20/03/2018
Z Hotels receives funding for new London hotel
According to Boutique Hotelier, Z Hotels has received £18m in funding from Metro Bank for a new London acquisition. The new hotel will occupy a five-storey building off London's Trafalgar Square, and mark the group's seventh London site. Z Hotels plans to open two further hotels later this year, in London and Bath.
Lucky Voice announces sales increase
Lucky Voice, the karaoke bar concept, has announced a 17% increase in sales in December 2017 and 8% across the entirety of 2017. Furthermore, both January and February 2018 saw 20% increases, according to Pub and Bar. Lucky Voice has three owner-operated sites: Soho, Islington and Brighton as well as having launched a Dubai franchise, as well as the Novus partnership.
Comptoir Libanais to open in Birmingham
Comptoir Libanais is set to open in Birmingham, marking the first West Midlands restaurant. Propel Info has reported that the 3,047 sq ft restaurant is located in the Grand Central shopping centre and is set to open on Monday 26th March. Comptoir Libanais, owned by Comptoir Group, operates 26 UK sites, with another opening planned for London Bridge later in the year.
Travelodge attributes revenue increase to SuperRooms
Travelodge has attributed its 6.6% revenue increase to £637.1m to the launch of SuperRooms. Having launched in early 2017, the premium economy concept has 990 rooms across the UK, with a further 400 planned for 2018. According to The Caterer, Travelodge reported a 2.8% increase in average room rate, a 2.9% increase in revpar as well as a rise in Ebitda from £2.3m to £112.4m; all for the year-end 31 December 2017. 2018 will see the opening of 20 Travelodge hotels.
Calvors Brewery purchases second Suffolk pub
Suffolk-based company, Calvors Brewery, has acquired its second pub, The Swan at Holbrook. The purchase follows funding from NatWest and joins Calvors' existing site, The Rampant Horse Inn in Needham Market which opened in February 2012. The Swan is set to re-open at the end of March, according to Pub and Bar.
And finally...
Swingers, the crazy golf concept, has launched its second London site. Joining Swingers' City of London site, the new operation is housed in the former BHS on Oxford Street. According to Propel Info the new 20,000 sq ft venue offers two 1920s English Riviera themed courses as well as street food traders Breddos Tacos, Hackney Gelato, Made Of Dough as well as Patty & Bun.