30/09/2025 10:01:00
The hospitality business behind the Mr Fogg's collection, Cahoots and Control Room B has released its financial results for 2024, showing strong growth despite challenging market conditions, reports Pub & Bar. Inception Group reported a revenue of £28.9m in 2024, a 9.4% increase from 2023, with forecasts for 2025 suggesting another record-breaking year, exceeding £30m for the first time. The group, led by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, had 15 sites trading at the 2024 year-end. With just one additional site from 2023, like-for-like revenue was up 6.4%, delivering and EBITDA of £3.1m (+3.4%).
RedCat Hospitality, the operator of the Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, is focused on growing its carveries and accommodation arm following a "transformational" year for the business. The group has reported a rise in sales and profits after investing in its estate. Adjusted EBITDA rose 290% to £8.8m during the year to 30 March 2025 while site EBITDA jumped 42% to £18.7m. RedCat said like-for-like sales for the first quarter of this financial year were up 6.7% to £32.7m while room sales had jumped 8% amid a boom in demand in the pubs with rooms market. The group said carvery pubs were a "huge investment opportunity" going forwards and it has recently invested £600,000 to upgrade the Castle Carvery Clocktower in Norwich, The Caterer reports.
Peak Venues has put three freehold hospitality businesses in the Peak District up for sale, reports BE News. The portfolio comprises the Royal Oak pub, which is set on a 2.2-acre site and offers extensive indoor and outdoor dining, staff accommodation, a bunk barn, a seasonal campsite and parking. The pub, which is one of the busiest in the Peak District, has a guide price of £1.5m. Peak Venues is also selling the Yondermann Café, which has a guide price of £600,000, and the Bull I'th Thorn pub, which has rooms to let and a campsite and is guided at £1m. Each property is available individually or as a portfolio. Fleurets have been appointed to market the opportunities alongside Savills. Justin Heslop, director of Peak Venues, said: "This is the right time for us to step back from the hospitality trade and refocus on Peak Venues... The businesses are perfectly positioned for the next operator to take them forward."
Travelodge has acquired two hotels in Burton-upon-Trent and Glasgow Cumbernauld as part of its UK expansion strategy, adding 125 rooms to its portfolio, advises Hotel Owner. The properties, formerly trading under the Go2 brand, are on 25-year leases and the group is refurbishing them under its multi-million pound rebrand programme. The upgrade includes redesigned reception areas, updated interiors and next generation bedrooms. Travelodge said the acquisitions show "its focus on rebrand opportunities as a sustainable way to grow, avoiding new construction while accelerating openings". The company, which operates more than 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, has identified over 300 further locations in the UK where it believes there is "sufficient demand" for new sites.
Dover Marina Hotel and Spa, a four-star seafront property, has joined Tapestry Collection by Hilton following a multi-million pound expansion project. The Grade II-listed hotel previously operated under Best Western Plus, but has now joined Hilton's portfolio of 170 independently-owned hotels that operate under its Tapestry Collection. Dover Marina Hotel and Spa remains under the ownership of RS Rock Holdings, which own a number of businesses both in the UK and overseas, reports Boutique Hotelier.
Greggs is moving from pastries to pints as it opened its first pub over the weekend in Newcastle, writes The Standard. Named The Golden Flake Tavern, the pub will serve exclusive beers and a menu featuring its classic bakes and sausage rolls. Two exclusive beers on draft - the Pink Jammie Pale Ale and the Gosforth 1939 Stottie Lager - have both been developed in partnership with the Newcastle-based Full Circle Brew Co for the opening.
The Great British Pub Awards have again shone a light on the best of the UK's pub scene with winners spread far and wide, reports Morning Advertiser.