James McAllister
NewsSixes calls in administrators
The experiential cricket concept has closed its Southampton site with immediate effect following a ‘challenging trading period’, with administrators now exploring a sale of the business
NewsAll Bar One invests £2.3m to refurbish transport hub sites
The Mitchells & Butlers owned bar brand is overhauling sites in Birmingham and Edinburgh with design-led upgrades tailored to cater for the high-footfall locations
NewsTurnover continues to slide for Patisserie Valerie as it swings to loss
The bakery business says it has taken ‘significant steps to simplify operations’ in its last financial year, as well as ‘improve efficiency and reposition the brand for long-term sustainable growth’
NewsHospitality urges FCA to extend business insurance claims window by two years
Law firm Stewarts warns that thousands of hospitality businesses remain significantly out of pocket more than five years after the Covid-19 pandemic forced venues across the country to close
NewsGravity right-sizes debt obligations through CVA
The leisure and fitness activity park operator has secured approval from creditors for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposal having been impacted by rising costs and soft consumer spending
NewsGreggs to raise prices for fourth time this year
Various products across the bakery chain’s menu are set to increase at the end of the month with the group blaming the impact of rising costs and inflation
NewsRockfish reports growth in sales and profits
The Mitch Tonks-led seafood restaurant group has reported ‘another record year’ of results with turnover climbing to £15m and group EBITDA rising by more than 10%
NewsBurger Boi launches first Morrison’s concession
The Wolverhampton-founded premium QSR chain has launched a site within Morrisons Manchester Piccadilly store with at least four further openings planned under the partnership
NewsIndian Brewery Company launches in Birmingham Airport in partnership with TRGC
Billed as ‘a significant milestone’ for the Indian Brewery Company, the new opening will bring the craft beer and street food business to three sites
NewsMichael Kill: ‘The Treasury have got the modelling completely wrong for revaluations’
The NTIA is questioning what checks on business rates the government carried out before the budget with its CEO telling MCA he believes the matter of revaluations will be readdressed
NewsFrites Atelier finally makes UK debut
The luxury chip shop brand, led by Dutch chef Sergio Herman, has been planning an opening in London since 2017 and finally launched a site in Soho this week
NewsWingstop continues to accelerate expansion with triple opening
The fast-growing fried chicken chain begun the final full week before Christmas with simultaneous openings in Leicester, Nottingham and Glasgow
NewsJohn Vincent looking to return Leon to expansion trail following turnaround plan
Vincent says he expects to be back on the expansion trail with plans for as many as 100 UK outlets, mostly in London, over the next four years
NewsSides to make Scottish debut next year with double opening
Managing director Aaron Moore-Saxton says expanding into Scotland has been ‘a huge ambition’ for the fried chicken chain, which recently revealed plans to double its estate each year
NewsWhitbread CEO: ‘All our industry is asking for is fair treatment’
Writing in The Times, Dominic Paul says increasing costs and taxes will affect where businesses like Whitbread put their money
NewsScottish hospitality set for £69m business rates hit without support
UKHospitality Scotland warns that without action Business rates bills will be sent soaring, as rateable values increase 23% on average across Scottish hospitality
OpinionCan Jamie’s Italian recapture the zeitgeist?
Jamie’s Italian was once a gamechanger for casual dining. Now, nearly two decades after it was founded, the celebrity chef has partnered with Brava Hospitality to bring the brand back
NewsReal Eating Company reduced to two sites following downsize
Founder Helena Hudson has blamed lacklustre trading and a lack of government support for her decision to reduce the size of her independent café group from eight sites to two
NewsNTIA: ‘Youth unemployment scheme risks missing the point entirely’
The trade body has warned the government’s plan to offer young people on benefits job opportunities in hospitality is pointless if the sector is ‘priced out of existence’
InterviewsJamie Oliver Restaurants: ‘Getting a second chance is not an opportunity everybody gets’
Ed Loftus, global director of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, tells MCA the group has plenty of confidence in its plans to relaunch the Jamie’s Italian brand in the UK next year