28/05/2025 09:30:00
London's pubs, bars, and nightclubs are being urged to share their views on the city's nightlife with an independent taskforce launched by Mayor Sadiq Khan in February. Chaired by Cameron Leslie, co-founder of Fabric, the London Nightlife Taskforce aims to address challenges such as staff shortages and licensing issues. Insights gathered through VibeLab, a consultancy and advocacy agency conducting the research survey, open until mid-June, will help shape recommendations to the mayor this autumn. Leslie emphasised the importance of hearing from those involved in the sector. The mayor may also overrule councils that block late-night openings to support the night-time economy, reports The Caterer.
A backer of Gail's bakeries is in advanced talks to acquire Flat Iron, one of the UK's fastest-growing steakhouse chains, according to Sky News. McWin Capital Partners, focused on food-related investments, has partnered with private equity firm TriSpan to buy a major stake. McWin is expected to take the largest economic interest. The two firms are in exclusive talks, with a deal possible within a month. Flat Iron, founded in 2012 in Shoreditch by Charlie Carroll, now operates around 20 profitable sites, posting £5.7m in underlying profits last year. It received £10m in funding from private equity firm Piper in 2017. It's currently led by ex-Byron CEO Tom Byng, with Houlihan Lokey advising on the sale. McWin is also eyeing full control of Gail's, while TriSpan has invested in chains like Pho and Rosa's Thai.
Heartwood Inns has opened the doors to The White Hart in Lymington, taking its estate to 30 venues, says Pub & Bar. A listed building, The White Hart has undergone a recent refurbishment, including the addition of an extension to the rear to create over 150 internal dining seats together with an additional 50 seats outside. By the end of the year, its pub estate is set to grow by another five venues, with openings planned in Godalming, Marlow, Stratford upon Avon, Great Bookham and London.
The on-trade has lost 15,800 pubs over the past quarter of a century, analysis of trade body data has found in a report from the Morning Advertiser. The data, which is from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), found the year that saw the highest number of pub closures was 2017 when the UK lost 1,950, going from 50,300 in 2016 to 48,350 in 2017 - a drop of 4.03% year-on-year. The second largest drop was in 2013, there were 52,500 pubs - this was down 1,300 (1.89%). Most recently, numbers from 2023 to 2024 dropped by 350 (from 45,350 to 45,000).
Criterion Capital has announced the acquisition of a former office block in London, which it plans to relaunch as Zedwell Tower Bridge, advises Boutique Hotelier. The fast-growing hospitality firm has purchased Mansell Court and will transform it into a 200-room 'sleep-optimised' Zedwell hotel. Zedwell Tower Bridge will mark the brand's second opening in the City, following Criterion's acquisition of One Princes Street. The acquisition takes Zedwell's committed pipeline to 9,000+ rooms across the UK, with upcoming openings in London, York, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The Zedwell brand is known for adaptive reuse projects, which it says align with its sustainability strategy.
Mitchells & Butlers Like-for-likes outperform market. The pub and restaurant operator reported like-for-like sales growth of 4.3% in its half-year results, with total revenue of £1,454m, reports MCA Insight.