Loungers chairman – ‘I suspect the climb down over business rates will be tokenistic’: Alex Reilley, chairman of café bar operator Loungers, has said that he suspects the “climb down” over business rates will be “tokenistic and just result in some businesses seeing their rates increase by less but still increase”. His comments came with the government reportedly poised to announce a climbdown on forthcoming increases to the business rates bill faced by pubs. Reilley said: “The sector was told of sweeping reforms to business rates that would see a rebalancing of how rates are calculated, which would be fairer for hospitality and, most importantly, help our beleaguered high streets. This was a total lie. Last year’s punitive changes to employers’ national insurance punctured the lung of the sector. The sector needs meaningful support, without which more businesses will close, more jobs will be lost, and the demise of our town centres will continue at pace. This government is either too stupid to not understand this or they don’t care – I don’t know which I find the more disturbing.” Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: "The entire hospitality sector is affected by these business rates hikes – from pubs and hotels to restaurants and cafes. We need a hospitality-wide solution, which is why the government should implement the maximum possible 20p discount to the multiplier for all hospitality properties.” Ken Murphy, chief executive of Tesco, told The Telegraph the government needed to “support the industries and the businesses that get people on the ladder of a career and jobs for life, and be fair and equitable about it”. Murphy said Tesco was among those advocating for a “fair rates system” for the entire hospitality sector, adding that it had been “fundamentally unfair for well over a decade now”. He said: “I believe that the government needs to look at the rate system overall and reform it properly.” The Association of Indoor Play (AIP) called on the government to urgently extend any proposed business rates concessions for pubs to include indoor play centres and children's leisure venues. Maria Cantarella, AIP chief executive, said: “We welcome the government's recognition that pubs are vital community assets and deserve protection from punitive business rates. But it is impossible to understand why venues that serve alcohol are seen as more worthy of support than venues that serve the nation's children.” Meanwhile, more than 5,000 small business owners from across the UK have signed an open letter to the chancellor, calling for an urgent review of the upcoming business rates revaluation and warning that it could force thousands of businesses to close. The letter, organised by Rupert Lowe MP, has been signed by pub landlords, cafe owners, shopkeepers and local employers who say they are already at breaking point after a decade of rising costs and economic shocks.

 

Propel 500 report – sector facing another year of opportunistic deals and restructurings: The UK’s hospitality sector is facing another year of opportunistic deals and restructurings, while those businesses looking to assess their options will need to recalculate their budgets, and would-be suitors their valuations. Writing in this year’s Propel 500 report, published at 9am today (Friday, 9 January), Propel chief operating officer Mark Wingett said the foundations for mergers and acquisitions in the sector over the past few years have been built on shifting sands, and it is no different as the industry enters 2026. He said: “As we enter 2026, we do so on the back of another Budget that has caused further sector shockwaves. Hospitality has demonstrated resilience through recent years of disruption, but that resilience is being tested like never before.” Propel 500 – 2026 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.

Bill’s MD Tom James among speakers at 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit, open for bookings: Tom James, managing director at Bill’s, will be among the speakers at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. James will talk to Olivia Fitzgerald, managing director at 125 Data & Insights, about how Bill’s became the first hospitality brand to invite its customers quite literally “into the boardroom”. Following a brand perception research project, ten Bill's customers were invited to join the Bill’s board for the day and spend time with the executive leadership team. James will discuss how the project delivers a powerful model for guest-centric innovation, education and commercial impact. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit 2026 is returning for its eighth edition. The conference has doubled in size this year with content occupying two stages on both days – there are more than 500 company founders and chief executives, marketers and technology executives registered to attend. Bookings are open for the two-day conference, taking place on 20 and 21 January at Hilton Bankside in London. This new, 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, technology, 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.

 

Lucky Voice co-founder – Sundays have become one of our busiest days while daytime sessions have surged, alcohol has become less important: Nick Thistleton, co-founder of social entertainment brand Lucky Voice, has said Sundays have become one of the brand’s busiest days, while daytime sessions have surged and alcohol has become less important. Writing in today’s (Friday, 9 January) Premium Opinion, Thisleton reflects on the karaoke concept’s first 20 years, where it has come from and what the future holds. Looking at how consumer trends have shifted over that time, he said: “Since covid, Sundays have become one of our busiest days, and in keeping with other hospitality businesses, daytime sessions have surged. People want structured, memorable experiences, regardless of the time of day. Clearly, alcohol still plays a role in many people’s karaoke experience, but it’s less important than it was. As drinking habits change, and younger audiences seek social experiences that are fun but don’t require a 2am finish, we’re focusing on disciplined growth: choosing new sites carefully, scaling the B2B offer, and keeping operational excellence at the centre.” Also in Premium Opinion, which will be sent to Premium Club subscribers at 5pm today, Propel editorial advisor Katherine Doggrell investigates whether pubs and restaurants can learn from the hotels' shift towards the platform model. 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.

 

Elton Mouna to launch sector specific movement to combat bullying in hospitality: Pub sector deep-dive project specialist Elton Mouna is to launch a sector specific movement to combat bullying in hospitality. Mouna, who is also an accredited coach focusing on pub sector middle managers, will this year launch The Good Apple Effect – led by a strategic advisory board made up of 12 hospitality professionals. Also giving their time and advice will be a “former self-confessed bullying chef who is now gloriously reformed” alongside three “hugely respected industry figures” who act as ambassadors and advisors. It follows a column Mouna wrote in Propel’s Friday Opinion last summer, in which he warned that bullying “can come in many guises” in the sector and “could run deeper than we think. Mouna said he was “inundated” with positive responses following the column’s publication and was moved to try to “help change hospitality for the better”. Writing in today’s (Friday, 9 January) Propel Friday Opinion, Mouna said: “The Good Apple Effect will be a movement waking hospitality up. We will be the catalyst for breaking the silence around bullying and giving people the tools and confidence to speak up, step in and improve the culture of our sector. As I witnessed at Propel’s Culture, Talent and Training Conference, so many people are already doing so much to eliminate the misuse of power and bullying in the sector. The Good Apple Effect applauds them, and later in 2026 we will be going full pelt, with serious gusto, to support you all.” Mouna will share more of his thoughts in today’s Friday Opinion, which will be sent out at 11am.

 

Grant funding available to help pubs add new services and activities: Pub is the Hub is offering grants of up to £6,000 to publicans in rural, remote or deprived areas who want to offer additional services and/or activities in their pubs to help local communities. These can include a range of services from community cafes, village stores and allotments to activities such as theatre and craft workshops. Pubs will need to meet the eligibility criteria on Pub is the Hub’s website. Chief executive John Longden said: “In isolated rural and deprived areas, adding a service such as a village store, community café or running activities such as craft workshops or theatre at the local pub can be a great way to support people living locally.” The not-for-profit organisation waw founded by King Charles III when he was Prince of Wales. Pub is the Hub recently revealed it will be helping and advising more pubs to diversify their local services and activities after receiving £440,000 of government funding. 

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a luxury hotel and resort in Buckinghamshire that is seeking a director of sales. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: The role will lead sales across all key segments, including corporate, events, golf, leisure and food and beverage. The ideal candidate will be commercially astute, highly motivated and able to position the resort within the competitive luxury hospitality market. They will have proven experience as a director of sales (or equivalent senior role) within luxury hotels, resorts or venues, and have the ability to inspire and mentor teams.” The salary is up to £80,000. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

 

Exclusive – Urban Pubs & Bars acquires four sites from Brunning & Price: Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, has added a further five pubs to its growing estate, including the acquisition of four former Food & Fuel sites from The Restaurant Group-owned Brunning & Price, Propel has learned. The four sites acquired from Brunning & Price are The Roebuck and The Steam Packet in Chiswick, The Queens in Crouch End and Coco Momo in Kensington. The Chris Hill-led business has also separately acquired the Prince Regent in Herne Hill. The deals are expected to complete on 19 January and the company told Propel they mark “another significant step in the group’s targeted expansion as it consistently outperforms the wider UK hospitality market”. With the addition of the five sites, Urban now operates 65 venues across London, delivering annual sales in excess of £100m, which it said firmly establishes the group as “the capital’s leading independent pub operator”. Last October, Propel revealed that the company had acquired Albion & East, the Imbiba-backed group of four all-day venues based in London. It came as Urban Pubs & Bars reported that trading across its business remained materially ahead of the market, with like-for-like sales of 8.7% since the start of its financial year in May 2025. Hill, managing director of Urban Pubs & Bars, told Propel: “Well-run, well-positioned businesses are thriving in the capital. We’re seeing robust demand across our estate and strong like-for-like growth, which gives us the confidence to keep investing. These latest acquisitions are exactly the kind of sites we look for, and we’re excited about the opportunities they present as we continue to grow our London estate.” Food & Fuel was founded in June 2006 by Karen Jones, Jo Cumming and Peter Myers, and by the summer of 2018 had grown to 11 pubs and café bars in London. In September 2018, the then Andy McCue-led The Restaurant Group acquired the business in a £14.9m deal. 

 

Greggs CEO – consumers looking for smaller portions, positive reaction to Bitesize concept: Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, has said there is “no doubt” appetite-suppressing medication is having an impact on the brand’s business as it introduces healthier options on its menu. Currie said: “What we’ve been seeing is people are looking for smaller portions and information on areas such as protein and fibre, and therefore we’re making sure that in the breadth of our range we can offer those choices to customers.” However, she highlighted this was not only due to the rise of GLP-1s – a class of medications that mimic the hormone which suppresses appetite – but also a “broader health trend” emerging. The business has sold half a million egg pots since adding them to its range in the autumn and the company this week launched an overnight oats product with seeds and dried fruit. It comes as the business reported that total sales increased by 7.4% over the three months to 27 December 2025, with like-for-like sales for the full year up by 2.4%. At the end of last year, Greggs added 5p to the price of a sausage roll and 10p to a latte coffee as it leans on some of its bestsellers to soak up rising wage, energy and packaging costs. Currie said the company had no plans for further price increases at present and it expected inflation to ease this year as it admitted it had sold fewer items in the run-up to Christmas amid a “very tough, challenging market”. Currie said the company was “monitoring the market” to see how inflation would evolve as it negotiates a pay rise for workers this year. Last month, the business opened a third site for its smaller shop format – Bitesize Greggs – as it continues its trial. The company launched the format last month, in Sevenoaks railway station in Kent, with the second following in another Kent train station, in Dartford. A third site has now opened at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Currie said: “It's a very small trial. However, the reaction has been exceptionally positive. We have a few more in the pipeline that we will bring to market over the coming months, and then we'll take the learnings and decide the way forward.”

 

McDonald's franchisee Synergy Four Restaurant reports small loss: Synergy Four Restaurants, the McDonald's franchisee led by Haroon Rashid, has reported turnover grew to £21,071,383 in the year ended 31 March 2025 (2024: £18,510,125). It made a loss before tax of £27,243 compared to a profit of £467,146 the year before. The company has six sites – its most recent a branch in North Finchley acquired in March 2025. Rashid began as a trainee manager in 1997 before moving on to become general manager of its flagship site in Leicester Square. In 2013, he became operations manager from the company before taking on his first franchise in 2016. Rashid also operates sites in Haringey, Enfield and Barnet. 

 

Doughnut brand Dum Dum Donutteries now has capacity to roll out ten-plus stores per year as it unveils expansion plans: Doughnut brand Dum Dum Donutteries has said it now has the capacity to roll out ten-plus stores per year as it unveiled a new state-of-the-art bakery, innovation hub and training facility in Brentford, west London. The opening coincides with the launch of a site in Wembley Park, signalling the start of Dum Dum’s next phase of expansion. Dum Dum was founded in 2013 by Paul Hurley, who was previously operations manager at Dunkin Donuts UK and director of operations at Demon Donuts. The new multimillion-pound Brentford facility has been designed to support ambitious growth plans over the next five to ten years, with several new store openings already planned for 2026. The company said the hub will act as a centre for innovation, enabling the team to develop ground-breaking bakery products that respond to both current and future consumer demand. Having launched its first bricks-and-mortar site at Boxpark Shoreditch in 2014, the brand has gone on to become a stockist for Harrods and Selfridges, and expanded with launches in Brighton and Dubai, followed by stores across London, Windsor and Birmingham. The pandemic forced the business to pause its expansion and scale back operations, but the business said it was ready to return to growth. Dum Dum Donuts also has plans to develop wholesale partnerships and launch nationwide direct-to-consumer delivery from the second quarter of this year. Hurley said: “We’re excited for 2026. We’re now fully prepared to grow again in a new landscape with different consumer demands and financial realities. We’ve got so many ideas and can’t wait to bring people the doughnuts they know and love.”

 

Thai restaurant group from JKS Restaurants and chef Luke Farrell reports profit growth: Chaiyo Restaurants, the Thai restaurant group from JKS Restaurants and chef Luke Farrell, has reported its pre-tax profit grew to £533,487 for the year ending 30 March 2025 compared with £35,013 the year before. The group, which operates sites in London under the Speedboat Bar and Plaza Khao Gaeng concepts, saw adjusted Ebitda (excluding management charges and pre­opening costs) increase to £883,827 (2024: £626,445). Turnover nudged up to £5,877,684 compared with £5,760,562 the year before. In April 2025, the group refinanced its existing debt facilities, including the loan under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the senior bank loan guaranteed by the company. As part of this refinancing, the outstanding balances on both loans were repaid in full and replaced with a new debt facility. During the period, the group operated Plaza Khao Gaeng in Tottenham Court Road and Speedboat Bar in in Soho. In July 2025, a second Speedboat Bar was launched, in Notting Hill, while Plaza Khao Gaeng opened in Borough Yards in November 2025. No dividend was paid.

 

Sandwich Sandwich set to open first grab-and-go site: Sandwich Sandwich, which was founded in Bristol in 2012, is to open its first grab-and-go site in London and hinted it could be the first step for the brand to enter transport hub locations. The company, which currently operates three sites in London and two in Bristol, will open the new site in Broadgate Central, with the end of February targeted as opening date.  Nick Kleiner, founder of Sandwich Sandwich, said: “This will be our first ever grab and go store and I’m incredibly excited about it for multiple reasons. Grab and go has already revolutionised our business. For too long, food to go, especially pre-packaged sandwiches, have lacked creativity and care. This Broadgate shop will be our first ever grab and go only location. Our full menu, freshly made every morning by our team, packaged into premium boxes and ready to pick up and go. We’ll also be serving great coffee and freshly baking on-site pastries, sausage rolls and our scotch eggs. This project has taken 18 months to get over the line, and we are so close to finishing. If you’ve been following me for a while you’ll know it’s always been a dream of mine to get Sandwich Sandwich into airports and train stations one day. Could this be our first step? I’ll share more details soon, but it’s looking like February for opening.” Propel reported last October that Sandwich Sandwich is to open its first international site, in Dubai, after signing a franchise deal with The Sandwich Group, led by Conor McKay. Kleiner told Propel last year that the business still had a target of operating 20 sites by 2029 and was “scaling quickly but carefully”.

 

Gym operator Ultimate Performance reports record UK turnover of £20.7m but profit falls by almost two thirds: Gym operator Ultimate Performance has reported UK turnover increased 14% to a record £20,720,704 for the year ending 31 March 2025 compared with £18,228,706 the previous year. Pre-tax profit dropped by nearly two-thirds to £604,773 from £1,770,612 the year before as administrative expenses increased by almost £2m to £9,446,510. This included £442,423 of exceptional items, comprising £331,338 relating to restructuring and £111,085 relating to deal fees. No dividend was paid (2024: nil). The company operates 13 sites in the UK. Ultimate Performance also operates sites in the US, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

 

Belhaven invests £5m in its pubs following launch of franchise model: Belhaven, which is owned by Greene King, has confirmed it invested almost £5m in its Scottish pubs in 2025, spanning 22 managed, tenanted and franchised pubs. The company said the investment programme increased fourfold this year and marked a significant milestone for the Pub Partners side of the business as it launched its growing pub franchise models, Hive and Nest, in Scotland for the first time in 2025. There were six investment projects topping £2.5m across managed pubs, including three in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow, with an average spend of circa £400,000. At the same time, Pub Partners launched nine franchise pubs in Scotland, costing a total of £2.2m. Some £500,000 was invested at the Stables, in Stenhousemuir, with two new franchise openings in Edinburgh and four in Glasgow. Pub Partners also invested six-figure sums across seven leased and tenanted sites. Significant projects were at the Mallard in Dingwall and the Steelworks in Motherwell. Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners operations director, said: “We have been thrilled to launch and successfully drive our franchise pub concepts across Scotland this year. It’s been so good to see the appetite from experienced operators choosing our franchise models as they realise the potential and benefits. These nine pubs have been rejuvenated in 2025, and we hope to work with the Scottish government to show how they can ease the regulatory burdens facing the pubs sector so that investments like this can thrive for years to come.”

 

Edgeman grew profit ahead of sale of Yorkshire hotel: Hotel company Edgeman, led by the Chawla family, grew its profit in the year to 31 March 2025 ahead of selling its Yorkshire hotel. The company sold the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley to Aura Hotels, the luxury hotel division of Rambler Group Holdings, in April 2025. The property was the second hotel Edgeman has sold in the space of five months, having sold the Mere Court Hotel, in Knutsford, Cheshire, to Truffle Hotels for net proceeds of £3,387,438 in December 2024. Edgeman still operates the George Washington Hotel and Golf Club in Washington, Tyne and Wear. The company grew its pre-tax profit in the year from £28,438 in 2024 to £135,182, including a £103,941 loss from discontinued operations. Turnover was up slightly from £19,979,670 in 2024 to £19,980,061, including £1,521,748 from discontinued operations. Director Neel Chawla said: “Turnover for the year is consistent with 2024. The gross profit margin has decreased from 38.8% to 36.1%. Occupancy rates were 75.3% (2024: 70.3%). The group has had a good financial year during a challenging period in particular with rising staff costs. The group have made a drive in efficiencies leading to an improvement in operating profit compared with the previous year. Directors of the trading group made a strategic decision to sell off non-core assets. The forward focus is multi revenue channel, branded hotel assets.”

 

Professionals at Play to open second Star Pins site: Professionals at Play – the Foresight-backed, parent company of Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room and King Pins – will open a second site under its Star Pins concept next week (Thursday, 15 January) in Liverpool. The debut Star Pins site, which is a more family friendly version of the group’s King Pins format, opened at the end of 2024 at West Orchards shopping centre in Coventry. The new Star Pins site will be a conversion of the group’s Roxy Lanes site in Liverpool’s School Lane. Matt Jones, chief executive of Professionals at Play, said: “We’re thrilled to bring our newest concept to Liverpool. Star Pins is designed to be more inclusive for families during the day, while still delivering that party vibe in the evening. It’s a venue that truly offers something for everyone.” Earlier this week, Propel revealed that the company had promoted Ben Turnock to managing director, as the group continues its rapid expansion across the UK and Ireland. The business is planning to open at least five new venues this year, including announced sites in Edinburgh (King Pins), London Holborn (Roxy Ball Room), Dublin (Roxy Ball Room), Glasgow (Roxy Ball Room).

 

Suffolk hotel group reports resilient performance: Gough Hotels, run by the Gough family for more than 50 years and known for operating The Angel in Bury St Edmunds, and Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich, has reported turnover of £14,784,438 in the 18 months ended 30 April 2025. Profit before tax was £1,148,647. This accounting period lasted 18 months so is not directly comparable with the 12 months previous. The company, currently run by Robert and Claire Gough, stated: “The directors appreciate the difficult trading conditions due to high cost price inflation, changes to national insurance and business rate relief and are encouraged by the trading performance. The pent-up demand post-covid has dissipated but the premium rating of the hotels has helped mitigate this. The hotels consider themselves to be market leader in the towns of Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds and have benefited from that cachet.”

 

JRC Group hits double figures for modern Korean BBQ and hot pot concept: JRC Group, the multi-brand restaurant business, is to continue to the roll out of its “modern Korean BBQ and hot pot concept” Daiu, with an opening this weekend in Coventry. The company will open the new restaurant on the former Botanist site in the city’s Cathedral Lanes. It will be the tenth opening under the Daiu concept, which also operates two concessions inside the group’s JRC Global Buffet sites in ten Daiu sites, plus two inside JRC Global Buffet sites in Ilford and Wembley. On the upcoming Coventry opening, a spokesman for Daiu said: “Immerse yourself in an unforgettable dining experience that brings together the best of both worlds, BBQ and hotpot, all at one table! At Daiu, you can savour the irresistible flavours of freshly grilled meats while enjoying the comforting warmth of a bubbling hotpot. Whether you are gathering with friends, celebrating a special occasion or just looking for something new and exciting, our BBQ and hotpot buffet is perfect for any occasion.” JRC also operates the fine-dining restaurant Gouqi in Cockspur St in London near Trafalgar Square and Tokia Square, an Asian food court concept in Croydon.

 

The Arts Club reports turnover boost supported by strong membership revenues: The Arts Club in London’s Dover Street has reported a turnover boost for the year to 31 December 2024 supported by strong membership revenues. The company’s turnover grew from £30,500,506 in 2024 to £30,918,701, with membership income increasing by £1.2m year on year, while adjusted Ebitda was down from £4.9m to £4.4m. A pre-tax profit of £360,540 in 2024 turned into a loss of £3,822,400, primarily due to a one-off impairment of £6.4m (2024: £2.7m) recorded against a joint venture loan. Director Ajaz Sheikh said the year reflected “steady and operational performance and careful financial management”, with a positive Ebitda “demonstrating resilience despite higher staff and utility costs”. He said that excluding the one-off charge, the business remained profitable, and that membership revenue remained strong “despite softer trading in some areas”.  Food and beverage revenue declined 2.4%, achieving a 10% margin, “affected by higher wage costs and the absence of prior government support schemes”. Sheikh said: “Despite a challenging economic environment, The Arts Club (London) delivered resilient operational performance underpinned by stable revenues, disciplined cost management, and a focus on staff and member experience. The exceptional impairment charge represents a prudent measure that strengthens the balance sheet and positions the company for future stability.” Additional facilities of £4.2m and £2.3m were secured during the year, while a separate £2m facility was fully drawn down. A further outstanding loan was fully repaid, which has “significantly reduced the company’s contingent liabilities in relation to the joint venture”. Post year end, in July 2025, the company entered into a settlement deed that finalised the separation of joint venture interests previously operated under the Lanserhof at The Arts Club brand.

 

London matcha bar concept confirms January launch for Battersea site: London matcha bar concept Jenki has confirmed its latest site, at Battersea Power Station, will open on Tuesday, 20 January, “marking the brand’s most ambitious and design-focused space to date”. The company’s sixth site, its design will “take cues from Battersea Power Station’s industrial past, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens”. It will offer seasonal drinks alongside favourites such as strawberry and elderflower matcha latte, spiced peach and brown sugar cold foam matcha and the London Fog matcha latte. There will also be a retail offering, including items such as Jenki water bottles and tote bags. Jenki also has sites in Spitalfields, Covent Garden, Borough, Canary Wharf and Selfridges in Oxford Street.

 

UK’s largest indoor ski centre operator reports profit boost: Snozone, operators of the UK’s largest indoor ski centres, has reported turnover in the 15 months to 31 March 2025 of £16,477,559 (2023: £10,872,382). Profit before tax was £5,359,672 compared with £2,814,427 in the period before. The company stated: “Throughout the year, the company continued to evolve its product offering and market share in the UK – expanding its reach, especially across northern England and Scotland. Snozone was awarded the best sporting venue accolade at the UK School Travel Awards for the fourth time, indicative of growing our school affiliates programme with a ten per cent increase in school bookings. Snozone is the only European operate to both operate and own its own Disability Snow School and our lessons in this area grew by 59% compared with 2023.” Owned by NewRiver, Snozone currently operates ski centres in Milton Keynes, at Xscape in Castleford in West Yorkshire, and Madrid in Spain.  

 

Chopstix partners with Mencap to boost employment for people with a learning disability: Fast-growing, quick service restaurant brand Chopstix has entered a new national partnership with learning disability charity Mencap, which will see it fundraise and support helping people with a learning disability into meaningful employment. Chopstix and Mencap began their relationship over a year ago through a supported internship programme, and during this time, Chopstix has helped several young people with a learning disability gain valuable work experience. The partnership will also fund a volunteer to work scheme, which will run across ten Mencap retail stores, helping create clear pathways into paid employment, including opportunities at Chopstix restaurants. It will also help Mencap deliver essential services, including information, advice and campaigning for equality. Jaime Traynor, safeguarding and fundraising consultant at JDT Consultancy and Training, has been brought on board to help facilitate the partnership.

 

North west bakery and retailer Waterfield’s reports turnover dip and increased losses: North west bakery and retailer Waterfield’s has reported turnover dipped to £14,778,681 in the year to 5 April 2025 from £15,539,825 the year before. Pre-tax losses more than doubled to £626,039 from £259,409 the year before. The group stated: “The result reflects a challenging trading environment characterised by inflationary cost pressures and a reduction in turnover. The directors consider the result to be understood and appropriately managed in the context of the wider economic conditions and the actions taken during the year.” In March 2025, Waterfield’s took over seven sites operated under the name of Lancashire bakery Oddie’s - the stores trade under the Oddie’s name. Waterfield's is a family bakery firm that was set up in Leigh in 1926 with 37 stores across the north west. Waterfield's is currently managed by third generation Richard and John Waterfield.

 

East London restaurant and record bar set to double in size as it enters new era: Bambi, the restaurant and record bar in London Fields, east London, is set to enter a new era in 2026 as it doubles in size. Led by founder James Dye, co-founder of High Note Hospitality, which is behind The Knave of Clubs and One Club Row in Shoreditch, Bambi is knocking through into an empty venue that sits behind its back wall. Bambi will close for refurbishment from Monday (12 January) and will reopen on Tuesday, 3 February as Bambi 2.0. The DJ booth and record wall is being pushed back to the new far wall and the expanded dining room will now accommodate 70 covers, including 16 on a new mezzanine level. Bambi’s outside area is also being expanded. As part of the redesign, the kitchen is being expanded and refurbished under the direction of Bambi’s new head chef Jamie Thorneycroft, who joined the restaurant in 2025. Thorneycroft, who grew up between Botswana and South Africa and was previously head chef at Lagom in London, will add new dishes to the menu as a result of a new charcoal grill as well as a dry ager. The bar will continue its wine list that champions low-intervention varieties from around the world alongside a short cocktail list.

 

Brownings the Bakers reports turnover and profit rise: Ayrshire-based craft baker Brownings the Bakers, which has six sites of its own, distributes through cafes and restaurants and produces the famous Kilmarnock Pie, has reported sales increased to £14,530,144 in the year to 31 March 2025 (2024: £13,946,000). Profit before tax rose to £823,665 from £577,291 the year before. The company said there was "ever-increasing demand for its products". But it added: "Many of the challenges as outlined in last year's report continued into 2025, with the sector suffering increases in raw ingredient costs, utility costs and overheads generally. Since the year-end, there have been the further challenge of wage cost increase due to the increase in the minimum national and living wage as well as the increase in national insurance." The business was founded in 1945 and is operated by the fourth generation – it is currently run by John Gall and Matthew Short.