4/8/2025 11:07:00 AM
The government has formed a new working group aimed at reducing barriers in the licensing system. Pubs, bars, clubs, and restaurants are set to be freed from "burdensome red tape" as the group explores ways to streamline licensing processes. Measures under consideration by Westminster include improving how licensing laws are applied, expanding alfresco dining, and allowing later opening hours in London. Additionally, the Mayor of London has been granted new "call-in" powers to review blocked licensing applications in key nightlife areas. If successful, this approach could be extended to other mayors across England, in collaboration with their local police forces, reports Pub & Bar.
Marriott has announced plans to double the portfolio of its Four Points Flex by Sheraton brand across Europe by the end of 2026 says Boutique Hotelier. The growth plans include: two debut openings in Austria, a launch in France, an additional seven properties in Germany, three new openings in Italy, four new openings in the UK, three new openings in Turkey, and one new opening in Copenhagen Denmark. Overall, the brand is looking to reach over 50 open properties in Europe within the next two years. Four Points Flex by Sheraton, launched in September 2023, is the company's fastest growing brand in Europe. Last month, they also opened two hotels in Cardiff and Newcastle. As part of the brand's expansion, Four Points Flex plans to open hotels in Edinburgh and Brighton.
Yard Sale Pizza is set to supercharge its growth following investment from consumer specialist investor Piper, advises Restaurant Online. Piper investment will help Yard Sale expand further across London and into new cities, with a goal of reaching 40 sites in five years. A recent project with CACI identified the potential for over 500 locations in total. The partnership will also support further technology investment to enhance the brand's customer experience, alongside continued innovation in collaborations and partnerships. The deal, which completed on Friday (4 April) for an undisclosed sum, marks Piper's sixth investment from its seventh fund, having backed brands including Flat Iron and Loungers.
A new 25% tariff on beer exports to the US could prove an existential threat to UK breweries, industry bosses have warned. Donald Trump's administration revealed yesterday that beer imports from the rest of the world would be included in tariffs covering steel and aluminium. The announcement was overshadowed within hours by the US President's 'Make America Wealthy Again' speech revealing sweeping import tariffs that cover the entire planet. But the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned it will have an enormous impact on the industry in the UK by slamming new costs on trade worth more than £120 million, writes METRO.
Indian restaurant group Kricket is to open a fifth London venue in Covent Garden later this year, advises The Caterer. The group has taken on a 4,000 sq ft site in Neal's Yard which will open as 130-cover all-day café, bar and restaurant. It will be the third Kricket restaurant to launch in the past year, following openings in Canary Wharf in 2024 and Shoreditch in March. The modern Indian restaurant group was founded by Rik Campell and Will Bowlby in a Brixton shipping container in 2015 and launched a permanent site in Soho in 2016 after securing funding from White Rabbit Projects. The pair secured a fresh round of funding from White Rabbit Projects in 2023 to kick-start Kricket's expansion.
Fleurets has completed the sale of the freehold investment of North Laine Brewhouse, Brighton to Cervidae. The property is operated by Laine Pub Company, a subsidiary of Punch Pubs. As part of the investment sale, all tenants remain in situ and unaffected. Read more.