Propel Newsletter Archive Page

Immersive Gamebox prepares for accelerated global expansion after ‘transformative year’: Immersive Gamebox, which operates the Electric Gamebox brand and was acquired by Harlan Capital Partners in January, has told Propel it has entered a “pivotal new chapter focused on data-driven growth and asset-light scalability”. It comes as Immersive Gamebox announced its first US franchise agreement and a new “plug-and-play” concession model. This follows what leadership described as a “transformative year” for the business. The brand currently operates from 36 locations globally, with a range of owned venues and strategic partnerships with the likes of Gravity Fitness and Center Parcs. The business recently opened its first site in Saudi Arabia in partnership with Apparel Group, one of the GCC's largest retail operators. Lisa Paton, chief executive of Immersive Gamebox, told Propel: “This has been a transformative year for the business. The change of ownership enabled us to take a different approach and we’ve made a fundamental shift in how the business operates. We’ve spent the year improving the underlying business performance, and are now well placed for accelerated global expansion through our new concession model, and strong franchise pipeline. At the heart of our decision making, is a new data science function that is enabling us to make predictive, high-impact decisions with confidence.” This data-led transformation has helped see revenue increase 42% year-on-year, with venue Ebitda up 200%. The company said it has also seen record retention levels, with repeat-rates over the summer up almost 100% year-on-year. Paton said: “The brand is now eyeing accelerated global expansion, through a combination of owned, franchise and concession units, with strategically selected locations using our in-house-developed venue-selection tool. A major component of our ‘2026+ growth plan’ is the launch of a new concession model. Validated through partner research, this ‘plug-and-play’ single-box format is optimised for quick, low-capex installation and high-margin walk-up play. We already have ten agreements in place, and are due to launch our first pilot with Alamo Drafthouse (owned by Sony) in Austin, Texas, in the first quarter of 2026.”

Industry News:

ETM Group COO Michael Farquhar among speakers at 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Michael Farquhar, chief operating officer at ETM Group, will be among the speakers at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Farquhar will talk to Deborah Jones, senior client success manager at Proinsight, about the career lessons that shaped his leadership and the impact of ETM’s Hospitality Heroes programme. Together, they will distil his biggest learnings into practical takeaways that today’s hospitality leaders can put into action. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its eighth edition, and tickets are on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are open for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 20 and 21 January at Hilton Bankside in London. A bigger venue allows for a dual-stage format, meaning more content than ever before. The conference will focus on technology, marcomms strategies, proposition, brand building, the latest market insights, digital developments and diversification of revenue streams. It is designed for customer focused chief executives, senior marketers, technology and innovation teams, as well as investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. For the full speaker schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £950 plus VAT for the two days. Propel Premium Club subscribers receive a 20% discount. To book, email: rmi@propelinfo.com

Government minister says pubs row is ‘the one weak spot in the Budget’ as more than 1,000 bar Labour MPs: A government minister has admitted the pubs row is “the one weak spot in the Budget” and “the thing we may need to backtrack on”. It comes as campaigners said more than 1,000 pubs are thought to have barred Labour politicians in a protest over higher business rates. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ local pub in her Leeds West & Pudsey constituency, the Marsh Inn, became the latest to join the ranks of the No Labour MPs protest this weekend. “The pubs row is the one weak spot in the Budget,” one minister told The Guardian. “That’s the thing we may need to backtrack on.” The campaign was started earlier this month by Andy Lennox, founder of Fired Up Collective, the Nusara and West Wessex Pub Company operator and founder of Koh Thai. He told The Times: “It’s national, all over the UK now. I think the best guess is more than 1,000 pubs [taking part]. The [business] rates sting was the straw that broke the camel’s back. We were already struggling before that.” Adrian Black, who has run The Rose and Crown with his wife Sharon in Hartlip, Kent, for eight years, told The Telegraph its business rates will jump by £4,173 to £8,273 a year from next April – a figure that will further climb to £22,000 by the time of the next general election. “I have to generate an extra £45,000 in sales next year just to stand still,” said Black, who has spent much of the last month desperately seeking out ways to trim costs. “I look at every supplier daily. We order from about six different ones so we can get the best rate. We’re always changing electricity and gas suppliers. Where else can we get our money from?”

Alcohol consumption falls to record low in Britain: Britons are drinking less alcohol than before, as financial pressures, health concerns and an ageing population lead to cutbacks in consumption, according to new findings. The average UK adult consumed 10.2 alcoholic drinks a week last year, the lowest figure since data collection began in 1990 and a decline of more than a quarter from the peak of 14 two decades ago, according to research company IWSR. Teetotalism is not on the rise despite the decline in consumption, suggesting more moderate drinking habits have driven the trend. IWSR president Marten Lodewijks told the FT: “The population is ageing and older consumers physiologically don’t drink as much. There are also elements of health consciousness. The cost of living is also up so people just can’t afford to ‘drink out’ as much.” Lodewijks said “premiumisation” is also helping the industry sustain revenues despite a decline in sales. While Generation Z – people of legal drinking age to 27 – consume less alcohol than previous generations at the same age, easing cost-of-living pressures have led more young Britons to turn their back on sobriety, the research suggested. This autumn 79% of Generation Z of legal age had consumed alcohol in the previous six months, up from 66% in spring 2023. Meanwhile, overall drinking rates among older Britons have remained stable.

Restaurants' delivery sales growth beats inflation in November but takeaways flag: Britain’s leading restaurant groups saw delivery sales rise 3.6% year-on-year in November, according to the latest NIQ Hospitality at Home Tracker, powered by CGA intelligence. The figure is slightly above the UK’s rate of inflation in November, which was set at 3.2% by the consumer prices index from the Office for National Statistics. However, it is well below the tracker’s figure of 7.6% in October, and is the lowest growth since June. Hospitality’s at-home sales were further weakened in November by slow takeaways and click-and-collect orders. Sales by value in these channels fell 8.8% year-on-year—the worst figure of 2025 so far. The net result of rising deliveries and falling takeaways was that restaurants’ at-home sales were exactly level in November. It continues a pattern of flat or modest like-for-like sales growth in 2025 as consumers tightened their spending. The tracker shows more positive sales trends on a total basis. Adding in newly opened restaurants, or sites where deliveries and takeaways have been introduced for the first time, last month’s sales were 6.1% ahead of November 2024. The tracker shows deliveries earned 13.4p in every pound spent with restaurants in November, while takeaways and click-and-collect orders attracted 4.8p in every pound. Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “November’s real-terms growth in delivery sales is welcome news for restaurants. However, it’s clear much of the extra revenue has come over from directly-ordered takeaways, and it’s been powered by higher prices rather than extra volumes. Growth is also unlikely to be covering the additional costs that have been imposed on hospitality over the last 12 months, with yet more tax burdens from the Budget to come.”

Company News:

TGI Fridays parent company seeks more time to secure rescue package for business: The parent company of TGI Fridays in the UK has filed a second notice of intention to appoint administrators as it seeks more time to secure a rescue package for the 49-strong brand. Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the company responsible for TGI Fridays’ UK operations, submitted a notice of intention to appoint administrators on 5 December. The group has now filed a second notice of intention to appoint administrators, giving it a further ten days to find new investment or a buyer for the business, while halting debt collection. The business also confirmed all TGI Fridays restaurants will remain open over Christmas. Phil Broad, president of TGI Fridays international franchising, said: “The directors of TGI Fridays UK can confirm that a notice of intent to appoint administrators was filed with the court. This step brings the new owners, who assumed control last month, closer to securing and strengthening the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK.” Broad emphasised the top priority was safeguarding the brand’s UK workforce of 2,000 and its remaining outlets. Last month, the future of TGI Fridays’ UK operations were thrown into fresh doubt just a month after the casual dining brand was bought by the manager of most of the brand’s global operations. Advisory firm Interpath was appointed to explore strategic options for TGI Fridays’ UK business. It came just a few weeks after TGI Fridays in the UK was acquired by Sugarloaf TGIF Management, a company run by the brand’s former chief executive, Ray Blanchette.

Urban Baristas – ‘there’s a real appetite for speciality coffee franchising’, ‘big brands struggling to build loyalty with younger generation’: Huw Wardrope, co-founder of Aussie-inspired coffee concept Urban Baristas, has said there’s a “real appetite for speciality coffee franchising at the moment”, and that he believes big brands are “struggling to build loyalty with younger generation”. The company currently has 21 stores and has a healthy pipeline going into the new year, including a first regional location, in Liverpool. Alongside this, Urban Baristas has 14 further London locations either in legals or already in fit-out. Wardrope said: “It feels like there’s a real appetite for speciality coffee franchising at the moment. I moved here in 2006, and the coffee scene was still dominated by the high street brands, but the last two to three years seen a big shift in consumer choices, especially from the younger generations. They’re after a higher quality product and they’re willing to pay for that. The big brands are also struggling to build loyalty with the younger generation. That’s why we think the time is right now for speciality coffee.” Wardrope said Urban Baristas sites are “more than just a café” – running events such as run clubs and “coffee raves” – which he said “adds that little bit of extra and really helps engagement with the community”. As a former Anytime Fitness franchisee, he also said he knows how it is to be both a franchisee and a franchisor. He added: “What I try to do is think of all the things I didn’t like as a franchisee. I’m keen to remain an operator myself and stay in the trenches, as I used to get annoyed being told what to do by someone that doesn’t operate.”

Mollie’s MD – ‘looking at opportunities throughout the UK’, ‘pursuing both roadside and city centre options’: Matt Bell, managing director of budget motel concept Mollie’s, has told Propel the business is looking at opportunities throughout the UK, with any major city a possible location, and is pursuing both roadside and city centre options. Mollie’s last week opened its first city centre site, in Manchester, joining its roadside model venues in Oxfordshire and Bristol. The 100,000 square-foot venue is its largest to date and features 128 rooms across five floors. In terms of future plans, Bell said: “We continue to look at opportunities throughout the UK, with all major UK cities possible locations. We remain flexible in our approach, pursuing both roadside and city centre options, but city fringe locations are most representative of the roadside model. Right now, we are focused on securing another three to four locations, which will get us to seven to eight sites open or under development and represent an appropriate time to explore the next phase of Mollie’s growth. We are determined to stay agile, ensuring Mollie’s is able to grow based on the prevailing market.” The company also secured a site in Edinburgh earlier this year, and Bell said all going well, formal planning permission will be submitted shortly, with a second quarter of 2028 opening anticipated. In terms of current trading and the impact of the Budget on the business, Bell added: “In difficult trading conditions, especially the first quarter, we’ve had some real wins, including growing market share. We’ve also been able to further optimise flow through despite the impact of the Budget, specifically payroll costs that came into force in April this year. After really positive performances in quarters two and three, the fourth is proving a little tougher. The impact of the Budget has been mixed, with some properties benefiting based on rateable value and others being impacted harder. Confidence around hospitality is somewhat mixed, but as an owner operator, we take a longer-term view committed to growth and where Mollie’s will truly benefit from the economies of scale.” Meanwhile, Mark Clinton has been hired as general manager of the new Manchester site, following previous senior roles with Whitworth Locke, Ducie Street Warehouse and Refuge by Volta, Kimpton.

Wendy’s makes Scotland debut: Square Burgers, which became the first traditional franchise partner to open a Wendy’s restaurant in the UK on the US company’s return to these shores, has opened the brand’s first site in Scotland. Last September, Square Burgers signed a development agreement to open restaurants under the US brand in Scotland. Square Burgers has now opened a site in Linwood Road in Paisley, Renfrewshire, which features a drive-thru lane. The franchisee has also been linked with openings for Wendy’s in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. On the latter, Square Burgers submitted a planning application to convert the ex-Fridays and Go site in Reform Street, which closed last October. Arron Morley, strategic operations manager at Square Burgers, said: “This new Wendy’s restaurant in Scotland shows our commitment to investing in more communities across the UK.” Michael Clarke, managing director of Europe for The Wendy’s Company, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate Wendy’s expansion into Scotland and support our franchisee, Square Burgers, in this new market. This restaurant opening is another example of Wendy’s commitment to meet consumers where they are, while delivering craveable food alongside exceptional hospitality.”

Buzzworks makes move into accommodation with North Berwick hotel deal: Scottish independent restaurant and bar operator Buzzworks Holdings has acquired the Nether Abbey Hotel in North Berwick, marking the company’s first move into accommodation as part of its ongoing expansion plans. The hotel, which first opened in 1957, has been run by the Stewart family for more than 60 years. With the handover set for mid-January, the hotel will close to allow Buzzworks to begin preparations for a major seven-figure redevelopment. The project will transform the site into one of the company’s signature House Collection venues, centred around a modern pub and restaurant, alongside 12 bedrooms. The acquisition builds on Buzzworks’ strong presence in East Lothian, where the company already operates venues including Herringbone North Berwick and Lido Musselburgh, alongside Thirty Knots and Scotts Port Edgar in South Queensferry, Edinburgh. With planning expected this winter and construction due to begin in spring, the Nether Abbey Hotel is scheduled to reopen in late 2026. As part of the acquisition, all current hotel team members will be retained by Buzzworks, with roles being offered across its existing 22 venues during the closure. Once reopened, an additional 25 to 45 jobs will be created. Kenny Blair, managing director at Buzzworks, said: “North Berwick is one of Scotland’s special coastal towns, and an outstanding location for our first move into accommodation. This hotel has been an important part of the community for decades, and we are committed to honouring that legacy while bringing a fresh, modern Buzzworks experience. This acquisition is just the start of our journey into accommodation.” In October, Buzzworks hired Maurissa Fergusson as its new property director.

Daisy Green secures cafe leases across London’s Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park: Australian restaurant group Daisy Green Collection has secured the lease for four food and beverage facilities across London’s Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park. Following a six-month proposal process, Daisy Green was chosen by City of London Corporation from 30 bidders for cafés at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill Park and Queen’s Park. An announcement is expected on Highgate Wood shortly after further discussions and due diligence procedures have taken place. Daisy Green said customers can expect seasonal menus, locally sourced ingredients and “thoughtfully upgraded café buildings to ensure they remain welcoming, accessible, and fit for the future”. It follows an extensive remarketing exercise, supported by Davis Coffer Lyons, to identify operators that can provide “modern, community focused and environmentally responsible cafes that reflect the unique character and needs of each location”. Until now, café operators across the open spaces have been trading under tenancies at will, which the corporation said are “unsustainable short-term arrangements”. Prue Freeman, co-founder of Daisy Green, said: “We look forward to creating wonderful spaces for all, serving delicious, locally sourced food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.” Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman Gregory Jones, added: “Daisy Green demonstrated the strongest blend of quality, sustainability, affordability, and community value – all central to our role as stewards of these wonderful places. Its commitment to enhancing facilities, keeping menus fresh, and celebrating the distinctive character of each café will ensure visitors continue to enjoy warm, welcoming spaces for many years to come.” Louie Gazdar, associate director of Davis Coffer Lyons, said: “Daisy Green showed a strong understanding of each location, alongside a clear commitment to meeting the various criteria points provided to interested parties and we look forward to seeing its vision for each cafe come to life.”

Stay Original Co set to see turnover increase to £14m as it thrives ‘by keeping venues busy all day’: Boutique hotel and pub group Stay Original Co has said turnover is set to have grown to £14m in the year to September 2025 compared with £12.4m the previous year as the business thrives “by keeping venues busy all day”. All its restaurants are fully booked on Christmas Day. Pre-tax profit is expected to have increased to £500,000 from £325,350 the year before. Rob Greacen, who co-founded the seven-strong business in 2011, told The Sunday Times: “We’re always trying to create a high level of activity – a sort of intensity – in the building because our theory is that, in the countryside everybody’s a little bit lonely. We try to create egalitarian spaces where everybody is welcome, whether it’s with laptops and cups of coffee or big meals in the evening. We want to span the whole spectrum.” Initiatives have included pop-up bakeries in the morning. Stay Original’s hotel rooms make up only 25% of revenue, but “the mix of rooms and a restaurant and a bar, we think, are critical to making the whole building feel like it’s fun to be in”, Greacen added. The business started when Greacen bought a derelict pub, The Swan, in Wedmore, Somerset, along with James Brooke-Webb, who had worked with him in his commercial property company Draco; chef Tom Blake, who he met at River Cottage after becoming a shareholder and director; and Natalie Zvonek-Little, who became The Swan’s general manager and is the company’s operations director. They spent £1m to refurbish the pub and the four have been business partners in Stay Original since. Greacen believes the company’s success owes much to their different areas of expertise. In October, Propel reported Stay Original had appointed Dow Schofield Watts London to advise on a capital raising as the group was seeing “an increasing number of attractive acquisition opportunities”. It came as Stay Original acquires its seventh site – The Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne, Dorset.

Soho House sued by designer for scrapping diversity tie-up: Soho House has been sued by a fashion designer over claims it broke a promise to promote diversity. Soho House is facing a legal claim from Cameroonian-British creator Chi Atanga, the founder of luxury pyjama maker Walls of Benin, after it ended talks about a fashion collaboration. Atanga claims Soho House scrapped plans to include him in an art exhibition after he had “invested significant time, resources and creative capital” in the collaboration with Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj. Atanga, whose brand has sold in stores such as Selfridges, had been named in publicity materials about the exhibition at Soho House’s studio in Chelsea, west London, in 2021.However, Atanga claims he was frozen out after Soho House changed the terms of the agreement and withdrew its support for an event. He is suing for breach of contract. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “This isn’t about revenge. It is about integrity and accountability. When a global brand champions independent creators under its diversity banner, it has a duty to honour those commitments once the spotlight fades.” At the time, Aalish Yorke-Long, Soho House’s retail managing director, had claimed the members club wanted to give “emerging entrepreneurs and creatives a platform to launch a project, product or idea”. The move followed years when Soho House championed efforts to boost diversity in creative industries after the Black Lives Matters movement. Soho House is disputing Atanga’s allegations, claiming it had not signed a contract with the designer. The company claimed it ended discussions after Hajjaj was no longer available to work with Atanga as he had accepted a museum commission. Soho House argued Atanga’s participation in the exhibition was premised on a collaboration with the Moroccan artist and he had pulled out the project. It comes as Soho House prepares to exit the stock market. In August, it announced a $2.7bn (£2bn) deal to go private, with US hotel giant MCR Hotels leading a group of investors in the takeover.

Costa Express founder aims to install machines for his ‘challenger brand’ in more than 500 locations in next two years, starting in London and Home Counties: Costa Express founder Scott Martin has told Propel he aims to install machines for his “challenger brand” in more than 500 locations in the next two years, starting in London and the Home Counties. Martin joined the Costa executive team following Whitbread’s acquisition of Coffee Nation in 2011 and created the Costa Express concept and identity – rebranding 1,000 outlets in the first year and growing the concept by more than 1,000 outlets per year over the following decade, with in excess 13,000 globally on the Costa’s sale to Coca-Cola in 2019. Earlier this year, Martin founded Unity Coffee, a “digital-first coffee platform that delivers premium coffee through smart, beautifully designed self-serve machines” and which he believes will “redefine coffee-to-go”. Martin said he has “assembled a consortium of leading industry figures” across hospitality and retail to invest in Unity Coffee, with plans to install in more than 500 locations in 24 months in major UK retail, transport, leisure and educational locations. The brand held a pop-up in London’s Soho last week, which Martin said has received a “brilliant response”. He told Propel: “We’re launching our first permanent London sites this January. We're focusing on places where people genuinely need better coffee – co-working spaces, gyms, padel clubs, and strategic travel hubs. Quality forecourt operators have been particularly keen. London and the Home Counties to start, then we'll expand to major regional centres. It’s a measured approach that allows us to prove the model before scaling. We're absolutely a challenger, but not just to Costa Express, rather all big coffee brands.”

Balfour Hospitality refinances, warns Budget will ‘substantially increase costs’: Balfour Hospitality, which operates a winery alongside three of its own pubs, has revealed it has refinanced and warned the Budget will “substantially increase costs”. It comes as the company reported turnover grew 20% to £8,702,404 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £7,253,292 the previous year. The figure does not include revenue from Hush Heath Inns, the five-strong joint venture with Stonegate, which, as previously reported, bought the remaining 49% stake from Balfour Hospitality in September 2025. Pre-tax losses increased to £847,289 from £516,104 “as a result of energy costs tripling and a rise in labour costs”. Visitor numbers to the winery increased from 20,000 to 45,000 with that growing to circa 70,000 in 2025. Group debt increased to £5,064,816 from £4,034,166 as a result of borrowing £1m from Coutts to buy the freeholds of the Goudhurst Inn and The Tickled Trout pubs in Kent. In her report accompanying the accounts, chairman Leslie Balfour-Lynn stated: “The Goudhurst Inn made a net profit of £27,504 in 2024 reversing a loss of £189,835 in 2023. The Tickled Trout made a net profit of £5,097 against a net loss of £73,730 in 2023. Balfour at Bow in London made a net profit of £7,162 against a net loss of £18,296 in 2023. It is encouraging to see all returning to profit despite the economic outlook. All three pubs are cash flow positive and require minimal capital spend as they are all fully refurbished and in excellent order. However, a note of caution, the chancellor's Budget will substantially increase costs for the business. Towards the end of 2025 we have put in place a new financing package, replacing Coutts bank. This will provide the group improved financial flexibility on excellent terms.” No dividend was paid (2023: nil).

Nottingham McDonald’s franchisee sees turnover drop after selling site: McDonald’s franchisee Blades Restaurants, which operates nine restaurants in and around Nottingham, has reported turnover decreased 10% to £40,534,625 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with a record £45,044,127 the previous year after selling one of its outlets. The company, founded by Jerry Nicholls in 2008, saw pre-tax profit fall to £432,671 from £533,544 the year before. In his report accompanying the accounts, Nicholls said: “During the year digital sales via McDelivery, mobile apps and self-order kiosks have continued to increase as the company seeks to make the food ordering process ever more customer friendly. The turnover decrease is in part due to the sale of one of the company's stores. The trading environment continues to be challenging but we remain optimistic regarding future trading and will continue the company’s reinvestment programme.” A dividend of £1,150,000 was paid (2023: £360,000).

Dominus acquires City of London site in JV with Cheyne Capital, submits plans to convert into hotel: Real estate developer, owner and operator Dominus has acquired a City of London site in a joint venture with global alternative investment manager Cheyne Capital, and has submitted plans to convert it into a hotel. Ibex House, which is Dominus and Cheyne’s second joint venture together, is a grade II-listed Art Deco building located between Aldgate, Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill. Currently a vacant office, Dominus has submitted plans to transform the building into a 382-key hotel, retaining its architectural style. At ground level, the proposals would open the building to the public, including a new café, the upgrading and reopening of the Peacock pub and the creation of an on-site hospitality academy, delivered in partnership with the Springboard charity. Dominus’ recent strategy has focused on repurposing underutilised offices into alternative uses. In 2023, Dominus acquired 5-10 Great Tower Street, which is being converted into The Derby London City, Curio Collection by Hilton – a 234-key hotel opening in early 2026. Last week, Dominus secured consent to transform a telephone exchange into a 240-key hotel at 123 Judd Street in King’s Cross. Dominus and Cheyne Capital previously partnered on the 2024 acquisition of 65 Fleet Street – their first joint venture – which will become an 875-bed student living scheme, while also restoring the grade II-listed Tipperary pub and the Whitefriars Crypt. Dominus chief executive Preet Ahluwalia said: “Ibex House is the latest example of our strategy to acquire underutilised offices and repurpose them into market-leading hotels in central locations.”

Blend Family reveals first operators for new Birmingham food hall: Blend Family, the team behind Kargo MKT in Salford’s Media City and Tower Bridge Collective in London, has revealed the first traders at its new food hall in Birmingham. Opening in 2026 in Digbeth, Alfred Works will see the former Custard Factory site reimagined. Spanning more than 17,500 square foot of indoor space, the venue will feature 15 kitchens, a large outdoor courtyard, social gaming, family-friendly areas and an events space across the River Rea. The first three food partners have been unveiled and are bringing their dishes to the city for the first time. They are Mexican concept Fuego 1987, Palestinian-inspired Baity and House of Habesha, which offers Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine. All three already work with Blend Family at its other sites, which also includes Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield. Alongside its food offering, Alfred Works will also be home to Blend Family’s second Blend Culinary Foundation Kitchen, continuing its mission to tackle food poverty and support access to food education. Matt Bigland, co-founder of Blend Family, said: “We want Alfred Works to introduce the Birmingham community to food they might not have had before, food partners with stories, heritage and serious flavour. This first wave is all about newness: new cuisines, new voices and food partners making their Birmingham debut in a space that’s built for the city and the community.”

Blue Orchid set to double portfolio as it gets green light to develop two new luxury London hotels and prepares to submit plans for third: Blue Orchid Hotels – which operates Central London’s Tower Suites, Tower Residences and The Wellington – is set to double its portfolio after getting the go-ahead to develop two new luxury London hotels and is preparing to submit plans for a third. In the company’s accounts for the year to 31 December 2024, director Tejinderpal Singh Matharu said: “The group has successfully obtained planning consent for the conversion of Atlas House (Cheapside) into a hotel with 101 luxury bedrooms, and the conversion of The Crescent (Tower Hill) into a hotel with 97 suites. The refurbishment programme at both properties is in progress and expected to complete in mid-2026. Following the acquisition of Albany House (St James’s Park), detailed plans for the repurposing of the building into an hotel are being prepared for submission to Westminster City Council. The developments present significant opportunity for the group to add value and growth. The group continues to actively explore opportunities and new acquisitions to deliver on its strategic objectives in delivering sustainable growth in asset value and profitability.” It comes as the business reported a pre-tax profit of £5,999,361 in 2023 became a loss of £1,022,571. While costs were reduced by almost £4m, administrative expenses rose by almost £9m. The company also reported turnover of £40,355,329, up from £39,245,084 in 2023, while no dividends were paid (2023: £10m). During the year, the Rochester Hotel in Westminster was upgraded, and following the refurbishment, was combined with the adjoining Wellington Hotel to create a 160-bedroom hotel with conference and events facilities and food and beverage outlets. Matahru added: “The group’s hotels again delivered improved performance relative to the previous year driven primarily by occupancy growth at al hotels. Despite persistent cost inflation, higher interest rates and a challenging trading environment, the group ended the year in a stronger position.”

Brayford Hotels reports record £3.7m profit after benefiting from revaluation of assets: Brayford Hotels – which operates sites in Hull, Grimsby and Lincoln – has reported pre-tax profit was up to a record £3,680,217 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £2,189,986 the year before following a gain of £1,445,172 on the revaluation of assets. Turnover fell to £15,760,525 from a record £16,163,431 the previous year. Occupancy fell slightly to 78.43% (2023: 79.94%). In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The sector continued to be influenced by external factors throughout 2024. Pressure from continued high inflation remained at the forefront, with inflation rates remaining substantially above the government target, which continued to cause supply chain issues that needed to be closely managed to ensure there was no impact on the hotels operations. The volatility in the energy markets continued and the decision to source electricity by taking advantage of wholesale market prices through a flexible purchasing agreement allowing forward prices to be fixed. Finance interest was £353,000 greater than 2023. At the year end, the group had healthy net assets of £17,970,936 (2023: £13,590,986) and an increasing cash position, which provide strong foundations for the group to continue to grow despite the challenging market conditions.” No dividend was paid (2023: nil).

Devon operator ‘confident diversity within the business will ensure it can adapt to changing customer demands’: Braddicks Leisure, operator of several bars and restaurants and a holiday park in Devon, has said it is “confident the diversity within the business will ensure it can adapt to changing customer demands”. It comes as the company saw turnover dip to £7,726,777 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £7,816,709 the previous year after short-term closures at two of its venues for refurbishment. Of this, £5,386,520 came from its pubs and restaurants (2023: £5,318,979), £1,729,837 from holiday accommodation (2023: £1,902,128), £366,898 from amusement takings (2023: £385,209) and £243,522 from property rentals (2023: £210,393). Pre-tax profit decreased to £793,674 from £864,436 the year before. Net assets fell to £15,823,610 from £16,086,463 the previous year. No dividends were paid (2023: nil). Director Robert Braddick said: “Along with increased wage costs, there were short-term closures for two venues for renovations, which impacted both sales and profits, but results were in line with forecasts. The economic outlook will continue to create a challenging landscape, but the directors are confident the diversity within the business will ensure it can adapt to changing customer demands.”

Cadogan Hotels reports market outperformance but F&B ‘continues to be a challenge’: Cadogan Hotels has reported it has outperformed the market but food and beverage “continues to be a challenge in trying to achieve its full potential”. It comes as the company – which owns and operates The Cadogan Hotel and 11 Cadogan Gardens Hotel in London’s Chelsea, along with some serviced apartments – saw turnover increase to £24,736,669 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £24,462,045 the previous year. Pre-tax profit dropped to £4,193,372 from £5,474,149 the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The increase in revenue reflects a marginal increase in revpar, offset by a reduction in food and beverage revenue. The hotels have outperformed the market in terms of revenue from rooms through the growth of revpar. However, food and beverage continues to be a challenge in trying to achieve its full potential. The hotels have continued to see a higher cost base in 2024 due to continuing high inflation in the cost of labour, food, services and utilities. Capital expenditure totalled only £300,000 reflecting the good condition of the hotels and apartments following major refurbishments in recent years.” The group had cash balances of £3.6m at the end of the year (2023: £5.6m) and no borrowings, while net assets at 31 December 2024 were £99.7m (2023: £96.8m). No dividends were paid (2023: nil).

Chef behind Cardiff pop-up Vines opens first bricks and mortar location: The chef behind Cardiff vegetable-based concept pop-up Vines has opened his first bricks and mortar location. Alex Vines, who has spent more than a decade cooking in London kitchens including 40 Maltby Street and Rochelle Canteen, has returned to his home city to launch Ogof – a new neighbourhood restaurant and wine shop in the former Poca restaurant site in Cardiff’s Kings Road. Joining him for the new venture is Siôn Iorwerth, a wine specialist whose experience includes opening one of Vancouver’s first natural wine bars, and Zanna Clarke, who has previously worked in in the arts and charity sector. The downstairs of the two-story restaurant includes a central bar area with counter seating. Iorwerth said: “It’s been a long road getting the restaurant ready in time for the festive period – and we’ve just about made it! We’ve had fun along the way, decorating the space, fine tuning the menus, meeting with suppliers and changing up the restaurant’s layout to make it flow as we want it to.”

New Bengali-inspired restaurant concept set to open in Newcastle: A new Bengali-inspired restaurant concept is set to open in Newcastle. Tantara will be launched by the Shah brothers in Osborne Road in Jesmond. The concept centres on the everyday food culture of Bengal, “moving away from broad interpretations of Indian cuisine in favour of a more specific, informal bistro approach”. The Shahs said the restaurant is inspired by the historic cabin cafés of Calcutta, neighbourhood spaces where people gathered daily to eat simply and spend time together. Speaking on behalf of the family, Shah Lalon said: “We’ve been very deliberate with Tantara. We wanted to create something that genuinely reflects how Bengali food is eaten day-to-day, which isn’t something you really see here.” Created as a tribute to the brothers’ late father and his lifelong career in hospitality, Tantara is expected to open in early 2026.

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