27/07/2021
Hawthorne agree sale to Admiral Taverns for £222.3m
According to Propel, NewRiver has entered into an agreement to sell its community pubs business Hawthorn Leisure to Admiral Taverns for £222.3m. Hawthorn has 674 leased and tenanted and operator managed community pubs. Admiral Taverns operate approximately 1,000 wet-led community pubs across England, Wales and Scotland.
JD Wetherspoon to sell 7 pubs
Morning Advertiser has reported that pub giant JD Wetherspoon (JDW) has appointed two agents to dispose of seven of its sites in England and Wales. The sites are in Aylesbury, Bodmin, Bury, Leyton, Swindon, Worcester & Wrexham.
Greene King shut down sites amid 'pingdemic'
Last week, pub chain Greene King were forced to close 33 pubs due to staff shortages as a result of being pinged by the NHS' Test and Trace app reports City AM. Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King believes the app displaying such sensitivity is not suitable. "Across the industry we think one in five of our team has been affected by this," he said.
Restaurants aim to tap investors as lockdown eases
The Financial Times has reported that a growing number of restaurants chains are looking to tap investors. A sharp rebound in demand offers a leisure sector, decimated by the pandemic, a rare window to raise money. Tortilla, the UK casual dining chain backed by private equity group Quilvest, said it planned to list later this year to capitalise on "opportunities for new openings and further expansion in the new hospitality landscape".
Pubs and bars encouraged to keep table service by the government
Despite restrictions being lifted as part of Freedom Day on 19th July, the government has suggested that venues continue to use table service report Time Out. As part of its Hospitality Strategy, the documents also encourages establishments to continue displaying QR codes for customers to allow customers to support NHS Test and Trace, even though this is no longer a legal requirements. The new guidance had led to calls for authorities in the UK to be more consistent and transparent in their messaging.
Nightclubs hit with 'hammer blow' as Covid vaccine certificates are to be compulsory
The Government's decision to make so-called 'vaccine passports' compulsory to enter crowded venues such as nightclubs from the autumn has been condemned as 'an absolute shambles' by the night-time economy advises Big Hospitality.
And Finally...
A new immersive Monopoly inspired restaurant and cocktail bar is due to launch in London's West End on 14th August. The Top Hat is set to be a playful homage to the London version of the iconic game and an immersive celebration of the capital itself reports Premier Construction.