17/03/2026 09:49:00
Coaching Inn Group will see its estate grow to 43 sites following the transition of seven RedCat Independent pubs into its portfolio, reports the Morning Advertiser. The pubs-with-rooms operator, which will mark its 30th anniversary later this year, said the new additions will help grow turnover to almost £100m, after being acquired by RedCat in 2021. Its expansion is being supported by a substantial CAPEX investment programme, focused on enhancing guest experience and maintain quality across the estate. A number of new roles have also been created as part of the plans, as well as retaining and reshaping many existing roles.
European hotel values saw a marginal increase of 0.2% in 2025, marking the smallest rise since the pandemic, according to the latest Hotel Valuation Index from global consultancy HVS. The report found that while occupancy levels improved across the region, ongoing conflict and global instability limited overall value appreciation. Copenhagen recorded the highest growth at 5.9%, driven by strong demand and limited new supply. Athens followed with a 5.5% increase as it attracted significant institutional investment. In contrast, Istanbul saw values fall 7.6% due to high inflation and currency devaluation. Amsterdam recorded a 5.9% drop following tax increases on hotel accommodation. Values in London and Manchester both declined 3.4%. Researchers attributed this to new supply and rising overheads, including higher National Insurance and minimum wage costs, writes Hotel Owner.
Gary Neville's Relentless Developments has proposed to create a new neighbourhood in Manchester's Deansgate area known as the Kendals District. The move comes six months after the developer joined forces with Investec to transform Kendal Milne site in Deansgate. The consented 230,000 sq ft projects consists of office space along with a food and beverage, and retail provision. It is supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority which has allocated £44m of funding from the Good Growth Fund for the project. The wider vision for the area coves six sites, five of which will be led by Relentless. The proposals blend grade-A workspace, hospitality and leisure facilities with a luxury hotel and branded residences, set within new public realm and cultural space, reports Estates Gazette.
Dalata Hotel Group will open its seventh hotel in London, the Maldron Hotel Kensington, in 2029. The new 370-bedroom, four-star hotel will be situated in a converted office building adjacent to Olympia London, which is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound overhaul. The vacant office space will be completely repurposed into the Maldron Hotel Kensington, complete with a restaurant, bar, business centre and gym and will capitalise on the thousands of global visitors who attend large-scale conferences and exhibitions at Olympia London every year. Irish-founded Dalata Hotel Group opened its first London Maldron hotel in 2023, following the £44.3m acquisition of a hotel in Finsbury Park. Last year, the Group was taken over by Pandox in a £1.2bn deal and it was announced that Scandi Hotels would operate the firm's 55 hotels in central locations in UK and Ireland, including 30 owned hotels, 11 leased hotels and three managed hotels, advises Boutique Hotelier.
The owner of Dave's Hot Chicken is reportedly exploring a sale of its UK and European franchise, writes The Grocer. The US fast food chain's private equity-baked owner Azzurri Group, which also owns Ask Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama, could be looking at a sale later this year, Bloomberg reported, citing sources close to the situation. Dave's Hot Chicken has over 300 locations in the US and launched its first UK site in London in December 2024. The same year, Azzurri Group won the master franchise rights for the brand in the UK and Ireland, and the pair unveiled plans to launch 60 locations across the UK. They kicked off Dave's national expansion in June 2025, with the brand currently operation a total of nine restaurants in the UK.
A Star Pubs study has revealed the key features pubgoers value most from their local, reports Pub & Bar. It also underlines the social role pubs play in their communities: 75% say their local is the heart of the community and 74% consider their landlord a key community figure.