Butcombe reports like-for-like sales up 9.7% across managed estate driven by accommodation and London sites: Butcombe Group, formerly Liberation Group, has reported a 9.7% increase in like-for-like sales across its managed pub estate for the year to 31 January 2026, driven by accommodation and its London sites, and boosted by a record festive trading period. The Jonathan Lawson-led business, which operates 118 pubs and inns, reported 12.5% like-for-like growth across its Butcombe Boutique Inns during the year, while its London pubs reported 11.6% like-for-like growth during the period. Butcombe Boutique Inns reported occupancy growth of 180 basis points year-on-year, delivering 76.8% occupancy rate. For the fortnight to 3 January 2026, the group reported an increase in like-for-like sales of 14.4%, with its managed estate delivering the group’s record highest week over the week including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and highest ever day on Christmas Day. The company reported 25.2% like-for-like growth across its UK tenanted business over the festive period. The company said its loyalty club continues to add “significant value” to the business, with 25.3% of sales now attached to loyalty, driven by year-on-year growth in loyalty customers of 21%. In its first full year of trading under the Butcombe Group name, the business reported like-for-like growth of 8% across its managed pub division including drink at 10.1%, food at 6.5% and accommodation at 5.3%. The company said its Channel Islands Liberation Pubs & Bars saw like-for-like growth of 3.5% “in a mature market”. On the back of “strong demand across the portfolio for its premium room offering”, the business has added another site to its Butcombe Boutique Inns portfolio, converting the Welldiggers Arms, Petworth, bringing the total up to 12. The group said further investment is now planned for the new financial year to further expand its number of Butcombe Boutique Inns. On key day parts, the company said morning sales were up 25.9% and weddings delivered 55% growth versus last year. The group also saw a strong performance for its Butcombe Brewing Co, with growth in the UK free trade up 21% for the Christmas and new year fortnight, with the performance of the no and low beer category up 63.9% for the year. Chief executive Jonathan Lawson said: “We are proud to see our managed pubs and inns evolve to meet changing customer needs, while staying true to the character that defines British pubs, which has helped us capture new occasions such as mornings and weddings. At the same time, our brewing and drinks business continues to perform strongly, supported by our core brands and a disciplined approach to innovation. As we look ahead, we remain confident that we are well positioned to sustain growth thanks to our brilliant pubs in ideal locations and unmatched guest experience.” 

 

Sponsored message – Square launches Square AI, helping UK small businesses ‘turn gut instinct into confident decisions’: Square has announced the UK launch of Square AI – a free, conversational artificial intelligence assistant built directly into the Square platform to help businesses “make clearer, faster decisions using their own data”. Already used by several UK operators during early access, a Square spokesperson said: “Square AI is designed for time-poor businesses that want answers without spending hours pulling reports. UK businesses currently spend an average of 4.3 hours a week analysing data and a further 2.3 hours on administration and reporting – time that could be better spent with customers or growing the business. Square AI delivers deeper, context-aware insights by combining a seller’s own performance data with relevant local factors such as weather, events and neighbourhood trends. For restaurants, that means understanding the impact of a wet weekend, a local football match or peak trading hours when planning staffing, inventory and promotions. Using simple, everyday language, operators can ask questions like ‘How do sales compare with last year?’ or ‘What’s selling best this week?’ and get instant answers. Free to use and requiring no technical setup, Square AI supports smarter day-to-day decisions without replacing human judgement, with particularly strong adoption across food and beverage businesses.” For more information, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club subscribers to receive two updated databases and all 49 videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator this week: Premium Club subscribers will receive two updated databases and all 49 videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (RMI) this week. The latest Propel UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database will be sent tomorrow (Wednesday, 11 February) at 12pm. The database will feature ten new additions plus updates to existing entries. The database now has 290 entries and more than 118,000 words of copy. Among the new entries four companies operating in the quick service restaurant sector – KFC franchisee FPG Food Retail, Burger King franchisee BKUK, Subway franchisee NV Subway and Papa John’s franchisee Rana Group. Premium Club subscribers will then receive all 49 videos from RMI on Friday (13 February), at 9am. Premium Club subscribers will also receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (13 February), at 12pm. The database will feature 35 new companies and 154 updated accounts. The database now features a total of 1,227 companies, with 758 in profit and 469 making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Premium Club subscribers will also receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (13 February), at 12pm. The database will feature 35 new companies and 154 updated accounts. The database now features a total of 1,227 companies, with 758 in profit and 469 making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to four other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel chief operating officer – editorial, Mark Wingett, and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Sir Tim Martin – ‘self-delusion is no longer tenable when it comes to loss of beer trade’: JD Wetherspoon founder Sir Tim Martin has told Propel the loss of beer trade is now so stark that “self-delusion is no longer tenable” as he urged the sector to get behind Reform’s proposals that in effect offer tax parity with supermarkets. As part of a five-point plan, Reform would reduce beer duty by 10% from its current 49p and cut the current 20% rate of VAT in half across the whole hospitality sector. The party has also committed to the staggered abolition of business rates for all pubs over the course of four years if Reform wins the next election. The cost of the overall package – rising from £2.29bn in the first year to £2.9bn in the fourth year according to Reform – would be fully funded by reinstating the two-child benefit cap. Sir Tim has said there was no question cutting VAT for the sector “would utterly transform the competitiveness of pubs”. Asked whether such a move by Reform puts hospitality front and centre as an election battleground, Sir Tim said: “It’s hard to say – a week is a long time in politics. Pubs are definitely dying – you can’t lose 50% of your beer trade to supermarkets and still be in a healthy state. There has been an enormous amount of denial in boardrooms, but the loss of beer trade is now so stark that self-delusion is no longer tenable.” Asked about what he thought about Reform’s other policies, Sir Tim told Propel: “I haven’t been following Reform’s policies in detail. I’ve been campaigning for tax equality for 15 years, so am pleased to see sensible economic ideas are gaining political traction. I think an equal tax regime for pubs and supermarkets is a no-brainier that makes economic sense. It’s been surprising how little support it’s had from the trade.” 

 

Northern cities spearheading growth in hospitality venue numbers: Northern cities are spearheading growth in hospitality venue numbers in the UK, according to new research. The findings by Northern Restaurant & Bar, in partnership with NIQ powered by CGA, revealed all five of the country’s fastest-growing hospitality cities are located in the north and Scotland. Newcastle emerges as the strongest-performing city overall, recording a 2.2% increase in licensed venues over the past year, followed by Chester (2.0%), York (0.9%), Glasgow (0.2%) and Leeds (0.2%). In contrast, cities including London (0.8%) and Birmingham (2.9%) declined over the same period. Traditional pubs continue to underpin this resilience – northern pubs recorded 0.5% growth in like-for-like sales. Consumer loyalty is also stronger in the north, with 39% of consumers regularly visiting traditional drinking pubs compared with 35% in the south. The data also highlighted regional differences in how consumers are responding to ongoing cost-of-living pressures. While concerns are more acute in the north, with 72% citing cost as a factor when deciding whether to go out compared with 61% in the south, northern consumers are prioritising quality over quantity when they do spend. Overall satisfaction with experience quality stands at 87% in the north compared with 82% in the south, with northern venues outperforming on cleanliness, menu range and speed of service, the research found.

Former Soho Coffee co-owner passes away: Chris Copner, former co-owner of Soho Coffee, has passed away. Copner acquired Soho Coffee with business partner Penny Manuel in 2006 and grew it from a four-store business based in the south west of England to a portfolio of more than 40 directly owned and franchised stores with an international footprint. The company, established in 1999, was acquired by the Qatari-backed BTC UK in 2015. Manuel posted a tribute to social media, saying: “I am very sorry to share with you the sad news that our dear friend and business partner, Chris Copner, passed away on 7 January. I share this with you on behalf of Chris's family, knowing that Chris touched many lives of those who worked in the hospitality industry. Chris was a well-respected senior director who had a career spanning Sutcliffe Catering, Granada Food Services, Little Chef and Travelodge, SSP UK and Compass Group. Always entrepreneurial, with a strong maverick streak, he moved away from corporate life in 2006, and together we built the Soho Coffee business into an international brand, spanning travel, retail, leisure and healthcare. Exiting the business in 2023, Chris continued to develop new business opportunities while enjoying spending time with his family of whom he was so proud. Sending deepest condolences to Chris's family, friends and colleagues.”

 

Hospitality Rides sets £500,000 fundraising target as it prepares for Cuba challenge: Hospitality Rides – sister event to Pedalling 2 Pubs and flagship fundraising event for the Licensed Trade Charity and Only A Pavement Away – has set a £500,000 fundraising target as it prepares to take on an epic challenge in Cuba. Led by ride founder and KAM managing director Katy Moses, 30 hospitality industry leaders will take on the annual industry cycle challenge from 18-26 April in a 400km cycle across the Caribbean island. Riders will embark on a challenging route from the Bay of Pigs to Santa Maria. The annual fundraiser, now in its fifth year, was highly commended at the RMI Awards 2025 for best community/charity initiative. Fundraising efforts both from individual riders and wider industry events are already well underway. Moses said: “As we look ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a challenging year for the hospitality sector. If your company is in a position to make a meaningful difference, we are still seeking corporate sponsors for Hospitality Rides 2026. Your support will champion our riders as they take on the 400km challenge across Cuba, while strengthening the essential work of two incredible industry charities.” For more details, email katy@kaminsight.com.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a UK B Corp drinks businesses that is looking for a sales director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven track record in sales leadership within the beverage industry, particularly in the alcohol or drinks sector. They will lead a sales team, cultivate relationships with key clients, and ensure the brand's continued success in a competitive market. This role will cover both on and off-trade responsibilities.” This national position offers a salary of up to £75,000. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com

 

Former Bel and The Dragon owners secure £10m of funding for new ‘countryside hangouts’ venture: Joel Cadbury, co-founder of Beaverbrook, the exclusive hotel, spa and golf club in the Surrey Hills near Leatherhead and the former owner of Bel and The Dragon, has secured £10m of funding for his new venture called Mad Swans, which is described as “countryside hangouts for mavericks”. The loan from OakNorth enables further development of the group's two flagship sites. Cadbury and long-time business partner Ollie Vigor, who sold the then six-strong Bel & The Dragon business to Fuller’s for £18.5m in summer 2018, launched the new venture, which combines eco-cabin stays, 12-hole golf, padel, pickleball, a driving range, putt patch, darts and a restaurant, in the Mendip Hills. Situated on the former Farrington Park Golf Club, the venue houses two restaurants with menus inspired by multi-Michelin starred chef Ollie Dabbous – The Potting Shed (modern countryside dining with produce-led menus) and The Hangout (casual pizzas, desserts, cocktails and alcohol-free serves). A second Mad Swans site – Mad Swans in the South Downs, located at the former Blacknest Golf & Country Club in Hampshire – will open this summer. The loan marks OakNorth’s third transaction with Cadbury and Vigors following previous support for Bel & The Dragon and Beaverbrook. 

 

Cornish Bakery to make Welsh debut as it unveils six new locations, including largest ever site: Fast-growing independent brand Cornish Bakery is to make its Welsh debut as it unveils six new locations, including its largest ever site. The group’s upcoming opening in Betws-y-Coed, North Wales, in April will not only be Cornish Bakery’s first site in the country, but also the company’s biggest ever bakery. The opening will also be the first opening under its new “RISE by Cornish Bakery” concept, which, as revealed last week, will expand its traditional coffee and bakery offerings to include small plates. Guests will be able to enjoy Cornish beer and wine in the licensed bakeries alongside the enhanced menu, while the locations will feature larger, more immersive spaces. The second “RISE by Cornish Bakery” site will also open in April, within a new two storey property at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, which will feature a large orangery and outdoor terrace. The existing Cornish Bakery takeaway kiosk in the centre of Gunwharf Quays will continue to operate. These llaunches will be preceded by openings of more traditional Cornish Bakery sites in Newbury and Lincoln next month, and will be followed by new locations in Wells, in April, and Witney, in May. A total of £3.5m will be invested across the new locations, alongside a further £500,000 dedicated to refurbishing four existing bakeries in West Bay, Lyme Regis, Ambleside and Bourton on the Water. Cornish Bakery managing director Mat Finch said, “2026 is set to be quite the year for us. We’re already punching through record takings and profit figures week-on-week. We also have many more already in planning.” Last week, Cornish Bakery reported a 24% increase in sales to £36.4m for the year ending 30 May 2025, showing a 32% increase in Ebitda of £4.5m. Finch will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, which is open for bookings. Finch will talk about how the business has become one of the UK’s most compelling retail success stories – a brand that proves craft, culture and commercial performance don’t need to live in separate rooms, and how it has evolved from a regional favourite into a nationally admired operator. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Park Plaza, Victoria. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Former TRG duo’s Scottish hospitality group secures sixth venue, eyes further sites as it sees ‘strong’ like-for-like growth: Lomond Leisure Group, led by former The Restaurant Group (TRG) duo Derek Mallon and Chris Thynne, has secured its sixth venue – and is eyeing further sites as it sees “strong” like-for-like growth. The company has acquired the lease of Kilderkin on The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, which is part of the Heineken-owned Star Pubs estate. The pub will undergo a joint £170,000 revamp and be renamed The Parliament Arms to reflect its location and new offer. The pub, which is Lomond Leisure’s third with Star Pubs, is scheduled to open in mid-March. Having added three new venues to its portfolio since the start of 2025, Lomond Leisure is now considering expansion in areas that attract tourists. Places such as Edinburgh, the north of Scotland and St Andrews are on its radar, in addition to destination spots in northern England. Thynne said: “We’re seeing strong like-for-like sales growth at our venues, giving us confidence to increase our group. We believe there’s a market for delivering great quality food, drink and hospitality. This is helped by our focus on local produce, as consumers have a new level of interest in sustainably sourced ingredients. When it comes to expansion, we’re ambitious but cautious; we’re not in any rush and won’t compromise. Location is everything for us and new sites will have to fit our business model.” Lomond Leisure also operates Gael & Grain, Van Winkle and Mharsanta in Glasgow; Kirk O’The Lochs in Tarbet; and The Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh. Mallon spent 14 years with TRG, from 2001 to 2015, in roles including operations manager, operations director, deputy manager director and managing director for brands such as Frankie & Benny’s, Coast to Coast, Filling Station and Joe’s Kitchen. Thynne spent 16 years with TRG, from 2004 to 2020, in roles including operations manager and director of operations small brands.

 

Midlands Nashville hot chicken concept Hotville set to open six new sites as it reports record sales: Midlands Nashville hot chicken concept Hotville is set to open six new sites as it reported record sales. Hotville, which currently has five stores in Leicester, Birmingham and Nottingham, enjoyed its highest-ever performing week between Christmas and new year, driven by delivery sales on UberEats. Ali Rajani, Hotville co-founder, said: “We have an exclusive delivery agreement with UberEats for our current sites and were thrilled to hear we achieved our record result for a week of orders on the platform. It’s exciting but our plans don’t stop there! 2026 will be a year of significant growth for Hotville, and we are now inviting franchise applications as a response to continued customer demand. Our experienced team is now ready to support new franchisees set up and run their own successful Hotville take away sites in strategic locations across the UK.” Hotville is set to open three more stores in the coming months, with a further three in the pipeline. Franchisees will receive full training, support with site sourcing, store fit out and turn-key opening of stores in addition to professional marketing. Hotville said franchisees benefit from a fully tested business model, with a return on investment of between 16 and 24 months. In October, Hotville, which was founded in 2021, said it was targeting 100-plus locations in key locations across the UK.

 

Punch to make multimillion-pound investment in former McMullen’s sites: Punch Pubs & Co, the Fortress-backed operator of circa 1,300 community pubs, is set to make a multimillion-pound investment in the 30 pubs it acquired last week from McMullen’s. The deal saw McMullen’s exit the leased and tenanted sector and saw Punch acquire 27 tenanted pubs and three smaller managed sites for an undisclosed sum. Tom McMullen, joint managing director of McMullen’s, told The Comet the deal would “help protect the long-term future” of the pubs, with Punch Pubs set to make a multimillion-pound investment into the sites. He said: “The buyer of the 30 pubs, which are mainly operated by tenants, has indicated a willingness to invest £4m in them, which should help protect their long-term future.” The full list of sold pubs is: The Steamer and The Tavern in Welwyn; the Hatfield Tap and Sibthorpe Arms in Hatfield; The Almond Tree, Old Town Bar and Royal Oak in Stevenage; The Globe in Codicote; The Great Eastern Tavern, Millstream, The Greyhound, Lord Haig, and Dog & Whistle in Hertford; the Spread Eagle and Rose & Crown in Ware; The Sebright, Queens Arms and Kings Head in Barnet; the Wheatsheaf, Welsh Harp and Horseshoes in Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross; The Orange Tree and George IV in Sawbridgeworth; The Greyhound and The Owl in Enfield & Epping; The Stag in Chorleywood; The White Hart in Puckeridge; the Windsor Castle in Finchley; the Builder's Arms in Potters Bar; and The Shark in Harlow.

 

Starbucks hires Martin McTigue as new regional director of operations: Starbucks UK has hired Martin McTigue, formerly of Stonegate Group and Nando’s, as its new regional director of operations. McTigue joins Starbucks UK after almost seven years at Stonegate, including three and a half years as operations director. He also spent more than three years as a regional managing director at Nando’s. He also spent time at Greene King and Punch. At Starbucks, he will lead the brand’s central England division. His appointment follows that of Victoria Robertson, formerly of SSP and Aubaine Restaurants, who joined Starbucks UK as its new marketing director in September. At the end of January, Starbucks said it was planning to open thousands more coffee shops around the world and make them more inviting places to linger, even as competitors focus on speedy drive-through and mobile order options. Starbucks intends to add more than 2,000 stores globally in fiscal year 2028, chief financial officer Cathy Smith said at an investor event. That would be more than three times the sum planned this year and mark a return to growth after Starbucks shuttered hundreds of poorly performing stores in September. 

 

Dave’s Hot Chicken lines up debut site in Wales: Dave’s Hot Chicken, the US brand that is being rolled out in the UK by the Azzurri Group, has lined up an opening in Cardiff’s St Mary Street for its debut in Wales. The brand, which opened its eighth UK site last week, in Leicester, is set to take over the former Play Music Today site on the corner of St Mary Street and Caroline Street. Dave’s Hot Chicken, which will open in Sheffield and Bristol by the end of March, has also lined up openings in Dublin and Liverpool, as it looks to have 15 sites opened here by the end of June. In September, Azzurri signed an exclusive agreement to roll out Dave’s Hot Chicken across Europe and develop a minimum of 180 Dave’s Hot Chicken restaurants across ten European countries, including Portugal, Spain and Germany. It came off the back of the agreement Azzurri signed in summer 2024 to open 60 locations across the UK and Ireland under the US brand.

 

Wingstop UK ups presence in Scotland, opens in Derby, secures Manchester Arndale site: Wingstop UK, which is backed by US private equity firm Sixth Street, has continued with its plans to grow to as many as 200 sites within the next five years with new openings in Scotland and Derby, and with a site secured in Manchester’s Arndale centre. The 88-strong brand has opened its seventh site in Scotland, in Dunfermline. Located in the newly renovated Fife Leisure Park, the new 3,208 square-foot site comprises more than 94 covers. At the same time, the business opened in Derby’s Derbion Shopping Centre. The new 1,679 square-foot site has opened next to the Food Terrace on Level Two of the scheme and comprises 70 covers. Wingstop UK has also agreed a five-year lease to occupy the 5,928 square-foot former YO! Sushi unit at the Arndale Centre in Manchester. On the Derby opening, Chris Sherriff, chief executive at Wingstop UK, said: “Wingstop UK expanded significantly last year and our new site in Derby is a continuation of that growth. The city has a great energy, and with Derbion standing out as the East Midlands’ go-to destination for shopping, food and leisure, it feels like the perfect home for us.”

 

Honest Greens hires James Powell as vice-president of operations: Honest Greens, the Spain-based healthy fast-casual restaurant brand which made its UK debut in December, has hired James Powell, formerly of Leon, the healthy fast-food business, as its new vice-president of operations. Powell spent six years at Leon, including two and a half years as its operations director. He also had stints at HMSHost, Sourced Market and TGP International. Propel revealed last November that Honest Greens, which operates from 30 locations across major cities in Spain and Portugal, had secured its first UK site in St Anne’s Court, Soho. The company is known as Hg in the UK. Last year, Honest Greens secured new investment to support its goal to “transform the dining landscape across Europe” from Act III Holdings, the investment firm led by Ron Shaich – the founder and former chairman and chief executive of Panera Bread.

 

Rockfish to open long-awaited Sidmouth site this spring: Seafood restaurant group Rockfish is to open a long-awaited restaurant in Sidmouth, Devon, this spring. The restaurant, which was originally set to open last summer, will open in the town’s Drill Hall at Port Royal, and comprise 88 covers internally and sizeable outdoor terrace overlooking the seafront. Sidmouth will become the group’s 11th restaurant and it also operates a café in Budleigh. Rockfish founder Mitch Tonks said: “Sidmouth feels like a natural home for Rockfish – right on the seafront, with a real sense of place and community – and we’re excited to become part of it. Everything we do is led by what’s coming into Brixham Market each day, so our menus are always seasonal and at their very best. Opening our 11th restaurant here gives us another chance to share that way of cooking and keep championing British seafood in a way that’s honest and responsible and hopefully get more people enjoying what’s caught in our own waters.” The Sidmouth launch follows a run of recent openings elsewhere on the south coast, including in Salcombe and Lyme Regis. In December, the business reported turnover increased 6.5% to £15m for the year ending 30 April 2025 compared with £14.1m the previous year.

 

Indian gastropub operator Soho Tavern acquires ninth site: Indian gastropub operator Soho Tavern Group has acquired its ninth site – in Leicester. The company has added The Counting House on the city’s Freemans Leisure Park to its growing portfolio. Soho Tavern has acquired the long leasehold of the site from Greene King. Last month, Soho Tavern acquired the Berry Brook Farm in Wednesfield on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. The deal followed the opening of its seventh venue – the former Greene King-owned Old School House pub site in Mere Green – at the end of last year. The company, which was founded in 2014 by brothers Mikey and Danny Singh, is also progressing on a site in Leeds. Mikey Singh said: “Leicester is officially counted in as Soho Taverns’ ninth site, marking another important milestone in our continued growth. As part of our plans, we’re focused on establishing a strong match day presence, with the ambition of becoming the go to destination for both Leicester Tigers and Leicester City supporters, delivering an elevated food, drink, and atmosphere-led experience.” WTS Property Consultants acted for Greene King on the Leicester deal.

 

Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers opens second site for bakery business: Tom Sellers, the Michelin-starred chef, has opened a second site under the West Sussex-based Gwyn’s Bakery business, which he acquired last summer. Launched in Horsham by Ben Lines in 2020, Propel revealed last year that Gwyn’s Bakery had become part of Sellers’s HiStory Hospitality group. HiStory Hospitality also consists of London venues the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Story in London Bridge, Story Cellar in Covent Garden, Dovetale in Mayfair and events company Once Upon a Time. Gwyn’s is an artisan bakery known for its “exceptional sourdough bread and pastries, while its cinnamon buns, inspired by both American and Swedish styles and made over a 48-hour process, have become the bakery’s signature”. The business has now opened a smaller, second location in Horsham, in the town’s Queen Street.

 

Lincolnshire holiday park operator gets go-ahead for seventh site: Lincolnshire holiday park operator Seaside Leisure Parks has been given the go-ahead for its seventh site in the county. The company, which has sites in Skegness and Ingoldmells, sought permission for holiday lodges on a large pasture field to the east side of Croft Lane, Croft. The proposal was originally submitted for 33 holiday lodges but was amended during consultation to 30, with decking positioned around a commercial fishing lake which would be excavated centrally within the site. The application has been approved by East Lindsey District Council, reports Insider Media.

 

Langan’s and Chucs owner to open new restaurant in London’s Chelsea, gym concept secures first overseas site: The owner of Chucs and Langan’s is to open a new restaurant in London’s Chelsea. Graziano Arricale, who is behind Italian-inspired restaurant and cafe brand Chucs and relaunched Langan’s Brasserie with James Hitchen, founder of hospitality group East Coast Concepts, is to open the new 5,000 square-foot restaurant in the Sixty Sloane development. The mixed-use development, which is owned by Bain Capital and CIT, is now close to full occupancy, with its final retail unit under offer. Luxury private members health club KX has committed to an additional 7,000 square-foot at the scheme, while premium swim school operator GetSetSwim has signed up to open in the development, for its fourth location overall. Arricale, chief executive of KX, said: “We are delighted to significantly expand our presence within Sixty Sloane as part of our continued commitment to setting the standard for world-leading wellness. This expansion allows us to enhance the experience we offer our members, while reinforcing our long-term belief in this location and its growing role at the heart of London’s wellness community.” Savills acts on Sixty Sloane. At the same time, Arricale will open the first international site for KXU, his premier boutique gym and medi-spa concept, in Seef, Bahrain, in the final quarter of the year, in partnership with One Eleven Holding. KXU was launched in 2017 as the sister venue to the exclusive KX private members’ health club in Chelsea.

 

Sheffield bakery and cafe business launches new location within city centre pub: Sheffield bakery and café business Forge Bakehouse has launched a new location within a city centre pub. The company has shops and cafes in Abbeydale Road, Beauchief, Lodge Moor, Sheffield station, Ecclesall Road and Dronfield as well as a collaboration at The Forum in Sheffield city centre. Forge Bakehouse has now developed a new partnership with True North Brew Co, which has seen it take over the kitchen at The Old Grindstone in Crookes, reports Insider Media. Forge Bakehouse owner Liva Guest said: “This is an exciting new development for the Forge team. As we take over the kitchen at the Old Grindstone, there will be True North's great drinks and vibe, but now we'll also be serving Forge Bakehouse food. We aim to add breakfast to the menu once we are firmly established.” Last summer, the company opened its Ecclesall Road site with a new concept, Deli by Forge Bakehouse, selling the full range of Forge Bakehouse products as well as a selection of locally sourced goods.

 

Bart & Taylor opens cocktail bar in London’s Covent Garden: Bart & Taylor Collection, which operates sites in the south east and north of England, has opened a new cocktail bar in London’s Covent Garden. The group has partnered with award-winning bartender and drinks author Angelos Bafas to open the New York City-inspired cocktail bar Cato at 17 Mercer Street in Seven Dials. The 2,200 square-foot, 100-cover space is spread across two floors and takes inspiration from Alexander Cato, the world’s first celebrity bartender. On the ground floor, The House of Julep serves as an entry point centred around the julep – the cocktail Cato made famous in the 1800s. In the basement, Cato offers a “more intimate setting” built around its main cocktail menu. Signature drinks include Brown (blending Scotch whiskies with foraged medlar and mushroom spirit, brown vermouth, fermented wild mushrooms and smoked Cornish tea); Green (made with pod pea vodka, Norfolk shiso, south Devon jalapeño liqueur, dry vermouth and gooseberry brine); and Yellow (featuring chamomile spirit, foraged sweet clover, yellow jun and dried meadowsweet). Completing the venue, Cato’s Study acts as a creative laboratory, with a communal table hosting masterclasses, pop-ups and experimental serves. Food at Cato features “elevated American classics” including fried oysters alongside burgers and toasties.

 

Edinburgh restaurant group to open fourth site: Edinburgh restaurant group Òir Group is to open its fourth site in the city. The group, which already owns and operates The Captain Darling in Stockbridge, Lucky Yu in Broughton Street and Bodega in Leith Walk, will later this month launch Uncle Tiger in Bristo Place – offering a “rotating line-up of Asian flavours” and “changing its culinary destination every six weeks”. The opening menu, Hong Kong Nights, takes inspiration from the city’s street-food culture, with dishes designed for sharing, prepared by local chef Cameron Laidlaw. Uncle Tiger is expected to create 30 jobs and will offer seating for around 100 customers, while for smaller groups, a former shipping container at the back of the venue has been transformed into a private dining space for up to 14 people. During the day, the restaurant’s front window will also house a bao bun station, operating daily. John Howard, owner and director of Òir Group, said: “When we saw the site, we knew that we needed to look at a different format to what we have done elsewhere and treating it more like an event space gives us enormous creative flexibility. It allows us to keep things fresh and exciting, giving guests a reason to return for something new every time.”

 

Wendy’s and Slim Chickens franchisee launches apprenticeship programme at his four-star Buckinghamshire hotel: Wendy’s and Slim Chickens franchisee Karim Kassam has launched an apprenticeship programme at his four-star Buckinghamshire hotel, Horwood House. Kassam is a director of JRK Group, which has five Wendy’s sites and five Slim Chickens sites in the south east. He is also the managing director of Horwood House near Milton Keynes, and the founder of Ziz Hospitality, which acquired the De Vere Horwood Estate from Starwood Capital for £15.5m in 2019. Horwood House has now partnered with Milton Keynes College Group to mark National Apprenticeship Week by launching a new apprenticeship programme. The partnership will initially focus on two apprentice roles, a maintenance assistant and a commis chef. Kassam said: “We’re all committed to helping the youth of Milton Keynes to secure jobs and learn skills that will help them in their careers and their life progression. The hospitality sector offers many transferable skills, such as problem-solving and working in a team, and we’re happy to train, pass on knowledge and mentor, bringing out the full potential of our young workforce.” In the year to 31 December 2024, Ziz Enterprises reported turnover of £9,272,799 (2023: £8,050,006) and a pre-tax profit of £737,983 (2023: £391,491). The company also refinanced with a new lender, repaying its initial purchase and development loans as well as a £3m Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme facility. JRK Group has been a Slim Chickens franchisee since 2020 and a Wendy’s franchisee since 2023.

 

Merseyside operator to open new restaurant: Merseyside operator Baris Coskuncay is to open a new restaurant in the region. Coskuncay, who is behind Casa Roni in Allerton and Casa Rima in Halewood, will open Casa Roni in Newtown Gardens, Kirkby. Coskuncay said: “I’m delighted to bring my offer to Kirkby later this year. Casa Roni will offer not only amazing food and drinks, but it will also provide a modern and contemporary space to meet, eat, drink and socialise.”