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All articles by James McAllister – Page 9
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NewsFairgame to expand into new markets following acquisition
The fairground-inspired competitive socialising concept, which has been acquired by Tenpin Entertainment, revealed earlier this year that it was looking to secure funding for a move to the US
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NewsShaftesbury Capital reports ‘continued momentum’ across portfolio
The West End landlord says its estates are ‘busy and vibrant’ with high occupancy, footfall and sales volumes
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NewsJust Eat founder Jitse Groen steps down as CEO
Groen’s departure from the company he founded 25 years ago comes after the delivery platform was acquired by investment group Prosus in a €4.1bn deal earlier this year
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InterviewsAlex Reilley: ‘Budget highlights how brutally unfair pubs are valued’
The Loungers chairman tells MCA there is increasing evidence to suggest the Labour government doesn’t have much sympathy for the hospitality sector following last week’s fiscal statement
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NewsF1 Arcade announces Jonathan Peters as CEO
The appointment comes as the competitive socialising concept looks to accelerate growth both in the UK and internationally through openings and new concepts
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InterviewsM&B: ‘We’re expecting a big surge at Christmas’
Chief executive Phil Urban tells MCA he’s expecting consumers to spend big over the festive period despite recent budget uncertainty
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories featuring new details on the vendor lineup at Market Place Leicester Square, Aqua Restaurant Group’s latest concept, and Bancone’s fifth London site
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NewsSugarloaf sounds out investors for TGI Fridays UK
Just a month on from acquiring the UK arm, TGI’s global brand manager has brought in financial advisory firm Interpath to explore strategic options for the 49-strong casual dining chain
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NewsUpham achieves like-for-like growth of 7.5%
The south of England pub operator says all but one of its sites was in positive sales growth in its latest financial results, which saw revenue rise to £19.8m
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NewsM&B reports ‘another year of strong performance’ as profits rise
The pub and restaurant group delivered 7.3% growth in operating profit in its 2025 results with like-for-like sales up 4.3% and revenue reaching £2.71bn.
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NewsUKH: Changes to unfair dismissal plans ‘pragmatic’
The government’s decision to reduce the qualifying period for unfair dismissal to six months ‘addresses one of hospitality businesses key concerns’, the trade body says.
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Analysis & InsightDigital connections: How operators are deepening customer relationships through loyalty
Digital and marketing specialists from Domino’s, Itsu and Bella Italia reveal how their loyalty offers are building a greater rapport with customers online and driving sales
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NewsEggslut looks to crack Manchester with first regional site
The US-founded QSR operator says the move follows ’years of requests to take the brand outside the capital’
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NewsBaton Berisha hails ‘true evolution’ of Gaucho brand as Christmas bookings up 40%
The steakhouse group’s CEO says the brand is ‘moving with clarity, purpose and renewed energy’, despite recent accusations of ‘greenwashing’ and criticism related to tronc distribution changes
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Analysis & InsightBudget reaction: ‘Our only option is to look for growth overseas’
The entrepreneur behind Fallow cautioned that expanding in the UK was ‘simply not worth the cost’ under the current tax regime, while Markus Thesleff warned investors were deserting the UK
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InterviewsKaspa’s Desserts: ‘We feel we turned a corner’
The dessert franchise says its overall turnover volumes are over £100m as it targets greater expansion in the Midlands, Ireland and Scotland.
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NewsSector anger as business rates reform ‘not delivered in full’
The government’s decision to give hospitality only a quarter of the rates discount it originally proposed has been derided with warnings it’s not enough to offset the loss of reliefs
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NewsHospitality reacts with frustration as budget announced
The Chancellor’s fiscal statement has been met with anger and exasperation, with many warning the lack of support for hospitality will lead to further closures and substantial job losses
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Analysis & InsightMarston’s targets expansion of 'sports lover's dream' Grandstand concept
CEO Justin Platt says the pub group’s five new concepts, each one targeted at a different core consumer demographic, present a ‘real growth opportunity’ going into the new financial year
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NewsNational living wage rises to cost sector £1.4bn
Combined with a higher-than-expected 8.5% uplift in the wage rate for 18-20-year-olds, UKHospitality said the increases represent a total £1.4bn in additional cost for businesses