Exclusive – Middletons Steakhouse & Grill exploring options: Gastro Pubs, the parent company of the Middletons Steakhouse & Grill, has appointed advisors to again explore its options for the business, including a sale, two years after it underwent a company voluntary arrangement, Propel has learned. The seven-strong Middletons is working with Interpath and Fleurets on its options, after trading was adversely impacted by current economic factors, particularly rising food costs and changes in consumer spending habits. The Stephen Hutton-led company was founded in 2011 in Middleton, Norfolk, and currently operates steakhouses in King’s Lynn, Norwich, Milton Keynes, Colchester, Leicester, Peterborough and Chelmsford. The group undertook a financial and operational restructure in 2023, which left it with no external bank debt. Turnover for the year to 28 April 2025 was £7.2m (2024: £7.8m), with Ebitda of £100,000 (2024: £400,000). Turnover for the year to date (three months to 20 July 2025) stood at £1.4m, with Ebitda of minus £100,000. Hutton said: “As we look to the next phase of our growth journey, we’ve appointed advisors from Interpath and Fleurets to support us as we explore investment options that will ultimately provide us with the capex required to complete a full refresh of our portfolio of restaurants.” In summer 2023, Propel revealed Middletons was working with advisors at Interpath on its options, which were thought to include a possible sale of the business. Earlier that year, Middletons closed its site in Leamington Spa, just over a year after its launch. The opening marked a debut in the West Midlands for the business when it opened on the former Gusto Italian site in Regent Court in February 2022, after a £500,000 investment. Subsequently Middletons closed its site in Cambridge’s Bridge Street. In common with many UK hospitality businesses, the company said it was impacted enormously by the covid-19 pandemic and subsequent national lockdowns. Earlier this month, the company opened Middletons Pizzeria in King’s Lynn, after adding a pizza offer to its existing menu across its estate. 

Tokyo Industries founder Aaron Mellor to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Aaron Mellor, founder and chief executive of Tokyo Industries, the UK’s largest private operator of bar and nightclubs alongside multiple international operations in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, New York, Palma, and Ibiza, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025. Mellor will talk about the late-night market, developing a new West End theatre, operating mid-century hotels in California, trading in Palma and Ibiza, operating multiple festivals, building skyscrapers in Manchester and buying a shopping centre in Hull. 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 new UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database on Friday: Premium Club subscribers will receive the latest Propel Food & Beverage Franchisee Database on Friday (17 October), at 12pm. The database will feature ten new entries, plus updates to existing entries, to take the total number to 270 and more than 109,000 words of content. The new entries include Gus Coffee, which opened Urban Baristas’ first franchise store, in New Cross Gate, south London, in June 2024. The new entries also include Isle of Man-based Thompson Holdings, which became the first high street franchisee for JD Wetherspoon when it acquired the 1886 Bar and Grill in Regent Street, Douglas, in May 2025. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the New Openings Database, the Multi-Site Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor 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.

September concerts boost London hotel performance: Several concerts, including those from Oasis, Lewis Capaldi, and Lady Gaga, lifted London's hotel performance in September, according to preliminary data from CoStar. Occupancy across the capital’s hotels stood at 86.5%, up 3.3% on the prior year, with an average daily rate of £209.97, up 5.4% on September 2024. Revpar in the month stood at £181.69, up 8.9% on 2024. The market posted its highest daily occupancy (94.8%) on the second night of Lewis Capaldi's three concerts – Wednesday, 17 September. The same night pushed average daily rate and revpar to £235.88 and £223.50, respectively. The highest average daily rate and revpar were recorded on Tuesday, 9 September – the first night of the defence and security trade exhibition, which serves as a forum between governments, national armed forces, industry, and academics. On that day, occupancy climbed as high as 94.3%. Lady Gaga performed on 29-30 September, pushing occupancy to 88.7%, while average daily rate and revpar reached £217.43 and £192.75, respectively. Oasis held two concerts, with London hotel performance peaking on the first night (Saturday, 27 September) across all three metrics: occupancy (93.9%), average daily rate (£227.24) and revpar (£213.33).

Be Inclusive Hospitality announces Spotlight Award winners, Nina Matsunaga named chef of year: Be Inclusive Hospitality has announced the winners for its fourth Spotlight Awards. The event at Quaglino's London saw Nina Matsunaga (The Black Bull Inn in Sedbergh) named chef of the year, Hot 'N' Juicy Shrimp named brand of the year and Gina Knight, head of people at Flat Iron Steak, collecting the award for head office impact. Other winners during the evening were: Rising star – Eron Mibo at Tales and Tails UK; African food – Khadim Mane at Little Baobab; Caribbean food – Nikki Whyte at Patois; east and south east Asian food – Kaneda Pen at Mamapen; south Asian food – Kanthi Thamma at The Spice Circuit; and Middle Eastern food – Jad Youssef at Lebnani Restaurant. The bar/pub of the year award went to Deano Moncrieffe, from Hacha Bar, while the people's choice person of the year was Emanuele Mensah, from The Connaught Bar, and people's choice restaurant of the year went to Sham Mahabir at Limin Southbank. Founder and chief executive of Be Inclusive Hospitality, Lorraine Copes, said: “These awards are the beating heart of our mission to celebrate and uplift hospitality talent across the UK. This year has shown just how powerful collaboration can be – from partners and sponsors to our wider community, all coming together to champion creativity, resilience, and innovation. We're proud to shine a light on those making an impact today, while inspiring the next generation to shape an inclusive and thriving future for our industry.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a village pub, just outside Guildford in Surrey, which is looking for a head chef. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The kitchen focuses on fresh, seasonal produce, with every dish cooked from scratch. The menu includes pub classics, Sunday roasts, and creative specials.” Live-in accommodation is available for the right candidate, and the salary is up to £54,000. For more information, email stuartcampbell@corecruitment.com

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants – ‘we’re seeing solid performance this year’, 20 sites set to open over next 12 months: Gordon Ramsay Restaurants has told Propel it has seen a “solid performance” across its business in 2025, and has 20 openings lined up for the coming year. Earlier this week, the business reported UK sales increased 40% to a record £134m for the 15 months to 30 December 2024 compared with £95.6m the previous year. Adjusted Ebitda was up 45% to £12m from £8.5m the year before. The figures reflect the group's owned operations in the UK and licence income generated internationally excluding North America. The group said performance was underpinned by nine new UK and international restaurant openings. The group launched a total of 20 new locations during the period, which included 11 in North America. On trading this year, the company told Propel: “We continue to see a solid performance throughout our restaurant portfolio.” The business currently operates four sites under its Street Pizza brand and seven under its Street Burger brand in the UK, with sites in Reading and London’s St Paul’s closed and on the market. When asked about what the future holds for Street Pizza and Street Burger in the UK, the company told Propel: “We continue to drive all our brands and remain flexible to opportunities as they arise, with 20 confirmed restaurants opening in the coming year, including Street Pizza and Street Burger in the UK.” The business currently has 97 restaurants globally: 32 in the UK, 37 in North America, and 28 in other international markets. Within the next year, the group will open a Bread Street Kitchen in 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London.

Caffe Nero owner reports record first quarter revenue of £166m: The Nero Group – the owner of Caffe Nero, Coffee#1 and 200 Degrees – has reported record sales of £166m for the first three months of its financial year to August 2025, driven by “very strong” sales growth in the UK of 7%. Caffè Nero had “strong” sales growth in all its territories during the quarter “with particularly pleasing results in Turkey, Sweden, Ireland, the US, UK and Cyprus”. In each of these territories, Caffe Nero said it outperformed the food and beverage market and continued to gain market share. Not only did sales rise significantly, but customer numbers were also up year on year in the group in the quarter. The group said UK sales were driven by iced drinks, which rose by 49% year on year, with the introduction of iced matcha “a great success”, selling 1.3 million units in the period. During the quarter, The Nero Group continued to upgrade its store estate with 20 stores receiving refurbishment. More people also signed on to Caffè Nero’s app, with six million members now globally. Caffè Nero founder and group chief executive, Gerry Ford, said: “We have had a hugely successful first quarter, which means our financial year is off to a strong start. Our summer iced drinks campaign, particularly our iced coffee and matcha ranges, were very successful. We are operating in difficult times with high levels of macro uncertainty, record level high green coffee bean costs and sluggish economies. But we are sticking to our basic principles: great coffee served by wonderful people who care about their customers. I’m hopeful our momentum can continue in these challenging times.” Last week, Ford told Propel the group is currently seeing “strong” like-for-like sales growth across all its brands and territories and continues to see increased customer numbers.

Chopstix to open in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre this week: Fast-growing, quick service restaurant brand Chopstix Group is to open a site at the Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield on Friday (17 October). The store is the brand’s 12th opening of 2025, following launches including in Leeds, Huddersfield, Hull and the new concept store at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Bridgend in Wales. Rob Burns, marketing director for Chopstix, said: “Sheffield's Meadowhall shopping centre is one of the most exciting shopping and destinations in South Yorkshire and we're thrilled to be bringing some big, bold flavours for the thousands of eager flavour cravers. It's a really exciting time for our business as a whole.” Speaking at Propel’s Multi-Club Conference last month, Chopstix managing director Jon Lake said the business is planning a launch in France and is trialling a counter format in convenience stores. European quick-service restaurant platform QSRP acquired a majority stake in Chopstix last October, with a plan to accelerate Chopstix’s growth in the UK and Europe, where it currently operates one site in Bucharest airport. Lake said: “QSRP has a strong presence in France and is headquartered there, and we are pretty close to finding our first location in France. There’s a number of different markets. I think we’re quite interested in three or four other European countries, pretty close to home.” Chopstix has also begun a trial of a 100 square-foot counter format with ScotMid Co-op in one of the retailer's stores in Edinburgh. Chopstix was founded in London’s Camden Market in 2002 by Sadik and Sam Elia, who continue to be involved in the business day-to-day, and now operates more than 150 sites.

Wasabi to expand London estate with new City opening next week, debut franchise site seeing ‘strong performance’: Wasabi, the sushi and bento brand backed by Capdesia, will expand its London estate with an opening in Cheapside next Tuesday (21 October). The opening marks Wasabi’s 34th London site, “reinforcing the brand’s continued investment in its people, infrastructure, and long-term growth across the UK”. The launch follows the opening of Wasabi’s first franchise location at Luton airport this summer, which the brand said has seen “strong performance”. Chief executive Henry Birts said: “Cheapside represents another important step in our London expansion. The City remains a key area for us, and this new central site reinforces our commitment to growing our footprint in locations where we know there’s strong demand for fresh, high-quality, great-value food.” In July, Wasabi, which operates circa 50 sites, hired Louise Morgan, formerly of Cote, as its property director to support its next phase of growth. Propel’s inaugural Franchisor Showcase, which will put the spotlight on ten up-and-coming food and beverage franchisors, takes place on Tuesday, 25 November at One Moorgate Place in London. This is a unique chance to explore exciting franchise opportunities. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Free places for operators and investors only are available by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

Ivy Collection makes East Midlands debut with Nottingham launch: The Ivy Collection, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant brand, has opened its new site in Nottingham. The company has transformed the former Hugo Boss store in Bridlesmith Gate for its debut in the East Midlands. Accommodating up to 118 guests, the brasserie – the group’s 45th restaurant – also features a terrace area for up to 20 people and has created 110 jobs. Two private dining rooms have been created within the restaurant, seating ten and 26 guests, respectively. Laura Mills, managing director of The Ivy Collection, said: “We're thrilled to open our Nottingham brasserie, marking an exciting milestone as we expand into the East Midlands. The Ivy Nottingham brings together everything our guests know and love – beautiful interiors, exceptional food and drink, and the warm and welcoming service that has become our hallmark.” The Ivy Collection is following the Nottingham launch by opening an Ivy Asia restaurant in Liverpool next month. The restaurant will open above the Ivy Liverpool Brasserie in Castle Street on Tuesday, 4 November. The group is also set to open an Ivy Asia in Dublin, and a fifth site under its Harry’s Bar and Restaurant concept, on the former Tuttons site in London’s Covent Garden. In May, the FT reported that Caring was in advanced talks to sell a significant portion of his UK hospitality empire – which includes The Ivy Collection and London private members’ club Annabel’s – to an entity controlled by the Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan in a deal that could exceed more than £1bn.

Berberè plans fifth London opening: Berberè, the independent Italian company founded by brothers Salvatore and Matteo Aloe, is lining up a fifth opening in London. Propel understands that Berberè is planning an opening at Westfield Stratford, its first in a retail scheme. The brand will open a site around the turn of the year in The Street part of the scheme. Earlier this year, the business opened a fourth site in London, after acquiring the former Homeslice site in Marylebone. Berberè, which operates 19 sites, including three others in London – St Giles Square, Kentish Town and Clapham – has since reopened the 70-cover James Street site. In 2023, Berberè secured new investment to aid further expansion in Europe. Milan-based investment firm Hyle Capital Partners made a “significant injection of capital” into Berberè, while the founders acquired the 23.5% stake in the business previously held by Miscusi. Berbere said that with the funding, it planned to open five new locations each year for the next four years, both in Italy and across Europe. Davis Coffer Lyons acted on the Westfield Stratford deal.

Electric Star Pubs to launch new live-fire restaurant called Firestarter: Electric Star Pubs, the eight-strong London business led by owner and founder Rob Star, is to launch a new live-fire restaurant called Firestarter, in the capital, next month. Launching at the group’s Star by Liverpool Street, the new restaurant project represents Electric Star Pubs’ first move into dedicated dining. Star said: “We know we're playing with fire opening a new restaurant in London right now, but that's what hospitality is all about – taking risks to create something people genuinely want to experience.” Firestarter will occupy the restaurant space at 94 Middlesex Street, with an entrance shared with The Star by Liverpool Street pub/bar venue next door, also owned by the group. Firestarter will feature an open kitchen design, allowing diners to experience the theatre of live-fire cooking, with kitchen counter seating for up to ten guests, and a further 50 seats in the dining room itself. “After years of running pubs and festivals, I wanted to create something where the food takes centre stage,” said Star. “Firestarter is a space where the food is serious, but the atmosphere will be relaxed, where you can have a proper feast with a bunch of friends without all the fuss.”

Madre team to bring Salon Madre concept to Liverpool: Madre, the taco restaurant and bar concept from the founders of Belzan and London’s Breddos Tacos, is to open a site under its new sister concept Salon Madre in Liverpool, this winter. The team will be opening a 4,400 square-foot site in the Liverpool ONE scheme. Salon Madre will host a tequila-led pool hall, taqueria and bar, featuring frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas, Mexican street food, three pool tables, three dart boards, and several private party spaces. It comes as the business is gearing up to open its latest Madre site, in Leeds. The new Madre site will open in the city’s Wellington Place next month, with the second Salon Madre opening just around the corner. The first Salon Madre opened last December, next to the group’s Madre site in Manchester’s Chorlton Street. Madre already operates a site in Liverpool, at the city’s Royal Albert Dock. Liverpool ONE has also confirmed Brewski will make its city debut at the scheme’s leisure terrace in a 4,700 square-foot unit alongside Wagamama and Smoke & Dough. Specialising in North American comfort food featuring a rotating menu, the Brewski restaurant will provide more than 200 covers, including 78 outside. James Daly and Steven Stockton-King, directors at Brewski, said: “On the road to expansion, it is crucial that we cherry-pick locations with a stellar reputation that guarantee a dedicated and varied customer base. Liverpool ONE provides a strong foundation as we look to make our Liverpool debut, and we know this new restaurant is sure to be a successful one.” Taking the former 4,100 square-foot Gourmet Burger Kitchen site in Paradise Street, Jerk Junction will also add to Liverpool ONE’s dining options, while Bean Coffee has secured a site at the scheme for its Iced concept, which offers iced matcha latte, coolers, lemonade, smoothies, and its viral pink choc matcha. Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE – Landsec, said: “A strong dining offer is fundamental to any successful mixed-use destination, and we are delivering a unique line-up that both responds to demand and keeps guests returning time and time again. Liverpool ONE has experienced an 8.5% increase in year-to-date food and beverage sales, and with four more independent brands set to make their mark, that growth is set to continue.” 

Roger Payne-led vehicle to open new ‘modern house of hospitality’ venture: Eclection Group – the restaurant, pub and bar group led by Roger Payne – is to open a new venture in London’s Shoreditch, which is said “represents a new era of hospitality, one where dining, wellness, work and nightlife come together under one roof”. Opening next month, 45 London, which is described as a “new modern house of hospitality”, will be located in Curtain Road, in the former Blue Marlin site. 45 London will sit within the Virgin Hotel London, and bring together rooftop dining, co-working areas and lounges, events spaces, a late-night club and lounge, and spa and wellness sanctuary. At its core will be a new restaurant, 45 Curtain Road, led by executive chef Alex Furusawa-Cadoni. The restaurant will offer a “curated, elevated Japanese inspired chophouse with Mediterranean influences”. The new venue will also comprise a rooftop restaurant and bar – 45th & 7th, and lounge and late-night club – Parallel 45. Payne said: “45 London represents a new era of hospitality, one where dining, wellness, work and nightlife come together under one roof. Our vision is to create a modern house of hospitality that reflects the electric energy of Shoreditch while offering a curated, elevated experience for both members and guests. We're proud to bring this ambitious project to life alongside our partner, Virgin Hotel, to establish 45 London as a new cultural and social landmark for the city.” David Monson, general manager at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch, said: “Since opening last year, Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch has quickly established itself as a destination of choice – becoming a vibrant fixture in east London with our new listening bar, Hidden Grooves, and offering something refreshingly different in the city's hotel scene. The addition of 45 London builds on that momentum, elevating our dining, wellness, and social experiences even further. Together, they create a seamless and dynamic destination – one that will continue to delight our regular guests while enticing new visitors to discover everything Shoreditch has to offer.” Brandon Elmon, of Genius1 Group, acted on the deal.

Italian-born chef Dara Klein to open permanent London home for trattoria concept in partnership with Homeslice co-founder: Italian-born chef Dara Klein is to open a permanent home in London for her Tiella Trattoria concept in partnership with Ry Jessup, co-founder of both Homeslice and The Plimsoll in Finsbury Park. Tiella Trattoria & Bar will open in Columbia Road in early 2026. Klein and Jessup are childhood family friends who have reunited through London’s hospitality scene with Jessup joining as co-owner and general manager. The restaurant, which will feature a large central bar, is a homage to Maria Pia’s, the family trattoria in Wellington, New Zealand, where Klein was raised, learning from her parents’ dedication to “real, slow, trattoria cooking”. Tiella will champion both Italian and British produce, “evolving constantly with the seasons”. The restaurant marks a new chapter for Klein, following her residency at The Compton Arms in Islington. She said: “Trattorie are accessible, unpretentious and no frills, originating in Italy when families opened up their homes – transforming front rooms into dining rooms. Tiella is about honest food and honest hospitality. We hope for it to become a trattoria for everyone.” Born to a Pugliese mother and a Jewish-American father, Klein spent her early years between Emilia-Romagna and Salento, before her family emigrated to New Zealand when she was six. She trained in London kitchens including Rubedo, Brawn, Trullo, and Sager & Wilde. Jessup founded Homeslice and owned and operated the business as a street food operation from 2011 to 2013. The business secured investment in 2013, leading to the opening of its first restaurant. Jessup left Homeslice in 2019.

Thornbridge JV to open new Sheffield site this month: Thornbridge & Co – the joint venture between Derbyshire’s Thornbridge Brewery and specialist beer importer Pivovar – will open its new site in Sheffield – The Fargate, next Wednesday (22 October). Located in the former Yorkshire Bank building in Fargate, the pub will sit over two floors and feature a large outdoor area for up to 250 guests. At its heart will be a “striking horseshoe bar” serving ten cask ales, half of them Thornbridge, as well as 16 draft beer lines. The ground floor will also features screened booths, a snug, banquette seating, and full-height glazing to the front, offering “a light and inviting space”. Jamie Hawksworth, Thornbridge co director and Pivovar co-president, said: “The Fargate is on track to become a defining feature of Sheffield's pub scene, thanks to a large investment in its unique design. We're delighted to help shape the vibrant new era of the city centre” Simon Webster, chief executive and co-founder of Thornbridge, said: “We're eager to open our doors to the people of Sheffield and contribute to the continued growth and character of the area.” The Fargate follows Thornbridge & Co's other venues: the Market Cat in York, Bankers Cat in Leeds, and The Colmore in Birmingham. Thornbridge & Co is also set to open its debut London site and previously told Propel it would consider a second venue in the capital in 2026. The company is launching The Wild Swan at 99 Fetter Lane in the City to replace the nearby White Swan, which is making way for new office buildings.

Chef entrepreneur Robin Gill opens all-day café-deli and aperitivo bar: Chef entrepreneur Robin Gill has opened Bar Brasso – a coffee bar, deli and bakery by day and aperitivo bar by night in London’s Nine Elms. Opening in Viaduct Gardens, beside Gill’s restaurant Darby’s, Bar Brasso is inspired by the bar culture of San Sebastián and Venice. Opening daily from 8am-5pm as a café, the menu includes house bakes, salads and filled sandwiches alongside a rotating menu of hot lunch dishes and daily specials. From Tuesday to Saturday, from 5pm-10pm, Bar Brasso transitions into an aperitivo bar with a concise menu of snacks and small plates. Dishes range from £3-£12, with larger plates designed to be shared or paired with a drink at the bar. The drinks list features negronis and spritzes, and a selection of house cocktails, vermouths, digestivi, and wine by the glass focused primarily on northern Italian selections, complemented by lighter styles from the San Sebastián region. Gill said: “With Bar Brasso, I wanted to create a space that feels alive from morning to night – somewhere you can start your day with coffee and pastries, and return in the evening for a glass of wine, a delicious affordable negroni and a few sharing plates with friends. It’s about that effortless sense of hospitality you find in San Sebastián and Venice.” Gill is also behind southern Italian-inspired concept, Maria G’s, which has sites in Fulham and Kensington, Bottle + Rye in Brixton and Italian-focused Sorella in Clapham.

House of Koko to open third site: Leeds brunch concept House of Koko is to open its third site the city, and its most central. Taking over the Central Road premises that was previously home to Mrs Atha’s, which closed in the spring, the new House of Koko will open next month. The concept, which was founded by Rosita Roger, opened its debut site in Chapel Allerton in 2015, before opening a second site three years ago, on the former Hessian site in Oakwood. House of Koko is known for its “classic brunch dishes with a Middle Eastern twist”. Roger said: “To new beginnings. I’m so unbelievably nervous (as expected) but House of Koko will be in the former Mrs Atha’s site in town. Got a full month of serious work but hoping to open in November.”

Yummy Collection confirms new restaurant venture: Yummy Collection, the Anthony Pender-led business, has confirmed the opening of a new restaurant space over its pub site in London’s Mile End, as the company gears up to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The business, which operates the Faber concept and The Somers Town Coffee House, has launched Above, over its The Victoria pub. The company said that Above is “an intimate 26 cover restaurant, with a space that is dedicated and heartfelt celebration of what has been a phenomenal two decades, a sort of ‘best of album’ of their pubs and restaurants”. Pender said: “This is a proud moment for us all and creating a space like this as a celebration has felt like a hobby in addition to a brilliant day job. It hasn’t been easy running a restaurant in recent years and in my early years I won’t lie – I had a hell of a lot to learn. Being here to celebrate is a massive testament to an incredible team.” The business said that Above’s ever-changing menu revisits some of the dishes the team has most enjoyed cooking over the past 20 years, alongside favourites loved by friends and guests. “We wanted Above to feel like a gathering of friends — a space that’s intimate, colourful and celebratory, where every dish and drink tells a part of our story,” said business partner Matt Ward. Above is open on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm, offering a limited number of covers to “keep the experience relaxed, personal and full of charm”.

Pins Social Club confirms plans for Manchester opening: The company behind Pins Social Club in Liverpool, D2, has confirmed plans to open a second site under the concept in Manchester, which it said will be the biggest new hospitality venue in the city in recent years, when it opens next spring. The business has submitted a planning application for the new multimillion-pound site in the newly refurbished Sunlight House building in Quay Street. The new 25,000 square-foot venue will span three floors, offering a “next-generation social and entertainment experience in one of Manchester's most iconic buildings”. Plans for the venue include a main stage on the ground floor for its half-time shows, tenpin bowling including VIP private lanes, a gaming mezzanine with tech darts, pool, shuffleboard, beer pong, and karaoke, plus a dedicated sports bar. Food will be served all day. D2 was founded by friends Daniel Gillbanks and David Scowcroft, who opened their first social club in February 2020. The aim was to pioneer a new entertainment concept, by “elevating the combined experiences of competitive socialising and a design-led bar centred around sports heritage”. Gillbanks said: “The vision for our business is centred around the guest – delivering an immersive experience in a venue that spans numerous common offerings, providing a bar that unites competitive socialising, live entertainment and a strong programme of sports – with the core focus of creating an ‘arena- like’ experience for guests to be a part of.” Daniel Kelly joined the team as managing director at the start of 2024 to expand the Pins concept, while also adding the newly launched Dog & Collar Pub in Liverpool and the recently acquired Almost Famous brand to the D2 portfolio. He said: “Manchester is a city that thrives on energy, culture, and community – everything that Pins is about. This new venue will be our biggest yet, offering a bold and exciting social space that's purpose built for entertainment, competition, and ultimately, having a great time. We can't wait to bring our concept to Manchester's incredible social scene.”

MasterChef winner Alex Webb to launch debut restaurant: Alex Webb, winner of 2020 MasterChef The Professionals, is to launch his debut restaurant, in Wimbledon Village, south west London, this autumn. Following a long-term restaurant residency at the Intercontinental London Park Lane and various pop-ups and private dining events, Webb is set to launch Orion on the former Lighthouse restaurant site, in The Ridgeway. Orion is described as “a French inspired, British sharing-style restaurant” with a focus on seafood. Dishes will be “shaped by the seasons” and Webb’s ties to local producers, “using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients”. Davis Coffer Lyons acted on behalf of the landlord on the deal. Kelion Sworn acted on behalf of Webb.

Drayton Manor reports drop in revenue and profit due to poor weather and cost of living: Staffordshire theme park Drayton Manor has reported a drop in revenue and profit in the year to 30 September 2024 due to poor weather and the cost of living. The resort’s turnover dropped from £29,334,469 in 2023 to £28,199,362. Of this, £22,350,573 came from the theme park (2023: £23,066,763) and £5,836,514 from the hotel and events (2023: £6,253,231). The company’s pre-tax profit was down from £2,003,240 to £1,244,140. Drayton Manor, which is owned by Looping Group, which owns 15 parks in Europe, including West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasurewood Hills in the UK. paid out £28,452 in redundancy costs compared with £121,743 in 2023. Dividends of £1,290,043 were paid (2023: nil). Director Laurent Bruloy said: “Challenges such as very high energy prices from the prior year lessened, but our customers were still feeling the effect of the high cost of living. The weather continued to be another challenge to the business, with summer 2024 being the coolest since 2015, and any heatwaves were short-lived. Capital expenditure in the year was £5.4m. The cash pooling arrangement with Looping Parks UK continued to sweep all surplus cash to Looping Park UK's bank account at the end of each day. This cash is available back to the company on demand daily to cover any outgoings from Drayton Manor Resort's bank account. A small nominal balance is held at the end of each day in Drayton Manor Resort’s account.” A new family roller coaster, Gold Rush, opened during the year, while the Shockwave ride underwent a huge face lift and a change of name to The Wave.

New Japanese bakery concept launches in London’s Canary Wharf: A new Japanese bakery concept has opened in London’s Canary Wharf. Cafe Seek is the brainchild of friends Pinky Chan and Emily Leung, both Hong Kong expats. Cafe Seek has launched in Harbord Square, reports Hot Dinners. Chan and Leung said their USP is the sheer variety of their offering, which “combines French pastry techniques with Japanese flavours to create a unique fusion”. Signature pastries include a matcha yuzu Suisse, miso ham bake, and a Japanese corn soup bun.

Manchester operator to turn his former nightclub into four separate ventures including Mediterranean-inspired restaurant: Manchester operator Damien Matto is to turn his former nightclub in the city into four separate ventures, including a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. Matto ran celebrity haunt The Bijou Club in Salford for ten years before covid forced its closure. The historic railway arches where the club was once located have been transformed into a hub for four ventures from Motto, with the SDK restaurant set to be the first to open. He has partnered with former Manchester United footballer Danny Simpson for the venture, reports the Manchester Evening News. “It’s like a full circle moment really for me,” Simpson said. “I used to go to Damien’s venues, maybe 20 years ago, and I’ve known him a long time. When Damien mentioned what he wanted to do, I only knew how to do a couple of things to do, that was play football and go out with the lads, so I thought why not go on the other side now and be a part of a nice restaurant where my old friends, teammates, new friends and family can all go to.” The 350-cover SDK will feature a sharing plates concept with some dishes selling for £5. With wagyu steak for £36 and truffle fries at £6, the owners said they have put an emphasis on “affordable luxury”. Simpson added: “That's the biggest thing for me. The way the country is at the moment, things are really expensive, so we’re aiming to be a lot cheaper than other places in Manchester.”