All MCA Insight articles in May 2025 – Page 8
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NewsWatchHouse makes promotions ahead of further expansion
The specialty coffeehouse group has appointed Josh Brown as commercial director and James Elliot as finance director
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Analysis & InsightSpending at pubs, bars and clubs reaches 16-month high
Card spending in the UK’s pubs, bars and clubs was up 6.6% on the previous month – as the warm weather and Easter bank holidays drew out consumers, according to the latest data from Barclays.
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NewsKate Nicholls: Immigration rules risk curbing pub and bar trading hours
The UKHospitality CEO warns that tighter immigration controls could force pubs and bars to reduce trading hours and restrict capacity unless matched with urgent domestic workforce reform
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NewsShake Shack plans accelerated London and UK expansion
The premium QSR burger brand is planning to significantly ramp up outlet growth across the country over the next two years, business director Richard Franks tells MCA
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Analysis & Insight'Vibecession': Consumer confidence falls as cost pressures mount
The spring update from PwC found that 87% of consumers are worried about the UK economy, 84% are concerned about the cost of living, and 40% plan to cut back on eating out in the next year
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NewsLoungers appoints first CMO
Sarah Lake will join the business at the end of June, from her current role as media and brand marketing director at Dyson.
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NewsTarka hostel and bar concept secures £10.3m from OakNorth
The digital bank has provided a £10.3m facility to Tarka Edinburgh, which is actively seeking opportunities to roll out upscale pod-style hostels
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NewsSPYSCAPE to debut in Covent Garden
The New York-headquarted social gaming concept will open its first UK site later this month, with a 25,000 sq ft space offering a spy-themed experience
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NewsSummer Streets Fund aims to boost London’s hospitality scene
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a new £300,000 fund to support hospitality venues extend al fresco trading and opening hours.
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NewsJKS Restaurants makes MD appointments
Former chief marketing officer Laura Irving has become managing director of Trishna, Gymkhana, Brigadiers, Ambassadors Clubhouse and 42, while Joanne Searley (formerly chief operating officer), has become managing director of Sabor, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng and Speedboat Bar.
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InterviewsTim Martin hints at Wetherspoon franchise potential following early success
The JDW chairman says there is “considerable potential” for franchise partnerships, following strong early performance at sites operated by Haven Holiday Parks and Hull University
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NewsBoss Pizza planning 20 new UK sites by 2027
The independent pizza chain, led by CEO Ajmal Mushtaq, is looking to accelerate its expansion and is targeting one site opening per week by 2027.
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InterviewsCRG targets 50 BonBird and 10 Crave sites in UK growth drive
MD Matthew Wood tells MCA the business is pushing for “relatively quick” growth across both brands, backed by operational efficiencies and a co-location strategy
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NewsSoho House achieves 8% like-for-like revenue growth
Like-for-like food and beverage margins at its Houses improved in the 13 weeks to 30 March 2025, compared to the first quarter of last year, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to $47m
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Analysis & InsightQSR and food-to-go drive growth amid cautious market conditions
QSR turnover is expected to grow 3.4% to £17.7bn, with outlet numbers up 1.5%, while food-to-go is forecast to grow 3.5% to £13.6bn, according to the latest Lumina Intelligence data
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Weekend PressRoll out the barrel: Scotch makers toast UK trade deal with India
Diageo has welcomed the agreement that will halve tariffs on whisky into world’s biggest export market by volume for the spirit, the Financial Times reports
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Weekend PressUK to time limit visas for roles below graduate level
The Guardian’s senior political correspondent Peter Walker writes how the measure is aimed at reducing net migration to the UK
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Weekend PressRevealed: The illegal truth behind some of London’s top restaurants
£500k fines, repeated raids, and a secret underground world propping up the capital’s most-hyped dining spots, The Standard’s Rachael Burford investigates
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Weekend PressTough to swallow: British farmers’ fears over US trade deal
The agreement on Trump’s tariffs has left the agricultural sector nervous about being ’overrun’ with cheaper beef and ‘inferior products’, as written in The Sunday Times
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Weekend PressChildren eat more after seeing just five minutes of junk food ads, study finds
Researchers call on UK government to close advertising ‘loopholes’ that are ‘driving excess calorie intake’, The Guardian reports