Propel Newsletter Archive Page

Morning Briefing for pub, restaurant and food wervice operators

Fri 7th Nov 2025 - Propel Friday News Briefing

Story of the Day:

David Page – ‘most financially excited that I have been for 30 years, we have talked to ten businesses that are doing really well’: David Page, chairman of Bow Street Group – formerly Tasty, the owner and operator of the Wildwood and Dim T brands – has said he is “the most financially excited that I have been for 30 years”, and that the company has spoken to “ten businesses that are doing really well” as prospective investment targets. The former PizzaExpress chief executive and ex-Fulham Shore chairman joined Bow Street Group in September, becoming an investor at the same time. As part of its strategic plan, the company is to refurbish restaurants where there is a “clear potential to increase trade and will actively adjust the property portfolio where appropriate”. The group is also seeking restaurant entrepreneurs to partner with. When asked how he knows when a brand has legs, speaking at this week’s Propel Multi-Club Conference, Page said: “It’s 100 different things, or in Wildwood's case, we have 260 points of difference that we are going to make. Fifteen of these 28 Wildwoods are now making – or have made in the recent past – more than £250,000 a year contributing profit. We are going to get back to those levels. Tasty was under pressure from many angles and severely undervalued – we bought it for £1m, but it actually had £1.5m cash in the bank. Half the sites even now make good money – I am the most financially excited that I have been for 30 years. It has 32 sites in great locations, brilliant interiors and a great team. I toured the estate for a month in our camper van, and more than once, customers told me the business was a cheaper and better value version of The Ivy. We need to invest capital in the existing properties, incentivise the people that are currently in the business and put in meaningful three-to-five-year financial incentives. We are looking to invest £2m-£3m on the estate and spend money on the team. We are aiming for a 20% increase in customer number in each of the next three years.” In terms of potential acquisitions, Page said: “We have talked to ten businesses that are doing really well – two dumplings and noodles concepts, two steakhouses, two Japanese, two Portuguese, one café business and one mezze business. Some negotiations are at a more advanced stage than others but unlikely to be announced before next year.” Page was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference will be released to Premium subscribers on Friday, 21 November. Premium subscribers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. 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.

Industry News:

Urban Baristas among businesses presenting at inaugural Propel Franchisor Showcase, free places for operators and investors only: Urban Baristas 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. Urban Baristas was founded in London in 2016 and has since expanded to 18 locations across the capital. Co-founder Huw Wardrope has set ambitious plans, with 12 new stores opening this year and a target of more than 50 by next year. He will discuss how plans are progressing to explore opportunities outside of the capital, the success of its franchise openings so far, how its “Aussie coffee culture” offer is a differentiator in the UK market, and whether international growth could be on the cards. 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 today: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers today (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 (QSR) – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the QSR sector such as Shree Krishna Vada Pav, the fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant business, with an opening in London, Wingstop, which is backed here by US private equity firm Sixth Street, opening its first site in Sheffield, and fried chicken operator Miss Millie’s, opening its first Kent site. 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.

In Conversation – Propel talks to John Vincent, co-founder and owner of Leon: In the latest In Conversation podcast, Propel group editor Mark Wingett and Mark Stretton, chief executive of leading sector public relations firm Fleet Street Communications, talk to John Vincent, co-founder and owner of Leon. Available today (Friday, 21 November) at 3pm to Premium subscribers, Vincent discusses the reasons for buying back the naturally fast-food brand from Asda last week, his determination to “create the earth’s favourite fast food”, what it is going to take to do that and his views on the wider sector.

James Hacon – there will be a continued shift towards venues offering plural experiences: James Hacon, managing partner at Think Hospitality Consulting, has said he anticipates a continued shift towards experiential and competitive socialising venues offering plural experiences, as “single-activity concepts risk ‘burning through’ their audience within a few years”. Writing in this week’s Propel Premium, Hacon said: “I anticipate a continued shift towards venues offering plural experiences. Mainstream brands will increasingly incorporate experiential and entertainment elements, with more suppliers providing the necessary technology and solutions. At the same time, food hall-first operators are beginning to move in the opposite direction – adding gaming, live entertainment and interactive leisure to their mix – further blurring the lines between dining, socialising and play. This crossover will accelerate as both sectors compete for the same audience's time and spend.” Propel Premium will be sent to Premium Club subscribers today (Friday, 7 November) at 5pm. It will also feature Butcombe Group chief executive Jonathan Lawson, who discusses reasons for pubs to be positive and to stay relevant, and Propel editorial advisor Katherine Doggrell, reporting from Propel’s Winter Multi Club event, where the sector demanded that the government shows a moral backbone. At the same time, Victoria Searl, founder and chief executive of DataHawks Customer Intelligence, focuses on how private equity needs to use data more wisely to create stronger, sustainable businesses. 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.

Prestige Purchasing warns of further energy-related cost rises for sector businesses: Prestige Purchasing has warned sector businesses to be aware of further energy-related cost rises on the horizon. Founder David Read said from December, the nuclear regulated asset base – a government-backed financing model designed to attract private investment into large-scale infrastructure projects – will put an additional charge on electricity invoices, raising costs by around 1.7% from 1 December. Furthermore, charge and transmission network use of system tariffs – designed to recover the cost of operating, maintaining and expanding the national grid – are forecast to rise to 10.6% of the average annual electricity consumer bill in 2026 – an increase in the proportion of the customer bill from 5.8% in 2025/26. This level of year-on-year increase is also forecast to continue each year through to 2030. Read, writing in today’s (Friday, 7 November) Friday Opinion, said: “The hard reality here is that we are now in the midst of a global energy transition from carbon to renewables. Over time, we may well see a cost dividend from the enormous investment required to make this transition a reality, but for the foreseeable future, energy that is not self-generated will continue to increase in cost faster than any of us would wish.” Read shares more of his thoughts, and explains why what is happening in the energy sector “is a single lens on the much wider global challenge of inflation”, in today’s Friday Opinion, which will be sent out at 11am.

Rick Stein – it seems a complete ‘home goal’ to target parts of the economy not well equipped to deal with it: Chef and restaurateur Rick Stein has said it seems to him “a complete ‘home goal’ to target parts of the economy that are not well-equipped to deal with it”. He told The Standard he thinks a moratorium on VAT “would be good” for the sector. He said: “What the government is trying to do, I guess, is to increase the tax situation by growth, but doing so by putting national insurance up just stopped growth. If you’re faced with ever-increasing taxes, you’re going to cut back on labour wherever you can. You’re certainly not going to hire people unless you absolutely need to. I appreciate that the country is not in a good state, but it seems to me a complete ‘home goal’ to target parts of the economy that are not well equipped to deal with it. Hospitality is always taken as a slightly second-rate way of the national wealth, but tourism and hospitality are so important.” On how have his own restaurants have fared, Stein added: “It’s hard work, there’s no denying that. We were dealt some difficult hands. It makes me quite irritated when people think that restaurant prices being on the high side now means restaurants are making loads of money. I just think ‘you try it, if you think it’s a way of printing money’ – because it’s hard.”

Hawksmoor co-launches national scheme connecting restaurants with rare-breed farmers: A new nationwide initiative, co-launched by Hawksmoor, is looking to bring Britain’s rare-breed beef back to restaurant tables – linking farmers and chefs in a drive to revive native livestock and sustainable food production. The project, launched by conservation charity Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and Hawksmoor, aims to create direct supply routes between farms that rear them and restaurants “eager to showcase their exceptional produce”. The initiative will see farms with herds of rare native cattle selected to supply premium cuts such as T-bone, Porterhouse and prime rib for restaurant menus across the UK and Ireland. RBST chief executive Christopher Price told Farming UK the scheme will give diners the chance to experience the outstanding flavour and texture of native-breed beef while helping to secure the future of traditional British livestock. Hawksmoor co-founder Huw Gott said: “It might seem counter-intuitive, but the best way to help these beautiful old breeds survive is to eat their beef. By choosing it, we’re backing the farmers who rear them slowly, responsibly and sustainably – and helping to ensure these magnificent animals remain part of our countryside and our future.” RBST and Hawksmoor also plan to work with farmers to find markets for the full range of cuts, ensuring rare-breed farming remains commercially viable.

Company News:

Papa John’s UK records strongest quarter since covid, global company commences review of cost structure: Papa John’s UK has reported its strongest trading quarter since covid, reflecting the “success of its recent brand relaunch, new partnerships with aggregators, and a renewed focus on customer experience and loyalty”. The brand, which operates circa 450 sites here, said UK sales saw high single-digit positive growth in the three months to 30 September 2025, while revenue rose by $800,000 at company-owned restaurants in the UK, driven by improved operational performance. Globally, systemwide restaurant sales reached $1.21bn, a 2% increase compared with the prior year, supported by higher international comparable sales and sustained net restaurant growth over the last 12 months. Internationally, comparable sales increased 7.1%, and total international revenue increased approximately $6m as “transformation initiatives in the UK and priority markets resulted in better performance across all lines of business”. Chris Phylactou, managing director, UK & Europe, at Papa John’s, said: “These results reflect the dedication and focus of our UK team in delivering against our strategic priorities for the year. This year, our focus has been on returning to profitability, and it is encouraging to see the changes we have introduced – relaunching our brand identity, optimising our media visibility, partnering with aggregators – have resonated with our customers and driven real momentum for the business. By reinforcing our commitment to quality ingredients, rewarding our loyal fans and delivering exceptional customer service, we have been able to realise these strong financial results, setting the foundation for continued growth and long-term success for Papa John’s in the UK.” It comes as the company saw global like-for-like sales decline 3% in the quarter, which it blamed on a tough consumer environment in the US and a heavy promotional environment in the fast-food sector. The company announced it had started a review of its cost structure to cut expenses, which had already identified at least $25m in savings over the next two years. Those cost cuts follow the company’s previously announced efforts to reduce $50m in supply chain costs.

Former Domino’s family franchisee aiming to take his grilled chicken concept to ‘every major city in the UK’, considering franchise play: Former Domino’s family franchisee Ricky Sahota has told Propel he is aiming to take his grilled chicken concept, Cluck’d, to “every major city in the UK”. Sahota learnt the ropes in hospitality working for his dad and uncle’s Domino’s franchise, MSG Group, and his brother’s German Doner Kebab (GDK) franchise, SB Group, before pivoting to grilled chicken and launching Cluck’d in the summer of 2023. A debut location in Norwich’s Westlegate was followed last week by site number two, which opened at 653 Silbury Boulevard in Lloyds Court, Milton Keynes. Sahota told Propel: “I was driving around with some family members discussing trialling our own concept. We’d had Domino’s and GDK, and we thought ‘what do we like?’ We’d always liked grilled chicken but didn’t want to go down the piri-piri route. Cooking times are the only real difference from what we were doing before – it’s still the same remit in that it’s a quick service restaurant operation. The real challenge will be going from franchisee to franchisor, but hopefully having been on both sides of the table will help.” Sahota said the team is still considering whether to launch a franchise programme. “It’s still being discussed,” he said. “I’d like Cluck’d to be in every major UK city in five years. Obviously, franchising would get us there quicker, but we’d like to open four or five sites ourselves and get proof of concept before deciding if that’s the route we want to go down. We’re opening in Leicester in February, and have plans to open in Cambridge, Coventry and Manchester too.”

Bill’s to open site in London’s Westfield Stratford, sees continued cover growth: Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant group, is set to open a new 170-cover site in London’s Westfield Stratford next March, which it said will mark “another step in the company’s ongoing growth strategy”. The company said the restaurant – the brand’s largest in more than a decade and its 49th in total – follows a period of “strong trading and profitability” for the business as it continues to build momentum across the UK. The company said: “Key, award-winning campaigns such as kids eat free and the £5 bottomless pancakes each Friday have seen continued cover growth year on year, as the group has seen profits double since 2022, with an evolution of the brand’s visual identity, innovation and menu offering.” Bill’s managing director Tom James added: “We are excited to be opening a new Bill’s restaurant in London’s Westfield Stratford in 2026. After two successful new sites last year, it’s nice to be back in the capital for our first big opening of the new year. Westfield Stratford is a location we have been following for a while, especially as we have a great restaurant in Westfield’s White City location, and the development plans for Stratford are very exciting.” In September, Bill’s made its return to Leicester – three years after leaving the city – with an opening at the Highcross shopping centre. Kate Taylor, of DCL, acted on the Westfield Stratford deal.

Champneys secures new funding agreement to support next growth phase including UK and international expansion: Champneys, the spa resort business founded by Stephen Purdew and his late mother Dorothy, has secured a new funding agreement to support its next growth phase, including expansion in the UK and overseas. The funding from Cheyne Capital includes a £32m capital expenditure facility to refurbish and upgrade all bedrooms and public areas across Champneys’ portfolio of four spa resorts and two spa hotels. The funding will enable further enhancements to spa and wellness facilities, food and beverage offerings and landscaping. The investment will also support Champneys’ sustainability initiatives, with a focus on energy-efficient systems, waste reduction and environmental stewardship across its estates. Champneys is also eyeing both domestic and international expansion as part of its next phase of growth. This includes a franchising model exemplified by the recent opening at the Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club in Spain, and still-to-be-announced UK operations. Champneys chief executive Alan Whiteley said: “With Cheyne’s support, we can protect our historic properties, strengthen our brand, and expand responsibly.” Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Latest available accounts show in the year to 30 April 2024, Champneys’ pre-tax loss widened to £8,480,773 from £5,045,406. Turnover increased to £58,245,971 from £56,546,569 the previous year.

Soul Mama secures second site, ‘planning expansion across the nation’: Soul Mama, the live music venue and dining concept from musician, broadcaster, author and philanthropist YolanDa Brown, is to open a second site in London and said it is “planning expansion across the nation”. The business will open a second site, at Westfield Stratford, next spring. The new 150-cover venue will be located in “The Street”, the scheme’s outdoor hub for restaurants and bars. Brown and fellow founder, Adetokunbo “T” Oyelola, said that with Soul Mama, they set out to create a music venue and restaurant “grounded in the community”. The concept was launched last year via a crowdfund on the Kickstarter platform, with £248,148 raised. As well as the Stratford Westfield site opening in March, the pair said they are planning expansion across the nation. Brown said: “Our dreams are big! To add joy, light and laughter to as many lives as possible – using music, education, food and more as a vehicle. We cannot wait to bring our special venue Soul Mama to Westfield Stratford City.”

Gosnells acquires second pub site, ‘with more to come in 2026’: Gosnells, the Peckham-based brewers of Honey Drinks, has acquired a second venue, taking over John the Unicorn (JTU) from the Portobello Pub Group, and said there was ‘more to come in 2026’. The company, which opened its first bar in Bermondsey, said that under Gosnells ownership, existing JTU staff will be retained, and the venue’s name will not be changed. Founder Tom Gosnell said: “It’s part of the fabric of Rye Lane. We want to lean into what makes John the Unicorn iconic, while weaving in the Gosnells DNA – moments of unexpected delight, a bit of playfulness and that feeling that you’ve stumbled into somewhere rare and prized. As both a brand and business, we strongly believe in ‘by Peckham, for Peckham’, so there’s an extra layer of pride that we’re taking over such a storied space in our own backyard.” The JTU joins the Gosnells Bermondsey Bar as a second flagship site – “with more to come in 2026”. Managing director of the Portobello Pub Company, Richard Stringer, said: “We have loved our time with John the Unicorn, but it is exciting to see it gain a new lease of life with a truly locally rooted business. We have worked with Gosnells for several years and know that they will bring some fresh ideas and activities to JTU. We remain focused on our own extensive refurbishment programme, which continues over the next few weeks at No 32 in Clapham and Westow House in Crystal Palace.”

LPM Restaurant & Bar to expand GCC footprint with Bahrain launch: LPM Restaurant & Bar – which was founded in London in 2007 and opened its first La Petite Maison site in the capital before expanding overseas – is to expand its footprint in the GCC with a launch in Bahrain. Scheduled to open at the end of 2026, LPM Bahrain will be located within the Harbour Heights tower development in Bahrain Harbour. The 135-cover venue will feature a harbourside terrace, offering views of Manama’s waterfront skyline. La Petite Maison chief executive Nicolas Budzynski said: “Over the years, we have been approached numerous times and explored various opportunities, and we believe that now is the perfect time to establish our presence in the country. We have had the pleasure of welcoming many Bahraini guests across our different locations, and their continued support gives us great confidence in the success of this new venture.” LPM has a presence in cities such as London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Miami, Riyadh, Doha, and Hong Kong, and its expansion into Bahrain “reflects a strategic focus on premier coastal markets known for their luxury and lifestyle appeal”. In July, the company secured three new international locations – in Kuwait, Marbella and the Maldives. At the start of the year, the group secured its third and fourth US locations and said it intended to add five more there in the next five years. For the year ending 30 December 2024, LPM saw turnover increase to £17,436,138 compared with £16,536,867 the year before while pre-tax profit was down to £539,252 from £2,135,868 the previous year.

Former Gaucho CEO says business was aware of charity agreement: Martin Williams, former chief executive of Gaucho, has responded to what he describes as “incorrect information” provided by the steakhouse business over its agreement with charity Not For Sale. Gaucho has faced accusations of “greenwashing” after anti-slavery group Not For Sale said the business had failed to pay a £60,000 invoice for carbon offsetting work that took place in 2024. Gaucho had forged a relationship with Not For Sale when it was run by Williams, who is now chief executive of Evolv Collection. A statement from Gaucho said it was not aware of any formal arrangement with Not For Sale and claimed the charity instead had a personal relationship with Williams, who stepped down as chief executive of Gaucho’s parent company, Rare Restaurants, in 2024 before joining Evolv, the hospitality group formerly known as D&D London. In a statement, Williams refuted this, stating he personally emailed new Gaucho chief executive Baton Berisha “and another board member” in June “to inform them of the relationship, confirming the board of directors had approved a charity partnership with Not for Sale”. He said: “The statement by Gaucho that Not for Sale had a ‘personal relationship with the former chief executive of the business’ is incorrect. This was an approved and transparent business relationship.” A statement published by Not for Sale describes its relationship with Gaucho’s parent company Rare Restaurants as a “formal institutional partnership, governed by written agreements”, and insists ‘it was not a personal arrangement, as current management has suggested”. Williams said: “The current chairman (David Campbell) and chief executive (Baton Berisha) have every right to change the emphasis of a sustainability strategy within the company. However, the reported quotes are factually incorrect. I hope Rare and Not for Sale are able to resolve their differences.” A previous statement from Gaucho said Not For Sale was not a UK charity and had not “provided any financial information to us or evidence for how it has previously used funds”. Gaucho said: “Going forward, Gaucho has decided to transfer its support to other charities, and reviews this each year going forward. Gaucho will only act with and through UK registered charity organisations.”

Dorbiere adds Cumbrian hotel to growing estate: Pub operator Dorbiere – which operates circa 40 pubs across the Midlands, north west and north east – has acquired The King Alfred Hotel in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, for an undisclosed sum. Located in Ocean Road, The King Alfred has a bar, restaurant and function room as well as ten en-suite guest bedrooms. The Victorian Gothic-style hotel opened in 1904 and is named after the HMS King Alfred ship that was built just across the Walney Channel. Dorbiere said it is committed to investing in British hospitality by “restoring and re-energising historic pubs that sit at the heart of their communities, with a strong presence across the north and a passion for creating welcoming, well-run venues”. Ebrahim Mukadam, managing director of Dorbiere, said: “With its rich heritage and prime location, The King Alfred presents an exciting opportunity. Over the coming months, we’ll be working closely with our head chef, Nikki Irabor, to evolve the food offering, introducing new concepts, fresh cakes and quality coffee, alongside extended kitchen hours. Our new general manager, Alan Eddevane, will lead the transformation of the bar and wider business into a real community hub, enhancing the drinks range, and launching a refreshed entertainment and live sports schedule. The rooms are currently being refurbished. We’re thrilled to be the new custodians of The King Alfred and look forward to bringing new energy to this iconic venue while honouring its heritage and role in the community.” Christie & Co acted on the deal. Last month, Propel reported Dorbiere was “seeking new opportunities to expand” after growing its profit in the year to 30 September 2024. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £3,075,046 compared with £2,811,524 in 2023. Turnover was up from £15,049,975 in 2023 to £15,326,657.

Cambridgeshire bakery business closes crowdfund after raising almost £300,000: Cambridgeshire bakery business Stir has closed its crowdfunding campaign after raising almost £300,000. The company, which operates five sites in the region, launched the campaign last month on crowdfunding platform Republic Europe to help fund its expansion. Stir initially aimed to raise £200,000 and was offering 5.27% equity, giving the company a pre-money valuation of £4.8m. The campaign has now closed after raising £291,301 from 128 investors in 24 days. Stir, founded by Matt and Judith Harrison in 2015, currently operates Marvin’s in Cambridge, Stir Café and Stir Bakery in Chesterton, plus Stir Cafés in Histon and Cherry Hinton. Giving an update at the end of last month, Matt said the company is set to double its footprint with five new sites. He said: “Firstly, I can confirm we have agreements in place for a second location on the Addenbrooke's campus (more of a 'grab and go' unit this time) and a new-build cafe location close to the centre of Cambridge (I can't name the specific development just yet). We also have an outline agreement for a new Stir cafe in a large village to the south of Cambridge. This is moving fast and we hope to be in a position to formally announce it in the next few weeks. We are also in confidential discussions to take over two sites in Cambridge currently run by other operators – one would probably be a Marvin's and one a Stir.”

French café concept Copains secures second UK site as it prepares to make debut here: French café concept Copains has secured his second UK site as it prepares to make its debut here this month. Propel reported in September that Copains – which operates 16 outlets in France, the majority of which are in Paris – had agreed a deal with Shaftesbury Capital for a 460 square-foot café at 54 Neal Street in Covent Garden. The site is set to open on Monday, 24 November. Now, Copains has also secured an outlet in Islington. Copains is set to open in Upper Street, in the former Toast premises, reports Hot Dinners. It comes as Copains, which was founded four years ago by two former LVMH employees – Giovanni Amico (chief executive) and Baptiste Borne (operational director) – has also launched in Belgium. The group is opening four stores in the next few weeks in Brussels. The first will open at the Marché aux Herbes, a second in rue Jean Stas and a third in the Chaussée de Charleroi, and a flagship store is also set to open early next year. Entirely gluten-free, the company has had to change its name in Belgium to “Copines Paris” due to a legal dispute with an existing business of the same name.

Diageo cuts sales and profit forecasts again amid falling demand in US and China: Guinness owner Diageo has cut its sales and profit forecasts again as it flagged dwindling demand in China and the US. The company said operating profit growth was set to be in the low to mid single-digit range for the year to June 2026, down from its previous guidance of mid single digits. Sales were now likely to contract compared with 2025, against previous expectations of flat sales, the business added. Diageo shares were down 3.76%, or 67.50p, to 1,730.00p, having fallen by nearly a quarter in the past year. Nik Jhangiani, interim chief executive, said the group was “not satisfied” with the company's performance. Diageo reported net sales of £3.75bn in its first quarter to 30 September 2025, down 2.2% from £3.83bn the previous year. Average prices for its products in Europe increased 5.3%. In North America, sales were down 3.5%, while sales across the Asia Pacific fell 9.7% year-on-year, offsetting growth of around 5% in Europe. The business said it saw a sharp drop in the value and volume of sales in China, with demand also dwindling for white spirits such as baijiu. However, Diageo saw sales growth across its Guinness and Johnnie Walker scotch brands, as well as branded cocktails and ready-to-drink labels such as Smirnoff Ice. Diageo said it was expecting organic net sales to be flat or slightly down over the full year, compared with the previous year. The business reaffirmed its plan to cut around £478m from its costs over the next three years.

The Coaching Inn Group named Which? hotel group of the year: The Coaching Inn Group, the RedCat Hospitality-owned business, has been named hotel group of the year in the large hotel chains category by consumer champion Which? The Coaching Inn Group operates more than 1,000 rooms across 36 properties. The Which? Recommended Provider status is based on customer score and other criteria, including overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend. The Coaching Inn Group achieved a score of 81%, topping the table in the large hotel chains category, which is defined as “groups with more than 30 hotels worldwide”. The recognition follows a record-breaking summer for the group. From June to August 2025, total sales rose 8% year-on-year, with like-for-like growth of 7.5%. Over two years, sales have increased by 17.9%. The group said accommodation performance was “particularly strong”, with revpar up 9.7%, average daily rate up 10.4% and average length of stay increasing 20%. The group broke its previous best week record six times in nine weeks. The company’s most recent opening, the Castle of Brecon Hotel in Wales, delivered a 94.3% uplift in sales following a £3m refurbishment, while the Jamaica Inn near Launceston, Cornwall, generated £662,000 in summer sales. Meanwhile, The Bell in Stilton in Cambridgeshire saw sales rise 30.2% year-on-year, with food and beverage revenue up 38.9%. Adam Charity, chief operating officer at The Coaching Inn Group, said: “Our ethos has always been to unlock the potential of locations, blending heritage and charm with modern luxury to create unique and memorable stays. Our inns are rooted in local communities and designed to offer hospitality from the heart, and it’s fantastic to see that recognised by guests themselves.” RedCat Hospitality said it plans to continue expanding The Coaching Inn Group and has a strong pipeline of acquisitions and refurbishments.

Team behind Sunday in Brooklyn in the UK to open new Irish-American pub restaurant: 13th Street Hospitality Group, which is behind the US concept Sunday in Brooklyn in the UK, is to launch a new pub restaurant venue in the City. The business is to launch The Horsemen, which is described as an “Irish-American free house and club dining” venue, early next year at Broadgate Central. The company currently operates two sites in the capital under the New York-inspired restaurant concept, Sunday in Brooklyn. The first UK site for Sunday in Brooklyn opened in London’s Notting Hill in July 2021, after the business took over the site previously occupied by French brasserie Cote in Westbourne Grove. A second opened last year, in St Christopher’s Place. Sunday in Brooklyn was founded by Todd Enany, Adam Landsman and chef Jaime Young in 2016, in the New York borough’s Williamsburg neighbourhood.

Aparthotel operator Lamington Group secures £41.75m loan to support York project: Aparthotel operator Lamington Group has secured a £41.75m Green Development and Investment Loan to support its latest project – Room2 York. This will be a net zero carbon “hometel”, which is set to open in the spring of 2027. The loan – secured through Coutts Commercial – will support construction of Room2 York and contribute to Lamington Group’s wider pipeline of net zero developments across the UK. Lamington Group’s planned 116-room property in York will be its first in the north of England and feature meeting spaces, a gym and Winnie’s café and bar, alongside sustainable design elements such as solar panels and carbon dioxide-controlled ventilation. Stuart Godwin, managing director at Lamington Group, said: “This loan package will enable us to deliver the design-led, customer centric Room2 ‘hometel’ in York, and allow for further sites to be brought into our net zero pipeline.” Room2’s “hometel” offering was the brainchild of Godwin and his brother Stuart, former members of the British Olympic development sailing team. The venues combine elements from Airbnb, serviced apartments and boutique hotels. Room2 currently has four operational locations – in Hammersmith and Chiswick in west London, and in Southampton and Belfast.

Former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth to transform Freak Scene in London’s Parsons Green into new concept: Former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth will transform Freak Scene, his pan-Asian concept in Parsons Green, south west London, into a new concept. Hallsworth, who opened Japanese-inspired concept Kuroyoko in Balham, south London, in September, will launch Freak Momma on Tuesday (11 November), at 28 Parsons Green Lane. Freak Momma “takes Freak Scene’s rebellious streak and cranks it up to 11”, operating as a “Japanese super-diner” combining “Tokyo izakaya spirit and classic diner indulgence”. A menu of small plates and comfort food includes Singapore butter ribs with condensed milk, curry leaf and soy; cheeseburger spring rolls, the Freak Momma Burger with crispy five-spice duck; and the Izakaya Smash loaded with barbecue onions and liquid miso-cheese sauce. Hallsworth first made his name leading kitchens at Nobu London and Nobu Melbourne before launching Kurobuta, with locations in Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Marble Arch. In July, he joined forces with Evolv Collection, formerly D&D London, to bring Freak Scene for an exclusive pop-up residency at its Wardour Street venue in London’s Soho that will run until the end of November.

Fashion designer George Davies opens boutique hotel and restaurant in Cotswolds: Fashion designer George Davies has opened a boutique hotel and restaurant in the Cotswolds. Davies – the creative force behind Next, George at Asda, and Per Una at Marks & Spencer – and his wife, Arlene, have launched House of George in the village of Broadway. At the heart of House of George is Moda, a 30-cover fine dining restaurant led by head chef James Wilson, formerly of the three-Michelin keys hotel, The Newt in Somerset. Moda is Wilson’s first solo opening and draws inspiration from his time in kitchens across Scandinavia and the UK. Moda serves an everchanging nine-course tasting menu alongside an à la carte offering and set lunch menu. There is also a bar offering a cocktail menu and a private dining room seating up to ten guests. House of George also features ten bedrooms. “House of George isn’t just about luxury,” said Arlene. “It’s about connection – to our guests, our neighbours, and this extraordinary village we’re so proud to call home.”

West Midlands family-owned bakery to open its first dine-in café, second to follow: West Midlands family-owned bakery Silver Tree Bakery has secured £250,000 in debt finance to open its first dine-in café – with a second to follow. The 70-seat café will open at Sutton Coldfield’s Gracechurch Centre. The investment has been provided through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II via fund manager Frontier Development Capital. The backing will support the fit-out of a 3,000 square-foot premises. Operating from Water Orton, Silver Tree Bakery produces artisan cakes, pastries and sourdough loaves for a fast-growing wholesale customer base, and also runs a woodland café. The business is led by siblings Kirk Bick and Kirsty Cosgrave at a site adjacent to their parents’ home. Originally running a catering company, the family pivoted to direct sales when events ceased during the covid pandemic. Since then, Silver Tree Bakery has expanded significantly, tripling turnover in three years. Work on the Sutton Coldfield venue is underway, with opening scheduled for early December. Plans are also progressing for a similar concept in Birmingham city centre next year. Bick said: “I started my career at the age of 14 with a weekend job in a hotel kitchen, and it has always been my ambition to run a bakery. The new outlets will enable us to expand our business while remaining true to our roots as an independent family firm producing high-quality food.”

Oxford Castle Quarter brought to market with £31m price tag: Westgate Partnership has brought Oxford Castle Quarter, the prime hotel and leisure scheme which includes sites operated by JD Wetherspoon and Stonegate Group, to the market with a guide price of £30.94m. CBRE has been instructed to handle the sale and is seeking offers in excess of the guide price, reflecting a net initial yield of 7.25%. Oxford Castle Quarter also comprises a 95-bedroom hotel and 39,134 square feet of leisure units, currently let to restaurant, bar and leisure operators including a Slug & Lettuce, a Namaste Village, and JD Wetherspoon’s The Swan & Castle. Joe Hankin, senior director, Capital Markets at CBRE UK, said: “There are seldom opportunities to acquire assets as distinctive as Oxford Castle Quarter, which offers a long-let hotel and leisure investment opportunity located in Oxford’s city centre. This market is particularly strong and attracts significant investment from global capital, which will likely support diverse investor interest in Oxford Castle Quarter.”