The Beefy Boys launches international franchise programme, Exeter and Cambridge sites in pipeline: The Beefy Boys, the better burger business backed by Manjit Dale, founding partner of TDR Capital, has launched an international franchise programme to expand the business overseas, Propel has learned. The Beefy Boys was founded in 2011, in Hereford, by four childhood friends and barbecue enthusiasts: Anthony Murphy, Daniel Mayo-Evans, Christian Williams and Lee Symonds.The group began as a backyard BBQ pop-up and has since opened restaurants in Hereford, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham, Bath and Oxford – with a sixth site opening in late May/early June, in Nottingham. The Beefy Boys were among the exhibitors at last week’s The International Franchise Show 2026 at London’s ExCel. A brochure said a The Beefy Boys franchise comes with an initial investment from £945,000, with a £50,000 franchise fee, plus a 5% royalty fee and 1% marketing fee. Propel understands that domestically, the business will “keep its UK offering special with a finite number of sites”. Propel revealed last month that following the Nottingham opening, The Beefy Boys would launch two further sites this financial year, and the brochure mentions Exeter and Cambridge as forthcoming locations. It said: “The Beefy Boys is a British premium burger brand that has elevated this classic into a high-quality experience. Founded in Hereford, it currently operates six locations and continues its expansion into cities such as Nottingham, Exeter and Cambridge. Its growth is supported by industry recognition, including Best Burger at the National Burger Awards and accolades at the World Food Championships. The concept focuses on signature burgers, with carefully selected ingredients and processes, and a strong brand identity that ensure a memorable experience with every visit.” Earlier this month, The Beefy Boys promoted Paul Alexander, former managing director of Tiny Rebel and an ex-operations director at Loungers brand Cosy Club, to managing director. Alexander, who has been head of operations for the past two years, will help the company develop its growth plans in 2026 and beyond.

 

Sponsored message – Sybron to move to new headquarters: Sybron, a leading supplier of cleaning, hygiene and catering products, is relocating to a new head office and distribution centre at ICON Harlow. Scheduled for August, the move represents a major step, supporting Sybron’s strategy for growth, improving day-to-day operations and giving a modern, future-proof space. The facility has a two-storey, Grade A specification office building, with six dock-level loading doors, two level access doors, a 50m-deep secure yard designed for efficient HGV movement, 12.5m height for improved storage capacity and parking for 40-plus cars. It has been fitted out in line with the company’s commitment to sustainability, with LED lighting throughout, air-source heat pumps, EV charging and PV solar panel capability. “Our strategy of controlled growth remains on target,” said Sybron’s sales and marketing director, George Mason. “The facility gives Sybron the space to grow, provides flexibility and allows us to take the business where we want to go in the next ten to 15 years. From a customer perspective, the new headquarters allows increased bulk ordering and the opportunity to explore expanding products and services. It also signals a great move for staff, offering scope to develop new skills and for more individual progression.” If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference open for bookings, Columbo Kitchen co-founder Sylvia Perera to speak: The Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference takes place on Thursday, 4 June at Park Plaza Victoria London. The all-day conference, which is organised in conjunction with Ann Elliott, will feature an all-female line-up of sector leaders. These include Sylvia Perera, owner and chef at Columbo Kitchen, who will discuss her journey from start up to success, including winning National Chef of the Year at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2024 and a prestigious two-star Great Taste Award from the Guild of Fine Food in 2024. 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 updated Multi-Site Database with 3,572 operators and 20 new companies on Friday: Premium Club subscribers will receive the updated Multi-Site Database on Friday (24 April), at 12pm. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,572 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,028 (29%) casual dining operators, 808 (23%) pub and bar operators, 639 (18%) cafe bakery operators, 502 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 296 (8%) hotel operators, 242 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 55 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 20 new companies. The database includes new companies in the cafe bakery sector such as Dough Hands, the neo-Neapolitan pizza concept from Hannah Drye, Dear Coco, the London-based, Australian-inspired specialty coffee business, and Cardiff pie and coffee concept Donald’s Pies. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, 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 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

AlixPartners – ‘investor interest has been shifting back towards real world, operational businesses’: Leading sector advisory firm AlixPartners has said the focus for investors is shifting back towards “real world, operational businesses”, which is a positive sign for the hospitality sector. Writing in Propel Premium Opinion, AlixPartners managing director Graeme Smith and director Craig Rachel said: “While this is a moment when it may feel like the world temporarily pauses to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict, in more general terms, investor interest has been shifting back toward real world, operational businesses. This is a positive sign for the sector, with last year’s investment focus on technology and healthcare services easing. Capital is now moving toward consumer industries like hospitality and leisure, the ‘in real life trade’, which are viewed as more resilient to artificial intelligence (AI)-driven disruption. Lending institutions too are also showing stronger support across restaurants, quick service restaurants, pubs, bars and competitive socialising, with funding coming from high street banks, challenger banks and private credit funds across a combination of bilateral and club deals. Much of this capital is aimed at supporting growth and rollout plans, which should underpin future deal activity. This was graphically illustrated with Butcombe Group unveiling a refinancing supported by Barclays, Lloyds and NatWest. Overall, while the medium and long-term impact of the conflict in the Middle East remains uncertain and may delay decision making in the short term, the renewed investor focus on real life, experience-led businesses is a constructive trend for the industry, for the year ahead. The sector has demonstrated resilience through multiple shocks, and the combination of investor appetite, lender support and consumer demand for experiences provides a solid foundation for future investment activity.” A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

NTIA CEO – ‘what we are witnessing is not just a return to nightlife, but a redefinition of it’: Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA), has argued we are witnessing not just a return to nightlife, “but a redefinition of it”. Writing for Propel Premium Opinion, Kill said: “The emerging cohort is coming through with a clear appetite for going out – physically, socially, culturally. After formative years shaped by lockdowns and digital-first interaction, there is a palpable hunger for shared experience. They want to be out, in the moment, in the crowd. They are grabbing the night and, in many ways, taking the UK's social and cultural economy by the scruff of the neck and pulling it with them. But crucially, this isn't a simple revival of what came before. It’s a wave of change. This generation exists in a socially and culturally fused world. Music, fashion, food, identity and digital culture are no longer separate lanes; they collide and co-exist in real time. A night out is no longer defined by a single purpose. It is immersive, layered and expressive. Venues are not just places to drink; they are stages for culture, identity and connection. Within that, a new form of hedonism is emerging: one that focuses less on excess for its own sake and more on intensity, immediacy and meaning. There is a desire to go out, to stay out, to lose themselves in the experience, but on their own terms. This generation wants the energy of the dancefloor, the chaos of spontaneity, the joy of discovery. They want nights that feel alive. And they are actively pushing for it. Ultimately, what we are witnessing is not just a return to nightlife, but a redefinition of it. The next wave of consumers won’t just participate in the night-time economy; they will reshape it. They will inject it with energy, challenge its norms and pull it forward at pace.”

 

Costa Express founder raises £2m to scale automated coffee business: Costa Express founder Scott Martin has raised £2m for his Unity Coffee business. Last year, Martin founded Unity Coffee, a “digital-first coffee platform that delivers premium coffee through smart self-serve machines” and which he believes will “redefine coffee-to-go”. Unity will use the funding to roll out 500-plus machines across the next 12 months, scaling its app-first coffee stations into high-footfall venues. This rollout marks the first phase of Unity’s wider automated retail platform, spanning both hardware and software upgrades. The business has more than doubled in value over the last six months off the back of market trials, including two beta trials across London locations where Unity exceeded internal targets for early adoption. In one 24-hour period, Unity saw app downloads climb into the thousands, as shoppers and passers-by sampled premium coffee, matcha and hot chocolate through the Unity Coffee app. After a successful friends and family raise, Unity Coffee’s latest round features a consortium of seasoned industry figures, including angel investor and W Communications chief executive Warren Johnson. Martin said: “Big Coffee has spent decades extracting maximum margin from a captive market, but we are here to flip the model.” 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.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a hospitality group that is looking for a managing director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This role will oversee the 25-strong group, launching new sites across the country and growing the overall image and reputation, while helping in the overall business strategy for the group, working on financial, marketing and all business-related aspects including acquisitions.” The salary is up to £150,000 and the position is based in London. For more information email stuart@corecruitment.com

 

Exclusive – Colin Sadler joins ETM Group as MD for its sports bar business: ETM, the premium bar and restaurant operator, has hired Colin Sadler, formerly of Professionals At Play and Marston’s, to head up its sports bar business, Propel has learned. Sadler, formerly chief operating officer of Professionals At Play and managing director of Marston’s Premium Bars & Restaurants, will lead ETM’s Sport London bars along with Ludo, its joint venture with St Austell Brewery. ETM Sports includes sites such as Greenwood Victoria and Redwood London Bridge in the capital, while Ludo currently operates three sites – in Bath, Exeter and Cardiff – with plans for further expansion. Sadler previously led Professionals At Play, the fast-growing competitive socialising group, driving expansion of both Roxy Ball Room and King Pins nationally. He was also responsible for creating and rolling out Lost & Found and Revere Pub Company for Marston’s, along with managing its Pitcher & Piano brand. He said: “ETM has long set the benchmark for others in delivering exceptional experiences for guests, whether it be award-winning dining across the ETM Collection, or industry-leading sports bars. I am looking forward to working with the team on some exciting plans for 2026 and beyond.” Ed Martin, chief executive of ETM Group, said: “Colin brings a wealth of experience in developing, operating, and rolling out successful leisure businesses across the country. We see exciting potential to further enhance our current estate and look for new opportunities to develop our sports and socialising offer, both in London and across the country.”

 

Kuvi Hospitality secures debut site here for Coyo Taco, plans more than 50 locations across UK and Ireland: Kuvi Hospitality, the London-based hospitality investment platform led by Shereen Ritchie, has secured the debut site here for US concept Coyo Taco, in London’s Victoria, and said plans are underway to scale the brand to more than 50 locations across UK and Ireland. Coyo Taco will open its first London site this summer at Orchard Place, with a further two UK locations planned before the end of the year. The opening forms part of Kuvi’s strategy to “build and scale a portfolio of high-growth international hospitality brands”, with a long-term pipeline targeting 50-plus locations across the UK and Ireland. Last year, Kuvi Hospitality secured the exclusive franchise and development rights for Coyo Taco across the UK, Ireland and the GCC. Founded in Miami’s Wynwood district in 2016, Coyo Taco currently operates seven sites in Miami and six more sites globally. Coya Taco’s operating model includes a dual-format approach combining high-throughput dining with a late-night bar offer. Ritchie said: “Coyo Taco is a true Miami institution, with a strong brand identity and passionate fan base built over a decade. It’s a privilege to be leading its introduction and expansion in the UK. We see a significant opportunity in premium, fresh and culturally relevant dining. As consumer demand continues to shift towards freshness, bold flavours, and experience-led formats, Coyo is the perfect product-market fit.” Coyo founders Alan Drummond, Sven Vogtland and Scott Linquist added: “London is one of the most competitive and influential dining markets in the world, and the perfect place to introduce Coyo Taco outside the US. Launching in London gives us a powerful platform, not just for the UK but for wider international growth. With Coyo Taco’s strong global following, proven fast-casual model and culturally led identity, we’re confident this is the right partnership to build something meaningful across multiple regions.” 

  

German Doner Kebab set to make Northern Ireland debut: German Doner Kebab (GDK), which is backed by private equity group True, is set to make its debut in Northern Ireland after lining up a site in Belfast. The business is set to open on the former Costa Coffee site in Boucher Place, just off the Boucher Road. Last year, the company signed a master franchise agreement with long-standing partner Strava Group to launch in Ireland. GDK subsequently opened its first Irish site in Liffey Valley, Dublin, with a commitment to roll out 30 restaurants across the country over the next decade. In February, GDK said it expects to open 25 new sites in the UK this year, with longer-terms plans for 900 outlets worldwide. GDK operates via dozens of franchise partners, running circa 155 outlets in the UK and nearly 40 more overseas, including in the US, Dubai, Ireland and Sweden.

 

Amber Taverns opens most south westerly site: Wet-led, community pub operator Amber Taverns, which is backed by Epiris, has opened its most south westerly site so far, in Devon. The circa 190-strong company has opened The Strand Social on an ex-JD Wetherspoon site in Barnstaple. The company said: “The venue has been designed with socialising at its core. It’s a large, open-plan space that works just as well for a casual drink as it does for a full night out. Whether it’s after-work drinks, weekend plans with friends, or simply somewhere new to spend an evening, The Strand Social offers a welcoming environment with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. One of the standout features is the private karaoke room, which adds something a little different to the experience.” Last month, James Baer, chairman of Amber Taverns, said he would be comfortable investing between £30m and £40m annually on the group’s expansion, as it looks to further grow in the south of England. The group’s heartlands have traditionally been north and west of Watford, but it has started to push further into the south of England over the past year. Baer said he would be comfortable splashing between £30m and £40m annually on the expansion, and the firm is looking at sites in Kent, Essex and other counties for potential openings. Baer will be speaking at Propel's Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference on Tuesday 19 May. Click here for full speaker schedule. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book tickets.

 

Wolseley Hospitality Group owner to open first Colbert Collection site in UK: Wolseley Hospitality Group owner Minor Hotels will open its first Colbert Collection property in the UK, in London’s Mayfair. The WestDill Mayfair Hotel London, Colbert Collection will open in the fourth quarter, with the company saying it “represents a key strategic step for Minor Hotels to launch a hotel at the heart of this global gateway city”. Colbert Collection, the group’s new premium soft brand, will encompass a global collection of independent hotels “designed for those fuelled by a passion for culinary excellence and genuine social connection”. The five-star property will offer 50 guest rooms and suites across six floors, in addition to a restaurant and bar. With a corner positioning on Piccadilly and Albemarle Street, the building was formerly the NatWest bank and offices and is being converted to a hotel. Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive of Minor Hotels, said: “We are excited to bring our new premium soft brand to the UK with the upcoming launch of The WestDill Mayfair Hotel London, Colbert Collection. The property represents a unique strategic opportunity for Minor Hotels to be present in an exceptional location in Central London and unlocks new avenues to partner with distinctive, character-led properties. We are delighted to be working with Royal Group of Companies Singapore to bring the Colbert Collection to London and are confident this new property will represent a highly attractive offering for visitors to the city.”

 

Sticks‘n’Sushi to make debut in Czech Republic: Danish-Japanese premium restaurant group Sticks‘n’Sushi – in which McWin, the backer of Gail’s and Big Mamma Group, acquired a majority stake last year – is to make its debut in the Czech Republic under a new joint venture, Propel has learned. The new three-floor restaurant, which will comprise 160 covers, including a private dining room and outdoor seating for 36 covers, will open in Prague this autumn. In a first for the business, the restaurant will operate as a joint venture with the Zbyněk Pokorný-led Sushi Group, under the McWin Capital Partners portfolio. Andreas Karlsson, SticksʹnʹSushi group chief executive, said: “We are delighted to bring SticksʹnʹSushi to a new city, opening more opportunities for our team to be a part of our journey. Prague is a compelling next step as we build momentum across central and northern Europe, alongside our established presence in Berlin and upcoming opening at Copenhagen airport.” Pokorný added: “We are pleased to be bringing SticksʹnʹSushi to Prague. We believe its concept, combining Japanese cuisine with a Danish approach to hospitality, will be a great addition to the city's dining scene.” SticksʹnʹSushi recently opened its 17th site in the UK, in Manchester, and will open a site in the heritage-led Vicar Lane regeneration scheme in Leeds early next year. Founded by half-Japanese, half-Danish, brothers Jens and Kim Rahbek, and Thor Anderson, in Copenhagen, Sticks‘n’Sushi also operates 12 sites in Denmark and three in Berlin.

 

Heartstone Inns reports sales up 4.5% in 2026, delivers record sales of £12.1m and pub earnings of £2.6m in 2025: Heartstone Inns, the nine-strong managed pub operator, has told Propel its 2026 sales were up 4.5% to the end of March as it reported record revenue of £12.1m for the year ending 28 December 2025. This was an increase of 18%, having broken the £10m barrier in 2024. Pub Ebitda of £2.6m was achieved, representing a margin of 22%, compared with £2.2m and 21% in 2024, while company Ebitda was £1.8m, representing a margin of 15%, compared with £1.4m and 14% in 2024. The company benefited from a full year contribution from the 31-bedroom Sidcot Arms in Somerset, which was acquired in late 2024, but Heartstone said the positive operating results have also been driven by strong footfall across the estate, increasing revenue from guest bedrooms and a “firm control” on costs. During the year the company completed an extensive development of the Sidcot Arms and invested in improved infrastructure at the Hare & Hounds in Devon. The next project, which is underway, is four further bedrooms at the ten-bedroom Charlcombe Inn, overlooking Bath racecourse. In total, the company has invested £4.4m in its estate over the last four years. It owns the freehold to all its sites and said it has a strong balance sheet, with net debt of £5.1m and gearing of 21%. Over the last four years, the company has returned £1.1m to shareholders. Managing director James Birch told Propel: “We believe our trading performance is testament to our dedicated teams and to the strategic direction of the business. The business now has 75 bedrooms across six of its nine pubs with plans to increase to closer to 100 over the next few years by virtue of the planning permissions already in place. We continue looking to develop our existing estate, make selective acquisitions and provide returns for shareholders.”

 

Cornish Bakery to make Welsh debut today as it launches new concept: Fast-growing independent brand Cornish Bakery will make its Welsh debut today (Tuesday, 21 April) as it launches its licensed RISE concept. The 2,500 square-foot site in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, North Wales, seats up to 166 people. The outlet, in Station Approach, is the first of three upcoming openings under the RISE concept, which expands beyond the brand’s traditional coffee and bakery offerings to include small plates such as chorizo and shakshuka baked eggs, with tomatoes, peppers, onion and spices, and Cornish Huevos Rancheros – Cornish Bakery’s own take on the Mexican dish that features black beans, tomatoes, guacamole and free-range eggs. Alongside the menu is Cornish beer and wine. Cornish Bakery managing director, Mat Finch, said: “We’ve been looking for the right places and spaces in Wales for a long time and this expansive building in Betws-y-Coed offered a rare opportunity to respectfully enhance a stunning property. We’re excited to introduce our RISE concept here, a flexible space that the local community can use alongside a unique hospitality experience.” Last month, founder Steve Grocutt said the new concept “represents a significant opportunity for us to reshape hospitality”. The circa 75-strong company is also set to open new sites in Portsmouth, Wells and Witney in the coming months. Finch was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All the videos are available free to Premium subscribers or for a one-off fee of £195 plus VAT to non-Premium subscribers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com for details.

 

Boxpark to add two new traders at Liverpool site: Boxpark is adding two new traders to the line-up at its Liverpool site. Lids & Co and Falafel Xpress will join existing vendors such as Shake?, Yoki Social Table, Rogue Pizza Co and Simply Salt N Pepper. Lids & Co, a Liverpool-born concept specialising in unique handmade pies at festivals and events, will operate at the site after working with Boxpark at Aintree’s Randox Grand National Festival. Falafel Xpress is a street food concept in Chester serving Middle Eastern-inspired dishes such as loaded wraps and bowls. Joel Lee, general manager at Boxpark Liverpool, said: “The goal is to bring in concepts that add something new for our guests. Lids & Co and Falafel Xpress do exactly that, giving us a great balance of comforting, indulgent dishes alongside fresh, vibrant options.” Last month, Boxpark, which is led by Matt Snell and operates six venues, hired Rob Cooper, formerly of Chicken Shop, Sage and Talk Talk, as its new chief financial officer.

 

Brindisa Kitchens founder – ‘core estate performing well’, ‘hopeful of regaining sales as weather improves’: Ratnesh Bagdai, founder of Spanish restaurant group Brindisa Kitchens, has told Propel that its core sites are “performing well again in the main” in its current financial year, and hopes with better weather, it will regain some lost like-for-like sales. It comes as the business posted turnover of £13,432,670 for the 12 months to 30 June 2025 (2024: £13,374,396) with EBITDA of £943,953 (2024: £756,841) and a pre-tax profit of £293,569 (2024: £56,240). Gross profit margin for the year stood at 41.4% (2024: 39.9%). Bagdel told Propel: “The year to June 2025 numbers were encouraging and somewhat robust from a turnover perspective and costs control. Despite wage costs, we kept headcount under control. For the seven months in the current year to date, turnover levels are challenging, and with better weather in the final part of the year remaining, we are hopeful to regain some lost like-for-like sales. Core sites (London Bridge, Soho and South Kensington) are performing well again in the main. Wage increases will be the main burn, perhaps 6% higher, which again shows we have been keeping control as best we can. All other costs are consistent. Margins are being held but it’s the increased costs in wages and national insurance contributions, which are fundamentally unrecoverable it seems, in terms of further price rises. Certainly, as the conflicts in the world continue and our economy suffers, it’s hard to get a sense of any ‘good feel factor’, which is what we all need.”

 

Pachamama Group to add two new sites to London portfolioincluding largest to date: Restaurant operator Pachamama Group, which operates four sites in London, is to add two further sites to its London estate later this year. Launching at 96 George Street and 8 Loxton Walk, both restaurants will form part of Loxton Walk – a new retail, wellness and dining destination for Marylebone developed in collaboration between The Portman Estate and Derwent London. At 96 George Street, a prominent corner flagship with dual frontages onto George Street and Loxton Walk, the group will introduce a 6,000 square-foot, all-day dining venue – its largest restaurant venture in London to date. Accommodating 190 covers across a main dining room, private dining spaces and alfresco seating, the venue will be home to Soraya, a Persian-inspired restaurant first conceived in Abu Dhabi, centred around “gathering at the table, sharing plates and a contemporary interpretation of Persian cooking, in a format that moves easily from day into evening”. Next door, at 8 Loxton Walk, the group will venture into the world of street food dining with a new concept set within a 1,200 square-foot site. Further brand and cuisine details are yet to be revealed. The group currently operates Lagana in Shoreditch, which opened last year in place of its Pachamama East site, plus Nina in Marylebone, Bottarga in Chelsea and Zephyr in Notting Hill. Earlier this year, the business made its international debut with an opening in Monaco under Zephyr – its Greek restaurant and late-night cocktail bar concept. 

 

Business behind food treasure hunt experiences closes crowdfunding campaign after raising almost £478,000 as it eyes global expansion: A company that creates food treasure hunt experiences and is aiming to become a “global leader in gamified food tourism” has closed its crowdfunding campaign after raising almost £478,000 to support its growth. Gourmaze was raising the funds via the Republic Europe crowdfunding platform and secured £477,924 from 135 investors. The company was offering 9.46% equity in return for the investment, giving a pre-money valuation of £4.5m. Founded in 2021 by Anish Malhan and Holly Su-Lin Mennear, Gourmaze’s experiences are powered by technology and allow players to solve clues to discover food across a city. “Our vision is to become the global leader in gamified food tourism and transform how people explore cities, spark discovery and celebrate culture”, its crowdfunding page said. Gourmaze achieved “product–market fit” in London and replicated the model internationally, launching in Singapore. The business said it has generated £1.3m in ticket sales and is EBITDA profitable, with 30,000 customers to date. Gourmaze said it sees a “clear pathway to scaling across major global cities” with “strong early traction across two markets and a rapidly growing food tourism sector”. The business said it will use the funding to expand across the UK and enter the US by 2028, as well as scale into Europe and Asia by 2030.

 

Sheffield coffee shop concept Scrannery opens third site, set to begin expansion outside city: Sheffield coffee shop concept Scrannery has opened its third site and is set to begin expansion outside the city. The flagship venue, called Discovery, has launched at the Pennine Five development. Located within Building Four of the mixed-use campus near Tenter Street, Discovery has been designed as a space for meetings as well as day-to-day café use. The venue includes three bookable areas: The Snug, a small private room for one-to-one meetings; The Studio, a flexible space for workshops and talks; and The Floor, an adaptable area for larger events. Daytime café service runs throughout the week, with extended evening opening from Wednesday to Friday. Dave King, co-founder of Scrannery and managing director of Sheffield consultancy Differentis, said: “Pennine Five is quickly becoming a focal point for businesses in this part of the city. We saw an opportunity to create a space that supports that community – somewhere people can meet properly, work comfortably and spend time without feeling rushed. Being based here ourselves, we understand how people use the campus day to day, and Discovery has been shaped around that.” Co-founder Kieran Morgan-McGeehan added: “Scrannery has always been rooted in Sheffield, and opening at Pennine Five felt like a natural next step for us. Discovery carries the same approach we apply across our cafés – good food, proper coffee and considered spaces – but on a larger scale.” Scrannery is also set to expand outside Sheffield, with two sites in Chesterfield listed as “coming soon” on its website. Coffee shops will launch at the town’s library and in Chatsworth Road.

 

East of England sushi concept to open fourth site: East of England sushi concept Sushi and Salad is to open a fourth site. The business, which already has locations in Ely, Stamford and Saffron Walden, is preparing to open in the former Lloyds Bank at 1 The Pavement in St Ives in Cambridgeshire, which closed a year ago. Opening in June, the restaurant will offer a “complex menu” with both sushi options and hot meals inspired by Okinawan cuisine. Founder Juliana Hunt told Cambridgeshire Live: “We are from a village very close to St Ives and we go into town whenever we can, so we’ve had our eyes on that location for a while. We have a new menu that just launched and there’s a dish called truffle udon that’s served with a soy-cured egg that you can grate like parmesan. The black cod is marinated for 48 hours and then grilled, and we have our signature dishes like the spicy crunch roll, which is one of the most popular options.”

 

Ollie’s House founder – latest launch ‘a testing ground for new format’, ‘need to capitalise on different dayparts’: The founder of pan-Asian, all-day concept Ollie’s House has said his latest launch will be a testing ground for his new format, and he recognises a need to capitalise on different dayparts. Propel revealed last month that Oliver Norcliffe, a former operations manager at bakery and café concept Gail’s, was gearing up to launch neighbourhood diner/deli concept The Daily Tray, in London’s East Dulwich, alongside its Common Pizza format. The Lordship Lane location has now opened, operating as The Daily Tray from 8am-3pm before pivoting to Common Pizza – changing not only its menu but also its branding and signage each day. Norcliffe told the Southwark News that despite the different identities and menus, the two concepts utilise mutual ingredients in their dishes, such as their homemade focaccia. He added: “East Dulwich has a strong daytime presence with families, while the pubs are packed at night, making it a great opportunity to test this concept. To have a successful restaurant business, you really need to capitalise on day and evening since it is so hard to keep a restaurant sustainable by just focusing on one part of the day.” Norcliffe opened Ollie’s House sites in Chelsea in 2022 and Parsons Green in 2023, but both are now closed. Last year, he launched his first Common Pizza site, in Clapham Common.

 

Indian restaurant business to launch flagship venue at Resorts World Birmingham: Indian restaurant business The Indian Strategy is to launch a flagship venue at Resorts World Birmingham. The family operated business is opening its third bricks and mortar site this spring on the lower ground floor of the centre between PizzaExpress and Nando's, joining its other venues in Bennett's Hill and the Bullring. The Indian Strategy was founded in 2012 by Meena Sharma. She said: “It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Resorts World to spread more flavour across the region with our third opening since we started this journey. We're all excited to share our food with a new part of the city, and we know everyone’s going to love our authentic family recipes. We are thrilled to be the first Indian food offering at the iconic Resorts World.”

 

Norwich coffee shop opens third site: Norwich coffee shop OP’s has opened a third site in the city. Owner Oliver Stevens opened the first OP's in Bank Plain in November and expanded to St George’s Works in Colegate in February, offering his own-brand of coffee and signature bagels. He has now launched a café within Dojo Norwich, a martial arts studio in Burton Road which is the home of ESKA Karate. Stevens told The Evening News: “One of the ESKA Karate owners came into the shop in Bank Plain and offered us the opportunity to take on its kitchen and cafe area at the studio. It offers a new client base for us – there are lots of offices nearby, but limited places people can go for food. The Dojo runs lots of events throughout the year and I think it needed a good cafe.”

 

Liverpool operator Harrison’s Group opens new restaurant and bar: Liverpool operator Harrison’s Group has opened a new restaurant and bar in the city. The company has relaunched the grade II-listed Wavertree Town Hall. The restaurant, bar and function space closed in October. The site is still split across three areas and now includes a traditional pub, a back bar that shows live sporting events and a function room upstairs that has capacity for about 100 people. Nicola Halton, business development manager for Harrison’s Group, said: “We have enjoyed bringing this fantastic building back to life over the last few months. Wavertree Town Hall is a stunning landmark and being given the chance to serve as its custodians is a real privilege.” The group’s other venues include The Harp pub with hidden cocktail bar Dwntwn underneath, and Harrison's Aparthotel, Bar & Kitchen.

 

Drayton Manor reports rise in revenue and profit as it continues to review cost base: Staffordshire theme park Drayton Manor has reported an increase in revenue and profit in the year to 30 September 2025, as it said it continued to review its cost base. Turnover rose to £28,978,698 from £28,199,362 the year before. Of the 2025 revenue, £23,277,654 came from the theme park (2024: £22,350,573) and £5,689,095 from the hotel and events (2023: £5,836,514). Pre-tax profit was up to £1,486,757 from £1,244,140, while capital expenditure as a percentage of revenue stood at 5% (2024: 19.1%). Drayton Manor, which is owned by Looping Group, which owns 15 parks in Europe, including West Midlands Safari Park and Pleasurewood Hills in the UK, paid out £96,892 in redundancy costs compared with £28,452 in 2024. No dividends were paid (2024: £1,290,043). The company said: “In 2025, the theme park celebrated its 75th year of operation. This has been marked by a year of special events including fireworks, late night opening, live performances and the opening of a museum that contains memorabilia and photos from the last 75 years. This has been extremely popular with guests. The increases in national minimum wage and employers’ national insurance had a huge impact on the business’s cost base, together with a land rent review. With the market for leisure activities being as competitive as it is, passing on any of the increased cost base to customers is difficult meaning the business has carefully reviewed its cost base. Major capital expenditure in the year was focused on a new light, sound and fire show that was launched over Halloween 2025. It is the first of its kind in the UK and uses state-of-the-art technology.”

 

Manchester brunch cafe concept to open second site: Manchester brunch cafe concept Bruncho is to open a second site after agreeing a deal for space on the ground floor of an office building in the city’s Northern Quarter. Cert property management has let 4,378 square feet to Bruncho at Hilton House. Having established its first cafe in Deansgate, Bruncho is now taking on a site that was previously occupied by Feel Good Club, opening in June. Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us. Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.” Edwards & Co and Lyons Thompson Letts acted for Cert on the letting.

Freehold investment of Eastleigh property let to Coffee#1 sells for £400,000: A property with corner frontage in the centre of Eastleigh, Hampshire, occupied by Nero Group brand Coffee#1, has changed hands in a freehold investment sale after being listed at a guide price of £400,000. Property consultancy Vail Williams acted for the landlord in the disposal of the two-storey property at 38 Market Street. The property is let on a 20-year lease to Coffee#1, expiring in 2034. Rent is £31,950 per annum, with an open-market rent review every fifth anniversary. The purchase reflects a net initial yield of just under 7.67%. The 2,216 square-foot property has 70 covers on the ground floor, and externally, there are 25 covers under a canopy. The first floor has been fitted out as a coffee training area that could be used for a further 30 covers.