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Thu 10th Jul 2025 - Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Story of the Day:Marston’s to open first site for new pub format Woodie’s this month: Marston’s is set to open the first site for its new local family pub format Woodie’s this month. Marston’s will fully refurbish selected existing pubs, transforming them into the new concept. The Skymaster in Warrington, Cheshire, will be the first pub rebranded as a Woodie’s, reopening at the end of July. Propel revealed in October last year that Marston’s had trademarked the name Woodie’s for one of five formats being introduced to support its strategy of creating a “pure-play hospitality business wholly focused on running and operating pubs”. New family-focused spaces will be created in each redesigned pub, including Woodie’s Den, “a magical woodland-themed area where kids can let their imaginations run wild”, with games, craft activities and special events such as discos, karaoke and quizzes. The spaces will be fitted with Marston’s exclusive event system, which will also allow streaming through built-in TVs. The pubs will also be home to the Woodie’s Sweet Factory, a self-serve confectionery bar for children to top their desserts using a token system. Alongside this, Woodie’s will continue to offer a full food offering. To best understand families’ needs, Marston’s reviewed research on why parents have left restaurants early, with insights revealing that parents critiqued slow service, expensive children’s menus, a lack of healthy options and entertainment for kids, and unaccommodating staff. Ed Hancock, chief development officer at Marston’s, said: “We’re proud to introduce Woodie’s, our new local family pub format, which understands families’ needs better than anyone else. Woodie’s is all about making pub visits easy and enjoyable for everyone – where kids can be kids and adults can genuinely unwind.” Woodie’s is the latest new format introduced by Marston’s building on the recent launch of Grandstand – its new locals sport pub format – featuring big screens and special offers. In May, chief executive Justin Platt, said the company’s new formats are producing “really strong results” with 33% revenue improvement in converted sites. The company’s format-led strategy is intended to create a more balanced and guest-centric pub portfolio through the development of five distinct propositions.
Industry News:Sponsored message – fintech hospitality platform Panda now backed by early investors supporting the high street: Panda is the first platform of its kind to combine full-service hospitality technology with embedded credit – built to give independent pubs, cafés and restaurants the digital and financial tools they need to thrive. A spokesperson said: “Our all-in-one system integrates marketing, discovery, digital menus, ordering, payments and a customer credit feature that drives higher spend, repeat visits and improved merchant cash flow – with no cost to the venue. At a time when more than 50 hospitality sites are closing every week, Panda is designed to deliver real commercial value from day one. We are now raising on Crowdcube and welcoming every supporter who believes in the future of local hospitality. SEIS/EIS eligible, Panda is not just a technology company – we are building a community of venues, partners and investors united by a clear purpose: to protect jobs, revive the high street and unlock new financial tools for independent operators.” To view the fundraise, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.
AlixPartners MD Graeme Smith to speak at Propel summer conference and party, open for bookings: Graeme Smith, managing director at AlixPartners, 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. Smith will give his thoughts on the current sector investment landscape and reveals those companies that have topped the inaugural AlixPartners/Propel Growth Tracker. 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 receive videos from Propel Multi-Club Conference tomorrow, updated Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Monday: Premium Club subscribers will be sent all the videos from the Propel Multi-Club Conference – female leaders and entrepreneurs, tomorrow (Friday, 11 July), at 9am. They include a panel featuring Christobell Giles, managing director of Vagabond Wines, Joycelyn Neve, managing director of Seafood Pub Company, Marta Pogroszewska, managing director of Gail’s Bakery and Suzie Welch, managing director of Odeon, discussing the joys of running a business and why it’s a brilliant role for women to set as an aspiration. Meanwhile, Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Monday (14 July), at noon. The database will feature 46 updated accounts and 13 new companies, taking the total to 1,138. A total of 721 companies are making a profit while 417 are making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor 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. BBPA – more than one pub set to close every single day in 2025: More than one pub is set to close every single day in 2025 across Britain, resulting in excess of 5,600 direct job losses, according to latest figures from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). The industry body estimated that 378 pubs will close this year across England, Wales, and Scotland this year – up on the 350 in 2024. The figures are based on information from the Valuation Office Agency and Scottish Assessors Roll about closures in the first six months of 2025. The BBPA said “it is not too late” for government to reverse the trend by swiftly reforming business rates for the sector, which is among the most highly taxed industries in the UK. The trade association said reducing the cumulative tax and regulatory burden would help more pubs stay open, leading to more investment and jobs while also protecting spaces that, for many communities, are the only places left to gather. Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Pubs are trading well but most of the money that goes into the till goes straight back out in bills and taxes. For many it’s impossible to make a profit, which all too often leads to pubs turning off the lights for the last time. We’re calling on government to proceed with meaningful business rates reform, mitigate these eye-watering new employment and extended producer responsibility costs, and cut beer duty.” For every three pounds spent in a pub, one pound goes straight to the tax office, the BBPA stressed.
Hospitality hit by 8.7% decline in wet-led venue sales: Overall hospitality sales were down 2.6% in June compared to the same period last year, the latest data from labour management company S4labour has revealed. There was a significant 8.7% drop in sales for wet-led sites, although last year’s figures included the Euro 2024 football tournament, while food-led venues edged up by 0.2% year-on-year. London saw a 6% increase overall but venues outside of the capital reported a 5.3% decline.
Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a hospitality design consultancy firm based in Dubai that is looking for a senior interior designer. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will be responsible for overseeing the design and supervision of interior spaces, collaborating closely with clients to understand their vision and requirements. This role involves developing innovative design concepts, managing project timelines and budgets, and leading a team of project designers while co-ordinating with project stakeholders. The individual will have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in interior design or any similar related field.” The salary is from £4,000 to £5,000 per month tax-free. For more information, email sameer@corecuritment.com.
Company News:Market Halls reports record venue sales and Ebitda, ‘actively pursuing expansion opportunities via new builds and purchasing existing food halls’: Market Halls, the London food market hall operator, has reported record venue sales and Ebitda for the year to 30 June 2024 and said it is “actively pursuing expansion opportunities via new builds and purchasing existing food halls”. The company reported revenue of £14,262,555 for the year, up from £11,908,292 in 2023. Pre-tax profit grew from £225,438 in 2023 to £1,170,558. Adjusted venue Ebitda, in a year in which the company operated three sites, was £3.8m, up from £2.5 in 2023, while adjusted Ebitda grew to £2.3m from £1.2m. The company said the increase in profitability drove an £0.8m increase in net assets, which were £1.7m at 30 June 2024. Post year end, Market Halls opened its fourth site, in Paddington, and acquired Shelter Hall in Brighton from Sessions. No dividends were paid (2023: nil). Market Hallsdirector Katherine Rose said: “Despite all the group’s food halls achieving their highest sales and Ebitda, the group remains susceptible to the adverse effects of the increased cost of living. The group regularly reviews its pricing strategies to ensure that food and beverage remains affordable and appealing, even when consumers have reduced disposable income. The offerings in the food halls have been expanded to include live music, DJs and events, enhancing the guest experience at no additional cost to them. The group has also faced rising operational costs, including utilities and wages. The group collaborates closely with suppliers to find ways to maintain margins while delivering exceptional experiences and value to our guests. The group is also actively pursuing expansion opportunities via new builds and purchasing existing food halls.” Also post year end, in July 2024, the group repaid in full a shareholder loan that totalled £308,160 at year end, and entered into a £3.5m loan agreement with Harwood Private Capital. The loan was drawn down the following month and is repayable after five years. A remaining £1.2m shareholder loan was repaid in full in November 2024.
Founders of Neapolitan pizza concept Santa Maria planning to launch new experience-led venture: Pasquale Chionchio and Angelo Ambrosio, founders of Neapolitan pizza concept Santa Maria, are planning to launch a new experience-led concept, Propel has learned. The duo told Propel: “For 2025, our plan is to refurbish our branch in Ealing, west London, throughout August, and focus on our next project, which is to launch a new concept, which will be not solely food based. This project will be an experience-led concept, so keep an eye out for more on this later in the year. We’ve seen a shift in revenue and consumer behaviour, and as a result, we’re focusing on creating compelling reasons to encourage customers to leave the sofa and enjoy the full experience in our restaurants. Nowadays, making a great pizza and having brilliant service is not enough. We need to offer more, and we are working on it!” Chionchio and Ambrosio said the business has remained resilient in 2025 “given one of the most difficult economic periods in the last 40 years”. They added: “While the year hasn’t been without its hurdles, we’ve focused on staying strong and adapting where needed. It might not have been a record-breaking year, but we’re proud to still be standing and looking ahead.” Earlier this year, Santa Maria secured new shareholders and Chionchio and Ambrosio said they are looking for new sites for its eponymous concept, as well as the planned experience-led venture inside and outside London. As well as Ealing, Santa Maria operates sites in Fitzrovia, Fulham, Islington, Kew and Paddington in the capital. 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.
JD Wetherspoon puts six pubs on market: JD Wetherspoon has put six of its pubs on the market. The properties comprise a mix of three freeholds/virtual freeholds and three leasehold units. They are being considered for sale either individually, in small packages or as a portfolio. Savills and CBRE have been appointed to sell the pubs. The three freeholds/virtual freehold pubs are: Water Gate, Barnstaple, Devon, guide price of £500,000; Baxter’s Court, Hackney, east London, guide price of £2,000,000; and Kentish Drovers, Peckham, south east London, guide price of £1,000,000. The leasehold sites, which are all offers invited, are Babington Arms, Derby; Grey Friar, Preston; and William Jameson, Sunderland. Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon does, on occasion, put some of its pubs up for sale. This is a commercial decision by the company. The pubs will continue to operate as Wetherspoon outlets until they are sold.” Paul Breen, director at Savills, said: “These substantial and well invested pubs are likely to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers.” Toby Hall, senior director at CBRE, added: “The pubs are all in long established and proven trading locations making them ideal for both existing pub operators and new entrants.”
Oxfordshire social enterprise, craft brewery and bakery with former Punch Taverns CEO as investor launches crowdfunding campaign: Oxfordshire social enterprise, craft brewery and bakery Tap Social, which has former Punch Taverns chief executive Giles Thorley as an investor, has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The company, which looks to providing meaningful employment for prison-leavers to reduce reoffending rates, aims to use the funds to roll out new venues, grow its staff, scale its brewery, upgrade its bakery and support national supermarket expansion. The campaign, on Crowdcube, has so far raised more than £480,000 and the company has a pre-money valuation of £13,387,500. Tap Social currently has five sites, with sales of £2.5m and Ebitda of £27,000 in 2024, and has been profitable in four of the last five years. The company said it has created 100,000 employment hours and that 30% of its team have experienced prison, with a 0% one-year reoffending rate. An update from the Tap Social team stated: “We’re thrilled to open our Crowdcube campaign to the public and are blown away by the amazing support we’ve already received. Thanks so much to everyone who has already invested, and for all the interest in joining our movement to help turn lives around, reduce reoffending and take our growth to new heights.” As well as being an investor, Thorley is an informal advisor to the business.
London-based South American street food concept set to open five more sites this year: London-based South American street food concept Assenheims56 is set to open five more sites this year. The company, which was originally founded in 1989 and is now owned by Matthew Ashley, secured a “prime central location” in May for what will be its tenth site. Assenheims56 has partnered with franchise consultants Presman & Colard for its growth plans, which include spreading across the UK and long-term international expansion. Charlie Mander, group chief operating officer at Presman & Colard, said: “What a year it’s been for Assenheims! In the last 12 months, we’ve opened two thriving franchise locations as well as two new corporate sites, with three more franchisees about to join – and we’re just getting started. With five new sites projected to open this year, 2025 is shaping up to be Assenheims’biggest year yet. The appetite for the bold, flavour-packed concept keeps growing – and so does our incredible community of franchise partners.”
Azzurri Group lines up first leisure park site for Dave’s Hot Chicken: Azzurri Group – the ASK Italian, Coco di Mama, Boojum and Zizzi owner – has lined up a first leisure park site for US brand Dave’s Hot Chicken, Propel has learned. Azzurri Group is set to convert its ASK Italian site in Stevenage Leisure Park to the US brand, with an opening scheduled for October. Last month, Azzurri Group confirmed it will open the next two sites for Dave’s Hot Chicken, in Birmingham and Manchester, as it kicks off national expansion plans for the brand. Propel revealed last July that the US brand had signed a franchise agreement with Azzurri Group to open 60 locations across the UK and Ireland. The Steve Holmes-led Azzurri Group opened in the former Fratelli La Bufala site in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue for the UK debut of Dave’s Hot Chicken last December. Propel revealed in May that Azzurri Group was set to convert its ASK Italian in Birmingham’s New Street for the second Dave’s Hot Chicken in the UK and follow that with an opening in Manchester’s The Printworks scheme. The 102-cover Birmingham restaurant will open this month, with the 139-cover Manchester venue launching in August. The opening in London marked the 250th location for Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Harts Group looks to expand Mexican restaurant concept El Pastor to Manchester: Harts Group – the London restaurant company that owns Barrafina, Quo Vadis, Casa Pastor and Parrillan – is looking to expand its Mexican restaurant concept El Pastor to Manchester, Propel has learned. Harts Group has appointed Stärka to acquire a “high profile” site in Manchester city centre between 2,500 and 4,000 square feet. Stärka co-founder David Bell said: “El Pastor is without doubt one of the most authentic and exciting Mexican restaurants in the UK. Drawing crowds far and wide, the tacos are next level, tortillas on point and, of course, the tequila is an absolute must! The food and beverage market in Manchester is on fire, and here at Stärka, we love nothing else than bringing the very best dining experiences to the city.” El Pastor operates four sites in the capital – in Soho, London Bridge, King’s Cross and Battersea.
Company behind The Cube secures third UK site and debut overseas location: The Mellors Group, which created The Cube experience in partnership with Objective Media Group, has secured a third UK site for the competitive socialising concept along with its debut overseas location. The Mellors Group, which also operates Fantasy Island in Skegness and Skegness Pier, opened the original site for The Cube, which also features mini golf experience Putters, in Manchester ‘s Arndale centre in 2022. Last year, The Mellors Group opened a second site in London’s Canary Wharf, as well as applying to open in Birmingham’s Wharfside Street and revealing plans for an international launch. In its accounts for the year to 30 September 2024, the company said initial results at the Canary Wharf venue had been strong, although the related investment and development costs had partially impacted on the group’s results for the year. “Further expansion of the competitive socialising venues business, which trades under the brand ‘Urban Playground’, is well underway,” director Edward Mellor said. “A third UK site has been secured in a prominent UK city centre, and expected to open in FY26. The group also plans to expand its competitive socialising venues business internationally, all of which will diversify the group's activities, and is expected to deliver future growth and continued success. The first US site has been obtained, with a planned FY26 opening.” Turnover for the year grew from £4,096,000 in 2023 to £4,640,000. Pre-tax profit dropped from £2,638,000 in 2023 to £2,214,000. No dividends were paid (2023: nil). Mellor added: “The robust trading performance continued, with the group successfully delivering its leisure offering in the markets and geographies in which it operates, all of which continued to yield satisfactory profit levels. As with many businesses in the UK and globally, the group has had to continue to withstand tough macroeconomic conditions. Despite these challenges, the board have been pleased with the group’s performance. The board believes the group’s financial position is strong and looks forward to reporting continuing profitability in the years ahead.”
Center Parcs eyeing further English locations with focus on the south east, aiming to open first Scottish site in 2029: Center Parcs chief executive William McKinlay has said the group is eyeing further English locations, with a focus on the south east, and is aiming to open its first Scottish site in 2029. Center Parcs currently has six villages across the UK and Ireland – Whinefell Forst in Cumbria, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Elvedon Forest in Suffolk, Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire and Longford Forest in Ireland – and earlier this year unveiled plans for a first Scottish site, near Hawick. Planning permission for the site, which will cost between £350m-£400m and feature 700 lodges and a spa, was submitted this week. Speaking to the Scottish Sun, McKinlay said: “We’re hoping for a determination of that planning application by the end of the calendar year. I would be very hopeful to be able to open in spring or summer of 2029 – which means that we would aim to go on sale probably nine months prior to that. I wouldn't rule out other Cener Parcs in other locations in the UK. I believe there are opportunities beyond that [Scotland], probably elsewhere in England – possibly in the south east.” The Scottish site is likely to have between ten and 14 different restaurant and bars alongside activities such as Action Challenge, TAG Challenge Arena, Crazi Bugz off road explorers and laser quest. McKinlay said a number of new initiatives are being rolled out across its UK sites too, from premium restaurants to new leisure activities such as a forest gliding experience.
EG Group hires new CFO: EG Group has hired Mark Segal as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately. Reporting to new chief executive Russ Colaco, who replaced EG Group co-founder Mohsin Issa in April, Segal will be based in the US, the group’s largest market by revenue. Segal has some 35 years of global financial and operational experience in leading public and private companies in North America. He joins from Spin Master, a Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) listed global children’s entertainment business operating in more than 100 countries. Segal spent two periods with Spin Master, as executive vice-president and chief financial officer, and was a key part of the team that successfully undertook an initial public offering of the business on the TSX in 2015. Prior to Spin Master, Segal was vice-president finance and chief financial officer for Husky Injection Moulding Systems, a private equity-owned global manufacturer of injection moulding machinery and equipment, and chief operating officer for premium clothes manufacturer Canada Goose. Colaco said: “We have clear plans in place for growing the EG business and I look forward to working with Mark to deliver on them.” Segal added: “I look forward to working with Russ and the team to capture the significant growth opportunities EG is targeting.”
Professionals at Play opens Scottish debut site for King Pins: Professionals at Play – the Foresight-backed, parent company of the Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room, King Pins and Star Pins concepts – has opened its latest King Pins location, in Glasgow. King Pins has made its Scottish debut, at the Silverburn shopping centre. Guests can enjoy ten-pin bowling, duck pin bowling, tech darts, American pool, shuffleboard, ice-free curling and arcade games. The 21,000 square-foot site also has a bar and onsite restaurant. James Travis, brand manager at King Pins, said: “We’re excited to finally open in Glasgow. The city has an incredible energy, and we’re looking forward to becoming part of the Silverburn community.” A further King Pins is due to open in Leeds’ White Rose shopping centre in August, while a Belfast launch is also planned. Founded by Matt and Ben Jones in 2013, the group, which rebranded as Professionals at Play last year, has since grown to 11 Roxy Ball Rooms, eight Roxy Lanes, three King Pins and one Star Pins site. In January, Professionals at Play told Propel it plans to open at least six new venues across its brands in 2025 to deliver more than £50m of revenue and further Ebitda growth.
Red’s True Barbecue co-founder reopens Leeds independent Japanese restaurant: Leeds independent Japanese restaurant Fuji Hiro has reopened at the city’s Merrion Centre following its closure at the beginning of the year. The restaurant has relaunched under new management with a fresh look, a refined menu and a renewed focus. Fuji Hiro originally opened in 1997, but in early 2025, its owners announced it was closing. Now, Leeds-born entrepreneur James Douglas, co-founder of restaurant brand Red’s True Barbecue, has acquired the lease for the restaurant and has worked with members of the original kitchen team to revive its culinary heritage. Douglas said: “We’re excited to bring Fuji Hiro back to life. This relaunch is all about honouring Fuji Hiro’s legacy while welcoming a new generation of diners to discover what’s made it so special for so many years.” Red’s True Barbecue, now owned by Tokyo Industries, has sites in Bradford, Huddersfield and Hull with Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog. Red’s True Barbecue’s locations in Leeds and Nottingham closed in 2023, having previously shuttered sites in Liverpool, Manchester and London.
Cuppa Chai lining up debut Scottish site: Cuppa Chai is lining up its first Scottish site and will open it by early next year before expanding further into the country. Cuppa Chai has had a presence in Karachu, Pakistan, since 1966, and came to the UK in 2022, opening a flagship location in Wimbledon, south west London. The company also has UK sites in Wallington High Street and Bromley High Street in the capital and Fallowfield in Manchester. Last month, the business opened its first travel hub location – at South Western Railway’s Vauxhall station in south London. “Scotland is a huge milestone for us – we're thrilled to bring the Cuppa Chaii experience to a new market with such strong cultural links to the South Asian diaspora,” Dawood Bush, franchisor of Cuppa Chaii, told whichfranchise. Bush added that several more Scottish locations are in the pipeline, across Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Yorkshire Mexican restaurant concept expands to Bradford: Yorkshire Mexican restaurant concept Mexi Bean Express has expanded to Bradford. The concept, founded by Danielle Best as a MexiBean restaurant in 2020 before developing into a Mexi Bean Express takeaway concept the following year, has opened within the city’s Darley Street Market. The site joins the business’ other sites in Wakefield, Halifax, Brighouse and Huddersfield. “Mexi Bean Express is at Darley Street Market and we're loving it!” Best said. “Our Mexi Bean Express takeaway concept is scalable and our business model ensures repeated success across different locations and spaces.” In May, Best told Propel Mexi Bean Express would launch its first franchise sites this year as it eyes a UK-wide presence before expanding globally. “All the current locations are company-owned, and we have more in the pipeline, but at the same time, we have kicked off the process of opening the first franchise units and will launch them later this year,” she said. “Our growth plan includes launching 11-plus franchises across the UK in the next 12 months, venturing into international franchising in the next two years and having a global presence in five years. We’re looking at expanding across all UK regions, but Yorkshire will always be special – it’s where Mexi Bean started and it’s my home.”
Independent bakery and café Cotton opens first Midlands site: Independent bakery and café Cotton has opened its first site in the Midlands. The company has launched at Goods Yard, Capital&Centric’s canalside development in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Cotton already operates two sites in Manchester – in the Halle St Peters building in Ancoats and at Neptune Mill in Chapeltown Street in the city centre – and is also set to open in the newly completed town centre development in Farnworth Green, Bolton. Founder Chris Griffith said: “We’ve poured a lot of love into creating Cotton – it’s a space that's all about quality, comfort and community. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee on the go or sticking around for a slice of cake and a chat, we want it to feel like a proper little haven in the heart of Stoke.”
Liverpool hotel operator opens second site in former headquarters of RMS Titanic owners: Liverpool hotel operator Chris Carline has opened his second site – in the former headquarters of RMS Titanic owner White Star Line. Carline and business partner Brian Gamble have reopened Albion House in Liverpool’s James Street as the White Star Line Hotel. The grade II-listed site was last open as the 30 James Street Hotel but closed in February. Carline, the grandson of legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly, is also a director of Liverpool’s Shankly Hotel, which is a tribute to the ex-manager. That hotel and 30 James Street were both caught up in the collapse of the Signature Living hotels parent business in 2020 and were both placed into administration. Carline owns the Shankly name and brand and is a current director of The Shankly Hotel, which is no longer associated with Signature Living, reports Insider Media. Carline said: “As proud Liverpudlians, we are obsessed with restoring Albion House to the level of grandeur she deserves. Rebranding as The White Star Line Hotel, our goal is to resurrect White Star as a hospitality brand – a romantic vision, driven by our deep connection to this building and the city.” Originally constructed between 1896 and 1898 for the White Star Line, Albion House became Signature Living’s 30 James Street hotel in 2014. In June 2020, the site was reopened under the management of Legacy Hotels, and in June 2023 a German hotel company, RIMC Hotels & Resorts, acquired the hotel out of administration. The building closed in February 2025 amidst reports of staff not being paid on time. Its initial phased reopening will see the launch of a rooftop bar called The Quarter Deck and a grand hall, before a gradual expansion will see all rooms and the lower ground spa brought back into full operation.
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