Investment

Former M&B chairman backs new food-led Fireside Pubs & Restaurants group

25-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

John Lovering, the former chairman of Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), has backed the team behind a new food-led pub group - Fireside Pubs & Restaurants - which is looking to open around 20 pubs in the south east within three to five years.

Posera launches update to Maitre’D EPoS software

25-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

In the first of a week of news stories detailing launches of technology products for the hospitality industry to support our special feature, BigHospitality reveals details of the latest update to Posera's Maitre’D EPoS software.

Accor to earn 50% of its profits from emerging markets by 2016

20-Feb-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Global hotel operator Accor has revealed it has set itself a target of earning 50 per cent of its profits from venues in emerging markets by 2016.

Choice Hotels to rebrand nine Akkeron hotels

22-Jan-2013 By Emma Eversham

Akkeron, operator of 21 hotels across the UK, has struck an agreement with the US based Choice Hotels to re-brand nine of its properties under the Quality and Clarion Collection brands.

The 10-point action plan: Travelodge calls on Cable to back UK tourism

21-Jan-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Travelodge chief executive Grant Hearn has today written to Business Secretary Vince Cable, urging the Government to give more support for tourism by moving it from the Department of Culture Media & Sports to the Department for Business, Innovation...

'Hard work' pays off at Macdonald Hotels as 2012 profit rises to £1.9m

03-Jan-2013 By Emma Eversham

Business improved substantially for Macdonald Hotels last year with profit after tax reaching £1.9m for the year ending 29 March 2012, compared to a loss of £5.6m for the previous year. 

Lukewarm welcome: Hospitality businesses react to the Autumn Statement

06-Dec-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Businesses, the main beneficiaries of the small amount of good news delivered in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement yesterday, have begun giving their reaction, welcoming tax cuts and increased spending but calling on more to be done for the hospitality...

Nicola Horlick's Rockpool Investments to fund Chicago Rib Shack restaurant expansion

03-Dec-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Rockpool Investments, the company founded and chaired by so-called City 'superwoman' Nicola Horlick, is to invest £1.675m in the Chicago Rib Shack restaurant to fund its expansion into nine more shopping centres over the next three years.

Former Wagamama chief exec Ian Neill invests in K10 restaurant

19-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

Ian Neill, former chief executive and chairman at Wagamama, has joined venture capitalist Chrysalis VCT in investing £1m in modern Japanese restaurant K10 with a view to helping the business expand further. 

Novus Leisure sold to new investors for £100m

27-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Bar and nightclub operator Novus Leisure has been sold to new investors LGV Capital and Hutton Collins for £100m in a deal that will see the new owners supporting the strategy to double its central London portfolio over the next three years.

Wear Inns buys nine TCG pubs taking portfolio to 24

04-Jul-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Wear Inns, the Northern community pub operator, has announced it has completed the acquisition of nine pubs in the North East and Yorkshire from TCG as a result of private investment backing secured earlier this year.

UK mid-market hotel sector faces further consolidation, says HVS London

27-Jun-2012 By Luke Nicholls

With a number of UK mid-market hotel groups now sporting a for-sale notice, the sector is set to experience further consolidation in the three and four-star properties as lenders seek to move into the next stage of action regarding over-geared groups.

Fuller’s reports profit growth despite ‘most volatile’ start to a year ever

31-May-2012 By Peter Ruddick

London-based brewer and pub operator Fuller’s has announced it experienced a ‘very positive’ last year of trading with growth across its business but revealed the beginning of 2012 had been the ‘most volatile’ start to a year ever for the company.

Banks hold the key to growth for hospitality businesses

24-May-2012 By Luke Nicholls

Nearly half of hospitality and leisure businesses are hoping to obtain additional sources of finance to assist with their expansion over the coming months as many look to return to growth in 2012.

Punch Taverns 'on track' despite profits drop

12-Apr-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Punch Taverns has said it remains 'on track' to meet its expectations for the year despite a drop in first half pre-tax profits from £41m last year to £33m in the 28 weeks to 3 March 2012.

Spirit reports continued strong growth and increase in food sales

16-Mar-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Spirit Pub Company has announced trading remains on track to meet the company expectations for the financial year with like-for-like sales across its managed estate up 4.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to 3 March 2012 with food sales becoming more important...

UK hotel transactions on the up

01-Feb-2012 By Luke Nicholls

The number of European hotel transactions has risen by nine per cent since 2010 and the UK remains the most active investment market of them all, with total transaction volume of €2.7 billion.

Mitchells & Butlers sales up 4.9%

22-Nov-2011 By Rachel Parkes

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the managed pub company, has seen sales rise by 4.9 per cent in 2011 to £1.76bn, boosted by an increase in food sales by 7.8 per cent.

Consumers still eating out despite squeeze on finances

14-Nov-2011 By Emma Eversham

Consumers are continuing to eat out at 24 of the UK's biggest pub and restaurant operators despite a squeeze on their personal finances, latest figures show.

Castle Hotel Group buys historic Fishers Hotel in Pitlochry

04-Aug-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The owners of a group of historic hotels have purchased the 130-bedrooom Fishers Hotel in Scotland’s Pitlochry, which they plan to “give a new lease of life” to.

Luke Johnson acquires stake in The Draft House

01-Aug-2011 By Becky Paskin

Serial investor Luke Johnson has acquired a substantial minority stake in The Draft House, the wet-led craft beer concept headed by Charlie McVeigh.

Admiral invests £5m in upgrading pubs that ‘undersell’

24-Jun-2011 By Lorraine Heller

Admiral Taverns will invest £5m in upgrading a number of its pubs over a five-month period, in an effort to boost their appeal to customers.

Fuller’s: Capital’s expansion plans could ‘dilute quality’ of estate

22-Jun-2011 By Becky Paskin

Fuller’s has responded to Capital Pub Company’s rejection of its takeover attempt with claims its growth strategy could ‘dilute the overall quality and attractiveness of the estate’.

Barracuda revamps Varsity bars but cuts estate

16-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Managed pub operator Barracuda has reduced the number of its student-led Varsity bars by 12 to 27 sites across the UK as it focuses on upgrading the estate.

Whitbread: Why eco-friendly hotels are good for business

17-Mar-2011 By Becky Paskin

Whitbread has invested millions of pounds into developing a strategy that will safeguard its hotels and restaurants against rising energy costs and discerning consumers in the future.

The Restaurant Group plans more expansion after strong 2010

10-Mar-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The Restaurant Group, the operator behind Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Garfunkel’s, has shown a strong start to 2001 with a double digit increase in profits compared to last year.

Carl’s Jr premium burger chain prepares mass UK openings

03-Feb-2011 By Lorraine Heller

The US premium burger chain Carl’s Jr is preparing to launch a string of franchises in the UK, and is seeking companies interested in taking these on.

Clapham House CEO resigns after Nando’s takeover

29-Nov-2010 By Becky Paskin

Paul Campbell has resigned from his position as chief executive of Clapham House, following its recent sale to casual dining restaurant group Nando’s and de-listing from AIM.

Ask the Experts: How can I get the best rate on my pension?

18-Oct-2010 By NULL

Laith Khalaf, pensions analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, advises one reader on how to get the most of his pension plan as a self-employed, single operator

Punch Taverns facing strategy review following profit fall

12-Oct-2010 By Martyn Leek, The PMA Team

Punch Taverns, the leased and tenanted pub operator, is to carry out a "comprehensive" strategy review after a fall in profits

Luke Johnson buys majority stake in Ego Restaurants

15-Sep-2010 By Mark Stretton

Luke Johnson, the serial restaurant investor, has acquired a majority stake in Ego Restaurants, the 10-strong Mediterranean casual dining concept run by James Horler, for an undisclosed sum

Mitchells & Butlers sells non-core pub package in £373m deal

20-Aug-2010 By Martyn Leek

Mitchells & Butlers, the managed pub operator, has sold 333 of its non-core pubs for £373m to Stonegate Pub Company, a new vehicle backed by TDR Capital, the private equity firm.

Christopher’s American Grill sold to Caparo Group chairman

05-Jul-2010 By Becky Paskin

Christopher’s American Bar & Grill in Covent Garden has been sold to Ambar Paul, chairman of engineering company, Caparo Group for an undisclosed sum

Chancellor raises alcohol duty by 2% but pledges to help businesses

22-Apr-2009 By Emma Eversham

Chancellor Alistair Darling ignores pleas from the pub industry not to increase alcohol duty in this years Budget, but announces measures to help businesses

Von Essen appoints head chef and invests £9.5m in hotel upgrades

19-Feb-2009 By Emma Eversham

Matthew Butcher takes on the role of head chef at von Essens Ston Easton Park as the hotel group unveils plans for major investment into its properties in Somerset and Gloucestershire

Pontins invests in £50m redevelopment

03-Feb-2009 By Becky Paskin

Pontins have invested £50m in a redevelopment of its sites, creating over 2,000 new jobs

Weak pound is silver lining for hospitality industry

18-Dec-2008 By Emma Eversham

The Tourism Alliance renews its calls to the government to invest in tourism to help the industry benefit from the increasing number of foreigners visiting the UK to take advantage of the weak pound

Bob Cotton advises MPs how to revive industry

20-Nov-2008 By Becky Paskin

Bob Cotton, chairman of the British Hospitality Association, has called on MPs to defer NI and VAT payments for the industry, reinstate capital allowances, and stop introducing new regulations