19/02/2019
Hai Di Lao to open in The O2
Hai Di Lao, China's biggest hot pot restaurant chain, is set to open in The O2 in May, taking the largest site in the development at 8,200 sq. ft. plus a 2,800 sq. ft. mezzanine. Furthermore by CHLOE, Beer + Burger, Hook, Benito's Hat, Thunderbird and Scarlet are also set to open. Big Hospitality reports that Hai Di Lao were represented by Richard Thomas, who joined Fleurets in September 2018. Hai Di Lao will also be opening its debut UK restaurant at Piccadilly's The Trocadero. The O2 is already home to ASK Italian, Harvester, Nando's as well as Frankie & Benny's.
Local publican acquires grade II listed property for second site
The Ivy House, located in Tonbridge, Kent, has been sold to local publican, Jamie Brady, who also owns the very popular Carpenters Arms in Three Elm Lane. Simon Bland from Fleurets brokered the deal on behalf of Ei Group. Propel reports that the property is grade II listed as well as believed to be one of the oldest buildings in the town, historically serving as a tollhouse.
EasyCoffee raises £3.5m for new openings
EasyCoffee, value café bar operator and part of the EasyGroup, has raised more than £3.5m in private equity to fund the opening of 24 coffee shops this year. Propel reports that the business intends to have a mixture of 200 franchise and corporate-operated sites open within two to three years. EasyCoffee currently has ten trading units and its target locations include: the North West, Blackpool specifically, as well as Medway and the London suburbs.
My Million Pound Menu chefs launch three month Mayfair residency
Chefs and contestants on BBC Two's My Million Pound Menu, Aaron Thomas and Joe Allen, have launched a three month residency, KityCow, in Jamie Barber's Mayfair restaurant, Hush. The Caterer reports that it is open between 1st February and the end of April. KityCow, which is a traditional robe worn by Sherpas in Nepal, will be serving Nepalese cuisine fused with a British twist.
Red Mist Leisure marks 10th site in Farnham
Red Mist Leisure has opened The Castle Inn in Farnham, marking the pub operator's tenth site. Propel reports that having acquired the leasehold last month, the site has since undergone redecoration as well as extending the bar.
And Finally...
Data released by Expedia Group has shown a surge in international visitors in 2018, particularly from Eastern Asia, and a consequent positive growth for UK hotels. The Caterer reports that there was a 15% growth in visitor numbers to Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and London year-on-year. East Anglia, North Wales, Cumbria, The Lake District, Essex and the West Midlands saw the largest regional growth in tourist numbers.