02/09/2026 08:45:00
The UK's exceptionally warm start to summer helped create favourable trading conditions for many leisure-focused hotel markets between late May and mid-August, according to data from real estate analytics firm, CoStar. The heatwaves have helped push coastal and rural markets to outperform urban destinations throughout the past three months. The Caterer reports, hotels in leisure-driven destinations witnessed around a 4% uplift, as occupancy grew by 1% and average daily rate (ADR) by approximately 4%. Meanwhile, urban destinations, which have a more varied demand base, experienced 2% revenue per available room (revpar) increase, with occupancies remaining relatively stable.
Loungers is on track to hit turnover of £500m in its current financial year, according to its co-founder and executive chairman. Reflecting as the all-day café/bar/restaurant group celebrates its 24th birthday, Alex Reilley said being part of the business continues to be 'one hell of a ride.' Loungers, which is backed by Fortress Investment Group, reported revenue of £406.4m in its most recent financial results for the year ended 20 April 2025, up from £353.5m the year before. Restaurant online reports that adjusted EBITDA rose from £44.2m to £55m, a rise of 24.4%, while the adjusted EBITDA margin grew by one percentage point to 13.5% (2024: 12.5%). The group, whose portfolio encompasses the Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside brands, said the sales performance reflects both continuing strong growth across its mature estates and the ongoing success of its new site opening programme.
Brewer and pub company Hall & Woodhouse has revealed its trading figures for the year to 31 January 2026, with a number of factors contributing to an increase in profits, Pub & Bar reports. Underlying profit before tax increased by a 16% to £9.3m (2025: £8.1m), while total profit after tax increased to £8.9m (2025: £4.1m). The business says that while it saw improved trading throughout the period, this is principally due to a reduced taxation charge and accounting for an insurance payment receipt for the fire at the Osborne View, Fareham. Net debt at Hall & Woodhouse increased to £36.9m (2025: £35.5m), notwithstanding capital expenditure of £19.1m. With £55m of banking facilities in place, the business says it has plenty of headroom to continue to invest. Hall & Woodhouse is a family-owned company that has c.150 pubs across the south.
Greene King is set to invest around £15m in its London pub estate this year as part of its wider strategy to reinvest in core sites, writes the Morning Advertiser. The pub company and brewer has invested over £6m across 20 pubs in Greater London so far in 2026, spanning both its managed estate and its leased, tenanted and franchise division, Pub Partners. A further 19 sites are expected to be refurbished before the end of the year, taking total projected spend to around £15m, up 33% year on year.
Henley-based pub operator Brakspear has reported turnover of £47.9m for the year ended 28 December 2025. The numbers mean an increase of 16% on 2024. EBITDA before exceptional items increased by 6% to £11.4m, while operating profit remained stable at £7.2m. Growth was recorded across both sides of the pub business, with turnover in the leased and tenanted estate increasing by 5%, while Honeycomb Houses, Brakspear's managed pub division, grew turnover by 23%. Like-for-like growth within Honeycomb Houses was 7%, with an additional £3.9m of turnover generated by acquisitions made during the year, Pub & Bar reports.
Wedding reforms could bring opportunities for pubs and restaurants. New Barclays Consumer Spend research suggests proposed wedding reforms by the government could see more couples choosing to get married in pubs and restaurants. The data said over half of those planning a wedding would rethink where they hold their big day, should the proposed reforms go ahead, The Caterer reports...