All MCA Insight articles in February 2022
View all stories from this issue.
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NewsGrind contains losses to £1.2m
The company has completed a “significant equity investment” round which has strengthened its balance sheet and provided funds to scale the group in the UK and internationally
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NewsUrban Pubs & Bars extends banking facility
The London-based operator has extended its facility with Barclay’s to £6m to help support its expansion
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NewsGuinness at Old Brewer’s Yard scheme unveiled
Diageo has announced plans to invest £73m in the microbrewery and culture hub in Covent Garden
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NewsDelicious Pho makes UK debut
The Canadian founded Vietnamese restaurant business opens in Spitalfields today on the former Byron site
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InterviewsHero Award: ‘Nik Lowery was a tower of strength’
In the latest in a series profiling nominees for MCA’s Hero Award at the Retailers’ Retailer Awards, we speak to Arc Inspirations CEO Martin Wolstencroft about his property director Nik Lowery
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NewsHickory’s makes gains on pre-pandemic levels
Like-for-like sales at the Piper-backed barbecue restaurant group are up 40% since May 2021.
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InterviewsHero Award: The determination of Lounges’ Antony Doyle ‘never wavered’
In the latest of a series of articles profiling nominees for MCA’s Hero Award at the Retailers’ Retailer Awards, we speak to Lounge café bars’ MD Justin Carter about why he nominated ops director Antony Doyle.
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NewsHickory’s: ‘There is scope to do many more’
The barbecue restaurant group is currently looking for a new backer with the ‘firepower’ to help achieve its growth aspirations, managing director John Welsh has told MCA
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Analysis & InsightAverage side dish price sees double-digit growth
The entry and exit prices of side dishes in chain restaurants are on the up as operators look to premiumise their offering, according to Lumina Intelligence
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NewsTop 50 Cocktail Bars revealed
Cardiff-based Lab 22, known for its inventive cocktails, has been voted number one in this year’s list announced last night
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NewsNew CO2 supply agreement announced
CF Industries, which produces as much as 60% of the UK’s industrial CO2 needs, was forced to halt operations at two plants in September last year after energy prices soared
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NewsJoe & the Juice receives £34.7m cash injection
The parent company of the Danish juice and healthy food concept raised the money last year through a capital injection from shareholders and bank borrowings
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NewsHawksmoor sets out carbon zero claim
Hawksmoor believes it has now become the world’s first carbon neutral steak restaurant – almost a year ahead of its target
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NewsPret’s City sales up as bankers return
Sales in Pret shops in the London’s financial districts grew faster than any other location in the UK as banks called staff back to the office, according to Bloomberg’s weekly index.
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NewsFurther relief needed to support sector’s recovery
UKHospitality is calling on the government to enhance alcohol duty reforms in order to help the sector recover more quickly from the pandemic.
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NewsPret ups price of coffee subscription
Pret has increased the price for new subscribers by £5 to £25 from today, with the increase to apply to existing subscribers in March.
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Analysis & InsightConsumers want more tech in hospitality
Voice ordering, virtual reality and sophisticated chatbots could be part of the future for restaurants, according to OpenTable
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NewsMiddletons confident in strong 2022
The steakhouse concept will open its ninth restaurant later this month with further expansion on the cards
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NewsKnoops plans up to 10 new stores
CEO Tori Nunn told MCA the focus for the boutique hot chocolate shop operator would largely be in the south of England for operational efficiency reasons
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InterviewsHero Award: Pizza Pilgrims’ Charlie Warren has ‘glittering career’ ahead
In the latest profile of nominees for MCA’s Hero category at the Retailers’ Retailer Awards, Pizza Pilgrims co-founder Thom Elliot hails his senior managing partner as a “driving force of positivity”