Meaningful Vision – hospitality prices are rising at their fastest rate of 2025: Hospitality prices are rising at their fastest rate of 2025, with July and August seeing the highest year-on-year increases, according to analysis by Meaningful Vision. While official Office for National Statistics data for August shows food and beverage prices up 5.1% year on year – implying a 1.8% rise across the first eight months of 2025 – Meaningful Vision’s data, which tracks more than 60,000 of the UK’s top food outlets, highlights sharper increases in certain segments. Fast food prices, for example, rose 7% in August compared with last year, equating to a 2.2% increase since January 2025, versus a 1.6% rise in food retail. Burger concepts have shown the highest growth in pricing, due to the rising cost of beef, while coffee shop pricing also moved up in July, with coffee becoming one of the fastest rising categories in the past two months – a trend that saw beverage prices grow faster than food in July. Maria Vanifatova, chief executive of Meaningful Vision, said the figures underscore how higher prices are becoming the new reality in hospitality. She added: “But chain by chain, the picture differs, and there are two distinct periods of price changes this year – in March, ahead of labour cost increases, and in July, when food costs rose further. We’re now seeing those cost pressures passed on to customers. Fast food is running notably hotter, which is expected, given the higher share of labour costs. Bakeries and pizza outlets have also been affected but have had to limit price increases because of how competitive these sectors are.” Outlet growth also continued to slow. In the 12 months to August 2025, local and international brands opened 1,155 new fast-food outlets, 17% fewer than in the 12 months to August 2024. Chicken remains the fastest-growing segment in percentage terms; however, bakeries and sandwich shops recorded more openings in absolute numbers, led by major brands such as Greggs, Pret and Gail’s. After a weaker June, customer traffic began to rebound in July and August, led by fast food and coffee concepts. Restaurants and pubs, however, continued to see the steepest declines, with visits down almost 8%.

 

Former Ratner’s CEO Gerald Ratner to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Gerald Ratner, former chief executive of jewellery firm Ratner’s, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Ratner, whose business had 2,500 stores during his tenure, described an item it sold for an affordable price as “rubbish” – it cost him his job. He will talk about the mistakes he has made, the role of resilience and overcoming adversity to find success again. The all-day conference takes place on Wednesday, 5 November, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Turnover & Profits Blue Book tomorrow: Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Turnover & Profits Blue Book tomorrow (Friday, 10 October), at noon. The database will feature 17 new companies and 81 updated accounts. The database now features a total of 1,177 companies, with 743 in profit and 434 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 New Openings Database, the Multi-Site 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 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.

 

UKHospitality urges sector to back proposed changes to licensing system: UKHospitality has urged the sector to back proposed changes to the licensing system, arguing that the reforms will modernise the system and encourage growth. The government has launched a call for evidence on the proposed changes, as recommended by the licensing taskforce, which UKHospitality was part of. The government said the reforms seek to streamline outdated processes, improve consistency across local authorities and make systems more effective and efficient. Hospitality businesses are now urged to support the measures and respond to the call for evidence, which closes on Thursday, 6 November, to ensure the measures move ahead to implementation. UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls said: “Moving to a new and improved licensing system that works for modern hospitality businesses is critical. The taskforce resolved to recapture the original intent of the Licensing Act, to encourage growth and meet consumer needs. The measures we’ve put forward, including the national licensing policy framework and licensing condition amnesty, help to achieve that goal. I urge all hospitality businesses to support these measures, to ensure that they are delivered in full.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a UK wine distributor that is seeking a senior brand manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will be responsible fundamentally for driving the strategy, growing the brand awareness and ensuring day-to-day commercial initiatives are managed. This position requires experience in brand management across the drinks fast moving consumer goods sector.” The salary is up to £60,000 and the position is based in a London office. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com

 

Welcome Break planning to invest £400m in business over next five years as it secures agreement to extend lease at eight sites, sees ‘significant potential’ to add to existing estate: Motorway service station operator Welcome Break, which is owned by Applegreen, has said it is planning to invest £400m in its business over the next five years as it secured an agreement with National Highways and the Department for Transport to extend the lease at eight of its sites for a further 75 years. The eight sites are on land owned by National Highways, and the new agreement will see Welcome Break continue to make significant further investments at each of the sites, which currently employ about 2,000 people. The eight sites are: Leicester Forest East, Newport Pagnell and Woodall (M1); Corley and Keele (M6); Birchanger (M11); Warwick (M40) and Membury (M4). Welcome Break chief executive John Diviney said: “With the certainty that this agreement gives us, we can now focus on our plans to enhance the customer experience across these eight locations.” Welcome Break operates 60 service areas and 31 hotels in the UK, employing more than 6,000 people, and is currently embarking on a major capital expenditure programme in the UK. “We plan to invest about £400m in our service area business over the next five years through building new facilities and upgrading our existing locations,” Diviney said. “We’re a long-term investor in the British economy and we see significant potential to add to our existing network, and to also upgrade our existing portfolio on a regular basis. We have a strong pipeline of new motorway and A road sites across Britain, and we are working to progress those.” Earlier this month, the company secured a new £815m refinancing. The all-senior debt package, raised from a syndicate of leading UK and international banks alongside long-term core infrastructure investors, enabled the full repayment of existing group debt and included a £200m undrawn facility to support Welcome Break’s pipeline of growth projects.

 

Thwaites acquires Solihull pub: North west brewer and retailer Daniel Thwaites has acquired The Blue Bell Cider House in Earslwood, Solihull. The traditional English pub, which has a canalside beer garden, will continue to trade as normal following the deal, offering a full range of local craft ale and traditional pub food. The pub, which was once owned by the Bulmers family, was one of the original “cider houses” that fermented its own apples on-site. Thwaites also owns and runs The Bull’s Head in the village, where it invested more than £600,000 earlier this year to create a new bar, restaurant and private dining space. Thwaites chairman Rick Bailey said: “The Blue Bell is a brilliant pub, with a unique cider heritage and a fabulous reputation locally for its honest and hearty food and lovely canalside setting. It’s very popular, and we have no immediate plans to change much, other than to find new and interesting ciders to expand the range even further and cut prices to reward loyal regulars with even better value for money.” With the addition of The Blue Bell Cider House, Thwaites now owns 198 pubs, and an additional 23 hotels, spas and inns.

 

Virgin Active significantly reduces losses as adult membership surpasses pre-covid levels: Virgin Active, the fitness brand established by Sir Richard Branson, has significantly reduced its losses as it saw adult membership surpass pre-covid levels. The company, which operates 224 locations worldwide, reported a pre-tax loss of £78,100,000 for the year ending 31 December 2024, down from £146,700,000 the previous year. Revenue grew 12.7% to £576,300,000 from £511,400,000 during the period. However, turnover remained below the £601,800,000 reported for the year ending 31 December 2019 – the last year prior to the pandemic. Underlying Ebitda climbed to £80,200,000 from £22,000,000 the previous year. Adult membership grew 5% to more than one million, which the group said was above pre-pandemic levels. In the UK, the group had 31 clubs at year end (2023: 32 clubs). Revenue increased 11% year on year to £133,400,000 on a continuing club portfolio basis (2023: £120,800,000). Membership across all UK clubs open at the end of December 2024 was 5% higher than the previous year. The business also continued investing in its club estate, including Chiswick Riverside in south west London. Elsewhere, turnover in Africa (131 clubs) grew to £211,000,000 (2023: £185,700,000), revenue in Italy (40 clubs) increased to £151,000,000 (2023: £133,000,000), and turnover in the Asia Pacific (22 clubs) rose to £79,700,000 (2023: £71,900,000). Chief executive Dean Kowarski said: “The market fundamentals for our business remain strong and we see a growing number of consumers understanding and embracing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not only in fitness but in nutrition and broader wellness. While work-from-home trends continue to impact usage levels at city clubs, we are seeing a steady uplift in city club usage and residential demand remains strong. These trends lay a sound foundation for further global growth for the group.” No dividend was paid (2023: nil). Virgin Active was launched in the late 1990s by Sir Richard and Matthew Bucknall, who resigned as chief executive in 2022. The majority stake (67.6%) in Virgin Active is held by private equity firm Brait, which is owned by South African billionaire Christo Wiese, who invested in the brand in 2015 for £682m. Sir Richard’s Virgin Group retains a 16.8% stake, while Titan Premier Investments holds a 7.9% stake. 

 

Dessert operator Batch’d aiming to double outlet numbers to 50 and triple turnover to £20m within three years after securing new funding: Dessert operator Batch’d is aiming to double its outlet numbers and triple turnover to £20m within three years after securing new funding. Batch’d has 25 sites across the UK including in Yorkshire, Scotland, the north west, Midlands and London. The company’s kiosks, food court outlets and shops sell fresh brownies, doughnuts and cookies handcrafted daily by bakeries in Yorkshire. Batch’d also sells milkshakes, ice cream and speciality drinks. Batch’d is targeting 50 sites by 2029, more than doubling its workforce from 145 to 300 in the same period. With additional online sales, Batch’d expects to grow turnover from £6.5m to £20m over the next three years. A £1.1m investment from Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund will support Batch’d in its ambition to open more sites at shopping centres, including Lakeside in Essex as well as travel hubs and the high street. Batch’d is also investing in stand-alone repurposed shipping containers that can be installed outdoors at retail parks, and is developing an app to provide offers and loyalty schemes to customers. Batch’d managing director Harry Clavane said: “We work with our bakeries to innovate and develop new products, offering variety to customers, which is what sets us apart from others in the bakery sector. The investment will enable us to open more stores and create new jobs, both in Yorkshire and beyond.”

 

Zip World sees turnover and Ebitda impacted by ‘increasingly challenging economic landscape’: Adventure tourism operator Zip World, which was acquired at the start of the year by private equity firm Dolphin Capital in a deal worth £100m, saw its turnover and Ebitda in the 12 months to 31 December 2024 decline by 17.6%, and 5% on the prior year, respectively, as the business was impacted by the “increasingly challenging economic landscape in the UK”. The company, which operates eight locations across Wales and England, saw revenue fall to £26,027,390 (2023: £27,412,371), while Ebitda before exceptional charges was £7,893,000 (2023: £9,579,000). Pre-tax loss for the period stood at £3,225,621 (2023: loss of £3,745,182). Zip World said rider numbers also decreased by 38,000 (8%) compared with the prior year, which is consistent with the decrease in turnover. The company said: “The directors attribute this performance to an Increasingly challenging economic landscape in the UK with both inflation and interest rate increases having a suppressant effect on consumer discretionary spending, which has slowed growth opportunities. Management considers this result to be an adjustment to historically buoyant trading levels rather than a trend of decline. The business is well placed to benefit from an anticipated upturn in the market in 2025. The strategy of the business is to grow revenue through a combination of organic growth of new experiences on existing sites, development of new site locations, and strategic bolt on acquisitions that can align with the business’ standards for adventure travel in the UK.” During the year, the group took on a short-term lease at Zip World Conwy to operate an indoor activity complex, cafe, and a camping pod facility, to capitalise on summer trading. This lease increased rider volumes during 2024 and was then closed In February 2025. Last year, the business also became accredited as a B Corp business at the first attempt. 

 

Immersive entertainment concept The Lost Estate on course to hit £20m revenue in current financial year as it strengthens senior leadership team: Immersive entertainment concept The Lost Estate, which combines high-end hospitality with live performance and theatrical storytelling, has said it is on course to hit £20m revenue in the current financial year as it strengthened its senior leadership team. Jemima Legg, former chief marketing officer of Cook and group brand and marketing director of Itsu, has been hired as director of sales and marketing, a new role created to support The Lost Estate’s ambitious growth strategy as it plans for expansion across UK and international markets. The company has also promoted Hannah Waddington to director of people and culture, Davy Berryman to director of production and Sam Miller-Clarke to director of guest experience. Since launching in 2017, The Lost Estate has welcomed more than 275,000 guests to productions at its London venues in Peckham and West Kensington. Current productions include the 1930s jazz-club 58th Street and the upcoming The Great Christmas Feast. Eddy Hackett, co-founder and executive producer of The Lost Estate, said: “This is an important moment for us. The strengthening of our leadership team demonstrates our commitment to building for the future. Hannah, Davy, Sam, and Jemima will each play a crucial role in driving forward our next phase of growth across UK and international markets. Together, they put us in a fantastic position to strengthen the brand and deliver the scale of our ambition.” In April, Hackett told Propel that The Lost Estate is aiming to open a site in Manchester towards the end of next year before taking its first steps internationally in 2027.

 

London bagel concept hires former Wonderfield Group regional director to head up operations ahead of planned growth: London bagel concept B Bagel has hired former Wonderfield Group regional director Nicholas Brown to head up its operations ahead of its planned growth. Brown, who joins the six-strong business as operations director, spent six years with Wonderfield Group in various roles, including regional director, central operations director, director of franchise operations, director of retail operations and head of operations for YO! He was previously head of operations and training UK for KellyDeli and operations manager Republic of Ireland for Domino’s. Before that, in four years with Wimpy owner Famous Brands, he spent time as a franchise area manager, regional training manager and national training manager. “Six years ago, I joined the YO! Sushi kiosk business, not fully knowing the scale of the challenge ahead,” he said. “In my first three years, I had the privilege of opening new kiosks across the country – an exciting period of growth and momentum. The journey then evolved into leading the transition from a company-owned model to a franchise business, an incredibly challenging but hugely rewarding chapter that reshaped the future of the brand. As this chapter closes, I’m excited to begin the next one: building and growing the B Bagel business to greater heights. The adventure continues!” B Bagel, founded by Alon Kubi and Yoav Baumgarten in 2010, is currently preparing to open its seventh site, in London’s New Oxford Street. Baumgarten told Propel earlier this year that the company is targeting a 20-strong estate by 2030.

 

Jeopardy Hospitality GM – ‘we want to revitalise as many pubs as we can across Yorkshire’, looking to open second site next year: Sam Orbaum, general manager of Jeopardy Hospitality, has told Propel the business wants to revitalise “as many pubs as we can” across Yorkshire and have a second site in place next year. Chef and restaurateur Tommy Banks – together with Matthew Lockwood, brother James Banks and businessman Neil Armstrong – launched Jeopardy Hospitality in May, which will focus on bringing “great places out of jeopardy” and “returning them to their former glory”. The first project, The General Tarleton in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, reopened last month following months of careful restoration to the 18th-century coaching inn. The building has relaunched as an eight-bedroom pub with a private dining space, bar and beer garden. Orbaum told Propel that the venture has got off to a “promising start”. “It’s been a big challenge – it’s a big site,” he said. “We are not trying to revolutionise pubs – we’re trying to preserve them. You need to have a compelling dining option – but at the same time, making sure you’re not turning into a restaurant. We’re making sure we offer value for money, but that doesn’t necessarily mean being ‘cheap’. We feel we provide an accessible price point though with our set menu. It’s not easy, but we hope there’s a little something for everyone. Opening a pub with Tommy also brings its own pressures because of the preconceptions that people have and making sure we live up to those expectations. But it also drives curiosity, and that helps with getting customers through the door.” In terms of expansion, Orbaum said: “This won’t be the only site for us – we want to revitalise as many establishments as we can in other areas of Yorkshire. Sadly, there’s not a shortage of pubs on that score – but it has to make business sense. While my immediate focus is on The General Tarleton, we’re looking to have another site in 2026.”

 

Scottish peri peri chicken franchise makes London debut: Scottish peri peri chicken franchise Black Rooster has opened its first site in London. Propel revealed earlier this year that Black Rooster – which was founded by Mick Kennedy and Kevin Bell in 2017 and has grown to 18 locations across Scotland – was preparing to make its London debut and had secured three locations in the capital. Black Rooster has now opened in Angel’s Chapel Market, ahead of planned expansion to other major UK cities. Bell said: “Thrilled to announce that our first physical Black Rooster store in London is now open, right in the heart of Angel, Islington. Earlier this year, we dipped our toe in with a delivery-only kitchen in Peckham, an incredible experience and a real career highlight for me personally. But now, seeing a buzzing full-store operation in London, packed with customers and our brilliant team, that hits different, and honestly, still feels surreal. Opening a new site is never easy, especially as we expand further from home, but the team always delivers. This is a big moment for Black Rooster. We're starting a new chapter as we continue to grow throughout the UK and beyond.” The company has previously said it is looking for franchise partners to expand into major UK cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Sheffield and Bristol.

 

Gerry’s Hot Subs plans London Bridge opening: André Blais, founder of American barbecue diner-deli brand Bodean’s, is lining up a second site under his new Gerry’s Hot Subs concept, in London Bridge. Propel understands that Blais has lined up an opening in St Thomas Street, at London Bridge station, for Gerry’s Hot Subs. Blais opened the first stand-alone site for the concept last spring, at 50 Exmouth Market, in London’s Clerkenwell. He previously piloted the concept out of the FoodStars kitchen in Battersea. Blais said at the time: “My dad, Gerry, loved Schwartz’s, his local Montreal deli. A love he passed on to me. Now I know a thing or two about subs and smoked meat, having travelled Canada and the United States eating every kind of sub, Hoagie, Hero, Grinder, Torpedo and Poor Boy (and the occasional burrito and hot wing). All my research inspired me to set up the award-winning Bodean’s. But now I am going right back to my roots with this authentic, hot sub ‘deli’ offer named, you guessed it, after my dad.” The initial plan for the concept, which offers six and eight-inch subs, was to secure a bricks-and-mortar site in Soho’s “high-footfall pedestrian area” and “next to commuter stations”. Longer-term, Gerry’s Hot Subs previously said it planned to open 11 sites over the next five years.

 

Wendy’s makes Ireland debut as part of ten-site deal: Wendy’s, the second-largest quick service restaurant brand in the US, which made its return to these shores in 2021, has opened its debut site in Ireland, as part of a ten-site deal for the country. The brand’s debut Ireland site has opened in Mahon Point shopping centre in Cork, under a partnership with Corrib Oil. Over the coming years, Corrib said it plans to open ten Wendy’s locations across the country, as both stand-alone Wendy’s restaurants and locations at its service stations, creating more than 300 jobs nationwide. Further Wendy’s locations in Ireland will be announced in due course. Corrib Oil currently operates 40 convenience stores with forecourts and 20 fuel depots across 17 counties. The group said its partnership with Wendy’s is a key part of the company’s broader expansion strategy in Ireland, which aims to more than double its national footprint to 100 locations by 2030 and continue to grow its home heating distribution and fuel card business. Managing director Michael Dalton said: “Corrib Oil’s partnership with Wendy’s not only brings a new face to the Rebel County, but unites two brands committed to quality, community, and exceptional customer experiences. We’re thrilled to open the first Wendy’s in Ireland here in Mahon Point. This is just the beginning.” Wendy's managing director in Europe, Michael Clarke, said: “We’re proud to see the Wendy’s brand come to life in Cork through our partnership with Corrib Oil. As the first city in Ireland to welcome Wendy’s, Cork represents an important step in our continued growth across Europe. Corrib Oil is an ideal partner to deliver our ‘globally great, locally even better’ experience.” Earlier this week, Clarke said the UK represents “a dynamic and strategic growth market” for the business, which is on track to have 50 stores opened here by the end of 2025. The brand currently operates 45 sites and has a further three opening, in Plymouth, Nottingham and Basildon, later this year.

 

Bart & Taylor to open Covent Garden cocktail bar: Bart & Taylor Collection, which operates sites in the south east and north of England, is partnering with award-winning bartender and drinks author Angelos Bafas to open the New York City-inspired cocktail bar Cato in London’s Covent Garden, this November. The 2,200 square-foot, 100-cover space will be spread across two floors and takes inspiration from Alexander Cato, the world’s first celebrity bartender. The concept is “built around community and inclusivity, with a drinks list focused on provenance, seasonality and minimal waste”, and will be divided into three distinct spaces. The ground floor “House of Julep” will offer juleps, smashes, twists on classics and cocktails on tap alongside beer. “Lower Cato” will feature a minimalistic cocktail menu of 12–14 serves made exclusively with British spirits and produce. “Cato’s Study” will serve as a laboratory and masterclass space, featuring a ten-cover communal table. Bafas, former group head of bars at Creative Restaurant Group, has joined the business as managing partner to lead day-to-day operations at the new venue. Bart & Taylor said: “We’re thrilled to bring Cato to Covent Garden, with an innovative concept that celebrates the craft of bartending while making world-class drinks approachable and inclusive. By focusing on seasonal British ingredients, supporting small producers and bringing the julep back into the spotlight, we want to create a space that not only serves incredible drinks, but also builds community and inspires bartenders.” 

 

Ex-Kiln head chef and Super 8 Restaurants to launch new Soho restaurant: Meedu Saad, co-owner of the Super 8 Restaurants-backed Kiln, is set to open his debut restaurant, Impala, next spring, in London’s Soho. Impala is named after the cherry red 1964 Chevrolet Impala that Saad drove during his summers in Egypt, and is inspired by charcoal grill restaurants from North Africa to north London. Saad, who was also previously the head chef at Kiln, said he will channel a lifetime of food and learning into Impala, with the project having been in the works for five years. He said: “Growing up, I saw river fish baked in bran around the community ovens in Ismailia, opened clams over small fires along the beaches of the Red Sea and watched spit roast sheep turning in smoke filled Cypriot kebab houses in Haringey. All of these memories are carried through into our cooking today.” The restaurant will be found on Dean Street in “an awkward 1960s concrete building”, within which will be an open fire grill and dishes such as baked river fish, spit-roast mutton, grilled sea bass and bream, prepared using the Japanese preservation method ike jime. Super 8 Restaurants co-founder Ben Chapman has designed the space alongside longtime collaborator Dan Preston. Impala will become the newest restaurant in the Super 8 group, which is behind the likes of Brat, Mountain, and Smoking Goat. In August, Super 8 Restaurants, which is led by Brian Hannon and Chapman, said it is set to open more restaurants, with a new vehicle set up to help with its expansion plans. Hannon and Chapman set up Super 10 Restaurants last year. In the company’s accounts for the year to 31 July 2024, Hannon said: “Super 10 Restaurants, which was formed in April 2024, will be fully operational and is expected to expand the group business and increase its profits.” 

 

The Ivy Collection to open Ivy Asia in Liverpool next month: The Ivy Collection, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant brand, will open its Ivy Asia restaurant in Liverpool next month. The restaurant will open above the Ivy Liverpool Brasserie in Castle Street on Tuesday, 4 November. The Ivy Asia site will have 46 seated covers and space at the bar. Laura Mills, managing director of The Ivy Group, said: “Since we opened The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie last November, it has been such a joy to welcome so many wonderful guests. We know how much Liverpool loves The Ivy Asia, and we’re thrilled this vibrant city now has its very own.” The group is set to follow the Liverpool opening with an Ivy Asia launch in Dublin, and a fifth site under its Harry’s Bar and Restaurant concept, on the former Tuttons site in London’s Covent Garden.

 

Flat Iron to open Brighton site next week: Flat Iron, the affordable steak concept that is backed by McWin Capital Partners and TriSpan, will open its new site in Brighton next Thursday (16 October). As previously revealed by Propel, the 18-strong Flat Iron, which is led by Tom Byng, is launching in the former Brown’s site in Ship Street. Last week, Propel revealed Flat Iron is to open in Liverpool next year. The business is understood to have secured the former Point Blank site in the city’s Castle Street. Last month, the company confirmed it will open a site in Newcastle next year and said its opening in Bristol has been brought forward to December. Earlier this month, the company secured a new senior debt facility to support its expansion, provided by OakNorth. Propel revealed last month that McWin and TriSpan had acquired Flat Iron, and it is understood the deal is set to value the business at circa £70m.

 

Padel concept plans Hull site for sixth location: Padel concept Padel Project UK is planning to open a site in Hull for its sixth location. The company has submitted an application to Hull City Council for a development at Hull Rugby Union Football Club in Chanterlands Avenue. Padel Project UK wants to install five padel courts with floodlights on part of the existing cricket pitch in front of the pavilion. The facility would offer adults day and evening classes and social sessions, and children after-school classes, holiday camps and access via schools. The courts would operate on a pay-and-play basis and would be open daily, between 8am and 10pm. The application stated: “The number of padel tennis courts in Hull is limited, despite the sport's popularity currently growing in the UK. Generally, people have to leave Hull in order to play padel. Installing five padel courts would increase sports participation and community involvement.” Padel Project UK currently has locations in Darlington, Lytham St Annes, Potters Bar, Worthing and South Shields.

 

Team behind Goodbye Horses to launch new wine bar in London’s Islington: The founders of Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery, Alex Young and George de Vos, are to open Stable Wines, a new wine shop and bar, in Islington in December. Opening just off the Essex Road, the founders said the new wine bar is to be housed in a “distinctive, glass-surrounded space”, with a custom-made counter made from the same oak as at Goodbye Horses in De Beauvoir Town. Stable Wines will offer an “ever-changing selection of bottles, each handpicked by wine director Nathalie Nelles and general manager Fred Clelland”. Downstairs, in what was once a bank vault, will be a room for private diners. The venue will also offer a changing menu of artisanal cured meat and cheese, joined by a Goodbye Horses’ staple – the cheese toastie. Young said: “We’re drawn to the unexpected, things that surprise. This lost greenhouse off Essex Road, hiding a staircase to a labyrinthian cellar, is exactly that.” De Vos said: “Wine and food, of course, will be a central part of Stable Wines, but so is the sound, light and feel of the space. It’s a place to taste, linger, and slip out of the world for a moment.”

 

Brownie and coffee concept The Savvy Baker to open in Leeds for third site: Brownie and coffee concept The Savvy Baker is to open its third site. Founder Savannah Roqaa has secured an outlet at Trinity Leeds to add to branches in Chesterfield and York. Roqaa began baking during the covid pandemic lockdown for friends and family. Her creations gained popularity through social media and word of mouth, and The Savvy Baker grew from kitchen experiments to pop-ups and cafes. The Trinity Leeds site will include The Savvy Baker’s dedicated matcha bar – the business’ best-selling drink, where customers can watch baristas craft each cup fresh to order. Alongside this, the menu will feature Roqaa’s signature hand-baked brownies and cookies, which will be freshly prepared on-site, along with a range of hot and iced drinks. Roqaa said: “I’m excited to be opening at Trinity Leeds, it’s a dream come true. From working at Topshop in the centre to now launching my very my own store here, it’s a real full-circle, pinch-me moment. Trinity Leeds feels like the perfect home for The Savvy Baker.”

 

Focus Hotels to take over operation of Belfast hotel The Malone following refurbishment: Boutique hotel operator Focus Hotels is set to take over the operation of The Malone hotel in Belfast following its 18-month refurbishment. The hotel, which is located near Lisburn Road, will emerge in February 2026 as a 103-bedroom four-star boutique destination. The refurbishment has so far seen the rooms, bar and restaurant transformed, with the final phase set to complete early in 2026. The company said: “The Malone combines the elegance of its original Victorian townhouses with the grandeur of a 240-guest ballroom, an extended restaurant, and a complete redesign of every bedroom and the ground floor spaces.” The Malone director Gareth Macklin said: “This is the most exciting chapter yet in The Malone's story. We've always been proud of our heritage and our people, but this transformation takes everything to a new level.” Focus Hotels manages more than 1,500 rooms across 16 hotels in the UK.

 

Ellen Chew launches retail range from her Shan Shui location in Bicester Village: Singaporean restaurateur Ellen Chew has launched a retail range from her Shan Shui location in Bicester Village. The debut collection includes artisanal tea, Kinto tumblers and teacup sets and a limited-edition Avalon x Shan Shui candle. “This is about creating a lifestyle brand that resonates with our guests,” Chew said. “From our teas to our candles, every product tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship.” It comes as Chew also unveiled a new “elevated” menu at Shan Shui Bicester Village, with mains such as black pepper beef, claypot braised aubergine and braised tofu with minced chicken and mushroom. There are also eight new cocktails, including a calamansi mojito and a lychee blossom breeze, plus mocktails like the cucumber and lime iced tea. Chew also operates a Shan Shui site at Heathrow airport’s Terminal 2, and earlier this year launched new concept Shan Shui Social, in London’s Victoria. Her Chew on This restaurant group is also behind Singapulah in Shaftesbury Avenue and Rasa Sayang in Chinatown in London, and Mrs Chew’s Chinese Kitchen in Westfield White City, Westfield Stratford and Birmingham. The group also operates Arôme Bakery in Covent Garden and Duke Street and Lobos Tapas in Soho and London Bridge, both under partnership agreements.

 

South west London operators open new French restaurant for second site: South west London operators Lawrence and Emily Hartley have opened a new French restaurant for their second site. The husband and wife team, who own Le Petit Citron in Brook Green, have launched La Bouffe in Wandsworth Bridge Road in Fulham. The restaurant is “inspired by our family’s French heritage and the wonderful evenings we’ve enjoyed in some of Paris’ best French bistros”, reports Hot Dinners. The menu includes bistro snails montorgueil, onglet steak with Café de Paris butter, confit de canard and Paris Brest. There’s also a Prix Fixe option for £33.