18/02/2025 10:08:00
Brewer and pub operator Greene King has announced that it plans to launch its franchise brands in Scotland for the first time, says Pub & Bar. Its Hive Pubs and Nest Pubs franchise concepts will be rolled out in Scotland under the umbrella of Belhaven Pub Partners, building on its work in England whereby Greene King currently operates over 70 franchise pubs. Belhaven Pub Partners expects to open its first franchise pub in Scotland by April this year, with plans for more franchise openings across the country in 2025 already lined up.
Punch Pubs & Co has reported a solid trading performance for the 16 weeks to 1 December 2024, with profitability ahead of the prior year and underlying EBITDA growth across all divisions. The company remains on track to reach an adjusted run-rate EBITDA of £99.8m supported by estate expansions and operational efficiencies, advises MCA Insight. Total revenue for the period stood at £97.3m, an increase from £96m in the same period last year.
Hyatt Hotels has reported that its net rooms grew by 7.8% in FY24 in line with its full year outlook, with its pipeline having expanded by 9% year-over-year. The fourth quarter saw 81 new hotels - or 20,721 rooms - join the Hyatt portfolio, inclusive of properties acquired through the Standard International and Bahia Principe transactions, advises Hotel Owner. Notable openings included Grand Hyatt Deer Valley; Dreams Madeira Resort Spa and Marina; Park Hyatt London River Thames; Thompson Palm Springs; and nine UrCove properties. By the end of December 2024, the group had a pipeline of executed management or franchise contracts for some 720 hotels - or approximately 138,000 rooms - representing a pipeline expansion of 9% year-over-year.
Edgbaston Stadium has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for a major ground redevelopment project that will provide improved facilities for disabled spectators and construction of a new on-site hotel. Members of the Planning Committee unanimously approved the £42 million scheme earlier this week, and work is expected to start in September to be completed in time for the men's Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston in 2027. The proposed 146 bed Radisson Red hotel will include a rooftop terrace, pitch-view rooms with balconies, and other rooms that can be converted into hospitality boxes with external terraces to watch the match action, reports Hospitality and Catering News.
Credit and debit card spending grew 1.9 per cent year-on-year in January - the highest uplift since March 2024, but remaining lower than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.2 per cent. Both pubs, bars & clubs, and restaurants enjoyed growth of 2.6 per cent, showing not everyone spent the month sheltering from the cold. The increase comes despite a third (34 per cent) of consumers saying they significantly reduced their alcohol consumption in January. This suggests the hospitality industry had prepared to cater for the growing popularity of Dry January, having witnessed a rise in punters shifting to low and no alcohol alternatives advises, CLH News.
Market Halls is set to expand its footprint with the launch of its fourth London food hall at Paddington Square on 4th March, reports Hospitality and Leisure News. Spanning 11,000 square feet, the venue will introduce eight food traders, two bars, an outdoor terrace, and communal seating for 355 guests inside and 130 outside.
The Caterer reveals all the new stars in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2025...