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Fri 16th May 2025 - Deep Blue Restaurants hires former Patisserie Valerie and Paul UK CEO as its new CEO as James Low steps down |
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Deep Blue Restaurants hires former Patisserie Valerie and Paul UK CEO as its new CEO as James Low steps down: Deep Blue Restaurants – owner of the Deep Blue, Harry Ramsden’s and Fish & Chips @ 149 brands – has hired former Patisserie Valerie and Paul UK chief executive James Fleming as its new chief executive. Fleming, whose appointment is effective immediately, succeeds James Low, who has stepped down from the position after more than 20 years. Fleming most recently spent five years as group chief executive for Patisserie Valerie and sister brand Bakers + Baristas, after seven years in the same role with just Bakers + Baristas. Before that, he spent four and a half years as chief executive of Euphorium Group bakeries within Tesco stores. Previous to that, from 2010 to 2012, he helped grow the UK business of French bakery brand Paul from 22 to 40 stores, including ten franchises, and previous to that, was operations director at PizzaExpress for two years. “We are delighted to welcome James Fleming to Deep Blue,” said Hugh Williams, director of Deep Blue Restaurants. “His deep industry experience and operational acumen make him exceptionally well-suited to guide the company through its next phase of development. We are confident that under his leadership, Deep Blue will continue to thrive and expand its position as a leader in the sector. James Low has played a pivotal role in Deep Blue’s journey, including the national rollout of the brand and the acquisition of Harry Ramsden’s. While stepping down as chief executive, he will continue to support the business as founder and senior strategic adviser, working closely with the board and the new chief executive to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.” Fleming added: “I am excited to join the board and assume the chief executive role of Deep Blue Restaurants, leading the next phase of growth. The opportunities for the business and particularly the Harry Ramsden’s brand are significant. We will look to increase our UK and international presence, building on the current franchising and licensing deals, with new partners across the globe.” Last month, Propel revealed that David Ellison had left Deep Blue after five years as chief operating officer to join supermarket brand Morrisons as managing director of its cafes, and that Deep Blue had hired Mikayla Whittle as director of franchising and licensing for its Harry Ramsden’s brand. In February, Deep Blue secured a ferry franchise for Harry Ramsden’s. It partnered with DFDS Ferries to offer Harry Ramsden’s new ‘Proudly Serving’ format to passengers travelling on DFDS routes between Dover and Calais and Dover and Dunkirk. In December, Propel revealed that Deep Blue had begun a strategic disposal programme as it focuses on the growth of Harry Ramsden’s. The group also secured debt funding of £1.3m and shareholder debt funding of £1.5m to support its plans and signed a £2m loan facility agreement with a shareholder. It came as the group reported like-for-like sales increased 2.6% for the year ending 26 September 2023 despite a fall in the number of transactions. Turnover decreased 0.6% to £25,370,235 compared with £26,014,293 the year before. Pre-tax losses increased to £3,637,634 from £2,347,865 the previous year. Deep Blue Restaurants and Harry Ramsden’s both feature in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium Club subscribers today (Friday, 16 May), featuring 350 companies. 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.
Black Sheep Coffee completes its franchise coverage in Scotland after signing new ten-plus store deal, to double its footprint in the country over next five years: Speciality coffee operator Black Sheep Coffee has completed its franchise coverage in Scotland after signing new ten-plus store deal. Every Scottish territory is now fully allocated to franchise partners following an agreement with MDM Group Enterprises to open new Black Sheep Coffee stores in the north of Scotland. Led by experienced operator David Moore, who has had several area manager roles with KFC franchisees, MDM Group Enterprises will expand Black Sheep Coffee across Angus, Perth & Kinross, Fife, Clackmannanshire, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands. Its first move will be to open a new store this summer in Union Street, Aberdeen. Black Sheep Coffee said the new deal with help the company double its Scottish footprint – which currently stands at 16 locations – over the next five years. It follows the signing of franchisee development agreement for the country in, December, with Suhail Rehman and Tariq Din, and in March, with Usman Riaz. Since then, the company has also signed multi-site agreements for London, with Satar Wahid and Mgdad Alim, and Lancashire, with an unnamed franchisee.
Wales announces changes to planned tourist tax: Welsh finance minister has announced changes to the plans for the country’s tourism tax, which will introduce two levels of charge for people staying overnight in Wales. The Welsh government is introducing the law but the decision about whether to implement it will fall to each of Wales’ 22 councils. Before they can bring it in, each council will have to hold a consultation with residents, and the earliest any council could introduce it would be in 2027. Speaking to the Senedd’s finance committee about the proposed law, Drakeford said there will be now a six-month window once a council decides to introduce it before people will have to pay. He also said people will now pay at the point they leave their accommodation rather than on arrival, and that the Welsh Revenue Authority will be in charge of the collection process. He said the six-month window “means there will be additional time over and above that allowed in the original bill for the sector to prepare their systems for advance bookings”. Drakeford said last month that the charge would be higher than it was previously going to be. There were to be two levels of charge – 75p per person per night for people staying in hostels and on campsite pitches and £1.25 per person per night for those staying in all other accommodation types. Drakeford said exempting all under-18s would mean the prices will go up for others from 75p to 80p for the lower levy, and from £1.25 to £1.30 for the higher rate.
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