butter and garlic yoghurt. The weekend features an immersive dining experience with “Bodrum Sundays”, where family-style joints of lamb, steak and whole turbot, cooked on the open fire, will be available to share while diners are entertained by singers. Ugurlu said: “We are thrilled to bring the essence of the Aegean to the heart of Chelsea at Sonya. Our aim is to create a haven where guests can experience the vibrant flavours of the Aegean – a largely untouched cuisine in the London restaurant scene.” Slavkov added: “It’s our first restaurant, and so we wanted to ensure that we could deliver the perfect experience in our new home. After a couple of weeks of practicing on our friends and family, we are ready to introduce Sonya to the people of Chelsea.”

 

Fuller’s acquires freehold investment of Islington pub: Fuller’s has acquired the freehold investment of The Crown in Islington, north London. Fuller’s has been running the pub on the corner of Cloudesley Road and Cloudesley Square for many years and has now bought the freehold from the Cloudesley Charity. Peter Turner, property director of Fuller’s, said: “It’s a great pub and we look forward to continuing to be part of the Islington community.” Delyth Richards, chair of the Cloudesley Charity, added: “We are delighted to have sold The Crown public house to our long-standing tenants, Fuller’s. This will help preserve this fantastic community pub, which is an important amenity at the heart of the historic Cloudesley Estate. The grant-making charity, Cloudesley, previously owned The Crown as a property asset. We sold it to realise more funds to distribute as much-needed grants across Islington.” Fleurets acted on the deal.

 

Interim examiner appointed to Irish restaurant businesses: The High Court has appointed an interim examiner to several related companies that operate a number of restaurants in Limerick and Cork. The application for the protection of the courts was made in relation to firms behind the Cornstore Restaurants in Cork and Limerick. The applicants also operate the Coqbull restaurants in Limerick, Castletroy and Cork, reports The Irish Times. The application to appoint an examiner was made after the group’s main creditors appointed receivers after its demand for payment of approximately €26.74m of the related companies debts was not made. The companies seeking the appointment of an examiner are Keep it Real Holdings DAC, Rosewalk, Coal Quay Restaurants, Winstore Restaurants, Burgerchick Cork, Burgerchick Limerick and Burgerchick Casteltroy. The court heard the companies had been controlled by husband-and-wife Patrick and Linda Frawley. Joesph Walsh, of JW Accountants, was appointed interim examiner to the companies. It is hoped this will lead to arrangements for the businesses, which have been running for many years and have been largely profitable, to survive as going concerns. Counsel said the companies will need additional investment and that there has already been one expression of interest from a potential investor, who has a long track record in the Irish hospitality sector. Ross Gorman, for Marylebone Taverns, which petitioned for the examiner, told the court the source of the difficulties was the performance of other related companies in the group based in the UK. It said the group had entered into an arrangement with a Swedish-based fund to refinance loans it had taken out for purposes including acquiring businesses in the UK. It said the group’s restaurants were badly hit by covid-19, and that its UK companies received less government support than its Irish ones. The group’s Irish businesses have been generally profitable and were trying to service the debt of the related UK restaurants. The matter was adjourned to a date later this month.

 

Tap & Tandoor confirms Portsmouth site plans: Indian gastro-pub operator Tap & Tandoor has confirmed it will open a fourth site next year, in Portsmouth. Propel revealed last week that the business, led by husband-and-wife team Ajay and Shivani Kenth, had lined up the ex-Coast to Coast site in Gunwharf Quays, which closed three years ago, for an opening in January. Tap & Tandoor will be Gunwharf Quays’ first Indian offering, specialising in craft beer, cocktails and home-style curries such as butter chicken and its signature mixed grill, which is a selection of prime cut meat cooked over charcoal. There will also be a variety of freshly made vegetarian and vegan options. The company said there will be a complete refurbishment of the former Coast to Coast restaurant, with the design mixing “the comfort and warmth of a traditional British pub with a touch of Indian heritage”, providing space for up to 150 guests. The new location also boasts a large outdoor terrace with views of the harbour. A Tap & Tandoor spokesperson said: “We can’t wait to bring our unique concept to Gunwharf Quays and provide a new experience for visitors to the designer outlet as well as the local community.” Tap & Tandoor already operates venues in Peterborough, Solihull and Southampton. The latter opened on the former CAU restaurant site in the Westquay scheme in March. David Muslin, of Ecliptic, acted on the Portsmouth deal.

 

Sides to open first two standalone restaurants this weekend: YouTube collective The Sidemen will open its first two standalone restaurants this weekend. It will open its Dalston High Street location in London first, at 11.30am on Saturday (18 November), before launching at the Merry Hill shopping centre, in the West Midlands, later the same day, at 6pm. The group has also added sites in Kent’s Bluewater and Manchester’s Arndale shopping centre to its standalone openings pipeline. It also had locations within Boxpark Wembley and Croydon, Gravity Wandsworth and Market Place Harrow. Founded in 2021, Sides grew initially as a delivery-only brand but intends to expand across the country, with as many as 200 sites over the next decade.

 

Mambow to open first permanent site next week: London-based Malaysian bowls concept Mambow will launch its first permanent site next week. Chef Abby Lee launched the concept in Commercial Street, Shoreditch, in January 2020, before pivoting to an at-home offer during lockdown. It made its return with a unit at the Market Peckham complex in south east London last summer, and will now open its first permanent site, at 78 Lower Clapton Road in Lower Clapton, on Friday, 24 November. Featuring an extended menu of Malaysian dishes with a particular focus on her Peranakan heritage and Nyonya cuisine, the space will have 35 covers, with 20 seats inside and 15 seats on a semi-covered garden terrace, plus an open kitchen. The drinks list will also be more extensive and will include the low-intervention and biodynamic wine that has been synonymous with Mambow since the start. In addition, Mambow will serve a rotating list of house-made cocktails incorporating nostalgic flavours from Lee’s Malaysian roots. “I’m excited to be opening our first permanent site – it feels like the natural next step for Mambow, and I can – t wait to be part of the community in Clapton,” Lee said. “It’s been a lot of fun playing around with the menu in a bigger kitchen and coming up with new dishes. People have been so receptive to everything I’ve had on the menu so far, so it’ll be nice to be able to introduce even more Malaysian flavours to everyone who comes down to visit.”

 

Yotel to launch third London site: Yotel, the London-based budget accommodation chain launched by YO! founder Simon Woodroffe, is set to open a third site in the capital. Opening in May 2024, Yotelpad London Stratford will be the seventh UK property for the business and sees a European debut for its Yotelpad aparthotel brand, which currently had two sites, both in the US. It will offer 62 “pads”, each with multifunctional work and sleep areas, bathroom and kitchenettes, plus access to a grab-and-go snack station and retail space. It will be one of four new openings in 2024 for the company, alongside Yotels in Lake Geneva (Switzerland), Bangkok (Thailand) and Tokyo (Japan). It currently has 22 sites worldwide split among 16 Yotels, five airport based Yotelair sites and two Yotelpads. Once all the new sites are open, it will have 19 Yotels, five Yotelairs and three Yotelpads, for a global portfolio of 26. Its other UK sites are Yotels in City of London, Shoreditch, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester and a Yotelair at Gatwick airport.

 

Michelin-trained chef launches hospitality and catering apprentice academy: Michelin-trained chef Matthew Benson-Smith has launched a hospitality and catering apprentice academy at the Dean Clough Mill complex, in Halifax. Benson-Smith is dedicating his time to training the next generation of aspiring chefs, future managers and craft bakers. Chef Benson-Smith Academy is designed to educate and mentor apprentices working for establishments across the UK. The government registered and approved independent training academy is now operating Level 2 to Level 5 training programmes. Benson-Smith forged his culinary skills during his Michelin training at Ecole Lenotre Paris. He made his mark in Yorkshire through helping convert Hazelwood Castle with his brother John Benson-Smith – an ex-BBC MasterChef judge – before becoming head chef at Rudding Park Hotel. He told The Business Desk: “Certainly, the industry needs some positive injection after a turbulent few years throughout the pandemic and other economic events, and putting skilled and motivated individuals directly into the business is our objective.”

Ayrshire Greek restaurant set to open second site: Ayrshire Greek restaurant Gyros is set to open a second venue. The concept from Tony Kyrcikos, who hails from Cyrpus, is preparing to launch in Irvine’s Rivergate Shopping Centre, adding to its site in Ayr’s Newmarket Street. Gyros specialises in meat wraps made from chicken or pork cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Kyrcikos is aiming to have the new venue up and running by December, reports Ayrshire Live.