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All MCA Insight articles in May 2026 – Page 8
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NewsYoung’s: ‘We want to maintain and grow the Cubitt House brand’
CEO Simon Dodd speaks to MCA about prospects for the recently acquired Cubitt House, the upcoming World Cup and Wimbledon tournaments, and delivering another record year
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InterviewsM&B’s Phil Urban: ‘There is no reason why our momentum shouldn’t continue’
After achieving profit growth in the face of additional costs of £35m this financial year, CEO Phil Urban speaks to MCA about steak becoming a consumer luxury, the potential to acquire Whitbread sites, and his optimism over returning warm weather
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NewsSmacks to launch first travel hub site
The London-born QSR chain, which recently secured the backing of hip-hop duo Krept & Kronan, will open a location at Morden Underground Station in July
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NewsAaron Moore-Saxton departs Sides
He has stepped down as MD of the fried chicken chain after less than a year in the role
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NewsCalls for ‘radical changes’ to business rates appeal system amid ‘tsunami’ of challenges
Colliers warns that ratepayers are facing ‘carnage’ as the number of business rates appeals registered in Q1 2026 is nearly five times higher than those submitted in Q4 2025
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NewsWetherspoon reveals more details of Shaftesbury Avenue opening
The pubco is set to open Piccadilly Hall - one of its largest venues in central London - following a multimillion-pound investment in partnership with Criterion Capital
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up the week’s biggest openings stories, featuring new venues from Vagabond, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Professionals at Play, and more
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NewsCreams announces first international expansion plans
The dessert chain has signed a master franchise agreement to launch in Greece and Cyprus, with the first store expected to open in Athens later this year
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NewsLate-night venues ‘bearing the brunt of hospitality closures’ as segment continues to contract
The latest Night Time Economy Market Monitor shows the space has shrunk by 28.9% in the six years since Covid-19 first hit, equating to nearly three net closures every week
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NewsJust Eat to pilot WhatsApp ordering in Europe
The delivery platform says its latest innovation, which will initially be trialled in the Netherlands and Spain, is ‘redefining the paradigm of convenience’
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OpinionSummer VAT relief: ‘It’s not a lot really’
For a government that is desperately in need of some positive press, Rachel Reeves’ VAT relief for children’s meals and attractions is an attempt to seize control of the overwhelmingly negative narrative around the administration, and show it cares about the cost-of-living pressures on families
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Weekend PressBusinesses in hospitality among those left in “total survival mode” by surging energy prices
The Times reports many businesses in rural areas are at breaking point as a surge in the price of heating oil and diesel adds to pressure from rates rises and the minimum wage
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Weekend PressBrewDog founder launches new beer brand with vow to ‘equity punks’
As revealed by The Sunday Times, James Watt is giving stakes in Second Best to investors who backed his last venture, then lost out when it fell into administration
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Weekend PressBeer boom goes flat as breweries call last orders
The BBC examines why more beer-making businesses have closed than opened in the past two years
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Weekend PressMatcha price doubles on Gen Z’s thirst for drink, says coffee boss
Gabriel Shohet, co-founder of Black Sheep Coffee, tells The Times demand for matcha drinks among Gen Z has caused the price of the Japanese tea to almost double
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Weekend PressReeves’s tax cut on children’s meals a political ‘soundbite’, say restaurateurs
The Chancellor’s measure to help families save money during summer holidays ‘won’t make any difference’ to the industry, operators have told The Guardian
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NewsMajority of regional mayors considering tourist tax
As many as 10 of England’s 14 regional mayors are planning to or considering implementing overnight visitor levies in a move which could increase the cost of a holiday by as much as £300
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InterviewsUrban Baristas lines up 10 to 15 further openings for the year
Founder Huw Wardrope tells MCA the specialty coffee chain will ramp up expansion, having secured franchising agreements for more than 50 territories
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Analysis & InsightGrowth revised down for UK eating out market
The UK eating out market is forecast to reach a value of £102.8bn in 2026, representing nominal growth of +1.8% - down from the +2.24% forecast in February, according to Lumina Intelligence.
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NewsBistrot Pierre looking to expand Maison Pierre concept
French-inspired restaurant group Bistrot Pierre is looking to expand its boutique hotel and F&B concept Maison Pierre, following two initial openings.