27/11/2017
Predicted growth for eating out, deliveries, burgers and breakfast
The Morning Advertiser has reported that the number of consumers eating out is expected to grow significantly in 2018. New data from NPD Group reports that the number of consumers choosing to eat out will increase by 83m visits, whilst deliveries are also expected to increase by 101m. So far in 2017, breakfast dining has accounted for more than one eighth of the total 11.36bn eating out occasions, and numbers are expected to increase by 5.7% in 2018 and again by 4.8% in 2019. NPD, however, expects breakfast visits to rise by 5.7% next year and by a further 4.8% by the end of 2019. Visitor numbers for burger operations are also predicted to increase by 5.1% in 2018 an d a further 4.5% in 2019.
Young's announce results and acquisition of SMITHS
Young & Co.'s Brewery PLC has released its interim performance results for the 26 weeks ending 2 Oct 2017. Pub and Bar magazine reports that Young's total revenue has increased 6% to £144.1m, whilst like-for-like sales in its managed houses increased by 4.6%. Furthermore, Young's has also acquired 'SMITHS' of Smithfield as well as the sister venue at Cannon Street.
New Principal hotel site to open in 2018
The hotel, The Principal London, will be located in a Grade II listed building in London's Russell Square, with featured artwork referencing Bloomsbury's literary connections. Paul Charity at Propel Info reports that the 334-room hotel will re-open in early 2018, having previously operated as a hotel which opened its doors in 1898. Principal's estate includes sites in Glasgow, Cardiff, Oxford and Leeds, and has also restored historic hotels in York, Manchester and Edinburgh. Principal has plans to open sites in Liverpool and Birmingham.
Tortilla target on-the-go market with Putney opening
Tortilla, the Mexican-inspired restaurant chain, is set to open a new site in Putney on the 25th November according to Eat Out Magazine. Marking their 35th restaurant, and third this year after Kingston and Dalston, the South West London site is smaller than the existing restaurants at 700 sq ft and 20 covers. The new Putney site will target the food-to-go market, which is part of a larger project, Tortilla 800, which intends to open more sites smaller than 800 sq ft. in size.
Henry Harris and James McCulloch open three new London pubs
As reported by The Caterer, former Racine chef patron, Henry Harris and James McCulloch, owner of Marylebone's Harcourt, are set to launch three new London pubs. The pubs are the Hero of Maida in Maida Vale, the Three Cranes in the City as well as the Coach in Clerkenwell, for which the latter property deal was brokered by Fleurets. The Three Cranes will open later this month, whilst The Coach is expected to launch in January, followed by the Hero of Maida in February.
And Finally...
Fleurets has been instructed to sell the freehold interest for The Star Inn in Alfriston, East Sussex. As reported by Boutique Hotelier, the coaching inn dates back to the 13th century and was originally operated by monks but also later allegedly a popular site with smugglers. The property's Tudor fascia is still in place and other parts of the property reputedly date back around 800 years. Nick Earee from Fleurets is marketing the 37-bedroom hotel off a guide price of £3m.