15/07/2025 09:32:00
New legislation to protect small businesses and boost regional growth has been welcomed by UKHospitality, which hailed a ban on upward-only rent reviews (UORR) as the "right move". The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill aims to empower local communities, protect small businesses, and boost local economies through a series of wide-ranging reforms, reports The Morning Advertiser. UORR clauses in commercial leases will be banned according to the plans, which the Government said would "help keep small businesses running and boost economies and job opportunities." The introduction of a Community Right to Buy scheme will also make it easier for communities to take ownership of pubs, shops, and sporting grounds by giving residents the first chance to buy when these assets are up for sale.
Minor Hotels is set to launch hotels based on London's the Wolseley and Colbert restaurant brands, writes The Caterer. The group, which owns the Wolseley Hospitality Group, is launching four new hotel brands in a bid to "fulfil evolving traveller and owner needs". These include the luxury soft brand Minor Reserve Collection and budget-friendly iStay Hotels. The Wolseley Hotels brand is described as "rooted in the heritage of the iconic Piccadilly restaurant" and will blend "British elegance with European flair and global influence". The Colbert Collection will be a global collection of premium independent hotels "designed for those fuelled by a passion for culinary excellence". Minor owns and operates more than 560 hotels across 57 countries and said the new brands were part of a strategy to reach 850 properties by the end of 2027.
A Lebanese shawarma bar is to open a second site this summer. Leeds-based SQEW will bring its kebabs to Manchester's Deansgate area, taking over the former Rola Wala site, advises Restaurant Online. SQEW was devised in early 2015 by chef Mitch Renshaw, who wanted to create an elevated take on the kebab. The brand eventually opened its first bricks and mortar site on Leeds' Duncan Street in 2012. "We've been searching for the perfect site since 2023," says Renshaw. Fleurets acted on the deal.
Fairfield by Marriott is set to launch its first UK hotel following Reserved Matters approval for a 142-bedroom site next to the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The 142-bedroom midscale hotel will be built adjacent to the museum and Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) global headquarters. Construction is due to begin in autumn, with the hotel expected to open in early 2027. The project marks the introduction of the Fairfield by Marriott brand to the UK market, and the development is independently owned and operated, advises Hotel Owner.
Family pubs are the latest focus for operator Marston's, as it continues to reveal the new brands behind its five-format approach, reports Pub & Bar. Following the debut of Grandstand, its new locals sport pub concept, Marston's has announced the launch of Woodie's, its new local family pub format. The Skymaster in Warrington, Cheshire, will be the first pub rebranded as a Woodie's, reopening at the end of July. New family-focused spaces will be created in each redesigned pub, including Woodie's Den, a 'magical woodland-themed' area with games, craft activities and special events such as discos, karaoke and quizzes. The spaces will be fitted with a system that will allow streaming through built-in TVs. The pubs will also be home to Woodie's Sweet Factory, a self-serve confectionery bar for children to top their desserts using a token system.
Pubs in Wales could be facing another increase in costs as a visitor levy on their accommodation has been approved by the Welsh Senedd, reports The Morning Advertiser. The Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Etc. (Wales) Bill gives local authorities the choice to introduce a levy on overnight stays in visitor accommodation to raise funds for local tourism. Local authorities will decide whether to introduce a visitor levy after consulting with their communities. It will be a per person night charge and the levy would apply to all visitors regardless of where they have travelled from.
Greene King has proposed business rates reforms that could unlock millions for community investment across the UK, Pub & Bar reports.