4/1/2025 9:05:00 AM
Red Engine, the hospitality group behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, has said it aims to operate 84 venues around the world within the next five years, reports Pub & Bar. Following the release of its 2024 financial results, which saw a total revenue of £77.1m, Red Engine says it aims to open three-to-four owner-operated venues each year and its partners have a goal of opening at least four-to-five Flight Club venues per year. Based on these numbers, over the next five years the hospitality group and its partners will aim to open an additional 45 venues, taking the total global estate to 84 by the end of 2030. Its 2024 turnover was a 15% increase on 2023's £66.8m.
Integrity International Group, owned by billionaire hotelier Tony Matharu, has won a bid to convert Atlas House in the City of London into a new luxury hotel, writes Boutique Hotelier. The Grade-II listed building will join the Blue Orchid Hospitality brand, which is part of Integrity. Atlas House is a purpose-built commercial office which has been occupied by Atlas Assurance Company for 130 years. Following its transformation, the building will be home to 104 bedrooms, alongside a destination restaurant, cocktail bar and health club, spa, pool and gym. There will also be flexible public workspaces, which both hotel guests and the general public will be able to use.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves ignored repeated calls to reverse April's increase to National Insurance Contributions, advises the Morning Advertiser. Speaking in the House of Commons (Wednesday 26 March), Reeves said the measures set out in the Autumn Budget were "non-negotiable". The increase to National Insurance, first announced at the Autumn Budget last October, will come into effect on 1 April. Responding to the Spring Statement, UKH said the address was a "missed opportunity" to support businesses and avoid April's "cliff edge".
Warwick Castle has experienced a 52% increase in overall overnight stays in 2024 compared with the previous year, as the 60-bedroom medieval hotel hosted more than 10,000 visitors, says Hotel Owner. It comes as both the castle and the new hotel are gearing up for a busy spring and summer, thanks to Comedy At The Castle, which is the Midlands' biggest open-air comedy festival in May, and a Warwick Castle live concert series in August.
The Hole in the Wall pub in Torquay has announced its closure after almost 500 years of trading, reports The Caterer. Richard Rossendale-Cook, the pub's landlord, told ITV he is being shut by HMRC as he can no longer afford to pay rent for the pub. He said he has paid the brewery over £1m in rent and beer over the last seven years but that the declining number of people eating out has contributed to challenging trading conditions. It comes as the hospitality sector faces a package of price increases next month as a result of increases to business rates, National Minimum Wage and employers' National Insurance Contributions. The Hole in the Wall is believed to be Torquay's oldest pub, dating back to the 1540s, having welcomed everyone between smugglers and business people over the years.
North-west based multiple operator Cheshire Cat Pubs & Inns took home three gongs at this year's Publican Awards. The boutique pub group scooped the prize for Best Operations Team, Best Drinks Offer and Best Food Offer. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman at Evolution London in Battersea, the industry's equivalent of the Oscars recognised a wide range of businesses for outstanding work in the face of challenging circumstances on Wednesday 26 March. At the awards, Laine Pub Company was named best Late Night Operator and Best Partnership Pub Company. Admiral Taverns' boss Chris Jowsey was also recognised on the night, being awards Business Leader of the Year, voted for by operators across the country, says the Morning Advertiser.
Fuller's has acquired the historic White Swan in Twickenham, a 17th-century free house on the River Thames, popular with locals, rugby fans, and visitors. Fleurets acted on behalf of Fuller's on the acquisition of the freehold. Read the full story.