Appeal by Scottish nightclub owners to halt government’s covid vaccine scheme fails: A bid by nightclub bosses in Scotland to derail the government’s vaccine certificate roll-out has been rejected. A judge has turned down a request fo … view

Judge dismisses challenge to Caffe Nero restructuring plans: A High Court judge has dismissed a landlord-backed challenge to the restructuring of Caffe Nero after finding that there was no clear route for postponing an electronic vote on … view

Distefano – this is one of the most difficult times operationally the business has faced: Marcello Distefano, managing director of San Carlo Restaurant Group, the north west-based operator, has told Propel that operationally this is one … view

Exclusive – RedCat Pub Company buys seven sites from Dominion Hospitality: RedCat Pub Company, the new investment vehicle from ex-Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, has acquired seven sites from Dominion Hospitality, which owns a … view

Government launches ‘Avengers Assemble’ hospitality council: The government has formed a new hospitality council to help guide the recovery of the sector after the heavy toll of the pandemic. Business minister Paul Scully has announce … view

Industry bosses renew call for Scottish covid passport scheme to be scrapped as two-week grace period announced: Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has faced renewed calls from industry bosses to scrap Scotland’s vaccine passport s … view

70 sector leaders tell government – we’re facing a staffing crisis: Nearly 70 leading hospitality sector figures, including serial sector investor Richard Caring, Soho House founder Nick Jones, and Jeremy King, co-founder of Corbin & … view

Exclusive – St Austell ‘well on the way’ to recovering to pre-pandemic levels: Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery is “well on the way” to recovering to pre-pandemic levels, Propel has learned. The independent brewer and pub opera … view

EG Group becomes Western Europe's largest KFC franchisee as it acquires Amsric Group’s 52-strong UK portfolio: Forecourt and roadside operator EG Group has acquired 52 KFC UK restaurants from Amsric Group. The acquired network, across … view

Tasty reduces losses and hails ‘supportive’ landlords: Wildwood operator Tasty has reported revenue £11.6m (2020: £8.7m) for the 26 weeks ended 27 June, an increase of 33%. Loss after tax for the period was £2.7m (28 June 2020: los … view

German fast-food to go brand Extrawurst to launch in UK, appoints Sam Shutt as UK CEO: Extrawurst, one of the leading German bratwurst fast-food to go brands, is to launch in the UK, Propel has learned. The brand, which has more than 30 s … view

Pub chiefs have warned WHO plan for target to cut drinking by 20% will hit jobs: Pub bosses have slammed an ‘arbitrary’ World Health Organisation plan to slash alcohol consumption by a fifth – warning it would cost tens of thousands … view

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Tortilla to float with plan to add 45 sites in five years: Tortilla, the largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant group in the UK, is to float on AIM (Alternative Investment Market). The company has 62 sites worldwide, comprising 50 sites i … view

Connell – we could look back at the next few months as one of best times to invest in the sector: Darrell Connell, partner at sector investor Imbiba, which backs operators including Farmer J, Vagabond and Darwin & Wallace, has said if b … view

All tips to go to staff as government plans overhaul of tipping practices: All tips will go to staff under new plans to overhaul tipping practices set out by the government today (Friday, 24 September). Most hospitality workers – many o … view

Mitchells & Butlers reports sales have strengthened: Mitchells & Butlers has reported that sales have been volatile since re-opening but have generally strengthened, particularly since the easing of restrictions on ‘Freedom Day’ in En … view

More than three quarters of hospitality businesses to put up prices in face of rising costs: More than three quarters (76%) of hospitality business leaders have said they will have no choice but to pass rising costs on to consumers by inc … view

Industry bosses blast Scottish government with pubs and bars as well as nightclubs set to be hit by covid passport scheme: UKHospitality has blasted Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s definition of a nightclub in her covid update … view

Pret sets out plan to double size of business within five years backed by new £100m investment: Pret A Manger has set out plans to double the size of its business within the next five years, backed by a new £100m net investment from cur … view

Exclusive – I am Doner to make international debut as it signs multi-site franchise deal in UAE: I am Doner, the award-winning better kebab brand backed by Think Hospitality, has signed a multi-site franchise deal to take the brand to t … view

Wilks – huge growth for competitive socialising will be in the family environment: The huge growth in the competitive socialising category will come from the family environment and opening of more “big box” concepts, Tim Wilks, foun … view

Prezzo announces 4% average pay rise for restaurant workers and Boxing Day closing: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed restaurant chain, will give all its 2,500 restaurant workers a pay rise in October. From next month, team members’ … view

Bar and restaurant owners will be stopped from keeping staff tips under new laws: Bar and restaurant owners will be stopped from keeping tips intended for staff under new laws. Workers will become legally entitled to receive 100% of the p … view

Exclusive – Pret to give 5% pay rise to its 6,200 shop staff: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-backed business, is to give its circa 6,200 shop staff a 5% pay increase from next month, Propel has learned. In an internal email from Pret� … view

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Aviva Investors sells eight-strong pub package let to Marston’s for over £20m: Aviva Investors has sold the eight-strong freehold pub package let to Marston’s, which it placed on the market earlier this summer, to a private investor, … view

Shapland – we plan to open 50 Coffi Lab sites over the next five years: James Shapland, the co-founder of Coffee#1, the Caffe Nero-owned brand, is planning to open 50 sites under his new Coffi Lab concept over the next five years, Prope … view

Fridays will list under Hostmore name in fourth quarter: Fridays and its offshoot 63rd +1st will be floated under the name Hostmore in the fourth quarter of this year, owner Electra has stated. The company stated: “Over the 16 week peri … view

Campbell – we will refurbish 300 PizzaExpress restaurants and add 50 new sites over the next three years: David Campbell, group chief executive of PizzaExpress, has said the 357-strong brand will refurbish 300 of its UK restaurants over … view

Itsu announces 11% increase in hourly pay for team members: Itsu, the healthy Asian food chain created by Julian Metcalfe, has announced it is increasing the hourly wage for entry-level team members by 11% to a minimum of £10.40 an hour. … view

The Restaurant Group re-states growth plans; strong like-for-likes since 17 May: The Restaurant Group has reported like-for-like sales have out-performed the market since dine-in began again on 17 May. The company has also stated its plan … view

RedCat paid £16m for bulk of 42-strong CMA package: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle headed by Rooney Anand, paid £16m for 33 sites of the 42-strong package of pubs that were originally placed on the market to address competit … view

Holmes – Coco Di Mama has got some exciting opportunities ahead with licensing and franchising: Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group, the operator of the ASK Italian, Coco Di Mama and Zizzi brands, has said the group’s Coco … view

Rolling 12-month sales down 15% but managed pubs, bars and restaurants report 5% growth in August against 2019 levels: Mounting consumer confidence and staycations helped Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups to lift sales ab … view

Covid vaccine passports scrapped for winter: Boris Johnson will announce this week that he is scrapping plans that would have required vaccine passports for entry to nightclubs, cinemas and sports grounds. On Tuesday, the prime minister w … view

Fulham Shore plans ten new openings this financial year: Franco Manca operator Fulham Shore is lining up ten openings. In a trading update, the company stated: “Since the Group’s Final Results announced on 17 August 2021 group revenue … view

Government challenged to prove vaccine passports will work or put an end to them, Scotland approves plan: A select committee has told the government to spell out exactly how vaccine passports will work or drop the scheme altogether. Willi … view

Vaccine passports for nightclubs may be ditched after fierce Tory backlash: Ministers are having second thoughts on plans to introduce mandatory covid passports for nightclubs and other “high-risk” venues after Tory MPs tore into the … view

Black Sheep Coffee plans more than 30 new openings, including first UK franchise site: London-based speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee is set to enter a new chapter of its plans to become a national brand in the UK, with m … view

Businesses need to ensure that they are fully equipped for the coming autumn and winter months, and operators must turn their attention to the components which can prompt s … view

Sector bosses warn ‘firebreak’ lockdown would be ‘final nail in the coffin’ for many businesses: A “firebreak” lockdown in England during October would be the “final nail in the coffin” for many sector businesses, industry … view

Exclusive – Boxpark to accelerate expansion plans after securing multimillion-pound LDC investment: Multi award-winning hospitality and leisure operator Boxpark has set its sights on expansion across the UK following a significant cash … view

Russell Norman part of team behind Joe Allen relaunch: Russell Norman, the co-founder of Polpo, is part of the team relaunching the Joe Allen restaurant in London’s Covent Garden. The restaurant has remained closed since the pandemic to … view

Andy Laurillard – change in property usage could lead to hospitality circuits moving: Last year’s change to the use classes in order could lead to some traditional restaurant pitches being “left behind”, Andy Laurillard, co-founde … view

Wagamama boss reveals recruitment challenges: Wagamama has revealed difficulty in hiring chefs across a fifth of its restaurants amid a “perfect storm” of supply chain challenges and staff shortages. The group’s recently appointed c … view

UKHospitality – introducing covid passports for certain venues and events ‘unworkable’ and will cost ‘thousands’ of jobs: Introducing covid passports for certain venues and events will be “unworkable” and cost “thousands� … view

Pubs ‘can keep al fresco seating areas on their own grounds’, but industry fears loss of street dining: Marquees and al fresco seating areas introduced by pubs, cafes and restaurants during the pandemic may become permanent under gove … view

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Pring – we have the firepower to look at small group acquisitions: Nick Pring, co-founder of Urban Pubs and Bars, which earlier this week entered into partnership with Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual to support and accelerate the gro … view

Kate Nicholls – al fresco dining should be a staple: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has argued the al fresco dining seen in London during the summer should be retained. Writing in City AM she stated: “London may have had … view

Edition Capital looks to raise up to £3m through new hospitality expansion fund: Edition Capital, the backers of sector businesses including Club Mexicana, WatchHouse and Incipio Group, has launched a new EIS fundraising tranche, as its … view

Exclusive – Cote appoints Keith Lloyd as new MD; Lisa Buckley to take special projects role: Cote, the French brasserie chain backed by the Partners Group, has appointed Keith Lloyd, currently central head of operations for UK and Irela … view

Industry losing £17.6bn a year through no-shows as sector campaign launches to highlight issue: The hospitality sector is losing £17.6bn a year due to no-shows, with 18 to 34-year-olds the worst offenders, according to new research. Thi … view