Property

Mid-market casual dining faces ongoing struggle as QSR continues to grow

17-Jan-2024 By James McAllister

Mid-market casual dining operators will ‘continue to struggle for real growth’ in the year ahead as more consumers ditch dine-in restaurants, according to a new report from Christie & Co.

Shelley Sandzer: more sites will be coming to the market

27-Mar-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Many restaurant and bar groups have quietly restructured their property estates post-Covid, enabling them to survive current cost pressures, according to Ted Schama, managing director at Shelley Sandzer.

Opinion

Dubai: a beating heart for hospitality

14-Mar-2023 By Ted Schama

The Middle East is coming into its own as a natural steppingstone for international growth for UK operators, says Ted Schama.

Restaurant sales rose in 2022, but more CVAs are on the way, predicts Christie & Co

19-Jan-2023 By Restaurant

Freehold restaurant sales held up well in 2022 despite the headwinds in the sector, with a 30% increase in transactions on the previous year.

Comment

Growth is beginning to be back on the agenda

04-Jan-2023 By Ted Schama

As larger businesses dispose of their marginal sites, 2023 will see more favourable terms for smaller players than possibly ever before.

High street closures fall to seven-year low

30-Aug-2022 By Georgi Gyton

There has been a significant drop in the numbers of high street chain stores closing, with restaurants seeing net growth, according to new data from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Do competitive socialising operators have the upper hand in premises licence applications?

01-Jul-2022 By David Inzani

David Inzani of solicitor Poppleton Allen examines the rise of the UK's competitive socialising space.

Ted Schama: 'Premiums are now almost non existent'

18-Mar-2022 By James McAllister

The managing director of leisure property agency Shelley Sandzer has said premiums are now 'almost non existent' and the pandemic has given landlords a 'greater understanding' of restaurant business models.

Demand for rural and coastal pubs increases

27-Jan-2021 By Georgi Gyton

Investor appetite for pubs remains healthy with many buyers undeterred by the impact of the pandemic, according to Christie & Co’s Outlook 2021 report.

‘Hidden’ courtyard planned for Cardiff Arcades

15-Jan-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Plans have been submitted for a ‘hidden’ courtyard in Cardiff’s Castle Quarter that would be home to four independent hospitality businesses.

Ask The Experts: Four tips for better rent negotiation

14-Dec-2020 By Anthony Lorenz

Leading commercial property advisor Anthony Lorenz provides advice to tenants

Opinion

To CVA or not to CVA?

13-Aug-2020 By Victoria Oates

Shelley Sandzer partner Victoria Oates explores Company Voluntary Agreement - CVAs for short - in the time of the Coronavirus crisis.

Shelley Sandzer and Gerald Edelman launch corporate finance business

16-Jul-2020 By Restaurant

Leisure property agency Shelley Sandzer and advisory firm Gerald Edelman are launching a new business venture called Shelley Sandzer Corporate Finance (SSCF).

Petition to save Brixton Market food business approaches 17,000 signatures

08-Jun-2020 By Restaurant

A petition to save Nour Cash & Carry in London’s Brixton Market has reached nearly 17,000 signatures since its inception.

Landlords threaten winding up orders over unpaid rent

30-Mar-2020 By News

UK landlords are threatening legal action against hospitality operators after many withheld rent to preserve cash during the lockdown, the Financial Times reports.

How to approach property and insurance during the Coronavirus crisis

24-Mar-2020 By Joe Lutrario

Though the lease forfeiture moratorium is a huge help to the sector, it's not a silver bullet. Operators will need to work closely with landlords to navigate the Coronavirus pandemic.

United We Stand

Expert Advice: Ted Schama on overcoming property challenges

24-Mar-2020 By Ted Schama

The property industry veteran on how to deal with landlords and what the Coronavirus means for the restaurant property market.

Calls for action to stop businesses being evicted over rent payments

23-Mar-2020 By Sophie Witts

Hospitality industry leaders are increasing pressure on the Government to introduce a lease forfeiture moratorium to protect restaurants and pubs from having their premises repossessed if they are unable to pay their rent this week.

Renegotiating your rent - what operators need to know to get it right

02-Mar-2020 By Catherine Gannon

Here, in the first in a series of articles as BigHospitality's guest legal editor, Catherine Gannon, founder of Gannons Solicitors, walks operators through everything they need to know about renegotiating their rent with landlords in a difficult...

10 Heddon Street curators launch restaurant residency service

14-Jan-2020 By Sophie Witts

An initiative which pairs temporarily vacant restaurant spaces with budding chefs and restaurateurs is launching in London this month.

Five rules for smart expansion

16-Oct-2018 By Gavin Whitney

Anyone looking to expand their restaurant business smartly and successfully should follow these five rules.

Lib Dems call to scrap "badly designed" business rates

30-Aug-2018 By Sophie Witts

UKHospitality has praised proposals by the Liberal Democrats to scrap business rates.

John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms falls in to administration

02-Feb-2018 By Sophie Witts

The John Burton-Race – Restaurant with Rooms in Torquay has become the sixth property in the Richardson Hotel Group to fall in to administration.

Embassy East will close its doors for good next month

27-Nov-2017 By Georgia Bronte

One of Hoxton’s favourite brunch restaurants has announced that it will cease trading early next month.

New owner to invest in The Isle of Eriska, Hotel, Spa & Island

26-Jan-2017 By Emma Eversham

Creation Gem, the new owner of The Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Island, is to make a 'significant investment' into the island and its properties to help 'secure its future'. 

London hotel squares up to Airbnb with rental partnership

24-Nov-2016 By Emma Eversham

London hotel Bermondsey Square has started a partnership with short-term rental providers in its area in a bid to challenge the rise of Airbnb. 

Cairn Group buys five Hotel Collection properties

15-Nov-2016 By Sophie Witts

North East hotel and bar operator Cairn Group has acquired five former Hotel Collection properties for £75m.

Gretna Green Ltd adds Gretna Hall hotel to portfolio

22-Aug-2016 By Emma Eversham

Scottish farming and tourism business Gretna Green Ltd has acquired Gretna Hall Hotel, growing its hotel portfolio to three and further strengthening its presence in Gretna. 

BHA boss slams 'dangerous' Airbnb

13-Jan-2016 By Sophie Witts

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), has slammed Airbnb for allowing its users to run potentially dangerous ‘pseudo hotels’ exempt from fire, food and health regulations.

Ask the Experts

How to make the most of capital allowances

02-Dec-2014 By Mark Tighe

If you are in the hospitality sector and own a commercial property, you could be entitled to significant financial benefits due to a little known area of tax-relief called capital allowances. Mark Tighe, managing director of capital allowances specialists, Catax...

Generator Hostels gets €60m from Invesco for expansion

13-Nov-2014 By Melodie Michel

Luxury hostel brand Generator has secured €60m of capital from US real estate investor Invesco, with plans to grow its portfolio to 20 properties by 2018.

Heritage Estates acquires second Nottinghamshire hotel

29-Sep-2014 By Lauren Houghton

Independent hotel group Heritage Estates has acquired Cockliffe Country House Hotel in a deal worth around £1m.

Think Apartments denies administration reports

19-Aug-2014 By Melodie Michel

Serviced apartment provider Think has dismissed reports that the firm had been placed into administration.

Menzies Hotels bought out of administration

02-Dec-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Twelve properties from the Menzies Hotels portfolio have been bought out of administration by international property and investment firm The Topland Group for more than the initial £80m asking price.

Malmaison starts refurb programme with London hotel following KSL Capital Partners acquisition

15-Oct-2013 By Emma Eversham

Boutique hotel group Malmaison will re-open its London hotel next month following a multi-million pound refurbishment. 

Hotels ‘missing out’ on unclaimed tax relief: Capital allowances explained

11-Sep-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Hotels across the UK are missing out on millions of pounds in unclaimed capital allowances, but those wishing to unlock the tax relief need to act fast.

Julia Hands: Hand Picked Hotels unlikely to grow much larger than 20 venues

25-Jun-2013 By Peter Ruddick

Julia Hands, the founder of Hand Picked Hotels, has told BigHospitality she does not expect the four-star country house hotel collection to be much larger than 20 venues so the business manages to keep its family-run feeling.

De Vere Venues to manage East Sussex National

13-Jun-2013 By Emma Eversham

De Vere Venues, the meetings and conference division of hotel company De Vere, has been given the contract to manage golf and conference centre East Sussex National. 

The Pig owners take over Hunstrete House with plans to re-open by Christmas

29-May-2013 By Emma Eversham

Home Grown Hotels, the owner of The Pig hotel brand, has taken over former Von Essen hotel Hunstrete House with plans to re-open it as a hotel by the end of the year. 

New York-based Altamarea Group to enter UK with Chop Shop restaurant launch

24-May-2013 By Peter Ruddick

The Crown Estate has announced it has signed a deal with US-based restaurant operator Altamarea Group to bring a new concept - Chop Shop - to a site in the St James's development in Haymarket.

Fine-dining restaurant and Harbourside restaurant & bar hit the market in Bristol

06-Feb-2013 By Luke Nicholls

A 56-cover fine-dining restaurant and a 30-metre barge housing a restaurant, bar and live music venue – both in Bristol - have today been put up for sale.

The Wolseley owners receive private equity backing to fund expansion

26-Apr-2012 By Mark Wingett

Rex Restaurant Associates, the company headed up by experienced restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King, has received private equity backing to fund expansion plans for the group that owns The Wolseley.

Hotel development for 'Welsh Versailles' and largest private residential property in Wales

12-Apr-2012 By Peter Ruddick

Kinmel Hall, a Welsh mansion modelled on the Palace of Versailles in France and the largest private residential property in Wales, has been sold for around £1.5m and is set to become a luxury hotel after a development is completed.

Former Pubfolio sites among package of 74 pubs put up for sale

10-Feb-2012 By Mark Wingett

A 74-strong package of closed freehold and long-leasehold pubs, which includes sites from the former Pubfolio and Goldtry estates, has been placed on the market, according to BigHospitality's sister publication M&C Report.

Von Essen's Callow Hall bought out of administration

21-Dec-2011 By Emma Eversham

Former Von Essen hotel Callow Hall in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, has been bought out of administration by an unnamed private buyer for around £2.25m.

Biagio Group's Wardour St restaurant sold

25-Nov-2011 By Rachel Parkes

The first of four London restaurants owned by the Biagio Group has been sold, as part of a sell off by the group following the retirement of owner Biagio Caroleo.

Former Von Essen's The Samling sold to private owners

24-Oct-2011 By Emma Eversham

Former Von Essen hotel The Samling in Cumbria has been sold to private owners for just under £6m.

Tax experts pen book to help hospitality owners save tax

03-Oct-2011 By Emma Eversham

Tax specialists Ray Chidell and Ian Sutton have written a book specifically for owners of hotels, restaurants and pubs that could help them save tax through capital allowances.

Falling masonry kills London restaurant customer

12-Aug-2011 By Kate Mead

A man has died after being hit by a piece of falling masonry as he sat outside London restaurant Le Bouchon Bordelais.

Eden Hotel Collection acquires Brockencote Hall

03-Aug-2011 By Emma Eversham

Eden Hotel Collection, the small group of country house hotels owned by Sir Peter Rigby, has acquired Brockencote Hall hotel in Worcestershire.