Greggs to trial vending machines, sees ‘significant growth opportunity in underrepresented catchments’: Food-to-go retailer Greggs is to trial vending machines and said it sees “significant growth opportunity in underrepresented catchments” as its looks to further grow its presence beyond the high street. The company said yesterday (Tuesday, 3 March) it sees a “clear opportunity for significantly more” than 3,000 stores, with 120 net openings predicted in 2026. And with 121 net openings in 2025 growing the estate to 2,739 shops at the year end, Greggs said 53% of these (excluding 50 relocations) were in areas with no existing shop within a mile – and that 2026 openings have similar profile. The company said the underrepresented catchments where it sees these opportunities include petrol forecourts, roadsides, retail parks, industrial locations, supermarkets, rail and air, Central London, universities and hospital and London Underground. Chief executive Roisin Currie said: “Our growing presence now extends well beyond the high street, with more than half of our new openings located in alternative sites such as petrol forecourts, supermarkets, retail parks, hospitals and university campuses. We remain focused on expanding our presence in major transport hubs. In 2025, we opened three ‘bitesize’ shops, each offering a focused range of customer favourites, and we are now assessing the role this format can play in supporting profitable future growth. The trial of our first three bitesize shops is early days, but promising, and we have some further trials planned very shortly, which will unlock other opportunities with strong returns. In addition to the bitesize trial, we are developing unattended retail solutions to serve additional missions and further enhance returns. Unattended retail solutions are the new words for vending. We have a number of trials that are in the pipeline currently.” Greggs also said it is the fastest growing brand in food-to-go retail, with a market share of 8.6% in 2025, showing a +0.5% points increase, although overall market visits were down 3.1% in the year – due mainly to “pressure on incomes and evolving dietary trends”. Greggs also blamed soaring minimum wage and employment taxes for pushing up the price of a sausage roll, which was raised by 5p to £1.35 in January.

 

Maslow’s CEO Guy Ivesha to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, open for bookings: Guy Ivesha, founder and chief executive of Maslow’s, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, which is open for bookings. Ivesha will discuss the creation and evolution of his new take on a modern members’ club, with cafes and workspaces that support productivity and well-being. More than 450 people are registered for the conference, which takes place on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Park Plaza, Victoria. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club subscribers to 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 (6 March), at noon. The database will show the details of 141 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 9,156-word report on the 141 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 cafe bakery sector such as those by Buckinghamshire coffee shop concept Moc & More, Insomnia Cookies UK, with openings in Devon, Bristol and Newcastle, and Heidi Bakery, with an opening in London’s Richmond. 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 chief operating officer – editorial, 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.

 

UKHospitality – ‘if government wants to deliver growth everywhere for everybody, then it needs to recognise sector is best placed to deliver that’: UKHospitality has told the government if it wants to deliver growth “everywhere for everybody” then it needs to recognise the sector is best placed to deliver that across the country. In the spring statement delivered by chancellor Rachel Reeves, the Office for Budget Responsibility indicated gross domestic product will increase by 1.1% in 2026, down from the 1.4 % it forecast in November. But the watchdog upgraded its forecasts for 2027 and 2028 from 1.5% to 1.6%. Meanwhile, unemployment is set to increase to 5.3% in 2026, up from 4.75% in 2025. Responding to the statement, Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: “If the government wants to deliver growth everywhere for everybody, it needs to recognise that hospitality is the sector best placed to deliver that across the country. Urgently reducing hospitality’s cost of doing business has to be the priority. That means cutting one of the highest rates of VAT in Europe, properly fixing the broken business rates system and helping hospitality get people back into work by reducing employment costs.” Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, added: “With unemployment set to spike we can help solve this problem, but if we’re to keep putting money in workers’ pockets, our businesses need to be viable, which means cutting the heavy cost of doing business. Key to this is the government taking a sustainable approach to the national living wage rises, which will mean we can keep creating those precious opportunities, jobs, and skills.” Meanwhile, following the confirmation that the Scottish government will receive an additional £900m in funding, Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “With the Scottish Government receiving almost a billion pounds in extra funding, it should now urgently expand its hospitality business rates support to ensure the whole sector can benefit.”

 

Nory launches in US: Nory, the artificial intelligence (AI) powered operating system for hospitality businesses, has launched in the US. Founded in 2021 by hospitality entrepreneur and Mad Egg co‑founder Conor Sheridan, Nory’s US expansion includes the opening of its New York headquarters, in the heart of downtown next to the New York Stock Exchange. Nory is launching with several US customers including Black Sheep Coffee, Roasting Plant Coffee, With Love, Always and Singas Pizza (OM Hospitality). Nory’s nationwide rollout across all 50 states is due later this year. The expansion follows Nory’s recent $37m (£27.8m) Series B funding round, led by Kinnevik. The US based Nory team will be led by Sheridan, who will be relocating. He said: “US restaurant operators are under intense pressure from rising costs and staffing complexity, so we’re giving them a system that doesn’t just report on what happened; it helps them plan what’s next. Our focus in the US is on delivering practical AI that improves day-to-day decision-making and helps restaurants run more resilient, profitable businesses.” 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a high-growth retail business that is seeking a buying manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will take ownership of product strategy and supplier relationships across all health and wellness, beauty and homeware categories while working with other departments to ensure they deliver the right product, at the right price, at the right time.” The salary is up to £65,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com

 

US Tex-Mex casual dining brand seeking UK entry: US Tex-Mex casual dining brand Chili’s Grill & Bar, which has more than 1,600 locations worldwide, is seeking an entry into the UK market. Chili’s was founded in Texas in 1975 by Larry Lavine and is currently owned and operated by US company Brinker International, which also owns the Maggiano’s Little Italy brand. Chili’s offers American food, Tex-Mex cuisine and dishes influenced by Mexican cuisine such as shrimp tacos, quesadillas and fajitas – alongside a nutritional menu, allergen menu and vegetarian menu. Chili’s has spread to circa 35 countries in Asia, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, with its only European markets being Romania and Germany (the latter only in US military bases). Chili’s is now working with consultants The Franchising Centre – which has worked with brands such as Snowfox, Bread Ahead, Wing Kingz – to explore coming to these shores. The Franchising Centre posted to social media: “Chili’s Grill & Bar – 1,600 restaurants worldwide and none in the UK. But that’s all about to change. Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants are full-service restaurants featuring a casual atmosphere and a varied menu of freshly prepared food that wows customers all over the world. Following our recent market entry study for this globally renowned casual dining brand, it now have everything in place for a serious push into the UK, and it’s looking for high-net worth investors to act as master franchisees. This could be your chance to be first to market in control of the next big thing to hit the UK food and beverage scene.” 

 

Chaiiwala co-founder – ‘we've been flooded with enquiries from would-be US franchisees’: Sohail Ali, co-founder of Indian street food brand Chaiiwala, has told Propel the business has been “flooded with enquiries” from prospective US franchisees, while it is simultaneously building the infrastructure required to support its long-term ambitions in the States. Chaiiwala, which was founded in Leicester in 2015 and currently operates circa 115 sites across the UK, 23 in Canada, and a handful in Dubai, has a strategy in place to scale up to 500 global locations over the next ten years. This includes significantly expanding its footprint in the UK and Canada with its existing multi-site franchisees, and exploring new international markets – including the US, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Earlier this year, Chaiiwala hosted a series of US pop-up events in Houston, Texas, as the brand prepares for its official US launch, with the business stating this year will be “a big one” for the brand in North America. Ali previously said he thought there was potential for more than 1,000 stores under the brand in the US. He told Propel: “We’ve been flooded with enquiries and are working through them carefully to ensure we partner with the right operators, while simultaneously building the infrastructure required to support our long-term ambitions in the US market. We are working closely with extremely reputable experienced industry leaders from America that are assisting this process too.” The company previously said there was “fully-fledged UK potential of 400-plus stores”.

 

Gordon Ramsay to open UK’s first Hell’s Kitchen site at London’s Cumberland Hotel next month: Chef Gordon Ramsay is to open the first UK restaurant under his Hell’s Kitchen concept at the 900-room Cumberland Hotel, in London’s Marble Arch, next month. The opening is the first of the new partnership between Clermont Hotel Group and Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, which will see the latter open branded dining concepts across the former’s portfolio. Clermont Hotel Group operates 14 hotels across London and is the largest hotel owner-operator in the capital, with 5,000-plus bedrooms across brands such as The Royal Horseguards Hotel, The Clermont and Thistle. Inspired by the hit television series created by Michelin-starred chef Ramsay, Hell’s Kitchen brings the “drama and energy of the show directly to the table”. Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global said it has crafted an immersive dining experience that “captures the intensity of the series while pairing outstanding food and drink with world class service”. Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen London will occupy a new space set across 7,500 square feet within The Cumberland Hotel, with a capacity of more than 200 covers including four chef’s tables and a dedicated bar area. Guests will be able to enjoy Ramsay’s beef wellington, seared scallops and lobster risotto, along with desserts such as sticky toffee pudding and apple butterscotch cheesecake. In addition to the à la carte menu, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen London will offer a five-course tasting menu. Since debuting its flagship in Las Vegas in 2018, Hell's Kitchen has grown to eight locations across the US and Europe. Ramsay will open his 100th restaurant in May when Bread Street Kitchen & Bar launches at 22 Bishopsgate in the capital.

 

Simmons reports profit and turnover boost: Hertfordshire bakers Simmons has reported a boost in profit and turnover for the year to 30 March 2025. The company, which dates to 1838 and has 43 shops spread across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, reported a 7.1% turnover increase for the year, from £31,053,518 in 2024 to £33,285,834. Pre-tax profit grew from £4,071,192 to £5,228,030, with profit before tax percentage up from 13.1% to 15.7% and wage percentage – cost of sales down from 9.7% to 8.8%. Dividends of £3,199,267 were paid (2024: £1,454,310). Director Rupert Matthews said: “The performance of the company during the year has produced encouraging results. At the year end the group was in a good position with a strong balance sheet. During the year we invested more than £2.2m in new bakery equipment, vehicles and the fitting out of our shops. The UK food-to-go market is expected to continue to grow. We believe we are in a very strong position to capitalise on this growth and are actively looking for new shops as well as continuing with the rebranding of our existing shops, along with monitoring rising costs across the business in areas such as ingredients and energy costs.”

 

Evolv Collection aiming for ‘Michelin recognition’ from new iteration of Orrery: The Evolv Collection, formerly D&D London, has said it is aiming for “Michelin recognition” from new iteration of Orrery, its French restaurant in London’s Marylebone. The restaurant – which was listed in the Michelin Guide until February 2025 and previously held a Michelin star under Chris Galvin – will reopen on Thursday, 26 March as Orrery by Pierre Minotti under executive chef Pierre Minotti, formerly of two-Michelin-starred Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal. It will offer “an immersive experience that begins in an intimate wine room and unfolds through a celestial-inspired dining room, where classical French technique meets the finest British seasonal produce”. Martin Williams, chief executive of The Evolv Collection, said: “Pierre’s exceptional talent and mastery of French haute cuisine make him the perfect chef to lead Orrery's transformation and our pursuit of Michelin recognition.” Guests will begin in the Salon du Vin, a wine room and ten-seater bar counter where they are welcomed with champagne and invited to explore a curated collection of wines drawn from a list of over 800 bottles. In the restaurant itself, a menu that “represents both classical French principles and seasonal British ingredients” will include dishes such as Galette Bretonne (Brittany galette with morel ‘farci’, wild garlic and buckwheat), Le Saint Pierre de Plymouth (John Dory paired with brown crab, fresh pea and lemon verbena) and Bouillabaisse (a traditional Provençal fish stew reimagined cold, with Cornish mackerel, seasoned with finger lime and Espelette pepper, served with cold saffron-infused broth and finished with blended Isle of Wight Sea Urchin).

Mehdi Gashi named CEO of Storia: Mehdi Gashi has been named chief executive of Storia, the Italian restaurant business founded by ex-Prezzo chief executive Jonathan Kaye. Gashi has been a director of the six-strong business since its launch in spring 2021. He was previously a director at Richoux for four and a half years and spent nearly 15 years at Prezzo as a board director and operations director. He said Storia was focused on “building a scalable, operationally disciplined business while maintaining strong food integrity and guest experience”. Kaye, who was also the ex-chief executive of Dining Street – the formerly listed Richoux Group, which was the company behind the Richoux, Friendly Phil’s, Villagio and The Broadwick restaurant brands – opened his latest Storia site on the ex-Prezzo unit in Redhill, in Surrey, in the spring of 2024. It came a few months after Kaye opened a Storia site on the former Prezzo in London’s Woodford Green’s and followed an opening on an ex-Prezzo in Shepperton in Surrey. Kaye grew Prezzo to circa 250 sites before it was acquired by US investment firm TPG in November 2014 for circa £304m. Storia made its debut at the former Prezzo site in Tring in Hertfordshire before a second site opened on the former The Broadwick outlet in Radlett, also in Hertfordshire. In the summer of 2022, he opened a third Storia, on the former The Broadwick site in Maidenhead in Berkshire.

 

McDonalds to invest €150m on expanding in Ireland over next five years: McDonald’s plans to open 25 new restaurants across Ireland over the next five years, investing €150m (£130.8m) in expanding its operations in the country. The company said approximately 1,750 jobs will be added through the addition of five new restaurants each year, with McDonald's planning to open its 100th restaurant in Ireland next year, which will coincide with its 50th anniversary since first establishing a presence in Ireland in Dublin's Grafton Street. Last month, McDonald’s opened a new outlet in New Ross, Co Wexford, which is its first new restaurant in two years in the country. Cork franchisee Jim Ronayne recently completed a €3m refurbishment of the McDonald's outlet in Douglas. In Cork, McDonald’s employs more than 1,100 people and said it contributes an estimated €37.6m in gross value added to the local economy. McDonald's currently operates 96 restaurants in Ireland. The company does not operate any restaurants in the country directly, with all owned by 18 franchisees.

 

Welsh property developer and operator to launch new Cardiff food hall this spring: Welsh property developer and operator Loft Co will launch a new food hall in Cardiff this spring. Platform Street Food, featuring four independent traders, will open on the platform of Cardiff Bay train station. Platform Street Food is a third Cardiff venue for the company, which is also behind music and arts venue Tramshed and food hall HYS in the city. Loft Co is also behind Goodsheds, The Pumphouse and Windsor Lofts in Barry, Albert Hall in Swansea, Newport Market in Newport and Jennings Building in Porthcawl. The first trader at Platform Street Food will be a second site for better burger business Sharkbite, known for its “massive burgers with a sea-themed menu”. Sharkbite, founded in Cwmbran in 2021 by Mark Williams and partner Natasha Spencer-George, will offer signature burgers like the Megalodon, Great White and Goblin Shark. Simon Baston, developer at Loft Co, said: “We are excited to welcome Sharkbite Burgers as the first confirmed trader for Platform Street Food. Mark and Tash have built a business that is bold, high-quality and fiercely loyal, exactly the kind of independent operator we look for. Platform is about bringing the very best street food talent to Cardiff Bay, and Sharkbite sets the standard for what’s to come.” Also announced for Platform Street Food is Cardiff pizzeria Dough Thrower, which operates a takeaway in Cathays and previously had a restaurant in Victoria Park.

 

Oxford gourmet sandwich and deli company opens ninth site: Oxford gourmet sandwich and deli company Taylors has opened its ninth site. The concept has launched a flagship cafe at Oxford North, the city’s new innovation district. The 80-seater café is on the ground floor of The Red Hall, Oxford North’s hub for science and innovation start-ups and small and-medium-sized enterprises and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Alongside its menu of sandwiches, salads, freshly made pasta, delicacies and specialty coffee, Taylors also provide catering services for meetings and events. Juri Vahala, chief executive of Taylors, said: “We’re thrilled to have opened our latest cafe, in what is our fourth decade of operating. This is a flagship venue for our business, with stunning interiors and welcoming view. The response we’ve received from customers already has been fantastic. Oxford North is an exciting new place that aligns perfectly with our commitment to community, sustainability and great coffee and food.”

 

Mexi Bean Express opens debut franchise site: Mexican food concept Mexi Bean Express has opened its debut franchise site. Propel revealed last year that the then six-strong Mexi Bean Express, which launched a franchise programme in 2024, would open its first franchise site in Peterborough – also its first location outside of Yorkshire. The company has now opened the restaurant at 41 Bridge Street in the city, which is operated by franchise partners Manoj Kumar Maruthan and Mohamed Fayas Athambawa. “Here in Peterborough city centre, there are lots of food options, but we noticed there wasn’t much in the way of good Mexican food,” said Maruthan. “We saw that as a great opportunity. It’s a proud moment to be part of the Mexi Bean Express franchise journey – and even more special knowing we’re the first of many franchisees to come. We’re ready to tempt the taste buds of Peterborough and build our Mexi Bean Express cartel.” Mexi Bean Express also has locations in Wakefield, Halifax, Brighouse, Huddersfield and Bradford, and last summer opened its first travel hub site, at Wakefield Westgate railway station.

 

Gym operator Trident secures site in Coventry for seventh venue: Gym operator Trident has secured a site in Coventry for its seventh venue. Owner Craig Stephens has agreed a ten-year lease on a 19,555 square-foot unit in Bishop Street that was previously occupied by PureGym. Trident has taken the entire building at a rent of £175,000 per annum, subject to an upward-only rent review in year five. Trident has a growing portfolio of gyms across the UK including Birmingham, Liverpool, Plymouth, Bridgwater, Weston-super-Mare and Yeovil. Sally French, of SF Commercial, is retained by Trident to find new sites nationally.

 

New padel concept Court de Padel gets go-ahead for first site in Wales: New padel concept Court de Padel has been given the go-ahead for its first site in Wales. Court de Padel launched its flagship first padel club, with eight indoor courts, in Norwich, in November, and is currently fitting out its next site, in, Hull. A venue has also been secured in Edinburgh. The company, which is currently raising funds on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube to support its expansion, has received planning permission from Denbighshire County Council for the new development at Prestatyn Business Centre in North Wales. The facility will include four double courts and two single courts, as well as a café, shop, changing rooms and car park. At the time of launching the fundraise last month, Court de Padel said it was aiming to open 12-15 sites over the next five years. Court de Padel is aiming to “bring padel to many new towns and cities across the UK” with funds raised on Crowdcube supporting court construction and has so far raised £66,000.

 

London operator Eamonn Manson opens new Fulham pub: London operator Eamonn Manson has opened a new site in Fulham. A 30-year veteran of the pub and restaurant scene, Manson opened his first place, called the Pen, in Parson’s Green in 1993, following it up with the Sands End, Brown Cow and Cross Keys, which he sold as a group in 2016. Having launched Brook House in the New Kings Road and Brooke in Clapham, Manson has joined forces with his friend, pop art dealer Adrian Palengat, to create the Brook and Badger, which has opened in Munster Road, Fulham. The menu includes whole plaice with dill butter and lemon as well as pork chop with creamed sprouts, cranberries, chestnuts and bacon. Will Biggart, of Torridon, acted on behalf of a private investor on the letting of the Munster Road site.

 

Wedding venue operator The Tabor Group – ‘positive performance in previous years gives confidence despite drop in profitability’: Wedding venue operator The Tabor Group has said its “positive performance in previous years” gives it “confidence for the future”, despite a drop in profitability for the year to 31 March 2025. The company, which operates three venues across Essex and Warwickshire, saw pre-tax profit fall to £153,485 in the year, from £432,186 in 2024. Turnover was down from £7,238,404 to £6,627,985 while Ebitda decreased from £990,972 to £680,083. Director Edward Tabor said: “Despite the drop in profitability, the business has managed to continue being competitive by acquiring and keeping quality personnel in key areas of the business. Because of our positive performances in previous years and the experience of the directors in the industry, we are confident about the outlook for the foreseeable future. The performance and profitability of the company is in line with our expectations. Given the tough economic conditions and high cost of living, the directors are content with the results and financial position of the company.” No dividends were paid (2024: nil).

 

London workplace caterer Vacherin evolves leadership to prepare for next era of growth: London workplace caterer Vacherin, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, is evolving its leadership to prepare for the next era of growth. Tom Rule has been promoted to managing director designate, with Phil Roker, Vacherin’s incumbent managing director, preparing to move into the role of chairman later in 2026. Rule originally joined Vacherin in 2012 as operations manager, progressing to operations director. Established in 2002, Vacherin became part of the CH&Co family in 2020, and more recently, Compass Group UK & Ireland following its acquisition of CH&Co in 2024. Roker said: “After 20 amazing years with the business, the past ten as managing director, I feel Vacherin is in a very strong position, and the time is now right for me to empower someone else to take the business forward with new energy and focus. Tom is an exceptional talent who will retain the core values and spirit that make Vacherin special, while embracing new ideas, technology and challenges.”

 

Village Hotels submits plans for newly acquired Sheffield site: Village Hotels, which owns and operates 34 hotels and leisure clubs across the UK and is owned by Blackstone, has submitted plans to bring back into use a Sheffield hotel it acquired last year. Village Hotels added the former DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park in Chesterfield Road South, Sheffield, to its portfolio in August 2025 – its first location in the city. Village Hotels has now applied to Sheffield City Council for permission for works including a new gymnasium, pool, spa and associated changing rooms, for use by both guests and residents. Also proposed is a pub and grill style restaurant, meeting rooms and a Starbucks coffee shop. The hotel currently has 133 guest bedrooms, and this will remain the same.

 

Kent padel concept to open third site: Kent padel concept Square One Padel and Social Club is to open a third site in the county. The company is investing more than £1m in a new site at Dolphin Park in Sittingbourne, joining its flagship location in Ashford and upcoming Maidstone club. The Sittingbourne venue will house nine indoor padel courts, a gym, restaurant and Pilates studio and will also support around 50 jobs. Founder Sam De Haan said: “The response to Square One in Ashford has been incredible and really confirmed what we believed all along – there is a huge appetite for padel in Kent, not just from experienced players but from people discovering the sport for the first time. Our clubs are about far more than just sport; they are places where people meet, connect and stay active. Sittingbourne is a brilliant next step for us, and we are excited to bring Square One to a new community that is really in need of more sporting facilities.”

 

South west brasserie concept to open third site: South west brasserie concept Muse is to open a third site. The concept, which “combines classic French cookery with fresh Indian flavours” first opened in Cheltenham in 2019, followed by a Bristol site in 2022. Muse is now preparing to open in Gloucester Quays, Gloucester, in April. There will be a carefully curated wine list, and as well as its à la carte menu, Muse Gloucester will serve brunch on Sundays and will launch an intimate monthly supper club. Muse founder Limon Rahman told So Glos: “Muse has always been about doing things differently. Our mix of French technique and Indian heritage gives us something that’s truly our own. As we grow, we’re focused on keeping that identity strong and making every restaurant feel special.”

 

Liverpool hospitality group Baa Bar opens Vegas-inspired nightlife destination: Liverpool hospitality group Baa Bar has opened a Vegas-inspired nightlife destination in the city. DeLuca’s has launched in Concert Square, spanning three floors including The Game Lounge, a “high-energy” space built for live sport. Above this is The Club Room, offering American pool, shuffleboard and tech darts alongside DJs and cocktails, leading out on to The Deck, an elevated terrace overlooking Concert Square. Completing the experience is One Below at DeLuca’s – a late-night club tucked beneath the main venue, inspired by the after-dark glamour of Vegas strip-side clubs. Managing director Oliver Clarke said: “We’ve created a venue that brings sport, games and nightlife together. We’re proud of what the team has built and have had such an incredible response since opening.” In December, Baa Bar, which also operates its eponymous site and Frederiks, sold Café Tabac to Ma Pub Group – the independent Liverpool hospitality operator.

 

Leeds brewer Horsforth Brewery acquires first pub: Leeds brewer Horsforth Brewery has acquired its first pub. The business, which was founded by Mark Costello in 2017, has taken ownership of Fuggle & Golding in Ilkley. Fuggle & Golding opened in Leeds Road in 2015 but closed at the end of last month. Following the acquisition, Fuggle & Golding will reopen today (Wednesday, 4 March) and continue to operate as a specialist craft beer bar, with a refreshed product mix that includes Horsforth Brewery beer alongside a curated range of guest breweries. Costello said: “Fuggle & Golding has been a staple of the Ilkley beer scene, and when we saw it was closing, we were determined not to lose another important independent venue. We’re also excited to finally have a proper home for our beer in Ilkley. Hospitality is really struggling at the moment, but our commitment to sustainable growth rather than growth at all costs means we’ve been able to organically grow our business to the next level, and are confident this will be a success.” Horsforth Brewery also has a taproom at its brewery site in New Road Side in Leeds.

 

Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea hotel goes on market: Delta Hotels by Marriott’s Swansea hotel has gone on the market. The 121-bedroom hotel includes a restaurant, bar and café, a leisure club and meeting and function facilities. The hotel, located in Swansea’s Maritime Quarter, has undergone significant investment completed in 2023 and has operated under a new franchise agreement since May 2025. Previously, the property had been managed by Marriott. Offers are being invited for the long leasehold. Christie & Co is marketing the hotel.