Everyman CEO steps down: Everyman, the independent, premium cinema group, has announced Alex Scrimgeour has stepped down as chief executive with immediate effect. Current non-executive director, Farah Golant, will assume the role of chief executive on an interim basis, with the support of the broader management team and board, until a permanent replacement has been found. Everyman said an external search process for a successor has begun and the board will provide an update as soon as practicable. Philip Jacobson, non-executive chairman, said: “We would like to thank Alex for his commitment to Everyman throughout his tenure. He has played a pivotal role in the team that successfully led the business through its recovery from covid, more than doubling revenue and delivering significant Ebitda growth. He has also built a strong and capable operational team. Farah has extensive experience across the global creative, entertainment, and media industries, and a track record of accelerating growth and cultivating high performance, results-oriented organisations. Working alongside our leadership group, she will continue to deliver exceptional customer experiences, focus on driving sustainable growth, and create long-term value for shareholders.” Scrimgeour joined Everyman in January 2021 having previously led Cote. Earlier this month, Everyman said it was on track to “achieve growth across all key metrics” in the year to 1 January 2026, but cut its revenue and Ebitda forecasts for the period. The business said: “As previously reported, the group is operating in a challenging economic environment. Despite these challenges, the group is on track to achieve growth across all key metrics in 2025, including improvements in revenue, Ebitda, food and beverage spend per head, paid-for average ticket price and market share. However, as widely reported, UK box office performance in the fourth quarter of 2025 has been weaker than anticipated. As a consequence of this, the board now expects group revenue of no less than £114.5m (2024: £107.2m) and Ebitda of no less than £16.8m (FY24: £16.2m).”

Propel’s sector-leading guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies returns in January, to be made free to Premium subscribers on day of publication: The Propel 500 – 2026 report will analyse the companies leading the charge in hospitality, reporting on turnover, number of sites, and key staff. The guide will also include exclusive analysis to provide a full understanding of the market’s dynamics. Mark Wingett will delve into the mergers and acquisitions shaping the future of the top 500. Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly-developing franchise market and, as the experiential leisure sector becomes a cornerstone of modern hospitality, Katherine Doggrell will assess the rise of deals in the sector, as well as the shifts in the hotel industry. Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, will look at emerging growth sectors and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova will analyse the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market. Propel 500 – 2026 will be released on Friday, 9 January at 9am and will be available free to Premium Club subscribers. The report will be available to non-Premium Club subscribers for £595 plus VAT. 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.

The Revel Collective temporarily suspends trading on AIM pending publication of annual accounts: The Revel Collective – the operator of 65 venues trading predominantly under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – has temporarily suspended trading on AIM, pending publication of the company's annual audited accounts. Earlier this month, The Revel Collective said it is in talks with “a significant number of potential acquirers” but has ruled out an equity fundraising. The company was giving an update on its formal sales process, having announced in October that it would conduct a strategic review of its options, including a sale. This in turn followed on from a restructuring plan which began in 2024, and which saw the company change its name from Revolution Bar Group “to signal a fresh start”. A statement said: “Since the launch of the formal sale process, the group has engaged with a significant number of potential acquirers of the businesses it operates. Presently, a number of credible parties are actively engaged in diligence and discussions with the group in relation to the group’s business and assets or the shares in certain group companies. At the current time, the transactions being contemplated would not be expected to deliver any return to shareholders. Negotiations are ongoing, with the continuing support of the group’s bank. he option of an equity fundraising has been considered but the board has concluded it does not have the necessary support for such a transaction.” At the time of launching the process, the company said a continued period of external challenges had impacted its business and trading performance. It said despite a satisfactory performance from Peach Pubs, overall group revenue for first quarter of its 2026 financial year was £26.3m, down 7.4% like for like compared to quarter one of 2025, primarily due to a 10.5% reduction in like-for-like sales in the group’s bar business.

Wagamama eyes price increases as it battles rising costs: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, is plotting a round of price increases next year as it battles the rising cost of labour and ingredients. Wagamama, which runs 165 restaurants across Britain, told investors it was considering “selective price increases” as inflation heaps pressure on its bottom line. Wagamama said in a presentation to bondholders that it expects the price it pays for both labour and food and drink to rise by 4% to 5% next year, with other costs such as rent but excluding utilities climbing 2% to 3%. The company is also planning about £8m of costs in 2026 to streamline its operations. The move comes as Wagamama has been trying to hold back the tide of inflation this year by focusing on “value initiatives” such as £12 lunch deals and its “Soul Club” rewards scheme, after guest numbers dropped in the first half of 2025. They were down by approximately 6% in both the first and second quarters of the year, stabilising in the third quarter and rising by 2% over the 11 weeks to 14 December. Like-for-like sales have dropped for three consecutive quarters. A spokesman for the company told The Times: “We have deliberately avoided major price increases and invested in our customer proposition. We are seeing improved volumes on the back of this investment and our performance is ahead of the broader dine-in casual dining market. We will review our pricing during 2026, remaining firmly focused on providing our customers strong value for money.” Last year, Wagamama turned over more than £500m – rising from £464 million in 2023 – but made a pre-tax loss of £12.4m, accounts show. Wagamama has been owned by TRG since 2018, when it was bought in a £559m deal.