All MCA Insight articles in January 2026
View all stories from this issue.
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Weekend PressImmersive shows attract funders to jazz up entertainment group
The backing of leisure industry heavyweights from Merlin and Greene King pushes the Lost Estate’s valuation to £10m, The Times reports
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NewsWagamama eyes price hikes as noodle chain battles rising costs
The popular high street restaurant chain expects labour and food costs to rise by as much as 5%, The Sunday Times reports
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NewsBrighton Palace Pier put up for sale
Luke Johnson has chaired the historic attraction for nearly a decade but it has been struggling with declining footfall and profits
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Weekend PressSupermarkets take a larger slice of pizza night
Rising costs and changing tastes are pushing people away from long-established chains, the Financial Times reports
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NewsCustomers urged to save pubs from Dry January
Hospitality chiefs have called on non-drinkers to prop up their locals after figures show one closed each day in 2025, The Telegraph reports
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NewsUK hits ‘peak Costa’ as chain’s losses double
The high street coffee chain suffered its worst performance since 2021 amid pressure from cut-price rivals
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NewsRevolution Bars owner plots swift sale as cash crisis deepens
Neos Hospitality is among the parties which are said to have expressed interest in buying some of The Revel Collective’s assets as shareholders face being left empty-handed, Sky News reports
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Weekend PressThe UK risks slipping from buzzing to bland as hospitality bills bite
A tough financial climate means many businesses are shutting their doors. But even those struggling on may find less room for creativity, Botivo co-founder Imme Ermgassen writes in The Times
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Weekend PressSalad bars have changed. Are they better for it?
Jay Rayner goes for a restorative stroll down Piccadilly and is ambushed by temptation, as he reports for the Financial Times
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Weekend PressFeeling the bite: is Greggs on a roll or is its expansion overbaked?
UK pastry chain has plans for two new factories and 800 more branches, despite sales falling in 2025 and analysts questioning brand’s direction, The Guardian reports
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Weekend PressHundreds of jobs to be lost in TGI Fridays insolvency plan
The new owner of one of the UK’s most prominent restaurant chains is finalising plans for a pre-pack administration which will involve site closures and job cuts, Sky News learns.
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NewsWingstop appoints chief growth officer
Emma Colquhoun joins the senior leadership team at Wingstop UKI, following a recent role at Wagamama as chief marketing & commercial officer
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NewsAzzurri makes senior changes
Sara McKennedy has been promoted to managing director of Coco di Mama, while Jim Attwood will take sole responsibility for Dave’s Hot Chicken, having previously overseen Coco
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NewsPrezzo expects ‘significant’ profit boost in 2026
Following a year of operational changes, refurbishments and investments, Prezzo expects EBITDA to exceed £3m
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NewsWagamama plans six UK sites in 2026
Alongside UK corportate growth, the brand plans to open 8-12 new franchise sites ths year, while The Restaurant Group-owned business saw a ‘significant improvement’ in dine-in volumes during the last 6 months of 2025
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NewsLaine reports sales dip
The Brighton-based pubco reported a dip in profits, as higher operating costs and lower turnover offset continued investment across its pub estate
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NewsSector stars awarded MBEs in King’s Honours
Marketing leader Mark McCulloch, the Licensed Trade Charity’s Dr Paul Hegarty, and South London community pub landlord Clement Ogbonnaya were recognised for services to hospitality
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NewsGordon Ramsay Restaurants appoints CFO
Nick Allen was previously group CFO at Holland & Barrett and CFO at Starbucks EMEA
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NewsPunch Pubs reports EBITDA uplift
The pub company achieved revenue for the period of £337.9m, compared to £323.5m in FY2023/24, with growth largely driven by the further conversion of pubs from its L&T model to its Pub Partnerships business.
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NewsNWTC looking to harness ‘strong reputation of The Botanist brand’ following CVA
The Graphite Capital-backed bar and restaurant operator reported positive like for likes, an increase in gross profit margin and a rise in underlying company EBITDA in its latest financial results