Greggs CEO – we are trying to limit price increases to pennies and protect entry-level prices: Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, has said the company is trying to limit price increases to “pennies and protect entry-level prices”, after confirming an increase in the price of some menu items, including sausage rolls. It comes after the food-to-go retailer reported that its company-managed shop like-for-like sales increased 2.5% for its fourth quarter, reflecting the “more subdued high street footfall”, as total full-year sales topped £2bn. The price of a sausage roll has increased once again, to £1.30 nationally. It marks the second time in six months that Greggs has upped this price after it rose from £1.25 from £1.20 last year. It has increased more than a third since it cost £1 in 2022, and at some travel locations, has increased from £1.50 to £1.55. Currie said a number of goods, including cups of coffee and steak bakes, had increased in price by “between 5p and 10p”, but said the company’s breakfast meal deals and pizza evening deals were being kept at £2.85. She said: “We are trying to limit the price increases to pennies and protect entry-level prices. When you look at it from 2022, we faced a number of headwinds, from covid, the energy crisis we were running at peak inflation. We have a price inflation tracker against our food-to-go peers to ensure that we are still number one for value.” Currie said that while consumer confidence has fallen, “disposable income has actually improved, so I think we will see an improvement when consumer confidence improves”. She said Greggs has introduced double points on lunchtime sandwiches for customers with loyalty cards and increased wages by 6.1% for staff in line with the increase in the national living wage, while the Budget’s change to national insurance contributions added around 1% of inflation to the company's costs. She said despite the headwinds, the business would be sticking to its growth and investment plans for new stores, which see the company planning to open between 140 and 150 shops this year, adding to its existing 2,618 sites. She said: “There are still places where you cannot access Greggs. We are confident in the continuing growth of the brand.”

 

Propel’s Top 500 Report – released today, details the UK’s 500 leading hospitality operators by turnover: Released today (Friday, 10 January), Propel’s Top 500 report showcases the UK’s leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover. Together, these companies generate more than £30bn in turnover across 51,000 sites, spanning seven key segments: pubs and bars, hotels, quick service restaurants (QSR), casual dining, cafe and bakery, experiential leisure and fine dining. This comprehensive report provides more than 90,000 words of analysis, delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers, and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. The guide is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data. Key highlights include Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future, Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market, and Phil Pemberton’s insights into experiential leisure as a hospitality cornerstone. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in QSRs. The Propel 500 report is now available for £595 plus VAT or £395 plus VAT for existing Premium Club members. Premium Club subscribers can access it for free from 28 February 2025. Order your copy today by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Discover how to create brand obsession at Restaurant Marketer & Innovator, open for bookings: Discover how to create brand obsession at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Katy Moses, managing director at KAM, shares new research on how hospitality brands can go beyond customer loyalty and create brand obsession. This will be followed by a panel where Shona Campbell, chief marketing and growth officer at Ottolenghi, Andreia Harwood, marketing director – EMEA at Wingstop, Emma King, chief marketing officer at Hawksmoor, and Louise Philip, global group marketing director at The Wolseley Hospitality Group, discussing their sources of inspiration and share their strategies for building brands that create loyal, passionate fans. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its seventh edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are now open for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 21 and 22 January at One Moorgate Place in London. The conference will focus on technology, marcomms strategies, proposition, brand building, the latest market insights, digital developments and diversification of revenue streams. It is designed for customer-focused chief executives, marketers, technology and innovation teams, as well as investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. For the full speaker schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £420 plus VAT for one day and £725 plus VAT for two. Propel Premium Club members receive a 20% discount. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium venues outperforming value and mainstream ones after consumers showed a desire to trade up at Christmas: Premium venues are outperforming value and mainstream ones after consumers showed a desire to trade up and treat themselves at Christmas. HDI, the provider of card spending insight and pricing data to the UK hospitality sector, said its latest data showed UK hospitality sales grew 2.5% year-on-year over the 12 weeks ending 31 December 2024, with growth improving to 3.9% in the latest four weeks, which includes the key Christmas trading period. Independents and smaller players continue to be the best performing sector of the market, followed by coffee and sandwich shops and delivery. All sectors saw improved performance in the latest four weeks with the exception of casual dining, while pubs and bars took a bigger share of the market thanks to the additional social occasions over the Christmas period. Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, said: “Consumers showed a desire to trade up and treat themselves at Christmas, with analysis of like-for-like sales performance based on HDI’s outlet quality classifications showing that premium venues outperformed value and mainstream venues. Hospitality sales in London showed a marked improvement when looking at regional performance changes, with Zone 1 being particularly strong. Looking at individual site level performance, a number of operators have had a particularly strong Christmas period, breaking long-standing sales records, which is brilliant to see.” Bentley’s presentation at the Propel Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference last May is one of 100 videos from eight conferences in 2024 that are available to Premium Club members. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com if you are a Premium member and would like this video. Premium Club members also get a 20% discount on tickets to all Propel events in 2025. 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.

 

NTIA – rate of nightclub closures slow but challenging trading conditions persist: The rate of nightclub closures has slowed but challenging trading conditions are persisting, new research by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has showed. The figures reveal a 32.7% decline in the number of nightclubs since March 2020. This equates to a loss of 405 venues, with the number of nightclubs dropping from 1,240 in March 2020 to just 835 in November 2024. While late 2024 saw a glimmer of recovery for nightclubs in London and the north east, which saw numbers increase 5.8% and 4.1% respectively since the start of 2024, most regions and cities suffered continued declines, and the NTIA warned the looming tax increase from April “threatens to quash any potential ray of hope for a sector in need of support”. The statistics released by the NTIA show the independent sector has been hit hardest, with the number of nightclubs down 36.1%, with 348 venues lost. Regions like Wales and Yorkshire have seen declines of more than 40%, while other cities such as Birmingham and Liverpool have suffered drops of 38.5% and 31.3% respectively. The trade body said many businesses are experiencing 30%-40% higher operational costs than pre-pandemic levels, and with the additional burden of reduced business rates relief coming in April as well as an increase in duty, employers’ national insurance contributions and wage increases, many night-time businesses face £30,000 to £100,000 in extra costs. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “Operators are working on fine margins, and many have exhausted all possible avenues to cut costs. The uncertainty heading into 2025 is more concerning than anything we saw during the pandemic. The chancellor must step up with considered support to help businesses survive and protect jobs.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a hospitality group that is seeking a general manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This is a leadership role for someone who can inspire, motivate, and organically develop their team. A customer-focused approach is essential, as is a desire to make the restaurant stand out as one of the best in the area. The pace is fast, but the atmosphere is personal and welcoming.” The salary is up to £60,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email Kate@corecruitment.com.

 

The Wolseley Hospitality Group made £8.7m loss in financial year before calling in restructuring advisers, reports second successive year of record turnover and Ebitda: The Wolseley Hospitality Group, formerly Corbin & King, made a pre-tax loss of £8.7m in its last full financial year before calling in restructuring advisers. In June 2024, Sky News reported that owner Minor Hotels had called in AlixPartners to advise on cash flow issues at the group. Newly filed accounts for the year to 31 December 2023 show the group’s pre-tax profit of £4,111,677 in 2022 turned into a loss of £8,714,484 as costs rose by more than £2m and administration expenses by almost £4m, while £8,662,792 in exceptional administrative expenses was reported (2022: £880,876). This included £3,113,718 in pre-opening costs and £4,682,178 in impairment of fixed assets. The group also reported record turnover and Ebitda for a second successive year. Turnover grew 10.8% from £53,674,320 in 2022 to £59,492,469 while adjusted Ebitda was up from £5,735,000 to £5.750,000. Minor International acquired 100% of what was Corbin & King after the business, which subsequently changed its name to The Wolseley Hospitality Group, was placed into administration in 2022. Director Emmanuel Rajakarier said: “Like-for-like performance, for the restaurants which operated for the full 12-month period, saw excellent growth of 10.3%. The directors are grateful for the support of loyal guests and are proud of hard-working colleagues in what has been a very positive trading year despite the backdrop of significant external challenges to the business from strikes, increasing employment costs, inflationary pressures, rising interest rates and the continued impact of the global energy crisis. At the end of the financial period, the group operated nine venues in London, namely: The Wolseley, The Delaunay, Brasserie Zedel, Colbert, Fischer's, Bellanger, Soutine, Manzi’s and The Wolseley City. The directors believe that our quality offering will enable us to remain highly competitive as we look to expand our footprint, both domestically and internationally.” The company received £7,422 in insurance claims (2022: £3,233,103). No dividends were paid (2022: nil). In September 2024, Baton Berisha resigned as chief executive to “pursue new opportunities”.

Exclusive – Cabana close to being acquired in management buyout: Latin America-inspired concept Cabana is close to being acquired in a management buyout through a new vehicle, Propel has learned. A deal is expected to be concluded imminently for the business, with the frontrunner being Cherry Equity Partners, an Ed Standring-led vehicle backed by an international family office. The deal will mark a positive step forward for the Cabana brand as it embarks upon a new phase of growth under “fresh ownership with exciting expansion plans”. The deal is expected to ensure all sites – three in London (Covent Garden, Westfield Stratford and The O2) and two franchise sites in the Middle East – continue to trade under the Cabana brand. The transaction comes after the brand’s parent company, Hush Brasseries, worked alongside advisors from Interpath on an exploration of their strategic options, with the sale process understood to have attracted interest from a number of potential buyers. It is thought administrators will be appointed over the group’s parent company to facilitate a solvent sale of the restaurants’ operating companies. Cabana features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium Club members last month, featuring 50 new entries and now has a total of 330. 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.

Arc Inspirations reports record December with sales up 10.8%: Arc Inspirations, the premium bar operator, has reported a record December, with sales growth of 10.8% for the five-week festive period, propelled by three new flagship openings. The business recorded its highest ever sales week in December, with total sales of £2m, and with average weekly sales across its 19 venues peaking at a record £106,000 of revenue per site. The strong performance follows an autumn opening schedule that saw Arc Inspirations launch three sites in a five-week period across October and November. The group opened Manahatta cocktail bars in Edinburgh and Nottingham, plus a Box venue in Sheffield, with the three debut venues recording average sales of £117,000 per week in the peak Christmas trading week. Five of the company’s other locations recorded their best ever sales week in the seven days commencing 9 December, while a further 12 recorded their best ever sales day, in the period, too. Co-founder and chief executive Martin Wolstencroft said: “To see our business open three large-scale bars in the run up to the critical December trading period, and then to deliver this level of sales is an extraordinary achievement. These figures were delivered alongside our best ever net promoter scores and we are also seeing record retention among our teams.” He added the performance was “all the more remarkable” given it came amid some significant trading challenges during the period, including several bouts of adverse weather conditions and transport cancellations. Next in Arc Inspirations’ growth plan will be its debut Liverpool site, which is expected to open later this year. The group, which is backed by Business Growth Fund, has also lined up openings in Cardiff, and a second venue in Edinburgh, both of which it expects to launch in the next 12-18 months. Arc Inspirations also continues to review opportunities to launch in London.

 

Loungers opens first site of 2025: Café bar operator Loungers, which is currently the subject of a £338m takeover bid by US private equity firm Fortress, has opened its first site of the year, in Bolton. Blanco Lounge, which is the group’s 243rd Lounge (and 283rd overall site) has opened in the Middlebrook Retail Park. Loungers, which also operates Cosy Club and Brightside, will open two further sites later this month –Toledo Lounge, at the Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands; and Calvero Lounge in Tenterden, Kent. Next month, the group will open the Argento Lounge in Preston; the Manzano Lounge in a former Barclays bank building in Rayleigh, Essex; and the Saludo Lounge in Workington, Cumbria. Loungers also has Lounge openings lined up in Ipswich (Marinero Lounge) and Norwich (Rivolo Lounge) for later this year. 

 

Cooplands grows revenue despite site closures but costs impact margins and losses widen to £18.3m: South Yorkshire bakery and cafe brand Cooplands, which is owned by EG Group, grew its revenue in the year to 31 December 2023 despite the closure of around 40 sites. During the year, the company completed the closure of 30 shops, nine cafes, its Hull bakery and its food to go operation in the same city – a process which, as previously reported, started in 2022. According to its website, Cooplands now has 50 sites operating. The company’s revenue grew from £56,151,503 in the 39 weeks to 31 December 2022 to £68,757,598. But its pre-tax loss widened from £11,917,199 to £18,250,939 as costs soared by more than £20m and administration expenses rose by £15m. The 2022 accounts included exceptional items of £1.9m relating to closure of the Hull bakery, which was completed in July 2023, while the 2023 accounts include £160,164 in exceptional items. Director Moshin Issa said despite sales growth in the core estate, increases in the cost of raw materials “significantly impacted margins”. He added: “The company continues to feel the pressure of increased labour cost as a result of paying above the national minimum wage and the higher than usual utility costs. Going forward, the outlook for the economy remains uncertain. Like many businesses in our sector that have been impacted by raw material inflation, our margins will likely continue to be challenged. The company continues to focus on procurement strategy while maintaining levels of product quality and great customer service.” No dividends were paid (2022: nil). 

 

BrewDog franchise partner Tokyo Industries shuts two Yorkshire bars: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has closed two of its Yorkshire bars. The sites, in Bradford and Huddersfield, were operated by franchise partner Tokyo Industries, the bar and nightclub operator led by Aaron Mellor. BrewDog said there had been no job losses, with staff retained and moved to other parts of the Tokyo Industries business. A BrewDog spokesperson said: “Our franchise partner took the difficult decision to close BrewDog bars in Bradford and Huddersfield, but remains a partner and will continue to operate some of our other Yorkshire venues.” In November, Propel revealed Tokyo Industries had placed a 12-strong package of sites on the market, which included the BrewDog bar in Huddersfield.

 

Neos Hospitality acquires 19th site as it brings Barbara’s Bier Haus brand to Bournemouth: Nightclub and bar operator Neos Hospitality, formerly Rekom UK, is set to bring its après ski themed party bar brand, Barbara’s Bier Haus, to Bournemouth. The company has acquired the former Revolution site in Christchurch Street in the Dorset town and the site will undergo a £1.5m refurbishment before reopening at the end of March. The acquisition takes the Neos Hospitality estate to 19 sites and further expands its presence in the south of the UK, running alongside the company’s existing venues in Bournemouth – Cameo and Myu. Russell Quelch, chief executive of Neos Hospitality, said: “This acquisition is an exciting step forward for Neos and expands our brand portfolio across key UK locations in line with our growth strategy. Barbara’s transforms the venue into a vibrant social bar channelling Alpine vibes in the heart of Bournemouth. We are confident this will add a taste of Apres ski to the south coast.” Neos Hospitality’s core brands include Bonnie Rogues, Barbara’s Bier Haus and Circuit.

 

67 Pall Mall looking to grow in 2025, in strong position to invest in its expansion: 67 Pall Mall, the world’s first private members’ club for wine-lovers, has said it is looking to grow in 2025 and is in a strong position to invest in its expansion. In its accounts for the year to 31 December 2023, the business said to invest into its future, it undertook a rights issue that was fully subscribed, and that shareholder funds increased to £11,018,892 from £6,380,049 in 2022. Director Grant Ashton said: “With the majority of all bank debt paid down and shareholder loans replaced as planned, we are in a strong position to invest into our expansion. As we celebrate our tenth year, the board’s view is that 2025 should be a year in which 67 Pall Mall builds upon the expansion that the group has undergone in the past years as it seeks to leverage the footprint to grow the membership base. 2024 saw openings of membership facilities in Hong Kong and Australia as our pipeline firms.” Membership remained in a par with the previous year – at 4,000 UK members and 9,000 across the wider group. “Our non-renewal rates remain incredibly encouraging, and a wait list has also started to form as the popularity of our membership grows,” Ashton added. The company’s turnover grew from £25,427,203 in 2022 to £29,184,768, including £19,087,279 from food and drink sales (2022: £19,060,548) and £10,097,399 from subscriptions (2022: £6,366,655). Further analysis shows £10,145,349 came from the UK (2022: £9,402,944), £2,817,914 from Europe (2022: £5,224) and £16,221,415 from the rest of the world (2022: £16,019,035). The company turned an Ebitda loss of £171,603 in 2022 into a profit of £795,568, while its pre-tax loss of £3,302,908 was narrowed to £2,636,242. Government grants of £212,703 were received (2022: £338,841) and no dividends were paid (2022: none). Exceptional items included pre-opening costs of £1,365,750 (2022: £1,760,241) for clubs in Singapore, Verbier, Beaune and Bordeaux, and relating to the feasibility of opening clubs in Mumbai and Tokyo.

 

Balfour Hospitality remains confident in the future of its pub division after reducing its losses and forecasting a return to profitability: Balfour Hospitality, the south east pubs and venues arm of Balfour Winery, has said it remains confident in the future of its pub division after reducing its losses and forecasting a return to profitability. Alongside its winery, the company operates five pubs under a joint venture with Stonegate, as well as two Kent pubs it acquired the freeholds of last year, and a Central London pub. In its accounts for the year to 31 December 2023, director Leslie Balfour-Lynn said: “The eight pubs we manage either directly for ourselves or through our joint venture with Stonegate continue to reduce losses as they recover from the effects of covid and the substantial increase in both energy costs and minimum wage. In 2024, we project all eight pubs will be in or close to profit for the first time. This improvement is mainly due to increased sales, better controlled cost lines, an improved food offer and better management, combined with improved daily financial reporting. We remain confident in the future of our pubs division and the resultant cross marketing opportunities for the winery.” From group turnover of £7,253,292, up from £6,319,083 in 2022, its pub, restaurant and hotel sales were £2,364,851 (2022: £2,045,714). In a year of a record harvest in terms of quantity, gross winery sales were £4,983,009 (2022: £4,372,645), and almost 900,000 bottles of wine were produced. “This will allow the business to continue its growth as well as giving the winery a reserve of wines to protect against a poor future harvest,” Balfour-Lynn said. “Despite shortage of stock, total winery sales grew by 14% in 2023, driven by growth in our high-value, high-margin sparkling wine, which grew by 26% in value.” As previously reported, the group paid £1.9m for the freeholds of the two pubs it acquired in February 2024 – funded internally alongside a further £1m bank loan – and increased its bank loan by £1m to £3m, as well as receiving £4m from its shareholders. The group’s pre-tax loss narrowed from £905,974 in 2022 to £516,104. No dividends were paid (2022: nil).

 

Greene King gets green light for new £40m brewery: Plans by brewer and retailer Greene King for a new £40m brewery have been approved. The company submitted plans last July for a “state-of-the-art” brewery that would replace its current site in Bury St Edmunds, where it has had a town centre presence since 1799. Greene King plans to build the new brewery next to its distribution centre at Suffolk Park in the Moreton Hall area of the town. The brewery will be designed to significantly improve the sustainability of the company’s brewing operations. The business said per pint, water usage in the brewing process should be reduced by more than 50%, alongside improvements in energy efficiency. West Suffolk Council's development control committee unanimously granted planning permission for the scheme, which Greene King said was an “important milestone”. “We are excited to get started on building our new state-of-the-art site – which we believe will bring benefits to the local community, economy and our customers – and we will continue to work closely with local stakeholders throughout the process,” said Matt Starbuck, managing director for brewing and group supply chain at Greene King.

 

Veteran investor dumps Diageo stake over impact of weight-loss drugs on alcohol demand: Veteran investment manager Terry Smith has dumped his underperforming £22.5bn fund’s stake in Diageo after almost 15 years owing to concerns over the drinks maker’s new management team and the threat to demand posed by weight-loss drugs. Smith, who runs the Fundsmith Equity fund, told shareholders in his annual letter that Diageo was one of three stocks he sold last year, noting that he had held shares in the world’s largest spirit producer since the fund’s inception in 2010. Shares in Diageo have dropped almost 40% since 2021 from a high above £4. The FT reported that Smith, who is one of the UK’s most renowned stockpickers, warned that the drinks sector more broadly “is in the early stages of being impacted negatively by weight-loss drugs” such as Ozempic and Wegovy. “Indeed, it seems likely that the drugs will eventually be used to treat alcoholism such is their effect on consumption,” he added. Diageo declined to comment. Smith also raised concerns about Diageo’s “new management”, which has been led by Debra Crew since June 2023, due to a “lack of information about its Latin American business, which produced results far worse than the sector in this area”. Smith said the fund would retain its stake in drinks company Brown-Forman, the distiller of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, but said that this company was also “probably seeing early signs of the adverse impact of weight-loss drugs”. However, he noted that Brown-Forman leaned more towards premium spirits compared with Diageo, “which may help obviate the impact of weight-loss drugs” as consumers “drink less but higher quality”.

 

Belfast hospitality business The Warren Collection expands into north east of England with Newcastle aparthotel acquisition: Belfast hospitality business The Warren Collection has expanded into the north east of England with the acquisition of a luxury aparthotel in Newcastle. The Warren Collection has acquired Kensington House, located at 5 Osborne Road in Jesmond, which offers a mix of one and two-bedroom luxury apartments. The Warren Collection launched in 2021 and now operates a portfolio of six properties. The group made its European debut with an opening in Malta in 2023. David Warren, managing director at The Warren Collection, said: “Expanding into Newcastle was a natural step for us. The city offers a dynamic mix of business and leisure opportunities, and Jesmond's prime location will ensure our clients are centrally located and well-connected to everything Newcastle has to offer.”

 

Active Hospitality revenue passes £5m as losses mount, refinances bank loans: Hotel operator Active Hospitality, which operates five sites, saw its revenue pass £5m in the year to 31 December 2023 as its losses mounted. Turnover of £4,969,822 in 2022 grew to £5,422,750 while a pre-tax loss of £463,038 widened to £611,452. No grants were received (2022: £12,000) and no dividends were paid (2022: nil). Ebitda was £0.297m. “Adjusting for costs attributable to head office activity in assessing new projects, we consider the maintainable Ebitda to be £1.152m,” director Ian Cave said. “The group balance sheet at the period end shows net liabilities in excess of £0.755m (2022: £0.144m). Subsequent to the year end, the group's bank loans, which were due in January 2024 and shown in the accounts within current liabilities, have been refinanced, with a repayment date of March 2026.” At Gorse Hill in Surrey, the company plans to refurbish 50 of its 67 bedrooms this year and has applied for planning permission to add a further 20. The company also operates Easthampstead Park, Ditton Manor and The King Suite in Berkshire and Villiers Hotel in Buckinghamshire.

 

Italian restaurant concept Pranzo to open fourth site: Pranzo, the Italian restaurant concept, is to open its fourth site in Yorkshire, in York. Owner Marco Greco is launching on the former YO! site at 15-17 Church Street in the city this spring. Pranzo launched seven years ago in Ilkley before expanding to Harrogate three years later. Last year, the company invested £350,000 refurbishing and opening on the former Barclays site in Town Street, Horsforth. Pranzo takes its inspiration from Greco’s family heritage in Calabria, southern Italy. Greco said: “Opening in York has been a goal since 2018 when I opened my first restaurant. Recently, the right location came up in the city, and it has all fallen into place – the timing is right. The team is excited to be part of the York dining scene. We're looking forward to introducing more people to the homemade pasta and traditional Calabrese food I grew up with.”

 

Worcestershire McDonald’s franchisee sees turnover and profit boost despite ‘challenging’ trading environment: Worcestershire McDonald’s franchisee HJL Restaurants, which operates three restaurants in Worcester and one in Hereford, has reported turnover increased 10% to £19,214,686 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £17,516 117 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was up to £444,317 from £269,211 the year before. Owner Trevor Smith said: “The year has returned good results, with an increase in turnover but gross margin has fallen to 40% (2021: 41%). As for many businesses we believe the trading environment that we operate in is challenging.” Dividends of £85,000 were paid (2021: £79,000). Smith, a former Butlin’s worker, has been a McDonald’s franchisee for 15 years, having returned to the company after previously working there as a trainee manager. HJL Restaurants employs around 370 staff.

 

London chicken and vegan wings concept launches app and loyalty programme: London chicken and vegan wings concept WNGZ has launched an app and loyalty programme. Founded in 2021 by Arif Ahmed and Zahirul Islam, WNGZ has four locations across the capital, having recently closed its site in Stratford. The company’s other restaurants are in Camden, Poplar, Clapton and Mile End. “We’re thrilled to announce that WNGZ has partnered with Flipdish to launch our very own app,” a company spokesman said. “This move is all about making your experience more convenient and hassle-free. We’re excited to take this step toward smarter, simpler and faster service for our customers.”

 

Mercato Metropolitano makes a loss following ‘temporary adverse effect’ of restructure, surrenders lease of site in London’s Elephant & Castle: London community food market Mercato Metropolitano has said making a loss in the year to 31 December 2023 is a “temporary adverse effect” of a restructuring initiative the company underwent. The company turned a pre-tax profit of £495,151 in 2022 into a loss of £1,817,8812. “This loss primarily reflects the costs associated with a significant transformation initiative undertaken by the group,” said director Andrea Iervolino. “The transformation involved strategic investments in new technologies, restructuring of operations, and streamlining of processes, which, while essential for the long-term growth and competitiveness of the group, had a temporary adverse impact on the financial results. Despite the reported loss, the group remains in a strong financial position. During the year, the group successfully completed a capital increase through the conversion of debt into equity. This transaction has not only strengthened the balance sheet but also ensured that the group remains equity positive, providing a solid foundation for future growth.” The company also said it surrendered the lease of its Elephant & Castle site to a third party post year-end, in December 2024. The group’s other sites are in Canary Wharf, Mayfair and Ilford – the latter having opened last summer. Turnover grew from £9,291,258 in 2022 to £10,759,560. Government grants of £62,878 were received (2022: £8,096). No dividends were paid (2022: nil). Final instalments on two loans under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, with carrying amounts of £340,417 and £281,350, are due in July 2025 and March 2026. In August, Luke Jenkins, who has since been promoted from managing director to chief executive, told Propel that Mercato Metropolitano is focusing on launching in other international markets but will then return to UK expansion, both in and out of London.

 

New bakery and café concept launches in London’s Battersea: August Bakery, a new bakery and café concept from the team behind micro-bakery Robins Bakery & Provisions, has launched its first site, in London’s Battersea. The business, which is the brainchild of Florence Beard and Harry Robins, has opened on the former 400 Rabbits site in Battersea Rise after raising circa £16,500 through a crowdfunding campaign. August Bakery stated: “What started as a passion project: a way for Harry to share the love (in the form of delicious bread and pastries) with friends and the local community, grew into a full-time endeavour that saw him delivering bread and pastries all over south west London on his cargo bike. As the customer base grew and grew, so did the dreams for what could be possible and he’s been looking for the ideal bricks-and-mortar site to bring August to life.” The disposal of the Battersea site leaves sourdough pizza and craft beer restaurant concept 400 Rabbits with four sites – in Crystal Palace, West Norwood, Herne Hill and Elephant & Castle. Marc Rogers, oft MKR Property, acted on the Battersea deal.

 

North east London Indian takeaway owner opens gastropub: The owner of The Great Indian takeaway in London’s Hackney has opened a gastropub by the same name, in nearby Archway. Owner Aman Dhir started The Great Indian in his home kitchen before it evolved into a takeaway, and has now bought his concept to the former Fixer Upper pub at 139 Marlborough Road. The interiors are split into casual seating and a more intimate dining area, which is also available for private events. The Great Indian offers a mix of small plates for sharing as well as larger comfort dishes, with highlights including a lamb ghee roast on malabar bread taco; cafreal tiger prawns cooked in the tandoor with cloves, cinnamon and apple cider vinegar; and chargrilled chicken liver served on a fluffy naan. A separate section features “pao” or “pav”, India’s answer to the slider, with fillings like Goan Portuguese confit pork belly with pickled cabbage and tandoori fried chicken. There is also a range of beer on tap plus a cocktail menu inspired by regional Indian flavours. A takeaway menu is also available for collection and delivery.

 

Noma trained chef to open debut restaurant: Henry Dobson, who trained at the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork and three Michelin-star restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, is to open a restaurant in Edinburgh. Farm-to-table concept Moss will launch in St Stephen Street on Wednesday, 29 January with more than 90 products sourced directly from Dobson’s Scottish family farm in Angus. The 26-cover restaurant will offer an à la carte menu of dishes that will be ingredient-led and will constantly evolve depending on what produce is available. The drinks list will focus solely on British made natural and low intervention wine, beer and spirits as well as house made infusions. Dobson said: “Moss is the culmination of two years of solid research and development, and I can’t wait to open and share our perspective on what we think is possible with Scotland’s diverse palette of ingredients.”

 

Tony Page to open new Marylebone restaurant: Celebrated kosher caterer Tony Page is to relocate from the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel in London’s Lancaster Gate to a new site in Marylebone. Tony Page at The Island Grill has shut, with Tony Page Marylebone set to open on Tuesday (14 January) on the former Chotto Matte site at 26 Paddington Street. Page said: “This move allows us to serve you even better, with enhanced facilities and the same exceptional food and service for lunch and dinner that you’ve come to love. In the initial weeks, we will retain our current menu, gradually introducing exciting new dishes as we settle into our state-of-the-art kitchen – three times the size of our current one! One of the highlights of the new space is a charcoal-burning fire pit, perfect for grilling our signature meat.” Last November, Chotto Matte, which is part of the Noble Hospitality Group, closed its Marylebone restaurant to focus on its Soho flagship and its upcoming Manchester site. Ted Schama, of Shelley Sandzer, and Kit Alexander, of Etch, acted on the Paddington Street deal.