14/07/2026 08:37:00
Joule's Brewery is set to invest £2m into the restoration of the New Inn in Harborne after planning permission was granted - marking its biggest cash commitment in a site. The independent brewer - based in Market Drayton - that operates around 40 pubs, known as 'Taphouses' by the company, has spent the past two years "getting to know the pub, listening to the local community and carefully developing plans to protect the character of one of Harborne's best-loved pubs". The announcement follows another milestone for Joule's in Birmingham with the opening of the Red Lion in the Jewellery Quarter on Tuesday (14 July 2026), which also restored a Victorian Pub, reports The Morning Advertiser.
Permanently Unique Group has secured a £25m credit facility to accelerate its expansion both in the UK and internationally. The group, which operated Asian inspired restaurant brand Tattu as well as New York Italian concept Louis and Greek-inspired brand Fenix, has secured the backing from NatWest, writes Restaurant Online. It's predominantly based in the UK, but last year the group made its overseas debut with Tattu Dubai. Permanently Unique Group says the additional funding will help it grow its three brands domestically and internationally. The cash injection will also support the opening of a Tattu in London's Canary Wharf later this year, as well as the launch of two new Louis sites in London's Mayfair and Dubai planned for 2027.
Pizza Pilgrims has returned to profit after its acquisition by German casual dining chain L'Osteria last August, The Caterer reports. For the 18 months ended 31 December 2025, the pizza restaurant brand made £0.95m in operating profit, compared to a pre-tax loss of £120,527 in the year to 30 June 2024. Although the accounting period differed, gross profit increased to £26.8m from the previous £14.5m result, and gross profit margin stepped up to 44.8% from 42.1%. Revenue climbed to £59.8m from the 2024 financial year's £34.4m. The 18 months saw five restaurant openings, in Edinburgh, its first in Scotland, Spitalfields and King's Cross in London; Manchester and Birmingham. Pizza Pilgrims now operates 31 restaurants across the UK. The group won Restaurateur of the Year - Group at the 2025 Cateys.
Dakota Manchester Airport, a £55m new site from the hotel brand which is billed as the UK's 'first luxury airport hotel', has opened its doors, Boutique Hotelier reports. The 154-bed property marks the second Manchester site for Dakota, following its city centre hotel on Ducie Street. Designed by KPP Architects, the new hotel includes a premium bar and brasserie-style grill on the ground floor and provides 130 car parking spaces and a dedicated shuttle service to and from the airport terminals. Dakota Manchester Airport is also home to an al fresco Cigar Terrace and Humidor, private dining rooms, a dedicated Champagne Room and versatile event spaces.
Hospitality leader confidence has tumbled amid concerns over operating costs and consumer spending, according to the latest NIQ and Zonal Business Confidence Survey. The poll, representing more than 15,000 hospitality sites, found that just 37% of leaders are optimistic about their business prospects over the next 12 months, down from 51% in February. Confidence is particularly low among independent operators, with only 16% of single-site business leaders feeling optimistic. The findings also reflect weak consumer confidence, which has fallen to its lowest level since 2023, The Caterer reports.
The number of pubs in Wales has grown so far this year - bucking the trend of UK-wide closures over the past few years. It is a "much-needed ray of light" for the beleaguered industry, according to the BBPA. While only modest, the number in Wales is up by three since January, while Scotland has lost 41, and the south-east of England has lost 26 in the same period, the BBC reports.