Festive flurry brings happy Christmas for pubs but restaurants and bars slip: Festive celebrations helped Britain’s top managed pub operators to sales growth in the week of Christmas but trade was challenging for the rest of the sector, the NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. Across all hospitality channels, managed operators achieved modest like-for-like growth of 1.2% in the seven days from 22 December. Pubs’ like-for-like sales were up by 4.8% from the same week in 2024. The figure is well ahead of both Britain’s rate of inflation and the tracker’s figures for most weeks of 2025. The uplift was driven by a surge in consumers heading out in the final days before Christmas and an uninterrupted run of bank holidays that gave people extended time off from midweek through to the weekend. This more favourable holiday pattern likely provided a stronger boost than Christmas Day openings. However, the tracker – produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, in association with RSM – shows it was a much more challenging festive season in other areas of hospitality. Like for-like sales at managed restaurants in Christmas week were 1.1% down on the corresponding period in 2024, as many consumers tightened their spending on eating out. It ende a tough year for the restaurant sector, after negative year-on-year growth in ten of the first 11 months. Bar groups were hit even harder, with a 15.5% fall in like-for-like sales. Karl Chessell, director – hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ, said: “Pubs’ real-terms growth in the week of Christmas shows how they remain a much-loved place for people to celebrate the festive season with families and friends. However, negative figures at restaurants and bars round out a very difficult year for many operators, and confidence is running low among consumers and business leaders alike. With cash reserves depleted and rates rises in the pipeline to add to a relentless burden of costs, the sector faces a challenging start to 2026.”

Sponsored message – Little Door & Co is offering hospitality teams a January boost: The Little Door & Co, the bar concept that offers house parties at its five London sites, is giving back to fellow hardworking hospitality teams who spent the last month keeping everyone merry. Hospitality and retail workers can book their own “Xmas” celebration and enjoy up to £750 of free drinks on the house this January and February. A spokesman said: “Our flat share inspired bars are the perfect party spots with plenty of homely extras. Treat your team to some January joy with beer pong, karaoke, DJs and more.” Take over an entire flat or one of the private rooms. The offer: get a £250 bar tab when you spend £1,000 or more; a £500 bar tab when you spend £2,000 or more; and a £750 bar tab when you spend £3,000 or more. This is available for corporate or private hire bookings throughout January and February. Contact flatmates@thelittledoorandco.com for further information. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com

More than 500 company founders, marketing executives and technology bosses already registered to attend 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit: More than 500 company founders, marketing executives and technology bosses have booked places to attend the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, which is returning for its eighth edition. The conference has doubled in size this year with content occupying two stages on both days, taking place on 20 and 21 January at Hilton Bankside in London. This new, bigger venue allows for a dual-stage format. 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, technology, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “Technology and marketing are at the heart of this industry so this event is bigger than ever before to focus on these subjects. We are hosting speakers from a large number of operators talking about the tactics, strategy and technology that’s making a difference for them. The conference will offer unrivalled insight and expertise to help operators stay ahead of the game in what remains a very challenging environment.” 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

Pub bosses ‘to march on Westminster’ in protest over tax: Pubs are set to launch a day of industrial action later this month in response to the government’s plans to increase business rates. Andy Lennox, the landlord who spearheaded the campaign to ban Labour MPs from pubs across the country, told LBC there will be a day of co-ordinated action on Friday, 30 January. “We’re definitely pushing down the farmer route”, Lennox said, citing the sustained pressure that led to the government’s U-turn on inheritance tax on agricultural properties, adding that pub owners would not back down until they see a similar concession on business rates. The industrial action could involve pub owners marching on Westminster, as well as a co-ordinated information campaign in pubs themselves, drawing customers’ attention to the financial pressure they are facing, and will be backed by industry bodies. At this stage, pubs are not planning on closing their doors for the day owing to cost pressures. Lennox said: “All the trade bodies and a lot of the bigger organisations are now starting to organise for proper industrial action. There's a protest planned for the end of the month, and we're looking into some major kind of industrial action now.” The Campaign for Real Ale has called on prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to urgently announce a rethink on business rates. It comes after a cabinet revolt on the issue was reported this week, and the issue was a key theme of Prime Minister’s Questions. Responding to a question from Labour MP Rachel Maskell, Sir Keir said the government was looking at what “further support and action” could be provided to struggling beer and pub businesses. Meanwhile, political party Restore Britain has launched a policy paper to save Britain’s pubs. The party said Restoring the British Pub: Measures for Preserving the Heart of Britain, sets out practical, immediately deliverable reforms to halt the rapid decline of Britain’s pubs and hospitality sector. These include reforming business rates for pubs, including reinstating relief and freezing rateable value increases; reducing VAT on hospitality sales to 12.5%, with incentives tied to community events; and raising the national insurance threshold for hospitality workers and annualising contributions. 

Jeremy King – ‘there was a worse time than now being a restaurateur’: Jeremy King has argued there was a worse time than now being a restaurateur – in 1975. He said: “Has there ever been a worse time to be a restaurateur?’ Absolutely. Economically, you must look at 1988 and 2008—far worse. But if you are asking about the worst time, let me tell you about my first management experience in 1975, when I stood outside my wine bar in Chelsea and felt and listened to the Walton's restaurant bomb go off. Imagine that. It was an important development in the IRA's bombing campaign. You have to remember that in those days, restaurants had installed metal grills on their windows to prevent bombs being thrown through them, but this one was different, because the bomb had a hook on it enabling it to be hung on the grill. Imagine that. I can deal with Ozempic/Mounjaro and national insurance hikes much more easily than bombs! The reporter who asked me the question responded, saying, ‘But that was just a brief point in time, and not as bad as now’. Oh yes it was. For example, shortly after opening Le Caprice in 1981, I got a phone call at 7.15pm, saying: ‘Get out of that restaurant. There's a bomb timed to go off at 8pm. You had better believe it.’ Consulting with the police, they wouldn't tell us what to do, so we gambled on it being a hoax. I never want to experience the sense of slow motion as the clock turned 8pm and I waited for the explosion. And while the journalist asked whether it was the end of it, I explained that we lived through two bombings at Scotts, the machine-gunning of the Churchill Hotel, the opening night of The Ivy when the Junior Carlton Club was bombed, and many more. Let alone the Middle East war, the foot and mouth pandemic, and salmonella scares. The point is, we adapt to these challenges, and if we do our job well and create great environments and experiences, we will transcend. I enjoy the challenge. And on the subject of employment after Brexit, can I just say that while it did make things difficult for a while, I now have teams that are so reassuringly diverse and contemporary—public school kids working with inner city kids, all quite new to the trade and yet absolutely brilliant with a terrific work ethic. They are realising the potential of this profession. I couldn't be prouder nor happy. We adapted.”

Hampstead Heath chair responds to ‘misleading and inaccurate claims’ on cafes decision: Hampstead Heath chair Gregory Jones has responded to what he called “misleading and inaccurate claims” around the decision to choose Australian restaurant group Daisy Green Collection to operate four park cafes. Last month, Daisy Green secured the lease for four food and beverage facilities across London’s Hampstead Heath and Queen’s Park. Following a six-month proposal process, Daisy Green was chosen by City of London Corporation from 30 bidders for cafés at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill Park and Queen’s Park. Jones said: “There have been several misleading and inaccurate claims since we awarded the leases to Daisy Green. These cafés are not closing. They are much-loved parts of Hampstead Heath and Queen's Park, and this process was about ensuring they can continue to operate and invest for the long term. Previously, the cafés were operating on short-term arrangements that made it difficult to invest in their buildings and facilities. Moving to longer-term leases under Daisy Green allows that community investment to happen and secures the cafes' future. As trustee of the charities that manage these open spaces at no expense to the taxpayer, the City Corporation has a duty to act in the best interest of those charities. We are simply seeking to ensure that services are properly run, leases are market-tested, and facilities are sustainable for the long term, which is reflective of good governance. Daisy Green is an independent, London business, not a national or multinational chain. And while it operates more than one site, each café will retain its own identity, shaped by its setting and with input from the local community.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a London restaurant that is seeking a sous chef. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This restaurant focuses on open-fire cooking, using wood-fired ovens and charcoal to create bold, flavour-driven dishes designed for sharing. The sous chef will take full creative ownership of daily changing menus and help lead a team dedicated to excellence.” The salary is up to £60,000. For more information, email olly@corecruitment.com

 

Exclusive – Frontier Pubs founder launches new venture after buying back five former sites: Peter Myers, who founded Food & Fuel and Frontier Pubs with Karen Jones and Jo Cumming, has launched a new venture called Highpress after taking on five ex-Frontier sites from Stonegate Group, Propel has learned. Last summer, Propel revealed that Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, bought out the remaining equity stake in Frontier Pubs, its joint venture with Jones, Cumming and Myers, bringing the partnership to an end. The 15 London pubs in the group subsequently formed part of Stonegate’s leased and tenanted division. Myers has now teamed up with former Frontier operations manager Morag Fenwick to launch the privately funded Highpress consisting of the Duke of York in St John’s Wood, The Chandos in Honor Oak, The Norbiton in Kingston-upon-Thames, The Ship in Kennington, and the Rose & Crown in Tooting Bec. Myers told Propel: “The conversation started when the deal for Frontier was concluded and Stonegate communicated the pubs would be part of its leased and tenanted division. We (Highpress) have had the pubs for just over a month, and they’ve traded strongly over the festive period. The themes that we had within Frontier – awesome pizza, big screen sport and great beer – will certainly be the core of the Highpress offer. I don’t think it’s just a case of ‘unfinished business’; we all genuinely loved the pubs in Frontier, but when we looked at the commercials, these five pubs were the ones that made sense for us – they're in great locations. And, as long as we continue to love our customers and give them the offer they deserve, I think these pubs have got longevity in them. We don’t know what the next months will bring economically, but if we trade proactively and everyone in Highpress contributes, I’d like to think we can grow and will look for opportunities to do so.”

TGI Fridays seeks more time to secure rescue deal: The company behind TGI Fridays UK has filed its third notice to line up administrators as it seeks more time to secure a rescue deal for the restaurant business. It is understood that Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, which runs TGI Fridays’ UK operations, is finalising an insolvency plan that could come as soon as next week, and see the 49-strong business close up to 20 sites. The firm filed a third notice of intent to appoint administrators on Wednesday (7 January) – the third filing in about a month. Last week, Sky News reported that Sugarloaf TGIF Management, which only took control of TGI Fridays two months ago, is preparing to implement a pre-pack administration of the business. Insiders said a transaction was expected to involve the closure of a significant proportion of the estate’s 49 restaurants. One suggested that between 15 and 20 of the sites could be permanently axed, although the final number is still being worked on and has yet to be determined. Interpath Advisory has been lined up to handle the pre-pack administration. 

Northern Ireland McDonald's franchisee reports turnover and profit drop: Northern Ireland McDonald’s franchisee North West Restaurants has reported turnover dropped to £33,434,552 in the year to 31 December 2024 from £38,123,433 the year before. The company said sales dropped 12% compared with the year before because it disposed of a site. In 2023, the group reported a £3,277,525 profit on the sale on an intangible fixed asset. Profit before tax was £397,010 compared with £4,652,077 the year before. The company had retained earnings at the end of the year of £10,328,434. Ebitda was £545,000 compared with £1,926,000 the year before. Operating profit margin was minus 0.3% compared with 11.7% the year before. The group forecast revenue would increase in its most recent year, driven in part by the relocation of its Enniskillen restaurant, which now incorporates a drive-thru.

 

Fireaway founder launches new cookie concept: Mario Aleppo, founder of fast-growing pizza brand Fireaway, has launched a new cookie concept. Aleppo, who has grown Fireaway to more than 165 sites since founding the business in 2016, has opened the first Crack Cookies store at 82a High Street in Clapham, south London. Aleppo said: “New year – new concept! A few months ago, we took the production of our cookies in house. We teamed up with a world-renowned pastry chef to create some damn good cookies. But then we realised they were way too good just for Fireaway Pizza, and just like that, a new concept was born. I introduce you to Crack Cookies. First store in Clapham High Street and many more in the pipeline.” Aleppo has plans to grow his Fireaway business to 400 sites in the UK and to sign further agreements abroad. The brand made its Spanish debut in September and also had sites in Turkey, Portugal and the Netherlands. Franchise rights have been sold in Australia, India, France and the Cayman Islands.

Burger King franchisee grows profit and turnover despite closures: Burger King franchisee Windmill (NI) grew its profit and turnover in the year to 31 March 2025 despite the closure of two restaurants. The company, which started the year with 25 stores – 19 in Northern Ireland and six in the north of England – shut sites in Lisburn and Leeds when the shopping centres they were housed in closed. The Leeds site, which was located in The Core shopping centre, has been relocated to the St John’s shopping centre in the city, while an alternative site in Lisburn is being sought. The company’s pre-tax profit grew from £169,321 to £293,189 during the year, off turnover of £16,875,114, up from £16,359,186 in 2024. Dividends of £637,225 were paid (2024: £1,000). Director Hassan Abelehkoob said: “The directors and staff have responded well to the new and ever-changing demands of the business in difficult times. The trading, post year end, has been promising, and the company is in a satisfactory position. Opportunities still exist for expansion. The directors will give due consideration to opening new outlets and will seek the support of the franchisor, when it can be evidenced that the location is ideal to establish a profitable and viable restaurant.”

Lane7 undergoes administrative restructuring, to start work on three new sites in first quarter: Boutique bowling company Lane7 has undergone an administrative restructuring and said it will start work on three new sites in the first quarter of 2026. The restructuring will bring all the group’s brands under one administrative group, enabling a “simplified structure and streamlined operational processes”. The group will now operate Level X, ML7, Gutterball and its original Lane7 brand under the same administrative identity. It comes as the group is set to start work on new sites in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds simultaneously before the end of March. As previously reported by Propel, the group will build Lane7s in the former Platform event space in Glasgow, at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre in Leith, and at a 23,000 square-foot location in Leeds city centre. Group managing director Gavin Hughes said: “We know 2026 is going to be another transformational year for the group. We’ll be starting development of three new sites by the close of the first quarter, taking in some new locations and expanding further in others. Equally, the administrative restructuring of the brands that form the group means we’ll enter 2026 with a much stronger financial model for our busy investment and growth plans. This will turbocharge our ability to better resource both the identification and subsequent acceleration of new site plans, work with even more ambitious suppliers and partners, and maintain our position as the industry's front-runners in developing new, competitive experiences in the social space.”

Thai Square reports dip in profit and turnover: Catering UK, owner of the Thai Square restaurant business, has reported a dip in profit and turnover for the year to 30 June 2025. The company currently operates 11 Thai Square locations in the capital, the latest having opened in Bayswater in June 2025. Pre-tax profit fell from £173,834 in 2024 to £69,515 while turnover was down from £12,280,765 to £12,088,363. Of this, £11,318,498 was from its restaurants (2024: £11,440,820) and £769,865 from its spa (2024: £839,945). Average employee numbers rose from 156 in the previous year to 173. Director Haim Damous said: “The business is growing nicely. If staff can be retained and food and utilities controlled, we are hopeful of an even more profitable year in 2025-26, with the imminent opening of a new branch in London.” 

Caprinos reports 14% like-for-like growth in 2025, targets 20 new stores in 2026: Fast-growing pizza brand Caprinos has reported 14% like-for-like growth in 2025, which it said has been driven by multi-channel marketing campaigns, new product innovation and growing brand loyalty. The 120-strong business, founded by Khalil Rehman and Gul Nawaz in 2014, also delivered top-line sales growth of 18%. The company, which serves more than ten million customers each year, opened 17 new stores across the UK in 2025 as well as adding to its overseas estate with two stores in Dublin and further locations in Pakistan. Caprinos is aiming to open a further 20 stores in 2026 as it builds towards a previously stated target of 200 locations. Caprinos said its sponsorship deals with Oxford United FC and Northamptonshire CCC have helped drive local and national awareness of its offer, while new products such as chocolate dessert pizzas, plus new chorizo and hot honey pesto pizzas, have performed ahead of expectations. Nawaz and Rehman said: “2025 has been a really important year for us at Caprinos. The sector is not without its challenges. However, our strong, double-digit like-for-like results show the strength and relevance of our proposition and a growing shift from consumers who are tired of the same old high-street names and looking for new flavours. In 2026, we’ve got even bigger and better plans to take Caprinos to even greater levels, both in the UK and internationally. It’s going to be a really exciting year that will take us one step closer to achieving our ambitions of becoming a household brand.”

Focus Hotels sees turnover climb above £19m but profit falls: Boutique hotel operator Focus Hotels, which manages more than 1,500 rooms across 16 hotels in the UK, saw its turnover for the year to 31 December 2024 climb above £19m, but posted a decline in pre-tax profit. The business, which is set to take over the operation of The Malone hotel in Belfast from February, posted group turnover of £19,241,211 (2023: £18,866,433) and an operating loss of £264,035 (2023: operating profit £203,645). Pre-tax profit stood at £2,277 versus £95,316 in 2023. The company said: “Hatfield, Oxford and Cheshunt have continued to provide accommodation for asylum seekers on behalf of the Home Office, which saw these hotels trade through a fixed income (and therefore in effect almost guaranteed profit) until the end of 2025. Doubletree Heathrow also entered into an exclusive use contract in November for an initial period of 12 months. Hotel Indigo Exeter exited the portfolio in November, with the hotel being sold to new ownership and subsequently entering into a new management contract with another company. The management agreement for two operating hotels in Derry were completed in April and June, for Holiday Inn Express and City Hotel. A short-term management agreement was signed for Portrush Atlantic hotel to support the current ownership through its sale process. The company also signed a management agreement for Mercure Holland House in October 2024 and the hotel is currently operating under an exclusive use contract. The use of exclusive use hotels has been propping up the UK hotels market, which is positive as international travel has not yet returned to pre-covid levels. This impact is seen in all markets, not just the airports.”

Permanently Unique Group hires Kat Schofield as sales and marketing director: Kat Schofield, formerly of Parogon Group, Gusto Italian and Revolution Bars Group, has joined Permanently Unique Group as its new sales and marketing director. Schofield joins the Tattu, Fenix and Louis operator after a year as sales and marketing director at Parogon Group, the award-winning premium gastropub operator. She was also previously marketing director at Gusto Italian and also held senior marketing roles working on premium brands at Marston’s and Greene King. Schofield, who was recognised by Restaurant Marketer & Innovator in its 2022 “30 Under 30” list, said: “This marks an exciting time to be part of such a visionary hospitality group. With creativity, ambition and bravery at its core, Permanently Unique continues to redefine what exceptional dining and lifestyle destinations look like. Looking ahead, 2026 is set to be an incredible year. I’m excited to be part of this journey and work alongside such a talented team.” In the autumn, Permanently Unique Group made its international debut when it launched Tattu Dubai at the Ciel Tower, the world’s tallest hotel, located at the edge of Dubai Marina. Tattu Dubai comprises Tattu restaurant and bar (level 74), Tattu sky pool (level 76) and Tattu sky lounge (level 81). The company plans to open a site under its Fenix concept in Mayfair at 80 Piccadilly this spring, with a second London location for Tattu set to launch by summer and both Louis and Fenix Dubai launching before the end of this year. 

 

Hard Rock Café ‘suspending trade temporarily’ at Manchester site: Hard Rock Cafe Manchester has closed its doors after more than 25 years, with the company stating that it was “suspending trade temporarily” at the city centre site. The business said it was in discussions about what the future holds for the site in The Printworks. In September, the Manchester Hard Rock Cafe celebrated its 25th birthday with a red-carpet VIP anniversary party. A spokesperson for Hard Rock International said: “While discussions are underway to determine the future of Hard Rock Cafe in Manchester, no final decision has yet been made, but we are suspending trade temporarily. Until further notice, we will be here, true to our mission of offering an unforgettable experience, in the heart of legendary music, a city that has always welcomed us with warmth and enthusiasm.” In October, Propel revealed Hard Rock Café UK registered a £4m impairment against its Manchester and London Piccadilly sites and incurred closure costs of £1.1m at its Glasgow venue in the year ending 31 December 2024 as its pre-tax losses increased to £5,851,000 from £1,080,000 the year before. The company reported turnover fell to £29,170,000 from a record £32,545,000 the previous year. In March 2024, the company, which employs around 450 staff, closed its Glasgow café, The business closed its Newcastle site in March 2025 after four years in operation, with the franchise company behind it facing administration. The closures leave venues in Edinburgh along with two in London – its Piccadilly site, which opened in 2020, and in Old Park Lane, which opened in 1971.

Ex-Bel & The Dragon COO’s hotel venture grows turnover ahead of launching fourth site but losses widen: Signet Hotels, the hotel group founded in 2019 by Hector Ross, former chief operating officer of gastropub operator Bel & the Dragon, grew its turnover ahead of launching a fourth site but saw its losses widen in the year to 31 March 2025. The company, which opened The Alfriston Hotel in East Sussex in March 2025 after acquiring the 35-room South Downs hotel from Michael Clinch the previous year, reported turnover of £16,553,400 for the year, up from £14,270,482 in 2024. Pre-tax loss widened from £2,628,059 in 2024 to £3,214,412. Having reported its first positive Ebitda, of £121,000, in 2024, this slipped back to a negative Ebitda of £30,000. Occupancy was up from 62% in 2024 to 65%. No dividends were paid (2024: nil). Director Peter Tyrell said: “The directors are pleased with the results for the year in all areas of trading, with the revenue achieved demonstrating the success of Signet Hotel’s portfolio to date. The directors look forward to the year with confidence.”

Honest Burgers to open Westfield London site: Honest Burgers, the Active Partners-backed business that acquired 12 Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) sites from Boparan Restaurant Group in September, is to convert a site in Westfield London to its eponymous brand. Honest Burgers, which began the conversion process to its core brand with a site opening in Wimbledon in the autumn, will open the Westfield London site on Tuesday, 20 January and will be the brand’s second location within a retail centre. It will bring the brand's estate to 44 restaurants. A third retail-centre site will soon follow in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. In November, the business opened a 60-cover site in Bristol’s Cabot Circus scheme – the brand’s first restaurant opening in a retail space. The conversion of the 12 GBK sites will take Honest’s restaurant portfolio to 51 locations across the UK. Propel understands that Honest Burgers paid circa £3.7m for the 12 sites, which strengthens the brand’s footprint in London and broadens its geographical reach into the Midlands, the south east and East Anglia – including sites in Norwich and Leamington Spa.

 

Mollie’s submits plans for first site in Scotland: Budget motel concept Mollie’s has submitted plans for its first site in Scotland. The company announced its proposals for a site at Edinburgh Park last July and aims to benefit from the new entertainment arena being built nearby. The hotel proposals, which was subject to public consultation last year, comprises 207 bedrooms, a diner and bar with an outdoor terrace, ancillary facilities and car parking spaces with EV charging infrastructure. With the planned 8,500 capacity AEG Arena earmarked for 2028, Mollie’s said it “hopes the addition of new, quality accommodation will help support in achieving the wider vision for the local area and beyond”. Founded in 2019, Mollie’s currently operates sites in Bristol, Oxfordshire and Manchester, with the latter opening last month. Matt Bell, managing director at Mollie’s, said: “We’ve worked hard to ensure that the submitted proposals are closely aligned with the council’s ambitions for the area to become the go-to destination for visitors outside the traditional city-centre hotspots.” Bell told Propel last month that Mollie’s is looking at opportunities throughout the UK, with any major city a possible location, and is pursuing both roadside and city centre options. Mollie’s last month opened its first city centre site, in Manchester, joining its roadside model venues in Oxfordshire and Bristol. The 100,000 square-foot venue is its largest to date and features 128 rooms across five floors.

 

Lakeland Leisure Estates reports stable turnover, reduces losses: Lakeland Leisure Estates, which operates hotels and marinas, has reported turnover eroded slightly, by 0.4%, to £16,483,078 in the year to 31 March 2025 (2024: £16,554,880). Loss before tax decreased to £223,822 from £554,438 the year before. Company Ebitda rose to £1,852,476 from £1,357,897 the year before. The group said that it was “well-positioned” because of its “diverse range of locations and income streams coupled with continued investment across the business to offer an attractive range of good value leisure and hospitality options to existing and new customers”. No dividend was paid. 

 

Blank Street to make ‘student town’ debut with Cambridge site: US coffee brand Blank Street, which made its debut in the UK in 2022 and now operates 50 sites here, is to make its debut in a “student town” with its first opening in Cambridge next month. Propel has learned Blank Street has secured the former Real Eating Company site in Sydney Road, which closed in the autumn, for an opening at the end of February. Blank Street opened its 50th UK site at the end of last year, in the ex-Caffe Nero in Temple Row in Birmingham, and in November, the company opened its first site in Leeds, on the former Starbucks site at 48 Albion Street, which became the largest Blank Street in the world. In the autumn, Blank Street also expanded further into London “villages” with openings in Putney and Richmond. Propel revealed last month that the Real Eating Company, the Helena Hudson-led independent cafe and coffee concept, had undergone a further restructure, leaving it with sites in Canterbury and Chichester.

 

Low Wood Bay hotel and spa reports turnover and profit rise: Low Wood Bay, the Lake District luxury hotel and spa that includes a water sports centre and marina, has reported turnover increased to £16,740,000 in the year ended 31 March 2025, up from £14,430,000 the previous year. The company said this was driven by improved room revenues, strong spa performance and growth across the resort’s food and beverage outlets. Profit before tax was £1,696,437, compared with £134,949 the year before. The company stated: “The spa continued to perform well following the enhancements completed in 2024, with increased demand for both thermal facilities and treatments. Rooms revenue also strengthened, supported by resilient leisure demand in the Lake District and the resort’s enhanced offering.” A dividend of £369,014 was paid (2024: £354,397).

 

Independent boutique accommodation collection Your Place to open fifth site: Independent boutique accommodation collection Your Place is to open its fifth site. The ten-room Bower House will launch in London’s Pimlico in March, joining the Georgian House Hotel and Chinnery House Apartments in the capital and Victorian House and Rothay Garth in the Lake District. Serena von der Heyde, Your Place founder, said: “Bower House embodies our vision to make boutique hospitality attainable, without compromising on style or quality. We want our guests to enjoy London with a stay that is both affordable and distinctly special.” Bower House will offer single, double, and family rooms from £120 per night, with an optional breakfast bag. Guests will also have access to room service via the FeastHQ app. The family-run collection was founded in 2023.

Scottish west coast operator planning to develop full-scale marina on Loch Lomond, reports record turnover: Cawley Hotels & Leisure, operators of six venues across the west coast of Scotland, is planning to develop a full-scale marina on Loch Lomond. The plans include a marina with 180-degree panoramic views, integrated into an extended Bobby’s Coffee Bar, for which full planning permission has already been secured. The marina is designed to integrate with Duck Bay’s existing hospitality offer, providing direct access for boat owners to the hotel, restaurant, Windows on the Loch, Bobby’s at the Bay and the Jetty Bar. Alan Cawley, who runs the business with wife Lynn, told Insider Media: “For the boating community, it will offer seamless access to everything Duck Bay has to offer. My wife Lynn and I are immensely proud to own such an iconic venue as Duck Bay. We recognise that every business must continue to reinvest, evolve and aspire to ever-higher standards.” It comes after Cawley Hotels & Leisure reported record turnover of £16,551,091 for the year to 29 April 2025, up from £14,536,082 in 2024. A pre-tax profit of £2,136,756 grew to £2,667,892 in 2025. A dividend of £115,000 was paid (2024: £140,000), while net assets stood at £25,757,078 at the year end (2024: £23,910,469).

South London brewery to open third taproom: South London brewery Br3wery is to open a third taproom next month. Br3wery, which has two bars in Beckenham – at 255 Beckenham Road and 1 Kelsey Park Road – will open at 97 Moyser Road in Furzedown late in February, taking over the former site of Italian restaurant Belgiardino. As well as beer, there will be wine from Crystal Palace Wine Club and sourdough pizzas from Naked Loaf Pizzeria. Br3wery owner Cadu Gomes told Hot Dinners: “We’re excited to announce the opening of our third taproom in Furzedown. For the first time, we’re stepping outside the BR3 area to bring our fresh beer to a new neighbourhood.”

London Middle Eastern restaurant goes from pop-up to permanent: London Middle Eastern restaurant Logma has opened its first permanent location after originally running Iranian supper clubs at E5 Bakehouse in London. Ziad Halub and Farsin Rabiee, who are bringing their respective cuisines to the table for an Iraqi/Iranian mix of dishes, have now opened a permanent space, at 81 Goldsmith’s Row in Hackney. The venture is starting out as a café, with an aim to open a dining room for a bistro later in the month, reports London On The Inside. There are kofte and aubergine sandwiches alongside stews with saffron rice, pastries and Middle Eastern coffee.