Coyote Ugly master franchisee may revise core UK site target due to strength of current trading, new openings ‘beyond expectations’ and Scottish debut ‘a great success’: The master franchisee here for US bar brand Coyote Ugly has told Propel he may revise his core UK site target due to the strength of current trading, with its new openings performing “beyond expectations” and its Scottish debut “a great success”. Coyote Ugly currently has eight UK locations, opening in Blackpool and Bristol last year and Edinburgh this year. Steve Lewis, owner of Breaking Brands, which is rolling out Coyote Ugly here, said he sees a dozen sites as “the core UK number” but may even go beyond that. He said: “We aim to have three or four new units in 2026-27 – getting to our core UK number. We are keen to remain the leader is this sector and we may even feel, when we get past the 12, to possibly go to 15 due to current trade. All these recent openings have been trading well above expectations, and the latest, in Edinburgh, has been a huge success.” Breaking Brands also signed a multi-site franchise agreement this year with US hot customisable sandwich brand Which Wich, which will see the brand make its Welsh debut early next year with a launch in Cardiff. Lewis added: “We are excited to be part of the roll out of this brand, with two other sites already in heads of terms. The next two sites will be our first Which Wich sites outside of Wales and will be the second and third quarters, with more to follow. We aim to trade these four sites then decide what’s best for us and Which Wich as a group.” In terms of possibly taking other brands under the Breaking Brands banner, Lewis said: “We are in talks with two other scalable brands that we hope to help get a footing in UK. Any agents in key cities that have locations available, we would love to consider them.” Reflecting on last month’s Budget, Lewis added: “How this government seems to be trying to make hospitality pay for all its welfare seems very unfair. Over-taxing the UK’s largest employment cohort more and more isn’t sustainable, and it needs to change.” Coyote Ugly and Which Wich feature in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, which is exclusive to Premium Club subscribers. The latest edition features 380 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.

Thesleff Group founder Markus Thesleff among speakers at 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Markus Thesleff, founder of Thesleff Group, will be among the speakers at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Thesleff will share the story behind building and scaling a portfolio of distinctive restaurants. He will discuss the art of creating winning concepts, managing the pressures of a multi-concept portfolio and offer a glimpse into his future plans as one of hospitality’s most dynamic entrepreneurs. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its eighth edition, and tickets are 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 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

Propel’s sector-leading guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies returns in January, to be made free to Premium subscribers on day of publication: The Propel 500 – 2026 report will analyse the companies leading the charge in hospitality, reporting on turnover, number of sites, and key staff. The guide will also include exclusive analysis to provide a full understanding of the market’s dynamics. Mark Wingett will delve into the mergers and acquisitions shaping the future of the top 500. Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly-developing franchise market and, as the experiential leisure sector becomes a cornerstone of modern hospitality, Katherine Doggrell will assess the rise of deals in the sector, as well as the shifts in the hotel industry. Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, will look at emerging growth sectors and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova will analyse the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market. Propel 500 – 2026 will be released on Friday, 9 January at 9am and will be available free to Premium Club subscribers. The report will be available to non-Premium Club subscribers for £595 plus VAT. 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.

UKHospitality urges government to protect sector apprenticeship standards: UKHospitality has urged the Department for Work and Pensions to guarantee hospitality apprenticeship standards, amid an ongoing review. In a letter to Baroness Smith of Malvern, minister for skills, the trade body said apprenticeships in the sector support growth and learning for young people, and drive career development and progression. The letter warned any reduction to the number of hospitality apprenticeship standards on offer would undermine the government’s objectives to support young people into work and reduce economic inactivity. UKHospitality also raised concerns an increasing focus on industrial strategy sectors, at the expense of hospitality and the everyday economy, risks create a two-tier economy and society. In the letter, Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, wrote: “Hospitality is one of the UK’s highest users of apprenticeships and plays a central role in delivering opportunities for all. Apprenticeships are fundamental to that offer. Hospitality already operates with a relatively small number of standards, and these are comparatively low cost when set against those in many other sectors. Any further reduction would therefore have a disproportionate impact on our ability to recruit, train and progress people effectively. It is imperative that hospitality is allowed to retain the apprenticeship standards that provide such a meritocratic pathway to management for young people. We therefore strongly urge you to guarantee that existing hospitality apprenticeship standards are protected for at least the next 24 months, while the sector works with government and other partners to determine the optimum skills landscape for the future.”

Taster – ‘if the quality is not there, you can have the most viral thing in the world, but it will die’: Taster, the delivery-only kitchen concept that has more than 30 franchise locations across the UK, has said food businesses that go viral must have the quality to back up the “noise”. Taster is working to help scale SpudBros Express, the gourmet jacket potato business that has 8.1 million followers across all social media channels – with an average monthly increase of 360,000 – and has attracted praise from celebrities including Will Smith, Liam Neeson, Ant and Dec, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. SpudBros Express has three locations, with plans for 15 by the end of 2026, and this month opened its first two petrol forecourt concessions. Andreas Holmsen van Stalsberg, chief operating officer at Taster, said: “When you work with a viral brand you get a lot of noise. When we opened Soho, the first customer flew in from the US and slept outside overnight to be the first customer, and when we opened Liverpool, a guy had been outside the store for 17 hours to ensure he got the first spud. But there are examples out there when viral food trends have worked well and examples where it has worked badly. For us at Taster, the food that sits behind it needs to be really, really good. If the quality is not there, you can have the most viral thing in the world, but it will die. In France, we operate a fried chicken brand around the same model, with an influencer behind it, and it now sits in about 120 locations. What we’re seeing it as we scale the brand, it becomes more famous than the influencer at some point when you reach the critical mass.” Van Stalsberg also said SpudBros ties into “some very strong consumer trends that we’re seeing – with a shift towards value-led, filling meals and comfort food that is indulgent but affordable”. He added: “There’s an increased preference for customisable formats. There’s also a boom in social media food discovery and a rising interest in simple, operationally efficient menus for franchise operators.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a coastal hotel restaurant on the Isle of Wight that is seeking a head chef. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “During peak season, the site can do up to 300 covers, so is looking for an experienced head chef or a senior sous ready to step into a top leadership role and make a real mark on a growing business.” The salary is up to £60,000. For more information, email stuartcampbell@corecruitment.com

Former Gordon Ramsay Holdings CEO – ‘we believe the landscape will improve at some point, and we will eventually open new restaurants’: Stuart Gillies, former chief executive of Gordon Ramsay Holdings, has told Propel he and wife Cecilia plan to eventually open new restaurants as “we believe the landscape will improve at some point”. Gillies stepped down as chief executive at Gordon Ramsay Holdings in 2018 after more than 15 years with the company to launch his own venture in Kent. He opened Bank House Wine Bar and Kitchen in Chislehurst in 2019 before launching Number Eight in Sevenoaks in 2022. “We will eventually open more restaurants, as we are confident in our ability to develop and train new talent to make it work,” he told Propel. “We also believe that the landscape will improve at some point, but it’s a question of when. Trading is mixed and very unpredictable week to week. That said, we trade well overall. In the current climate it’s hard to make money for any hospitality business as there’s no room for mistakes anymore. We opened Bank House six months before covid, so it’s not been smooth or as planned for either restaurant! Our teams don’t know or have forgotten how good the industry was pre-covid, which is crazy when you think about it. Number Eight is a model we would like to grow further as it encapsulates all the elements of modern hospitality needed to perform well in the next chapter.” Gillies said trading patterns in commuter towns like Sevenoaks and Chislehurst see guests book late and often make decisions on the day, “so our bookings can easily triple on the day, which has become more and more common this year”. Reflecting on the hammering small businesses took in the Budget, Gillies said: “It’s yet another cost that is unwelcome, but we will adapt and overcome like all the other hurdles. Meanwhile I keep telling the teams that hospitality is a marathon, not a sprint!” In terms of the lessons from 15 years with Gordon Ramsay Group he was able to bring into his own operations, Gillies said: “I was a chef director for eight years, running restaurants and teams, then a hands-on chief executive for eight years, running the company, so I saw both the creative and the corporate side on the business, at top level. The best learning across both roles was that you must plan well and completely believe in your ability to deliver.”

200 Degrees co-founder to launch padel venture: Rob Darby, co-founder of coffee roaster and retailer 200 Degrees, is to launch a padel venture. Darby has partnered with Nottingham hotelier Richard Johal for Padelplex, with former Nottinghamshire cricket player James Taylor acting as ambassador for the business. A £1m venue is proposed to open in Nottingham on land at the Dusk Till Dawn car park in Redfield Way. Subject to approval from the city council, the site would comprise five covered outdoor padel courts alongside a hospitality pavilion including a reception area, snack bar, indoor seating and changing facilities. The development is targeted for opening in summer 2026. Darby said: “Having entered a very busy marketplace with 200 Degrees and growing then exiting the business, I’ve learnt a lot about how to thrive on a rapidly expanding playing field. The key was to figure out where our padel offering fits and we were all set on the vision of a customer-first experience where people feel welcomed and come back time and again to have fun, enjoy this simple and accessible sport with friends and family and escape the busy world for an hour or so in a space that feels like a community.” Johal said the founders had identified a gap in the market for a “higher-quality padel offer”. He added: “We are excited to have submitted our plans for the very first Padelplex centre in the UK – which of course had to be in Nottingham as all of our founders are from here and we’re so proud of our city’s sporting energy and accolades.” The deal for the site was brokered by Box Property. Darby founded 200 Degrees with Tom Vincent in 2012 and grew the business to 21 sites before selling to Caffè Nero owner, The Nero Group, in October 2024.

Bannatyne Group acquires debut Hampshire site: Health club company Bannatyne Group, led by Duncan Bannatyne, has acquired its debut site in Hampshire. The company has added Beechdown Leisure Club in Basingstoke. Bannatyne Group now operates 67 health clubs across the UK. Beechdown Leisure Club provides a full lifestyle offering, including a fully-equipped gym with tailored programmes, a wide range of exercise classes, an indoor swimming pool and poolside jacuzzi, a spa offering a range of well-being treatments and spa day packages, racquet courts, a brasserie with indoor and outdoor seating, Ofsted-registered childcare, and dedicated children’s activity programmes. Bannatyne said: “Beechdown Leisure Club is an excellent addition to our portfolio and represents an important step into Hampshire for the brand. The club's high-quality facilities and strong community appeal complement our existing estate, and we look forward to working with the talented team there while building relationships with existing and future members.” Christie & Co acted on the deal.

Soho House renews efforts to open outlet in California’s Palm Springs: Soho House has renewed its efforts to open an outlet in Palm Springs in California. After pulling out of a planned development at the Colony 29 property in the Historic Tennis Club neighbourhood in 2023, Soho House has restarted its application. A listing for “Soho Desert House Palm Springs” is under the coming soon section on the Soho House website. It said: “Set in the historic Coachella Valley, overlooking the San Jacinto Mountains, the property will feature club spaces, 17 bedrooms and a Soho Health Club with a 185ft pool.” Palm Springs planning director Christopher Hadwin told The Desert Sun the city was awaiting technical information for the application before it could move forward. Ron Burkle, the billionaire majority owner of Soho House, owns a number of other properties in Palm Springs, including La Vallauris restaurant in West Tahquitz Canyon Way. He started the process of developing the Colony 29 event space into a new Soho House venue in 2022, but pulled out over what he called “bureaucratic challenges”. At the time, Tim Gleason, a designer with Architectural Resources Group, suggested issues raised by neighbours discouraged Soho House from moving forward. The previously planned venue would have been able to host up to 350 guests, with multiple buildings in addition to a pool. The buildings would have been constructed in a Spanish Colonial Revival style to fit the historic character of the site. The existing main house was built in 1929 by John Burnham and the seven-acre property is a location for weddings and corporate events. In August, Soho House announced a $2.7bn (£2bn) deal to go private, with US hotel giant MCR Hotels leading a group of investors in the takeover.

SA Brain sees losses increase but goal of securing long-term sustainable future is ‘in sight’: Welsh brewer and retailer SA Brain has seen its losses increase amid continuing industry challenges, but said the strategic goal of securing its long-term sustainable future is “in sight”. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £396,000 for the year ending 31 March 2025, up from £137,000 the year before. Turnover was down to £4,264,000 from £4,738,000 the previous year. In his report accompanying the accounts, managing director Nick Payne, who took the helm in January, succeeding Jon Bridge, said: “The directors continued to execute the remainder of the property disposal strategy, which resulted in an accounting profit on disposal of £210,000 (2024: £2,000) and facilitated the repayment of the term loan in full during the year. The strategic goal of securing the long-term sustainable future of the business is in sight.” Payne noted that following the decision to retain the brewery, it continues to evolve and grow following the disruption of the last few years. Established in 1882, Brains beers were brewed in the Old Brewery in St Mary Street in Cardiff until 1999. The brewery behind Cardiff Central station was put up for sale and Brains production moved to a new home. However, new redevelopments in the centre of the city led to a further move and the building of the new Dragon Brewery in Cardiff Bay, which opened in March 2019. No dividends were paid (2024: nil).

Taco Bell franchisee Campana sees profit pass £2m: Taco Bell franchisee Campana has seen its profit pass £2m. The company, which was founded in 2019 and operates circa 20 restaurants in the south west and South Wales, saw pre-tax profit grow from £680,837 in 2023 to £2,140,568 in the year to 31 December 2024. Turnover rose from £21,245,498 in 2023 to £26,142,337. No dividends were paid (2023: nil). Director Harvey Brown said: “The company opened its first Taco Bell store in December 2019 and the number of stores has increased annually since then, which is reflected in the continuing growth in turnover. The improvement in gross profit margin during the year reflected the continuing easing of direct input costs relative to turnover. Wages and overhead costs were also lower as a percentage of sales, partly as a result of economies of scale and partly due to fewer stores opening in 2024 than in 2023. For new store openings, operating costs can be high relative to income in the initial period of trading, with the additional expenditure required on marketing and the recruitment and training of new staff. The directors' strategy is to continue to grow the number of locations, supported by continuing capital investment.”

Manchester operator to launch new coffee concept: Manchester operator Samir Makin, who is behind the Shakedown and Dough Club concepts, is to launch a new coffee concept. Makin founded gourmet burger business Shakedown in 2018 and has since grown it to five locations – three in Greater Manchester and two in Edinburgh – opening its second site in the Scottish capital last month. He went io to found Detroit pizza concept Dough Club in 2024 and has grown it to four sites – three in Greater Manchester and one in Bradford, having opened the latter earlier this month for its first location outside of Manchester. Makin has now teased the opening of his first Founder Coffee location, saying: “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes you better. That applies to coffee, business and life. Founder Coffee is built on one simple idea: everyone is a founder – whether you’re building a company, a skill or yourself. We’ve been practising quietly. Doors open 5 January.” Although Makin did not reveal the location, Founder Coffee’s website lists an address of 4 Ledson Road in Wythenshawe, which is currently a Shakedown site.

Croeso Pubs serves one millionth pint of year and reports record-breaking sales at Cardiff venue: South Wales operator Croeso Pubs has served its one millionth pint of the year as it also reported record-breaking sales at its Cardiff city centre venue The Philharmonic. The company, which operates nine venues across the region, reached the landmark at the start of December. The company also recorded the biggest ever weekly sales at The Philharmonic – a record that was smashed just three weeks after its record-breaking Autumn Internationals turnouts. The Philharmonic, in one week, had its biggest ever Friday sales and non-event Saturday sales. Croeso Pubs area director Michael Haygarth said: “Reaching our one millionth pint of the year is a huge moment for us. It’s a testament to our brilliant teams across all nine venues and the loyal customers who choose to spend their time with us week in, week out. We’re proud of the atmosphere and sense of community that’s been created across our pubs and venues, and this milestone really reflects the support we continue to receive across South Wales. Hitting the milestone sets us up perfectly for the festive season and we look forward to raising a glass to an even bigger 2026.” In September, Croeso Pubs opened its latest site – The Cricketers in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff. It came as Croeso Pubs reported turnover increased 17.8% to £14,424,810 for the year ending 31 December 2024, compared with £12,244,657 the previous year while pre-tax profit was down 18.6% to £1,166,152 compared with £1,432,726 the year before.

London coffee concept Frequency opens first regional site, features roastery and stage for live music: Frequency, the London coffee shop and roastery business, has opened its first regional site, which features a roastery and stage for live music. The business, which was founded in 2016 by Venezuelan musician Justo Tripier, operates five sites in London. Frequency has now opened in the former McDonald’s unit in Stevenage Town Square, in Hertfordshire. Frequency's roastery will also soon be moving to Stevenage, while Tripier’s musical background, which inspired the name of the business, has also played a part in the design of the coffee shop. “The basic idea was when you enter through one of the entrances you see the bar, and when you enter through the other, you see our roastery,” he told The Comet. “We are bringing all of our roasting operations for our coffee shops across London to Stevenage. My background is music, so I always wanted a space where we could have live music, but retail space in London is expensive, so we've never had a property big enough for live music, so here in Stevenage we wanted to leave as much floor space, so one entrance has a raised floor to act as a stage.” Mark Phillips, of Fleurets, acted on the deal.

West Yorkshire McDonald’s franchisee sees turnover increase 97% to £32.8m after doubling size of estate with four acquisitions: West Yorkshire McDonald’s franchisee BPNC saw its turnover increase 97% after doubling the size of its estate with four acquisitions. The business, founded in 2021 and led by Matthew Pitchforth, grew in size from four restaurants to eight during the year to 31 December 2024. As a result, turnover grew from £16,626,958 in 2023 to £32,834,131. Pre-tax profit dropped from £290,181 to £208,231 as costs rose by almost £6m and administrative expenses went up by almost £11m. Pitchforth said: “Despite the net current liabilities position, the company has net assets of £152,000 and is financed, but directors loan account in excess of £3m. Sales for the year amounted to £32.8m, an increase of £16.2m from 2023, giving an overall sales increase of approximately 97%. The growth in sales is predominantly due to the acquisition of four restaurants during the year and incremental price rises. The gross profit margin is 65.24%, compared with 64.41% in 2023, and is in line with expectations.” Dividends of £38,000 were paid (2023: £38,500). 

Powder Monkey acquires another Durham brewery: Powder Monkey, the beer producer founded in Hampshire in 2019 by Andy Burdon, has acquired another Durham brewery. The Gosport-based Powder Monkey, which acquired the Castle Eden brewery in May, has followed that by swooping for Maxim Brewery, also in County Durham. The acquisition means Powder Monkey now owns five key brands across the UK, with a physical presence in the south, Midlands and north east, reports Insider Media. Maxim Brewery managing director Mark Anderson said: “Maxim Brewery was formed following the closure of Vaux Breweries in 1999. We are proud to have been brewing and serving our customers north east favourite beers Double Maxim, Samson, Lambtons, Swedish Blonde and other seasonals from our Houghton-le-Spring brewery since 2006. We are delighted to be joining the Powder Monkey Group, and this will ensure that our well-loved brands continue to be brewed in the north east for many years to come and would like to thank all our suppliers and customers for their support over the last 25 years.” Andy Burdon, group chief executive of Powder Monkey, added: “We’re proud to have added Maxim Brewery and established brands to the Powder Monkey portfolio. Maxim has a fiercely loyal customer base, and we will continue in this tradition. Hailing from the north east, I am all too familiar with the strength of Maxim's brands.” As well as owning several brands across the UK and Australia, including Southern Highlands Brewing Co, Akasha and Wayward Brewing Co, Powder Monkey operates Goddards Brewery on the Isle of Wight, The Powder Monkey taphouse in Gosport and Powder Monkey at The Guildhall in Andover.

Hotel and leisure group sees losses widen due to ‘continued difficult conditions in the UK leisure market’ plus long-term refinancing: Hotel and leisure group Calcot Health & Leisure has seen its losses widen due to “continued difficult conditions in the UK leisure market” plus a long-term refinancing. The group, which operates the Calcot Manor and Painswick hotels in the Cotswolds and The Lord Crewe Arms Hotel in Northumberland, reported a pre-tax loss of £340,133 for the year to 31 December 2024, compared with a loss of £30,587 in 2023. Turnover increased from £13,610,858 in 2023 to £14,718,264. Director Richard Ball said: “The result reflects the continued difficult conditions in the UK leisure market, with upward pressure on staff and utilities costs. They are also impacted by the costs of a long-term refinancing, as part of a significant investment in the facilities at the company’s main Calcot site. The company has reacted to reduce its cost base and exposure to risks by combining the two restaurants at Calcot into one unit.” No dividends were paid (2023: nil).

North west doner concept opens second site: North west doner concept Great British Doner (GBD) has opened its second site. Mehmet Nezir Korkut, a Turkish-born entrepreneur and restaurateur drawing on more than 25 years of hospitality experience, opened the first GBD is the former Lunya site in Manchester’s Deansgate in June. GBD has now replaced former Mediterranean-style patisserie Duman in Liverpool’s Bold Street. In July, Korkut told Propel he is targeting 100 sites across the UK in the next five years. He said: “That’s our immediate focus, and we will look at franchising to help support that. We think there’s lots of opportunity for us here and we’ll see where we are after that. Maybe then we’ll consider going abroad.”

Belhaven to overhaul flagship Edinburgh pub with elevated offering: Belhaven Brewery, which is owned by Greene King, is set to overhaul the Beehive Inn in Edinburgh’s Old Town with a new look and elevated offering. The flagship pub in the Grassmarket will close from Monday, 12 January while renovations take place, with the restored venue set to reopen in February. Key features of the investment include the creation of an open-plan restaurant upstairs. The first floor will also feature the addition of a new whisky bar, offering more than 100 varieties, tailored whisky flights and tasting classes. The top floor is being revamped to provide a multi-purpose space. Existing staff will be redeployed across sister venues while the work is carried out and additional roles are being created. David McBride, business unit director for Belhaven pubs, said: “This investment marks the next chapter in the Beehive’s journey, and we’re looking forward to showcasing the new and improved pub and offering fantastic experiences.”

Northumberland’s first Michelin-starred restaurant to resurface with six-month residency: Northumberland’s first Michelin-starred restaurant will resurface with a six-month residency in the new year. Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and his wife Ally Thompson-Nietosvuori, who opened Hjem in 2019, announced earlier this year that it will close at the end of 2025 to make way for a new venture. Hjem will serve its final service in its current location, in the Hadrian Hotel in Hexham, on New Year’s Eve. Hjem will now open a pop-up restaurant in The Farmhouse building at the South Causey Inn, in Stanley, from early February. In the meantime, work will continue on Freyja, the duo’s purpose-built restaurant under construction at Close House in Wylam. Offering an à la carte menu with a six-course tasting option, the pop-up will operate a dinner service from Wednesday to Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday and a long lunch on Sundays. Thompson-Nietosvuori said: “The north east has always embraced us and we’re excited to spend time in a different part of it. We’ve spent six incredible years at Hjem, and we knew we wanted this in-between period to be meaningful. Being able to bring our team here, support its development, and still offer something special to guests means a lot to us.” The pop-up’s more relaxed format takes inspiration from Hjem’s extended residency at Fenwick in Newcastle in 2024. Due to open towards the end of 2026, Freyja will combine Scandinavian design with Northumbrian landscape and produce.

 

West Sussex restaurant that sources 100% of its ingredients from the British Isles opens new home: A West Sussex restaurant that sources 100% of its ingredients, wine and spirits from within the British Isles has opened its new home. Chef Johnny Stanford opened Tern in Worthing’s Marine Parade in 2023, offering hyper-seasonal menus that saw it awarded two AA Rosettes and a place in the Michelin Guide. After launching a £65,000 fundraiser in July to help it find a new home, Tern has now reopened at 39 Warwick Street in the town. Guests at the 26-cover restaurant can expect meals with a focus on seasonal British cooking, zero impact sourcing of ingredients and a crafted cocktail programme for the restaurant’s new basement bar. The restaurant serves menus sourced only from produce fished, farmed and foraged within the British Isles, with a drinks list built on the same philosophy. The fundraiser ultimately surpassed £88,000, funding kitchen installation, bar equipment and compliance work at the new site and the reopening of the business.