McDonald’s UK VP of development – ‘we’re seeing re-emergence of families coming back to fast food’, looking at smaller formats: Mike Spencer, McDonald’s UK & Ireland vice-president of development, who is overseeing the brand’s large-scale reimagining programme, has told Propel that the business is seeing the re-emergence of families coming back into fast food. The business has re-imagined more than 500 sites in the UK, and Spencer said alongside sales growth and margin growth for its franchise partners, it was also seeing new trends and guest rituals. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Spencer said: “We have lots of different guests who come to us at different day parts, different occasions, and we’re very broad in that regard, so we have to be accessible to lots of different people. One of the trends we’re seeing is the re-emergence of families coming back into fast food. There are certain categories, demographically, from a family perspective, who have really struggled through the cost-of-living crisis and have actually even dropped out of the market, or perhaps traded down, and still see McDonald’s as a treat for the family, and that’s why it’s so important that we offer that for families. I’ve started to see where we provide engaging environments for those families coming back to us, which I think is an interesting trend because we’ve seen affluent families trade down, and what we’re now seeing is other families coming back to us in that regard. I think they value the space, environment and the atmosphere they’re in, and it’s important for us to provide that.” Spencer said the brand also sees lots of opportunity for further growth in the UK and Ireland. He said: “We see another 400 to 500 restaurants in the UK. When we look at other markets globally, the penetration is deeper than it is in the UK at the moment. A lot of those will be in urban areas where the populations are. So, we’re looking at smaller formats. To access those and to make the economic model work, we have bumped up against the capabilities and capacity of the kitchen, which is so strong in terms of the volumes it can deliver, but obviously it requires a certain amount of space to be able to do that. So, if we restrict that, then we end up capping the sales potential. But if we take it to its full zenith, then it becomes more space than you perhaps require in those locations.” Spencer was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference will be released to Premium subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 21 November). Premium subscribers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. 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.

Pho marketing director Libby Andrews among speakers at 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Libby Andrews, marketing director at Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant group led by Pat Marrinan and backed by TriSpan, will be among the speakers at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Andrews will share her first-hand experience of guiding the brand from just three sites to 50. She will also reveal how Pho has pivoted at key stages of growth, adapted to shifts in ownership style and evolved its brand and marketing to stay fresh, relevant and distinctive at scale. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its eighth 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 20 and 21 January at Hilton Bankside in London. A bigger venue allows for a dual-stage format, meaning more content than ever before. 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, senior 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 £950 plus VAT for the two days. Propel Premium Club subscribers receive a 20% discount. To book, email: rmi@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality and videos from this month’s Propel Multi-Club Conference tomorrow: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 21 November), at midday. Another 83 companies have been added to the database, which now features 1,287 companies. This month’s edition will also include 179 updated entries. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent developments reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club subscribers will also receive all the videos from this month’s Propel Multi-Club Conference on Friday, at 9am. They include industry veteran David Page, the former chairman of Franco Manca, owner of Fulham Shore, ex-chief executive of PizzaExpress and now chair of Wildwood operator Bow Street Group, talking to Propel group editor Mark Wingett about his return to the sector, why now and what he makes of the current landscape and opportunities for growth. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. 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 group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

BrewDog CEO calls on government to take meaningful action to support sector: James Taylor, chief executive of Scottish retailer and brewer BrewDog, has called on the government to take meaningful action to support the sector including reforms to business rates, relief on beer duty and a review of the cumulative cost burden that is “threatening the viability of thousands of UK pubs and breweries”. The company is also urging the government to consider temporary VAT relief for hospitality to protect jobs and sustain local economies. Ahead of the Budget, Taylor said: “In the past year alone, energy and utilities, wages, national insurance contributions, raw materials, packaging and regulatory costs have all moved in the wrong direction. We estimate that, taken together, these cost increases have added more than £1bn to the sector’s collective bill. The tax rises that came into effect in April, notably the increase in duty on non-draught beer and the scaling back of business rates relief for pubs, have made a tough trading environment even tougher. If the chancellor chooses to clobber the sector again in this Budget, many independent brewers and pub operators will simply not be able to withstand the pressure. Other markets have already recognised the scale of the challenge. Both Germany and Ireland have announced or proposed VAT reductions for hospitality – with Ireland cutting VAT to help protect jobs and support recovery. The UK government should follow their lead. Britain’s brewing heritage is something to be proud of. With the right policy environment, this sector can be a powerhouse for jobs, growth and creativity.” In October, Taylor warned the hospitality sector would need to sell an extra 950,000 pints every hour to recoup the £1bn cost surge from energy bills, labour costs and tax hikes.

Number of late-night venues in Britain down 28.0% since covid: The number of late-night venues in Britain has declined 28.0% since March 2020, when the covid-19 pandemic triggered a wave of closures, the new Night Time Economy Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) reveals. There has been a 4.6% contraction in the last 12 months, with bars, clubs and casinos under pressure from soaring costs, safety concerns and poor transport, highlighting the “urgent need” for support in the Budget, industry leaders said. Sales data from the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker earlier this week reinforced the fall in late-night spending. October’s sales in managed bars slipped 5.9% year-on-year. Across all hospitality channels, the 5pm-to-7pm slot has now overtaken 7pm-10pm as the biggest earning trading period of the average day. Data from the Night Time Economy Market Monitor shows around a quarter (24%) of high-tempo night-goers now consider security when planning visits, while even more (28%) weigh up transport options. These concerns have created sharp contrasts between the fortunes of Britain’s late-night and evening economies. While late-night venue numbers have tumbled, the monitor shows licensed premises in the evening economy increased 0.9% in the 12 months to September, and they now sit only 7.4% behind the level of March 2020. The number of independently-run late-night sites has fallen 30.6% since the start of the pandemic – double the decline of 14.5% among larger hospitality groups. NTIA chief executive Mike Kill said: “For too long, government policies have suppressed a vital part of Britain’s cultural and social life. The late-night economy is an engine for jobs, tourism and community vibrancy, but it is being systematically squeezed. The Budget is a chance to reverse this trend and recognise the late-night sector as the cultural and economic powerhouse it truly is.” Reuben Pullan, CGA by NIQ’s senior insight consultant, said: “Consumers remain eager to go out, and demand for hospitality experiences is changing rather than collapsing. Christmas and New Year trading will bring a much-needed boost, but we’re likely to see more closures into 2026 unless the late-night economy gets the support from central and local government that it deserves.”

 

Sir Rocco Forte criticises government’s ‘deeply unfair’ tourist tax plan: Hotel tycoon Sir Rocco Forte has criticised Labour’s plans for a tourism tax across England, branding it “deeply unfair”. The luxury hotelier, who is behind the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Brown’s in London, said it would be “beyond belief” if the chancellor unveiled a new holiday tax in her Budget next week. The chancellor is understood to be preparing to hand mayors in England new powers to charge tourists for staying overnight in their cities. It would bring England in line with Scotland and Wales, where nightly tourism taxes have already been introduced in some areas. Sir Rocco told The Telegraph: “The UK is already not a cheap destination compared to others, and this can only deter cost-conscious visitors who will increasingly choose to go somewhere else. Tourists already pay VAT on their hotel expenditure, so why should they be subject to an extra tax which disincentives their willingness to come to the UK? It is beyond belief that the chancellor is apparently now considering imposing a new tourist levy. This would be deeply unfair.” Sir Rocco warned that the policy would hurt spending in Britain. He added: “The truth is that the government has caused profound damage to the economy with the last Budget and is now scrambling around to raise revenue. The chancellor specifically promised not to introduce a hotel levy in the past because of the damage that would be done to the hospitality sector. What has changed?”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a vegan brand that is looking for an operations manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “Reporting directly to the founder, the operations manager will shape the teams, drive performance and embed a people-first culture across the portfolio. This is a pivotal role with genuine potential to grow into a wider leadership position as the business expands. The role will oversee four sites, with two more in the pipeline.” The salary is up to £60,000. For more information, email kate@corecruitment.com

 

RedCat Hospitality reports 4.3% increase in second quarter like-for-like sales: RedCat Hospitality, the operator of Coaching Inn Group (CIG) and RedCat Independent Pubs, saw a 4.3% increase in like-for-like sales in the three months to the end of September, driven by accelerated accommodation performance and strategic investments. The company, which was founded by Rooney Anand, reported total sales for the period of £34.6m, with Coaching Inn Group contributing £20.9m and RedCat Independent Pubs £13.7m. Coaching Inn Group like-for-like sales up during the quarter were up 5.4%, while RedCat Independent Pubs like-for-like sales increased by 2.5%. The company said that total accommodation sales stood at £10.7m during the period, with Coaching Inn Group accommodation sales at £9m and its accommodation life-for-like sales up 10.1%. RedCat Hospitality chief executive Richard Lewis said: “This was another strong quarter for the business. Accommodation continues to pull ahead, lifting our group sales to £34.6m, with like-for-like sales up 4.3%. Within The Coaching Inn Group, accommodation like-for-like sales rose 10.1%, driven by both stronger rates and robust summer demand. A recent highlight for us was The Coaching Inn Group being named Large Hotel Chain of the Year by consumer champion Which? This is a major endorsement from one of the most trusted consumer organisations in the country. It reflects the work our teams put in every day to deliver stays that our guests love. Our investment strategy is continuing to land well. The Castle of Brecon Hotel in Powys has built on its reopening with growth accelerating to +105% and exceeding its business case expectations. We got back on the acquisition trail too. In July, we acquired the Warwick Arms Hotel, which has just reopened following a £1.7m refurbishment. RedCat Independent Pubs performed ahead of the market with drinks-led trading performing strongly, with like-for-like sales up 6%, supported by favourable summer trading conditions. Looking ahead, we remain acquisitive and committed to investing in our estate and people. We also add our voice to the wider sector in calling for a Budget that gives hospitality a fair break; lowering VAT, reform of employer NICs, and a fairer rates system. The sector needs longer term certainty in order to plan ahead and make investment decisions to grow and support new jobs and the economy.”

Amber Taverns secures ex-JD Wetherspoon pub for Devon debut: Wet-led, community pub operator Amber Taverns, which is backed by Epiris, has secured a former JD Wetherspoon site in Barnstaple, Devon, for its most south westerly site so far. The circa 185-strong Amber Taverns has acquired the Water Gate in the town, which closed earlier this month. It leaves Wetherspoon with The Panniers in Barnstaple in terms of Devon locations. Propel understands Amber Taverns is to invest in excess of £500,000 redeveloping the Water Gate, with an opening planned for late March next year. Last month, Amber Taverns chairman James Baer told Propel that if the business wants to become a national company, it must establish a good presence in the south. The company opened its most southerly site to date – the Erasmus Wolfe in Gosport – in September and has since opened The Winchester in Taunton and secured sites in Salisbury and Weymouth.

Tokyo Industries CEO – ‘Red’s True Barbecue was a success, but costs were an issue’: Tokyo Industries chief executive Aaron Mellor has said Red’s True Barbecue was “a success” but that costs were an issue. James Douglas and Scott Munro founded Red's True Barbecue in 2012, but after the business ran into financial difficulties, it was acquired out of administration by Tokyo Industries in 2019, saving seven out of its eight sites. There is now just one stand-alone Red’s location, in Leeds, which remains “temporarily closed”. The concept also had sites within BrewDog pubs in Bradford, Huddersfield and Hull, while earlier this month, Tokyo Industries said it would be converting the former Red’s site in Manchester into new Irish-American bar concept Dirty O’Sullivans. Speaking at Propel’s Multi-Club Conference, Mellor said: “Red’s was a success, but the problem we had was just the cost of it all. We used US deer meat as it was authentic American barbecue. It’s got a very slow cook time, which post-covid, created a problem in terms of heavy utility use and heavy staffing use – 24 to 48-hour smoking times – so it was really a cost-driven thing. Also, ultimately, we were selling sugar-coated dead animals to people, and there was a change in that perspective post-covid. Health and cost reasons were the key difficulties in that market and how it could move forwards.” Tokyo Industries also this year acquired out of administration two sites from Manchester operators Joel Wilkinson, Dan Mullen and Adelaide Winter. The Firehouse and Ramona were sold to Caspertron, a new company with Mullen, Wilkinson and Winter as directors alongside Mellor. The team is also behind “creative neighbourhood” concept Diecast in the city, which Mellor gave an update on. “We’re opening Diecast in phases,” he said. “Leno, a food-led concept with a rum garden, is already open, along with a 3,500-capacity beer hall. A 3,500 capacity, very Berlin, very culture-generated late-night space is opening in January. We’ve only got a 1am licence though, so it will be a late-night space during the day.” Mellor was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All videos from the conference will be released to Premium subscribers tomorrow (Friday, 21 November). Premium subscribers receive all the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. 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.

 

Kirk Davis steps down as Parkdean Resorts CFO: Kirk Davis, formerly of The Restaurant Group (TRG) and Greene King, has stepped down as chief financial officer of Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, Propel has learned. Davis joined Parkdean at the start of last March, succeeding Ian Kellett. Davis has an extensive background in finance within the leisure and retail sectors and was chief financial officer at TRG for five and half years before joining Parkdean. Prior to that, he held the same role at Greene King for just over three years. He started his career at Marks & Spencer and Tesco and also held the role of finance director and company secretary for JD Wetherspoon. Richard Giles, who has held the post of group financial director at Parkdean for the last four years, has been promoted to chief financial officer, following Davis’ departure. A spokesperson from Parkdean told Propel: “We are pleased to announce Richard Giles has been appointed as chief financial officer. Richard joined the company four years ago as group financial director and has been part of a long-term succession plan. We would also like to thank Kirk Davis for his leadership and contributions as chief financial officer as he steps down from the role.” Earlier this month, Propel revealed that Parkdean is to fund its future growth through its existing backers. The company had been looking at a capital raise but has now decided to fund its next stage of growth through its existing long-term stakeholders, Onex and Ares Management. Parkdean, which is led by Steve Richards, is increasing its capex investment over the coming year to around £50m.

 

JD Wetherspoon partners with University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students to operate its bar and restaurant: JD Wetherspoon has partnered with the University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students to operate its bar and restaurant, Joe’s. Named after the university’s iconic clock tower, Joe’s will continue to be run and managed by the Guild of Students, with the partnership providing access to the business model implemented by Wetherspoon at its pubs across the UK. Launching in Easter 2026 following an extensive refurbishment, the new-look Joe’s will deliver an enhanced food and drinks menu, including weekly club deals such as the Thursday Curry Club. Wetherspoon’s chief executive, John Hutson, said: “We are delighted to have entered into the partnership with the Guild of Students and look forward to working with it to make Joe’s a great success.” University of Birmingham Guild of Students president, Antonia Listrat, added: “Through our partnership with Wetherspoon, students will benefit from not only its value-for-money food and drinks offering, but also the expansion of job opportunities within the bar. As a charity and the students’ union for more than 36,000 students, any surplus we make gets invested back into supporting student activities.”

 

Knoops hires Daniel Haberfield as MD of global channel development: Luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops has further strengthened its management team after hiring Daniel Haberfield, formerly of Starbucks, as its new managing director of global channel development, Propel has learned. Haberfield joins Knoops after 12 and a half years at Starbucks, including the past four years as its director of channel business development EMEA. He joins the Knoops leadership team to develop new revenue channels as the brand’s rollout plan continues. William Gordon-Harris, chief executive of Knoops, said: “Knoops was always going to be a global multi-channel brand. Sometimes, store success has been so overwhelming that the multi-channel strategy and direction is less loved. The arrival of Dan to run channel development and report directly to me will reinforce our commitment to being multi-channel, especially as we continue to enter new markets. It is not easy for any team to come together to create a category, own the category and then own that across all channels. The scale of the opportunity is one of the biggest challenges for Knoops. By creating rituals and occasions our ‘tastemakers’ turn novices not only into regular customers but into advocates – but unlike any other opportunity, the size and scale of chocolate drinks market means that doing this a fraction better compounds to the most astonishing outcome. I can’t wait to see Dan shape and build our flakes channels and our ready to drink strategy.” The company currently operates 27 sites in the UK, with three more currently in its pipeline – in Cheltenham, Belfast and Scotch Corner Designer Village in North Yorkshire.

 

Sticks‘n’Sushi to open first airport site: Danish-Japanese premium restaurant group Sticks‘n’Sushi – in which McWin, the backer of Gail’s and Big Mamma Group, acquired a majority stake earlier this year – will open its first airport restaurant as part of the Terminal 3 expansion at Copenhagen airport in 2027. Centred in the heart of the airport, the 174-seat restaurant will include a dedicated bar and digital ordering and self-service features. Andreas Karlsson, chief executive of Sticks‘n’Sushi, said: “Copenhagen airport has been on our wish list for many years, both for me personally and for Sticks‘n’Sushi. I remember Kim Rahbek, co-founder and first chief executive of Sticks‘n’Sushi, and I would spend hours in these terminals, inspired by what was around us and imagining what could be. This opening feels like a homecoming. We also see the opening at the airport as an obvious opportunity to develop our concept for a new type of guest and introduce passengers from all over the world to our brand. In our preparatory work, we have rethought both technology, design and menu.” Sticks‘n’Sushi has more than 30 restaurants in Denmark, Germany and the UK. The group will open its 17th UK restaurant in Manchester’s Spinningfields, following hot on the heels of its Glasgow opening in George Square, marking the next step in its northern expansion.

 

Staffordshire McDonald’s franchisee grows turnover to almost £50m: Staffordshire McDonald’s franchisee Aberrant Group grew its turnover to almost £50m in the year to 31 December 2024. The company, founded by David Knight in 2016, saw turnover increase to £47,361,715 from £43,851,600 in 2023. Pre-tax profit dropped from £808,230 to £97,283 as costs and administration expenses both increased by £2m. Dividends of £482,000 were paid (2023: £377,050). Knight said: “Turnover for the year increased 8%, with an accompanying increase in gross profit of 8.23% compared with the previous year. In common with many other similar businesses and industries, both labour costs and utility costs increased considerably during the year, along with other overheads. Notwithstanding this, the company still produced a profit before tax.” Post year-end, in July 2025, the group completed the acquisition of seven more restaurants to take its total to 16 with the brand. Knight said: “This expansion is supported by a leadership team of 75 and a dedicated workforce of 2,000 people. I am filled with immense pride about the achievements we have accomplished since becoming a McDonald's franchisee in 2016 and founding the Aberrant Group.”

 

Majestic CEO – ‘people are drinking slightly less but better quality, we want to create the first omnichannel bar concept’: John Colley, chief executive of Majestic Wine, which acquired Vagabond Wines out of administration last year, has said younger consumers are not avoiding wine, just consuming it differently, as he reiterated plans to expand the 12-strong Vagabond to 25 venues over the next five years. Colley told The Times that “people are drinking slightly less but better quality” and are being much more “considered” with their purchasing decisions. While Majestic’s core customer sits between the ages of 35 and 45, Vagabond’s key customer demographic is 25 to 35-year-olds, many of whom are still renting in cities and prioritising experiences over big investments such as buying a house or a car. “Inevitably, I think many of them will become homeowners and move further out from the cities, but they will still be interested in wine and that is when our Majestic model kicks in,” Colley said, noting that the data it receives from customers at Vagabond’s bars forms part of an “ecosystem” that can track them through life stages. Its technology platform means Colley and his team knows exactly what customers are buying, when, and how much they have spent. “We are commercialising everything from behind the scenes, something a lot of pure-play hospitality operators cannot do,” he said. As part of Colley’s drive to create what he claims is “the first omnichannel bar concept”, Vagabond this week launched its direct-to-consumer platform. The model creates a data loop that will inform Vagabond about everything from buying decisions to bar lists and future wine allocations. The company said many of its customers “discover us while travelling, or they visit our bars but live outside London”. Colley said customers are being “more cash conscious and holding less inventory and so orders are being made at the last minute”. “Hospitality is in a really tricky spot,” he said. “Nobody knows what is going to happen [in the Budget] but I hope the sector is given a break.”

 

Dubai burger concept G.O.A.T opens in London: G.O.A.T Burger, the Dubai-based concept, has opened its debut UK site in London’s Knightsbridge. Propel revealed earlier this month that G.O.A.T was set to open in the former Feya’s site at 146 Brompton Road. The brainchild of three friends, G.O.A.T Burger is described as “a purveyor of incredible burgers” and was co-founded by prominent food blogger Sultan Kayed (aka Sultan Eats). The restaurant’s menu consists of brioche buns packed with premium wagyu patties, Japanese teriyaki soy, Mongolian sweet sauce, pastrami beef and a homemade ma’abooch mix. G.O.A.T Burger’s arrival into London marks a step closer to the restaurant’s vision of becoming “an Emirati international food brand”. Kayed said: “G.O.A.T is all about experience and quality of service. We see everyone as family and want them to join us for great food. I dreamed of creating a casual dine-in place where different cultures come together in the form of flavours – and I love seeing that dream come true every day. Opening in London is an especially proud moment for me. It’s a city that has always felt like a second home, a place that celebrates diversity and creativity in the same way we do at G.O.A.T. To see a homegrown Emirati brand take its next step on an international stage, in one of the world’s most iconic food capitals, is truly a dream realised.”

 

Coffee#1 to open new site in Surrey: Coffee#1, the Nero Group-owned business, is to open a new site in Surrey. Coffee#1 will open at Botanical Place, a new retirement village launching this month in West Byfleet. Jodie Makin, area manager at Coffee#1, said: “Botanical Place is all about creating a vibrant, welcoming hub where people can gather, relax and enjoy the community. That philosophy matches our own perfectly, and we’re excited to bring our neighbourhood coffee shop atmosphere to this destination.” Also opening at Botanical Place is a new restaurant called Yarrow, led by head chef Kyle Robinson, who previously spent ten years with the four AA rosette Stovells in Chobham.

 

Maki & Ramen to open at Lakeside for most southerly site to date: Japanese restaurant concept Maki & Ramen is to open its most southerly site to date, at Lakeside in Essex. The company is joining the dining line-up at the retail and leisure destination in early 2026 after agreeing a deal with the scheme’s asset manager Pradera Lateral. Occupying a location on the lake, the restaurant will feature a full sushi bar and a curated menu of authentic Japanese dishes and cocktails. Rebecca Cuthbertson, marketing lead at Maki & Ramen, said: “Lakeside is the perfect next step for us as we continue to grow across the UK. It’s a dynamic destination with an ambitious vision that perfectly aligns with our business and offers the opportunity for long-term commercial growth.” Last week, Propel revealed Maki & Ramen is to make its international debut before the end of the year, in the Middle East. Propel understands the company, which was founded by Teddy Lee in 2015 and is led by Michael Salvador, is set to open a restaurant in Dubai, next month. The business has now grown to 14 sites and an opening in Birmingham’s New King Street is scheduled for 2026. In June, Maki & Ramen outlined plans to grow to 50 sites in five years following the launch of its franchise programme, following which it has opened two franchise sites. Leasing for the Lakeside deal was managed by LM Real Estate and Metis Real Estate.

 

Greggs announces non-executive director withdraws candidacy: Food-to-go operator Greggs has announced Robert Moorhead is no longer joining as an independent non-executive director. Greggs said in July that Moorhead would replace Kate Ferry, who was due to retire from the board. Greggs has now said Moorhead has formally withdrawn his candidacy for the position of non-executive director and Ferry will continue in her role as non-executive director and chair of the audit committee. Moorhead was chief financial officer and chief operating officer of WH Smith until November 2024 and is also a non-executive director of Watches of Switzerland Group.

 

Company of Cooks extends partnership with London’s Royal Opera House in £130m deal including new restaurant and terrace bar from Angela Hartnett: Company of Cooks, part of independent caterer CH&Co, has extended its partnership with the Royal Opera House in London for a further five years. The contract is valued at £130m over its duration. The next chapter has begun with a collaboration with Angela Hartnett, who has transformed the fifth-floor restaurant and terrace into Cicoria and Bar Cicoria. Cicoria offers a day-to-evening menu of Italian-inspired cooking, “showcasing the refined flavours and ingredient-led approach that have become Angela’s hallmark”. Open daily, it features an all-day Italian bar – “inspired by the timeless bars seen in Turin and set against panoramic views over Covent Garden and beyond”. Company of Cooks managing director Rob Fredrickson said: “This brilliant collaboration will attract more first-time visitors to the Royal Opera House, growing the appeal and audience of the cultural hub, as well as revenue, and cementing its position as a centre of excellence in the performing arts.” Sophie Wybrew-Bond, Royal Ballet and Opera’s chief commercial officer, said: “The launch of Cicoria and Bar Cicoria with Angela Hartnett has set a new benchmark for what’s possible in our spaces, and we’re excited to continue working with Company of Cooks to refresh more of our bars and restaurants.”

 

Home Counties Costa franchisee sees turnover grow but profit fall as costs rise: Home Counties Costa franchisee Leisure Inc (Knightsbridge) saw its turnover grow but profit fall in the year to 30 September 2024 as costs rose. Leisure Inc (Knightsbridge) is the parent company of Costa franchisee Bristal Investments, which operates circa ten stores in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. Turnover increased to £12,933,481 from £11,121,406 in 2023. Pre-tax profit dropped from £1,352,795 to £1,235,088 as costs rose by more than £1m. Dividends of £450,500 were paid (2023: £391,000). Director Emilio Aleo said: “The increase in revenue was primarily due to operating more stores in the year, supplemented by sale proceeds derived from the disposal of two stock development properties. The overall gross profit margin was reduced at 57% (2023: 59%), with Bristal Investments alone contributing 62.6% (2023: 60.5%). The slight deterioration in the gross profit margin was entirely attributable to the relatively small margins achieved on the two stock properties sold. The net current assets of the group have decreased to £0.65m (2023: £0.69m), while the net asset position has improved to £7.30m (2023: £6.83m) as a result of working capital being invested into property purchases. In addition, the group has continued with a strategy post year end of maximising the retention of earnings in order to improve the net current asset position and thereby continuing to provide necessary working capital.”

Guinness World Records to open its first permanent entertainment venue, at London’s The O2: Guinness World Records will next month open its first permanent entertainment venue, at London’s The O2. The new 25,000 square-foot attraction, positioned on the lower level, will combine competitive socialising with the thrill of record breaking – giving visitors the chance to attempt more than 50 official Guinness World Record titles across six challenge areas. Visitors will also be able to explore the world of record achievements, enjoy themed food and drink and shop for souvenirs. The move into competitive socialising marks the latest diversification of the Guinness World Records business as it evolves from publisher to global media and entertainment brand. Alistair Wood, executive vice president real estate and development at The O2’s owner AEG Europe, said: “We are delighted to be the location of choice for Guinness World Records’ first permanent UK venue. The O2 has played a leading role in the emergence of competitive socialising nationally, and this new concept elevates our offer to another level.” Paul O’Neill, vice president of entertainment at Guinness World Records, added: “Guinness World Records: London doesn’t just celebrate record breaking, it gives every visitor the unique chance to step up, take part and potentially become a world record breaker themselves.” The O2’s leisure performance saw sales up 23% in the year to date (January to October) compared to the same period in 2024. LM acted on behalf of The O2 and Savills acted for Guinness World Records.

 

Greater Manchester operator opens second Scottish site for gourmet burger concept: Greater Manchester operator Samir Makin has opened a second Scottish site for his gourmet burger concept, Shakedown. Makin, who is also behind Detroit pizza business Dough Club in Manchester, founded Shakedown in 2018. After growing it to three Greater Manchester locations, he expanded it outside the city for the first time in 2023 with a launch in St John’s Road, in the Corstorphine area of Edinburgh. Makin has now opened a second site in the Scottish capital, in the former Sam’s Fry fish and chip shop in Milton Road West. “Edinburgh 2.0, and a message about doing things properly,” Makin said. “Proud to announce the opening of our second Shakedown in Edinburgh, bringing us to six Shakedown sites overall. While so many competitors race for attention, we’ve spent years quietly building the parts no one sees but everyone feels. That’s why we can open multiple sites in multiple cities with confidence – because the foundation is there. Huge congratulations to our Edinburgh franchise partners on their second site. A busy few years, a lot of graft and well-deserved progress.” Makin also founded Dough Club in 2024 and has grown it to three locations in Greater Manchester.

 

Birmingham multi-site operator to invest £4m in new Irish bar: The team behind a number of nightclubs and bar venues in Birmingham is to invest £4m opening a new Irish bar in the city. The owners of nightclub Snobs will open the new bar at the site of a former Players bar at 240 Broad Street, which closed in 2022. The former club, which was put on the market at the end of last year, has sold for £2.5m on a long leasehold. Snobs owner Wayne Tracey told Birmingham Live: “We shall shortly start development of a new Irish bar to add to the city’s growing stock of top-quality hospitality venues. The bar, to be named with a personal touch to the team, and reflective of their Irish heritage, will be opening in the first quarter of 2026. The venue will be best in class to provide a unique experience in and around Broad Street. We hope to create a multi-use facility, which incorporates indoor and outdoor spaces that can be used for daytime and evening hospitality, entertainment and much more. With such large spaces, the building will need to offer flexibility and variety in its offerings for the surrounding areas. The street-fronted Irish bar will be the first phase of the project, which will go on to create a garden terrace, roof terrace, live music spaces, and many more vibrant opportunities. All told, we will be making an investment of £4m over the next 24 months and beyond to draw more customers to the city’s vibrant entertainment scene.” The team behind Snobs, which moved from Smallbrook Queensway to Broad Street in 2023, also manages the Henman & Cooper, Theatrix and Sobar venues in the city.

 

New Nigerian fine dining restaurant is to open in Birmingham: A new Nigerian fine dining restaurant is to open in Birmingham. Empress is launching in the historic Dogpool Hotel site in the suburb of Stirchley on Saturday (22 November). Signature dishes at the 70-seater restaurant will include smokey jollof rice, the Empress Royale Platter and the VIP Seafood Okro, paired with craft cocktails inspired by African ingredients and palm-wine blends. “This project is about more than food – it’s about renewal,” said co-founder Oyetola Akande, whose culinary background spans west African and European fine dining. “My philosophy is that every dish should evoke a sense of home, pride, and discovery, inviting people to experience the richness of Nigerian cuisine in a refined yet welcoming atmosphere.” Alongside the restaurant, Samis Express will offer a curated selection of African and Caribbean groceries – from imported spices and specialty ingredients to freshly baked goods and home essentials. Meanwhile, Samis Food Truck will bring a street-style edge to the development, with Nigerian street classics such as flame-grilled suya, shawarma and Afro-fusion burgers being served both at the site and festivals across the city.

London supper club operator to open first restaurant: Chef Alexander Dunstan, who runs a supper club in London at the Dulwich Art Club, is to open his first restaurant. Dunstan will launch Swallow, having acquired the lease of 169 Queens Road in Peckham for an undisclosed price. The property, which comprises 600 square feet of trading space on the ground floor and 900 square feet in the basement, has been closed since July 2022 when Taskin Muzaffer, the former operations manager and business development director for Drake & Morgan, relocated his Pedler Good Fortune restaurant to Canary Wharf. Dunstan said, “Swallow will essentially be an evolution of my supper club concept Alexander Does Supper. The supper clubs incorporate life drawing, burlesque, hearty food, good wine, and a strong sense of community, and have been thriving for five years now. Swallow will embody all of this and more, with an emphasis on little things done properly and done well. We plan to be an all-day venue, and a trusted hub of the community.” Christie & Co acted on the deal.