Story of the Day:
Saint Espresso – long-term vision for 20-plus London locations, with partnerships and franchise opportunities under consideration: London-based neighbourhood café and coffee roasters Saint Espresso has told Propel it sees a long-term opportunity for over 20 locations in the capital, and would consider partnerships and franchise opportunities for further growth. Founded by Leon Zadeh in 2014, the company has grown to nine locations across London and aims to reach 12 by the end of 2026. “There’s definitely still space in London for a curated artisan offer with a credible story,” said Zadeh. “Three of our newest cafés have been designed to anchor office receptions where developers are looking to elevate the ground-floor experience - not dissimilar to a hotel’s vision and we’re now being approached for similar projects, with three more in active discussions.” He added: “While competition is high, we still see untapped opportunity in under-served, high-footfall areas, especially where work and living increasingly overlap. We see a long-term opportunity for over 20 London locations, combined with a strong wholesale and brand platform, but we’re focused on quality over speed. Being able to share the provenance of our farmers and the beans roasted in Hackney is important to us and to our customers.” Beyond physical stores, Saint Espresso is expanding through a residency model and brand collaborations, which Zadeh describes as “scalable avenues for creative growth”. “We’re not looking to operate outside London at the moment,” he said, “but would consider partnerships and franchise opportunities.” The brand has also partnered with a growing number of operators using its coffee knowledge to help better coffee in hospitality, through tailored coffee programmes, including Mr Porter in Mayfair, Virgin Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and a range of boutique restaurants, members clubs, bakeries and hotels. “We’re already in conversations with independent hotel groups and lifestyle brands that want a more meaningful coffee offer that resonates with their guests,” said Zadeh. “Many hotels still see coffee as functional, but there’s a growing number who understand it’s part of the overall guest experience, and we see that as a real growth area.” On market trends, Zadeh said: “We’re seeing a shift from transactional to experiential, people aren’t just after a caffeine fix; they’re looking for connection, quality and storytelling. Speciality is becoming mainstream, but there’s still a premium on execution and values; whether that’s ethical sourcing, sustainability or creative identity. Hybrid working has reshaped the rhythm, with Tuesdays to Thursdays strongest, but weekends are more local and lifestyle-driven, especially in our neighbourhood stores. We’re designing offers that flex with this - community events and slower moments at weekends versus speed and efficiency midweek.” Zadeh added: “Trading is stable and improving. Like everyone, we’ve had to navigate rising costs, but we’ve invested in our teams, operational efficiency and supplier relationships. From the Budget, we’d welcome continued support for SMEs and the hospitality sector, particularly around business rates and VAT relief. It’s still a challenging environment, but we’re focused on building a business that’s resilient, creative and people-first. Our model works, and we’re in discussions around taking on investment to drive growth.”
Industry News:
Sponsored message – The Big Table Group signs with TiPJAR to drive fairness, transparency, and compliance in tronc management: The Big Table Group – the Epiris-backed operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, Frankie & Benny’s and Banana Tree – has
partnered with TiPJAR, the award-winning independent tronc and tipping platform, to implement a fully compliant and transparent digital tronc solution across its brands. Following a comprehensive review and due diligence process involving multiple providers, TiPJAR was selected for its independence, sector expertise and proven track record in driving compliance while promoting fairness and transparency. The partnership comes at a crucial time for the hospitality industry, as operators adapt to new legislation around tipping, tronc and pay transparency. Big Table Group chief executive Alan Morgan said: “Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we have always been committed to ensuring they are treated fairly and rewarded transparently. We regularly review how we manage tronc across our business to uphold the highest standards of compliance, fairness and integrity. After a comprehensive evaluation, TiPJAR emerged as the clear choice for this next step. Its independence, innovative technology and trusted reputation across the industry gave us complete confidence that it is the right partner to help us continue putting our employees first. This partnership ensures our teams can have complete clarity and confidence in how tronc is managed and distributed, something that has always been core to how we operate.”
If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.
Social entertainment brand Lucky Voice among businesses presenting at inaugural Propel Franchisor Showcase, free places for operators and investors only: Social entertainment brand Lucky Voice will be among the businesses presenting at the inaugural Propel Franchisor Showcase this month. The Propel Franchisor Showcase, sponsored by Seeds Consulting, will showcase ten of the most exciting and investable franchises in hospitality. The event will be held on Tuesday, 25 November at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Among the franchisors presenting are Lucky Voice, which offers karaoke-based experiences from six UK sites and one in Dubai. Lucky Voice launched a franchise programme in 2024 to seek partners for prime city locations across the UK, Ireland and the Middle East. Business development manager Nick Jones will discuss franchising in the experiential concept market, how the brand’s franchising journey has progressed so far, where it is looking to grow in the UK, how big a karaoke bar brand can grow here and the rise of “sober karaoke” among Generation Z. For the full speaker schedule, click
here.
Free places for operators and investors only are available by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.
Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (7 November), at 12pm. The database will show the details of 213 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. The database will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium Club subscribers will also receive a 14,673-word report on the 213 new additions to the database. It is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the pubs and bars sector such as
The Gropers Arms, which has been opened in Devon by Paul and Debbie Turner at their holiday cottage business Compton Pool Holiday Cottages;
Arc Inspirations launching Box Piccadilly in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue; and
Exale Brewing opening The Black Eel in Dalston in the capital. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases:
the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, 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.
Britain’s night-time economy gets a shot in the arm: After years of closures and decline, Britain’s night-time economy appears to be stirring back to life. In the four years to last June, the UK lost almost 480 nightclubs, or about two a week, according to the Night Time Industries Association, which last year warned of an “unprecedented crisis” and urged the government to offer targeted support. The casualties have included small independent venues as well as big name brands. The covid pandemic accelerated the pace of decline, wiping out more than a third of Britain’s clubs, which have since struggled to lure back crowds. However, figures suggest Britons are once again staying out late, reports The Times. Data from the ride-hailing app Bolt shows a 15% increase in night-time journeys this year compared with 2024, while the peak time to go out has shifted from 11pm to midnight on Saturdays. The company analysed millions of journeys taken across the UK between 6pm and 6am. Bath, where 68% of all Bolt trips took place at night, topped the list of nightlife hotspots. Bristol followed with 62%, then Newcastle (60%), London (56%) and Cardiff (54%). Kimberly Hurd, UK senior manager at Bolt, said the data reflected a growing focus on experiences and social events. Bolt has also voiced concern about a potential “taxi tax”, under which the Treasury could impose 20% VAT on all private-hire journeys. Hurd said the proposal would push up fares and make nights out significantly more expensive. Meanwhile, consumers significantly cut back their spending on discretionary items such as gym memberships over the past year as the cost of living rises. Gym-goers spent on average £13.20 on their memberships in September, according to research from MoneySuperMarket, a sharp decline on the £51 average in the same month last year.
Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a food concept that is looking for a head of sales. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This role will be responsible for leading the commercial strategy across the hotel, restaurant and catering channel. This is a pivotal leadership role in a high-growth environment, which is perfect for someone who combines strategic vision with hands-on hustle.” The salary is up to £150,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com
Company News:
Gourmet Burger Kitchen partners with Growth Kitchen to scale its delivery footprint across the UK with plans for 100-plus new delivery locations within two years: Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), part of Boparan Restaurant Group, has partnered with Growth Kitchen to scale its delivery footprint across the UK, with plans for 100-plus new delivery locations within two years. GBK has said it has partnered with the virtual kitchen brand as it is “entering an exciting new phase of growth and eyeing nationwide delivery expansion”, and that it will boost brand awareness and delivery sales. Growth Kitchen, which has a network of 150-plus “host kitchens”, has previously helped scale up the delivery network of operators like The Athenian and Coqfighter. “I don’t really see a major town or city that shouldn’t have a GBK in the very near future,” said Daniel Sole, head of delivery at Boparan Restaurant Group. Tom Gatz, co-founder at Growth Kitchen, added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with GBK to scale its delivery footprint across the UK. People love and miss the brand, and I’m excited to make it available to more people’s living rooms.” In September, Propel revealed Honest Burgers, the Active Partners-backed business, had acquired 12 Gourmet Burger Kitchen sites from BRG. At the time, James Dodd, group head of marketing for BRG, said the company had seen strong growth in its delivery business, which had led to a successful delivery kitchen operator trial.
Greene King invests £6m in its London pubs in 2025 leading to uptick in trading: Brewer and retailer Greene King has invested £6m in its London pubs in 2025, with 14 managed sites having reopened so far this year following significant renovations. Key investments include the reopening of the historic Railway pub in Liverpool Street following a major £1m renovation, which has led to a significant rise in sales following its official relaunch earlier this year, with an increase in covers of more than 113% compared with last year, Greene King said. Similarly, the City of Quebec in Marylebone, London’s oldest LGBTQIA+ venue, reopened in June after a complete refurbishment, and the pub has experienced strong trading, with a 77% rise in booked covers. Of Greene King’s portfolio of 1,600 managed pubs, 166 are in Greater London. Zoe Bowley, managing director for Greene King, said: “The success of our investment activity in the capital highlights the value in protecting our pubs and giving them a new lease of life, as this helps us to attract and engage customers and adapt to changing consumer needs, providing stylish, modern facilities and delicious food and drinks menus while also staying true to the unique charm that each pub holds.” A further five Greene King pubs in London are due to undergo refurbishments ahead of the festive trading season, marking a total of 19 Greene King pub investments in the capital this year. Upcoming investments include the Adam & Eve in St James, the Mason Arms in Mayfair, the Earls Court Tavern, the Bayswater Arms and the Two Brewers in Covent Garden – which is due to officially reopen on Friday (7 November) after a month-long renovation.
Luxury food delivery company co-founded by Myleene Klass goes into liquidation: A luxury food delivery company co-founded by Myleene Klass has gone into liquidation with nearly £350,000 of debt. My Supper Hero, founded in 2021, went into voluntary liquidation last month. Documents on Companies House revealed the firm has £348,096’s worth of debt. Klass is still listed as one of three company directors for the business, records show. The company delivered what it called “restaurant-quality meals” across the UK, such as lobster vermicelli and chateaubriand with truffle mashed potatoes. Customers could also order brunch or barbecue ingredients. A roast dinner – beef, chicken, ham or lamb – with all the trimmings for a family of four cost £85. In an Instagram post, the Hear’Say singer said My Supper Hero was for those who, like her, are “not so fond of cooking but love eating”. She said it was “not another box full of ingredients that take ages to prepare”. The meals required just ten minutes to assemble at home and were designed to be a luxury alternative to takeaways. Chef Tom Aikens had a brief collaboration with the company, creating dishes such as marmite and treacle-marinated beef short rib. Meals could be ordered on a one-off basis, but in 2022 a membership scheme was also launched. Members signed up for free and then £25 was automatically added to their account every month. My Supper Hero was created with restaurateur Jamie Barber – founder of Hush restaurant in Mayfair and Hache Burgers.
Neos Hospitality hires Kellie Thorne as its new finance director: Neos Hospitality, the bar and nightclub operator, has hired Kellie Thorne as its new finance director. Thorne joins Neos with extensive experience in financial strategy and leadership across multiple sectors, as the group expands its national footprint with recent multimillion-pound investments and new venue launches. Her appointment follows that of marketing director Will Houghton-Jones earlier this year. Chief executive Russell Quelch said: “We’re excited to welcome Kellie to the Neos team at such a pivotal time for the business. Her financial expertise and strategic insight will be instrumental as we continue to grow and invest in our portfolio across the UK. With both Kellie and Will joining our leadership team this year, we’re building strong foundations to support the next phase of Neos’s expansion and ensure we keep delivering unforgettable experiences for our guests.” Neos Hospitality opoerates 20 venues nationwide under its core Barbara’s Bier Haus, Circuit and Bonnie Rogues brands. The group has delivered over £8m in venue transformations in 2025, with further acquisitions planned into 2026.
Berkshire operator Stormy Pub Company targeting ten-strong estate in next three years after acquiring fourth site: Berkshire operator Stormy Pub Company, run by Dave Kesterton and Jason Walters, is targeting a ten-strong estate in the next three years after acquiring its fourth site. The company has secured The Gateway in Reading, its second leasehold with Heineken-owned Star Pubs. Stormy Pub Company also runs The Victoria in Tilehurst, another Star lease, and a further two leaseholds – The Foresters Arms in Reading and The Mill House in Thatcham. The company is currently undertaking a joint £200,000 refurbishment of The Gateway with Star Pubs to transform it into a “premium town centre local” under its previous name, The Railway Tavern, which will see the pub reopen at the end of November. The Railway Tavern is being overhauled inside and out and will have “the look and feel of a classic London city pub” with a bar, lounge and entertainment areas. The large bar is being reduced in size to increase the pub’s capacity and provide flexibility for entertainment. A small food offering will include filled ciabattas and grazing boards alongside coffee. Kesterton said: “There are lots of bars in Reading but no premium pubs. Although the current market is challenging, our experience is that if you get your offer right and can maintain great quality consistently, you’ll be fine. When money is short, there’s often a rush to the bottom with low prices but that’s not what people want. Value for money for consumers is feeling that their money is well spent. Being an independent business, we are able to adapt rapidly to current trends. The Victoria in particular is thriving because we continually reinvest in the business. People leave happy having had a great time. Going out is more of an occasion nowadays, so the experience needs be good.” Kesterton and Walters said they are looking at community or wet-led pubs within a 15-mile radius of Reading that would fit with their existing model.
Joe & The Juice adds key London and Manchester locations to opening pipeline: Joe & The Juice, the juice and cafe bar brand which operates circa 75 sites in the UK, has added key locations in London and Manchester to its opening pipeline. The brand, which will make its debut in Ireland, in Dublin, next year, has secured a 1,200 square-foot site next to the entrance to Paddington station in London. It comes after Joe & The Juice recently opened in Coal Drops Yard, directly opposite the new UNIQLO flagship site, in King’s Cross. Joe & The Juice has also secured a new flagship site in Manchester. The company has signed on a 2,300 square-foot ground-floor unit in Sunlight House in the city’s Little Quay Street. Sam Moloney, retail director at Joe & The Juice UK, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our next Manchester store in the beautifully restored Sunlight House. It’s a fantastic location for us to connect with the city’s thriving business community.” Last month, Joe & The Juice opened its first site in Africa, in Morocco – its 100th franchise store globally. Founded in Copenhagen in 2002, Joe & The Juice operated 397 stores in 20 countries globally at the end of 2024 and is aiming to grow to 1,000 stores globally within the next five years. In July, it was reported Joe & The Juice’s majority owner, General Atlantic, was exploring a potential US initial public offering of the brand as soon as next year. Etch acts for Joe & The Juice.
Bakers + Baristas and YouMeSushi secure sites at Kent’s Chatham Maritime scheme: Bakers + Baristas and YouMeSushi, the restaurant and takeaway business, have both agreed deals to join the Dockside at Chatham Maritime’s growing food and beverage line-up. Both operators have signed ten-year leases at the mixed-use waterfront destination in Kent. Bakers + Baristas will occupy a 1,750 square-foot unit within Dockside. Since its formation in 1981, the brand has grown to more than 60 stores across the UK and Ireland. Meanwhile, YouMeSushi will be taking a 721 square-foot unit at the scheme. Founded in London’s Marylebone in 2008, YouMeSushi has grown to 25 branches across the UK – mainly in Greater London, with regional outposts in Brighton, Cheltenham, Reading, Luton and Worthing. Dockside forms part of a 300-acre waterfront regeneration zone, featuring historic dockyards, an independent distillery, and a marina. Peter Everest, managing director of landlord WD, said: “The arrivals of Bakers + Baristas and YouMeSushi alongside the recent openings of McDonald’s and Sotto Lounge continues our vision of being a vibrant, modern mixed-use business, retail and leisure hub. Both of these new operators enhance our waterfront leisure experience bringing more variety and choice as we look to cater for this fast-growing community.”
Fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant business Shree Krishna Vada Pav to make north west debut: Shree Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP), the fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant business, is to make its debut in the north west with an opening in Manchester. The 22-strong business has signed a lease agreement with Manchester Arndale to occupy a 2,105 square-foot unit on a 15-year term. Graeme Jones, executive director for asset management at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “SKVP’s arrival reinforces Manchester Arndale’s position as the north west’s premier destination for shopping, leisure and dining. This latest addition enhances the already impressive line-up of tenants we have welcomed this year.” SKVP recently opened its third university location, on the lower ground floor at LSE Garrick in Columbia House, 69 Aldwych, London. This added to its launches at De Montfort University and the University of Leicester. The company, which was founded in 2010 by Joshi and Sujay Sohani, earlier this year secured investment from Haldiram’s, India’s largest snack brand, to fuel its expansion. At the time, SKVP told Propel that it is aiming to grow to 100 locations by 2030.
Megan’s plans Oxford opening: Megan’s, the all-day, neighbourhood restaurant concept, is planning to add to its regional estate with an opening in Oxford. The 21-strong business is planning to open on the former The Real Greek site at 24-26 George Street in the city. Megan’s already has openings lined up in Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire and Windsor in Berkshire. Earlier this year, the company reported revenue increased 12.9% to a record £33,412,886 for the year ending 30 March 2025 compared with £29,599,540 the previous year.
Dubai burger concept G.O.A.T to open in London: G.O.A.T Burger, the Dubai-based concept, is to open a site in London’s Knightsbridge. The concept is set to open on the former Feya’s site at 146 Brompton Road. The brainchild of three friends, G.O.A.T Burger is described as “a purveyor of truly incredible burgers” and was co-founded by the prominent food blogger Sultan Kayed (aka Sultan Eats). The restaurant’s menu consists of brioche buns packed with premium wagyu patties, Japanese teriyaki soy, Mongolian sweet sauce, pastrami beef and a homemade ma’abooch mix. G.O.A.T Burger’s arrival into London marks a step closer to the restaurant’s vision of becoming “an Emirati international food brand”. Kayed told Knightsbridge London: “G.O.A.T is all about experience and quality of service. We see everyone as a family and want them to join us for great food. I dreamed of having a casual dine-in place where different cultures come together in the form of various flavours, and I love to see it coming true every day.”
Ottolenghi hires Odette Schwartz as chief people officer: London restaurant and deli operator Ottolenghi has hired Odette Schwartz, formerly of Bill’s, Wahaca and Nando’s, as its new chief people officer. Schwartz joins Ottolenghi – which earlier this year made its international debut, in Switzerland, at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva – after a year as people and culture director at the Public House Group, the umbrella company from the team behind The Pelican in London’s Notting Hill and the Hero in Maida Vale. Schwartz joined the Public House Group after two and half years as people director at skinny chops concept Blacklock. Previous to that, she spent 14 months as people director at Bill’s, and more than two years as people director at Mexican restaurant brand Wahaca. She also spent 20 years at Nando’s, including four years as its head of people. This summer, Ottolenghi hired Brett Mendoza Farias, former director of operations at Public House Group, as its new chief operating officer. Ottolenghi currently operates nine sites under its eponymous brand, including a site in Richmond, south west London, which it opened earlier this year. The group also operates the Rovi and Nopi restaurants in the capital.
Rosslyn Coffee opens seventh site, lines up number eight: Award-winning coffee business Rosslyn Coffee has opened its seventh site in the City of London, with further openings in the pipeline. The concept, which was founded by former Caravan head of wholesale James Hennebry and Mat Russell, has opened a site at Fenchurch Street station. Hennebry told Propel that Rosslyn Coffee will “soon be launching our eighth location in the Square Mile with more to follow next year”. Hennebry said: “Mat and I first opened the doors at Rosslyn seven years ago with a view to simply creating the kind of coffee shop that we would want to go to. These sites are now among the busiest specialty coffee shops anywhere in the world. It hasn’t always been an easy ride, but it’s always been worthwhile. This is a great success story for specialty coffee in London, with the expansion of our independent business fully driven by our community.”
Nightcap confirms plans to rebrand Barrio site in London’s Soho as La Familia: Nightcap – the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of bars – has confirmed it will rebrand its Barrio site in London’s Soho as La Familia. Propel revealed last month Nightcap was to trial La Familia – a new two-in-one venue that blends a fast-casual taqueria upstairs with a hidden cocktail speakeasy downstairs – at the site in Poland Street. Nightcap has now confirmed the plan to rebrand – and it will be Barrio Shoreditch’s “cooler, older sister”. Nightcap said: “A refined yet playful evolution of Barrio, La Familia is inspired by the fast-food taquerias of Mexico City and the effortless charm of Paris’ La Candelaria.” Nightcap chief executive Sarah Willingham said: “La Familia takes everything guests already love about our Latin spirit and reimagining it for Soho’s vibrant, style-conscious audience. It’s a space that combines incredible food, world-class cocktails, and the kind of energy that defines Nightcap venues. We’re excited to bring something fresh to London’s nightlife.” Nightcap acquired the Barrio Familia bar group for £4.9m in November 2021. The deal included four Latin American-inspired cocktail bars in London trading under the Barrio concept, and the 1960s themed cocktail bar Disrepute in Soho’s Kingly Court. Nightcap said at the time that the Barrio concept had “significant UK rollout potential” and the deal was based on a growing demand for tequila-based drinks. A regional debut site opened in Watford in 2022 but closed nine months later, while Barrio sites in Angel and Brixton were also subsequently closed, leaving the Shoreditch site.
Wetherby Whaler grows turnover and profit due to ‘strong operational focus and resilience’: Yorkshire fish and chip restaurant operator Wetherby Whaler, which is owned by Better Fish, grew its turnover and profit in the year to 31 October 2024 due to “strong operational focus and resilience”. The company, which operates seven fish and chip ships across Yorkshire, saw turnover rise from £12,133,500 in 2023 to £12,871,004. Of this, £6,384,265 came from restaurant sales (2023: £6,087,050) and £6,486,739 from takeaway sales (2023: £6,046,4500). Pre-tax profit was up from £1,801,381 in 2023 to £2,273,538. Dividends of £1,075,000 were paid (2023: £1,300,000). Director Paul Murphy said: “We are pleased with the business performance over the past 12 months, reflecting the strong operational focus and resilience in both restaurant and takeaway offerings. During February 2025, there was a full refurbishment of the Wakefield site at a cost of £741,000, as part of the rolling reinvestment programme, and we remain committed to disciplined investment while remaining mindful of ongoing cost pressures and employee-related costs.”
KG Hospitality launches microbrewery, restaurant, sports bar and live music space in partnership with Meantime in London’s Greenwich: KG Hospitality has launched a microbrewery, restaurant, sports bar and live music space under one roof, in partnership with Meantime Brewing Company, at Greenwich Peninsula in London. The Dial – Home of Meantime is a three-floor destination with a large outdoor terrace and the 360° Bar – a rooftop space with panoramic views. KG Hospitality operates the venue as part a growing portfolio that includes Pop Brixton and Amazing Grace in London Bridge and Canary Wharf. At the heart of The Dial – Home of Meantime is a six-hectolitre microbrewery producing experimental beers, including collaborative brews alongside classics from Meantime’s archives. There are live sports screenings, a weekly live music programme, versatile event spaces and “bold menus”. Meantime Brewing Company was founded in Greenwich in 1999. Vineet Kalra, founder of KG Hospitality, said: “The Dial – Home of Meantime is all about community, location, and creating a space where people can eat, drink, watch sport, dance, and just enjoy life. Partnering with Meantime made it feel like the perfect match.” Tim Clay, managing director of Asahi UK, owner of Meantime, said: “Pioneered in Greenwich, Meantime has been at the forefront of the UK's craft beer movement from the beginning. To be brewing Meantime beer in such an iconic location is testament to the brand’s future and our confidence in the hospitality industry.”
Bubala hires Tom Cousins as director of operations: Middle Eastern vegetarian concept Bubala, which opened its debut site in London’s Spitalfields in 2019 following a string of pop-ups and supper clubs, has hired Tom Cousins, formerly of Rosa’s Thai, Drake & Morgan and Coppa Club, as its new director of operations. Cousins joins the three-strong Bubala after almost five years at Rosa’s Thai, including the past 22 months as its chief operating officer. Previously, he spent 17 months as an operations manager at Drake & Morgan, and three and a half years at the Various Eateries-owned Coppa Club, including two and a half years as an operations director. Earlier this year, Bubala opened its third site in London, in King’s Cross, Cadence Court, at 4 Tapper Walk. Bubala also operates a site in Soho.
Berkshire Indian restaurant business opens third site: Berkshire Indian restaurant business Chilis has opened its third site. The company first opened in Station Approach in Newbury in 2010, and in 2022, the family business followed this with a launch at The Village mall in Reading. Chilis has now opened a second site within The Village, in the former Bolan Thai eatery that closed last year. The two Chilis Reading restaurants are located opposite each other but both have a unique identity, with the first serving Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine, with the second focused on south Indian and Asian fusion cuisine. Krishna Vangala, one of the business owners, told The Reading Chronicle: “You can expect fine dining. It’s a mix of street food, fine dining curries and Tandoori starters, and you’ve got Asian dishes, noodles and fried rice as well. We do our own Chilis ice creams and we do our own cakes and baked products.” Chilis also opened a convenience store in Caversham in 2023. Vangela added: “These are traditional, sauce-based dishes that are taken from our forefathers and our families. My parents and grandparents were all farmers from Hyderabad in India. We grow chillies at our family farm and that’s my passion – natural, organic food.”
Scottish family-run leisure company sees slight dip in turnover and profit: Scottish family-run leisure company Visitor Centres saw a slight dip in turnover and profit in the year to 31 October 2024. The company – which was formed in 1968 and operates Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge, Camera Obscura World of Illusions in Edinburgh and Inveraray Jail in Argyll – reported turnover of £11,841,077, down from £11,985,728 in 2023. Pre-tax profit decreased from £2,609,967 in 2023 to £2,464,623. Director Andrew Johnson said: “The company had a mixed performance. Landmark's sales increased slightly through larger capacities at peak times, enabled by successful recruitment. Camera Obscura’s sales fell slightly due to a reduction in domestic visitors to Edinburgh linked to the UK economy. Inveraray Jail’s income was static while costs increased significantly. The company’s financial position at the year-end remained strong, with net assets totalling £13,368,465, up £1,414,014 (12%). The cash reserves retained by the company were £10,565,755, up £694,624 (7%), continuing to provide security against the risks of a bad year from external factors such as adverse weather or economic conditions. A strong level of cash reserves also allows the company to invest in its attractions and ensure the high quality of the visitor experience and services we offer are maintained and developed.” Dividends of £440,000 were paid (2023: £300,000).
Leeds McDonald’s franchisee opens third site: Leeds McDonald’s franchisee Jammo has opened its third site in the city. Franchise owner Tom Jamison has launched the 74-seat restaurant in the Headingley Central shopping centre in Otley Road, creating about 90 jobs. The site offers dine-in, takeaway and click-and-collect and is open 6am-11pm daily. Jamison said: “I'm delighted to open my third McDonald's restaurant here in Leeds. Opening day was a fantastic success and a great opportunity to bring the Headingley community together. I'm proud of my amazing team and we're excited for what's ahead.”
Juice bar concept closes its last three locations: Juice bar concept Vibe Juice has closed its last three locations – in Luton, Milton Keynes and London’s Moorgate. The company, which was founded in 2012, also previously operated sites in Reading and Derby. Moorgate was the last of its sites to open, in 2023, and was its first travel hub location and first outside of a shopping centre. Director Mitual Kotak said: “After almost 13 incredible years, it’s unfortunately time for Vibe Juice to say goodbye. It’s been a roller coaster of a ride, with so many highs and lows, but in the current economic climate, with rising food costs, higher employment costs and increased business rates, we have had to make the difficult decision to close. Effective immediately, Vibe Juice in Luton, Milton Keynes and Moorgate station will be closed. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal customers, friends and family for all of your support through this journey. A special thanks goes to our hard-working teams, both past and present, who have helped deliver healthy, delicious juices and smoothies, all with awesome customer service. Thanks for being part of the Vibe!”
Hotel group to redevelop and rebrand flagship London venue in £42m project: Immersive Hospitality Management, formerly Corus Hotels, is to redevelop and rebrand one of its flagship London venues in a £42m project. The 309-room Corus Hotel Hyde Park, a 1 Lancaster Gate, closed in September 2025 and will reopen in late autumn 2026 as Hyde & Seek, joining the Tribute Portfolio, one of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 31 brands. The refurbished hotel will have a “bohemian aesthetic theme”, with patterns and colours influenced by fashion designers such as Zandra Rhodes and Ossie Clark, as well as artists such as David Hockney and David Hicks. Hyde & Seek will feature an all-day food and drink concept through various outlets, and there will also be a glass roofed courtyard offering flexible co-working spaces, plus a state-of-the-art gym and studio. Andrew Khoo, chairman of Immersive Hospitality Management, said: “Hyde & Seek is set to become a unique and eccentric addition to the London hotel scene. This project boldly pushes the boundaries of expectation, rejecting the dull and embracing the charm of the location.”
London Detroit-style pizza and natural wine bar concept opens second site: London Detroit-style pizza and natural wine bar concept Ria’s has opened its second site. Building on its Notting Hill original that opened in 2023, founders Ria and David Morgan-Ratcliffe have headed to Soho. The two-floor venue in Fouberts Place offers 38 covers and some outdoor seating. Downstairs, there is also a “wine cave”. At the heart of the menu is Ria’s signature deep-pan, square-cut Detroit-style pizza – available by the “pie” or by the slice. A curated list of natural wine is poured by the glass or bottle, and there is also bottled beer and a small cocktail list. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned, refined it and built something that feels like a confident evolution of the business,” said Ria Morgan-Ratcliffe. “Expect the same signature style, energy, and experience – just a bit more polish. This is very much the natural next step for us. We’re excited, eager, and ready for what’s next.” The Morgan-Ratcliffes left careers in finance and technology to pursue their shared drive to take on an adventure in hospitality “to curate casual dining experiences in homely settings”.
