Exclusive – Urban Pubs & Bars acquires Albion & East, like-for-like sales up 8.7% since May as sales approach £100m over past 12 months: Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, has completed the acquisition of Albion & East, the Imbiba-backed group of all-day venues across the capital, Propel has learned. The Albion & East business comprises four London venues: Teatro Hall in Ealing, Canova Hall in Brixton, Botanica Hall in Clapham Junction and Serata Hall in the City of London. Urban Pubs and Bars previously acquired Martello Hall from Albion and East in January, investing into the site before relaunching it as The London Fields in February. All existing Albion & East team members will join the Urban Pubs and Bars family. Chris Hill, managing director of Urban Pubs & Bars, said: “Albion & East is a business we’ve long admired. Their venues share our passion for great design, fresh, high-quality food and drink, and genuine neighbourhood hospitality. We’re delighted to welcome their teams into the Urban family and look forward to supporting these outstanding venues through their next chapter.” It follows several other openings and acquisitions since the start of Urban Pubs & Bars’ new financial year in May. These include St John’s Tavern in Archway, The Marlborough Head in Covent Garden, The Bald Faced Stag in East Finchley, The Highbury Barn Tavern and Bat and Ball in Covent Garden. It comes as Urban Pubs & Bars reported that trading across its business remains materially ahead of the market, with like-for-like sales of 8.7% since the start of its financial year in May, and with sales approaching £100m in the last 12 months. Propel revealed in March that Albion & East founder Sarah Weir had left the business to set up her own marketing and design agency, Every Small Story. Weir, a former marketing director at Mitchells & Butlers and operations director at Davy’s of London, founded Albion & East in 2016 to grow an estate of urban bars located in London “villages”. In the year to 25 June 2024, Albion & East reported turnover for the year was flat at £8.7m (2023: £8.7m), while the loss for the period, after taxation, amounted to £481,663 (2023: loss of £921,882).

 

Gail’s co-founder and CEO Tom Molnar to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Tom Molnar, co-founder and chief executive of the fast-growing Gail’s, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Molnar will talk about the hard-won lessons from scaling a craft bakery into a nationwide success without sacrificing quality or creativity. He will also discuss the leadership principles that have helped the business – which came top in the inaugural Profit Growth Tracker with the strongest growth in the UK over the past three years – thrive as it celebrates its 20th year. The all-day conference takes place on Wednesday, 5 November, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington. 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.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database and videos from Culture, Talent & Training Conference tomorrow: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database tomorrow (Friday, 31 October), at 12pm. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,474 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 1,001 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 798 (23%) pub and bar operators, 602 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 487 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 283 (8%) hotel operators, 229 (7%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 20 new companies. The database includes new companies in the casual dining sector include premium Indian vegetarian restaurant business Saravanaa Bhavan, West Country all-day Indian street food restaurant Bandook, and chef Josh Eggleton’s “modern, veg-led, sharing plates” concept Root. Premium Club subscribers will also receive all the videos from the Culture, Talent & Training Conference tomorrow, at 9am. They include Abi Dunn, founder of Sixty Eight People, talking to Brother Marcus co-founder Alex Large and its head of people, JB Hall, about the role of a founder in creating culture, the crucial relationship between a founder and the people function, and how they see the culture developing as the group grows. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee 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 group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Delivery sales rise but takeaways dip in flat September for restaurants’ at-home sales: A slump in takeaway sales offset sharp growth in deliveries to leave Britain’s top restaurant groups with flat like-for-like sales in September, CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at Home Tracker reveals. Combined deliveries and takeaways were just 0.4% ahead of September 2024 on a comparative basis. It extends a challenging year that has seen like-for-like trading run behind the rate of inflation in every month so far, mirroring flat or negative figures for restaurants dine-in sales throughout 2025. September’s delivery sales were 4.1% ahead on a like-for-like basis. In sharp contrast, takeaway and click-and-collect sales dropped 8.7%, reflecting consumers’ steady migration from food pick-ups to straight-to-door ordering platforms. However, managed groups continue to drive overall sales by extending their at-home services. Total growth, including from newly opened restaurants, or where deliveries and takeaways have been introduced for the first time, were 8.7% ahead year-on-year. Takeaways and click-and-collect orders accounted for 5.1 pence in every pound spent with restaurants in September, while deliveries attracted 13.1 pence. This figure has increased by more than two percentage points in just two years. Karl Chessell, director hospitality operators and food, EMEA at CGA by NIQ, said: “The total increase in restaurants’ at-home sales is an encouraging sign of solid demand for deliveries and takeaways. But it’s clear that growth is being largely driven by new delivery provision and higher menu prices rather than order frequency, and inflation and third-party delivery fees are both sapping operators’ profit margins. They will be hoping for a Christmas bounce and some respite on costs in the government’s forthcoming Budget, but the environment for both eat-in and at-home trading is going to remain difficult for some time to come.”

 

Hospitality leaders warn against Dumfries & Galloway tourist tax: Hospitality leaders in Dumfries & Galloway have warned against a proposed tourist tax in the region. An open letter, co-signed by leading employers from across the region, has this week been submitted to Dumfries & Galloway Council, saying the proposed levy would discourage overnight stays and risk jobs in one of the region’s most vital industries. The business leaders said even a small levy would make Dumfries & Galloway less competitive, particularly against nearby English destinations like Carlisle and the Lake District, which have no such charge. Stephen Montgomery, Scottish Hospitality Group director and owner of Our Place restaurant in Annan, said: “Dumfries & Galloway’s visitor economy is rural, seasonal and highly price sensitive. The introduction of a levy designed for large city markets like Edinburgh or Glasgow makes no sense here. A levy will make our region less competitive and send the wrong message at a time when we should be focused on recovery and growth. Let’s call this what it is, a tax on visitors, businesses and local jobs.” Earlier this year, Bristol launched a feasibility study into a potential “tourist tax” for the city, while Liverpool is considering whether to adopt a proposed charge on visitors. Birmingham is currently re-investigating whether to introduce a tax on overnight visitors, while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has said he wants to see the city centre’s optional city visitor charge replaced by a compulsory fee. Edinburgh is set to become the first Scottish city to introduce a “tourist tax” when it comes into effect next summer, while the Welsh Senedd’s finance committee has launched a consultation into a similar levy in Wales.

 

Tom Kerridge’s gastropub concept and Adam Handling's Cornish restaurant among 24 additions to Michelin Guide for October: Tom Kerridge’s gastropub concept The Chalk Freehouse, which opened in London’s Chelsea in June in place of The Butchers Tap, and chef Adam Handling's Cornish restaurant Ugly Butterfly, which opened in its new home of The Headland Hotel in Newquay in July, are among 24 additions to the Michelin Guide for October. They are joined by Stevie Parle’s Town venue in London’s Drury Lane that launched in May, and Don’t Tell Dad, the neighbourhood bakery in Queen’s Park in the capital from Daniel Land, co-founder of Italian food-to-go brand Coco di Mama. London makes up nine of the additions, with sushi bar Eel, from the team behind the Michelin-starred Dorian in London’s Notting Hill, Dogus International Group’s Il Gatto Pardo and Lai Rai, the Vietnamese café and cocktail bar in Peckham from the team behind the Banh Banh Vietnamese Bar & Kitchen restaurants in Peckham, Brixton and Fleet Street, included. Also from the capital are Myrtos, the first solo restaurant from Asimakis Chaniotis, former executive chef of Michelin-starred Pied a Terre; British restaurant Pippin’s at the Miiro hotel in Earl's Court; and Rogues, the venture from former Galvin Brothers chefs Freddie Sheen and Zac Whittle. Manchester has two additions – Bangkok Diners Club and Stow. Elsewhere in England, the new entries are Bellota in Bury St Edmunds, Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton in Rimington, the Greyhound Inn in Pettistree, LI~LY by Aiden Byrne in Knutsford, Thomas Carr At The Coast in Scarborough and Tom Lawson at the Psalter in Sheffield. There are three additions from Scotland – Barry Fish and Dùthchas, both in Edinburgh, and the Coorie Inn in Muthill. The Pullman in Galway and Amai by Viktor in Dublin make up the new entries from Ireland while Wales has one addition, The Bryntirion Inn in Bala.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a beer brand that is seeking a brand manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will be responsible for the day-to-day marketing of the brand, brand strategy, budget management, activations and the overall digital success. The brand manager will be integral to business growth and have a ‘hands on’ attitude.” The role is hybrid and based out of a London office, with regular expectations to attend events and trade shows. The salary is up to £60,000. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com

 

Harry Ramsden’s to open first new site since being acquired by Deep Blue Restaurants in 2019: Harry Ramsden’s will this weekend open its first new site since being acquired by Deep Blue Restaurants in 2019. The restaurant will open in Pembridge Road in London’s Notting Hill on Saturday, 1 November. The last Harry Ramsden’s launch was a franchise opening at Resorts World Genting, Malaysia, in 2019. On opening day, the Notting Hill site will offer classic fish and chips for just 7p, the same price Harry Ramsden charged when he opened his first shop in 1928. The deal will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limited number of portions served from opening. Deep Blue Restaurants said the Notting Hill opening “represents an important step in the brand’s evolution as it enters a new era while staying true to its roots”. Chief executive James Fleming said: “It’s exciting to bring Harry Ramsden’s to Notting Hill, one of London’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. We can’t wait to welcome guests through the door.” Fleming was hired as Deep Blue’s chief executive in May after James Low stepped down. Last month, Deep Blue signed a deal to launch Harry Ramsden’s meals in Morrisons, and earlier this year, secured a franchise deal for Harry Ramsden’s to be offered to ferry passengers travelling on DFDS routes between Dover and Calais and Dover and Dunkirk. In July, Deep Blue – which also owns the Deep Blue and Fish & Chips @ 149 brands – said it had disposed of more of its Deep Blue branded restaurants as part of a strategic disposal programme as it focuses on the growth of Harry Ramsden’s. At the same time, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £3,637,634 in 2023 decreased to a loss of £2,226,913. The company’s Ebitda grew from £2.1m to £2.2m and revenue was down from £25,370,235 to £22,880,136.

 

Inn Collection aiming to grow to 40 sites and secure double-digit growth over the next five years: The Inn Collection is aiming to grow to 40 sites and secure double-digit growth over the next five years. The company, which currently has 31 locations, secured a £125m refinancing through HSBC earlier this year to “provide room for future growth”. Currently operating pubs with rooms across northern England and North Wales, the company said it now plans to grow its footprint to more than 40 locations over the next five years. It is targeting double-digit growth over the same period, which will support an expansion of its workforce from 1,300 to more than 2,000 employees. Joe Bernhoeft, chief financial officer at The Inn Collection Group, said: “Staying true to our roots, we always aim to celebrate traditional British pub culture whilst providing comfort and welcoming spaces across the country. We are looking forward to this next stage of company growth as we continue to expand across the UK and provide sites that are warm and full of character.” Last week, Propel exclusively revealed that Sean Donkin is to step down as chief executive of The Inn Collection Group at the end of this year after deciding to explore opportunities outside the business. Over the past seven years, he has overseen the growth of the group from eight pubs with rooms to an award winning 31-strong, circa £65m-turnover business. When the £125m refinancing was first announced in August, Donkin told Propel that the company would await more certainty before going into new areas. He added: “We’re based in Newcastle, and any future areas we go into would ideally be within one or two hours in terms of travel.”

Cambridgeshire bakery business set to double its footprint with five new sites, overfunding on £200,000 fundraise: Cambridgeshire bakery business Stir has said it is set to double its footprint with five new sites and is overfunding on a £200,000 fundraise. Stir, founded by Matt and Judith Harrison in 2015, currently operates five sites – Marvin’s in Cambridge, Stir Café and Stir Bakery in Chesterton, plus Stir Cafés in Histon and Cherry Hinton. The company launched a £200,000 fundraise to help fund its expansion on crowdfunding platform Republic Europe earlier this month. With a week left, Stir has raised almost £267,000 from circa 120 investors, who have been offered 5.27% equity, giving the company a pre-money valuation of £4.8m. Giving up update, Matt said: “I'll address a question I have been asked a lot through this campaign – how 'real' are our plans for new sites? I'll start by saying that I don't want to curse any discussions we've been having by saying too much, too soon, and have to respect confidentiality around some of the deals too. Firstly, I can confirm we have agreements in place for a second location on the Addenbrooke's campus (more of a 'grab and go' unit this time) and a new-build cafe location close to the centre of Cambridge (I can't name the specific development just yet). We also have an outline agreement for a new Stir cafe in a large village to the south of Cambridge. This is moving fast and we hope to be in a position to formally announce it in the next few weeks. We are also in confidential discussions to take over two sites in Cambridge currently run by other operators – one would probably be a Marvin's and one a Stir.”

 

London operator Signature Hotels acquired by Grand Metropolitan Hotels: London operator Signature Hotels has been acquired by Grand Metropolitan Hotels, marking its expansion into the UK and India. The Zurich-headquartered group said the deal strengthens its upscale hotel portfolio and broadens its presence across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, south east Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Signature Hotels operates four boutique and upper-midscale properties across London, with two additional openings scheduled within the next year. The acquisition also gives Grand Metropolitan Hotels entry into India’s fast-growing hotel market, where Signature has two projects under development. “Signature Hotels offers a powerful combination of local credibility and international ambition,” said Martin Smura, founder and chairman of Grand Metropolitan Hotels. “London remains one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world, and Signature’s operational strength there, coupled with its ties to India, provides Grand Metropolitan Hotels with an immediate and meaningful platform for growth.” Following the deal, Ramesh Arora, chief executive of Signature Hotels, joins the supervisory board of Grand Metropolitan Hotels. He said: “This partnership brings together two family businesses with aligned values and a shared belief in hospitality as a force for good. By joining Grand Metropolitan Hotels, we strengthen our ability to grow internationally while staying true to our purpose of delivering authentic, locally inspired experiences.” Grand Metropolitan Hotels said it will integrate Signature Hotels’ operational and management teams into its existing structure. The Signature brand will remain part of Grand Metropolitan Hotels’ portfolio and evolve as a boutique lifestyle label within the group’s expanding ecosystem of independent hotel brands. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

Thai noodle bar brand Khao-Sō-i to make UK debut next month: Thai noodle bar brand Khao-Sō-i is to make its UK debut next mionth, on the former EL&N site in Market Place. The site in London’s Fitzrovia – the brand’s first international outpost – will launch on Wednesday, 12 November. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Win Srinavakool and Por Haruethai Noicharoen, the brand began life as a 25-cover neighbourhood noodle bar in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. Khao-Sō-I’s success saw expansion into Bangkok, and its Fitzrovia location follows a sold-out pop-up in London in October 2024, where the team served more than 500 guests each day. The new 40-cover restaurant will “showcase the bold flavours and vibrant culture of Northern Thailand, from cherished family recipes to iconic street-food classics”. Srinavakool said: “We started Khao-Sō-i with one goal, to create the perfect bowl of Khao Soi that the world will come to know and love. Fitzrovia is the next step in that story, and we’re excited to bring the flavours of Northern Thailand to the heart of London.” The restaurant’s eponymous dish will be available in several variations, crafted from a treasured 20-year family recipe and made with fresh egg noodles, 32 Thai spices and house-pressed coconut milk. Other menu highlights include the signature Beef Nong Lye & Bai Pye, a pairing of slow-braised beef shank and flame-seared sliced beef. A concise wine list focuses primarily on old world regions, while beer enthusiasts can enjoy large bottles of Leo lager – the first available outside Thailand. There will also be cocktails which “offer contemporary interpretations of classic drinks with a Thai twist.” The restaurant, at 9-10 Market Place, also features a 30-cover heated terrace and counter dining, overlooking a custom-made charcoal barbecue and wok station.

 

Whitbread set to expand Premier Inn in Ireland after securing planning permission for second Cork location: Whitbread is set to expand Premier Inn in Ireland after securing planning permission for a second location in Cork. Plans for the 174-room Premier Inn to the east of the city centre have been awarded a final planning grant, paving the way for construction to begin in early 2026 – approximately two years after the opening of the first hotel in Cork, in Morrisons Quay. The company, which aims to open the new hotel in 2028, has set its sights on achieving a network of 5,000 Premier Inn rooms across Ireland, with six hotels currently trading in the country, as it seeks to replicate the success of the brand in the UK. Whitbread has operated a Premier Inn hotel at Swords, near Dublin airport, since 2007, but it wasn’t until the opening of its 97-room hotel in Stephen Street Lower in 2021 that Premier Inn had a presence in Dublin city centre. Premier Inn now has more than 800 rooms across five trading hotels in the city in addition to the 187-room hotel in Cork. Last summer, the business uplifted its ambition for a network of hotels across Ireland, seeking a brand presence in 11 regional locations where it wishes to focus its expansion alongside further growth in the capital. These include Killarney, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Sligo, Tralee and Westport as well as growth in the larger towns and cities of Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. Opportunities for Premier Inn in four outer-Dublin locations are also being sought. The final grant of planning consent at Cork’s former Leisureplex site grows the number of Premier Inn hotels that are either on-site or in the pre-development phase to five locations in Ireland. These include two new Dublin city centre hotels in O’Connell Street and Jervis Street – both of which are scheduled to open in 2027 – as well as new locations at Ushers Quay and Sandyford Business Park.

 

Fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant business Shree Krishna Vada Pav opens third university location: Shree Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP), the fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant business, has opened its third university location. SKVP has opened on the lower ground floor at LSE Garrick in Columbia House, 69 Aldwych, London. This adds to its successful launches at De Montfort University and the University of Leicester. “Our journey with university campuses began with a vision to bring a taste of Mumbai’s energy to students across the UK,” said Subodh Joshi, co-founder of SKVP. “LSE represents academic excellence, diversity and innovation – values that perfectly align with our own.” Mahesh Raikar, strategic director at SKVP, added: “We’re proud to see SKVP becoming a familiar name across universities in the UK. Our LSE store is designed for speed, comfort, and flavour – the perfect blend for campus life.” The 22-strong company, which was founded in 2010 by Joshi and Sujay Sohani, earlier this year secured investment from Haldiram’s, India’s largest snack brand, to fuel its expansion. At the time, SKVP told Propel that it is aiming to grow to 100 locations by 2030.

 

Genting reports ‘significant growth’ from F&B offer at Resorts World Birmingham as it celebrates tenth anniversary: Resorts World Birmingham – owned by Genting Group and the first Resorts World destination in Europe – has reported “significant growth” from its food and beverage offer as the venue celebrates its tenth anniversary. The company recently opened High Line, a new cocktail and live music venue within Resorts World Casino, and is preparing to open a new branch of Dave’s Hot Chicken – which is being rolled out in the UK by Azzurri Group – as previously reported. In addition, Genting said a further deal at Lakeside Level has been agreed with an as-yet-unnamed food and beverage operator and is in legals. “Since the first full year of trading in 2016, catering sales in Resorts World have more than doubled, having consistently grown every year,” a company spokesman said. “Sky Bar & Restaurant, one of Resorts World's flagship food and beverage venues, continues to be a major revenue driver, with number of covers having increased by 54% versus 2023. Since opening in 2015, the resort has employed around 9,000 people and welcomed more than 700,000 guests at the Genting Hotel.” Jason Kirsch, operations director at Resorts World, added: “When we opened ten years ago, our ambition was to create something unique, the UK’s only integrated casino and leisure resort. What we’ve proven is the power of the integrated leisure destination. We combine outlet shopping, a hotel, casino and essential entertainment under one roof, and that model is helping us to combat some of the challenges facing the high street. We are immensely proud of what we've achieved, but this tenth anniversary feels like just the beginning. Resorts World will keep introducing new experiences, new partnerships and more ways for people to connect.” Genting, which operates 58 casinos in the UK, reported revenue of £323.1m for the year to 31 December 2024, down from £283.8m in 2023. The group made a pre-tax loss of £2.7m after an exceptional items loss of £11.8m (profit of £9.1m before), compared with a £12.5m profit in 2023 after an exceptional items profit of £2.5m (profit of £10m before). The exceptional items included a £10.3m impairment charge relating to the remarketing for rental of its Crockfords casino in Mayfair, which had been placed on the market in the previous year. 

 

Caledonian Heritable reports drop in profit and increase in turnover: Scottish pub, hotel and leisure operator Caledonian Heritable has reported a drop in profit and increase in turnover for the year to 31 October 2024. The company’s pre-tax profit fell from £15,022,080 in 2023 to £12,778,870. Its turnover rose from £61,497,526 in 2023 to £62,677,655. Of this, £38,186,651 came from its bars, restaurants and nightclubs (2023: £38,949,368), £2,762,961 from property rental (2023: £2,691,549), £6,596,277 from golfing activities (2023: £6,169,312), £5,710,323 from spa and event facilities (2023: £5,433,284) and £9,421,443 from diesel particulate filters (2023: £7,373,817). Further analysis shows £61,279,360 came from UK operations (2023: £60,370,458) and £1,398,295 from Europe (2023: £61,497,526). Director Geoff Russell said: “Margins in relation to continuing operations have decreased from 41.0% in the prior year to 40% in the current year. The profit on joint ventures is down by £1.2m due to a downturn in whisky trading. The directors are satisfied with the profit level for the year.”

 

Yorkshire tapas business to open sixth site: Yorkshire tapas business Ambiente Tapas is to open its sixth site. The business, which already has three restaurants in York and one each in Hull and Leeds, will open at the Flemingate shopping centre in Beverley. Tim Sinclair, who founded Ambiente Tapas in 2007, said the new restaurant would cater for up to 120 guests on a single, fully accessible floor, which would also offer the opportunity to enjoy alfresco dining on a large outdoor terrace. “We’ve spent the last few years consolidating and refining our operation, in a challenging market,” he said. “Now, we’re eager to bring Ambiente’s signature style of hospitality to Beverley. We’re convinced that our combination of thoughtfully curated tapas dishes with quality Spanish wine, delivered by a knowledgeable and friendly team will make Ambiente a welcome addition to the local dining scene.”

 

Glasgow operator opens third site for ramen concept and sixth overall: Glasgow operator Paul Beveridge has opened a third site for his ramen concept, Ramen Dayo, and his sixth overall. Beveridge first launched Ramen Dayo in 2016, with DJ Jackmaster and DJ Spencer, after returning from Tokyo and finding no decent ramen options. The concept started out operating as a traditional yatai ramen cart in an alley close to Glasgow Central train station before its first permanent location opened, in Queen Street, in 2017. The following year, Ramen Dayo opened a new location in the city’s West End, with a branch in Ashton Lane. Ramen Dayo has now returned to the heart of Glasgow city centre with a new venue in Renfield Street, reports The Scottish Sun. The branch is spread over three floors, making it the biggest venue yet. The ground floor has a huge bar, while the first floor resembles a Tokyo alley and has another bar. The third floor has three Izakaya rooms, seating up to ten people, which allow for private dining. Ramen Dayo’s nine-strong ramen menu sits alongside a selection of rice bowls, sides, gyozas and homemade Japanese sweet treats and desserts. Beveridge said: “We are excited to be back in the city centre, where it all started.” Beveridge is also behind Yakitori Shack in Glasgow and Sear’s Pizza, which has two locations in the city and has applied to open a third.

 

Japes to open second regional location: Deep dish pizza concept Japes is to open in St Albans in Hertfordshire for its second regional location. The business, founded by Aleksandar and Jovana Aleksic, currently has three London locations as well as a site in Cheltenham. Japes is now preparing to open at 24-26 Chequer Street in The Maltings, St Albans, Hertfordshire. “St Albans is a vibrant community with a strong appetite for great food!” said Alexsander. “We’ve always believed that pizza can be creative, indulgent and memorable, and we can’t wait to open our doors at The Maltings and share our London-style pizza with new friends, making St Albans a big part of our next chapter.” Richard Marrett, centre manager at The Maltings, added: “We are delighted to welcome Japes and are certain that its bold, modern take on pizza will fit perfectly with food-loving St Albans. This opening helps reinforce The Maltings as a retail and dining destination for all ages and will add a new and exciting option for locals and visitors alike.” Japes opened its first franchise site in March 2024, when franchisee Ajmeet Singh launched at 24 Parkway in London’s Camden Town. Former Tortilla and Prezzo operations director Paul Hunter became Japes’ second franchisee in November 2024 and subsequently opened its Cheltenham site, at 23 Promenade. Japes will be among the brands presenting at the Propel Franchisor Showcase, which will put the spotlight on ten up-and-coming food and beverage franchisors. The inaugural event will be held on Tuesday, 25 November at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Free places for operators and investors only are available by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Bryn Williams opens new restaurant at North Wales theatre: Chef Bryn Williams has opened a new restaurant at Theatr Clwyd in North Wales. Williams is overseeing the entire food and drink offer at the venue, which is Wales’ biggest producing theatre. Williams, who has been chef-patron at Odette’s in London since 2008, also runs Porth Eirias, a beach-front restaurant, cafe and bar at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay on the North Wales coast; The Cambrian in the Swiss Alps; and oversees the food at The Touring Club in Penarth. Both Porth Eirias and the Touring Club have been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Williams said he wants everyone to leave Theatr Clwydhappy, “whether they’re having beans on toast or a scallop”, and wants to give people “a choice on price, not on quality”. He told the Denbighshire Free Press: “If people want to roll in in the morning, have croissants and a cup of coffee, that’s fine. If they want to come and have a full Welsh breakfast and a glass of Buck’s fizz, they can also do that. They can come in for a two or three-course meal or just to have a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.” The menu at Theatr Clwyd is influenced by the views from the bistro’s huge windows overlooking Moel Famau and the Clwydian Range. Williams added: “What you see is what you’re going to be eating – I always say Wales has one of the best larders in the world. There'll be one fish on the menu, loads of vegetable dishes and some great meat dishes, because you’re looking at the horizon where it’s coming from. So, the pressure’s on from day one.”

 

IHG Hotels & Resorts to launch first UK destination for Six Senses brand: IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to launch the first UK destination for its Six Senses brand. Set within The Whiteley in Bayswater and opening early in 2026, Six Senses London will offer 109 guest rooms and suites, many with private terraces, and 14 branded residences. Six Senses London will also include Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café, with menus championing local producers and seasonal flavours, while the bar will serve creative cocktails and the café will offer farmhouse bakes and small-batch coffee. Six Senses Spa will span 25,000 square feet on a single floor, offering London’s first magnesium pool within a hotel, a flotation pod and cryotherapy chamber and movement studios. The hotel will also introduce the brand’s first private club, Six Senses Place, with membership available by application only. Six Senses operates 27 hotels and resorts in 22 countries and has signed a further 38 properties into the development pipeline. IHG Hotels & Resorts has 20 hotel brands and 6,700 open hotels in more than 100 countries, with a development pipeline of in excess of 2,200 properties.

 

Wasabi reopens in larger location at London’s Liverpool Street station with breakfast menu: Wasabi, the sushi and bento brand backed by Capdesia, has reopened at London’s Liverpool Street station, moving from its previous kiosk to a larger location right in the centre of the station. Relocating to replace the old ticketing office, the new restaurant is situated between platforms 10 and 11. As part of the move, the restaurant also features Wasabi’s breakfast menu – currently only available at its London Paddington station and Luton airport restaurants. Wasabi chief executive Henry Birts said: “We’re thrilled to open our new Liverpool Street station restaurant, moving from our former kiosk to a larger, brighter space right in the centre of the station. Perfectly positioned for commuters, the new restaurant offers our sushi and bento dishes full of Asian flavour, along with a new breakfast menu to serve early-morning customers. At Wasabi, we’re committed to evolving our spaces and menus to deliver the best possible experience for our customers.” Earlier this month, the circa 50-strong Wasabi opened a new City of London site, in Cheapside, and said its debut franchise location, at Luton airport, was seeing “strong performance”.

 

Cheshire hotel group reports drop in profit and turnover as wedding market declines, confident lower bookings ‘a delay rather than a permanent trend’: Boutique Hotel Group – which operates Nunsmere Hall, Peckforton Castle and Inglewood Manor in Cheshire – has reported a drop in profit and turnover following a decline in the wedding market, but said it is confident the lower rate of bookings is “a delay rather than a permanent trend”. The company saw its pre-tax profit fall from £1,598,715 in 2023 to £333,736. Its turnover was down from £12,718,607 to £11,481,956. Dividends of £528,000 were paid, the same as in 2023. Occupancy levels, budgeted at 80%, were 79%, while average room rate, budgeted at £77.53, was £76.64. Director Christopher Naylor said Inglewood Manor’s performance has been “disappointing, with a focus now on operational efficiencies”. He said Peckforton Castle remains a flagship property with resilient leisure and corporate divisions, and although it booking pipeline was affected, the volume of future bookings is strong. He said while wedding bookings at Nutsmere Hall were lower than in previous periods, “we are encouraged, by the significant number of inquiries and reservations secured for 2025/26, indicating a return to more typical booking levels”. Naylor said: “Although inflationary pressures have eased slightly, many couples continue to delay wedding planning amid economic uncertainty. The typical 18 to 24-month planning cycle means that the current lower bookings are likely a delay rather than a permanent trend. While short-term booking volumes are subdued, the long-term outlook remains positive. Bookings for 2025 and 2026 are encouraging, with many couples planning events further ahead, which provides confidence for sustained revenue growth. We expect the latter part of 2025 to see increased bookings and a return to more typical operating levels. We are in the process of developing a substantial capital expenditure refurbishment programme across all our venues. We believe these upgrades will not only improve guest experience but also generate future revenue growth whilst maintaining the high standards synonymous with Boutique Hotel Group.”

 

Berkshire Indian restaurant opens first London location: Berkshire Indian restaurant Masakali has opened its first London location. Masakali first opened at the end of 2023 at 93-97 Caversham Road in Reading. It has now opened at 48 Stanhope Street in Camden, offering an “innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine, combining time-honoured recipes with modern flair”. Signature dishes include Masakali soup shots, Scottish sea trout with verbena and dill tikka, Old Delhi Butter Chicken Curry and Royal Tiger Biryani. There is also a Bollywood-inspired list of signature cocktails, alongside a curated selection of wines and craft beers. A company spokesman said: “Inspired by the beloved Bollywood song, Masakali celebrates freedom, joy and self-expression. The restaurant aims to bring this spirit to life through food, ambience and hospitality, creating a dining experience that delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression. Masakali is the perfect destination for romantic dinners, family celebrations or vibrant evenings with friends.”

 

Aquarium operator – ‘rising cost of living has dampened some demand’ as visitors numbers drop but turnover and profit both increased: Aquarium operator Deep Sea Leisure has said while the “rising cost of living has dampened some demand” as visitor numbers dropped, it increased both its turnover and profit in the year to 31 October 2024. The company – part of Spanish business Aspro Park, which operates more than 60 leisure attractions across Europe – is behind venues including Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire, Deep Sea World in Scotland, Bristol Aquarium, four Blue Reef Aquariums, Smugglers Adventure in Hastings and Oakwood Theme Park in Tenby – which shut for good in March. Its pre-tax profit grew from £3,043,000 in 2023 to £4,883,000, while its turnover increased from £16,579,000 to £16,758,000. Visitor numbers decreased by 51,279 to 906,484 (2023: 957,763) while average spend per visitor increased to £18.49 (2023: £17.31). Dividends of £2,640,600 were paid (2023: £3,924,000). Director Sue Elahio said: “A successful schedule of events and activities to engage visitors has been delivered across all sites and the business continues to add to the experiences on offer utilising facilities at its disposal. This includes bringing back into use the cinema at Bristol Aquarium, which has seen a pop cinema approach of the newly branded Megascreen showing cult movies with strong followings. Uncertainties in rising cost of living has dampened some demand particularly in areas that rely on domestic tourism such as Newquay. Through the dedication and passion of our teams we are pleased to have achieved an increase in turnover. Some secondary spends have been affected by economic pressures while entrance revenue has been strong, along with dive experiences.”

 

New owner of Staffordshire leisure attraction Waterworld outlines upgrade plans: The new owner of Waterworld Leisure Resort in Staffordshire has outlined plans to upgrade the attraction. The site – which includes an aqua park, adventure mini golf and mini village role-play attraction – has been acquired by the Looping Group, which owns 21 sites across Europe, including Drayton Manor Resort and West Midlands Safari Park. The takeover is expected to lead to a programme of upgrades and operational changes at Waterworld, which has been open for more than 35 years in Stoke. At Drayton Manor, the company has launched new attractions, including the Gold Rush rollercoaster and the “Vikings” themed area, while West Midlands Safari Park has introduced overnight safari lodges overlooking its animal enclosures. Wayne Goodall, Waterworld’s managing director said: “Waterworld has become one of the leading aqua parks over the years and has built its reputation on innovation and family trust. We now have the opportunity to work directly with two other fabulous attractions in the Midlands to bring our team members and customers unrivalled leisure experiences. The Water’s Edge restaurant has already had a total overhaul, focusing on a new, high-quality menu, and a reorganised, speed-of-service system gives our guests more time in the pool and less time queuing for their lunch. Guests will start to see lots of improvements for themselves, very quickly, and grander plans are also in the pipeline.” Looping Group acquired Waterworld in July from entrepreneur Mo Chaudry for an undisclosed sum.