All articles by James McAllister – Page 2
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NewsLabour minister admits tourist tax launched without assessing jobs impact
Local government minister Jim McMahon said the government had failed to carry out a formal national impact assessment of the levy and its effect on the economy
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NewsChancellor considering budget raid on higher stake slot machines
While John Healey is looking at raising gambling taxes, insiders say he wants to ensure any move does not hit traditional venues such as pubs, bingo halls or seaside arcades
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NewsGusto Italian to launch grill format
The group, which was acquired Cherry Equity Partners last year, will relaunch its Manchester restaurant later this month Gigi Gusto Griglia
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NewsWelsh government announces 30% business rates cut for hospitality and leisure venues
Analysis by UKHospitality shows 84% of ratepaying hospitality businesses in Wales will benefit from the cut, though the trade body warns costs will rise for some larger venues
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InterviewsDubai-based Passion F&B looking to bring further concepts to UK
CEO Suyash Nath says the group, which made its London debut in May with Indian fine dining brand Trèsind Mayfair, could bring a more casual concept to the capital next
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NewsF1 Arcade in ‘a fast-moving growth phase’ as revenue rises
The Formula 1-inspired competitive socialising concept saw revenue increase 48% in 2025, driven by new site openings in the US and a strong performance across its UK estate
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NewsPitch secures US franchise partner
The competitive socialising brand has signed a deal to launch 15 sites across the US over the next five years, with a debut site in California opening in early 2027
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InterviewsNero Group: ‘We anticipate opening about 45 new stores in the UK next year’
Founder and group CEO Gerry Ford tells MCA there remains ‘significant growth opportunities’ for all its brands, which includes Caffè Nero and Coffee#1, in its home market
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NewsStarboard Hotels acquires seven-strong Accor portfolio
The group, in a joint venture with LaSalle Investment Management, has acquired the hotels from Ares Real Estate Funds and EQ Group for an undisclosed sum
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Analysis & InsightSummer heatwave drives up utility costs for hoteliers
The RSM UK Hotels Tracker shows utilities expenses per occupied room of UK hotels rose from £8.45 in July 2025 to £9.15 in July 2026
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NewsWelsh government urged to cut business rates multiplier for hospitality
UKHospitality Cymru made the case that lowering business rates for the sector would be a simple and practical solution to reduce costs
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Analysis & InsightStrong performance across hospitality and leisure categories in August as consumer confidence improves
Spend across hospitality and leisure rose 3.3% last month, bolstered by marked improvement in the travel and entertainment segments
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NewsHouston Hot Chicken among openings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories including Dylan’s Philly Cheesesteaks’s debut, a second site for Houston Hot Chicken, and new locations for Bunsik, Dishoom and Din Tai Fung
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NewsHeavenly Desserts unveils new name
The group’s new Crawley location will launch as Heavenly, with the updated moniker reflecting the brand’s expansion beyond desserts into coffee and brunch
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NewsEveryman increases market share in H1
The boutique cinema chain has reported ‘growth across all key metrics’ in the first half of 2026 amid ‘strong results’ over a wide range of films, genres and events
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NewsHospitality grant scheme opens for applications
The £10m fund, first announced back in January, will be invested into projects that help get new ventures off the ground, as well as support community venues and training programmes
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NewsSSP appoints Preyash Thakrar as chief strategy and corporate development officer
He joins the global food and beverage operator having previously held senior strategy leadership roles across the globe, most recently as of chief transformation officer at Boots
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NewsMarket Taverns promotes Miles Slade to CEO
It comes as the independent London pub group prepares to accelerate investment in its estate and pursue further expansion
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NewsVenue closures and subdued tourism knocks Hakkasan revenue
The luxury hospitality group saw the restaurant revenue of its UK-owned operations fall 20.3% in FY25
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NewsOlivia FitzGerald to join Airship & Toggle as CEO
The former chief sales and marketing officer for Zonal will take the reins of the integrated CRM and hospitality commerce platform in November, succeeding co-founder Dan Brookman