12/03/2024 10:38:00
Young's has completed its acquisition of City Pub Group, which comprises 51 wet-led pubs across southern England and Wales, reports The Caterer. The deal, first announced in November last year, was estimated to have been worth £162m. At the time, Young's said the transaction represented a "rare opportunity" to increase its managed trading estate by 50 pubs to 279 pubs. The deal, which became effective on 4th March, will see Young's footprint expand to new geographic areas, including Cambridge and Norwich.
Shepherd Neame has invested more than £6m into its pub estate in the past 12 months, analysis of data by The Morning Advertiser has revealed. While some investments and procurements were completed with an undisclosed sum, of the figures released since March 2023, the pubco has invested around £6.2m in refurbishments and new sites. The Faversham-based firm, which is also Britain's oldest brewer, has a portfolio of more than 300 pubs with and without rooms throughout London, the south east and its hometown, Kent.
Vagabond Wines has appointed an advisory firm with hopes of restructuring its balance sheet to safeguard the business. The Business Desk says that the London-based pour-your-own wine bar chain posted notice of intention to appoint administrators in the High Court last week, with McDermott Will and Emery representing the firm. Historic debts from the pandemic, the loss of the "highly successful Heathrow venue" in January, alongside cost pressures, have forced the firm to appoint Quantuma. Despite the move, Vagabond says it's business as usual.
Celebrity chef, restaurateur and stock pot magnate Marco Pierre White will be debuting his new Ale House brand in Felixstowe, Suffolk, reports The Drinks Business. Two venues will be opening in the port town of Felixstowe by Black & White Hospitality Management, which White founded with entrepreneur Nick Taplin. Following a deal with owners the Govindasamy family, both will be situated in what is a Best Western-branded hotel at present, but, a press release says, will be converted into a boutique hotel down the line.
The UK food to go market is expected to grow 3.5% to a value £23bn in 2024, outpacing its pre-pandemic value by 9.3%. According to data from Lumina Intelligence's Food To Go Market report, this will be ahead of the total eating out market and inflation, indicating growth from stronger volumes following a weaker 2023. The Restaurant says that the market is forecast to see strong net outlet growth of 0.7% to 152,783 sites, which will be driven by the expansion of a variety of formats including travel hub, drive-thru and kiosk-style services. An additional 1,000 outlets are expected each year to 2027 with coffee shops, bakery and sandwich sites and travel hubs leading this expansion.
The pub sector has reacted with "extreme disappointment" to the Spring Budget, with slashed VAT and reform of business rates needed to make a real difference, says The Morning Advertiser. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt held the Spring Budget on Wednesday 6th March. He announced alcohol duty would be frozen until February 2025, to "back the Great British pub". No announcements were made regarding VAT or business rates. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said the Chancellor missed a real opportunity to show he backs hospitality and understands the real pain operators are enduring.
Caravan's latest property, in Manchester's upcoming creative district St John's, will have 200 covers and feature two all-day dining rooms, two outside terraces, a bar, a private dining room with a sound system and turn table and a takeout coffee bar, advises The Caterer.
London hospitality welcomes off-peak Fridays. Pub & Bar reports that Sadiq Khan has announced a three-month trial travel programme in which all tube and rail fares on pay-as-you-go will be priced as off-peak all day on Fridays.