12/09/2023 22:52:00
Heartwood Collection, formerly known as Brasserie Bar Co, has acquired the White Horse in Dorking, Surrey as its first pub with rooms, reports The Caterer. The 56-room, Grade II-listed building is considered one of England's oldest coaching inns and is referenced in the works of both Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Now the pub is set to relaunch in early 2024 following a multi-million-pound investment by Heartwood Group. Brasserie Bar Co was founded by chef Raymond Blanc and Mark Derry and was acquired by Alchemy Partners in early 2022. It rebranded as Heartwood Collection earlier this year with the ambition expanding in the premium pub sector.
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported a 10% increase in revenue, driven by "standout" performances across its pubs and concessions. According to TRG's interim results in the 26 weeks to 2 July this year, total revenue was up 10% against last year, rising from £423.4m to £467.4m. TRG chief executive Andy Hornby said: "We are encouraged by the significant progress made in the first eight months of the year, delivering strong like-for-like sales growth despite the consumer backdrop." Within the TRG pub estate, which includes Burning & Price, the business saw an 8% like-for-like increase while its other ventures, namely Wagamama and concessions trade, benefited from a 7% and 29% upswing respectively, reports the Morning Advertiser.
Roxy Leisure will open its third venue in Liverpool this November. The latest branch, located on School Lane, will offer a range of competitive socialising activities, including 10 pin bowling, American pool, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, tech darts, karaoke, beer pong and more, advises Pub & Bar. Founded by Matthew and Ben Jones, Roxy Leisure opened its first Roxy Ball Room on Boar Lane in Leeds in 2013. The group's second site and first bowling lane concept, Roxy Lanes, then opened on Bond Street in Leeds in 2014. The first Liverpool venue was Hanover Street, which launched in 2016. The group now has 17 sites across the UK following its most recent launches in Leicester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol.
More than 350 hospitality businesses have responded to Ofgem's consultation, urging the watchdog to take swift action to improve the energy market. The Restaurant reports that in July the regulator set out its plans to clamp down on rouge energy suppliers and make it easier for businesses to make a complaint about their behaviour following a sharp rise in commercial energy bills. Trade body UKHospitality has been urging Ofgem to act on its plans and in August called on operators to respond to the consultation and back its #FiveAsksForOfgem campaign. More than 350 hospitality businesses, representing thousands of venues, have now presented a united front to the energy regulator.
Wetherspoons has announced it is slashing prices by 7.5 per cent at The Penny Black on Witton Street. Northwich & Winsford Guardian reports that the price reductions are being brought in on Thursday (September 14) to mark Tax Equality Day with the aim of highlighting the benefit of a permanent VAT reduction in the hospitality industry.