Luxury fries brand launched by Dutch Michelin-starred chef set to head to UK: A luxury fries brand launched by a Dutch Michelin-starred chef is set to head to the UK. Sergio Herman launched Frites Atelier in 2016 following the closure of his triple Michelin-starred restaurant, Oud Sluis, in Sluis, in the Netherlands, in 2013. Frites Atelier currently has three sites in Belgium – in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent – and one in the Netherlands, in Roosendaal. The London site is listed as “coming soon” on the company’s website, and it is understood to be in the former Balans Soho No 34 site at 34 Old Compton Street. Samuel Nassimi, commercial property consultant at CDG Leisure, said: “Frites Atelier is coming to London. Born in The Netherlands, Frites Atelier is the brainchild of three-times Michelin star chef Sergio Herman. Frites Atelier focuses on producing the single best gourmet chips in the world and has spent years on end painstakingly perfecting its craft. It is as good as artwork. Frites Atelier will launch in the coming weeks at Soho’s most coveted corner, fronting both Frith Street and Old Compton Street – any restaurateur’s dream. Frites Atelier has since expanded to open further locations and in other countries, and most recently has struck a partnership with world-renowned chef and restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi to become its global partner in rolling out the brand in select cities. Giraudi has brought the international culinary scene brands such as Beefbar Global, Le Petit Beefbar, Rumore, Anahi and Zeffirino 1939, among many others. Frites Atelier London will be the next in line, to be run by him alongside a local partner. This is one to go and check out, if you love chips and a spot of champagne!” Herman is also behind the Le Pristine restaurants in Antwerp, Singapore and Tokyo, plus Le Pristine café and Priveprivee in Antwerp. Casual dining group Balans Soho Society opened Balans No 34 opened in 1987, followed in 1993 by Balans No 60, at 60 Old Compton Street. There are also Balans sites in Westfield Stratford and in Kensington. In August 2020, Running Hare Restaurants acquired five of the seven sites that were operated by Balans Soho Society out of administration.

 

Sponsored message – SetMenu delivers 100% guest satisfaction when pre-ordering: SetMenu delivered 100% guest satisfaction for venues like Côte, Bill’s and Comptoir Libanais during peak season. A spokesperson said: “Group bookings don’t have to mean chaos or compromise. SetMenu helps you capture every order, flag every allergen and prep every plate with confidence. That’s four-plus hours saved per booking, up to 67% reduction in administration, ten times more guest data collected and 100% satisfaction score from guests who pre-ordered. From WhatsApp pre-ordering to booking platform integrations and guest-level data capture, SetMenu is how you take the pressure off your team and give every guest a five-star experience. It’s built for operators, backed by operators.” Tom James, managing director at Bill’s, said: “We have implemented a pre-order system to facilitate two successive years of record Christmas bookings. SetMenu has been consistently excellent in its collaborative approach and ability to adapt to the needs of our business and guests, and we are very proud that the partnership has led to the successful launch of best-in-class solutions.” See SetMenu in action here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

CGA by NIQ’s director Karl Chessell to speak at Propel summer conference and party, open for bookings: Karl Chessell, CGA by NIQ’s director, 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 book 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. Chessell will examine the current eating and drinking out landscape, focusing on the key trends and looking at those businesses in a position to thrive. 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 PubQuiz. 

 

Premium Club subscribers to be sent latest UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database and videos from Multi-Club Conference this week: Premium Club subscribers will be sent the latest UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database and all the videos from the Multi-Club Conference this week. The next UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database will be sent at midday today (Wednesday, 9 July), featuring ten new entries plus updates to existing ones. This brings the total to 360 featured companies and more than 205,000 words of copy. Among the new additions are Hong Kong’s street food brand Mammy Pancake; Spain-based, fast casual business Plant Shack; Taiwanese bubble tea brand Chatime; and BonBird, a fried chicken brand from Dubai multi-brand operator Yolk Brands. Premium Club subscribers will also receive all the videos from the Propel Multi-Club Conference – female leaders and entrepreneurs, on Friday (11 July), at 9am. They include Thomasina Miers, co-founder of Wahaca, who talks about why she is determined to help improve access for all to better food, and businesswoman Vanessa Branson, who reveals how she transformed a near-derelict riad in Marrakech into El Fenn – stretching across 13 interconnected riads, 41 rooms and suites, and a 1,300 square-metre rooftop. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events 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.

 

Yalla Yalla founder launches crowdfunding campaign to support first cookbook: Jad Youssef, founder of Lebanese concept Yalla Yalla and the chef behind the Lebnani restaurant in Reigate in Surrey, is to launch his first cookbook. The book, called Lebnani and featuring 80 authentic family recipes, is set to be released in spring 2026. To bring the cookbook to life, Beirut-born Youssef has launched a crowdfunding campaign via Kickstarter, aiming to raise £11,000. Youssef said: “One of the main reasons I’ve always dreamed of writing this cookbook is to show something simple but powerful – Lebanese food is soulful, generous, and full of heart. It’s the kind of food that brings people together, where a few humble ingredients can turn into something unforgettable. This Kickstarter isn’t just about making a cookbook – it’s an invitation to step into my world to celebrate the flavours I grew up in Beirut with, the stories behind them, and the community that’s helped shape it all. To make this book happen, money is needed for the printing process along with all the garnishes that go along with it. Since the pandemic, printing costs have gone up exponentially and cost of the project is much more than what was expected. Let’s bring this dream to life, together.” Youssef launched Yalla Yalla in London’s Soho in 2009 and it grew to three restaurants before he left in 2016. The business was subsequently acquired out of administration by Comptoir Group for £400,000 and today still operates the Yalla Yalla venue in Winsley Street in the capital. Youssef opened Lebnani in 2022.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a luxury resort/property in St Kitts and Nevis that is seeking a director of landscaping to lead and elevate the property’s grounds and outdoor presentation. A CORErecruitment spokesperson said: “This role will oversee all landscaping operations, including design, maintenance, and team leadership, ensuring the resort’s tropical environment remains pristine and inviting.” The salary is up to $94,500 (£70,000). For more information, email danny@corecruitment.com.

 

Family entertainment business Funstation Group to launch new golf and gaming concept in the West Midlands: Family entertainment business Funstation Group is set to launch a new golf and gaming concept in the West Midlands. The group, which has 14 locations across the UK, has signed for a 23,700 square-foot location to be the new anchor leisure operator at the Merry Hill shopping centre. It will use the location to later this year launch Carnival Golf & Games – a new concept which offers themed courses and a signature blend of immersive video, VR games and breakout escape rooms. It will be the third and final brand to open in the unit previously home to Debenhams, alongside retail brand Harvey Norman and fitness operator XF Gym. James Miller, chief executive at Funstation, said: “Our new Merry Hill venue represents our largest and most ambitious project yet. We’re pulling out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience combining the best of our brands and activities and we are really excited to anchor the leisure offer.”Alistair Winning, asset manager at landlord Sovereign Centros from CBRE, added: “Funstation’s commitment is representative of the transformation Merry Hill has undergone recently and continues to drive ahead with in its 40th year, and is a direct response to evolved consumer desire for increased experiential leisure.” James and Vanessa Miller founded Funstation Group in 2004 and it currently incorporates 14 sites across six brands – Funstation, Laser Station, Volcano Falls Adventure Golf, Breakout Escape Experience, Titanic Desserts and Carnival Golf & Games. The company has also applied to open a Carnival Golf & Games site in High Wycombe’s Eden Centre. JLL, Time Retail Partners and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill. 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 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.

Knoops CEO – plan to have the first US cluster open within six to nine months, hires Lucy Winzer from Pret: William Gordon-Harris, chief executive of luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops, has said the company plans to have the first cluster of sites in the US and its at-home production facility opened in Utah within six to nine months. Last month, the brand signed a deal to make its US debut in Utah. The business has now secured its first US site, which will open in 9th and 9th – a neighbourhood in Salt Lake City. Last month, Propel exclusively revealed Knoops was set to make its debut in China next year after signing a joint venture agreement to launch in the country. At the same time, the company has hired Lucy Winzer, formerly of Pret A Manger, to help it scale in the UK. Winzer, who spent a year as property director at Aldi, spent almost a decade at Pret over the course of two stints. Most recently she was the brand’s head of estates and development and also spent more than two years at its UK property director. Knoops, which recently secured an ex-Costa site in Cheltenham, has previously said the brand will eventually grow to at least 300 stores in the UK and 3,000 globally in the next decade. Gordon-Harris said: “Four continents in four years is not an easy journey. If we are to fulfil the roll out plans in each of the territories we are working in – the global team and those in each country need to be able to make decisions at pace – this is not as easy as it may sound. Knoops has now signed our first USA store on 9th and 9th in Salt Lake City, with a plan to have the first cluster, and our USA Knoops at-home production facility opened in Utah within six to nine months. We have signed our China joint venture with Haiguihai Group and expect the first flagship China store to open in the first quarter of 2026. The Middle East now has two sites open and a third in construction. The growth plans in the UK are very dynamic. With the signed lease on Cheltenham, we now have 30 UK sites. The arrival of Lucy Winzer in August is a game changer for the ability to scale the UK.”

 

Pret evolves salad offer with new ‘Super Plates’ range as sales increase at three times the rate of sandwiches: Pret A Manger is launching “Super Plates” – a new premium freshly made salad range, which the brand said was aimed at meeting the growing demand for larger, nutrient-rich lunch options. With its salad sales increasing at three times the rate of its growing sandwich category year-on-year, Pret said the new range represent a new category for its menu, marking the biggest evolution to the brand’s salad offering and further enhancing its lunchtime offer. The new “Super Plates” are nearly 60% larger on average than Pret’s current salads. Each plate is made of two or three of “the recommended five a day” and between 36g and 49g of protein for the chicken and salmon options, and up to 18g of fibre for the vegan butternut mezze plate. They will be available from today (Wednesday, 9 July) at more than 250 Pret shops. Takeaway prices begin at £9.95 and vary by shop location and product. Briony Raven, chief customer and product officer at Pret, said: “With a rise in popularity among Brits for larger, more nutrient dense salads, we carefully crafted our new ‘Super Plates’ category. This new category is a significant step-change in our lunchtime line-up, which we believe will continue the growth we’ve seen in our existing salads range.” The four new dishes are chipotle chicken, miso salmon, butternut mezze and shawarma chicken.

Founder of East London Pub Co to launch Irish pub through new vehicle: Patrick Frawley, founder of East London Pub Co, has confirmed he is to open his first pub under new venture, the West London Pub Co. Propel revealed last month Frawley had paid a premium of £250,000 to secure The Beehive in Crawford Street, Marylebone, for his new vehicle. He said the Beehive will be “reimagined through the lens of Irish warmth, storytelling and style”. The new company said that the venue’s 1,700 square feet of “character-filled space” will “soon be infused with the unmistakable charm that Frawley has become known for”. The company said: “With a legacy of breathing life into historic spaces, Patrick’s vision is both respectful and bold: an elegant Irish pub experience where hospitality, heritage and heart take centre stage. Guests can expect perfect Guinness, fresh oysters, live music and an atmosphere steeped in story – a tribute to both the building’s storied past and Ireland’s great pub tradition.” Frawley said: “We’re creating something timeless – a space that honours its history while bringing a fresh Irish spirit to the neighbourhood. Think old-world charm with a touch of Irish mischief. It’s the kind of place where you come in for one, stay for five, and leave with at least two new friends and a favourite seat.” Renovations are now underway, with opening details to be announced in the coming weeks. Paul Tallentyre, of Davis Coffer Lyons acted on the off-market transaction. He said the site attracted significant interest, highlighting the “strong demand for well-located leasehold pubs in Central London”.

 

Buzz Bingo to invest further £25m in UK clubs: Buzz Bingo is to invest a further £25m into its UK clubs, supported by new funding from Barclays. The first refreshed site, at Sheffield Parkway has already reopened and features a reimagined main hall, an all-new players’ lounge and updated bar area. Seven more clubs are planned to receive investment in 2025, including Leeds and Stockport. The investment programme forms a key part of the strategic five-year plan that the 82-strong Buzz Bingo introduced in 2023 to drive sustainable profitable growth. The Sheffield Parkway club achieved a near 200% increase in footfall on launch compared with the previous week and a 131% increase year-on-year. Over the course of the investment programme, Buzz Bingo expects to refurbish more clubs within its estate and introduce a new concept site designed to re-imagine a traditional bingo hall “by blending technology, immersive design and hospitality”, as it sets its sights on creating the “bingo club of the future”. Chief executive Dominic Mansour said: “Our new investment programme will see clubs across our estate being transformed. This is all about modernising bingo for the next generation of players and taking our clubs to the next level to offer an unmatched experience for our players, and we believe our Sheffield Parkway site is now one of the best bingo clubs in the country. By combining cutting-edge technology, more modern interiors and even better food and drink, we’re not just refurbishing our clubs – we’re going to be reimagining what bingo can be in the future.

 

Coqfighter expands delivery network with ten new location launches: Chicken and beer concept Coqfighter has expanded its delivery network with ten new location launches. Coqfighter currently operates five restaurants across London and Brighton but partnered with restaurant and technology platform Growth Kitchen in January to launch 100-plus new delivery locations within 18 months, as it entered an “exciting new phase of growth”. Coqfighter has now grown its delivery footprint to 40-plus locations across the UK, with launches in ten new towns and cities via Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. The new locations are Oxford, Bolton, Brighton, Brentwood, Huddersfield, Leigh On Sea, Swindon, Worthing, Tunbridge Wells and Durrington. Tristan Clough, Troy Sawyer and Deacon Rose launched Coqfighter in 2015 as a pop-up in The Star By Hackney Downs in London. The company’s London sites are in Soho, King’s Cross, Finsbury Park and Croydon, while its Brighton site is in Shelter Hall, which was acquired by Market Halls from Sessions earlier this year.

 

David Lloyd owner close to finalising £2bn ‘sale’: The private equity backers of David Lloyd Leisure are close to finalising a £2bn deal that will see it continue as the company's long-term owner. Sky News reported that TDR Capital, which has owned David Lloyd Leisure since 2013, is putting the finishing touches to a continuation vehicle that effectively transfers ownership of the group from one of its funds to another entity that has many of the same investors. Banking sources said TDR has lined up a string of major new investors to help fund the £800m of equity commitments required to finance the deal. The remaining £1.2bn will be in the form of David Lloyd Leisure’s existing debt rolling over to the continuation vehicle. David Lloyd Leisure is one of Europe’s biggest health and fitness operators, with 134 clubs and more than 11,500 employees. Under TDR’s ownership, David Lloyd Leisure has expanded its site numbers by 50%, including opening 30 venues in mainland Europe, and it currently has more than 800,000 members. Insiders have said the ownership transfer would allow new and existing investors to benefit from future growth and offers investors in the TDR fund in which David Lloyd Leisure is currently held the opportunity to realise their investment. In the year to 31 December 2023, David Lloyd Leisure reported a 13.1% increase in turnover from £557,092,000 in 2022 to £630,086,000. The company’s pre-tax profit of £15,702,000 turned into a loss of £17,451,000. In May 2024, the company said it would spend £500m opening 15 new clubs over the next three to four years and open 50 new spa resorts over the next six years. It also said in January that it would be adding workspaces in its upmarket clubs in response to a rise in demand for different ways of working. The company has a strong pipeline of new clubs both in the UK and Europe, with 30 new openings planned in the coming years, and proposals to open more than 200 padel courts across its sites

 

Whitbread to open £200m hub by Premier Inn in London’s The Strand: Whitbread is to open a new hub by Premier Inn in London’s The Strand. Work has started on the 693-bedroom hotel, which will be one of the largest budget hotels in the capital when it opens. Whitbread acquired the development site in August 2022 as part of its strategy to grow its presence in the London market. The £200m development, including land and construction costs, will comprise a 13-storey, 16,000 square-metre hotel, which is targeted to open in autumn 2028 and create around 150 jobs. The first part of the work involves demolishing the remaining sections of the former office that once occupied the site at 5 The Strand, rebuilding to ground level and constructing the hotel’s 14-storey core. Hester King, project and programme manager for Whitbread, said: “Breaking ground at 5 Strand is a major milestone for Whitbread and a defining moment in the evolution of our hub by Premier Inn brand, which began its journey a decade ago in St Martins Lane in Covent Garden. This flagship development demonstrates our ability to secure, design and deliver high-quality hotels in London’s most complex and sought-after locations and Whitbread’s long-term commitment to growing its affordable hotel brands in the capital, where branded budget hotels are in short supply.” In line with the company’s sustainability programme, Force for Good, the hub by Premier Inn at 5 The Strand is being designed to run solely on electricity generated from renewable sources. Whitbread currently operates nine Premier Inn and hub by Premier Inn hotels in the borough of Westminster.

 

Vaulkhard Group financial director set to open second site for his kebab concept: Vaulkhard Group financial director Craig Bell is set to open a second site for his kebab concept, Sqew. Bell, who has been in charge of the finances for north east leisure firm Vaulkhard Group since February 2023, founded Sqaw in 2019 with former plumbing and heating engineer Mitch Renshaw. Sqew is now set to add to its debut site, which launched at 7 Duncan Street in Leeds in 2021, with a second location, in Manchester. The site will open later this summer in the former Rola Wala site at 75 Deansgate. The new Sqew will feature an all-day shawarma bar concept, with seating, takeaway and delivery, and a menu rooted in Lebanese flavours with a modern twist. Renshaw said: “We're thrilled to announce our move over the Pennines. We’ve been searching for the perfect site since 2023, and when we came across 75 Deansgate, we jumped at it. We have a few surprises up our sleeves for Manchester and can’t wait to reveal more.” Bell was also previously financial director for Ultimate Leisure Group, Ladhar Group, Red’s True Barbecue and Apartment Group and was chief executive of The Naked Deli.

 

Cinema operator PDJ Management to open new £2m Wolverhampton venue this week: Cinema operator PDJ Management is set to open its new £2m Wolverhampton venue on Friday (11 July). The company is launching Lockworks Cinema in the grade II-listed Chubb Buildings, in the city’s Fryer Street. PDJ Management has converted the 8,000 square-foot Wolverhampton Council-owned space from an outdated two-screen venue to a modern four-screen facility. Last year, PDJ Management took over the running of the former Empire cinema in Walthamstow High Street in London. The company also operates cinemas in Worthing, Lytham, King’s Lynn and Sutton Coldfield.

Big Easy reports profit boost as turnover increases to record £26.8m: Big Easy, the London barbecue concept, has reported turnover increased to a record £26,800,000 for the year ending 28 July 2024 compared with £18,566,312 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was up to £976,655 from £43,618 the year before. In his report accompanying the accounts, founder Paul Corrett said: “The group’s site Ebitda, before head office costs, is reported at £4.1m. Food and beverage and associated costs amounted to 28.5% of turnover (2023: 31.6%), and net staff costs amounted to 29.1% of turnover (2023: 31.4%), which resulted in a gross profit margin of 42.4% (2023: 37%). The directors expect to report another successful year for the year to July 2025. The group continues to look at opportunities when they arise and future new openings will be considered based on market conditions.” Big Easy operates four sites in London and one at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent and employs circa 400 staff.

 

Ayrshire operator acquires historic restaurant from Costley & Costley for fifth site: Ayrshire operator Brian Daly has acquired an historic restaurant in the region for his fifth site. Daly – who also owns Abbotsford Hotel, Bridges Bar, Wellingtons Bar and Brig Bar, all in Ayr – is the new owner of Souter’s Inn, the south Ayrshire village of Kirkoswald, just outside Turnberry. He acquired the site from Ayrshire hotel group Costley & Costley, which now just operates Lochgreen House Hotel and Highgrove House Hotel, both near Troon. Jonathan Clough, of Smith & Clough Business Associates, who handled the sale, said: “Souter's Inn was home to the old schoolhouse that Robert Burns attended in 1772. The sale comprised this substantial and spectacular village inn, all under a thatched roof, which can accommodate approximately 140 customers, an ice cream parlour/cafe/retail space, as well as a separate ice cream production unit and bakery.” The value of the deal was not disclosed, but when marketed last year, the seller was seeking offers in excess of £995,000 for the freehold, reports The Herald. Daly, who grew up in Ayr, set up Southern Ayr, the venture through which he operates his portfolio, on returning to Scotland after many years working in insurance in the US.

 

Adam Handling to begin new chapter for Ugly Butterfly today: Chef Adam Handling will begin the new chapter for his Cornish restaurant, Ugly Butterfly, today (Wednesday, 9 July). The restaurant has moved from its previous location in St Ives to five-star hotel The Headland, in Newquay. “Ugly Butterfly 2.0” will seat 42 covers inside, 24 on the terrace and 26 in the bar and offer a wine list of more than 250 bins, plus a Champagne trolley. Guests can “build their own journey through the south west’s larder” with four dishes in each section, plus the option to start with Porthilly oysters. Highlights include bluefin tuna with preserved truffles and elderflower; signature lobster wagyu using St Ives lobsters; and Texel cross lamb with tandoori cauliflower, nasturtium’ and freshly baked tarte tatin. Outside, a terrace menu will focus on chilled and raw seafood, and there will also a fish and chip meal deal with Champagne and dessert. Furthermore, there will be an afternoon tea served in four courses, with highlights including a hot-smoked fish tart, a hazelnut and salted caramel bun and origin coffee cake. Handling – who operates the Michelin-starred restaurant, Frog, in London – said: “With our Ugly Butterfly family coming back fighting and our elevated menu offering, we’ll be gunning for a Michelin star at Ugly Butterfly 2.0 and there’s no better place for us to be when shooting for it.” Handling also operates The Tartan Fox pub, located between Newquay and Truro in Cornwall, which he opened last summer. Earlier this year, he also opened a Central London boutique chocolate shop. The Adam Handling Chocolate Shop, in Covent Garden, just around the corner from Frog.

 

Northern Ireland pizza concept opens fourth site: Northern Ireland pizza concept Orto Pizza has opened its fourth site following a £1.2m investment. Orto Pizza is a joint venture between Ashley French, managing director of eight-strong Belfast bakery French Village, and Paul Catterson, a director of the Nova restaurant in the city. Orto Pizza has opened at 648 Antrim Road in Belfast, with the 3,000 square-foot site seating 80 diners and creating 30 jobs. The concept first opened in Stranmillis in March 2022 and has since expanded into the Cathedral Quarter and Bedford Street areas of Belfast. The business has also invested in its in-house production with the construction of a purpose-built facility in Moneyreagh. Set to open later this summer, the new production centre will feature the business’ artisan bakery, Fera, which will be open to the public and continue to serve as the supplier to all Orto Pizza locations. French said: “It is an exciting time for us at Orto Pizza as we see the concept continue to grow. We have ambitious plans for the future.” Catterson added: “Our new production and bakery site in Moneyreagh will both enhance our production capabilities and ensure the consistency of our products across all Orto Pizza locations.” Catterson is also behind Tribal Burger in Belfast’s Botanic Avenue.

 

Pachamama Group to convert restaurant in London’s Shoreditch to Mediterranean concept with Greek influence: Restaurant operator Pachamama Group is converting its site in London’s Shoreditch to a new concept. Pachamama East will follow the path taken by the group’s other restaurants – Zephyr, Bottarga and Nina – in focusing on Mediterranean food. Pachamama East in Great Eastern Street will close next month and is set to reopen as a Mediterranean restaurant with a Greek influence. The name of the new concept has not yet been decided. The group told Hot Dinners: “This marks the end of a defining chapter for us, one that has been shaped by bold Peruvian flavours, unforgettable moments and a deep sense of community. But as with any great story, evolution is key. We’re stepping away from the Peruvian identity and immersing ourselves in the richness of Mediterranean culture, cuisine and energy.”

 

Hotel management company acquires Bournemouth property out of administration: Hotel management company Switch Hospitality has acquired the Queens Hotel & Spa in Bournemouth out of administration for an undisclosed sum. The deal will help to secure the long-term future of the hotel and its 68 employees, after it fell into administration in March 2024. The hotel comprises 109 en-suite rooms and suites, with facilities including an indoor swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, garden, and on-site restaurant and bar. The site is also an events venue, with indoor and outdoor spaces catering for up to 200 guests. Switch Hospitality currently manages a number of hospitality sites across the Midlands, including the Park Regis Birmingham, aparthotel Birmingham and luxury serviced apartments at St Martin's Place in the city. Under its new ownership, Queens Hotel & Spa is set to undergo short and long-term redevelopment projects to reposition the hotel in line with Switch Hospitality’s management portfolio, with a focus on enhancing the hotel’s weddings and corporate events proposition. John Angus, managing director of Switch Hospitality, said: “As our first hotel acquisition, Queens Hotel & Spa represents an important investment for the business as we continue to expand and diversify our service offering, with a focus on prime locations across the UK. Marking a fresh chapter in the hotel’s history, we're proud to build a positive future for the property and its employees.”

 

Dorchester Collection launches new open air terrace restaurant at Berkshire hotel: The Dorchester Collection, which operates three London hotels – including The Dorchester – and several abroad, has launched a new open air terrace restaurant at its Coworth Park site in Ascot, Berkshire. Located on the upper terrace of the Mansion House, Tide features a menu curated by executive chef Adam Smith, showcasing the finest British produce and herbs from Coworth Park’s own kitchen garden. Signature dishes include grilled scallops with buttermilk and hot sauce; native lobster paccheri with black truffle and aged parmesan; and a Panzanella salad with Isle of Wight tomatoes and grilled prawns. The drinks menu features vintage rosé, botanical cocktails and fresh non-alcoholic serves. “Tide is all about capturing a moment in time, the height of the British summer,” said Smith. “It’s a chance to celebrate the season’s finest ingredients, cooked simply and enjoyed in one of the most beautiful spots on the estate.” The Dorchester Collection also owns two hotels each in Paris and Los Angeles and one each in Milan and Rome, and leases Coworth Park as well as 45 Park Lane in London. The group also had two commercial properties in the US and had a hotel management services division.

 

Crust Bros opens site in London’s Covent Garden: London pizza concept Crust Bros has opened its flagship site in Covent Garden. 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 has now opened, joining Crust Bros’ other locations in West Brompton and Waterloo. New side dishes include ragu lasagna bomba donuts, while among the pizza options are “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 is also a cocktail menu including two takes on the classic Italian aperitif of the negroni, while soft drinks include lavender lemonade and kiwi lemon soda and beer is 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. Leo Marmion, of onepoint2, acted on the Bedford Street deal.