Chestnut expand Norfolk footprint
The Lifeboat Inn and The Chequers Inn in the North Norfolk coastal village of Thornham have become the latest acquisition for Chestnut, East Anglia’s fastest-growing hospitality business.
The acquisition accelerates Chestnut’s foothold in the region, through the addition of a further 28 bedrooms – with the opportunity to add more. A 27% increase in the number of overnight stays going into 2023, according to data from Visit North Norfolk, highlighted increasing demands from tourists for accommodation in the area.
The Group recently hired Rob Spillings as Head of Operations Norfolk to help drive the expanding business.
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The acquisition accelerates Chestnut’s foothold in the region, through the addition of a further 28 bedrooms – with the opportunity to add more. A 27% increase in the number of overnight stays going into 2023, according to data from Visit North Norfolk, highlighted increasing demands from tourists for accommodation in the area.
The Group recently hired Rob Spillings as Head of Operations Norfolk to help drive the expanding business.
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18/Apr/2024 10:54
Revolution Bars to close 18 sites under proposed restructuring plans
Revolution Bars has announced plans to restructure the business through an urgent fundraising backed by Luke Johnson and the launch of a formal sale process.
Serial hospitality investor, Luke Johnson, whose Risk Capital Partners firm supports ventures such as All Star Lanes and Brighton Pier Group, also acquired 1.4m shares in Tortilla in February.
The proposed fundraising for the operator of Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, and Peach Pubs brands aims to raise up to £10.5 million through a placing.
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Serial hospitality investor, Luke Johnson, whose Risk Capital Partners firm supports ventures such as All Star Lanes and Brighton Pier Group, also acquired 1.4m shares in Tortilla in February.
The proposed fundraising for the operator of Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, and Peach Pubs brands aims to raise up to £10.5 million through a placing.
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12/Apr/2024 15:38
The Packhorse Inn celebrates 10th birthday with a full makeover
The Packhorse Inn, located in Moulton – a short trot over the gallops from Newmarket, reopened on Friday 5th April following a two-month refurbishment and extension project.
Chestnut’s investment in the pub marks a positive decade for this popular village pub and foodie destination. It includes a significant extension of the kitchen, a new flint and timber barn extension with views over the village green and re-establishes the original entrance into a dedicated bar.
The pub’s reopening was celebrated on Friday night with previous employees.
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Chestnut’s investment in the pub marks a positive decade for this popular village pub and foodie destination. It includes a significant extension of the kitchen, a new flint and timber barn extension with views over the village green and re-establishes the original entrance into a dedicated bar.
The pub’s reopening was celebrated on Friday night with previous employees.
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12/Apr/2024 11:53
UK’s largest pub group Stonegate struggles to refinance £2.2bn Debt, giving it an uncertain future
Stonegate Pub Company, the UK’s leading pubs and bars group boasting a network of over 4,400 establishments including popular chains like Slug & Lettuce and Be At One, has issued a warning about its financial viability as it struggles to refinance its substantial £2.2 billion debt.
Despite ongoing discussions with potential lenders, the company has yet to secure new loans to replace existing debt set for repayment in June 2025. This predicament forced Stonegate to raise concerns about its ability to continue operating as a going concern, with uncertainties surrounding its capacity to meet financial obligations and liquidate assets.
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Despite ongoing discussions with potential lenders, the company has yet to secure new loans to replace existing debt set for repayment in June 2025. This predicament forced Stonegate to raise concerns about its ability to continue operating as a going concern, with uncertainties surrounding its capacity to meet financial obligations and liquidate assets.
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10/Apr/2024 11:37
Flight Club owners acquire £60m bank facility
Red Engine, the owners of Flight Club Darts and Electric Shuffle, has secured a £60m loan to support its global expansion plans.
The bank facility comes from Santander, HSBC and Barclays after the competitive socialising group posted sales of £67m last year from its owned and operated venues.
Red Engine has 17 owner-operated venues and eight further partner-owned sites by State of Play Hospitality, who run Flight Club in North America, and Night Owl, who run Flight Club in Australia.
Red Engine is set to increase its portfolio from 25 to 33 venues this year.
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The bank facility comes from Santander, HSBC and Barclays after the competitive socialising group posted sales of £67m last year from its owned and operated venues.
Red Engine has 17 owner-operated venues and eight further partner-owned sites by State of Play Hospitality, who run Flight Club in North America, and Night Owl, who run Flight Club in Australia.
Red Engine is set to increase its portfolio from 25 to 33 venues this year.
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10/Apr/2024 11:25
Bird House London Announces New Venue and Taproom: Bird House Brewery Arrives in Herne Hill – launching 28th March
Bird House London, the London based hospitality group that founded leading neighbourhood drinking and dining venues The Hawk’s Nest and Peckham Arches, has announced the launch of its latest venue and taproom, Bird House Brewery in Herne Hill, opening Thursday 28th March.
Located in Arch 1127 on Bath Factory Estate, adjacent to Brockwell Park, the craft brewery will include a tap room inside the arch that will brew the group’s own house lager and pale ale. Created by Brewmaster Will Hiscocks, the lager and pale ale will be a focus-point of the drinks menu and will be distributed and served at all Bird House London’s venues: The Hawk’s Nest.
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Located in Arch 1127 on Bath Factory Estate, adjacent to Brockwell Park, the craft brewery will include a tap room inside the arch that will brew the group’s own house lager and pale ale. Created by Brewmaster Will Hiscocks, the lager and pale ale will be a focus-point of the drinks menu and will be distributed and served at all Bird House London’s venues: The Hawk’s Nest.
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21/Mar/2024 09:29
The Groucho Club to launch first regional site in Yorkshire
The renowned Groucho Club of London is set to establish its first private members' club outside the capital, with plans to open in Yorkshire in 2026.
The Groucho Bretton will be situated in Bretton Hall, the former residence of Bretton Hall College. Historically, the college was renowned for its role in training artists to become educators, offering courses in music, visual arts, and performance art.
Notable alumni of the college encompassed various fields of the arts, including playwright John Godber.
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The Groucho Bretton will be situated in Bretton Hall, the former residence of Bretton Hall College. Historically, the college was renowned for its role in training artists to become educators, offering courses in music, visual arts, and performance art.
Notable alumni of the college encompassed various fields of the arts, including playwright John Godber.
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19/Mar/2024 07:57
Young's finalises acquisition of City Pub Group for £162 million
Young's has completed its acquisition of City Pub Group, encompassing 51 wet-led pubs situated across southern England and Wales.
The agreement, initially disclosed in November of last year, was approximated to be valued at £162 million.
At the time, Young's expressed that the transaction presented a 'rare opportunity' to expand its managed trading estate by 50 pubs, bringing the total to 279 pubs.
The agreement will result in Young's extending its footprint to encompass new geographic regions.
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The agreement, initially disclosed in November of last year, was approximated to be valued at £162 million.
At the time, Young's expressed that the transaction presented a 'rare opportunity' to expand its managed trading estate by 50 pubs, bringing the total to 279 pubs.
The agreement will result in Young's extending its footprint to encompass new geographic regions.
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05/Mar/2024 08:35
The Groucho Club appoints Elli Jafari as its first female CEO
Elli Jafari has been named the chief executive officer of the renowned Groucho Club in London.
She will be the first female leader for the member's club, which was acquired by hospitality group Artfarm in 2022.
Jafari will transition to her new role in mid-April, departing from her position at the Standard hotel in King's Cross, where she served as the executive vice president for London and Ibiza, recognized for her expertise in organizing celebrity gatherings.
Having been raised in Tehran.
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She will be the first female leader for the member's club, which was acquired by hospitality group Artfarm in 2022.
Jafari will transition to her new role in mid-April, departing from her position at the Standard hotel in King's Cross, where she served as the executive vice president for London and Ibiza, recognized for her expertise in organizing celebrity gatherings.
Having been raised in Tehran.
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29/Feb/2024 07:50
Keating joins Brakspear as marketing manager
Brakspear has appointed Chris Keating as marketing manager for its leased and tenanted pubs
Keating joins with a wealth of pub sector experience gained during his 17 years working for Witney brewer Refresh and, following its acquisition, for Marston's, where he was director of marketing for its beer brands before leaving in 2021. Since then, he has worked in the food service sector, holding senior marketing and innovation roles at Premier Foods and Compass Group.
In his new role, Keating will be supporting Brakspear's 110-strong leased and tenanted estate.
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Keating joins with a wealth of pub sector experience gained during his 17 years working for Witney brewer Refresh and, following its acquisition, for Marston's, where he was director of marketing for its beer brands before leaving in 2021. Since then, he has worked in the food service sector, holding senior marketing and innovation roles at Premier Foods and Compass Group.
In his new role, Keating will be supporting Brakspear's 110-strong leased and tenanted estate.
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28/Feb/2024 10:16
JD Wetherspoon implements a 3% increase in prices for food and beverages
JD Wetherspoon has adjusted prices on its bar and food menus in response to increased costs.
The pub giant, with 814 sites under its operation, has stated that the average price hike across its range of products stands at 3%.
Wetherspoon said in a statement: 'Most prices in Wetherspoon pubs have increased by 3.95% from Thursday, 1 February 2024.
'Some prices have increased by less. Ruddles Bitter has increased by 1%.
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The pub giant, with 814 sites under its operation, has stated that the average price hike across its range of products stands at 3%.
Wetherspoon said in a statement: 'Most prices in Wetherspoon pubs have increased by 3.95% from Thursday, 1 February 2024.
'Some prices have increased by less. Ruddles Bitter has increased by 1%.
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12/Feb/2024 08:30
£400,000 investment to transform The Big Jug on Claypath, Durham
North East operators, Craig and Stacey Wright, have added a third pub to their portfolio, The Big Jug on Claypath in Durham. They are undertaking a major £400,000 upgrade of the pub with Star Pubs & Bars. The pub will reopen mid-March in time for Easter with 10 jobs being created on the back of the investment.
Craig and Stacey already run the well regarded and popular City in Durham city centre, another Star Pubs & Bars leased pub, and The Green in Billy Row Crook, a freehold site 20 minutes west of Durham city.
Their plans for The Big Jug are to create a top quality local with a relaxed sociable atmosphere ensuring it appeals to locals.
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Craig and Stacey already run the well regarded and popular City in Durham city centre, another Star Pubs & Bars leased pub, and The Green in Billy Row Crook, a freehold site 20 minutes west of Durham city.
Their plans for The Big Jug are to create a top quality local with a relaxed sociable atmosphere ensuring it appeals to locals.
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06/Feb/2024 16:38
North East pub entrepreneurs expand portfolio with a third pub
Craig and Stacey Wright, operators of pubs in the North East, have expanded their portfolio by acquiring a third establishment, The Big Jug on Claypath in Durham. Collaborating with Star Pubs & Bars, they are embarking on a significant £400,000 renovation of the pub.
The pub is set to reopen in mid-March, just in time for Easter, with the investment leading to the creation of 10 new jobs.
Craig and Stacey already manage the highly regarded and popular City in Durham city center, another pub leased from Star Pubs & Bars.
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The pub is set to reopen in mid-March, just in time for Easter, with the investment leading to the creation of 10 new jobs.
Craig and Stacey already manage the highly regarded and popular City in Durham city center, another pub leased from Star Pubs & Bars.
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06/Feb/2024 07:22
Team behind Flight Club to launch three new venues this year
Red Engine, the group behind Flight Club Darts, has disclosed its intentions to open three new venues in the UK throughout the current year.
The company is gearing up to introduce Flight Club Oxford, Flight Club Liverpool, and the spin-off brand Electric Shuffle, a high-tech version of shuffleboard, in Manchester.
The competitive darts bar, Flight Club, made its debut in London's Shoreditch in 2015, founded by Steve Moore and Paul Barham.
Since its inception.
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The company is gearing up to introduce Flight Club Oxford, Flight Club Liverpool, and the spin-off brand Electric Shuffle, a high-tech version of shuffleboard, in Manchester.
The competitive darts bar, Flight Club, made its debut in London's Shoreditch in 2015, founded by Steve Moore and Paul Barham.
Since its inception.
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05/Feb/2024 06:57
Brakspear acquires two pubs in Hampshire from New Dawn Pubs
Brakspear is extending its leased and tenanted estate into Hampshire through the acquisition of two pubs in the county from New Dawn Pubs.
The Rose & Crown near Alton and The Royal Exchange near Bordon are set to become part of Brakspear's 110-strong leased and tenanted estate. These establishments enjoy picturesque village settings, substantial prior investments, and a robust existing trade in food and beverages. Brakspear has already selected accomplished operators to oversee the management of these pubs.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “These beautiful and popular rural pubs will be a perfect fit for our existing L&T estate.
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The Rose & Crown near Alton and The Royal Exchange near Bordon are set to become part of Brakspear's 110-strong leased and tenanted estate. These establishments enjoy picturesque village settings, substantial prior investments, and a robust existing trade in food and beverages. Brakspear has already selected accomplished operators to oversee the management of these pubs.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “These beautiful and popular rural pubs will be a perfect fit for our existing L&T estate.
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30/Jan/2024 07:08
Dodo Pub Co. announce The Sudeley Arms as their latest acquisition
Dodo Pub Co. has revealed the newest addition to its pub portfolio with the acquisition of The Sudeley Arms in Cheltenham.
Increasing its portfolio to eight, this will be the second site in the town for Dodo Pub Co. joining the Bottle of Sauce on Ambrose Street. Following in the footsteps of the BOS, as its affectionately known, the Sudeley Arms will be renamed ‘Airs & Graces’, a nod to Cheltenham’s world-famous races.
Co-founder Leo Johnson said: “We’ve been looking for an eighth site for a while and expanding in Cheltenham seemed like the natural choice for us.
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Increasing its portfolio to eight, this will be the second site in the town for Dodo Pub Co. joining the Bottle of Sauce on Ambrose Street. Following in the footsteps of the BOS, as its affectionately known, the Sudeley Arms will be renamed ‘Airs & Graces’, a nod to Cheltenham’s world-famous races.
Co-founder Leo Johnson said: “We’ve been looking for an eighth site for a while and expanding in Cheltenham seemed like the natural choice for us.
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26/Jan/2024 17:33
Revolution Bars to ‘significantly reduce' spending despite strong festive period
Revolution Bars has revealed it will significantly reduce capex expenditure and defer all refurbishments despite its 'best festive period since 2019'.
In its H1 pre-close trading update released on January 24, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands predicted lower EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) into the second half of the financial year, with estimates between £3m and £3.5m.
The group said January trade has 'started softly' as consumers continue to 'recover from the expense of Christmas'.
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In its H1 pre-close trading update released on January 24, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands predicted lower EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) into the second half of the financial year, with estimates between £3m and £3.5m.
The group said January trade has 'started softly' as consumers continue to 'recover from the expense of Christmas'.
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26/Jan/2024 17:27
Wetherspoon's reports 10% rise in like-for-like sales
JD Wetherspoon's has announced a significant increase in like-for-like sales, recording a growth of 10.1% compared to the same period the previous year. This data pertains to the 25 weeks leading up to January 21, 2024.
The chain's latest financial results reveal notable growth across various segments. Bar sales experienced a robust increase of 11.8%, food sales rose by 7.9%, and slot/fruit machines recorded a growth of 10.4%. Additionally, there was a 3.1% increase in room sales.
Furthermore.
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The chain's latest financial results reveal notable growth across various segments. Bar sales experienced a robust increase of 11.8%, food sales rose by 7.9%, and slot/fruit machines recorded a growth of 10.4%. Additionally, there was a 3.1% increase in room sales.
Furthermore.
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25/Jan/2024 16:57
New Year, New Chapter: Northbrook Arms in East Stratton Welcomes Fresh Leadership
As 2024 gets underway, the Northbrook Arms, a cherished establishment in East Stratton (8 miles north of Winchester), is excited to announce a fresh chapter with a dynamic new management team at the helm.
Owners Kate and Adam Shanley, who acquired the site in April 2019, have dedicated the past three months to ongoing improvements, solidifying its reputation as a multifaceted destination. The completion of a three-year renovation project in Autumn last year has seen the addition of four self-catering accommodation units, enhancing the pub's offerings alongside its bar, new restaurant and function room.
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Owners Kate and Adam Shanley, who acquired the site in April 2019, have dedicated the past three months to ongoing improvements, solidifying its reputation as a multifaceted destination. The completion of a three-year renovation project in Autumn last year has seen the addition of four self-catering accommodation units, enhancing the pub's offerings alongside its bar, new restaurant and function room.
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25/Jan/2024 15:13
The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea, Ranked 40th Place in the Top 50 Best Gastropub Awards 2024
The results of the Top 50 Best Gastropubs awards have been announced ranking The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea in 40th place, alongside placing The George in Fitzrovia at 91st in the wider list of the 100 best gastropubs in the UK.
The “Estrella Damm” Top 50 Gastropub Awards are voted for by more than 100 industry experts including leading pub business owners, as well as editors of media brands and food writers. The 2024 awards feature pubs from up and down the country, with five named in London.
Publican.
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The “Estrella Damm” Top 50 Gastropub Awards are voted for by more than 100 industry experts including leading pub business owners, as well as editors of media brands and food writers. The 2024 awards feature pubs from up and down the country, with five named in London.
Publican.
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23/Jan/2024 12:24