11/11/2025 10:14:00
The owners of Brighton's Palace Pier say they are considering selling off the attraction blaming declining profits, reports the BBC. The Brighton Pier Group, which has sold several bars in London, Bristol and Reading, and owns mini golf courses and a theme park in North Yorkshire, said trading in 2025 "remained subdued with a decline in sales". The group stated 2023 and 2024 had been "difficult" years for the Palace Pier, due to a decline in tourism to Brighton and poor weather over the summer period. It added the introduction of the £1 admissions charge to non-residents "partially alleviated" the loss of sales. The whole group's like-for-like sales through to the end of September 2025 were down 10% below the same period in 2024.
The fast-growing competitive socialising group, Red Engine, has celebrated the opening of its newest venue, Flight Club Newcastle. This marks the latest milestone in the company's ambitious UK and international growth trajectory. Flight Club Newcastle is the 15th UK site and 29th Flight Club venue to open globally, says Retail & Leisure International. The 400-capacity site features two striking bars, 14 semi-private oches, designed by Red Engine's award-winning in-house team, featuring nods to the city's industrial and shipbuilding heritage.
Cheyne Capital has extended its long-term partnership with spa resort brand Champneys through a £32m capital expenditure facility, advises The Caterer. The cash injection will be used to refurbish and upgrade all bedrooms and public areas across Champneys' portfolio of four spa resorts and two spa hotels, as well as enhance its food and beverage offering. The resort business is looking to expand domestically and internationally through management contract and franchising models.
Greene King has invested over £6m into its pubs in London to date in 2025, with 14 managed sites having reopened so far this year following significant renovations. Key investments include the reopening of the Railway pub on Liverpool Street following a major £1m renovation. Similarly, the City of Quebec in Marylebone, London's oldest LGBTQIA+ venue, reopened its doors to the public this summer after a complete refurbishment. A further five Greene King pubs in London are due to undergo refurbishments ahead of the busy festive trading season, marking a total of 19 Greene King pub investments in the capital this year, reports Pub & Bar.
The Drey, a new hotel concept, is set to launch its debut property in London's Earl's Court later this year, says Boutique Hotelier. The 125-room hotel is positioned as a design-forward, efficiency-driven concept, with guests able to check in online, enter via keyless access and manage their stay through a dedicated app. The hotel says it will develop 'authentic neighbourhood connections' through collaborations with local cafes, bars and boutiques to support local businesses. In place of a traditional lobby bar or restaurant, The Drey features vending machines that rotate regularly and feature collaboration with independent brands. The hotel says it offers a 'new model for the industry: hospitality built around value, affordability and purpose.' The Drey's first London location opens in Earl's Court later this year.
Operator Stephen Williams has expanded his portfolio to three pubs in just one year, after taking on a lease for The Fox Inn, Boars Hill, with Star Pubs & Bars. Williams, who has been running The Fox Inn on a temporary basis since July 2024, is now undertaking a joint £254k refurbishment with Star Pubs. The project follows a rapid period of growth for Williams, who moved into the leased and tenanted sector in 2024, advises Morning Advertiser. Over the past year, he has taken on leases for The Plough in Witney, the town's oldest pub, and The Chequers in Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester.
And finally...
Domino's opens its first UK pod site, in Somerset, reports The Grocer.